Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Come on Percy, I know you can keep up!” Keylith called over her shoulder as she bounded through the undergrowth. His chest heaving Percy sprung after her, trying not to slip on the damp leaves. 
Since discovering this deer form Keylith had insisted on regular runs out in the forests around Emon. She would wild shape into a deer herself and teach Percy the best ways to move. How to balance on his four dainty hooves; having two in his default form had taken him weeks to get used to.
And now he was bounding after Keylith trying to keep track of her white tail and red fur among the undergrowth. Bound, leap, bound, leap. The fastest way to move as a deer she’d told him.

Percy was glad he was at least keeping up until the sound of rushing water reached his keen ears. He skidded to a stop at the shore as Keylith bounded straight across the fallen tree that bridged over the river. 
Nope. Not a chance. Not in this form. There was hardly any bark he’d slip right off.

Keylith paused and looked back at him. “Come on Percy it’s safe.” Because they were both deer they could speak to each other. She tapped her hoof on the log. “Nice and sturdy.”

”Easy for you to say, you’re lighter than I am.” Percy huffed testing his side gingerly. He climbed up onto log.

”that’s it. One step at a time. No rush.” Keylith encouraged. 

Percy thought he’d been passed the worst when he was half way across. Then his hind hooves slipped right out from under him. He scrambled at the log uselessly with his front hooves but it was too late. 

“Percy!” He heard Keylith shout as he fell. It wasn’t a long fall but the shock of the splash and the frigid water knocked the breath from Percy.

Fighting not to get swept away he transformed back to himself and grabbed onto a slippery rock. His head broke the surface and he shook cold water from his eyes making sure he still had his glasses before he opened them.

”Are you okay?” Keylith was back to herself as well looking worried.

”I’m alright… just cold and wet.” Percy stood and trudged through the current to the shore to meet her. He cringed at the extra weight of his soaked clothes he took off his gloves and tried to flex his prosthetic fingers. They were jammed. “Great…” loosing two fingers on his left hand to a demonic assassin was yet another thing he was still getting used to. He was still working the kinks out on the prosthetics.

”I’m sorry Percy…” Keylith scuffed the ground with a boot.

Percy just smiled at her. “It’s alright Keylith, it’s why we’re out here after all. To work on my balance.”

She gave him a small smile in return. “So… you want to try again?”

”Well, deer fur will certainly dry off faster than my wool coat. So why not?”

So again they both transformed and Percy tried the log bridge again. He slipped on the middle section again and tumbled back into the river. This time he climbed out as a deer and shook himself hard as he shivered. 

“I’m going again.” He declared, pawing at the grass with a hoof. Picking his way across wasn’t working. He lowered his head and charged. Bound, leap, splash! If deer could growl percy certainly would have been as his head broke the surface of the water for a third time.

”Percy it’s okay if you don’t get in today.” Keylith said. “You’ve done great with everything else.”

”I’m going this Keylith.” Percy said stubbornly getting ready to go again. It was simple physics really. He just needed to find the right angle to place his hooves on each stride.  
Bound, leap, bound, splash! Again. Bound, leap, splash!

By now Percy was shivering from being soaked in river water. Okay, one more time then maybe he’d give it up as a bad job for the day. 
“Once more.” He said as Keylith watched him. Bound, leap, bound, leap, bound-

“Yes!” Keylith cheered as his hooves made contact with the other bank at last. She bounded around him happily. “You did it Percy! I knew you could!”

Percy chuckled weakly and shivered on his hooves. “Thank you Keylith. But now I would like head back. That water is freezing.”

”We’ll get you a blanket and some hot soup.” Keylith agreed turning to the trail. “Come on. It’ll be faster if we run like this.”

”You are right.” Percy sighed shaking drops of frigid water from his ears.

Keylith bounded off in the lead and Percy followed her. Keeping his eyes peeled for oddities in their surroundings. They been lucky so far but hunters would always be on his mind when he was like this. Well hunters and wolves. Percy was a white buck, and white deer of any kind were prized game. White Harts were rare considered good luck if captured, and if percy panicked turning back to himself was almost out of the question. And even if he did manage it he still had a lot of deer features. He did not want to end up in a cage as a side show attraction.

He and Keylith reached Greyskull Keep without further incident for which Percy was grateful. His clothes were still sodden when he turned back to himself and he had to comb wet hair out of his eyes.

”what Happened out there?” Vax asked as they walked into the kitchen.

”I lost my balance on a log.” Percy shrugged looking through their food for something that could easily be heated up and then sit warm in his stomach.

”and then insisted on going over said log over and over until he stopped slipping off it.” Keylith smiled.

”stubborn buck.” Vax teased.

”he’s making sure he can control and use these new abilities.” Vex cut in pulling on Percy’s sodden coat. He smiled and let her help him shrug it off. Vex hung it on a hook by the fire to dry. “Go change your clothes darling, you’re freezing.”

Percy smiled and nodded making his way up to his room. He peeled himself out of his many soaked layers and grabbed a towel to dry himself off. It still felt odd needing to dry the fur of his cottony deer’s tail. Hanging up his wet clothes he moved to his wardrobe and looked at himself in the mirror on the inside of the door. He bypassed his scars… those were nothing new. The antlers, the ears and the oddly sharp teeth he was still getting used to. He touched the scars on his lips where the invisible stitches had been. Forcing him to always smile no matter his emotions. And they would tear his skin when he fought them. He’d thought it was over… but these powers… his new magic… and the words of that owl demon made it clear he was not yet free. Percival again reached into his mind for his demon… his patron. 

“Alastor? Are you there?” He was met with nothing but silence. Percy sighed and pulled on some simple dry clothes before making his way back down stairs. 
Before he even reached the stairs he could tell Pike was heating up last night’s chicken soup. The scent was wafting through the keep, but percy knew he wouldn’t have been able to pick it up if it weren’t for his heightened senses.

At least the changes weren’t all bad. And they hadn’t caused the people who mattered most to abandon him. Demons and monsters from his past be damned they’d stood by him even despite his own protests. Even Cassandra had started writing letters to him. The last one inviting him and Vox Machina to come back to Whitestone. Things were looking up, returning to some semblance of normal. And Percival de Rolo couldn’t have been happier.

Chapter Text

The next morning as they were finishing up breakfast Jarett walked right into the keep. Percy caught his scent before anyone spotted him. 
“Incoming.” He told the other inclining his ears to the door.

”That’s freaky.” Grog said.

”believe me it’s not always a picnic.” Percy said pointedly as Jarett walked in.

“Great timing as usual Jarett.” Vax said crossing his arms at the intuition.

“The Sovereign has summoned you to the Cloudtop.” The guard captain said glancing at Percy. His changes were always a shock to people and Jarett hadn’t seen him up close since they’d left for Whitestone.

”Like now?” Scanlan asked.

He gave them a nod and so they went. When the Sovereign called the Protectors of the Realm came. All of Emon came apparently.

“Looking sharp, Gilmore, as always.” Vax smiled when he saw the merchant.

”Oh this old thing?” The collar of the silk tunic popped out as if by magic. Percy got one whiff of it and he felt his mouth water. Ok that was new. 

“Any idea what all this fuss is about?” Vex asked.

”The criers said Sovereign Uriel
is to make a proclamation.” Gilmore explained. “Seems juicy;
the whole council showed up.”

The man in question stepped up to the raised podium. “Friends. In recent weeks, Tal'Dorei has been beset by evil, wearing the faces of monsters and men.  I relied on my best judgment
to meet these threats. But sadly, that judgment was greatly corrupted. The truth is, I allowed
strangers into our midst, entrusting them with power
they never should have had.” His eyes swept the crowd, searching, “Vox Machina...” their group tensed at the pause and the twins instinctively moved closer to Percy as if to protect him. “Saved us from this threat...” they relaxed and Percy angled his ears forward. “They showed me that the wisdom of a group,
no matter how unconventional,
outweighs that of the individual.
There is foresight in friendship.
My weakness put the realm in jeopardy. But never again. And so, with humility,  I hereby renounce the throne and cede the government to the Council of Tal'Dorei.” The crowd around them all murmured in shock. “These wise patriots shall ensure that Emon stands forever. Now, in addition to the council members you already know,  we will be adding a few more-“

Percy stopped listening as to his left Vex stumbled where she stood, clutching at her head. He and Vax were at her side at once. A shadow passed over the sun and everyone fell silent even the Sovereign. 

“Gods above us…” Gilmore gasped.

Percy could hear it, the sounds of many leathery wings cutting through the air. But everyone could hear the blood chilling roars.

”Dragon!” A woman in the crowd screamed.

Hidden by a the glare of the sun it looked like one massive being but as the roars grew louder and the silhouette split into four one larger than ally the others. And people started to scream, to panic. 

“Sound the alarm! Call to arms!” A guard in captain’s colors shouted as the other guards tried to control the chaos.

”Get the Sovereign to safety!” Vax shouted as a blast of frigid ice shattered through a tower of the palace. 

“He’s not even Sovereing anymore.” Scanlan pointed out. “We need to get to safety!”

The green dragon released a cloud of poison gas and through the haze they watch Sovereign Uriel crumple to the marble flagstones. Just outside the protective shield Lady Allura had conjured around his family and the other members of the council.

The world shook with the laughter of the massive white dragon. “Death has come for you!” He barely flinched from blasts of magic from Allura and Kima. “Let me show you true power!” Another blast of ice. It cut the court yard in half with a massive wall of frigid death seemingly obliterating the entire council of Tal’Dorei. And separating Vox Machina. 

“Dragons… attacking together?” Gilmore coughed as he pulled himself up. Vex, Grog and Scanlan were on the other side of the ice wall. “Meet at my shop!” Gilmore shouted at them all. Percy had barely gotten his hooves back under him before he was running alongside Vax and Pike through the utter chaos and destruction. 

Acid rained from the wings of the black dragon as it swooped in random patterns. As it made contact with people their flesh melted down to their bones, then through them, filling the air with the acrid smell of gore and bile. Percy felt sick breathing it in along with diluted poisoned gas from the green dragon. It made his throat burn and eyes water. 
Turning back for a moment he watched as the red dragon landed where the Cloudtop Palace had once stood. He sat there as if the rubble and melted rock was his throne.

”People of Emon!” His words were a rumbling roar that shook the ground as veins of melted rock sprung up in a web from where he stood. “Thordak demands capitulation. Submit to The Cinder King!”

Watching the red dragon was what made Percy notice that the black was coming over them in another pass around the city. Acid cascading from his wings. The worst of it would fall on Vax. No!

”Look out!” Percy shoved the half elf out of the way. Pain seared through his mind as he felt patches of his skin melt away. He barely noticed the added pain of falling limp to the cobble stones as shock took hold of his body. His ear were ringing and his blurred vision toppled as he was moved to lay on his back.

”Hold on Percy!” Pike’s voice faded back into his awareness as he felt the warmth of her healing magic take hold and mute his agony. “Ever Light… please.” Her voice was desperate as Percy’s vision swam back into focus. They were still out in the open. The dark shape of the black dragon now coming in from the other side.

”…incoming…” Percy rasped out pointing, trying to get Vax and Poke to see. The Half elf was half holding him his hand cradling the back of Percy’s head.

“Pike, make it quick!” Vax said urgently. As the last of the pain faded leaving Percy’s skin raw and red like a bad sunburn.

“Okay, good to go!” Pike told them getting fully back to her feet. 

”Move, de Rolo!” Vax pulled percy to his hooves and supported him as he got his bearings back.

The red dragon was roaring again as they neared Gilmore’s shop. 
“Your monuments shall fall! Your civilization erased! Hear me, insects. You live out of mercy. Fight or flee, and you forfeit that mercy. A new age is upon you. The rule of the Chroma Conclave!”

Or what was left of Gilmore’s shop… the once magnificently colored building was half collapsed and smoldering. Vax ran ahead of them as they were rejoined by the others.

“Oh, gods.” Vex gasped.

“Gilmore! Shaun!” Vax shouted looking around at the wreckage. 
“Damn it! Where is he?” He looked at the others helplessly. “Check everywhere!”

They started digging through the rubble of the shop, but Percy caught the scents of strong magic and blood. Ignoring the way his mouth watered he shouted. “He’s over here!”

“I got this Percy.” Grog said oddly gentle as he lifted the heavy beam to free the sorcerer. He had a deep gash in his chest and his left leg was at an odd angle.

”Don't move, old friend.” Vax said as he crouched at Gilmore’s side. “I thought I'd lost you.”

“Oh, it was very close.” Gilmore coughed blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. “Just let me gaze into your brooding eyes before I shuffle off this mortal coil.” He cupped the side of Vax’s face with a hand and the half elf smiled softly. 

”You're not going to die.” He said firmly. “Not today.”

“I'm sorry.” Pike said as she healed the worst of the bleeding wounds on the sorcerer.
“The leg'll have to wait. I'm tapped out.”

”At least you healed my face. That's the most important part
anyway.” Gilmore said dusted ash off his silk shirt as Vax helped him stand. “Well, second most important.” He smiled at the rogue suggestively. “Everyone, take whatever you need. Preferably discount item...
Oh, screw it! Take it all, go!” He waved his hands at them.

Percy knew there wouldn’t be much here he could use and he didn’t need to be weighed down with books at the moment but one did catch his eye. The lettering across the spine read ‘The Hell of the Morningstar’. He’d heard of the Hells of Despath but The Morningstar? Percy took it off the shelf and tucked it into his coat as the others called for him to join them.

“Really de Rolo? A book?” Scanlan asked rolling his eyes.

”You picked up a broom, I wouldn’t talk.” Percy shot back. As they all gathered close to Gilmore. The sorcerer began to cast his teleportation spell. In a flurry of purple magic they went from the destroyed shop right into the entrance hall of Greyskull Keep.

”Yes! I'm alive.” Scanlan sighed in relief after checking himself over.  “Oh, Gilmore, I'd kiss you right now, but you'd inevitably
fall in love with me, and that'd be messy, so... eh.” He walked a little ways away from the group.

Percy looked out at the destoryed city in the distance. “We're still too close to the city for my liking. I say we retreat to Whitestone. My sister will take us in. We can regroup and plan a counterattack.”

”mean while Emon falls?” Vex questioned. “The capital of this whole fucking continent.”

“What choice do we have?” Vax pointed out. “We barely killed one, and that blue dragon was half the size of these four. For all we know this is revenge for that.”

”Regrouping is our best option…” pike agreed. “As much as I don’t like it we’re not ready for this fight.”

”but we will be.” Percy said looking at Vex. “We’ll come back and put them in the ground.”

She sighed and gave them a nod. “Then we grab what we need from here first.”

No one argued with that. Percy ran to grab his travel pack and went down to his workshop. He paused before packing both radios along with some of his tools and unfinished projects and notebooks. He couldn’t let those fall into the wrong hands. They held his designs for his weapons and he didn’t want to think what would happen if someone like Ripley were to find them. He tucked the microphone into an inside pocket of his coat before he rushed to the stairs to rejoin the others.

Chapter Text

When Percy made it back up to the entry hall he could hardly see the rest of Vox Machina. Flooding into their keep were the beleaguered survivors of the attack… the ones who’d managed to make it this far at least. Percy could smell the blood and the charred flesh. He felt for these people. They didn’t look so different from the people of his own city not too long ago. When he met Keylith’s eyes she didn’t even have to speak.

”Yes. We’re taking them all with us.” He said quietly.

Before Keylith could speak, before the last of the refugees could enter the keep, the roar of the white dragon ripped through air. It was tearing through the air. How such a massive beast could even get off the ground was beyond Percy. They couldn’t close the gates in time not that it would have done any good against a flying beast.

”Make it happen Kiki!” Vax called keeping his eyes on the Druid as she began to cast. “We need a plan.”

”Well, a fake out worked on Brimscythe.” Scanlan said strumming a quick tune on his lute. A fake Scanlan and Vex were now out in the open between them and the behemoth.

 “Oy, fuck nuts!”

“Hey, frosty, down here!”

The illusions were quite good Percy thought, but they had no scent other than that of Scanlan’s magic. The dragon certainly wasn’t fooled and it even laughed as a blast of its ice breath shattered the illusions.

“fuck! Am I starting to get
predictable?” Scanlan asked frantically barely dodging a wayward shard of ice that was nearly the size of his whole body.

”’Starting to’?” Vex parroted scathingly.

The portal still wasn’t open yet and people were gathering fearfully by the tree relying on Vox Machina to stay between them and certain icy death. Percy watched as the dragon readied for another attack aimed right at Vex and Scanlan as they ran to try and group up with the rest of them. 

“No!” Percy’s voice came out oddly distorted when he shouted. He raised his empty hands as if on instinct. He’d only ever done this once but he felt the surge of power all the same. Dark black and green energy shot from his fingers and connected with the side of the dragon’s face knocking his aim off. Instead of hitting Vex and Scanlan the ice blast destroyed the east wall of the keep.

”Insect!” The dragon roared glaring directly at Percy.

”Portal is open! Go go!” Keylith was shouting behind him.

”Percy come on!” Vex called out urgently. But Percy knew they wouldn’t get all those people through in time if the dragon charged.

Percy dug deeper. He remembered the story they’d told him about fighting his body while Alastor had been in control. He’d used some kind of spell to restrain Grog in inky black tendrils. He stretched out his hands again and felt a burn behind his eyes. As the dragon leapt forward from its own shadow black tentacles shot forward and wrapped vice like around its legs and wings. Suddenly Percy felt as if he was the one physically restraining the beast with his own hands. As it thrashed it felt as if his muscles were being torn from the strain. He risked a look back to see how many people were yet to enter the portal. Only a few groups to go. Vox Machina was staring at him open mouthed.

”Keep going!” He shouted at them. “Don’t stop!” He felt one tendril snap as the dragon clawed one foreleg free of its restraint. 

“Portal’s closing come on!” Keylith screamed.

”Percy!” It was Vex’s cry that made him tear his concentration away and turn on his heels. Taking advantage of his now more dexterous lower legs he bounded towards them as fast as he could manage. The last to jump through he felt the frigid breath of the dragon just behind him. 
Blinded by the green light of Keylith’s nature magic Percy lost his momentum just as he exited the portal. 

“Woah Percy that was badass!” Grog was the one who caught him before he could fall. Percy felt like a rung out dish rag.

“Next time I’ll leave the feats of strength to you…” Percy groaned barely able to lift his arms. He couldn’t even get his hooves under him to stand up.

”Easy Percy.” Pike guided Grog to get him to sit. They propped Percy up against the Sun Tree with some of the more extensively injured refugees. “You’ve tapped out your magic for the first time. I know it really sucks.”

”What’s happened?” Percy looked beyond his friends to see Cassandra and Keeper Yennan coming towards him.

“Emon's been attacked by variegated dragons.” Percy tried to stand to address them but Like held him down very easily. “Four of them.”

“They came out of nowhere.
We barely escaped.” Keylith added

“Get these refugees to shelter.” Cassandra ordered a near by pair of Pale Guard. “Separate out the injured and see that they get medical attention.”

”Yes my lady.” Both men bowed and went to carry out their orders as more guards gathered around to do the same.

Cassandra looked toward Percy and smiled awkwardly. “Are you hurt?”

”I’m fine… just exhausted…” He sighed. Vex was at his side now helping him stand up. 

“Well… all of you will be welcome in the castle of course.” Cassandra said. “Whitestone is largely secluded the people you’ve brought with you will be safe here.”

“We shouldn’t discuss this here.” Keeper Yennan cut in. They all agreed and made their way up to the castle.

”Whitestone may be safe but the rest of the world is a different matter.” Percy began once the door of the old war room was closed. This room hadn’t seen regular use since their grandparents had been the rulers.

“We need to get the word out.
Maybe someone out there
can stop them.” Vax suggested.

“What about us?” Keylith asked. “We're Protectors of the Realm. I know it doesn't mean anything, but maybe it should.”

“And what exactly is the plan
against four dragons?” Scanlan questioned.

”Percy held down that big white fucker.” Grog pointed out.

”Barley…” Percy sighed still trying to rub the soreness out of his arms. “I wouldn’t be able to hold them all down for all you to wail on until they were dead. I’m not even sure how I managed it this time for as long as I did.” He felt Vex set her hand on his shoulder.

“We can think of something. Percy’s new magic might be a start but he needs to work on it.” Pike said. “And we've already taken one down after all.”

“We got lucky with Brimscythe.” Scanlan reminded them. “And he was, like, half the size of these fuckers. No, this is way beyond us.” 

”Well, maybe the Ashari tribes
could help us.” Keylith spoke up. “I need to go for my Aramente anyway.” 

”Where you should be going
is Vasselheim.” Keeper Yennan told them. “The oldest, most defensible city in the world. If you're looking for armies, your best chance is there.”

“Vasselheim's run by religious orders.” Pike nodded. “I've always wanted to go.”

”Trust me, you don’t.” Vex muttered. “It's... stuffy.”

“Monks and nuns fighting dragons?” Scanlan looked appalled. “Please, tell me you're joking.”

“I'm a nobleman of Whitestone. Perhaps I could leverage
diplomatic relations between our two cities.” Percy suggested. 

“Diplomacy?” Scanlan looked at him scathingly. “Right the antlers, ears and hooves will totally convince them. No, we're not strong enough for this! Now we're going all the way to Vasselheim, for what? To recruit more people to get killed? With our luck they’ll take one look at Percy and try to burn him at the stake.” 

“Scanlan, we have to try. Right?” Pike looked at him emotionally as Percy shrunk in on himself a little.

Scanlan scoffed and hopped off his chair heading for the door. “We don't have to do anything.” The door shut behind the bard leaving them all in silence.

Percy sighed and got up as well going to the window as everyone but Cassandra left the room. He saw Vex linger by the door watch ing him for a while before she went to follow her brother.

”You really held down a dragon with magic?” Cassandra asked him joining Percy by the window to look down at their city.

”More or less… it felt like the muscle of my arms were being shredded.” Percy sighed. “I’m not as free of that demon as I thought… but if I’m going to be cursed with his power… I may as well use them to help.”

”I never thought I’d see the day where you were using magic.” Cassandra smiled at him.

”A lot has changed…” Percy hung his head.

”Everything always changes.” Casandra slipped her hand into his. “It’s not always bad.”

Percy squeezed her hand gently. “This I know…” he smiled softly at her. It felt good to finally be at peace with his sister again.

“Now go.” Cassandra shoved him playfully to the door. “Talk some sense into that bard.”

Percy found everyone on one of the Larger balconies, though it looked like Vax and Grog had done most of the work in convincing Scanlan to at least try for this plan.

“So, what do you say?” Vax asked. Percy figured this was the tail end of a speech. “Up for not going quietly into the night?”

“Yeah, all right,” Scanlan sighed looking at all of them. “let's do it. After all, I can't do
my world tour without the rest of the band.”

They still needed to spend this night in Whitestone to rest but the next morning they’d leave for Vasselheim. Percy only hoped that Scanlan’s words wouldn’t bear fruit. He knew he was probably going to burn somehow some way before this was over but he’d prefer it to be dragon fire rather than that of a pyre or the hells.

Chapter Text

Falling from a cliff first thing next morning honestly should have been expected. It was just the sort of thing that seemed to happen to Vox Machina no matter how serious the mission. Percy thought as they walked to the city gates that he should have expected it. Par for the course of being a member of this team. At least now he found it endearing and comforting rather than irritating.

”Remember, we're not here as tourists. We need to find allies
to fight the conclave.” He said to the group hoping to at least help keep Grog on task.

“I have a good feeling about this place, Percy, don't worry.” Pike said patting his arm as they walked up to the gate. A guard crossing his spear in their path.

“Oi, state your business.”

”Good sir,” Percy began as politely as he could manage to hopefully distract from his odd appearance. He knew it could be off putting to most people. “I am Lord Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III,
and I require an audience with the Dawn Marshals-“

“Well, my name's Rob and I require a sandwich.” The guard cut him off his eyes searching Percy. “Or a venison haunch. You're holding up the line.”

Percy took an involuntary step back, his ears pinning back to his neck. “You don't understand.” He said maintaining the rest of his composure. “I have diplomatic credentials
from Whitestone-“

”You want the Marshals,
go to the Platinum Sanctuary.” Guard cut him off again. “and find 'em yourself. Now, g'day.” He shifted his gaze to Trinket. “Oh, and the bear waits-“

“Waits outside, yes, we know.” Vex took the opportunity to cut the guard off this time. “Jerk.” She wrapped her arm around Percy and lead him away with the rest of the group into the city.

“That usually works…” Percy muttered touching his left ear self consciously. The fur was soft and fluffy but he felt no comfort from it.

“Of course, darling. I'm sure it happens to all the nobles.” Vex smiled softly rubbing his back.

”Other nobles don’t have to deal with looking half deer…” Percy sighed not meeting her eyes. He didn’t really want to look at anyone right now.

“Yikes, lots of temples and no brothels.You're telling me people
choose to live here?” Scanlan asked looking around in disapproval.

“Almost every Prime Deity
is represented.” Keylith observed looking around. “The Wildmother.
Oh, the Stormlord. The Lawbearer.”

“The Dawn Marshals head each temple and decide what Vasselheim will or will not do.” Percy said remembering it from his history lessons. “With my expertise in statecraft, I can negotiate terms that will-“

”All due respect, we saw your statecraft back at the gate.” Pike said cutting him off. “These are priests, this is a temple. Oh, who's standing right in front of you? Yeah, me, a holy person. I got this.” She walked right up to the temple door, flashed her holy symbol and just like that they were allowed in and lead into an large chamber where the Dawn Marshals looked down on them from a raised dais. “Uh, pardon us. We come seeking an audience.” Pike said loosing a bit of her confedince.

“I am Highbearer Vord.” One of the Marshals nodded down at them. “The Platinum Sanctuary
will hear your business.”

”Highbearer, I am Pike Trickfoot
of the Everlight.” Pike clutched her holy symbol as if for good luck. “A great evil has befallen Tal'Dorei. You see, dragons have-“

Marshal Vord held up her hand silencing Pike. It seemed cutting people off was just normal in this city. “The water reveals the truth.” They watched as the waterfall behind the dais shimmered with divine light. “Grant us vision.”
They saw the destruction of Emon all over again. The slaughter of its people and the burning of the city and eruption of the Cloudtop. Percy pinned his ears back as the screams echoed from the spell.

“This evil must be met with holiness.” Pike said seeing the horrified look on the faces of the Marshals. “Which is why we humbly ask all the mighty temples of Vasselheim to lend their aid.”

”You have our sympathies and our hospitality.” Marshal Vord said. “But that is all.”

“You won't help us?” Percy stepped forward. “You have weapons. Ballistae. Armies. You have the strongest city in the world.” The Marshals were staring at him. Taking in his appearance. “Diplomacy demands that-“

“Let me correct you.” Vord cut across him with a glare. “Vasselheim's most potent weapon is not its artillery, fawn. It is our isolation. This city has stood for millennia by keeping the affairs of Tal'Dorei outside.”

“If you turn your back on this,
more will die.” Pike said a little desperation slipping into her voice. “Vasselheim could be next.”

“When peril arrives here, our walls stand ready.” Bird said sternly, like they were children complaining about an early bedtime. “But until then, this peril is yours alone. Now, good day.”

“I think you mean "bidet."” Grog piped up.

“Oh, gods.” Percy pinched the bridge of his nose.

And just like that there were guards grabbing them by the arms and practically tossing them outside the doors and onto the palace steps.

“Well, that's a new record.
Usually it takes us ten minutes to get kicked out of a palace.” Scanlan said rolling his shoulders from the rough treatment. “Whew. We're getting better.”

“They saw the Chroma Conclave.
And they didn't even care.” Pike growled. “I mean, they have a duty to justice.”

The doors had cracked open behind them. The gnome Marshal was poking his head through it. Grog, quick as a flash, had the priest by the scruff of his robe.

“Are you spying on us?” He demanded.

“Yes. I mean, no. Aah!” The gnome squeaked as they all closed in on him. “I mean, I heard what you said in there. And I know who you are.” He said still cowering a little. “Listen, I serve the Highbearer,
so I can't say much. But if you're slaying dragons, you need the Slayer's Take.”

“Interesting.” Vex mused.

“Absolutely not.” Vax muttered.

“The Marshals are bound by politics.” The gnome continued. “But there is someone at the Slayer's Take who can act independently. They'll want to hear from you. Ask to speak to their patron. And please-“ he wriggled free from Grog’s grasp and scampered back to the doors. “Get your friend to a temple before it’s too late.” The doors slammed shut and locked.

“The Slayer's Take?” Percy asked getting off sinking feeling in his stomach.

“Don't ask.” Vax sighed.

“A group of hunters for hire.” Vex explained. “Vasselheim used to be surrounded by legendary beasts until the Take cleared them out.”

“Legendary beasts?” Keylith asked. “Like dragons?”

“I suppose so.” Vex shrugged as they started of again the twins in the lead. “Never heard of any patron, but we're short on options.”

“Options? Oh, didn't realize painful death was an option now.” Vax rolled his eyes.

“You forget, I have an old friend on the inside.” Vex winked at her brother.

“Zahra?” Vax deadpanned. “Friend" is a generous term.”

”If there's a chance, even a small one, we have to take it. We're in a holy city. What do say we take
a leap of faith?” Pike gave them all a smile then she looked at Percy. “How are you feeling? That guy suggested we get you to a temple.”

”I feel as normal as I ever do these days.” Percy shrugged. “If a bit more wary around holy people.”

”They do keep looking at you like you’re committing sin in front of them. I can relate.” Scanlan grinned.

”Because you likely were I don’t doubt.” Percy just sighed. “I feel fine. Truly just off put by all the staring. People in Emon were only just starting to get used to seeing me. But I’ll survive.”

Vex hung back and fell into step with him. “No extra voice?” She asked quietly.

”Not a peep.” Percy confirmed. “So far at least… I’ll know if he comes back. He talks as much as Scanlan does.”

”Well, if he starts giving you trouble again you tell us, alright darling?”

Gods he couldn’t say no to her. “Of course Vex.” He smiled at her. “The Slayers Take sound our kind of people.”

”Oh trust me darling, I vastly prefer you to them.” Vex grinned at him and Percy felt heat rush into his cheeks. He hoped it didn’t show.

