Author's Note: I'm REEEEEEALY sorry for not writing sooner. I have had no time the entire summer! I was lucky to get a few chapters done for my book, but I kept on trying to write Renaissance without success. Well, here's another romp into the crazy mind of Renetari- finally!

DISCLAIMER: Dragonlance is the property of Weiss and Hickman. Jell-O is the property of the company that makes Jell-O. 'nuff said.

It's been too long. I pretend nothing happens, but it does. Things are getting more ominous by the day. I feel it in my bones. There isn't a chance for me on Earth.

The only thing I still take joy in is Chemistry class, where this whole crazy chain of events started. If it wasn't for the daily romp into the land of caustic acids and explosive gases, I would have ended this existence long ago. A singular consciousness in the Abyss would be better than this tortured dual existence.

I still travel to the Halls of Nuitari, but my visits are so often interrupted. It's as if I want to stay there, away from my physical body forever- however, my alarm clock doesn't agree with my sentiments.



I shock awake in my dark hall, during my father's night travels across the skies of Krynn. Peering into the darkness, I see a shape, a black, fluttering moth drawn to my light. In its palm rests a reddish stone that engulfs me. "Immortality is a prize, but the power of a goddess. it will be mine." I recognize him!

I snarl in the words of magic, a spell so simple I think I could use it on Earth- and the lich's flesh drizzles onto the floor. "Fistandalius!" I scream, snatching my onyx-hilted dagger from the dressing table. I cast another spell, quickly, and grin as I disappear from his sight. I creep behind him and drive the blade deep, knocking him to the floor with my entire weight. I snatch the bloodstone amulet away from his reach, not intending to yield my power so easily.

"Renetari!" The door slams against the wall as Dalamar enters. "Let your father deal with him, m'lady. I thought Shalafi destroyed the foul creature, but he apparently aspires beyond immortality still."

"He tried to kill me." I twist my dagger futilely, knowing the undead wouldn't be hurt more, only intending to inflict whatever pain I could upon the foul creature. "He will lose this unlife for it."

"Let your father deal with him!" He kicks me aside, casting a web over the supine body on the floor. "You may be a goddess, but you are still my apprentice, and I fully expect you to obey me!"

Sore, I stand, snarling like a tiger. "Thank you, elven control freak! I have had enough of you, all my worthless lessons, all this worthless preparation, and what do I get? A POINTLESS DOUBLE EXISTENCE, THAT'S WHAT I GET! You don't understand what's happening to me! You cross- dressing, long-haired, pointy-eared FREAK!" he makes as if to stop me, but I speak first. "Your dress is unbuttoned, ma'am."

He sighs heavily, obviously trying not to respond in kind. "Fine." He looks me straight in the eye. "I will see you in the library in five minutes, apprentice. I expect to see you there."

I bow, chastened. "Yes, Shalafi."

­

"So you cussed out Dalamar the Dark." Adrian stares at me in disbelief.
"Yep!" I scribble something in my assignment book that ended in the word "Jell-O".
He breaks out laughing, then looks at me. "What's wrong?"
"That Fistandalius attacked me means I'm getting weaker. I wasn't too powerful for him to challenge anymore. I'm dying." I regarded my slight gray pallor. "On both planes. If I don't get off one soon, I'm a goner."

I'm really sorry, this isn't adequate, but I'll make it up to you next episode. I've got something really great planned.

PREVIEW: Dalamar drove down the interstate in a zippy black Ferrari, license plate DARKMAGE. Behind him lay a wake of crushed GMC's, Chryslers, and Fords. "Don't know how to drive, do they?" He mumbled, tossing his hair in the wind. Damn pants. Didn't quite get why he couldn't wear

a robe, but he did look good in leather. some weird Earth human had thrown herself on him, asking him if he really was Jon Bon Jovi and what the hell did he do to his hair? He was firmly on objective now- except for one problem. "Damn!" he swore as he drove into Albuquerque. "I'm lost!"