After freeing a slave Djinn by giving him the cursed sword Blackrazor, refusing to slay a Black Dragon that was so grateful it handed over the Tear of Bhaal for free (but not before blabbering for nearly half an hour about how the Painbearer had risen above her blood by deciding to be 'humble', or something like that) and being forced to take a walk in a room full of magically invulnerable Beholders, Meg and her friends walked down the stairs to the last challenge room.
A huge Balor was waiting for them at the end of the staircase and behind it were two rounded blue doors that looked identical. "Ah, you are here", the Demon addressed the Ilmatari in a deep, overdramatic voice, "Know, Godchild, that the last Tear of Bhaal is behind me…But there are two paths leading to it. Two paths, but with the same end, understand? You made many choices during your travels, choices that…".
"Forgive me if I seem impatient, but can you please get to the point?", she cut it off, her patience running thinner by the second: she'd had enough of being watched, tested, prodded and judged at every turn and now she was tired, sweaty, hungry and most of all, she was royally. Pissed. Off. The creature shot her a deeply offended look, "I was about to get to it, Daughter of Murder. The choice you make here will have consequences on someone else, someone who is not at fault for your decision, but is still affected by it. One of the people travelling with you, caught up in your shadow", it said and with a swirl of magic, Yoshimo vanished.
"What did you do to my friend?", she yelled, scared and enraged at the same time. "I merely teleported him to the room at the end of the two paths. Now you must make your choice: take the door to my left and sacrifice yourself to let the innocent live, or go to t-Hey, I wasn't finished speaking!", the Balor protested, as she ran forward and slammed the left door open.
A column of flame struck her, making her stagger in pain, but she pressed on, opening the second door, which caused a bolt of lightning to hit her repeatedly and in the end, she pushed the third door open, setting off a trap that sent five poisoned darts to pierce her flesh. Before losing consciousness, the last thing she saw was Yoshimo, safe and sound, rushing towards her.
The Demon appeared in the room with a pout, "Uuuumpf. Now I can't even get to make my final speech, because she's out cold! It's not fair!", he complained, "Ah, whatever, I'll do it anyway. Ahem!", it cleared its throat and took back on its dramatic tone, "You made your choice, Daughter of Murder: a selfless act, born of the care you have for the lives of those touched by your Destiny. Your companion is returned to you unscathed and the Tear of Bhaal is yours. Farewell", it said, then walked away sulkily, muttering under his breath about 'unappreciative audience' and 'all that time wasted to rehearse it'.
The party members joined her and the bounty hunter in the room and Anomen gently took her up into his arms and cast a powerful healing spell on her, sighing with relief when she opened her eyes. "What...", she looked around, "Yoshimo, are you okay?". "I am, sekai no hikari and I owe it to you". "What else could I do? Let you die?", she replied as she stood with her beloved's help and brushed her robe, "So, we have the last Tear, right? Tell me we do". The Kozakuran nodded and showed her the stone Tear, "We have it indeed! Now we can open the portal and...".
"And retrieve my soul", she sighed, "Let's go then, I want to get you out of here as soon as possible". Sarevok shook his head, "We must rest first, Maggie: I have kept track of the healing spells that were used so far and I have a feeling there are only a few left among all of you. We can't get into a fight without healing, you know this". She smiled warmly and kissed his cheek, "I know that you're always right, big brother. Okay, guys, make yourself comfortable, we're camping here".