”Glad to hear it.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I vastly prefer this to being alone…”

Vex’s smile softened. “Never again.” She agreed echoing the promise from before. They’d all promised to stay by his side. And he would stay by theirs, as long as they would have him for.

Chapter Text

The Slayers Take wasn’t the seediest bar Vox Machina had ever stepped foot in, but in Percy’s opinion it was certainly the foulest smelling. Even from the outside he could smell the stale drink, the old blood and what was unmistakably a lot of cats.

“Remember, no one in the Slayer's Take is to be trusted.” Vax said to them all with and infancies on his sister. “Just keep your cool, find their patron, and get the hell out.”

“Ooh, can we grab an ale while we're here... on Vax?” Scanlan asked eagerly when they entered. 

“Scanlan, we don't have time.” Vax snapped, scanning the room, “damn it… we should have covered Percy’s antlers.” He muttered to himself. 

“Well, hello there.” A man in leather armor walked out from behind the bar. Percy caught a whiff of divine magic off him. “I feel like I haven't met you yet.” He added leaning closer to Keylith with a smirk.

“Who, me?” Keylith blushed deeply. But the man’s attention was on the twins now.

“But you? Ah, you have those faces, they're...” he fingered the blade of a dagger. “they're just so familiar. Where have I seen them before?” With a speed Percy had only ever seen from Vax the dagger flew, missing Vex and Vax by a hair, embedding itself into the bounty board behind them. The blade quivered between two posters of the twins. “Oh, that's right. You're famous.” The man smirked. Percy growled pulling his ears back. “Eyes up, gang!
Got ourselves a bounty.”

”What did you do?” Percy hissed at the twins under his breath as weapons were drawn all around them.

“Well...” Vex chuckled awkwardly.

“Unless you want your skulls
ground into powder, you might want to step back. Right, Grog?” Unfortunately Pile was addressing thin air. Percy’s heart dropped into his stomach. “Grog”

”Aw, shit.” Vax muttered drawing his own blades

“We lost Grog?” Scanlan gaped.

“Ooh, tough spot.” The ring leader smirked.

“Not the first time I've been wanted,” Vex turned on the charm and sauntered up to the man. “if you know what I mean. I'm Vex.” She batted her eyes. “Zahra's very close friend.”

“Kashaw,” the man said suddenly looking awkward. “but you can call me Kash.”

“Like money. So clever.” Vex complemented.

“You're very close to me. Hey, Z?” Kash called to a figure behind the bar. “Are you expecting annoying visitors?”

“Visitors?” A red skinned tiefling woman with white hair stepped out of the gloom. “No.” 

“Zahra, darling.” Vex suddenly sounded a little nervous despite her bravado. “Still sharpening your horns, I see.”

Zahra stepped closer with a smirk. “Yes, and you're still sticking dead things in your hair.” She plucked the feather’s from Vex’s hair.  “When's the last time
we saw each other? Was it...?” She pretended to ponder her eyes scanning the group before locking on Percy who was actively glaring at her. “Oh, I know. When you ditched us to poach my monster and steal the Take's reward.” Zahra snarled.

“You heard about our little prank?” Vex laughed nervously taking a few steps back as if to shield Percy from view.

“You're not as charming as you think, Vex'ahlia.” Zahra’s smirk showed sharp teeth. “You never were.” 

“Hmm,” Vex glared right back. “as much as I'd love to chitchat, we're actually on urgent business. We need to see your patron.”

“No one sees her.” Zahra crossed her arms, seeming to be enjoying holding this over the twins. “Especially not someone who owes the Take... how much was it, Kash?” 

”10,000 gold or the head of a hydra.” Kash was smirking now as well. Got either on you?” 

“10,000 gold is nothing compared to the horde of a dragon.” Vax cut in also taking a place between these two and Percy. Which would have been more effective if Percy wasn’t taller than both of them, not to mention the near foot his antlers added to his general height.

“A dragon?” Kash arched an eyebrow at them.

“Four, actually.” Vex added. “All incredibly wealthy. Help us
and that wealth could be yours.”

“Oh, please.” Zahra rolled her eyes. 

”They're destroying Tal'Dorei. killing innocent people. This isn't about money. This is about saving lives.” Keylith blurted out. The entire bar was silent for a beat then everyone burst out laughing

“Aw, I just want to put her in my pocket.” Kash smiled.

“I know, she's so cute.” Zahra agreed. “Ah, I'm sorry, love. The Slayer's Take doesn't do anything for free.”  She stepped forward again arcane magic sparking at her finger tips. “Now... let's discuss your payment plan. With interest.” A magic forced pushed the twins apart breaking the wall they’d tried to form to keep Percy from view. “What do you say Kash? How much of their debt would the head of a wendigo settle?”

“Super shitty time to lose Grog.” Scanlan muttered.

”You keep your hands off him!” Vax and Vax snapped as one squaring up on either side of Percy as he drew his gun ready to strike.

”Come now.” Zahra smirked. “You didn’t honestly think you could bring a real monster into our home and not expect us to want its head.

Percy growled. “I’d like to see you try.” He could have sworn he heard laughter in the back of his mind but he shut it out for now. “But look, we're not here to fight you.” 

“Well, this will be easy then.” Kash moved in now sword drawn. 

“If you lay a hand on him.” Vex snarled, “I’ll break off your horn and run it through your heart.”

Th mercenary’s of the Take all laughed and closed in. Vox Machina formed a tight circle around Percy.

”Damn it! Don't you get it?” Pike shouted, “We're trying to save
the fucking world!”

“Hold!” A voice shook the floor.

“Not sure I want to know what that was.” Keylith said nervously but all the members of the Take had frozen in their tracks. 

“I will take care of Vox Machina.” The same female voice rumbled.

Zahra sighed. “You heard her.”

“Fuck.” Kash sighed and pulled a lever by the bar.

the clanking of metal bellow them made Percy’s heart jump into his throat. They’d been backed up onto a trap door. And suddenly the floor vanished from beneath them. Though the fall wasn’t nearly as long as the one off the cliff there was no magic to catch them this time and Vox Machina landed in a heap.

“Yeah, I got to say, I'm not a fan of the sudden drops today.” Scanlan groaned standing up as the other untangled themselves. 

”I recall you saying you were
friends with those people.” Percy shook his head to clear it. 

“I may have misjudged our relationship.” Vex said awkwardly giving him an apologetic look.

“Look on the bright side Freddy. At least they can't murder you
down here.” Vax said, freezing as they heard a loud growl from inside the darkness. “But whatever that is can.” 

”Maybe they want to help?” Keylith said hopefully.

“Hello?” Vax called into the gloom. They were met by another deep growl.

”God, this city blows.”  Scanlan groaned.
When the third growl came Vax threw a dagger into the darkness, but the magic blade didn’t didn’t return to his hand like it was meant to.

“Don't those usually, you know, come back?” Scanlan was starting to slightly panic.

“Weapons are useless here.” A female voice came from inside the darkness. “You're scared. I wonder, how do you hope to avenge Emon, when darkness makes you tremble like children?” 

“Are you... the patron?” Percy spoke standing at his full height. He didn’t fear darkness per say, what was in the darkness however was another story entirely. 

“How astute.” A pair of massive feline paws were the first to emerge from the darkness. Then the large head of a woman wreathed in an ornate crown. A pair of wings folded at her shoulders. “Call me Osysa. Chosen of the Knowing Mistress
and Patron of the Slayer's Take.” 

“A Sphinx.” Keylith gasped. “I didn't realize they still existed.”

“We humbly seek your aid.” Pike said in the same tone she’d used with the Dawn Marshals. 

“Yes.” Osysa inclined her head and started to pace a circle around them. “You hope to save Tal'Dorei.”

“You know of the dragons?” Pike asked her eyes wide. “Please, we're desperate.” 

“But you haven't the slightest
idea what it will cost.” Osysa hissed. And suddenly it was like an invisible hook snagged Pike and pulled her swiftly into nothing. They even heard her scream fade. 
one by one they were all pulled away into pitch darkness.

Percy barely managed to find his hooves. It was like the world was tilting keeping him off balance no matter what he did as he searched for a way out. He could have sworn he saw countless malevolent eyes staring at him in the darkness.

”What have we done? Show yourself!” He fired a few wild shots on instinct his heart pounding in his chest. That laughter was getting louder in his head. Alastor. Was he watching again? Taking pleasure in his panicked floundering. At the destruction the dragons were bringing on this world.

”Why should a listen to the puppet of a demon who only plays at control?” Osysa’s voice taunted. “The scared fawn who will only feed the evil that holds his collar until he falls into that darkness forever.” The floor tipped out from under percy and he started to slide down the cold stone endlessly. 
He clenched his eyes shut and tried to cover his head with his arms. He wanted to curl in on himself and hide. Percy was terrified. He knew he was still trapped by his deal. That the magic and the souls of the people he killed still went to Alastor. He knew he was a puppet. He knew he didn’t deserve the protection of his friends, least of all the twins. People had every right to fear and hate him. To hunt him down. 

“Paralyzed by fear. You want to turn your back and run,” suddenly the world righted itself and Percy was on his knees panting as the others appeared all around him. “like you have all your lives.” Osysa was pacing around them again like they were just mice. “How do you expect to save the world
if you can't even save yourselves? Each other?” While everyone exchanged looks Percy kept his eyes on the floor. ”I've seen the same for a hundred years. Fools who think they can make a difference but can't deliver. Leave now with whatever dignity you have left.” With a swish of her tail a door opened in the darkness. Giving them an easy way out. 

”fuck dignity.” Pike spat getting to her feet. “I'm not leaving. Not giving up... until someone listens!” 

“And if I don't?” Osysa inclined her head curiously. Would you sacrifice your life just to prove a point?” 

“I don't care if I die.” Pike growled. “None of us do.” Percy was the last to stand, but he did so. He wouldn’t be a coward in this at least. “But we're not leaving. We won't be ignored.”

The sphinx smiled at them and dipped her head. “You have found what you need. The will to give everything.” Osysa sat before them now her wings spread. “You'll need strength to defeat the dragons. But also knowledge.” 

“Knowledge? Of what?” Keylith asked her hands still trembling. Percy wondered if the others had their deepest fear flayed open to themselves by the sphinx. 

“The Vestiges of Divergence.” Psysa proclaimed. “In the Great Calamity, these weapons of war
were created to strike down the gods themselves.Believed too powerful for mere mortals to wield, the vestiges were scattered across the lands. Buried, lost, forgotten. Or perhaps... waiting to be found.
The Deathwalker's Ward is
one such vestige.The Matron of Ravens' own armor lies entombed by a lake to the west.”

“And the other vestiges?” Pike asked. “Will be revealed in turn.
Find this one and bring it to my mate.”

“Nice.” Scanlan smirked. “Big fan of mating over here.”
Percy wanted to give the gnome a good kick. 

“As the Knowing Mistress heals in exile, to protect her sacred wisdom, we must remain apart. It pains me. Yet it is for a greater good. He...” Osysa lowered her head deep longing in her eyes, but she composed herself. “He will await you. Use these vestiges against the dragons. You must not fail. Righting the imbalance these horrid creatures bring depends on your success.l

“Thank you.” Pike bowed to the creature. “We won't let you down.” 

”It's not me you need to worry about letting down.” Her eyes lingered on Percy as Vox Machina parted. “Only each other.”

“You're alive?” Zahra gaped wide eyed at them as they emerged. 

“No big. Osysa asked us to find something for her.” Vax smirked at the two. 

”Our patron has a job for you?” Zahra was looking them like they’d all grown an extra head.

“Guess I'm quite charming after all.” Vex plucked her feathers from where Zahra had tucked them into her armor. “I'd say it was nice catching up, but... it wasn't.” Vex flipped the whole Tale the bird as they walked out. 

“Vasselheim wasn't what we expected.” Pike sighed rubbing some stiffness from her shoulders. “We came to get an army, but maybe we got something better. Inspiration.”

“Huh, that's a new one for us.” Scanlan smiled. 

“Step one, find the vestiges. Step two, kill some dragons. Step three...” Vax counted on his fingers.

“Mm, profit?” Vex smiled. 

“How about step one, we get a fucking drink?” Grog’s voice came from behind them. Turning they saw his face was a bloody and bruised mess. 

“Grog! What happened to you?” Pike gasped rushing to heal him.

“Oh, an old man beat me up.” Grog shrugged. “So, booze?

“Well... yeah!” Scanlan beamed.

“Lead the way.” Keylith smiled.

“First round's on you, big man.” Vax patted Grog’s arm.

 Percy let the others pull ahead of him and paused when he saw a ramshackle shop. He smelled black powder and so he stepped inside hearing a bell chime overhead.

“Ah, come in!” And old man behind the counter waved him over.

“Wasn't sure I'd find a black powder dealer here in Vasselheim.” Percy smiled placing a few gold on the counter. He noticed that every surface of this place seemed coated in the stuff. That didn’t bode well. 

The man laughed sounding well and truly mad. “You'd be surprised. In fact, business is booming!” A cloud of black powder puffed out into the air due to the sudden movement and Percy leapt back. The man just laughed even more. “Pun intended. Relax. It's only coffee. I think.” He leaned behind the counter retrieving two dusty bags. “You know, you're the second person to buy black powder this week.”

“Really?” Percy felt his fear pick up again. “Do you recall what this other customer looked like?”

“Ah, sure, I remember her well.” The man nodded. “'Cause she had one hand. Kind of like me.” He showed off several missing fingers on his right hand. “I've learned from my mistakes!”

“Ripley.” Percy muttered through gritted teeth. That familiar rage and fear swelling in his heart. He heard the door open again and the bell chime behind him.  

“Something wrong, Percy dear?” Vex. 

Percy turned and gave her a soft smile, taking the black powder and tucking it into an inside project of his coat. “Oh. Nothing at all.” He went to her and they made to walk out. 

“And don't blow yourself up!” The old man called after them. As the door closed Percy could have sworn her heard a small explosion.

So… Ripley was tracking them after all? Well then, that was her mistake. Percy wasn’t going to let her escape this time.

Chapter Text

The tomb as it turned out was under a farther than they thought. Following Osysa’s instructions lead them to a frozen over lake.

“No tomb. No temple, no ruins, no nothing. It's not an illusion, either.” Keylith said looking across the frozen surface to the other side. “Did the Sphinx lie to us?” 

“It must be across the lake.” Pike said tapping the ice with an armored foot. Vax had turned back to walk into the cover of the tree line. “Where do you think you're going?”

“We can still make it
by nightfall. This is a Vestige of Divergence we're talking about.
I doubt it'll be waiting for us wrapped in gift paper.” The rogue said. “We have to be careful around here. All of us” 

“Not to worry. Here.” Scanlan walked out onto the ice and with a flurry of magic suddenly there were ice skating blades on the bottoms of his boots. “I'll slide over and check it out.” And with that he glided out onto the ice. They watched him skate around for a good few minutes. Not so much getting across the lake as he was just goofing off and doing tricks. “Guys, this is the best!” Then they watched him eat shit falling face first and then sliding several feet before her could push himself up.

“Scanlan? What's going on out there?” Keylith called to him.

“Uh, I, uh, it's fine.” He called back his eyes watching a point on the ice. They watched as said ice cracked and burst out from within and a scaly hand shot out grabbing tightly to scanlan’s ankle. They heard hums scream in panic and watched him flail.

“Hold on, Scanlan!” Pike shouted.

“Shit.” Percy stopped short on the ice. He couldn’t get a clean shot nor would his hooves allow him quick or steady ground to run on. “Keyleth, can you, I don't know, be a bird or something?”

“A bird? How does that help?” Keylith half snapped from panic. “You can be a deer, why not gore it with your antlers?!”

“Anyone?!” Scanlan screamed slightly exasperated now in addition to panicked. Percy smelled the magic before he saw it. Black and red swirling arcana lifting Scanlan up and not so gently depositing him onto the snowy bank. “Close fucking call…” he panted. “Oh, which one of you guys saved me? Looked a bit like your new stuff Percy.”

“That would be us.” They all turned to see Zahra and Kash standing just behind them.

“Kash? Zahra? What are you-“ Keylith looked slightly flustered now.

“Osysa thought you might need our help. Obviously, she was right.” Zahra shrugged.

“How generous.” Vex rolled her eyes moving closer to Percy.

“Oh, so generous.” Zahra winked. 

“Well, at least Green Grace here is happy to see me, right?” Kash asked smirking.

Keylith blushed so deeply her freckles disappeared. “Well, yeah. I mean...” she fumbled and nearly dropped her staff.

“What the shit just grabbed me?” Scanlan asked finally standing on shaky legs.

“Adaro. Fish people.” Kash explained. “They hunt at dusk.
Better wait till morning to find the tomb.”

”You know about the tomb?” Pike asked.

“Oh, we're full of secrets.” Zahra smiled. “Which we'd be happy to share... as soon as you make us
a campfire.”

Setting up a camp and starting a blazing fire was easy enough. The twins stayed close to Percy as the term wendingo was still fresh on their minds.

”So how’d deer boy end up like that if he’s not a cursed cannibal?” Kash asked Vax.

“How about you give us usable intel before you start prying into matters that don’t concern you?” Percy snapped pinning his ears back to his neck and showing his sharp teeth. He dropped some extra fire wood by the dug out camp and settled on a log between the twins. 

Zahra and Kash exchanged looks before Kash spoke. “The tomb was built for the Matron of Ravens, the Goddess of Death.” He began. “It enshrines the body
of her ancient champion. The highest of her order, striking fear into the hearts of her enemies.
His name was Purvan.” 

Vex spit out the ale she’d been about to swallow snorting with laughter. “Perv on?”

“Last name Pedobear, maybe?” Scanlan added with a smirk. 
They all burst out laughing even Percy. It really was quite the unfortunate name. The old Champion of Ravens must have been teased something fierce as a kid.

“I mean, you've got to get
your perv on.” Vax added between fits of laughter.

“Wow. You guys suck.” Kash deadpanned. 

“Laugh, but Purvan Suul gave up
everything for his god. She won't let her treasures go so easily.” Zahra warned. “Patrons can be rather possessive of their charges.” She fingered the amulet around her neck. And Percy caught a whiff of demonic magic. He nudged Vex and angled his ears toward it.

“Speaking of treasures,” Vex caught on quickly. “where'd you pick up that beauty?”

”Oh, this old thing?” Zahra held it up on the chain and dangled it there. “Well, I had to kill
a demon for it. Don't be jealous.”  

“Not at all.” Vex smirked. “In fact, we just picked up quite a haul of magical items. Didn't we, Scanlan?” 

“Huh?” The gnome looked up in confusion. “You mean that shit
we took from Gilmore's?”

“Yes, obviously, the shit we took from Gilmore's.” Vex snatched the bag of holding from Scanlan and pulled out the broom they’d snatched from the smoldering shop.

“Ooh, a broom.” Zahra said in mock awe. “Marvelous. Oh, you have such a keen eye for value.”

“Shut it, Zahra.” Vex muttered under her breath.

Now Grog was digging through the bag now and pulled out a large belt, it would have been a cummerbund on anyone else it was so large.

“Well, that's an interesting and yet chunky belt.” Kash raised an amused eyebrow. “What's it do?” 

“Uh... hmm.” Grog pulled the belt on and cinched the buckle clinging it into place. There was a pause of silence before they watched thick hair sprout from the Goliath’s face into a rather impressive beard. Grog patted his cheeks and let out a delighted squeal. “I got a beard!” 

Kash snorted derisively. “That's all?”

Grog glared and matched until he was right in the human’s face. “I. Got. A. Beard!”

“Okay. That... It's awesome.” Kash looked more than a little intimidated but Grog seemed placated and back to being delighted with his new acquisition before sitting back down.

“Anyway,” Zahra broke the awkward silence. “the Slayer's Take assumed the tomb was destroyed centuries ago. Turns out it's still there.”

“You must be fairly annoyed that Osysa told us about it before you.” Percy said smugly taking delight in the slight twitch he saw in Zahra’s left eye.

“Hadn't crossed my mind.” The irritation was barely vailed in her tone. 

Percy and the twins shared a smirk. On pretext of getting more wood for the fire before they all turned in the three of them went into the woods.

”They followed us here.” Vex muttered.

”And they stayed down wind so I couldn’t pick up their scents.” Percy agreed.

“We obviously can't trust them.” Vex grimace.

“Zahra and Kash? No.” Vax was looking deeply troubled. “And we can't take any more chances tomorrow.” He looked at them. “Neither of you go far from me tomorrow.”

Percy was confused but Vex rolled her eyes. “Honestly Brother. We’ll be fine. We’ve faced far worse than those two.”

”Forgive me if I don’t want our hands chopped off and Percy’s head mounted on their wall.” Vax sighed. “Just be careful. Both of you.” He said as they headed back to camp. 
They set their bedrolls out together Vax insisting that Percy was once again sandwiched between them for his safety. The others were already using Grog as the base for a puppy pile to stay warm so it was also pragmatic in that regard. Percy appreciated the sentiment all the same. He’d heard Vax say, ‘Do not go far from me’ to Vex many times over the years but he’d never expected to be lumped into that. As the youngest and least athletic brothers Percy had never truly been close to them. Julius, Oliver and Ludwig had teased him more often than not, joking that they had four sisters rather than three. With Vax it was different. While there was still plenty of teasing there was a protectiveness there that Percy had never experienced before.

He wasn’t sure how to react to it even now with the rogue’s arm draped over his midsection. It was purely platonic of course. The twins were both incredibly physically affectionate and they’d just lumped him into their pool since everything that had happened in Whitestone. Percy figured Vax’s change had happened because of Cassandra’s initial behavior towards him. The rejection and disgust still stung even now after they were beginning to reconcile. Vax had more than a few choice words for his sister Percy knew. Because the last of his family had rejected Percy so harshly Vax had done his best to make up for the absence. It warmed Percy’s heart even now that things were better between Cass and himself. It was just nice to have a brother again.

Chapter Text

The damp tomb of the Champion of Ravens was truly the most disgusting smelling place Percy had ever been in. He was sure he would have thought that even without his enhanced sense of smell.

”Ew this place smells like dead fish…” Keylith’s face was paling to a delicate shade of green.

“It’s worse than that.” Percy said. “I’m picking up traces of necromantic magic. Further inside.”

“Keep us posted Freddy.” Vax nodded looking to the others. “Keep your eyes sharp.
There will be traps, and they will be deadly.”

“The deadlier the traps, the richer the reward.” Vex smirked. 

“Just keep close.” Vax said softly to her.

Walking through the damp halls of the tomb had everyone on edge. Well all except Grog. Really they should have seen this coming. Percy picked up the soft mechanical clicking inside the walls.

”Everyone move!” Percy shoved Keylith forward as a wall began to rise for the floor. He felt several bodies collide with his back as everyone rushed to avoid getting separated.

”Ok Grog.” Vax groaned. “From now on you step where I step. And don’t touch anything. We don’t need to get turned around in here.”

They entered a chamber full of standing water. Grog lifted Pike and Scanlan onto his shoulders so they wouldn’t be trudging through it up to their waists.

Percy sniffed the still air which led him to a body, it was torn beyond recognition. “Well, that's not ancient.” He muttered. “It seems something moved into this tomb after it sank.” another smell washed over him that made him snarl.

“Ugh, Grog, did you just fart?” Pike groaned covering her nose.

“Like, how recently?”

”It’s not Grog. We’ve got company.” Percy pulled Retort from its holster as the water around them began to froth and bubble.

Six of the fishy humanoids from the lake leaped out of the dark water, claws and teeth gleaming.

“Aw, shitdicks, they're everywhere!” Scanlan tried to scramble higher up on Grog only to be thrown off as the Goliath leapt into battle with a gleeful shout. The dark blade in his hand somehow gleaming without much light.

Trinket knocked one of their attackers aside with a swipe of a massive paw. “Oh, good fuckn' bear!” Grog cheered.

”Percy behind you!” Vax shouted.

Percy had been trying to get some distance to work properly. The last thing he wanted was a ricochet incident. He didn’t register Vax’s warning, or the oppressive fishy smell until dozens of needle like teeth sunk into his shoulder. The creature grabbed him from behind claws ripping through his vest and shirt. Percy shouted in frustration and pain. He jammed retort under the chin of his attacker and pulled the trigger. Ears ringing and head spinning from the gun going off so close to his now much more sensitive ears. The body of his attacker fell limp and he staggered clutching his head as he tried to get his bearings again. Water rushed under him and took him right off his hooves.

“And they've got a mage.” Zahra’s voice sounded muffled to percy even if she was mere feet from him. “Last one's always the toughest. But don't worry, I'll save you, deer boy.” 

“Bullshit! I'll save him.” Vex snapped. Percy was still struggling to his hooves as the two of them took out the water mage. 

Trinket sniffed at one of the bodies and growled in disgust. “You're right, there's nothing worse than bad fish.” Vex agreed.

“Vex! Are you hurt?” Vax rushed to her side, worry in his eyes.

“Stop worrying about me.” Vex grumbled. “Look at Percy he’s bleeding from one of his ears.”

“I'm fine.” Percy rubbed said ear seeing blood on his glove. “Close quarters has never been my forte.”

Pike was helping Grog out from under some ruble looking deeply worried. Grog walked away from her with a smile too wide to be genuine. 

“We have got to teach you to throw a punch Percy.” Pike sighed her hand glowing with divine light.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Percy sighed in relief as the ringing in his ears faded and his wounds closed. “But right now we need to press on. There could be more of them.”

“Wait. Where are Kash and Zahra?” Keylith asked. “We can't leave without them.”

“No fucking way.” Vex looked ticked. There was no sign of the two monster hunters.

“They ditched us.” Vax muttered rolling his eyes. “Typical.”

”Let’s move. Hopefully we can beat those fuckers to the loot.” Vex said waving them to a door way. 
more damp halls lead them to a huge antechamber lined with coffins and hooded statues. Strewn across the damp stone floor were more bodies of those fish-like humanoids. They lay rotting with no clear indicator of what had killed them.

“Looks like some kinda fish orgy.” Grog observed. 

“Mm, I've tried that. It's pretty good.” Scanlan shrugged like he’d still had much better. He Grog and Pike all laughed.

“Ignore them. Let's find the vestige.” Vex said as if she was ready to start opening coffins.

“Wait. Let me give it a look first.”  Vax said quickly, stopping Vex from even taking a step.

“Mm...” Vex crossed her arms looking annoyed.

”He has a point.” Percy said reasonably. “This place wreaks of necrotic magic.”

Vex turned to retort but a gasp from Grog stopped her. He’d jumped back from a section of the floor opened up revealing a dark opening.

“Grog!” Pike scolded.

“For fuck’s sake!” Vax looked utterly exasperated.

“Sorry.” Grog rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

“What's that?” Keylith peered into the hole only to be pulled back by Vax.

“No.” He said moving her several feet away from the edge. “Everyone just stay put. Don't step on anything. Don't pull anything. Don't... do anything.” He said sternly. “Freddy keep that nose of yours sharp. Try to sniff out the vestige. Pickle, I'll need your light. Something's down there.” Vax waved Pike over and she cast a small light spell to give him the help that his dark vision just couldn’t.

“Hey. Don't keep all the loot
for yourself.” Vex called to her twin.

“No promises.” Vax called back. They could hear the smirk in his voice.

“This place has been picked clean.” Vex complained sweeping the room with her eyes while Percy took a walk around the perimeter.
Trinket was at his side sniffing the floor. He watched as the bear stopped and pawed at a tile on the floor. It’s shifted.

“Did you find something, Trinket?” Percy asked the bear kneeling down and digging his fingers in and around the loose tile. He pried it away revealing a small button. Surely if this was to activate a trap it would have been easier to access. “What have we here?” He pressed it. The floor rumbled and he heard metallic clicking. At the feet of a near by statue rose yet another coffin. The effigy of a man clad in armor was carved into the dark stone of the lid. Percy had to cover his nose and close his eyes as they watered. The necrotic stench had increased tenfold. It choked Percy, freezing the breath in his lungs and causing his eyes to water.

“Percy!” Vex gasped in delight. “You found it!” She strode right up to the coffin and with great difficulty slid off the coffin lid. “Looks clean.” And she reached inside to blame their prize.

Percy felt a horrible clinching in his gut and he bounded to her in several quick strides. “Vex, wait!”

But he wasn’t fast enough. There was a rush of horrible cold and a flurry of black feathers. He watched helpless and a dark force slammed into Vex. Right into her chest. The triumph on her face melting to utter shock. She was taken off her feet and flung away from the coffin. For what felt like an eternity her body hung in the air. Percy caught her eyes. They were wide and full of fear. And then she crashed to the damp floor, limp as a ragdoll. She didn’t move. Her chest did not rise. Her eyes were open but they did not see.

Trinket roared in rage and fear.

“No... No!” Keylith screamed her hands covering her mouth and her knees going weak.

“Vax! Get your ass up here!” Pike shouted rushing to Vex’s fallen form.

“I was gone for a few seconds.” Vax grumbled his black gloved hands reappearing out of the hole. “What the hell happened?” He froze his body only half pulled up. He saw everyone gathering around the form of his sister, his twin. She wasn’t moving. Wasn’t breathing. He scrambled up as quickly as he could and rushed to her. Pike had to jump aside to avoid being shoved out of the way. Gently, shakily, Vax held his twin, cradling the back of her head. “Vex…?” Tears poured down his cheeks.

Percy’s breath caught in his throat as he watched the rogue sob, and scream, and beg. His fault… he hadn’t been fast enough. He’d smelled it. A magical trap bringing instant death upon its victims. He’d smelled it. He’d been smelling it ever since they’d entered the tomb. That cold deathlike scent. They seen the untouched bodies of those fish people. They must have touched it as well. Or just gotten too close. He should have known. Should have been faster. Vex was dead… Vex was dead.

Percy clinched his fists and felt his eyes burn with forming tears. His body trembled as he fought to keep it together. No… this couldn’t be happening. It had to be a trick. Hadn’t he lost enough? He clinched his eyes shut to fight off the tears. No… Vex couldn’t be dead. Not strong, resilient, brave Vex’ahlia. But when he opened his eyes again nothing had changed. Vax was still sobbing, holding the limp body of his twin. Only hours ago Percy had woken from sleep held between them. Safe, and warm, with a full heart. And now that would never be true again. His heart barely healed had been shattered anew… and there would be no putting it back together this time. 

