I feel... lied to.

[ Just something I've been kicking around in my head.  This never actually happened in game.  One of many possible endings for the character, I guess ]

When did things get so out of control? Without thinking he rubbed the finger wearing his ring.

That ring.

It seemed like a good idea at the time.  He had to ensure her safety.  He couldn't control his power, and that could have been dangerous.   It was for her, afterall.  So they could be together without risk.  So he could hold her in his arms without fear for harming her.  It was the only way... this ring that offered him full control of his powers.

But he never understood the price.  The ring that was supposed to free him had bound him.  The ring which was supposed to bring them together had torn them appart.

He couldn't feel anything for the things he had done in the service of his new masters.  Nor could he feel anything for the shadows of the past that haunted him.    He felt nothing, no remose, no guilt, no regrets.   But it was different with her.  The one feeling the ring could not conqueor in him was his love.   Love was indomitable, even to charms as powerful as the one he now bore.

He recalled the last time he was with her.  It was less than a week ago, and they both knew what the future had in store.  They would have to face eachother.    Yet, for one night they were able to forget this war, forget the conflict which had driven them apart.  They were simply together as they had been so long ago.  


But that night was long gone, and the dreaded time had come.  

Volfen stood amoung his troops, looking at her.  The tattered remains of what was left of those who gathered in defense of the camp stood with her.

"Leave Khyarha to me.  Kill the rest..." He spoke the words flatly.

The commander frowned and turned to him.  "Volfen, this infatuation of yours troubles me.  Its a weakness and time you purged yourself of it."

"She does not need to be killed."

"On the contrary" His commander spoke evenly. "I think its time you proved your loyality and ended this once and for all.  Kill her."

"No." This was the first time he had openly refused them since coming into their service.  


"You dare refuse my order? I think its time I reminded you of that ring you bear."

Pain flashed through Volfen's mind as the ring activated.  He screamed aloud as he felt to the grond, writing in agony.  the solders looked on with amusement as what was left of the camps defenders watched uneasily.  Khyarha watched in horror as she realized how he had been being controlled.

Then,  the pain stopped.  Volfen breathed heavily as he tried to recover himself.

"You must be free of.... other considerations.... kill her."

Volfen stood, and strightened himself and recovered his sword from where he had lost it when the ring was activated.  He looked over to Khy,  flatly, he was stoic as ever, his face unreadable.

"I'm sorry Khyarha.  I didn't want it to end this way. but..."

He raised his ringed hand to her, his sword in the other.

"....one of us has to die."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breathe.  She thought back to the last time they were together.  She had know he would kill her.  Then why did she not killed him then?  She had the chance.  Because she couldn't.  Even though he was about to take her life she couldn't bring herself to do it.  The fragile hope that the man she once loved was still alive in him was  enough to stay her hand.    

She was not afraid to die, and she knew Volfen would let it be a quick death, she had deserved that much.  Her eyes opened.  She would meet death, not hide from it.

But there was no magic released.  Instead, in a quick motion, Volfen's sword cut the air, severing his other arm at the wrist.  Volfen cried out in pain as his severed hand fell to the ground.  The hand with the ring still on it.

The eyes of his commander openned in shock.  "Kill h-" is all he had time to says as he was encompassed in a ball of flame.

Without the ring to control his powers, and the pain from his severed hand, Volfen lost control.  Flame lashed out from all directions, fueled by Volfen's pain and rage.  The soldiers turned and tryed to flee.  Those who weren't engulfed by flame were cut down by the camp's defenders.


The hellish outburst was intense, but brief.  Volfen fell to the ground, his powered expelled.  Though the fight was quick,  he had lost a great deal of blood, and he had not been able to escape his own blaze.  He was badly bured, as well as drained of all strength by wielding his powers so recklessly.  

He fell on his back, watching the canopy of trees and thought of home.  The pain began to melt away, and was replaced with a peaceful numbness.  His breath came to him only in shallow rasps.

He felt someone take his hand.  He mustered the strength to turn his head.  He knew who it was.  He wanted to see her face one last time.

"Khyarha... forgive... me..."

She said nothing. No words were needed.  He felt her arms wrap around him.  He was with her again.  That was good enough.   The world faded away, and he slipped away into nothingness.