Chapter Text

“You’ve gone soft.”

Percy barely registered the voice over his own labored breathing. The world greying out around him and the voices of his friends fading away. Kash and Zahra had appeared again but percy couldn’t hear what anyone was saying anymore.

”Yes, yes. You have screwed up spectacularly haven’t you?” That voice… that damned voice! Percy whirled around. The only splash of color in this greyed out world. The blood red coat and slacks. The wide smile in the grey face. Red hair fading into black at the tips. The fawn-like ears and the small antlers.

”Alastor.” Percy snarled showing his own sharp teeth. 

“Percival.” Alastor’s smile widened. “Long time no see. Though longer for me than you I’m sure.”

Percy sucked in a breath through clinched teeth. “Wh-what do you want? Why are you here?”

”Im here to check on you of course. I’m afraid my current pet project took more of my attention than I thought. I’ve been neglecting you, and look where that’s gotten us.” He gestured at Vex’s body. Pike and Kash were trying a revival rite. But the magic didn’t seem to be taking. Though Percy couldn’t hear them he could see the grief and desperation on their faces. Alastor tutted. “Such a waste. I was routing for you two, you know.”

”What do you want?” Percy growled his voice breaking with grief.

”As I said.” Alastor piked him in the chest with his staff. “You’ve gone soft my dear boy. That is what caused this. Your inaction. Your hesitation. Or well I guess I should say your lack of understanding. You could smell the magic of this trap, and yet you still opened it up. Reviled the coffin.”

”We… We need the vestige—the Chroma Conclave-“

”Yes, yes the fate of your world hangs in the balance. Hinging on their defeat. I’ve heard it all before.” Alastair smiled. “But you don’t really care about the whole world do you? You care about your world. Whitestone. Vox Machina. Your small little world of the people who really matter to you.”

Percy opened his mouth to retort then closed it again. He had no reply. No rebuke. Yes he did care very much about the world. The innocent lives within it who would suffer because of these dragons. But Whitestone was his home. Filled with his people. The people who relied on him to protect them. But Vox Machina was his family. Percy had already watched one family be slaughtered right before his eyes. And he knew there was very little he wouldn’t do to keep that from happening again. He could not loose them…

”And yet you’ve lost her.” Alastor cut into his thoughts.

“Can you not just have a conversation instead of reading my mind?” Only his anger was keeping his tears at bay now as the revival spell flickered and died.

”You weren’t talking.” Alastor shrugged. “And we’re short on time. As I said you’ve gone soft. And it will keep costing you. You’re fighting my power. Avoiding it. And when you do use it it’s triggered by your fear. You need to embrace it.”

Percy took a deep shuddering breath. ”And how am I to do that…?” 

Alastor held out his hand. “I assume your noble upbringing included a dance class.”

”What does that mat-“ Alastor grabbed his hand and pulled him close. The demon’s feet had began to move in a sort of quick step. His shoes clicked on the stone floor more than they should have.

”No shoes I see.” Alastor grinned. Of their own accord Percy’s hooves started to copy the movements Alastor was taking. Alastor pulled up Percy’s arm and sent him into a dizzying spin. “You’re going to need a good cordwainer my boy. Though for this I suppose it’s preferable.”

”What is this?!” Percy demanded as his hooves tapped out the same beat as Alastor lead him.

”This is a side effect of living where I do. Being affected by its magic.” Alastor explained. “To use my power you have to play by its rules.”

”Bursting into spontaneous dance does sound like hell.” Percy muttered as Alastor pulled him into a dip.

”It’s not so bad, but the dance is only half the bargain. You have to sing.”

Percy felt heat creep into his cheeks. “I-I can’t sing.” He stammered. He’d had a very similar conversation with Scanlan once. He’d had to explain that his vocal cords were damaged. Screaming from the constant agony of torture tended to do that.

”Oh, I know you can. And well the words to this little ditty are written down in our contract.” Alastor’s smile was almost playful. “It’s a personal favorite of mine.” He took percy through several more tapping steps and he could have sworn that there was now music coming from no where. Percy wanted desperately to stop moving. Vex was growing cold on the floor and this demon wanted him to dance and sing.

🎶”Hey, hobo man, hey Dapper Dan, You both got your style, but brother, You're never fully dressed without a smile! 

Chapter Text

Once upon a time, there was a glowing city protected by golden gates known as Heaven. It was ruled by beings of Pure light, Angels that worshiped good and shielded all from evil.
Lucifer was one of these angels. He was a dreamer with fantastical ideas for All of creation. But he was seen as a troublemaker by the elders of Heaven. For they felt his way of thinking was dangerous to the order of their world. So, he watched as the angels began to expand the universe in their ways. From the dust of Earth, they created Adam and Lilith, equals as the first of Mankind.
But, despite this, Adam demanded control, and Lilith refused to submit to his will. She fled the Garden. Drawn in by her fierce independence, Lucifer found her, and the two rebellious dreamers fell deeply in love.
Together, they wished to share the magic of free will with humanity, offering the Fruit of Knowledge to Adam's new bride, Eve, who gladly accepted.
But this gift came with a curse. For with this single act of disobedience, evil finally found its way into Earth. With it, a new realm of darkness and sin. And the order Heaven worked to maintain was shattered. As punishment for their reckless act, Heaven cast Lucifer and his love into the dark pit he had created, never allowing him to see the good that came from humanity, only the cruel and the wicked. Ashamed, Lucifer lost his will to dream.
But Lilith thrived, empowering demonkind with her voice and songs. And as the numbers of Hell grew, so did its power. Threatened by this, Heaven made a truly heartless decision. That every year, they would send down an army, an Extermination, to ensure Hell and its sinners could never rise against them. But Lilith's hope remained. And her dream was passed down to their precious daughter, the Princess of Hell.

Percy paused in his reading at the conclusion of the book, it read like children’s story his mother would have told him when he was little. Walking through the snowy mountains behind the group with his head in a book wasn’t unusual for Percy but he’d never been more troubled doing so than he was now. This introduction only explained one thing to him. Why music of all things would help empower his new demonic abilities. If this Lilith was the Queen of those version of hell of course the music she brought down with her would empower her subjects.

Percy sighed tracing the odd symbol on the cover. The star encased in a perfect circle. He tucked the book away again when he realized he’d fallen very much behind the group now. They’d already lost a day dealing with the Problems in Pyrah that had been caused by Thordak’s escape. While it had been a relief to find Allura and Kima and send them on to Whitestone they were all now playing catch up. The rest of them had stopped at the crest of the hill they’d been climbing.

“Oh, man. There it is.” Keylith smiled as she tried to catch her breath pointed at the huge mountain that lay at the bottom of the valley.

“Rimecleft.” Vax nodded. “The place I saw in that vision.”

“The entire range is eternally cold.” Keylith said as they all shivered. Percy couldn’t even feel his hooves anymore as he was up past where his ankles should have been in the snow. “Well, except for Pyrah. There's a myth about it, actually.A thousand-“

“Uh, m-maybe we just save the myth?” Scanlan asked, cutting her off. “My balls are ice cubes.”

“Hard to believe we're gonna find a Sphinx in this forsaken place.” Vax muttered rubbing his hands together and breathing on them to try and warm up.

Vex shuddered her arms wrapped around herself. “I'm as cold as a corpse, and I'd rather not repeat that experience.” Percy was at her side draping his heavy wool coat over her shoulders. She paused looking at a him. “Oh, no, Percy, I didn't mean-“ 

”No, please take it.” Percy insisted feeling heat creep into his cold cheeks. “I'm fine.” Though he couldn’t hide the cold sniffle, as he avoided Vex’s eyes.

Keylith was smiling at him knowingly. ”Here, let me help.” She moved her hands forming a ball of fire that floated over them washing them in a wave of warmth. 

“Oh, hey. Neat trick.” Vax smiled holding up his hands to try and get some feeling back into his fingers.

“I like cold.” Grog laughed. “Makes my niffles tingly.” 

“So, uh... how you feeling, buddy?” Pike asked him. Percy tried not to listen in but his ears still picked up her concern all the same. “'Cause, you know, lately you've been real fixated-“ 

“Oh, yeah, just a sec, Pike.” Grog interrupted reaching for a still shivering Scanlan. “Come here.” 

“Whoa. Grog, what are you-“ Scanlan dived out of the initial grab.

“Don't you worry, Scanlan.” Grog smiled wangling the gnome, “Uncle Groggy's gonna keep you warm.” He had a length of fabric like a very long scarf.

“Hey, hey, no, I-“ Scanlan squirmed as he was practically tied to Grog’s chest like a small child. Then he gave up. “Huh, this is actually kind of cozy.” 

“But, Grog, that sword seems to-“ Pike tried again but this time she cut herself off as Grog strode past everyone and down the hill. She sighed in defeat. Percy fell into step beside her.

”I share your concern.” He told her. “Nothing good can come from wielding that blade.”

Pile stared at him for a moment. “What exactly does that thing do to someone?”

Percy sighed. “I can only speak as one of its victims but… it’s as hungry as its old master. It worked for Sylas because I suppose they were better aligned.”

“And It’s not with Grog?” Pike looked very worried now.

”Grog may be wrathful but, I believe he’s good at heart.” Percy assured her. “He’s nothing like Sylas.”

”Thank you Percy. I’ll try and talk to him again. Maybe we can get it away from him.” Pike said hopefully.

”That would probably be for the best yes.” Percy nodded.

walking down into the valley proper they all paused again. A cracked obelisk of black stone loomed over them ominously  

“Uh, guys?” Keylith looked up at it uneasily.

“What's this now?” Vex asked unsure. 

“Ancient runes?” Keylith wasn’t sure as she peered at the odd carvings etched into the stone. “What do they mean?” 

Percy walked up and brushed away a powering of snow. He knew these symbols. “I believe I can read some of it.” He said getting a closer look. 

“Of course you can.” Vax rolled his eyes fondly.

”"Seekers," I think, or "fools"?” Gods that class had been so long ago, maybe he should have taken more than one book from Gilmore’s shop after all. “"This land..." Ah. "Flee this land, for dangers come from... from paradise"?” He was at least pretty sure that’s what it said.

“Cryptic warning. How Sphinx-y.” Vax nodded in agreement.

“"Paradise." That could mean
"heavens," right?” Pike asked.

“Like up in the sky.” Vex gasped and pulled out her broomstick from the Bag of holding. “Volantire.” And just like that she was in the air and nearly out of sight.

It wasn’t long before she came back down though and lead them closer to the mountain. Right to the bottom of a sheer cliff face. 

“This is where I saw the entrance.” She said gesturing to the stretch of bare rock. 

Percy sniffed the cold air. “I smell arcane magic here.”

“Uh, that don't look like no door.” Grog said.

“I think that's the point.” Vex reached out her hand and with a blue shimmer it passed right through what appeared to be solid rock. The rest of her body followed vanishing. “You all coming or what?”

they all exchanged looks and walked through the illusory stone into a massive cavern. 

“Uh, anybody home?” Grog called into the gloom. The only reply was his own echo.

“What is this place?” Percy kept his nose up checking for scents. The magic here wasn’t just old, it was ancient.

“A temple, an old one.” Vax said looking up at the empty dais.

“Aren't they all?” Pike asked.

“Not this old.” Vax gestured around them. “Built before the Divergence, before the calamity
between men and gods.”

“How do you know all this?” Vex questioned. 

“I just... know.” Vax’s armor shimmered in darkness and Percy caught that cold scent from him again. Then another much sharper. Cat-like.

“Very smart,” a male voice purred “and yet not smart enough to heed my warnings.” 

“Oh, not this again.” Percy growled. Sphinx. He was smelling another sphinx. Its eyes were reflecting in the chunks of ice strewn about the cavern. They could hear him growling, his massive shadow ready to pounce.

“We were sent by Osysa.” Vex said quickly. 

They all looked up to see the creature’s face mere feet from them, looming over them with searching blue eyes. “My mate sent you?” He asked them. “It's been centuries.”

“Yikes.” Scanlan said almost sympathetic. “Oh, but, hey, she wasn't, like, with anybody else,
if you're worried.” 

The Sphinx growled softly glaring at them for a moment. “I am Kamaljiori. Keeper of a knowledge you seek. But before I reveal it, you must prove your worth in a challenge.”

“Challenge.” Percy agreed. “Yes, we sort of assumed. What did you have in mind?” 

“Mm.” Those orb-like eyes searched him much as Osysa’s had. “How confident for a little fawn. Then I shall let you choose. Conquer the Death Gorgons, survive the Endless Labyrinth of Misery, or wound me.” 

“Sorry, back up.” Keylith said nervously. “Did you say wound you?” 

“In my eons of life, I have never felt pain.” Kamaljiori Told them.
“Your challenge is to inflict an injury. Any wound will do.”

“Uh, give us just a sec.” Pike waved them all into a huddle.

“Guys, Death Gorgons sound cool as fuck. Let's do that one.” Grog said excitedly.

“Wh-What? No. Wound the Sphinx.” Keylith stated. 

“That dude is as old as time, and he's never felt pain?” Scanlan looked horrified. “Never stubbed his toe, poked his eye, never had an ingrown hair on his peen? You want to fight that?” He gestured at the massive beast behind them. 

“We don't have to defeat him,
just hurt him.” Percy pointed out.

“Ugh, any one of us should be
able to land a single hit, for fuck's sake.” Vax agreed.

“Okay, Your Sphinx-ness?
Hmm.” Vex stepped forward as they all turned back to face Kamaljiori. “We choose to wound you.”

“A shame.” The sphinx smiled all the same. “The Gorgons have been itching for a battle. Very well, then.” The glow of his eyes brightened and brightened until they were utterly blinded by it. Percy squeezed his eyes shut until he felt stone under his hooves rather than ice. 
He looked around. They were standing on an expanse of rock floating in a cosmic void standing at the foot of another less ruined dais. There were more stars here than he’d seen in any night sky. No constellations he could recognize.

“Where are we?” Asked looking around in awe.

“We're in another dimension.” Keylith gasped. 

Kamaljiori Flew over their heads and landed on the dais wings spread. “Each of you will have the chance to wound me in a one-on-one battle. Who dares go first?”

“Oh, uh, how about Vex?” Scanlan suggested. 

Pike crossed her arms “Really, dude?”

Percy moved to speak but Vax beat him to it. “I'll go.” He stated flatly. “I'm not letting anything happen to you again.” He told his sister stepping up to her side and glaring up at the sphinx.

“You won't be able to overpower him.” Vex pointed out.

Vax scoffed. “Brawn's not really
my thing.” He stepped up in front of them all. “Right.
Let's do this, Sphinx.”

“The Deathwalker's Ward.” Kamaljiori Observed. “You've been touched by the Matron of Ravens.”

“What do you know about that?” Vax growled.

“A heavy burden, being the Matron's champion.” Kamaljiori Dipped his head in seeming respect, but then his eyes flashed. “Fortunately for you,” Vax made the first move throwing both daggers in quick succession only for them to be stopped by the magic shield. 
“you won't live long enough to feel its weight.” From the sphinx’s eyes surged more magic that Vax wasn’t fast enough to dodge. It sent him careening off the side of the platform where they heard his scream fade to nothing as he fell and vanished.

“Vax!” Keylith’s screamed.

“Oh, shit.” Percy’s heart plummeted. No! Not again!

“What did you do to him?” Vex snarled at the sphinx. 

“Your brother lives,” Kamaljiori said calmly. “but he will fall
in the void forever unless one of you can succeed.” Those eyes flashed dangerously. “So, who is next?”

“fuck you.” Vex spat notching three arrows at once dodging the sphinx’s first counter attack.

“Aw, poor girl.” Kamaljiori Purred. 
“You have no family left who actually cares for you.” 
That through Vex off and she stumbled getting caught  by the second blast. 

“Vex'ahlia!” Percy screamed watching her fall just as Vax had, but before he could act, make this beast cower and bow Grog charged past him leaping into the air, each of his powerful blows bouncing harmlessly off the sphinx’s shield.

“Quite formidable,” Kamaljiori Complimented, encasing Grog in a blue glow that held him in place. “but you clearly know not where your strength comes from.”

“Wait, what'd you just say?” Grog asked before the sphinx’s paw came up and swatted him as easily as if he were a mouse. And Grog too was gone. 

“Grog!” Pike screamed.

“All right, fuck his rules.” Keylith spat. “We all hit him together
before he can react.”

”No.” Percy growled focusing on that power he’d felt when he’d restrained the white dragon. “No one else is getting hurt.” This time he stepped forward before anyone could stop him.

”Returning to your roots I see.” Kamaljiori Stared as he pulled out Retort. “Has mercy not been as freeing as you’d hoped it would be.” Percy had hoped the bullets would buy him time to get the tendrils up under his shield. They bounced off the blue magic harmlessly. Kamaljiori Swatted at the shadowy tendrils pinning them with his front paws as Percy strained for control.

”Shut up!” His voice echoed with static.

”You’re still that frightened little boy aren’t you?” The sphinx purred. “Terrified of the dark, of yourself.” The blow hit Percy out of nowhere and he was falling…

Falling…

Falling…

At some point he stopped screaming. He didn’t know when. It didn’t matter. He’d been too slow… again. He’d held back when he should have pressed on as much as he could. He wasn’t strong enough to protect his friends let alone himself. And now he was alone again. Utterly alone… possibly until he died falling in this void. He felt tears leak from his eyes and get sucked away by the force of his endless descent. He’d resisted sinking his teeth into the bits of meat he’d collected from the specter and the fire beings. And for what? Just to fail again. Why hadn’t he just given in? Was mercy really worth this? Worth loosing the people he cared about more than his own life?

Percy didn’t know how long he fell for or when he’d just curled in on himself waiting for the end but suddenly he hit something. Soft and frigid cold. Snow.

”We’re alive?” Keylith Gasped as others groaned around him in confusion.

percy lifted his head looking through tear blurry eyes. They were back in the Sphinx’s cave and he and Scanlan were talking like old friends.

“Who do we have to thank for that?” Vax asked looking at all of them.

“What rhymes with "Your eyes so lovely"?” The sphinx asked Scanlan who was sitting on one of his paws.

“How about,” Scanlan strummed a few cords. “"Nice thighs, yo, touch me," eh?”
The sphinx laughed at that

“What the fuck?” Vax gaped at the sight before them as he helped Vex and Percy stand.

“Oh, you're back. Great.” Scanlan beamed at them. “Uh, come over. It's totally cool, guys.
Me and Kam are tight.”

“In my millennia of existence,
this is the wisest sage I've ever known.” Kamaljiori Said dipping his head in respect to the bard.

“The fuck?” None of them could believe what they were seeing.

”I apologize for the formalities earlier.” Kamaljiori Said smiling at them. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Vox Machina. And just in time.”

“He's gonna tell us where all the other vestiges are.” Scanlan smiled at his very confused friends.

Percy could hardly focus on what was being said. He felt sick. he caught the words Mythcarver and Fey Realm.

And then he smelled it. Acid. Crashing through the ice that protected the cavern was Umbrasyl. Soon he was tangled in flurry of teeth and claws with Kamaljiori. If the sphinx had been cut by Scanlan’s songs now he was well and truly wounded.

“The vestige is mine. Nothing can stop the Chroma Conclave,
least of all you.” The black dragon cackled.

“Anyone see another way out?” Vax shouted. 

“I'll try to make us one.” Magic sparked at Keylith’s fingers. 

“Grog!” Pike shouted from somewhere to Percy’s left. “Grog, come on.” 

“Come, meat.” Grog’s voice was right behind him. Percy was keeping his eyes on the dragon. Umbrasyl Was coming for them- Percy screamed his back exploding in an all too familiar draining agony. Too slow. Again.

”Percy!” Vax’s voice. The half elf’s arms wrapping around him and taking him off his hooves. He felt the enhanced speed gifted by the armor but only barely. 
The last thing Percy saw before darkness claimed him was a grizzly sight. Pike impaled on that black sword. Grog gripping the handle of the blade as blood stained the snow red.

Chapter Text

The damp chill of the dungeon was choking, and frigid on Percy’s bare skin. He bit down on the filthy rag that served as a gag. It seemed to have absorbed all the moisture from his mouth. He fought to open his eyes. The dim light of the lantern nearly blinded him. They’d left his glasses on.
Percy fought to get his bearings. Why had they left him alone? He tested his restraints. He was still strapped to Ripley’s table. His vision was swimming even with his glasses on.
They’d left him alone… why…

Looking down at his bare torso percy got his answer. At first all he saw was a red blur. As his vision cleared the panic set in. The skin of his chest and stomach had been pulled back and folded like two double doors. His rib cage was pried apart exposing his insides to the damp air. 
Percy could see his own heart begin to pick up. his lungs expand and contract rapidly. His intestines twitch.

He let out a strangled horrified cry that was muffled by the gag in his mouth. Even if he wasn’t restrained he couldn’t go anywhere. He so much as sat up his insides would be sliding out of him like snakes. Tears caused his vision to blur all over again. They cut him open and just left him here.

”Oh good, you’re awake.” Ripley’s voice, he heard her foot steps and the sound of something glass being set on her work table. He felt fingers in his hair. “Now we can all see what makes you tick.” Percy screamed as he felt something twist at his insides. His eyes snapped open and he saw Ripley’s hand buried in his stomach cavity. Her fist came out bloody.

Percy tried to plead, to beg but the gag swallowed every word. It only seemed to amuse Ripley.

”Would you like me to take it out?”  Her clean hand cupped the side of his face almost tenderly. Percy nodded weakly and gasped when the dirty cloth was pulled from his mouth.

”P-please…” Ripley had turned her back on him now, facing her worktable. “I swear.., I don’t… I don’t know anything… please, just stop… let me die…” his voice was thick in his parched throat.

”Oh Percival.” Ripley chided. “I’ve had no illusions about what you know. You’re a mere child. Of course you don’t know.”

Percy felt frozen. “What…?”

”The Briarwoods don’t need you.” She said calmly. “You are my prize. Once I have completed this job I get to keep you to do with as I please. You’ll be my little lab assistant. But first.” She turned back to him. In one hand she held a large pair a tweezers, the other a jar. Writhing inside was a large black centipede. “I have to make the most important lesson sink into that brilliant mind of yours.” 
Percy trembled under her gaze, watching the long body undulate in its glass prison. 
“The only obligation you have is to yourself.” Ripley whispered. “Take this lovely creature for example.” She removed the lid of the jar capturing the centipede between the tweezers and watching it wriggle in her grasp. “It operates on three basic instincts. Hunger, territory, and breeding. So simple. And yet, there are more species of arthropods on his planet than any other creature. Do you know why?” Horror kept Percy silent. Ripley continued anyway. “They are ruthless. They’ll devour their own kind if given the chance. They have no remorse. And that is the lesson. Ruthlessness,” she dangled the centipede over Percy’s exposed stomach cavity.

”No! Please! Stop!” Tears blurred his vision and he began to weakly struggle despite his body condition. “I-I’ll do anything! Please!”

”Is mercy upon ourselves.” Ripley dropped the writhing creature and Percy screamed raggedly. He felt it. Watched the centipede burry itself into his intestines, its many legs prodding at everything, puncturing. Burrowing…

”Percy. Percy wake up!” Someone was shaking his shoulders.

Percy felt like his back was on fire. “No… stop… please just kill me…”

There was beat of silence. “Percy it’s us, it’s Vax.”

“You’re safe darling we promise.” 

“Vex…?” Percy cracked open his eyes to a swirl of bright colors. He felt warm gentle hands on him. Fingers in his hair. Someone was rubbing behind one of his fawn ears.

”Yeah Freddy we’re here.” Vax’s voice. “Well… some of us. It’s a bit fucked up.”

Percy groaned. “Tell me something I don’t know…” he fought to push himself into a sitting position.

”Easy, slowly, I was barely able to heal your back.” Keylith took some of his weight.

“Where are my glasses…?” Percy asked rubbing at his heavy eye lids.

”Here darling.” Vex set them onto his face. 

Percy groaned as the colors solidified into shapes though they were no less confusing. He also only saw Vex, Vax and Keylith. There wasn’t even a scent of the others.

“What happened to the others?” Percy asked panic spiking in his chest.

“Uh, I don't know.” Keylith said nervously.

“Where's Pike?” Percy remembered seeing their cleric limp and bloody on the blade of that dark sword.

”Freddy breathe.” Vax’s hand was on his back.

“I tried to take us to the next vestige.” Keylith explained. “U-Umbrasyl... disrupted my spell. I...” she wince clinching her eyes shut. “I managed to transport us here, but the others went... somewhere else?”

“At least we're together.” Vex said quietly. Percy felt that she was holding his hand tightly.

“I shouldn't have tried to pull off a spell like that.” Keylith wouldn’t look at any of them. 

“If you hadn't, they wouldn't just be lost, they'd be dead.” Vax said gently.

“But... Pike. She was...” Percy couldn’t bring himself to say it. That would make what he saw all too real. He hated knowing what each of their blood smelled like. And Pike’s had been nearly overwhelming. 

“With Grog and Scanlan.” Vax said firmly. “We have to believe
they're okay.”

“They aren't the only ones lost.” Vex said. “Where the hell are we?”

“Well...” Keylith gripped her staff tightly as she stood up. “I was trying to take us to the next
Vestige of Divergence.

“I think you succeeded.” Percy’s eyes had finally adjusted to the bizarre sights around him. He knew where they were. “It's here. Somewhere.” He sighed. He wasn’t nearly as happy to be here as he thought he would have been. There was an ache in his chest. “Friends, welcome to the Fey Realm.”

With Vex and Vax’s help percy got steadily to his hooves, and he looked around to try and get his bearings.

“Without Pike, we don't have a healer,” Keylith was pacing a little panicked. “and without Grog,
we don't have our muscle and without Scanlan, we have-“

”Less dick jokes.” Vex deadpanned.

“Ugh.” Vax pinched the bridge of his nose. “This grass is
making me dizzy.” 

“Scanlan said his vision
of the Fey Realm was like a drug trip.” Keylith reminded them. “And that the Fenthras Bow was
inside a twisted tree in a bog.”

“He also said sheep's milk is
his favorite lubricant, so...” Vex looked disbelieving.

“We should check that distant range.” Keylith said gesturing to what looked like a mountain.
“Most bogs drain from the mountains.”

”How far away is that?” Vax asked.

“Uh...” Keylith reached out and she litterally touched the horizon and picked up the mountain she’d been pointing at. “Did... did I break it?” She looked horrified.

”The Fey Realm does have a sense of humor.” Percy sighed. “A twisted one, at that.” 

“Is anything as it seems here,
Freddy?” Vax asked looking at a near by tree suspiciously now.

”In my youth, I was fascinated
by the Fey Realm.” Percy explained. How foolish that seemed to him now. “The mystery, the danger. I read every single text I could get my hands on.” He sighed. “I’ll do my best to keep us on the correct path.”

”We’ll follow your lead darling.” Vex smiled at him softly.

He felt comforted by the confidence she had in him and so he did take the lead.

After a while he stopped them at the entrance of a forest of hanging purple vines.

“An Awoken Grove.” Percy said sniffing the air. “The environment may react to your mood. Just project positivity and it will remain harmless.” He hoped he be able to pull that off. He wasn’t feeling very positive at the moment. They walked through and at first everything seemed fine. The vines weren’t reacting to their presence at least.

“Oh, this is so stupid.” Vax muttered. Percy’s ears angled towards the sound of vines whipping through the air at the rogue. One wrapped tightly around Vax’s neck pulling him off his feet.

“Vax!” Vex shouted pulling out her bow and firing. It severed the vine currently trying to throttle her brother. But the entire grove reacted, flashing in color and shivering. More vines shot out at all of them now.

“Damn!” Percy snarled pulling off his left glove. He hadn’t used Diplomacy since those hellish assassins had come after him. He hoped it would work properly this time. “Time for a different approach.” He pulled hard on the ignition cord. Nothing.

“They're plants! Can't you control them?” Vex demanded of Keylith as a tendril wrapped tight around her ankle.

“It's like they can't understand me!” Keylith looked panicked, fire sparking in her hands. The vines seemed to recoil slightly at the inferno.

“Can't believe I'm wasting this on a plant.” Vex muttered as she chucked and vile of acid at the oncoming vines. The caustic brew hit its mark and the whole grove shivered in seeming pain.

“Run!” Percy shouted. “This way!” He could see an opening to the grove and everyone followed. Percy pushed them out and fought against the grip of the vines trying to wrap themselves around his body.

”I got you.” Vax’s daggers flashed and Vex pulled Percy free as they all stumbled into seemingly bare ground.

Percy growled in frustration. “I’m sorry…”

”It wasn’t you. Guess I’m not feeling very positive right now…” Vax sighed sliding to ground along side Percy. He thumped his head against the tree they were leaning against. “I think I understand a bit more what it’s like to be you…”

Percy blinked. “How so..?”

”When the sphinx said I’d been touched by the Matron… well…” Vax sighed. “When we fought that specter I… I accepted being her champion. Whatever that means.”

Percy stiffened. “That was your deal? What brought Vex back… you… you gave yourself to her?” He felt cold settle in his chest.

”Yes. Of course I did. She’s my sister… I can’t…” Vax’s voice broke. “I can’t be without her…” he took a deep breath. “I know it’s not the same as having your soul owned by a demon but-“

”A man.” Percy corrected. “A dead man from a hell not our own but still a man…”

”what?” Vax looked horrified. “That thing was a man?”

Percy pulled out the book he’d taken from Gilmore’s. “He’s called an Overlord.” He flipped to that opening page. “The human souls in this hell are called sinners… but they can own other sinners souls through contracts and deals. I’m just a ‘special case’ because the magic in our world plays by different rules.” He sighed. “Though… I’m more wary of a death goddess right now…”

Vax chuckled darkly. “You and me both Freddy… I still don’t know what this entails… but at least my tether is divine.”

”Please don’t…” Percy stood up. “You’re in this position because of-“

Percy was cut off by a high pitched wail and a small body dropping onto the ground between himself and Vax. Vex landed a few feet away dismounting from her broom looking pissed.

”Caught this little imp spying on us.” She spat.

The thing looked oddly like a fawn, though he had no clothes on.

”Let's try again.” Vex growled. 
“Who are you, and why are you following us?” 

“A simple wanderer who enjoys
a little entertainment.” The fawn barely came up to their knees.
”You can call me Garmelie.”
Vax spotted a leather bound book from the creature’s grasp. 

“What are you reading?” He questioned.

”Ooh! Nothing! No reading.” Garmelie stammered trying to hide the book from view. “I-I-I can't read.”

Vax plucked the book from his grasp and flipped it open to a dogeared page. “Uh, that's, uh ...curious.”

“It's not what you think it, sir.” Garmelie jumped up trying to grab the book back but he was far too short.

“Keeping notes on us, were you?” Vax paused his eyes going wide and his face flushing a bright red.

“No, I did not draw those.” Gramelie again tried to grab for the book but Vax tossed it to the girls burying his red face in his hands.

”oh… uh…” Keylith looked down right sheepish.

Vex just looked amused. “the likenesses aren’t too bad.”

Against his better judgement Percy peered over her Shoulder. His own cheeks must have flames even worse than Vax’s. The drawings were nothing short of lewd. It was easy enough to spot himself. Trussed up in artful knots, laid out on a platter with an apple in his mouth. Vex caught his eyes and he quickly looked away.

”We don’t have time for this.” Percy growled. He wanted to kick this irritating creature to the hells. He turned away. “I’m going to scout ahead. Stay here.”

”Percy I don’t think-“ Vax tried.

”I’m fine-“ Percy took a deep breath. “Just… just keep the others safe. I need some space.”

”Alright. We’ll see if this little shit can give us some directions.” Vax nodded to him. 

Percy just turned and pushed his way into the tree line. Making sure to leave deep hoof prints in the dirt so he could find his way back to the others once he’d cleared his head. All his knowledge of this place hadn’t kept them from getting hopelessly lost. They’d been separated from part of their number… Like was dead and Grog lost under the sway of a blood thirsty sword for all they knew. And the black dragon knew they were hunting vestiges. Umbrasyl Had taken Mythcarver, which meant he could now find the others as well.

Vox Machina had never been in a worst spot. And what could he do? He was just a human with a few odd appendages, magic he could hardly control, and a gun. How was he suppose to kill a dragon, let alone keep his friends alive? How were they supposed to get home even if they found the Fenthras Bow?

Percy dug into his coat and pulled out chunk of specter flesh. It was still cold and stiff from their time in the ice. Still fresh, as was the fire creature flesh he’d gotten in Pyrah. He stared at it. Was he really that desperate? Desperate enough to follow Alastor’s advice and embrace the hellish magic he now had… to play by its rules.

Percy thought of Cassandra… blood spurting from her throat as Anders dragged his knife across her skin. Vex cold on the floor of the Tomb of Ravens. Vax in the clutches of the Matron. Pike… impaled on the blade that had once belonged to Sylas Briarwood… now wielded by the cleric’s oldest friend. He thought of Ripley’s words from so long ago and he took a long steadying breath. On the breeze a musical note touched his ears. 

Yes… he was that desperate.

🎶How has everything been turned against us?
How did suffering become so endless?
How are we to reunite with our estranged?
Do I need to change?🎶

Percy opened his eyes. The world was darker and his heart leapt into his throat. Ghost… his mother… father… siblings… Archie.

🎶I'm surrounded by the souls of those I've lost
I'm the only one whose line I haven't crossed
What if the greatest threat we'll find across the sea
Is me?🎶

There was another ghost. Himself. Glowing blue soulless eyes, staff and gun in hand.

🎶What if I'm the monster?
What if I'm in the wrong?
What if I'm the problem that's been hiding all along?
What if I'm the one who killed you
Every time I caved to guilt?
What if I've been far too kind to foes
But a monster to ourselves?
What if I'm the monster?🎶

He thought of the dragons and their attack on Emon.

🎶Is the dragon struck with guilt when he kills?
Is he up in the middle of the night?
Or does he end good men to avenge his friend
And then sleep knowing he has done him right?🎶

He thought of Delilah… she may have been a hateful monster but she’d loved Sylas with all her heart.

🎶When the witch raises dead to protect her husband is she going insane?
Or did she learn to be colder when she got older and now she saves him the pain?🎶

The Matron… her power had killed Vex and now she had Vax trapped in a deal.

🎶When a Goddess comes down and makes man bow
Is she scared that she's doing something wrong?
Or does she keep us in check so we must respect her
And now no one dares to piss her off?🎶

Himself… the fawn touched by hell.

🎶Does a boy use a six barrels to kill creeping monsters 'cause he is vile?
Or does he throw away his remorse and save more lives with guile?🎶

🎶If I became the monster, and threw that guilt away
Would that make us stronger?
Would it keep our foes at bay?
If I became the monster to everyone but us
And made sure we got home again
Who would care if we're unjust?
If I became the monster…🎶

🎶Oh ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves.                             And deep down I know this well
I lost my best friend                   I lost my family, my home
Half of us gone, this can't go on
I must get to see Vex’ahlia and Cassandra
So if we must trek through dangerous forests and fields
I'll go where The Matron won't reach us
And if I gotta sink my teeth into every monster 
so we all don't die🎶

🎶Then I'll become the monster 
I will deal the blow
And I'll become the monster 
Like none they've ever known
So what if I'm the monster
Lurking deep below?
I must become the monster 
And then we'll make it home🎶

🎶Vex’ahlia🎶

🎶Cassandra🎶

🎶Oh, ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves
I'll become the monster🎶

The final ominous note rang in his ears. His mouth watered as he brought the cold specter flesh to his lips. He opened his mouth and sunk his sharp teeth into the rubbery meat. He expected to be disgusted by the taste but it was actually quite good. No different from a tough bit of beef. He chewed and swallowed and took another bite, larger this time. 
monster indeed.

Chapter Text

Percy had barely choked down the last bit of the elemental flesh when he heard sounds of people moving through the brush behind him. 
“There you are.” Vax’s voice. He sounded relieved. “Our little imp friend is giving us directions to where we can find the bow.”

Percy turned back to look at them. All three of them were looking at him in concern though they were trying to hide it.

”Are you feeling better darling?” Vex asked him.

”Yes. I just needed some space to breathe.” Percy said hoping he’d cleaned his face off enough so there was no evidence of what he’d done.

Percy followed behind the group as Garmelie lead them through the fey forest. Thankfully they weren’t attacked by anymore plants on the trail. But even he was shocked by what they found after several hours of walking. A city. Right her in the middle of the fey realm.

“How?” He wondered aloud.

“Ooh, a city.” Garmelie tittered. “Garmelie had forgotten about this little hamlet.” 

“That's pretty weird, even for this place.” Keylith said looking at the buildings in interested.

“I thought you were guiding us to the Shademurk.” Vex snapped at the fawn looking at the city as if it was the worst of slums.

“Oh, yes.” Garmelie nodded.  “One day, it just appeared out of nowhere. Pop! Alas, we'll have to pass through it to reach your bog.”

“That city almost looks Elven.” Keylith observed.

“That's because it is.” Vax muttered bitterly. “It's Syngorn.”

“You've been there before?” Percy asked seeing how both the twins were now looking very nervous and angry. 

“We lived there.” Vex nodded.
“With our father.” Both the twins left it at that and Percy didn’t push. He and Keylith shared a look though. They knew in passing that the twins didn’t have a good relationship with their father. They’d just never pressed about it.

The word bastard had been thrown around by other elves in the past. Always aimed at the twins.

Keylith finally spoke up again once they were in the city. It was no Whitestone but Percy could concede that it looked like it would be a very nice place to live. Provided you were an elf. “First off, your hometown is... Wow.” She chuckled nervously.  “But... how can a city just teleport to the Fey Realm?” 

“In times of danger, the Elven nobility have arcane means of... moving it.” Vex explained.  “It's rarely seen.” 

”Right this way...” Vax waves them through an ally. He’d given Percy his cloak and had the hood pulled up to hide his antlers and ears. But there was no hiding his hooves. “Whoa.” Vax stopped them quick as two guards passed by the other end of the ally. 

Garmelie was laughing as if their attempts at stealth were highly amusing.

“You led us here for your amusement, didn't you?” Vax growled at the little fawn.

“Oh, of course not.” Garmelie waved it off.  “Going around would have meant pixie territory,
and you do not want to tango with pixies.” He assured them. “No, straight through is the fastest way to the Shademurk. Come, come.” 

They were able to sneak past a few more guard patrols.

”Certainly are a lot of guards. More than I remember.” Vex muttered.

“We're almost through.” Vax assured her. Just a few more blocks and we're...” he stopped short his confidence dropping like a stone. “fucked…” their path was blocked by guards.

“Outsiders,” one barked at them.
“state your names and purpose.” Spears were leveled at them.

”Lower your weapons.” Vex ordered. “We seek an audience
with Ambassador Vessar.” Vax gave his sister a shocked look. The guards looked just as shocked.

“Huh?”

Vax sighed. “We're his children.” He said reluctantly.

The guards nodded and lowered their spears. “Your fawn will have to wait outside.”

They looked around. Of course Garmelie had ditched them. “What fawn?” Keylith asked.

”the one in the cloak.”

Percy flattened his ears to his neck. “I’m not a fawn. And even if I was I’m not waiting outside like a dog.”

”He stays with us.” Vax snapped helping Percy get his antlers untangled from the cloak.

The guards exchanged looks but didn’t argue. They were lead to a large manner home and through the entrance hall, into a library and told to wait there. Percy’s hooves nearly slipped on the overly polished marble floor.

“Real Vermaloc wood.” He observed looking at the bookshelves. It was overkill in his opinion. “Your father has gold standard taste.”

“Always did.” Vex muttered leaning against the shelf. “Except when it came to us.”

“What do you mean?” Percy knew they didn’t have a good relationship but he’d never pushed about it out of respect for the twin’s privacy.

“Be honest.” Vex looked him in the eyes, and there was so much raw emotion there it caught Percy off guard a moment. “Do I look like I come from nobility?”

Percy smiled softly. “It's easy to act noble.” He said honestly. “Just be a bit of a shit and wear
what everyone else is wearing.” That made her smile and so he continued.  I've known many people with money and titles, and they are definitely not worth you.”

Vex stared at him wide eyed for a few moments. She opened her mouth as if to say something but cut herself off when the door opened.

“Devana.” Vax spoke greeting the elven woman politely. 

“We weren't expecting you.” She smiled at the twinsfondly. “Um, your father will be down shortly. And somewhere
around here is, uh…”  

Peaking from the cracked door was a very young elven girl. There was so much of the twins in her features. Her eyes were even the same color as Vax’s. “Who're you talking to, Mom?” She asked curiously. 

“Oh, right.” Devana smiled. “You haven't met Velora yet.” She gestured the girl forward. “Our daughter.” 

”A... sister?” Vax looked shocked.

“Hi.” Velora curtsied to the twins. “I love your feather.” She smiled at Vex.

For a moment Vex looked uncertain of what to do. Then she bent down to the girl’s level and plucked the blue feather from her hair. Then it's yours.” She tucked it behind Velora’s ear. “A gift from your half sister, Vex'ahlia.” 

“Call her Vex. And me Vax.” Vax smiled relaxing now.

“The twins!” Velora gasped. “But Father said you'd never come back.”

“What, and miss the chance
to meet you?” Vax had leaned down to the girl’s level now as well. “Ah. A travesty.” 

Velora giggled touching the new addition to her hair fondly. Then her eyes widened when she noticed Percy. “A White Hart.” She gasped. “Did he lead you here?”

”Oh.” Vex smiled. “That’s Percy. He’s our friend. I guess you could call him a White Hart. He’s lord of Whitestone.”

”Wow!” Velora beamed. “Can I pet your ears?” She asked.

”Velora.” Devana scolded gently but Percy chuckled.

”it’s not a problem at all lady Vessar.” He said calmly kneeling down beside the twins. “You can if you want, little lady.”

Velora beamed and Percy felt her gentle touch against his right ear. “You’re so soft.” Velora marveled pulling her hand away after a moment.

”Thank you.” Percy dipped his head to her. He caught Vex’s smile out of the corner of his eye as they all stood back up fully.

“Your father will be pleased to see you.” Devana said with a smile. Though the twins didn’t look sure about that.

They flinched at the sound of a throat being cleared behind them. Standing up on the upper level of the library was a tall elven man. His eyes were the same as Vex’s but they had none of her warmth or humor. Devana quietly pulled Velora from the room. 
“Perhaps I would have been had you notified me you'd be gracing us with your presence.” Syldor Vessar said coldly. He gestured them up to a space that seemed to serve as his study. And together they all explained what had lead them to this point.

“we had no recourse but to retreat to the Fey Realm.” Syldor spoke. “We've been amassing arms and training our soldiers to confront the dragons.”

“So you plan to join the fight?” Keylith asked with a relieved smile. “That's wonderful.”

”More like they turned tail and ran.” Vax muttered, though it was loud enough for them all to hear. 

“Why are you here?” Syldor asked them.

“To dispatch the very dragons that chased you away, sir.” Percy said, taking great effort to remain respective.

Syldor looked him up and down skeptically “And you are?”

“Lord Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III of the royal house of Whitestone.” He was not above using his title against this man. Not when his mere presence was making Vex attempt to make herself small, and Vax flinched at every dirty look.

“Well, then, Lord de Rolo.” Syldor didn’t seem like he believed a word of it. “What can Syngorn do for you?”

“I assume you've heard how Vox
Machina slayed one of the dragons.” Percy said remaining calm, a slight smile tugging at his mouth. He knew from experience how much a smile could through someone off.

“I'm unfamiliar with a Vox Machina.” Syldor had noticed Percy’s sharp teeth.

“We're a Vox Machina.” Keylith cut in. “I mean, um...We are Vox Machina.” 

“We've come for an ancient
weapon said to lie in the Shademurk.” Vex explained. 

“The Fenthras Bow?” Syldor questioned. 

”You've heard of it?” Vex asked her eyes going a little wide.

“A powerful relic. Legends say it fires arrows strong enough to wound a titan.” Syldor nodded fixing his daughter with a hard stare. “I see. You want to chase a fleeting rumor into a desolate waste.” 

“That bow could be the key
to defeating the dragons. You should be proud.” Percy let his smile fall and let the slight growl creep into his voice. “Your son and daughter are leading the fight against the Chroma Conclave.”

“You needn't spin false tales of their exploits.” Syldor held up his hand as if that would silence Percy. “The very idea of Vax'ildan and Vex'ahlia standing up for
the greater good is...well, rich.”

“You unbelievable prick.” Vax growled but Syldor quailed him with a single look.

“This is a trying time for all of us.” Syldor’s voice was stern and cold. “Have you any idea  the burden your sudden arrival has caused my family?”

“We didn't come for a reunion.” Vex said her voice small. 

“And yet, here you are. Throwing my name around whenever it suits you.” Syldor was treating them like children.

“I despise your name.” Vax snapped looking ready to throttle this man.

“No, it's fine.” Vex stopped him. “No harm intended.”

“But he just said-“ Vax tried. 

“It's. Fine.” Vex cut him off. She turned back to Syldor. “Thank you for your time, Father.
If you can offer us any assistance, we would be most grateful.”

Syldor sighed. “Of course. It's the least I can do. for family.” Still cold as ice. He got up from his desk. “Wait outside.”

If looks could kill the one Vax gave his father would have caused Syldor to drop dead then and there. But they did exit the manner and waited at the large extract doors. Velora filled them out.

”Why do you have to leave?” She asked eyes wide. “You just got here.”

“We'll see you again.” Vax promised her smiling. 

“And no matter where we go,” Vex brushed her out of Velora’s face. “we'll be thinking of you, little one.” She tapped a finger on the little girl’s nose. Velora giggled. 

Syldor cleared his throat to get their attention. This decree
promises safe passage, but once you leave our walls, you're on your own.” He passed the paper to Percy who’s eyes scanned the names scratched onto the parchment. 

“Hmm. You'll need to amend
That one name, though.” He said keeping his voice even. “It's Lady Vex'ahlia.”
Vex snapped her head up to look at him.

”Lady?” Syldor questioned.

“Lady Vex'ahlia,” Percy nodded. “Baroness of the Third House of Whitestone and Grand Mistress of the Grey Hunt.” The look on the pompous elf’s face was good as gold. “So, good sir,
despite your relationship, do watch your manners towards a noble.”

“I will not be amending this
for a meaningless title.” Syldor said voice like ice. He gave percy a contemptuous look. “Especially not one granted by a filthy half breed creature playing at being nobility.”

Both twins bristled and jumped up but it was Vex who snapped completely. “Don't you dare talk to him like that!” She glared daggers at her father. “We came here seeking aid and you insult my friends?”

Syldor rolled his eyes as if Vex was a child throwing a tantrum over nothing. “Yes, once again, no appreciation for my years of civility.”

“Oh, you expect me to feel sorry for you?” Vex rolled her eyes right back. “After everything you've done. Or rather haven't done.” She spat. “We won't fail.
Which is more than I can say
about you as a father.” 

Stldor met her glare with his own. “Then prove me wrong.
Show me that bow and I will give you the welcome you think you deserve. Until then, do not bother me again.”

“Oh, fuck you! We’re leaving.” Vex turned on her heel and stormed off.

“What does "fuck you" mean?” Velora asked innocently.

Keylith laughed nervously. “Kids. So adorable.” Percy took her by the arm and dragged her away with Vax’s help. They hurried to catch up with Vex. 

They quickly left the city behind and stopped to rest in a grove by a pool to cool their heads from the heated departure. 
Vex had sat down on a log to string her bow.

“I should apologize for springing that title on you.” Percy began rubbing the back of his neck. “I hope it didn't upset you, Vex.”

“It's Lady Vex.” She corrected with a teasing smile. Percy took a deep breath and laughed softly.

“Of course.” He smiled back at her sitting on the log at her side.
“Your father really is quite the, uh...” he still didn’t want to be rude.

“Bag of cocks?” Vex suggested.

“Yeah.” Percy sighed softly. “Yeah, pretty much.”

Vex looked at him now. “No one,
other than my brother, has ever stood up for me like that.” Her smile was warm. “Thank you.”

nervously Percy started to tinker with something that he’d been working on her a while now. A special arrowhead. “I may have wits and class, but I'll never have what you do. A pure heart.” That was more true now than it had ever been before. “It's so special, Vex. And no one can take it away.”

Vex scoffed softly. “We spent our childhood with Mother, then Father had us brought to live with him.” She gripped her bow tightly. “I never understood. Why did he pull us away from her when he...” she gritted her teeth. “He had no love for us?”

“Must have felt good to tell him
to fuck off, though.” Percy said giving her the option to take it as a joke if she was done being open.

“Hmm, I wish it had.” Vex sighed softly. “Somehow I feel like it hurt me more.”

That was something Percy could understand. He gave the arrowhead a last once over before he held it out to her. “Here. I made something for you.”

Vex took it and smiled as she found the trigger. Barbs spiked out from the base of the arrow. To cause extra damage of course. “It's wonderful. Thank you.” She looked like she was going to say more but paused. Percy caught what it was almost at once. Soft piano notes on the wind, getting louder. “Do you hear that? Is this just more fey realm weirdness?”

”I hear it.” Percy confirmed standing up. “But it’s not the fey realm.”

”Percy?” There was concern in her eyes now. The same from earlier that day. “What is this?”

Percy could only smile at her sadly. “I’m sorry… just go with it. I don’t know what triggers it.” He held out his hand to her and it was like the rest of the world around them darkened and there was a spotlight on them. Like this was a stage.

The worry on Vex’s face melted into confusion and then shock when Percy started to sing.

Chapter Text

Percy thought that he should really start keeping a chart on the horrible ways places smelled to him these days. The Shademurk was disgusting. It smelled of the worst kind of rot imaginable. Dead wet wood, and stale standing water.

”This place...” Keylith looked just as troubled as Percy felt. “I feel darkness. I can connect with the plant roots, but I only sense...” she placed a hand on the corrupted wood. “sadness... longing.” She traced the rot with her fingers as if it was a bleeding wound she was trying to sooth. “What did this to you?” Black goo squelched out of the rotting wood and Keylith wrenched her hand away. 

“My heart...” a voice whispered through the wind.

“Please tell me I’m not the only one hearing that voice.” Percy muttered shifting closer to the group.

”Not this time Freddy.” Vax said shaking his looking slightly dazed.

Garmelie clapped his hands of his ears. “Don't listen to him.” The fawn warned. 

“…felt the pain.” The voice whispered again clearer, louder this time.

“Clear your heads. Block it out. Oh!” Garmelie cried.

The voice continued to hiss at them through the trees. 

“What the hell is that?” Vax growled. 

Percy growled as well though he scooped up Garmelie and held Retort point blank to the fawn’s head “We're not fond of surprises. Start talking.” 

”Oh, it's fine, it's fine.” Garmelie tried, but Percy let the gun click as the barrel turned.

“Ok! Ok! The Shademurk is home to a cursed Archfey named Saundor.” Garmelie confessed. “But as long as you don't submit to his voice, his sadness won't turn you.”

”Ah! How reassuring.” Percy dropped the wretched creature and turned back to the others. “We have to keep moving.” He noticed that Vex was falling slightly behind.

“Stubby, keep up.” Vax called to his twin, worry tinging his voice. 

“Right.” Vex’s voice was slightly distant but she followed them. 
Percy kept Retort out and pointed at Garmelie who was leading them through this corrupted mess.

“As promised, the Shademurk Bog.” Garmelie said nervously eyeing Percy’s weapon.

They’d been picking their way across mangrove roots for nearly an hour now, trying to avoid the bubbling, festering muck below them. Keylith had slipped at some point and sunk up to her waist in the dark sludge. They’d finally reached a clearing were part of it seemed to be solid ground, surrounded by the same bubbling muck. 

“Wow.” Keylith gaped at the massive tree growing up through the dark ground. The wood was warped and rotted, oozing the same black substance as the rest of the trees around them.

“Fenthras must be in that tree.” Vex murmured as if she was in a trance. She took in a sharp breath staring fixedly at the tree.

“Vex? Are you all right?” Vax asked tapping his twin on the shoulder.

“Ah!” Keylith jumped back from Vex. Her eyes had gone completely black. “She doesn't look all right.” 
They were all shocked when Vex jumped down from their root and landed atop the festering muck as if it was solid ground. She started to walk towards the warped tree like she was being drawn to it.

“Vex, wait up.” Keylith called jumping trying to copy the ranger. She sunk up to her waist in the mud once more.

“Vex?” Vax followed after Keylith also sinking deep into the swamp and struggling forward. “How is she passing through this muck?” He strained.

“Vex'ahlia!” Percy called, still jumping from root to root. Trying to get a better vantage to jump from and avoid the swap. Unfortunately, cloven hooves and slippery roots didn’t mix well and he slipped. Twisting in the air as he fell so he didn’t at least end up face first in the muck. He could hear Vex and voice of the arch fey.

“Can you hear me?” Vex had reached the warped trunk of the tree.

“Not only hear you. See you. Feel you.” Saundor’s voice was a caress on the ears. Percy pulled his back and growled as he fought through the muck to the island. “I can understand your pain. If approval is what you seek, your father will never give it. But a fellow lost soul can. I await, dear one.”

”What is this?” Percy snarled at Garmelie as the fawn struggled to balance on a root.

“My cue to leave.” He gave them a mock solute. “You won't see Garmelie again!” With a crack the creature was gone. 

Percy growled in frustration but they had much bigger problems now. “Vex'ahlia!” He shouted again trying to get her attention as he watched the trunk of the tree part, revealing a hollow inside

“Vex, wait!” Vax shouted. He was so close to the solid ground. Reaching for it desperately.

“Don't go in there!” Keylith cried.

Their pleas fell on deaf ears as Vex stepped into the hallow and the warped wood began to close behind her. They didn’t reach it in time. Vax’s hands slammed against solid, if very rotted wood.

They could still hear Saundor’s voice. “Child of the lost... Saundor's madness and pain has found you.” Keylith and Percy had pulled themselves from the mud and ran to Vax’s side. But they already knew Keylith couldn’t control the plants here.
“Sweet, broken Vex'ahlia. Unwanted daughter. I understand you.”

Percy’s fingers twitched and closed around a familiar weight in his grip. He looked down at the microphone staff he’d spoken into as he stood on the roots of the Sun Tree. That felt like a lifetime ago. “Stand clear!” He told the other two. They stared at the staff in his hand and backed away. On instinct percy slammed the end of the staff into the ground. Those same black tendrils he’d summoned to subdue the white dragon shot from that spot. He felt that strain but it was muted. Like he was stronger now. The tendrils tore open a new hole in the trunk of the tree.

Vax squeezed through first “Sister!”

As soon as they got inside vines shot out at them. Tangling around their limbs and bodies. Living their feet off the ground.

 “No!” Percy snarled as on wrapped around his head like a gag. The struggled against the vines furiously.

“How do you know so much about me?” Percy could still hear Vex and Saundor. He wished he couldn’t. He knew he wouldn’t want all of his insecurities spoken aloud by so corrupted arch fey. 

“The moment you touched my sickness, I knew everything.” Saundor’s voice was soft. And he was far too close to Vex. “my Vex'ahlia. You can rise above
your trembling destiny. I have seen many things. And I can grant many gifts.”

Vax was struggling even more furiously beside Percy. Keylith as well on his other side. “Vex'ahlia!” Percy didn’t care about the fowl taste of the vine entering his mouth.

“But being abandoned by love can be liberating.” Saundor was still talking. “You've been the good daughter. You've tried. But it will never be enough. You will never be enough.”

”If I could pull the blood of him
from my veins and give it back, I would.” Vex said through gritted teeth.

“I could grant that wish.” Saundor assured. “But it is not what you need.” The arch get lifted a hand. More rotted wood parted to reveal the ethereal glowing bow. Percy could smell its potent magic even through the oppressive smell of rot. “Fenthras, however, this bow could earn his respect.

“What would you ask in return?” Vex asked him.

“Only what you long to give.” Saundor smiled. His hand brushed hair from Vex’s face and then caressing across her shoulder. “We would be perfect together, dear broken Vex'ahlia. I can fix you. Make you whole again. And all I need from you...” his lips were a hair’s breadth from her ear. “is your heart.”

“My heart?” Vex’s voice sounded clearer. Like she was waking up from a dream. She snarled pushed Saudor away from her hard. “My heart is someone else's.” She reeled back her fist and it connected with the arch fey’s left eye, cracking his wooden face.

Saundor landed hard clutching at his face. “No. You're making a mistake.” He pleaded. “Please. You need me!”

”You could never give me what I need.” Vex said tersely turning her back on him.

“bitch.” Saundor snarled. “You're just like the rest.”
Percy’s heart sank when he lost sight of Vex and Saundor. A wall of rotted wood blocking their way  from getting involved in the fight.

After straining and nearly forcing his shoulder out of its socket Percy was able to hit the end of his staff to the ground. The black tendrils ripped at the vines trapping himself and his friends. They landed to the ground ready to rush to Vex’s aid despite the wall before them.

“Sister!” Vax shouted. Vaguely humanoid shaped creatures peeled themselves from the rotten wood wall. Vax growled and through his daggers taking huge chunks from their bodies. Those chunks filled themselves again. “Damn things don't bleed! How do you fight a tree?” Vax growled in frustration.

Percy turned to see Keylith using her own staff to cast a warm golden light. “I've got an idea, but I need you two to keep them busy.”

Percy nodded taking Retort into his free hand before dodging a club like fist from one of the wood creatures. He was distracted. He knew how powerful an arch fey could be, and this was an arch fey with a vestige of divergence. Vex was one of the most skilled people he knew. But skill didn’t always stack up against raw power.

And then he was slammed into Vax by their combatants. It looked like they were about to get pulverized by some living dead wood. Then there was heat. And fire burst through both of the wood creatures and they went up in flames like they’d been doused in accelerant. Of course it was Keylith in her new fire elemental form and as it desiccated she was panting. 

“And that is how you fight a tree.” Keylith grinned through the soot on her face.

Vax didn’t stop to congratulate her instead running to help his sister and Percy was right at his heels. 

“You think you can leave me?” He heard Saundor’s voice and followed it. What he saw chilled his blood. Saundor was holding Vex off her feet by her throat.
“Not so tough now, are we?”

“Vex'ahlia!” Vines. Fucking vines closed stopping them from getting any closer. But he could still hear it. Saudor’s taunting words and Vex struggling for breath.

“Alone and afraid. Now you realize the truth.” His voice was sickly sweet.

“I think I do.” Vex’s sob ignited Percy’s rage and he felt heat at his finger tips. Fire at his hands starting to burn away at the vines. “I realize...” He heard a scream that was not Vex. “your words are as empty as your corrupted heart.” 

With Keylith’s help they burned away enough of the vines to push through to Vex. She was picking the arrowhead he’d given her up out of a muddle of muck. Saundor was nowhere to be seen. She then turned her attention to the bow on the ground and picked it up. It light brightened. Almost purified. “Fenthras.”

Getting out of the swamp wasn’t nearly as hard as getting in. With Saundor dead it seemed that the place was trying to recover from his corruption.

“We should return to Syngorn.” Vax said a little smug smile on his face.

”Bet you're eager to show your father that.” Percy smiled softly at Vex. Once he’d seen she was okay his worry had dissipated. He felt guilty for not trusting her ability to take care of herself.

“Actually...” Vex looked at the bow in her hand, tracing the wood grain with her thumb. “I'm not ready. I don't think I can talk to him again. Not yet.”

”Don't let him get under your skin, Stubby.” Vax said putting a hand on her shoulder. “He is who he's always been.”

“I know.” Vex smiled softly, sadness behind her words. “And so am I.” But then came the confidence.

Then they heard the familiar grading laughter. Garmelie was watching them from the branch of a tree. “What a show. I usually hate the theater, but that had it all: drama, action, family shame.” The fawn said dramatically.

“I distinctly remember you saying we'd never see you again.” Percy muttered his fingers tightening around his staff. It hadn’t disappeared this time, seemingly here to stay.

”Yes, I did. And you won't,
because you lot.” Garmelie snapped his fingers and something shimmered into life before them. A portal leading to a very distinctly normal hillside. Tal’Dorei. “are going home.”

“How the fuck?” Vax questioned taking a step back.

“You have given me more entertainment in the last two dusks than I've had for millennia.” Garmelie said, sending a shiver down Percy’s spine. That sounded far too familiar. “So, I figured you deserve something in return. This should take you back to Tal'Dorei.”

“What are you, really?” Percy growled pining his ears back.

“Excellent question, fancy-pants.” There was no flash of red in those eyes but he didn’t trust this. Was there no place where he wasn’t being watched by some malevolent force? “But I'm afraid it'll have to wait until the next time. Portal's closing.”

“Ah, shit, right. Everyone through.” Vax waved them all over to the portal. Vax and the girls went through but percy hung back a moment.

“The Fey Realm is definitely
better in the books.” He muttered before stepping through. He doubted he would ever be coming back to this place.

“Um... isn't Whitestone supposed to be here?” Keylith asked looking at the empty valley. 

Percy sniffed the air. He’d know the scent of his home anywhere and this had to be the place.

“This is the right valley.” Vax nodded. “But where's it gone?”

Ve sighed and rolled her eyes. “What's with cities up and moving this week?”

Percy was still walking forward following the scent. He lifted the microphone in front of him and watch as the top vanished, the air around the cut off shimmering. “Maybe it didn't move.” He smiled. “I knew I smelled illusion magic.” 

“Sure is nice having that nose of yours around Freddy.” Vax smiled as they passed through the cloaking spell easily.
At night the city of Whitestone was quiet and Percy was glad to see that everything and everyone seemed to be safe. At least for now. They were still rebuilding what they could. The city was still healing.

They made their way up to the castle and towards the war room. Percy angled his ears forward as he picked up the sound of voices. 

Allura. “Our defenses are holding steady for now, but Gilmore and I will need help soon.” She was saying. So that’s how they’d managed such a large cloaking spell. 

”Hiding the city was never meant
to be a permanent solution.” Gilmore’s voice. He sounded very tired. “I can't speak for Allura, but keeping this cloaking spell up
is murder on my complexion. “

“I am fully aware of our situation.” Cassandra. Percy was so relieved to hear here voice as they neared the room. “But for now, concealing Whitestone is the only way to protect it.”

Percy was the first through the door. “Well, whatever you're doing, Cass, I'm pleased to see it's worked.”

The entire room gasped and Cassandra stood from her chair a look of utter relief in her eyes. She rushed forward and hugged him. “Percy.”

“Vox Machina.” Allura sounded just as relieved. “After three weeks, we'd started to give up hope.”

“Three weeks?” Keylith asked.
”We've only been gone three days.”

“I hate the bloody Fey Realm.” Percy muttered. 

“Well, despite your temporal hiccup, I'm relieved you're back.” Gilmore smiled putting an arm around Vax and kissing his cheek. “Oh, and with a new look.”

“Something like that.” Vax chuckled softly. “Happy to see you as well, Shaun.”

“So, uh...” Kima started. “where's everyone else?” 

Keylith laughed nervously. “Funny story. I... kind of lost them. It's... It's really not that funny.”

“We were separated from the
others when Umbrasyl attacked.” Percy explained, though he’d barely been conscious for parts of it. “They could be anywhere.”

“Then perhaps I can help you
find your friends.” Allura nodded waving her hands, and Percy caught the scent of more magic. “Show me what is lost.” When she opened her eyes they were glowing, and an orb was floating before them. Within it was an image of Grog, Pike, and Scanlan. But Grog looked different. Like all of his muscle condition had melted off his bones. He was also without a weapon. And they weren’t alone.

“Oh, okay, they're alive.” Vex sighed in relief. 

“Um, but who are those guys?” Keylith asked about the other figures shimmering in the image.

“Grog doesn't seem to be hiding.” Percy observed a nervous pit forming in his stomach. “Did he get... smaller?”

“Huh, glad I'm not the only one
who's thinking it.” Vax said though he looked just as concerned as Percy felt. 

“Oh, no. He appears to be in Westruun.” Allura said worry making her voice tight.   

”Westruun?” Cassandra asked.
“My diplomats report the dragon
Umbrasyl has taken up there.”

“Most of the locals have fled or...” Kima made a slashing motion across her throat.

“Then Grog could be in deep shit.” Vax said.

All of them exchanged looks. Screw rest. They were going to Westruun to save their friends. They were surrounded with a dragon looming not far away. There was no question about what their next move would be.

Chapter Text

Allura’s teleport took them just outside the city of Westruun.

”Well this place has certainly gone down hill.” Vax muttered look at the crumbling buildings and empty streets. Percy had his nose in the air searching for the scents of their friends. 

“What do you have Percy?” Vex asked him the worry creeping into her voice. 

“Scanlan.” Percy said in low voice gesturing from them to skirt the walls as they entered the city proper. “And some others I don’t recognize, one that smells like him. A bit.” That was a bit confusing but not something they needed to dwell on right now. “And a lot of people who smell a bit like Grog, if Grog bathed in congealed blood and stale ale on a regular basis,”

”Let’s find Scanlan. Get a sense of the situation.” Vax said.

”I’d like to get the higher ground.” Keylith said looking up at the intact roof tops.

”I agree.” Vex nodded and they scaled a wall, Percy with some difficulty as his hooves couldn’t get a firm foothold on the smooth wall.

”This way.” Percy said following the scents. Pike, Scanlan and Grog were mixed up in all that foul stench. And then Percy’s own blood froze. They were bleeding. The smell of Pike’s blood far from disgusting him made his mouth water. “We have to hurry.” He urged them on. He was at least glad he was much more capable of leaping large gaps now. Bound, and leap even on two hooves instead of four.

The sene they came up on in the city center stole the breath from their lungs and filled their hearts with rage.

Grog was on the ground, bloody and broken still shrunken and emaciated. An older, larger Goliath was grinding him into the ground with a boot. Pike was on the ground, staring in horror at her friend while she bled from many wounds. Scanlan was being held back by other Goliaths. They were everywhere circled around this clearly one sided fight. They snarled and jeered as Grog was hurt and humiliated.

“Nothing's changed, Grog.” The Goliath standing over him sneered, the scars on his face twisting. “Still the meek coward
who ran crying for the hills.” The other goliaths cheered in agreement. “What made you think you could stop me?”

“F... friends...” Percy was shocked at his ears no matter how sensitive they were now could have picked up that word.

“What was that?” The scarred Goliath taunted, leaning down a hand cupped to his ear.

“My strength...” Grog coughed out from cracked and bloody lips. “comes from my friends.” 

Percy looked at the others. Vex had Fenthras out. Vax’s daggers glinted in his hands, and Keylith had her staff in her own. Carefully, quietly they took up positions ready to spring as they listened to the Goliath herd roared with derisive laughter. Percy hefted Ban News into his hands and aimed for the Goliath holding Scanlan down.

“Well, too bad, Grog. They couldn't save you.” The scarred Goliath chuckled.

“Yeah, but the thing is...” Grog spat blood from his mouth. His eyes drifting to the roof tops. “I got more.” This time he smirked, and raised his voice to the sky for all to hear. “Vox Machina, fuck shit up!”

Percy took the shot and watched the Goliath torso explode in a gout of blood and shattered bone. Scanlan leapt free of the splash zone and pulled out his loot strumming an all too familiar toon.

“Scanlan's hand!” He landed on the purple glowing hand. “You heard the man.” The tune of his lute changed to that of a much different tone of instrument. Percy himself also felt a surge in his chest. The same feeling he’d had both times he himself had given into the music. Scanlan called out note

 ♪ Ow! ♪

“Bleed 'em.” The scarred Goliath ordered the momentarily disoriented herd. Weapons were drawn and Keylith roared in the saber tiger form, tail lashing. Battle lines were drawn. Percy lined up for another shot. He wouldn’t take bites out these people but he would certainly make them bleed out and leave the ground to soak it up.

♪ Rage, rage, rage ♪

♪ Release a hell upon you ♪

♪ A beast without a cage ♪

♪ Realize the demons
are comin' ♪

♪ When we all rage ♪

Percy felt the wall he was standing on start to crumble. He’d been discovered and had to make a leap to the ground. He traded Bad News for his staff.

”look at this skinny little thing.” A Goliath jeered. “I’m gonna pick my teeth with your little horns.”

”They’re antlers.” Percy corrected, slamming his staff into the ground and the now familiar black tendrils shoot out and wrap themselves around his foes. He let the energy surge further and watched as flesh became hard as stone and the goliaths’ surrounding him were frozen with expressions on shock and horror.

♪ Rage, rage, rage ♪

♪ Just when you think
that you're winnin' ♪

♪ And there's no escape ♪

♪ We turn the tables
and fuck you up ♪

♪ When we all rage ♪

♪ Rage ♪

♪ Rage ♪

♪ Rage ♪

♪ Ooh... ♪

Percy spotted a Goliath trying to get the upper hand on Vex so he pulled Retort out again and fired just in time. Half the barbarian’s skull outright exploded and sent her toppling backward. Vex locked eyes with him and gave him a curt nod before more chaos of the battle obscured their view of each other again.

♪ We get what we want ♪

♪ Take what we need ♪

♪ Bring mothafuckas
to their knees ♪

♪ Get what we want ♪

♪ Take what we need ♪

♪ Never stop even when
you're beggin' us "please!" ♪

♪ We all have to rage ♪

♪ No stoppin' us now, mothafuckas ♪

♪ When we all rage ♪

♪ Rage ♪

”The gauntlet!” Vax shouted, everyone froze to watch as the scarred Goliath throw both Grog and tiger Keylith off of himself.

 ♪ Rage ♪

♪ Rage ♪

♪ We all have to rage,
mothafuckas ♪

♪ We all have to rage ♪

♪ No stoppin' us now,
mothafuckas ♪

♪ When we all rage ♪

♪ Rage, rage ♪

♪ Rage ♪

the music faded as the vestiges the lead Goliath was wearing sparked with power. He slammed his fists together and his body enlarged by several substantial factors.

“That is badass.” Grog breathed though he did take a few steps back as if the shield the others from this enlarged threat.

“Herd of Storms,” the scarred Goliath roared. “do not let these weaklings get the better of you!”

Grog rushed forward and he became locked in a futile shoving match with the enlarged Goliath.

“End this!” The roar rattled in Percy’s chest. He tried to get some more range to work with before he was grabbed bodily, a massive Goliath hand wrapping around nearly his entire torso. He slammed hard into a stone wall leaving his ears ringing and head pounding.

“This isn't going well!” Percy growled trying to struggle back onto his hooves. He used his staff to brace himself up. 

He saw Vex do a full by on her broom above the chaos. She was holding the creature amulet Zahra had given her. “Gods, I hope this works.Come on, Trinket, I need the space.” It glowed and Trinket was released. The grizzly bear roared and trampled over the bloody battlefield towards Percy taking up a protective position in front of him. Trinket sniffed at Percy in seeming concern lowering his head to give Percy something else to steady him.

”Good bear…” Percy sighed leaning some of his weight against the animal and scratching his ear.

Vex flew over where Grog was standing. “Grog, want to try
something crazy?” She called down to him.

”Fuck yeah!” Grog beamed, and as Vex held up her amulet Grog was sucked into it. Vex zoomed up into the air, high into the clouds.

Percy couldn’t hear what transpired up in the clouds but he’s did see Grog plummet with a roar of rage. The massive cloud of dust that exploded from the point of impact Grog made when he slammed with all that force into the scarred Goliath. Percy smelled the near explosion of blood.

“Grog!” Pike cried rushing for the newly made crater.

”Come on Trinket.” Percy urged the bear to help him walk, the pain in his left leg told him that it was indeed fractured in some place. His heart sank seeing Grog laying broken and bloody atop his dead foe. 

“No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no.” Pike’s hand glowed with that warm golden light.

Grog groaned and his eyes cracked open as his wounds healed. “Hello, buddies…” he smiled up at Pike now back to him normal muscular build.

Pike and everyone sighed in relief as Grog got to his feet. “We got to work on your landings.” Pike smiled softly. Grog smiled back and pried the vestige gauntlets off the dead Goliath’s hands and sliding them onto his own. He climbed out of the crater he’d created and the herd around them started to chant.

“Strongjaw, Strongjaw.” Quietly at first and then much louder as more joined in. “Strongjaw. Strongjaw!” then Vox Machina joined in Percy chanting into his microphone to add to the volume even more. Strongjaw! Strongjaw! Strongjaw! Strongjaw! Strongjaw! Strongjaw! Strongjaw! Strongjaw!”

“Herd of Storms!” Grog held his fists in the air. “it's done. Kevdak is done. You're free now.”

A Goliath with a bloody bruised face stepped forward. His hands were shackled as if he’d been a prisoner. “So what, Cousin? You're in charge now.”

“Zanror, it's been a while.” Grog looked shocked. “Why the shackles?”

”I finally stood up to the old man.” Zanror said with a slight smile that seemed to hurt his face. “Like you, I paid a price. Do what you have to.” He lowered his gaze and head in submission.

Grog stepped forward and snapped the chains as if they were nothing but rotting wood. “You were once like a brother to me.” Grog helped his cousin stand. “And I see you have the strength to do what your father
could never do: Lead with honor.” This was the most eloquent Percy had ever heard his friend speak before. “Which is why...
...Zanror will now be known as Thunderlord of the Herd of Storms.”

The Herd cheered its approval loud as thunder itself.

“Me?” Zanror asked confused. “But what will you do?”

“Oh, nothing.” Grog shrugged. “Maybe kill a dragon. Care to join me?”

”Fuck yes!” Zanror beamed. “But first we celebrate!” The new Thunderlord gestured to the large tavern which had somehow survived not just the concluded battle but the sacking of Westruun as a whole.

Even Percy couldn’t argue that he could use a stiff drink after all of that. Even after he was patched up by Pike and was able to walk properly.

”Percy you were so badass.” Scanlan looked impressed. “Since when can you turn people to stone?”

”It’s a new addition.” Percy sighed. “I probably wouldn’t have been able to do to that scale without your music though.”

”Ooh so you finally have a proper appreciation of my fine art?” Scanlan raised an eyebrow.

”Not only that.” Vex smiled wrapping her arm around Percy. “Our Percy sings now.”

Scanlan’s face split into a wide grin. “Oh come on fawn boy, we finally got a band, let’s see what you’ve got.”

Percy rolled his eyes but the fond look from Vex softened him. “I will not be singing anything involving genitalia or sex, Shorthalt.”

”Deal.” And Scanlan pulled him up onto the stage.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

In hindsight Percy may have gotten carried away explaining how the trap he’d come up with worked. He’d gotten the idea from the bear traps the heard seemed to be keeping around for whatever reason. A pressure plate activation would work well on a dragon if built to scale. Though he did wish they had the time to not just make it capable of restraint but injuring the creature as well. But they didn’t have time for that. They barely had time to build what he had come up with. The fact that he’d been up all night not withstanding. It certainly wouldn’t deter him now. Even if the heard members looked like they were all praying to have collective brain aneurisms. Percy was slightly heartened when he saw Keylith and the twins return while he was mid-speech.

“And so, the addition of pressure
activates the coils of the cross post, which, when coupled with the jaw hinge tension screw, delivers the restraint,
anchoring the target to the baseplate. Simplicity itself.” Well simple to him. He was met with a confused silence and stifled coughs.

“Uh... what?” One Goliath was staring at him slackjawed.

“You... dig... there.” Grog explained slowly mimicking the action with his hands and pointing at the area on Percy’s diagram.
The heard all made sounds of relieved accent seeming to at least get their roll in the construction.

Percy sighed, his building headache seeming to stab him behind the eyes. “The digging isn't the important part.” He snapped. “Here, pay attention to how the trap will-“ Snap! Pain laced up Percy’s arm. He’d put his hand right into the model of his own trap. His exhausting having caused him to lapse and he let out a startled yelp. “Son of a bitch!”

The herd burst into laughter as he tried to free his hand from the clamp. “He's not very smart, is he?” One of them chuckled to Grog.

Percy growled in frustration and pried his little trap model off his hand and clambered back to his hooves.

Digging, building and then hiding the massive trap took most of the morning even with the herd’s help. And now they were hunkering down into position.

“Everyone ready?” Vax was peaking through the gap between the trench they were in and the plank of wood hiding them from view. Percy smelled a strong scent of blood coming from the half elf. Only this blood didn’t make his mouth water. It sent shivers down his spine.

The hard shouted in approval all ready for a fight. Something they could understand. They also hid leaving the little mount of gold that had been left in the city as bait for the trap. The herd had been leaving out offerings for the black dragon after all.

“Okay, let's slay a dragon.” Grog was grinning excitedly.

Keylith looked nervous. “A herb of goliaths, three vestiges, and...
one Percy trap.” She bit her lip. “Why do I feel like that's not enough?”

Percy tried not to bristle at the doubt. Even he couldn’t deny she had a point. He remembered the burning pain of Umbrasyl’s acid on his skin. “As long as Umbrasyl steps on the pressure plate... it will work.” He said his voice as steady and confident as he could make it.

“And if it doesn't?” Pike asked.

Percy gave him a weak smile. “Then we do what we do best.”

Percy gripped his staff tightly when he heard the beat of the dragon’s wings on the wind. The roar that split the air caused him to pull his ears back as if to block out the sound. The ground shook as Umbrasyl landed on the barren field his green eyes narrowing at the pile of treasure presented to him.

“Their smallest offering yet.” The dragon’s smile was twisted by his exposed fangs. “You are wise to not show your faces today.” 

Percy risked a peak from their hiding place. So close to the pressure plate. Just a little more… the dragon stopped, its clawed foot just feet above where it needed to be. Percy’s blood ran cold. Umbrasyl had spotted the trap. Gods no.

Then he heard it. The whistling of an arrow through the air. He saw the familiar blue fletching. The arrow snapped a rope holding a crate in place and it fell with heavy thud. On to the pressure plate. Vex… thank the gods. The trap snapped shut onto Umbrasyl clamping the dragon’s legs and wings and holding it tight to the ground.

Keylith used her magic to uncover them and their allies and they surged from the trenches.

“Fire!” Grog shouted. On both sides the herd fired arrows and crossbows. Thick ropes went flying over the trapped dragon adding to the vice of the trap.
“Keep the dragon down!”

This was working better than Percy could have hoped. Then it dawned on him as Umbrasyl’s head whipped around on his long neck. Moving like a snake. The head! He hadn’t thought of a way to secure the head!

♪ “Lightning in your face!”♪ Scanlan coming in clutch his lightning blast throwing off Umbrasyl’s aim completely. Percy took the opportunity to cast the tendril spell letting the dense shadows wrap around the dragon’s head and neck restraining him. 

“Going somewhere?” Percy smirked, flashing his own fangs as he clamped Umbrasyl’s jaws shut. The trapped dragon let out a muffled roar.

“Don't hold back!” Grog shouted at everyone. “We've got ‘em right where we-“

He didn’t get the chance to finish that sentence. The wood of the trap groaned with the strain Umbrasyl was putting on it. The groan quickly turned into a shattering crack. The trap exploded into splinters and sent everyone working to restrain the dragon flying as his wings spread to their full width.

“My power cannot be contained!” Umbrasyl roared. His scales shimmered and the dragon seemed to vanish into thin air. His amused growl reverberating through the air.

“That's new.” Percy’s mind raced to come up with a solution to this new development.

They watched the dragon’s footsteps kick up dust. An invisible foot landing onto a herd member and crushing them to mess of pulpy flesh and shattered bone. The problem with something being invisible is that it made things very hard hit. Percy had his tendrils of shadow out grasping at thin air to try and locate the dragon.

“Nothing's working.” Vex was firing arrow after arrow with little to no effect. “Use the Titanstone Knuckles!”

“All right, let's do this!” Grog smirked slamming his fists together. The magic taking hold and increasing his size.

”Can't hit what you can't see.” Umbrasyl’s voice rumbled. Then Grog was taken off his feet by a strike from the dragon. “But I can see you.”

Bingo.

Percy finally caught hold of something with his shadowy tendrils. He felt the strain as Umbrasyl fought to free himself. The invisibility faded. Percy fought to pull the dragon done to the dusty ground. “He's down! Hit him with everything we have!”

“You...” Umbrasyl turned his malignant eyes on Percy. “cannot contain me! You will not!” The dragon opened his maw acid meant for Percy dripping from his fangs.

Percy saw something purple flash behind the dragon vanishing at the underside of its tail. Umbrasyl’s eyes went wide with shock and he whirled around eyes searching for something.

“Failures.” He growled. Shadowy tendrils snapped and Percy felt it like pain. Umbrasyl wrapped his tail around something on the ground. Mythcarver. “I have your vestige, and I will possess them all!” He cackled in triumph.

“We can't let him get away!” Percy shouted struggling to keep his shadowy grip on the dragon as he tried to take off. He watched as Grog took a running start. His axe spinning in the air with a rope tied to it. It found purchase at the same moments the shadow’s snapped. Umbrasyl took flight Grog dangling from a rope below him. “Oh, no.”

“That was their plan?” Pile sounded absolutely incredulous. 
“Go up its ass?”

Thats when Percy noticed that Vax and Scanlan weren’t with them.

“Well, we are talking about Scanlan.” Vex looked just as incredulous but it was combined with worry as they watched the dragon get smaller against the blue sky.

“This is disastrous.We'd need a sky ship to catch them.” Percy kept his eyes on Umbrasyl and the tiny speck below him that was Grog.

“Or maybe we don't.” Vex picked her broom up off the ground. “Ready, Kiki?”

“Let's fly.” Feathers spread on Keylith’s body as she transformed into a giant eagle and let out a mighty screech. Pike and Percy climbed onto her back before she took off. 

“Damn it, that thing can move.” Vex said through gritted teeth as they fought to catch up with the black dragon.

“Steady, Keyleth.” Percy was peering through the scope of Bad News, keeping an eye on Grog as well as trying to line up a shot.

“Shoot it now!” Pike urged him.

“I don't have a clean shot.” Percy nearly snapped back. The dragon was moving too much. Even if he did take the shot it wouldn’t be likely to land. It would be more likely to hit Grog.

“Faster, Keyleth. We're losing them.” Pike 

“Hang on, Grog.” Percy muttered watching as the dragon lowered his flight to smash Grog into the forest of pine trees. 
when that didn’t work Umbrasyl surged higher into the air before diving. This snapped the rope like a whip. It didn’t break the rope but it did dislodge Grog’s axe and the Goliath plummeted through the air. 

“Oh, no! Hang on, buddies!” Pike shouted. Percy had to grab her by the back of her armor to keep her from falling off Keylith’s back.

“He's too far! We'll never make it!” Vex’s eyes were wide with horror as the Grog got closer and closer to the ground. Even as Keylith pushed herself into a dive percy knew they weren’t going to make it in time to catch their friend.

He watched as Grog slammed his fists together to enlarge his size. The crater he made was truly spectacular but that didn’t take away the horror Percy felt as he dismounted from Keylith’s eagle form. 

“Buddies, I'm coming!” Pike sprinted to the crater and slid down into it. Percy, Vex and Keylith rushed to the edge.

Grog was a mess of blood and Percy could see a broken bone sticking out of the flesh of his leg. He could hear the thick slurpy quality of the Goliath’s breath. A punctured lung.

“Hang on, Grog. Hang on.” Pike was straining her warm healing magic washing over her friend.she sagged in exhaustion.
”can't finish… I'm sorry, buddies.”

“Oh, it's okay, Pikey.” Grog smiled weakly as he sat up. “I'm feeling way better.” He tried to stand up but his leg cracked and he cried out in pain falling to his knees.

“Easy, easy.” Pike patted his shoulder soothingly.

Percy’s head snapped up at the sound of beating wings. For a horrible moment he thought Umbrasyl had turned back to finish them off. But what he saw instead was Vax. Black feathery wings sprouting from the back of his armor, Scanlan held in his arms, the two of them haloed by the sun. A wave of relief swept over him at the sight. They were safe.

“Wow, Vax.” Keylith breathed. “Y-You're so beautiful.”

“I have a broom, and you get fucking wings.” Vex complained though her own relief seeing her twin safe was plain as day.

“How?” Percy asked as Vax landed setting Scanlan down.

“Leap of faith.” Vax looked at Percy sadly. “Uh, I saw—“ he cut himself off biting his own lip as if he’d thought better of telling Percy what was on his mind.

“Did we kill the dragon?” Grog asked after struggling out of the crater he’d made with his body.

“Afraid not.” Percy said watching the mountain range where Umbrasyl was a black speck in the sky. “He's headed into that mountain. We need to hurry.”

“Hurry? Are you kidding?” Scanlan looked appalled. “Grog's a mess, Pike's done, Percy looks like he’s on death’s door, and it's got Mythcarver.”

“He's got a point.” Vex sighed. Her hand was on Percy’s shoulder. He was aware of how drained he was. He didn’t have much if any magic left to use even with his staff in hand. “The odds aren't good.”

“We did chase it out of Westruun.
Maybe that's enough.” Keylith nodded.

“We tore through its stomach
and didn't even slow it down.” Scanlan pointed out.

“That was your idea.” Vax reminded him.

“And it failed.” Scanlan shot back. “Why push our luck?”

“There's no such thing as luck.” Vax countered.

“What?” Scanlan looked taken aback.

“We've all had our moments where we want to walk away, but this can't be one of them.” Vax said looking at all of them individually. He lingered on percy for a moment longer than the others. “Look, I know we're hurt, but so is Umbrasyl. Right now is our best chance.”

they all exchanged looks of agreement and one by one they started to walk towards the mountain even with their wounds.

“Yup.” Scanlan sighed hurrying to catch up. “We're dead.”

After a few hours of climbing and poking around caves Percy paused at one sniffing the air. He caught the strong acrid scent of acid and reptile. And another scent he recognized. Ripley. She was here or had been here recently.

”This is the one.” Percy told the others.

“Another ominous mountain lair.” Vex groaned

“Why are dragons like this?” Keylith complained.

“If only we had eyes on the inside.” Vex peered into the darkness at Percy’s shoulder.

“I'll go. I'm fast as hell in this armor.” Vax said reasonably.

“Alone? Are you sure, brother?” Vex asked worry creeping into her voice.

“Now is not the time for cowardice.” Vax said and Vex scoffed. “I'll be back in a flash.” Vax turned to rush into the cave.”

“Vax, wait.” Keylith said quickly.
“I...” she trailed off before saying. “Remember, the safe word is "chenga."”

Vax smiled at her and nodded before he was gone in a blur of black and a gust of wind.

The waiting was painful. Percy kept busy by running checks on his weapons hoping to distract himself from his worry for Vax.

Grog was testing his weight on his leg and cried out in pain. “Yep…still broken.”

“I don't like it.” Vex finally spoke up looking into the cave mouth. “Something's happened.”

“You'd feel it if Vax were in trouble, right?” Keylith asked her.

“I would, but I don't feel...” Vex closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Anything?”

“Then get in there.” Pike said. “I'll stay with Grog.”

“We're splitting the party?” Scanlan asked nervously. Percy was the first to follow Vex into the cave and he heard Scanlan call after them. “Wait up!”

Percy took the lead now following Vax’s scent through the tunnels. They reached a large opening to a massive cavern chamber. Percy took in a sharp breath and he heard Vex growl beside him. Umbrasyl had Vax in the grasp of his massive paw.

“Your armor is mine now, little raven.” The black dragon smirked.

“Drop him!” Vex snarled firing a flaming arrow at the dragon. But he did drop Vax. And the half elf laid limp on the stone cave floor.

“Another vestige for my collection.” Umbrasyl smiled and his scales shimmer into invisibility once more.

“He's gone.” Keylith gasped.

“Shit. Not again.” Vex growled notching another arrow. “Eyes up!” She gave percy and nod and he knew what he had to do. While Keylith, Vex and Scanlan distracted the dragon he transformed.

As a deer he bounded down the jagged rocks as fast as he was able hoping his agile body would make him a harder target for the dragon to hit. When he reach the half elf he transformed back and skidded to his side helping Vax sit up.

“I've got you, Vax.” He hefted the rogue’s arm over his shoulder to help him stand. The growling of the dragon rang in Percy’s ears.

“Percy!” Vex shouted to get his attention as she fired at Umbrasyl to throw off his aim. The black dragon roared in rage.

“Vex!” Percy used his free hand to fire. Retort wasn’t nearly as powerful as Bad News but it certainly got Umbrasyl’s attention making him torn between two targets. Vax nearly slipped from his grip but percy held form to him walking behind some perusing rocks. “I've got you.” Acid splashed around their hiding place. “Bollocks!” Percy growled trying to line up a shot when Vax suddenly wrapped his arms around Percy’s midsection. A furry of black feathers and they were in the air heading for a ledge where the others were all in hiding.
“Thanks for the lift.”

”Get us the fuck out of here now.” Vax said panting.

“Down here. There's a way out.” Keylith called to them.

“It's gonna be close.” Percy muttered

“Okay, we got Vax,” Scanlan said quickly. “now let's slip out the back door.”

“We're not running.” Vax snapped.

“How many times do I have to say this?” Scanlan looked angry now. “We can't win.”

“He makes an excellent point.” Percy had to admit that they were very much in over their heads with just the four of them. Pike and Grog being outside reduced their chances, which hadn’t been great to begin with.

“Okay, what if we leave and come back with help?” Keylith suggested.

“No, damn it, we'd never return in time.” Vax snapped.

Stone cracked around them and Umbrasyl was looming over them once more. “There you are. Your relics led me right to you.” He smashed a massive paw down and they scattered. Shattered stone rained down around percy as he felt himself fall landing bouncing off sharp rocks.

“Percy!” He heard Vex cry out to him and then pain exploded in his head and he felt hot blood run down the side of his face.

“Let us end this charade, shall we?” Umbrasyl’s thundering voice made his head pound as he struggled to get up. Even through his blurred vision he could see the black dragon looming over him. “Look at you. Little fawn. Hardly a snack.”

“Why don't you chew on me,
fuck bucket?” Grog’s voice and his enlarged body slammed into the side of the dragon’s head before he could complete his threat.

“Those knuckles will be mine!” Umbrasyl roared throwing Grog off. “That was a mistake.” He turned his attention back to percy as he struggled to stand.
“This mountain will be your tomb. Your soul will burn in that foul Morningstar hell!”

Percy’s vision blurred out and he slid down the jagged stone he was leaning against. There was a flare of purple energy before darkness overtook his vision and the world went black.

“Percy!” Gentle hands shook him by his shoulders and Percy groaned softly. His body felt like he’d been trampled by several dozen cart horses. “Oh thank the gods…” Vex’s face swam into focus above him. The smell of acrid blood fill Percy’s senses. So much blood. The dragon was dead. It had to be. 

“I’m here Vex’ahlia.” He assured her as she helped him to his hooves. The dust was still settling. It had just ended.

“Wait, where's Scanlan?” Grog asked as the group gathered together.

“Oh, no.” Pike rushed to the fallen black dragon. They all did. Grog started to shift the rocks around the great beast.

“Vax, give me a hand.” The Goliath urged and the half elf complied. Keylith joined them as well.

“Come on. Come on!” Pike was gripping her holy symbol tightly.

“Oh, Gods. No...” Vax’s voice broke as he stopped shifting rocks. Percy caught a glimpse of purple soaked in red.

“Pike, can't you...” Grog trailed off his eyes wide with grief. Percy’s heart seized when the cleric shook her head and she kneeled beside the other gnome’s still form.

“Scanlan.” Her voice broke with repressed tears. “You did it. You might not have known what you could do, but I always did.” And she lightly kissed his brow, whispering. “Your daughter would have been proud.” Percy’s sensitive ears barely picked it up. Daughter?

And then they heard Scanlan’s voice doing a poor imitation of Pike. “And I'm in love with you, too, Scanlan.”

“Wait,” Pike sounded absolutely incredulous. “you're alive, motherfucker?”

“Heh-heh.” Scanlan chuckled weakly. “Oops.”

Percy and everyone breathed a deep sigh of relief and they gathered around their friend.

“Don't do that again.” Keylith smiled softly.
They were all hurting, wounds still bleeding fresh.

“Uh, what's that glow?” Scanlan asked his eyes catching a glimmer from deeper into the cavern. They all moved and their eyes were dazzled by the bright glimmer of mounds and mounds of gold and other treasures.

“Woah.” Pike and Grog said together wide eyed.

“Fucking finally, an actual hoard.” Vex was beaming though she didn’t rush into it. Her arm was still firmly wrapped around Percy as if she was afraid he’d keel right over if she did.

Though that didn’t stop her and the rest of them bickering over who got what items. Percy was able to relax and breathe freely but he was completely drained and his head was swimming. He wasn’t sure how he managed to give Vex the slip but while she was distracted by an argument with Scanlan over a magic key he picked his way back to Umbrasyl’s corpse. He pulled out his blade and cut into the black Dragon’s flesh. He carved out and chunk of the bloody meat and tucked it away into an inner pocket of his coat.

“Well, where to now?” Keylith asked once they’d divided the treasure amongst themselves and had exited the cave.

“Whitestone.” Percy said at once his head feeling slightly clearer. “We have to let the people know that hope is not lost.The Chroma Conclave isn't invincible.”

Everyone nodded in agreement. Thankfully Keylith had enough of her magic left to tree stride them back to the city. They returned to the castle and used some time to clean and patch themselves up. 
Alone in his room Perch picked up the chunk of black dragon flesh. He looked at it and only hesitated a moment before sinking his teeth in. It burned slightly going down reminding him of sour candy the way the taste made him sick in a breath. But it went down smooth. Percy took a deep breath and cleaned off his mouth careful not to leave a drop of blood on his lips. He felt the power surge through his blood. He focused on it and willed it forward. Standing before his mirror he watched his form shimmer and blink from existence. He was invisible. His smile of triumph was invisible.

soon he was sitting around a table with everyone. The same table he’d once shared meals at with his family. Now he shared them once again with his sister and his new family.

Cassandra stood with a glass raised to give a toast. “Destiny, she can surprise you. Lift you up, highlight your strength. Or she can ruin your confidence, reveal your faults,
make you question your purpose.
Destiny is a bit of an asshole, really.” She chuckled softly. It was so good to see her smile like that. “But some of us, a lucky few, can seize control of Destiny, and bend it toward the good, the fair, the just. Those like my brother and our friends.” That warmed Percy’s heart more than he had words to express. “So to honor their sacrifice, dedication, and godsdamn stubbornness, I raise a glass
to Vox Machina.

”Yeah!” Lady Kima beamed in agreement. 

“Cheers.” Percy smiled holding up his own glass and smiling at his sister.
Everyone around the table cheered and Percy felt at peace despite himself. How could he not surrounded by all the people he loved?

“One down, three to go.” Pike smiled.

“Yeah, the three toughest dragons.” Scanlan sighed. “Thordak alone couldn't
even be contained by an entire dimension.”

“Even the Cinder King has his weaknesses.” Keeper Yennen spoke up.

“You know of this dragon, Keeper Yennen?” Percy asked her intrigued. He’d never known the holy woman to have such knowledge. 

“I do.” She nodded grimly. “Before I continue, hear my words.” The woman’s voice and face seemed to distort before his eyes. “Think before you act. Understand that not all
is as it seems.” Green. The left side of her face became scaly green and a horn grew from that. Her eye became venomous and slitted like a cat’s

“She's taken Yennen's form!” Cassandra gasped, horrified. “She's a dra...” her voice trailed away and to Percy’s horror she slimmed to the table. 

“Shit. Shaun!” Vax cried, everyone but the members of  Vox Machina were falling forward to rest on the table. Their wine spilling other the white linen like blood.

“Cass?” Percy’s voice broke as he shook his sister’s shoulder putting himself between the disguised dragon and his little sister.

“More than a mere dragon, I think.” The creature mused to herself. “A member of the Chroma Conclave.”

“Raishan.” Keylith growled.

“What have you done to them?” Percy demanded, baring his teeth in threat.

“I had to get your attention, and a private conversation is so hard to come by these days.” The Shedragon smiled at them in her stolen face. All of Vox Machina moved at once ready to attack.
”Mind your manners.” Raishan chided them. “You needn't worry
about your sleeping friends. They needed the rest.I come to you as an ally.To stop Thordak, you'll need more than those vestiges.
You'll need help.”

“And why should we listen to you?” Vex demanded.

“You can't even sense me, darling. I could have slain you all
the moment you entered this chamber.” Her voice was cold but reasonable. “Believe me when I say I hate Thordak
as much as you.”

“Go on.” Percy said through clinched teeth his hand still resting on his sister’s back protectively.

“Thordak is becoming irrational,
insane. He is intent on stripping
Tal'Dorei of its gold, but not to satisfy his greed.” Raishan stated. “For another purpose.”

”What purpose?” Keylith hissed her eyes never leaving the intruder. They had no other choice than to listen. A dragon was inside Whitestone and Percy would not allow anymore harm to come to his home. Never again.

Chapter Text

“Enough of this yappin'!” Grog slammed his fists together and leapt into action at once.

“Grog, don't!” Pike warned. But too late. A blast of magic from the disguised dragon’s hand knocked the Goliath back mid leap slamming him into a far wall across the room.

“Okay. Maybe a little more yappin'…” Grog said in a dazed voice.

Percy turned his eyes back on the dragon teeth bared.

”Everyone in this chamber shares a goal. The end of the Cinder King. And if you join me, it is a goal we are capable of achieving.” Raishan said in a reasonable voice.

”We know firsthand what you're capable of.” Vax snarled. “Your kind razed Byroden.”

”Nearly everyone in our village dead. Including our mother.” Vax completed his sister’s thought even in such a tense moment.

“Not all dragons are the same.” Raishan walked around the table her form engulfed in foul smelling vapor. Her appearance changing to that of a Pale Guard solider. “Some can be cruel.” Again shifting to that of a small girl. “Some can be clever.” A third time, to a dark skinned woman with a shaved head wearing silken robes. “But some can be truthful.” She touched a patch of corrupted flesh that crept up her neck to the side of her face.

“Thordak did that to you?” Pike asked a small amount of sympathy slipping into her voice.

“Not exactly. But he will be punished nonetheless.” Raishan growled her voice full of spite.

”So it's revenge you're after.” Percy stated pulling his ears back.

“Not a stranger to vengeance, are you?” Raishan smirked looking him up and down with interest. “Then you know it can create unusual allies.” She said knowingly.

“So what did he do to you?” Scanlan asked. “Lovers' quarrel?”

“It's not what Thordak did.” Raishan hissed. “It's what he didn't do. Trapped in the Fire Plane, tethered to the soul anchor, Thordak was a pathetic prisoner of flame. Until I snuck through Pyrah to strike a deal with him. A runic curse afflicts me. But centuries of survival have given Thordak knowledge of a cure. The bonds of the soul anchor were unbreakable. But with my magic, he gave himself over to it. Fused with it. It’s elemental force nourishing his body, contaminating his mind.” She sighed. “I begged him to use prudence. But the gem gave him ungodly power. And uncontrollable rage. He called himself king. Demanded I find loyal subjects. His conclave.”

“And the cure?” Pike asked.

“There is no cure.” Rashad snapped.

”Then why not slay him yourself?” Percy demanded. “Your magic made him like this.”

“With that crystal in his chest, neither of us can destroy him alone. But together-“

“There is no "together," b¡tch.”Keylith snarled. “You opened that rift. Half of Pyrah is dead because of you!”

”I freed him, yes.” Raishan admitted indifferently. “He massacred your people, true. I assume you wish me dead, Ashari?”

”That's an understatement.” Keylith’s teeth were bared in more malus than Percy had ever seen from her.

”Your wish will soon be granted.” Raishan pulled her collar down exposing more of the corruption under her skin.  “The pain grows worse every day. But I will see Thordak pay for his lies before his plan comes to fruition.”

“Plan, plan-- What plan?” Scanlan stammered. “This vague bullshit's getting old.”

“A new order of elemental dragons born of his own spawn.” Raishan snapped glaring at them all. “When his brood of eggs in Emon hatches, your world will be bathed in fire.”

Vax looked deeply troubled by those words. “My vision.”

”When will these eggs hatch?” Vex asked.

“Weeks. Maybe days.” Raishan said. And uncertain time frame then.

”I mean, what are we waitin' for? We got vesticles-“

Pike whispered to correct Grog. “Vestiges.”

The Goliath stammered a bit. “They whupped Umbrasyl. Let's charge that castle and whup him, too!”

“Ha!” Raishan laughed derisively. ”You'd be destroyed in a heartbeat.” She smirked at them. “You may have vestiges but not the one you need.” She raised her hands and a glittering cloud of magic formed into a shape. A golden breast plate set with a red gem. “The Plate of the Dawnmartyr. Magical armor that can repel hellfire itself. It has felled dragons before. And it can again.”

“I don't suppose you brought this thing with you in, like, a big purse or, like, a tote?” Scanlan asked hopefully.

“It resides in Ank'Harel.” Raishan told them. “Located by Umbrasyl before you destroyed him. Now another treasure hunter seeks it. So time is of the essence.” She looked at them all waiting for an answer.

“Raishan, go fսck yourself.” Keylith spat. “Anyone can conjure illusions. This is clearly an ambush. And we are not falling for it.” She was looking at her friends partly pleading. “The answer is no.”

”You all agree with the Ashari?” Raishan questioned.

“We're a team.” Vax growled. As one they each pulled out their weapons ready to spring and attack the dragon.

“Without an alliance, I die. As do you.” Raishan sighed. “But if that's the path you've chosen…” more of that green vapor began to swirl around her.

“No, no, don't let her do it!” Keylith shouted. Again too late. The gas plumed out and engulfed them before they could react. It stung Percy’s sensitive nose. When they opened their eyes Raishan was no where to be seen.

Those who’d been put to sleep began to rouse and Percy put his hand on his sister’s back helping Cassandra sit back up. 

The next half hour was a frantic search of the castle for the real Keeper Yennen. With Percy’s sharp nose he was able to sniff out the holy woman who’d be shut in a cell under the castle. Horribly the same cell that the de Rolo siblings had been held in by the Briarwoods.

Now they had her up in a bedroom in the castle so she would have a comfortable place to rest.

“Ow.” frustrated Yennen pushed the Goliath’s hand away before he could poke her again. “For the last time, Grog, it's me.”

”Mm-hmm. Well, then say something only the real Keeper Yennen would know.” Grog crossed his arms unconvinced.

“Sometimes you wear a crown and call yourself "Grand Poo-bah de Mayonnaise" when no one's looking.” She said exasperated.

“Yeah, okay, it's her.” Grog conceded.

”Thank the Dawnfather she only locked you in the dungeon.” Cassandra sighed in relief. “It could have been far worse.”

“The question remains.” Percy spoke up leaning on his staff slightly. “Do we dare chase down this armor? Conspire with Raishan?” It wouldn’t have been the first time. He was tied to a demon. Using its power from some bizzar hell.

“No way. She killed Sovereign Uriel.” Keylith said at once. “It's a deal with a devil. And we have one too many of those already.”

Ouch. That was a bit uncalled for. Percy shivered at the thought.

“But how badass would it be if we rolled in riding a fսck¡ng dragon?” Pike was grinning. “Knock-knock, Thordak! Acid!”

”Uh, she shoots poison.” Scanlan reminded her.

“Oh. Right. Knock-knock, Thordak! Poison!” Pike course corrected.

“If she helps defeat the conclave, that's well worth it.” Vex reasoned, though she didn’t look happy about it.

”I don't like this, either, but Raishan could have just attacked us. She wanted to talk. Maybe we should listen.” Vax said looking only at Keylith.

“To a mass murderer?” Keylith looked appalled.

“Sometimes a stiff moral code must be bent for the greater good.” Percy told her.

Keylith stared at him looking hurt. “No! I will not dishonor the Ashari.” She stepped to an open window and leapt from it turned into an eagle mid dive and taking flight.

”I'll go after her.” Vax sighed extended ing his own wings and leaping from the same window.

”So, we all going out the window?” Grog asked looking confused.

Percy didn’t wait for Vax or Keylith to return. He was the first to leave the room needing space to think. Sleep was out of the question. There was too much to think about. Too much that needed to be done. With a flagon full of coffee he made his way down to his workshop in the castle and set to work. He always found that it was easier to think when his hands were occupied.

”My, my, you’re in quite the pickle aren’t you?” Alastair’s voice crept into his head.

”Where have you been?” Percy growled. 

“Oh don’t worry I’ve been keeping an eye on you. If I thought you were going to die I would have sent help.” Alastor chided. “You’re far more useful to me there. Now that you’ve been collecting power. Too bad you didn’t eat any of those Goliaths. Think about how much stronger you’d be.”

”I’m not going to eat the flesh of another humanoid!” Percy snapped. “I’m not a cannibal!” The delicate part he was holding snapped in his grip and he snarled in frustration.

”It’s cute you think you can avoid that.” Alastor chuckled. “You still have three dragons to kill. Or make a deal with before you kill them. She knows where your city is after all.”

Percy felt the presence leave his mind and sighed deeply. Putting aside one project he set the staff on his table. The eyes shifted to look and blink up at him. Well he could at least make this thing more useful.

They really didn’t have any good options. At least none that would make everyone happy. He’d never seen such hatred in Keylith's eyes. That felt wrong to him Evan if he could understand her hatred. He too would have stormed off if someone had suggested that he consent to work along side Ripley.

But if they didn’t make this deal they would all likely die in fiery inferno. Their charred bodies set to be devoured by Thordak’s spawn. 
And He had been the one to suggest they come to Whitestone. How long had Raishan been hidden here? How long had she been a silent threat to his people? If they didn’t take her deal would she reveal the city’s location to Thordak? Had Percy doomed his own people without even knowing it?

He knew the answer. Raishan had been here from the beginning. From the moment they’d fled here after the attack on Emon. He had lead her here. Made every man, woman, and child in Whitestone an unknowing hostage. Their safety depending on his cooperation. This was his fault.

Percy wasn’t sure when he heard it but he’d finished modifying his staff hours ago when Vex pushed her way into his workshop, Trinket at her side. Again he was bent over another project his eyes stinging with fatigue.

“You're up early.” Vex spoke partly teasing.

“Never slept.” Percy admitted blinking tiredly. “I hate our options. And I hate how it's driving a wedge between the group.” As he carefully adjusted the internal mechanisms of his latest project a component snapped free and sprung out of place. “Bollocks.” He groaned and leaned back in his chair closing his eyes in frustration.

“What's really bothering you, darling?” Vex approached him pressing a cup of tea into his hands.

Percy sighed sipping at the tea before he spoke. “When the Briarwoods came, no one could have prevented it. But this...” he closed his eyes again. “I did this. I had us flee here, and Raishan followed. I've endangered my people once more.”

Vex smiled at him sad and fond at the same time.”The way you self-analyze, I've always admired it. But at some point, you have to forgive yourself.” She said gently. “No one can undo the past.”

”Well, one can certainly try.” Percy couldn’t help but smile at her. “You may know me better than I know myself, Vex'ahlia.” He turned back to his work table. “And you're right, I must focus on the problems ahead. On fixing this.” He paused looking at his project and picking up the rogue part. “Well, not this. This is rubbish.” He tossed it aside and Trinket caught it between his teeth.

“I know we can. Together.” Vex’s hand had come to rest over his own and their eyes met. Percy felt that familiar rush of affection and heat he always got when Vex was near.

But Trinket was growling and the part snapped between his teeth. They both pulled away from each other quickly.

”Hmm. Right.” Vex cleared her throat. “I was thinking, it won't matter whether Raishan is lying if we can get to those eggs. If they're real, we'd have an ally.”

”And if they aren't.” Percy nodded catching onto her thoughts quickly. Clever. Gods she was clever.

”Then we let our vestiges do the talking.” Vex grinned as Percy nodded along standing up.

“Shall we wake the others” when Percy nodded she stroked her bear’s head. “Trinket?”

The bear lifted the muzzle into the air and let out a mighty roar. Percy felt it in his chest and it made him feel heartened as well as slightly nervous. A bear was a very intimidating presence. 

Despite Trinket’s helpful wake up call it was still midday before they were ready to leave.

Keylith was standing under the Sun Tree her hand on the bark. “Sun Tree, if you can hear me, grant us luck.” Percy heard her whisper. 

Gilmore and Vax were talking slightly away from the rest of them. “A stealth mission into a dragon's lair. You've come a long way from stealing from my shop, my handsome half-elf.” He winked at Vax.

“Ah, you know.” Vax smirked fondly. “Same game, bigger walls.”

“The item you requested.” Gilmore pressed a golden capsule into the rogue’s hand. “Should make quite a show.”

“I'd expect nothing less, Shaun.” Vax tucked the item away before joining the others by the Sun Tree as Leylith cast her portal spell.

“This feels weird every time.” Grog said as they passed through the green aura and into the courtyard of their keep.

“Whoa. Place looks like sh¡t.” Pike gaped.

That was an understatement. Their home was nearly completely destroyed. Even as they walked through it a chunk of rock fell from the crumbling front door.

“Good to be home.” Grog smiled to himself.

“All right, huddle up.” Vax hopped up onto a chunk of rumble as they all gathered around him. “As we know, I'll be making a daring aerial incursion.” He said proudly.

“Which is certain to fail.” Vex cut in.

“I mean, I wouldn't say "certain."” Vax’s face fell giving his sister an annoyed look.

“Is highly likely to fail.” Vex amended her faced stern.

“I'm sort of with Vex on this one.” Keylith agreed.

Percy had to privately agree with them. When had any of their plans ever actually worked the way they wanted? A plan was just an idea until the enemy poured cold hard reality onto it after all. What mattered is how they adapted to it.

“Thank you, Stubby.” Vax muttered. “In any case, you all have your backup assignments.”

“Yep. I'm on rock duty.” Keylith nodded.

“Me and Grog will get up close and personal with our vestiges.” Scanlan grinned Mythcarver alread unsheathed and in his hand.

“Vesticles.” Grog corrected.

“With mine circling overhead.” Vex added.

“I'll be watching Vax.” 

“And I'll be ready with the signal for when he fails.” Percy said catching the gold and purple capsule when Vax tossed it to him. He would have to pick Gilmore’s brain later if he ever go the chance. The man did good work.

“If.” Vax corrected. “If I fail.”

“Sure, brother. Sure.” Vex smiled chuckling at Percy’s teasing.

“Plan sounds aces. What could possibly go wrong?” Scanlan asked.

Everything. Everything could go wrong. Percy’s heart plummeted when he saw the white dragon’s breath hit its mark. Incasing Vax’s wings in ice as he careened out of the air and fell… and fell.

“sh¡t, sh¡t. Do the thing!” Pike shouted shaking his shoulder.
Percy aimed Bad News at the sky  and pulled the trigger. Gilmore’s glittering purple Calling card exploding into the sky as a signal to the others to move in with their back up plan.

”I need to get to him.” Percy said slinging the gun over his shoulder.

”Go.” Pike nodded. “I’ll cover you.”

Percy took and running start and then a jump. He landed on four hooves instead of two and bounded down across the rubble of the half collapsed building they’d been hiding in. He had to get to Vax before the dragons did. With a chunk of ice trapping his wings the rogue was going nowhere fast. 
Percy suddenly wished his fur wasn’t such a pure snowy white. He stuck out like a sore thumb against the charred landscape around him. It wasn’t just the desolated rubble he had to dodge. He had to also avoid the dragons and his friend’s reckless attacks. He barely avoided one of Keylith’s rocks.

It felt like a repeat of their fight with Umbrasyl as he skidded to a stop next to Vax’s prone form. He transformed back. He didn’t have time to find a way to get the ice to melt. Instead he slung Bad News from his shoulder and began to use the butt of the rifle as club to break the ice was heavy blows. Using the weight of the weapon to chip away chunks of the ice. 
it took too long for Percy’s liking for the ice to shatter and fall away from Vax’s wings. He crouched and got his arm under Vax’s and heaving him to his feet.

“Come on.” Percy grunted. Vax’s wings gave him extra weight. “We need to rejoin the fight.”

“No, damn it.” Vax’s groaned, his fearful eyes meeting Percy’s. There was urgency in his voice. “She was right about all of it. The eggs, the nest. The vestiges aren't enough. We need to run.”

Percy felt his heart drop into his stomach. But he didn’t waste any time to start running. He was grateful when Vax got his own feet under him again and he could carry his own weight again.

“These are the vestiges Umbrasyl coveted?” Thordak’s voice was booming and derisive. He completely shrugged off each attack Vex and the other threw at him. They barely left behind a scratch. “Your relics will lie in ash with your corpses!”

“Go! Take cover!” Pike shouted at them her holy shield expanded in an effort to block out the borage  of dragon fire from the Cinder King. It was in vain. The shield shattered and Pike went flying back from the force.

“Pike!” Grog caught the small cleric in his arms as they continued to run as a group.

“We need to hide! Now!” Keylith shouted at them.

”Quickly! In there!” Vex gestured them into a crumbling structure that may have once been a family’s home.

Vox Machina piled inside gasping for breath yet terrified to breathe at all. Had the dragons seen them hide here? Where could they go now?

“Can't run, can't hide. What do we do?” Scanlan’s voice was tight and high with panic.

“The arrogance!” Throat roared from outside, the ground quaking with his steps as he searched for them. “That you would dare enter my domain?”

A familiar form flashed in the corner of Percy’s eye. He whirled around Retort in his hand pointed at the Green Dragon’s human form.

“Raishan?” Vax had his daggers in hand as well. When had they become this in sink with each other?

“Careful where you point those.” Raishan chided them.

“This is your fault.” Keylith snarled. “You told Thordak we were coming.”

”Fool. I warned you.” The green dragon hissed eyes narrowed.

“Get us out of here, and we'll reconsider.” Percy snarled showing his own fangs to the dragon.

“Finally, a rational mind.” Raishan’s voice was smooth. “Come close.”

“Group hug.” Scanlan quipped. “Everybody get intimate.”

They all gathered around Raishan. Percy was shocked as Vex pressed herself close to him. They saw the blaze of Thordak‘S fire and felt the inferno get closer. 
Vex closed her eyes tight and hid her face against him. Percy held her just as close. As if his embrace could shield her from the fire.

Thankfully they didn’t have to test that. Raishan teleported them back into the courtyard of their keep. Though the green shedragon wasn’t so lucky. Half her body was aflame and she was screaming and writhing on the ground in pain.

“Somebody put out that fire!” Pike urged.

“I gotcha.” Grog approached to try and help. “Just-- Aah!” But Raishan lashed out and sent him flying across the yard.

“Kiki...” Vax looked at the Druid slightly pleading.

Keylith half snarled but wind did gust between her hands. “Hold still.” The strong breeze blew out the flame revealing severe burns across Raishan’s body.

Only then did Pike rush forward with her healing magic. “Try not to move.” She said gently.

“Now do you trust me?” Raishan demanded propping herself up on one arm to glare up at them.
Vox Machina all exchanged looks with each other. They didn’t have a choice. Without her help they didn’t stand a chance. Keylith was the only one who didn’t nod. “Then make haste for Ank'Harel.” Raishan growled.

Chapter Text

Blinking in the bright desert sunlight made Percy realize he was more than a tad over dressed for the climate. He was boiling in his many layers of wool and velvet. He pulled at his cravat to loosen it and give some relief to the heat. Even his book on the Hell of The Morningstar wasn’t distracting enough as they reached the final stretch of their journey. He’d gotten half way through the chapter on Overlords before he’d lost his ability to focus and shoved the book back into his bag out of frustration. As they entered the city he tuned back in to what Gilmore was saying. He was acting as their guide in this city none of them had ever truly set foot in before.

“Ank'Harel, the Jewel of Marquet.” Gilmore said with a nostalgic tone to his voice. “Also, fun fact, my old stomping grounds. Over here is the famed Suncut Bazaar. The River District, where you can find anything your heart desires. And I do mean anything.”

As they passed through the busy street Percy suddenly felt very out of place. He knew his antlers and ears made him an oddity in places like Emon but at least those people had known him before the change. Now in this place he was being stared at even with the twins standing on either side of him as a buffer. Vax shot a glare at a groups of men in same silk and armor who’d been staring their entire walk down the street.

“Ah. Those fearsome men in uniform are the Hand of Ord.” Gilmore explained hurrying them along at a quicker pace now. “Guardians of the mysterious emperex of this place, J'mon Sa Ord.” He turned them down a corner through an ally way. At the other end was a temple of polished stone with gilded accents. “And down this street is where your dragon friend said we'd find the vestige.”

“I, uh, don't suppose you want to break in and steal a priceless relic for us?” Vax asked seeing a few more Hand of Ord soldiers on the either side of the outer street.

“Mm. I'm a salesman now, friend.” Gilmore waved an hand ant the rogue. “All your palace intrigue, no longer intriguing. If you need me, I'll be sipping a glass of Stassman down the street. Ta-ta.” He turned to leave them to it.

“Hey, uh, Gil,” Scanlan stopped him before he could go. “if a fella were looking for a traveling musical act around here, where would he start?”

“Where do you think you're going?” Vex demanded. Percy had to agree with her frustration. They weren’t here for leisure.

“Vex, remember that favor you owe me?” Scanlan smirked and Percy turned away peeking his head out of the ally and sniffing the air. The breeze was thick with the smell of incense and exotic spices. It reminded him greatly of Gilmore’s shop back in Emon, as well as the man himself.

”All right, we know the drill.” Vax began turning Percy’s attention back to the group minus Scanlan. “Simple smash-and-grab. Home by supper.”

“Easier said than done.” Percy glanced at the busy street and the guards among the crowd. “It's high noon. There are eyes everywhere.”

“Then we call it off.” Keylith cut in firmly.

“What?” Percy stared at her. They’d come this far. And they didn’t have a choice. Not with an ancient dragon sitting inside of Whitestone. “She’s in Whitestone. I won’t give her a reason to turn on my city and people.”

”That exactly the point.” Keylith looked at him then the others. “Raishan's holding all the cards, and we're exactly where she wants us.” She then looked at Vax, who looked away guiltily. “Vax?”

“What other play do we have?” Vax asked her. “Percy’s right there are innocent lives at steak.”

“I-I don't know.” Keylith stammered. “But I refuse to believe that our only two choices are Raishan or failure.”

“Keyleth, I-“ Vax didn’t get to finish that thought as a succession of very loud bangs went off in the direction of the temple. Percy’s heart dropped into his stomach as through the haze of incense and spices came the scent of burning black powder.

“Percy? That sounded like…” Vex began as the people and guards out in the street scattered in confusion leaving their way to the temple open. The guards shouted to try and maintain order as Vox Machina rush for the temple. There were more shots and screaming as they pushed open the door.

They were met with a familiar but no less grizzly sight. The bodies of guards laying bloody on the floor and propped up against the walls where they’d fallen.

“We're not the only ones who want that plate.” Vax muttered examining one of the fallen men. The bloody hole in his chest “These wounds…”

Pike had rushed to the alter where a woman lay choking on her own blood. “Hey. Stay with me.” She urged, eyes wide. “Who did this to you?”

“She is still here.” The woman choked pointing towards a window. 
Bang! The woman fell limp a bloody hole in her head. At the window shoot a cloaked figure, a familiar metal barreled weapon emitting smoke and the tang of black powder. The smell of salt, sea, and fish hit Percy’s nose as well.

“A pepperbox. It can't be.” He watched the figure turn run and crash through a widow to the rooftops below.

“Percy, we need to keep our heads if we're going to-“ Percy didn’t hear the rest of Vex’s words as he bounded to the widow and leapt from it.

”Right behind you, Percy!” Grog shouted from behind him.

“Wait!” Keylith shouted after them but Percy didn’t listen.

Grog’s weight had him hit the ground first and he offered Percy a boost to let him bound after the odd figure. His sharp eyes picked out the odd hump under the cloak and the bazar thick paddle like tail. That combined with the ocean smell just didn’t add up. But then the sound of more gunfire ended his thought process as they turned and fired.

“Everyone, get down!” Percy shouted at the bystanders returning fire as he ran until. A man cried up and Percy froze. Had that been his shot or the other’s? “Sorry… I…” his voice sounded feeble to his own ears.

Pike rushed to the man’s side as he groaned weakly. “I'll try to stabilize him.”

Percy stared for a moment at the man. His blood being drunk it the dusty ground. He gritted his teeth and forced himself to turn away. “Vex, your broom. Follow them.”

“I... I gave it to Scanlan.” Vex admitted her eyes wide.

“You what?!”

”Percy go!” Vax shouted his wings extending as he took flight along with Keylith as an Eagal. 

Percy too transformed. He’d have an easier job tracking and dodging through the crowd as a deer than a man with vague deer features. People seemed more inclined to get out of his way like this as well. They couldn’t have known the charging deer was a person of they hadn’t seen him transform. For all they knew he was an escapee from some rich magistrate’s collection of exotic animals.

He followed the scent of salt and sea even when he lost sight of Vax and Keylith. He couldn’t loose track of this person. Even if it wasn’t Ripley. They had a pepperbox. They were using it to kill in cold blood. His heart leapt when the figure turned into the entrance to an underground tunnel he transformed back to himself and let his form shimmer into invisibility so he could get close, his own pepperbox in hand. He saw the golden gleam of the plate vestige tucked under their— no her arm. It was Ripley. But she was changed. 

As soon as he was close and blocking her only escape he revealed himself. Retort aimed in her direction. “Dr. Anna Ripley.” He growled.

“Why am I not surprised, Percival?” The woman turned to him lowering the hood of her cloak. Her face had changed. Across her skin were odd glowing blue markings. “Then again, you put things together faster than anyone I've met.” When she smiled it revealed sharp almost shark like teeth.

“Hand over the vestige, and I may let you live.” Percy held his voice steady.

“Which one?” Ripley let her cloak flutter and Percy saw the shimmer of powerful magic. The inner lining was like looking into a clear night sky. “Mythcarver was quite handy before you stole it back.” He stepped forward Retort clicking, giving her a clear show of the threat he posed. “Ah, you've improved my old prototype. How flattering.” She smirked as he backed her against the barred iron gate. No where to run. He should end this here.

“There's nowhere to run, Ripley. You're all alone.” He couldn’t help the smile that pulled on his lips then. It felt good to be on this side of things.

”Oh, that's the thing, Percival.” Ripley smirked at him. An odd blue light sparked to life behind her. “I'm never alone.”

From the light rose another figure. Masculine in shape with the most bizarre head percy had seen on any creature. Wide and flat and appearing to be behind a pane of glass. 

“Lights out Deer Boy.” 
and Percy felt a painful surge of energy course through his body. Like his trails while testing Diplomacy but so much stronger. Like he’s been hit with the lightning bolt spell. And then he was falling into darkness.

The first thing Percy noticed as he started to come to was that it felt like he was on a very small boat. Bobbing up and down in a subtle current. He blinked as his vision cleared. His wrists were shackled together and as he tried to move the rest of himself he found he was tightly bound to the chair with chains.

”I could take him now.” A distorted male voice faded into his hearing. “Let me break that old fuck’s favorite toy.”

”Or we could use him and give you thousands of souls to own.” Ripley’s voice calm a reasonable and the male voice grumbled. “I Have vestiges. We’re nearly there.”

”Ugh! Fine.” 

Percy groaned as the chattered made pain pulse through his skull.

“Awake at last.” Ripley looked at him from the work table she was standing at. She walked towards him. Without the cloak Percy could see exactly how much she’d changed. She did have a very large tail. The shape and coloration reminding him of a shark. What he’d thought of was a lump on her back was revealed to be a dorsal fin. Around them hanging above were an array of glass panels that flickered with light. They and the work table were set on a platform floating in was appeared to be a half flooded room. Water lapping at the edges.

”Look at him.” That same voice echoed around them. That flat odd face appeared on one of the panels glaring down at Percy in disgust. “He even looks like that prick.”

 “My sincerest apologies, Percival.” Ripley said snapping his attention back to her. “I'm sure you remember how eager Overlords like Vox can be.”

Percy paused as his brain caught up with what he was seeing. Ripley had a demon of her own. From the same Hell Percy’s came from. “Vox?” He stared at her. “So to defeat a group called Vox Machina you teamed up with a demon named Vox?” He couldn’t help but laugh at that. It was too stupidly ironic.

“After seeing your own transformation I decided to do my own research.”Ripley bared her sharp teeth at him. And now she was pointing her pepperbox point blank to his forehead.  “Beautiful, isn't it? Without your design, we never would have been able to upgrade it.”

“Don't you dare pin your lunacy on me.” Percy growled pinning his ears back to his neck.

“Come now, Percy. Take the compliment.” Ripley chided.

Vox’s face eyed him from a glass panel with a smirk. “About the only thing you could be complimented for. Other than your body.” That sent a chill down Percy’s spine.

“And what exactly do you plan on doing with it?” Percy kept his eyes on Ripley. “And me?”

“What you should have done long ago.” Ripley smirked. “Share your gifts with the wide, wide world.” Her voice was soft and menacing. “Your pepperbox was a fine beginning. But imagine if there were a hundred. A thousand. More.”

“That's chaos.” Percy spat.

“That's equality.” Ripley countered. “A weapon in the hand of every farmboy, every washmaid, every downtrodden soul in this kingdom and the next. You created something revolutionary, Percy.”

”I have no interest in revolution.” He never had been. He’d created his weapons because he himself wasn’t a fighter. Because he’d needed a way to counter magic when he’d had none. He’d never wanted it to spread beyond himself.

“Your technology could overwhelm any force, no matter how powerful.” Ripley sounded almost reverent. “No more victims. Tyrants. Conclaves.”

“Bring this Renfaire of a world into the modern eara.” Vox grinned with that twisted smile.

“You and Vox seem to have it all figured out.” Percy muttered. “What do you need me for?”

Ripley smirked and walked back across the platform. She pulled a tarp from the work table and Percy’s heart dropped. The gleaming gold of the Plate of the Dawnmartyr with different wires and tubes connected to it. Ripley’s cloak was in the mix as well at another end of the circuit “The vestiges?”

”A power supply.” Ripley nodded smiling at how quickly he’d caught on.

“Vox provided the inspiration.” Ripley gestured to the face on the odd panels.

“Damn right.” The demon smirked. “This place is so old, old school. No womder Alstor likes it so much.”

Ripley rolled her eyes. “That Plate can absorb fire.”

“And the cloak?” Percy asked his eyes flicking across the array. Looking for flaws as Ripley made her way to stand behind the chair he was chained to.

“Cabal's Ruin. It controls and redirects magic.” She explained her hands coming to rest on his shoulders. It made Percy’s skin crawl.

“You'd combine them.” He said through clinched teeth. It was impressive as much as he hated to admit it. “Create an arcane factory powered by vestiges. You want to mass produce your weapons.” The thought filled him with dread. There would be no vetting process. No ability to know if the people were wanting the weapons for self defense.

“Our weapons.” Ripley had turned back to face him. Hands on his shoulders. Boxing him in.

”Even if it could work, it would release untold violence into the world.” Percy looked up at her. Searching for any shred of sanity in those eyes. It was futile. There was no appealing to this woman’s better nature. If his pleas as a child had not swayed her there was nothing he could say now as an adult that would make her see sense. But he still tried. Words were the only weapons she’d left him with at the moment. “Once the weak rise up, what's to stop the oppressed from becoming oppressors?”

“That's why I need you, Percy.” He tried to flinch away but had nowhere to go. Ripley grabbed his jaw in her hand forcing him to look at her as Vox’s screen face bore down on them from above. “You understand humanity far more than I. My factory is inevitable. Wouldn't you rather be the one at the controls?”

“No.” Percy spat. He twisted his neck in her grip and sunk his teeth into her flesh. Swearing she sealed back tearing her hand away from his sharp teeth.

Crack! Pain split his face as her metal hand smashed into his face. His body jolted and he felt his cheek bone fracture. 

“Plan B then.” Vox chuckled from above. “Break him first. Then when we’re done with him up here and he’s mine I’ll know if Val would like to barrow him.” The demon looked down at Percy as he began to struggle against his bonds. “He’s got the right figure for it. People would pay good money to see those hips move.”

”I can assure you.” Ripley was in front of him again, her hands at Percy’s belt. “He does at least beg prettily.”

As the chair rocked with the movement of the water below Percy screwed his eyes shut. Go away inside… go away inside. It’s what he’d always done before. After the first time. Ripley and the Briarwoods had always been creative with their methods of torture but percy barely remembered these particular sessions. Some things it seemed were far too much for his mind that he’d locked them away. It was happening again and he was already blocking it out. No one would be coming for him fast enough to stop it. For all he knew he wasn’t even in the same city anymore. All he could smell was the water. All he focused on feeling was the gentle rocking on the water. He couldn’t even pretend that she was Vex. Vex would never be so cruel. Vex would stop if he’d said no. It would be an insult to imagine her in Ripley’s place. So he let his mind go blank until he felt it overwhelm him and he slumped forward.

He shivered and panted tears stinging his eyes as everything came rushing back. He heard the click of his belt as Ripley tucked everything away again. He flinched as her could metal hand cupped his bruised face making him look up at her again.

”I’ll ask again Percival.” Her voice was poisoned honey. “Wouldn’t you rather be the one at the controls?”

Percy forced himself to focus looking back at her array. The circuit of vestiges and arcane conducting materials. There had to be a weakness he could exploit. Trembling he nodded. “I… I’ll need my hands.”

To his shock he was freed. Allowed to stand and walk on still unsteady hooves to the work table. He forced his hands to steady. He had work to do. He would make it back to the others. Or at the very least the arcane blast he’d create would lead them to what was left of him and Ripley.

As he worked Vox spoke. “Why would Alastor choose this guy? The engineer? I’m an engineer. I invented— well I revolutionized TV. I built an empire. That radio prick led me straight to this guy. I could make far better use of his brain and body.”

“That is very disconcerting.” Percy muttered keeping his eyes on his work. He wrapped a copper wire around the main conducting rod. Sure it would complete the circuit but the power would overload very quickly after wards. Then Boom.

“Vox merely echoes my excitement.” Ripley smiled.

 “That's the missing piece of the puzzle, isn't it?” Percy didn’t even look at her. He was sure he’d be sick if he did. “What does your Overlord get from all this?”

“You can ask them yourself when you're finished.” He didn’t have to look to know Ripley was smirking. He of course knew the demon wanted him. That he had some vendetta against Alastor.

Percy smiled to himself. “Oh, but I already am.” He stepped aside as the circuit blazed to life with blue arcane energy. “Your theory was correct, Dr. Ripley. With magic and engineering, you can fashion an incredible power source.” He let his smirk spread, baring his teeth as Ripley stepped to the table her eyes alight with triumph. “Or incinerate a maniac.”

Percy flung himself out of the way nearly sliding off the floating platform. Water, salt water splashed up into his face as the platform bobbed and dipped submerging for a few moments before righting itself.  

“Breach!” Vox roared as the sound of rushing water reached Percy’s ears. The flooded building was draining. Good. Percy forced himself up to his hooves before he was carried off them.

A clawed metal hand far too large to be Ripley’s wrapped around his throat. Vox’s wide face glowing inches from his own. Percy kicked feebly as he fought for breath.

Suddenly music was thundering in his ears. Right. Ripley would be empowered by that as well now. As darkness encroached on his vision percy was dropped landing hard on the platform where he couched for breath.

“Ripley…” he looked up to see a dorsal fin circling in the water that was draining from the building.

Chapter Text

“Percy!” Vex shouted her eyes wide at the sheer mouth of bodies laid out on the soaked ground. She saw Ripley leaping back from him growling in frustration. seemed to slither back into the smoke that filled the room from the explosion.

“The Plate!” Percy shouted back struggling to his hooves, watching as Ripley snatched up the gleaming gold vanishing in a shimmer of magic just to reappear at the other side of the chamber. “Damn it. She's got two vestiges!”

“Oh, sh¡t. I've got her.” Vax extended his wings and dove at the woman Daggers out.

In shock Percy watched the chaos until a body slammed into him. Vex wrapped him in her arms. “I thought I lost you.” Her voice broke in relief her grip nearly squeezing the breath from his lungs. He didn’t care. 

Percy wrapped his arms around her in turn in an effort to comfort her. She’d been worried for him. “I'm here, Vex'ahlia. I'm fine.” He assured her in a hushed voice.

Then they leap red apart and the sound of shots. “Where is she?” Pike shouted. “There.” Another shot that hit home and Percy was never more grateful that Pike was wearing plate armor. “Agh! My tіt!”

And another. Percy was sure the bullet was meant for him but Vex had other plans. It buried itself in her left shoulder. Percy caught her before she could fall. “No! No. No!”

“Where'd she go?” Grog turned in a circle axe in hand and a snarl on his face.

“Kiki, can you-“ Vax was knocked out of the air by a shot to one of his wings. He fell dismissing them and trying to control his crash to the ground. The music from before was fading now as only Ripley’s red eyes could be seen

🎶”Remember me…”🎶 her’s and Vox’s voices mingled together but percy couldn’t care for their words as Vex shuddered against him.

She was fighting for breath, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth. “Pike, a little help!” Percy couldn’t keep the desperation from his voice and he didn’t care.

The gnome rushed over as quickly as possible. “Hold her still.” Her hands glowed with that divine light. ”Stay with me, Vex.”

”Oh...” Vex grimaced as the bullet was pushed out of her healing flesh and dropped to the floor. Leaving only a hole in her leather armor.

“You saved me. Twice.” Percy breathed looking at her as he still held her close to him.

Vex smiled at him her hand finding his and squeezing. “What would you do without me?”

”Percy….?” Keylith spoke up staring at the dead Hands of Ord. 43 of them.

”Ripley.” He said shuddering. “She… she has an Overlord of her own. I-“ he didn’t get to finish his explanation.

Theough the holes ing the building’s walls more Hand of Ord soldiers surrounded them  spears leveled threateningly.

Percy caught the flashes of horror and grief behind their helmets as the beheld so many of their dead comrades. “Stop right there! No sudden moves!” They shouted with malls. “By order of their highness J'mon Sa Ord, benevolent ruler of Ank'Harel, you are all under arrest.”

Vox Machina plus Gilmore but minus Scanlan were separated and restrained. Marched through the city at spear point.

Guilt churned in Percy’s belly as they were lead through the gilded archway entrance of the palace.

“If I hadn't gotten myself captured, we wouldn't be here.” Percy muttered, ears pulled back. At the doors of the throne room were too earth golems. Percy caught a troubling whiff of blood from them. Human and elven blood. 

“Well, to be fair, we did break a decent amount of laws finding you.” Vex gave him a comforting smile even as they were stopped at the foot of the dais.

”Their reverence, the Emperex J'mon Sa Ord.” the herald announced. The Emperex was a truly regal figure. Beautiful in their androgeny, with silky black hair and molten golden eyes. Eyes that were currently cold with judgement 

Gilmore was the first to speak. “Your Imperial Grace, there has been a grave misunderstanding.” His politeness was masking his anxiety but not entirely. Percy could smell the Man’s fear scent, and that of his whole group. “If it pleases you, our testimony will-“ he was cut off by a silent raised hand.

”It has been decades since such a heinous crime has been committed at Ank'Harel.” J’mon spoke in a cold tone, their eyes sweeping them. “Vox Machina, you have been charged with royal theft and murder. Mistress Asharru was not only Emira of the Coast. She was my dear friend. With the additional deaths of 43 of my own guard.”

“Ugh! It was Ripley!” Keylith burst out.

“I beg your pardon?” the Emperex eyed the half elf with a raised eyebrow.

“This psychotic scientist— she killed your friend.” Keylith was speaking as quickly as possible. “And she might be working with the green dragon, who's actually the one who sent us here. Even though I said we probably shouldn't listen to her. And I'm not... helping…” Keylith trailed of biting her lip. Taking a step back. “I'm not helping, am I?”

”Your Highness, please, we are innocent.” Vex said almost desperately.

“Oh?” J’mon descend the dais to pace before them. “Amongst your possessions were vestiges of divergence, just like the two missing from my archives. Were you not here to steal them?”

”Uh, technically yes,” Vax admitted. “but we, uh, failed.” He chuckled nervously.

“And you.” Golden eyes turned to Percy. He pulled his ears back to his neck. “carrying a custom black powder weapon. The exact kind used in the crime. You touched by the magic from the Morningstar’s realm.That alone is enough evidence to convict.” Percy swallowed. They knew about the Morningstar? “However, if you confess, I may show lenience.” Percy averted his eyes for a moment words caught in his throat. “No? Then I have no choice but to sentence all of Vox Machina to death.”

“Stop!” Finally he was able to speak. He couldn’t let this happen. He couldn’t let them pay for his reckless impulse to run off. “It was me.”

“Percy.” Vex hissed at him eyes wide.

“I did it.” Percy didn’t meet any of their eyes as he stepped forward. “I take full responsibility for the murder of Mistress Asharru, and the deaths of the Hand of Ord soldiers.”

“Percy, what are you doing?” Vax’s voice now tight with terror.

Again he ignored the words. “It's true, we came to rob you. But my friends took no part in the deaths.” As much as it graded on his pride he fell to his knees before the Emperex. Anything for Vox Machina. Anything for his family. “Please release them. I throw myself upon your mercy.”

The next few moments were a painful wait. “Honesty is rare these days.” J’mon said at last and Percy looked up at them. Relief stealing all the strength from his limb. “And my people are nothing if not merciful. Very well. You are all hereby banished from Ank'Harel.” They waved to the guards, the earth golems stepping on either side of percy and picking him up under his arms. “Prepare him for the transformation.”

“No! Let him go!” Grog roared. Percy heard as all of them struggled to reach him. But he didn’t look up. At least they’d be safe.

”Percy!” Vex’s cry did rip into his heart though. She’d saved his life twice not an hour ago. Now he would save hers. All of them. As they had for him so many times since they’d met.

He barely registered the pain as he was shoved to his knees before the Emperex. A third golem was holding out an ornate box. Inside upon a velvet cushion was the same mold of golden crown that adorned the warped faceless heads of the golems. So… that was their intent. To make him a mindless construct. He wondered if Alastor would still collect his souls from that shell. Percy reached for their connection but the demon was silent. Distracted from the danger his pet was in. Maybe that was for the best as well.

“You took a life.” J’mon was speaking again and Percy looked up at them and the golden crown in their hands. “And while we will not take yours, we will transform it into something more honorable. Do you have any final words before you join my service?” They almost smiled, as soft melancholy notes filled the air from seeming nowhere. “Or a song perhaps.”

“I do…” Percy closed his eyes letting the music wash over him. Even though the ones he wanted to hear this were not here their faces flashed across his vision as the crown drifted to rest over his head, nearly touching his antlers.

🎶”The sea is dark and cold, it vows to drag us down
Our feet forget the touch of peace and solid ground
We're barely floating now, we can't keep up this pace
Something must sink away
For you I'd sink away.”🎶

The pain he knew he should be feeling was muted. Numbed.

🎶”We've clawed so desperately for a future out of reach
To keep our heads above the truth beneath our feet
I know we're only now prolonging what awaits
Love shapes a heartless fate
For you I'll sink away”🎶

🎶”In this pain an island stands
With warm and white inviting sands
I wish that somehow I could reach this place
But the more I swim, the more I see
I simply just can never bе
Living all the dreams I planned to makе
Still I'll fall unafraid
So you don't sink away.”🎶

The numbness did not last forever though. And the pain crept in laughing percy to panic slightly. But he’d known horrible pain like this before.

🎶”The panic's rising in me like the tugging tide
But promised calmer waters lay my doubts aside
Hope lifts my weighted mind, and thought my heart will break
Love's left within my wake
That cannot sink away.”🎶

Percy focused on the memories of the people he was doing this for.

🎶”In this pain an island rests
Where all I want is safely kept
I wish that somehow I could reach this place
But the more I swim, the more I see
I simply just can never be
So I'll drown with the dreams I planned to make

And I'll fall unafraid
So you don't sink away”🎶

As the pain reached a climax another familiar feeling washed over him. Acceptance. He knew who he was doing this for. His family. Vex’ahlia. He would die if it meant they could live on.

🎶”The quiet rushes in, the roaring waves subside

And I feel a calm I've never known before
Who knew a heart could beat the doubt deep down that lays inside
When it beats for something more?
I finally see the shore.”🎶

Percy wasn’t even sure if his mouth was truly moving anymore. But he was swept away by a vision. A warm bay in Whitestone. Vex had an arm wrapped around him. In his arms laid against his chest was the vague form of a child wrapped in a blanket. Their family was all around them.

🎶“In this pain an island rests
Where all I loved are safely kept
Somehow I've found myself here in its place

And the more I see, the less I grieve
I fade away so you can be
Living all the dreams you planned to make

And you'll live unafraid
I know you'll be okay
For you I'd sink…”🎶

“Objection!” With Scanlan’s voice the whole world rushed back into Percy’s grief senses. Weakly he slumped forward in his restraints panting for breath. “Damn, my timing is just... Wow.”

“What is the meaning of this?” J’mon demanded.

“Your Evidence, I have new eminence to present.” Percy would have laughed if he’d had the strength. Of course he was drunk. “You'll need my sword.”

“Mythcarver.” The Emperex’s voice was almost reverent as they beheld the vestige.

“Look into the blade and you'll see the real culprit.” Scanlan told them handing over the sword hilt first. Blue light over took J’mon’s golden eyes.

An image of Ripley running down the streets of the outer city. The flat face of Vox sneering at them through the magic. “Uh-uh, no eavesdropping dark age sluts.”

“Can't have you watching.” Ripley chuckled, a sparking of blue lightning cutting off the magical image.

“So, you were telling the truth.” J’mon closed their eyes guiltily. “In light of this new evidence, the group known as Vox Machina is cleared of all charges.”

Percy felt his restraints fall away and barely had time to raise his head before he was hits with several bodies of various sizes. Grog’s grip nearly crushing Pike and Percy together.

He felt fingers in run through his hair. “Never do that again Freddy.” His voice was partly choked. 
Vex had found one of Percy’s hands and was squeezing so tightly it almost hurt.

“We thought we lost you, there.” Pike beamed as Grog backed off slightly to let them breathe. “ Holy sh¡t, Scanlan, I am so glad you found us.”

”Yeah. Me too.” 

Percy couldn’t see the gnome’s expression as he was pulled into the embrace of the group’s three half elves. He leaned into the touch as someone rubbed one of his fawn’s ears.

The Emperex became the picture of hospitality after that. In fact they were willing to offer them information of the vestiges.

Percy hung off to the side sitting on a parapet to look out at the sunset over the city. He knew Ripley was long gone but her scent still lingered in the spiced air. Vex slid in on the other side facing him.

“You didn't need to take the blame.” She spoke softly. 

“But I am to blame for what I made.” he didn’t meet her eyes quite yet. “For letting it loose in the world. For not telling you Ripley was tracking us in Vasselheim. Seeing that woman— my demonic human skin—still alive... I was ashamed. And above all else, I just didn't want you to see me that way…”

“Drowning in guilt won't bring you what you want.” Vex gently took on of his hands in her own causing Percy to finally look up at her.

“And what is it I want?” That only made Vex smile and she pressed a kiss to his glove knuckles before pulling him to his feet so they could join the others.

“Right. So I've been thinking long and hard about our options.” Grog was saying, Pike was sitting on his shoulder. 

“What'd you come up with?” She asked.

“Well, nothing.” Grog admitted. “I just wanted you to know I've been thinking.”

“Get it, buddies.” Pike smiled patting the Goliath’s bald head.

”What options?” Keylith asked clutching her staff tightly. “Ripley got away with it. Without that vestige we have no chance against Thordak's fire.”

“That would be true if she had actually stolen the Plate of the Dawnmartyr.” J’mon said with a sly smile on their face.

“I'm sorry?” Pike asked.

“I have witnessed firsthand Thordak's fury and monitored his onslaught through Tal'Dorei. “ the Emperex said. “Grimly aware that he or someone allied with him may come for the Plate. I did the only responsible thing. I replaced it with a forgery.”

“What? Then where's the real one?” Keylith asked eyes alight with new hope.

“And can we, like, just borrow it?” Scanlan added.

“That may prove difficult.” J’mon said. “I hid it in a place beyond even Thordak's reach. Are you familiar with the Hells of Despath?”

“Hells? As in "hells" hells?” Pike asked uncertainly.

“Like, blood and demons and all that cool sh¡t?” Grog asked smiling excitedly. At a look from Pike he changed tact. “Ooh, I— Oh, I mean, all that bad sh¡t, hmm?”

“The Plate is with a demon called Zerxus Ilerez, an antiquities collector in the City of Dis.” J’mon nodded as they explained.

”So if we want the Plate, we have to go to...” Vax trailed off looking at Percy.

“Hell.” J’mon smiled. “But not his Hell. Our Hell.”

Chapter Text

If anything what happened next should have been taken as an omen. Sitting under the Sun Tree winding down after the disaster that was their trip to Ank’ahrel Percy felt something land on his left shoulder.

”ha Bull's-eye.” Grog commented with a smile at the smear of bird waste on Percy’s coat.

He sighed pulling out a cloth to clean himself. “That's quite the omen.”

“Actually, it's supposed to mean good luck,” Vex told him leaning in. “especially in romance.” Her voice became slightly sensual in a way that made Percy’s ears prick up. She hadn’t left his side since they’d left J’mon’s palace.

“Then I should've put a bird's nest in my bedroom years ago.” He did his best to match her energy and laughed with the others.

“That's fսck¡ng weird.” Grog murmured in confusion.

“Percy's nesting habits aside,” Vax cut in rolling his eyes. “The Plate of the Dawnmartyr is apparently in Hell.”

“Are we seriously considering going?” Keylith asked looking at all of them again expecting them to somehow have an alternative.

“Well, it would make for an awesome song.” Scanlan pulled out his lute and started the strum. “♪ Vox Machina conquered Hell ♪

♪ Where the demon Zerxus dwells ♪

♪ On a chariot of flame, they sang out his name ♪

♪ Scanlan the demon god cast his spell! ♪”

Scanlan looked at them and they all shifted uncomfortably. Honestly not his best work. 

“I should workshop it.” Scanlan conceded. “I'll workshop it. Yeah.”

”Okay, even if we go, how would we get there?” Pike questioned.

“Actually, we know a way.” Lady Allura piped up “An old ally of ours-“

“Dohla?” Kima questioned. “No way. That b¡tch wanted me dead.”

“Oh, don't be dramatic.” Allura waved off the concern. “It's been years.”

”Ooh,” Grog beemed. “Kima with the hot goss. Spill it, girl.” He put on an almost effeminate voice. Percy to lean back to avoid his massive hand gestures. Right into Vex’s chest. And she didn’t move away.

“Our former adventuring companion was just named to the Draconian Assembly. They guard a hidden rift to the Hells.” Allura explained simply.

“Isn't Draconia a frigid, floating wasteland?” Percy questioned. Sure Whitestone was cold but not that cold. They did experience summer.

“And our "companion" was so pissed at me she moved there.” Kima muttered.

”We sort of need this thing, guys.” Pike pointed out. “Think you can bury the battle axe long enough to get us into Hell?”

“Ugh. Fine.” Kima groaned to the sky, and Allura bent down to kiss her cheek.

“I don't love leaving Whitestone unprotected.” Percy muttered hunching his shoulders.

“Oh, look on the bright side, darling,” Vex leaned in again and put a hand on his shoulder. “fewer birds in the snow.”

Despite Vex’s words of comfort it didn’t stop percy from seeking out his sister the thoroughly inquire about their cities defenses. By the time they were walking through what had been their father’s throne room he could see the irritation in Cassandra’s eyes.

”Your concerns are appreciated, brother, but I've been running this city for quite some time now.” She said a lightly proud lift to her chin. “Gilmore has managed to make his cloaking spell more or less permanent. Yennen tells me this year's Harvest Festival will be well attended, and the ranks of the Pale Guard are up to pre-Briarwood levels. I assure you, we'll be fine.”

As they walked up the dais Percy did a double take. Vex was walking out of a side door. The light of the setting sun casting a golden glow on her through the large windows. She was tucking some hair behind one ear and Percy knew he’d completely zoned out of what his sister was saying. “Mm-hmm.” He nodded anyway. “Right. Sounds lovely.”

And then Vex was walking up to them. “Big day tomorrow. Everything all right?” She asked smiling at him.

Percy’s brain suddenly snapped back to reality. “Uh... Yes. Of-of course. Uh, we were just discussing... Um...” Shit, he hadn’t been listening. What were they talking about.

”Canoes.” Cassandra said that familiar mischievous glint in her eyes. Percy shot her a looked his color rising. 

“I see.” Vex’s eyes twinkled with humor. “Well, if you want to update me on the, um, canoe situation, I'll be up for a bit.” She patted Percy’s shoulder as she went. Percy turned watching her go.

“You're smitten.” Cassandra giggled.

Percy felt his face heat with a strong blush. “And so what if I am?” He tried to sound scolding. “It's not like I can act on it.”

“Brother,” Cassandra rolled her eyes at him smiling. “women aren't some mysterious code. When one invites you to her room, you go.”

Percy nodded and turned to go. He felt Cass shiver him from behind and he picked up his pace. He went to the wine cellar first. Taking out a single bottle and two glasses. But once he’d made it to the guest wing of the castle he stopped dead. Shit, what was he supposed to say to her. He started pacing.

“I know relationships in a group like ours can be problematic and... No.” that wasn’t right at all. “Vex, I have developed a sort of affection for you, and, uh... Ugh, and...” he groaned. “Oh, fսck it.” He went right up to her door and just knocked.

“Who is it?” Vex’s playful voice came from inside.

”Uh, it's Percival.” Percy responded rocking nervously on his hooves. “I was hoping...” the door opened and he trailed away slightly. Vex was standing there, framed in the doorway. Her hair was down, cascading around her shoulders in silky waves. But that wasn’t what made his brain screech to a halt. Vex was naked. Completely. Oh. “we could... chat.” He finished trying to figure out where he was supposed to be looking.

“Of course.” Vex smiled at him. “Would you like to talk before or after?”

When he didn’t answer right away Vex grabbed him by his cravat and tugged him into the room and pushed the door closed behind them.

Somehow percy managed to hold onto the bottle and glasses as she cupped his face in one hand pulling him close and, oh gods she was kissing him. Percy did his best to kiss back through the shock. This was moving fast. He wasn’t exactly inexperienced but it had been a while. Ripley didn’t count nor did Vex need to know about that.

”This could be trouble, I…” Percy managed to say as Vex pulled back to readjust. Vex smirked and pulled at his vest and undershirt. He was impressed that none one the buttons popped off. He felt Vex’s hands move up and under his clothing. Somehow he managed to set the bottle and glasses aside as Vex divested him of his upper clothing. He couldn’t even think about how she was seeing his scars. Then her lips were on his again as she started on his belt. “Right, shutting up now.” He helped her this time kicking his trousers off with his hooves. Her fingers were in his hair and he was picking her up under her knees. Vex quickly wrapped her legs around his hips and he half walks half stumbled them into the bed.

They bounced slightly hitting the mattress.Vex smirked into their continuous kiss and used her leverage to roll them over. In a slight daze Percy looked up at her. She was straddling his hips and smirking down at him. But her eyes were warm and soft. Her fingers carded through his hair behind his ear. He leaned into that touch as her thumb rubbed the interior. That pulled a soft whine from Percy’s lips.

”Look how precious you are darling.” Vex leaned down and he wrapped one arm around her shoulders. She just kept rubbing his ear. It sent a pleasant buzzing down Percy’s spine.

He sat up and kissed her. She was just so warm. He felt Vex smile against his mouth. Words seemed lost to them both. Percy shuddered when he realized she’d already sunk down on him. When had that happened? Vex was holding the back of his head and they were both moaning into each other’s mouths.

He pulled back to look into her eyes as she moved and for a moment Percy was completely mesmerized. His hooves slipped on the sheets as he tried to move his hips in time with hers. From the sounds Vex was making he assumed that he was doing a good job. Though he couldn’t be sure, his brain didn’t exactly have dibs on the blood supply at the moment.

Vex’s grip on his suddenly tightened and she pulled Percy’s head down into the crook of her neck. He took the hint and began to place open mouthed kisses against her skin, careful of his sharper teeth.

Their moments became hastened and less coordinated, chasing the heat between the two of them. Percy felt a tightness in his gut his face still buried against her neck as Vex’s back arched and she cried out. Percy wasn’t far behind her and for a heartbeat everything felt so small in comparison to this moment. Dragons, demons, and mad scientists all be damned. As Vex pulled off of him and rolled onto the bed as he too fell to the mattress. They were both panting. 
Percy’s eyes were wide. He couldn’t believe what they’d just done. So spur of the moment. Of course he’d thought about it… he’d had feels for her for years at this point. How could he not? Vex’ahlia was wasn’t just a beautiful and kind woman. She was strong, brave, and clever. He’d meant every word he’d ever said to her. There was no one like Vex. And Percy couldn’t picture himself having done this with anyone else.

”Good talk.” Vex managed through her panting breaths. Her hand rested on his scarred chest as it rose and fell rapidly. That was one word for it, and Percy couldn’t think of any reply as Vex rolled out of bed and walked, slightly bowlegged, to the bathroom.

Percy just stared up at the ceiling trying to catch his breath. “Gods…”

Percy awoke to the golden morning sun warming his face and Vex’s body pressed against his own. She looked so peaceful. Her hair fanned out in clouds around her head. He wished he could just stay here with her. But the two of them coming out of her room at the same time would bring up equations from the others.

Percy carefully extracted himself from her arms tucking the blankets back around her shoulders so she wouldn’t feel cold. He pulled his clothes back on so he could sneak back to his own room before the others began to stir. Buttoning his shirt he turned back to Vex’s sleeping form. Carefully he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and smiled. He wanted to be the reason she slept so soundly. Sleep didn’t always come easy to them he knew.

Quietly he made his way to the door and shut it behind him, careful of his hooves on the hard floor. He sighed softly just basking in the glow he still felt. It was bliss. Percy couldn’t remember ever feeling this happy or at peace. He turned away from the room rubbing his neck where he felt only a slight amount of stiffness. He opened his eyes intending to walk to his own room… only to lock eyes with Vax who appeared to be leaving Keylith’s room.

“Oh...” Percy’s stomach dropped. So much for bliss.

“Uh...” Vax gaped at him with wide eyes, still mid step.

“I was just, uh...” Percy began trying to come up with an explanation. He was drawing a blank.

“Were you...?” Vax questioned slightly accusing. 

“I'm not...” they both said at the same time.

“I-I need to...” Vax was trying to look past him as if searching for his sister.

“Uh... So, Draconia?” Percy blurted just wanting this interaction to be over he started walking down the hall covering his flushed face with a hand to avoid Vax’s eye.

“Yes. So, Draconia.” Vax agreed seeming just as ready for this to end.

Percy wished the floor would open up and swallow him whole. Other than Scanlan Vax was the worst possible person he could have bumped into. Sure the gnome would have teased him without mercy then gone off to tell the rest of the team. He was just shocked that Vax hadn’t gone straight to trying to stab him.

Percy groaned and leaned against his dresser before turning his head to look into the mirror. He may as well start to get dressed properly.

Again he froze. Next to his reflection stood a familiar figure. Grey skin, red suit, twisted smile.

”Hello Alastor.” He muttered, knowing if he looked to the side he’d only see open air. “Where the Hell have you been?”

”I’ve been busy dear boy.” The demon said casually. “unlike you I don’t get distracted by carnal pleasure when there is work to be done.”

Percy felt his face flush. “I don’t need a lecture about that from a demon!” He snapped trying to get his hair to cooperate. “I could have used you before. Ripley has an Overlord of her own now. Some flat faced bastard called Vox.”

”Oh that clout chaser.” Alastor laughed. “Just bash his ego a bit and you’ll have him on the ropes. And Ripley well she may think she’s smart, but if she was she wouldn’t have helped make you.”

Percy growled. “Ripley didn’t-“ he stopped Alastor’s reflection was gone now leaving Percy truly alone again.

Vox Machina plus Kima and Allura were meeting down by the Sun Tree as always. Everyone pulling on winter clothing to prepare for the frigid Draconian weather.

“Allura's preparing the teleport circle.” Vex was saying.

“Good.” Keylith looked relieved. “I don't want to mess up another tree.”

“Where do you think you're going?” They all whirled around to see Jarett glaring at them.

“Yo, yikes, Jarett.” Scanlan cringed at the uncharacteristic behavior. “You wake up on the wrong side of the sword?” The guard captain’s form was overtaken by green vapor and was replaced by Riashan’s human form.

“Okay, first off, you really have to stop doing that,” Keylith snapped. “And second, you wanted us to get this Plate.”

”Thordak is already suspicious.” Riashan hissed. “Quite a time to leave your home unprotected.” She directed that statement to percy.

He snarled pulling his ears back. “If you try anything while we're away, I swear-“

The dragon cut him off. “You have two days, not a minute more.” With another cloud of green smoke she was gone leaving Percy fuming as the team walked through Allura’s portal. 

From the moderate climate of summer Whitestone to the biting chill and ankle deep snow drifts of Draconia. “Welcome to Draconia. Hope you brought mittens.” Allura smiled.

“So, your friend.” Keylith began awkwardly.

Kima scoffed. “Don't let her hear you call her that.”

“What is the deal with you three?” Pike asked.

“Let's just say, being in dangerous situations with someone you're close to can lead... to friction.” Allura’s smile became awkward. “She'll meet us up ahead.”

”Buckle the fսck up.” Kima advised.

After a while they came up on two Dragonborn. “Yes, ma'am. We'll have them waiting when you return.” The one in plainer clothing was saying to a red female. Who broke into a grin when she noticed the group.

“Allura!” She scooped the magic user up into a hug.

“Dohla!” Allura hugged back her nervousness seeming to fade. “Good to see you.”

“My gods, I've missed you.” Dohla pulled back. “And Kima the Mighty. Kima the Brave.” Teasingly she flicked the paladin’s nose with a claw.

“Ow.”

“Kima the Gullible.” Dohla laughed lightly. “How you faring?”

“Confused.” Allura nudged her. “At how little you've changed. Wow.” She chuckled awkwardly.

“Your message did catch me by surprise,” Dohla admitted. “but it sounded important. And if the Despath gateway can help, the Draconian people are more than willing to share it.” She smiled at Vox Machina now. “New friends, it's a bit of a trek. Try not to fall behind.”

“How far could it be?” Grog chuckled confidently. Dohla smirked and pointed up to a sheer ice covered mountain. “Okay, it's far.” Grog admitted as they began the trek. Percy couldn’t help but notice that the interactions between Vax and Keylith were nearly as frigid as the air around them.

“Ah, this is it.” Dolha said as they reached what appeared to be a sheet of ice on the high cliff face. Percy could smell the illusion magic.

“Oh. Sorry, this is what?” Scanlan asked as they followed the Dragonborn straight through the illusion. “No one guards this gateway?”

“It's well-hidden.” Dohla shrugged. “And if anyone found it, eternal hellfire is a pretty strong deterrent.” She walked through the cave to another flat sheet of ice, framed by pillars inscribed with runes. “It takes more than one to open the gateway, and it can only be done from this side. So, some of you need to stay.”

“It's fine. Kima and I will remain.” Allura volunteered.

“Me, too. You'll need a lookout.” Vex stated.

“Um, I should stay as well.” Percy added. He wanted time to talk to Vex without the awkwardness of having the others around.

”If you think you'll help.” Vex sounded surprised.

“We'll go through, find the Plate, and get the hell out of there.” Vax told them with a smirk.

”Pun intended?” Scanlan smiled.

With Allura’s help Dolha tore the gateway open, bathing them all in the light and hot breath of hellfire. “The gateway cannot remain indefinitely. Remember, we'll reopen it in exactly 12 hours.”

“Twelve?” Grog held up his hands. “But I ain't got enough fingers. Anybody got 12 fingers?”

“Buddy, if you run out, just switch to toes.” Scanlan comforted.

“Hurry, before it closes.” Vax urged.

“Good luck, Vox Machina.” Allura called to their retreating backs.

At Dolha’s insistence they set up camp outside the cave. Though Percy would have preferred to stay closer to the portal. Just Incase something went wrong.

“I got to say, D, I was a little nervous after how we left things.” Kima was saying as the two worked on starting a fire. “I mean, me and Allie getting together.” She bit her lip. “Listen, I'm sorry if I hurt you.”

“What are you talking about?” Dohla asked looking confused.

“Oh. Um, didn't you have, like, feelings for me?” Now Kima looked abashed and embarrassed.

“Feelings?” Dohla smiled. “Kima, we're adults. There were crushes, but we had a job to do. It was always clear that you two were destined for each other.” 

“So... you weren't, like, butt-hurt?” Kima asked.

“In all these years, I haven't given it a single thought.” Dohla stood to attend to setting up her own tent.

Percy was sure he wasn’t really supposed to have heard that. But it was good motivation to bite the bullet and talk to Vex. She was bent down in the opening of their tent digging through her bag. “So...” he began already feeling like an idiot.

“what?” Vex asked.

”Last night.” Percy said smiling at the memory.

Vex chuckled softly. “Ah, yes. Last night was fun.” She sighed in that sweet contented way.

“And?” Percy prompted gently.

“And I think I'll fix some tea.” Vex said her back still turned to him.

“That's it?” Percy asked. “End of conversation? Shouldn't we talk about what that was? What we are?”

“If you need a label, call it a tryst.” Vex said airily. “Call it a mistake. Call it whatever you want.”

Those words felt like a claw piercing Percy’s heart. “I want to know what you want.” He said keeping his voice level. “Unless you're too scared to say it.”

Vex scoffed rounding on him and poking him in the chest. “Sc—I am not scared. I'm... Ah!” She doubled over clutching at her head.

“Vex?” Percy caught her knowing what this meant. “How did he know where we were?” He asked in hushed tones looking up to see the large white dragon approached from the air.

“Over here!” Allura shouted, too loud for Percy’s liking. “We need to find cover.”

“Yes, run. Vorugal will gladly hunt you down.” They heard the dragon rumble as they ran through the snow taking shelter under the bow of a half fallen tree. All their breaths misting in the air.

”we’re safe here.” Dohla whispered, only for a spike of ice for form just yards away from Vorugal’s breath.

”you were saying.” Kima hissed in annoyance.

more ice, long deadly shards cutting through the air. The dragon clearly knew their general location and was attacking that area at random hoping to hit them. 

“Get down!” Vex shoved him from behind the spikes of ice missing Percy by inches.

Everything went dark then as splinters of wood and ice rained down onto the two of them. Despite his changes Percy was still utterly blind in the dark. But he didn’t need to see to know that vex was pressed against him. Partly over him in a protective manner. It was a touching gesture. But Percy couldn’t help but blush in embarrassment. Not when his face was partly pressed between her breasts and there was no where for him to go.

”Are you alright, Darling?” Vex asked him in a hushed voice. The roar of the dragon could still be heard even if it was muffled by the ruble covering them.

”I’m in one piece.” Percy confirmed. “Are you okay?”

”Of course love.” There was a soft relieved laugh in her voice. It made percy smile despite their current predicament… and their interrupted conversation…

It was barely any time at all before the debris above them began to shift and light crept back in. “You all right down there?” Allura was peering down at them in worry and Percy’s face flushed deeply at their position. But he didn’t move until Vex did, as he didn’t want to end up poking her with his antlers in this confined space.

He was brushing snow from his coat and shaking wood chips from his hair and ears as they were pulled up into the open “We need to move. The western ridge has cover.” He said at once. 

“No. We're better off crossing to that peak.” Doula pointed to an open area of a flat peak at the end of a rope bridge.

“Seems rather in the open, but you're the local. Lead the way.” Percy nodded to the Dragonborn.

Dohla led them through the snow quickly. It was only a matter of time until Vorugal made another pass over this area in search of them.

“You're taking us further from the gateway.” Allura said as they approached the peak. “We need to be back to re-open it for our friends.”

Dohla scoffed as they crossed the bridge. “As if you care.”

“The fսck?” Kima froze. “Of course we do.”

“Forgive me, but you have a history of leaving allies in the dust.” Dohla turned to face them as they stood in front of a crystal pillar. “I was right beside you when we defeated Thordak. I shed just as much blood. And yet, when the time came for accolades, you two wound up on the Council of Tal'Dorei, living in a fancy ivory tower. While I landed back here in the snow.” Her voice was soft and bitter.

“Dohla, I didn't know you wanted to be on the council.” Allura spoke. “We assumed you were happy.”

“I'm sorry.” Kima cut in standing at Allura’s side. “We both are.”

Dohla’s face became pensive. “That's nice to hear… but a bit too late.” She laid a clawed hand on the crystal, “Of course you didn't know. You were lost in each other's eyes. Blinded by a schoolgirl romance. But Draconia never abandoned me, and I will not abandon them.” The crystal began to glow with a bright blue light.

”Wait, Vorugal will see.” Vex spoke too late. A pillar of light blasted into the sky.

“What are you doing?” Kima demanded.

”A distress beacon?” Percy questioned looking up into the sky as the fresh scent of magic washed over him.

“You've sentenced us to death!” Allura shouted.

“Not us. You.” Dohla smirked at them. “The dragons have sworn to spare my people, and after I turn you over, they've promised me the power you stole.”

“Traitor.” Kima pulled out her hammer only to stop short when Dohla blasted Allura off her feet. “Allie!”

“Blinded by love again.” The Dragonborn sneered derisively.

Vex and Percy had raced to the pillar. “How do we shut this thing off?” Vex slammed her hand against the cold surface. But they whipped around at the sound of large wings beating the air.

“Ah. He's coming.” Dohla smirked as they stood frozen.

“There you are.” Vorugal’s growl reached them even from here.

“I hope he kills you first, so Kima can watch you di-“ her words were cut off by a scream of pain. Percy had transformed and charged at the Dragonborn. But instead of running her through with his antlers he leapt and sunk his teeth into her shoulder. Of course he didn’t have the flat herbivore teeth of a deer. These teeth would have been more at home into the mouth of a wolf. Dohla fell down to her knees as Percy tore a chunk of flesh from her arm. 

“You b¡tch.” Kima snarled as percy backed off blood dripping from his muzzle.

He transformed back as they all gathered close. “Perhaps we can table this discussion?” The others nodded and they started running back down the peak.

”That way! The ones you want are that way!” Dohla shouted, her voice was thick with pain.

“Don't worry, I won't bite.” Vorugal rumbled, “I swallow my prey whole.” The beating of his wings buffeted them a stirred up drifts of snow.

“Allura, can you form one of those shields beneath us?” Vex asked as they ran

“Wha—“ Allura looked confused at first. “I'm not sure how that would... Ah.” Her hands glowed and a large magic shield formed in front of them. They leapt inside and their weight and the slope of the narrow cliff path had them sledding down at a quickly increasing speed.

“Oh, my word.” Percy gripped the rim as tightly as he was able to. He twisted around and gasped seeing the massive form of the white dragon catching up to them. “I don't know if you've noticed, but he's right behind us!” He shouted. A bump in the slope nearly had them slip off the edge, and now they were sliding right on it, their makeshift sled wobbling. “We're edging.”

Allura shot a tendril of magic to a tree protruding from the upper cliff face, pulling them back to a safer position. “Nice steering, babe.” Kima had a manic grin on her face.

“Damn it.” Allura was looking up. Standing above them on the cliff, clutching her bleeding shoulder was Dohla

“You can't run from this.” With a magic blast sending a cascade of snow and ice down onto the lower cliff into their path.

“Avalanche!” Allura shouted. 
They couldn’t stop. Chunks of ice rained down on them and Percy risked raising one hand from his vice grip on the rim to protect his head. Kima wasn’t so quick though as a large chunk hit her square on the temple.

Horror filled him as he watched the small paladin topple right out of their makeshift sled… and right over the cliff. “No, no, no! Kima!”

“Watch out!” Vex shouted eyes wide. They were running out of cliff but there was no way for them to stop. Their make shift sled went right over the edge. It wasn’t nearly a deadly height though and the thick snow cushioned their landing as the magic shield faded.

They were barely able to right themselves before Dohla and Vorugal were standing before them. 

“Come on, you overgrown idiot!” Doula shouted a mad glint in her eyes. She was barely standing to Percy’s satisfaction. Her right side was drenched in blood. “You should've finished them by now! What are you waiting for? I want to see blood!”

Vorugal turned his cold eyes on the Dragonborn. “Do you?” He growled. Dohla didn’t even have time to react as Jaws snapped closed around her body. Hours of blood gushed from between massive fangs.

“Dohla!” Allura screamed, grief breaking her voice.

blood dripping from his maw Vorugal turned his attention back to them. Percy turned and grabbed the council woman by her arm to pull her along.

”This way!” Vex pointed out a small cave ahead of them. 
They picked up speed even as Vorugal’s clawed paws pounded against the snowy ground. They had to leap through the cave entrance as a blast of ice nearly overtook them.

Percy didn’t remember hitting the ground. But as he came to his vision was blurry, and when it didn’t clear he reached forward for his glasses. He found the rims and put them back on as he sat up trying to shake the stiffness from his neck.

That’s when he spotted Allura sprawled out in front of him and he helped her up. “Are you all right?”

“I'm fine.” Allura nodded. “Check on Vex. I'll look for a way out of here.”

Percy nodded seeing the ranger trying to sit up. “Vex?” He kneeled down and pulled her close. “Oh, thank goodness we're together.” He meant it. They needed each other right now with a dragon bearing down on them.

Gently she pushed on his chest and he backed off slightly. “Percy... about earlier...” she looked up at him like this was costing her a lot to say.

“We both know there's something between us.” Percy said softly, that pain in his heart returning.

“Maybe, but I'm not ready to say what you want to hear. Vex whispered. Relationships are... dangerous. Look what happened today.” She looked away from him. “Everyone I've ever loved, it... it always ends badly. It's like I'm a bad omen.”

He cupped her face with one hand brushing her hair behind one ear. “I'm willing to take that chance.”

Vex smiled sadly. “Look, I care about you, which is why we can't be more than just a fling.” She met his gaze. “Is that all right?”

“Mm.” Percy nodded pulling her close again and pressing a kiss to her forehead. “As you like.” He could live with that as long as he got to see her smile…

They joined Allura by the blocked entrance. “There's no way out.” She bit her lip. “And Kima, she's...”

”She's alive, Allura.” Vex said firmly. “You hear me?” The mage looked taken aback by her fierceness. “Right now, our friends are trying to find a vestige in the worst place imaginable. But I know they'll be okay. Because I know their hearts. You know Kima's heart, too. We're getting out of this cave, damn it. Not because it's easy, but because we must, for the ones we love. No matter what... we have to believe it's going to be all right.”

“And if it isn't?” Allura asked.

“Then nothing matters.”

Chapter Text

All in all Vax was sure he wouldn’t ever be coming back to the Hells of Despath any time soon. Not if he had a choice. Between the countless screaming souls of the damned, being chased by demons, the horrible rotting corpse smell, and of course being used as collateral for a devil’s deal had done the opposite of endearing him to the place. 
At least now it was almost over. Zerxus was handing over the plate, and it did look very good on Pike.

“I won't forget your story.” Pike said looking up at the paladin turned devil. “Thank you for losing graciously.”

“I won't forget yours.” Zerxus gave her a warm smile.

“Anyone else ready to get the fսck out of here?” Scanlan asked.

“Hell yeah.” Grog nodded.

“Here, take this.” Zerxus pressed a pendant into Pike’s hand. “It bears my mark. You'll need it to get safely through Despath.” He nodded to the large hooded figure who had been standing in the corner of the room. “Yenk, show them the door. And please, give J'mon my best.”

Vax started to walk with the others but then he turned back. “Wait. I have something I need to ask.”

”Good ahead then, little raven.” Zerxus nodded indulgently.

”Vax what are you doing?” Scanlan hissed under his breath.

He ignored the gnome. “What do you know about the Hell of the Morningstar?”

Zerxus’s brows went up. “Very few Exandrians know of that realm. How do you?”

Pike bit our lip. “One of our friends has a souls contract with one of the Overlords from that realm.” She explained. “The Radio Demon. Alastor.”

Zerxus smiled. “Well now that is a conundrum. If he were to die with that contract intact your Matron would have no power of over his soul. He would belong to his overlord. And Alastor has quite the reputation.”

Vax swallowed around the lump in his throat. “Then how do we break the contract? You’re a devil, you must know how.”

”I don’t deal with the musical hell.” Zerxus shook his head. “An overlord is a dead mortal who owns souls and controls an industry. When Alastor killed off most of the old guard I stopped paying them visits. And the annual exterminations, well.” He chuckled darkly. “If a sinner gets caught outside during one, that soul is gone forever.”

Vax felt his blood go cold. “Extermination? The higher power over this place just… wipes out souls?”

”Last I checked they had an over population problem.” The devil spoke so casually. “So many damned souls, not enough space.”

”Oh gods…” Vax saw his horror mirrored on Pike’s face.

He couldn’t help but remember the Matron’s words… ‘I see him draw his final breath.’ She’d predicted that Percy would die. And soon.

”and… there’s no way to break the contract?” Vax pressed.

”the Overlord would have to free him. Or.” Zerxus smirked sharply. “Someone would have to win your friend’s soul. Or buy it back from The Radio Demon. You’d have to find an Overlord you’d trust to free him in order to do that though. I doubt you could find one willing to give up any soul, let alone one so wonderfully tainted. I certainly wouldn’t say no if you were offering him up.”

”I’ll show you tainted you son of a-“

”Vax no.” Pike grabbed his hand holding the rogue Back. “Let’s just get out of here. We’ll find another way to free Percy.” 

Vax looked between the devil and his friends. Even Grog looked like he wasn’t willing to beat a straight answer out of his guy. “Fine.” He seethed as they walked out of the palace and through the hellish city.

”Whew. Getting out of here is gonna be way easier than getting in.” Scanlan folded his arms behind his head as he walked.

“Good, 'cause I can't eat any more bugs.” Keylith sighed, then they all whipped around when not far behind them they heard an explosion and demonic roar.

“Oh, what are the chances that isn't for us?” Vax was getting a sinking feeling.

“Hmm. I say, 50-30?” Grog said counting on his fingers.

“Vox Machina!” That same guttural voice.

“I hate math.” Grog groaned.

With an explosive shot from Fenthres they were able to blast through the ice blocking the cave entrance. All the while percy was trying not to focus on the turmoil in his heart and The disgusted churning in his stomach as the weight of Dohla’s flesh settled there. He’d done it. He’d eaten humanoid flesh. And no one had called him out on it. Had any of them noticed? Surely Vex and her ever sharp eyes should have caught it. What must she think of him now? He’d crossed that line. The fact that Dohla was Dragonborn and he a human meant nothing. They were both humanoids. Percival de Rolo had become a cannibal. 

“Anything?” Allura was at his shoulder as he stared at the valley bellow them through the scope of Bad News, trying to locate Kima.

”Vorugal is still down there, I can sense it.” Vex said softly.

“Then what are we waiting for?” Allura was set to charge head first down there.

“We can't just charge in against a dragon without a plan.” Vex told the mage. It felt odd being the stern ones to a member of the council of Tal’dore.

“The plan is: I find Kima and rip that fսck¡ng monster apart.” Allura snarled.

“While that strategy has some merit, we lack the numbers for a dragon assault.” Percy said trying to reason with her. “And we're out of time. In an hour, we have to reopen the gateway for our friends.” They couldn’t leave them trapped there in Hell of all places.

“Why this sudden prudence?” Allura stared at them both. “Would you wait if Vex'ahlia was in danger? Would you stand by if Percival's life hung in the balance?”

Vex flushed looking caught. “That's completely-“ she stammered. “Percy and I aren't…”

“You aren't what?” Allura raised an eyebrow at them skeptically. 

“We're not together.” Percy kept his voice flat not meeting Vex’s eyes as he spoke. He was starting to think that might be for the best.

“You could have fooled me.”Allura still sounded like she didn’t believe a word of it.

“Still, you make a fair point.” Percy went on. “We've always rushed into danger for each other. It would be hypocritical not to in this case.”

”Thank you.” She nodded and started to walk down the sloping trail that lead into the valley.

“This is what I meant.” Vex grumbled. “Getting involved causes all sorts of complications.”

“But we're not involved, are we?” Percy said keeping his voice calm.

”What?” Vex stared at him. “N-No.”

“Then it's not complicated.” He slung Bad News over his shoulder and moved to follow Allura. “I wonder how the others are faring.”

Vex chuckled humorlessly. “I daresay better than us.”

Further down the cliff face they found a more open vantage point. Percy was looking through the scope again to the surface of a frozen lake. “Curious. The ice down there looks rather thin. We could use it to our advantage.”

“Never mind the ice, do you see Kima?” Allura snapped “Footprints? Anything?”

“Well, not from this distance.” Percy admitted, the scope was good but not that good.

“Then let's get closer.” Allura started to walk away again.

“Be patient. We don't have eyes on the dragon.” Vex tried to reason with her.

“This is Kima.” Allura stated not stopping so they were forced to follow them. “She doesn't do patience. Without me, she'll put herself in even more danger.”

“Perhaps we follow Allura's lead.” Percy said. He felt for Allura and her worry. “I've never seen her so rash.”

“All the more reason for us to keep a level head.” Vex stated starting to follow the mage.

“Because we're always so levelheaded.” Percy muttered.

They didn’t get much further before they spotted Vorugal stalking across the snow chasing a tiny speck against the crisp white.

Percy was jostled by Allura grabbing Bad News out of his hands the peer through the scope herself. “Oh, by all means.” He nearly bristled at her touching his equipment.

“There she is.” The relief in her voice was palpable.

“I have you now.” They could hear Vorugal’s growl from here.

“Kima! Over here!” Allura shouted. “Hold on!”

Percy was ready to run after her as she rushed off. But he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. Vex. “Wait... Level heads, remember?”

Percy nodded and they moved together getting there just in time to see Allura turn the white dragon’s attention to her as Kima struggled to stand.

“Get down!”

“The hell, Allie?” Kima demanded. “Get out of here. I've got this.”

”All evidence to the contrary.” Allura snarled trying to keep Vorugal still with some arcane ropes. It didn’t last long. Vorugal swung his tail and blasted a beam of ice from his maw. And they lost sight of Allura and Kima.

“No!”

“Yes!” It was a roar of triumph from the dragon. “Come on, fight back. Keep it interesting.” Then he groaned in pain as Bad News hit him square in the jaw.

“Head, leveled.” Percy smirked as the dragon was caught off balance.

“Nice bloody shot.” Vex smiled “I'll find Kima. Meet me at the portal.” She brought out her broom and Allura nodded. Conceding to do things their way.

Percy pulled Retort out and took several more shots at the dragon’s head to draw its attention to him. ”Looking for a challenge, are you?” He smirked already starting to run with Allura at his side.

“Your weapon is too goddamn loud!” Allura shouted.

“I'm sorry, we can't all reliably blast magic out of our bloody fingers!” He shot back aiming for Vorugal’s eye but hitting his jaw instead. The dragon opened its mouth ready to blast in their direction. “Oh, dear.” Percy reached for Umbrassyl’s power inside him and felt the chill of it wash over him before dodging to the side. Ice spiked out and he heard Allura’s cry of pain and smelled her blood on the cold air.

“Percy...?” Her voice was tainted by pain as she called out to him. He was crouched behind the same failed tree but invisible.

Vorugal laughed darkly. “Looks like he abandoned you-“ he was cut off by a cry of pain as he took yet another shot from Bad News.

“Did I?” He leapt up and over the log bounding through the snow. “This hunt is far from over.” The dragon roared in rage taking the bait and following him onto the ice of the frozen lake. Percy found a small outcropping of and  stopped there, watching Vorugal charging at him dead on. “fսck it. Let's get weird.” He had to time this right or the last thing he saw would be the inside of the dragon’s throat. He fired and the ice cracked under the massive weight. The white dragon cried out and clawed at the slick ice only for it to crumble under his touch. Percy watched as he sank into the frigid water before he dashed back to Allura.

the mage was impaled by her shoulder on a sharp branch. Carefully Percy snapped that stick and helped her pull off of what was left. “I'm sorry I didn't listen to…” Allura tried to apologize as he wrapped his arm around her to help her walk.

“Forget it. Let's go find our ladies.” Percy said quickly trying to keep a quick pace. Vorugal wasn’t going to stay trapped in the water for long, and they needed to get back to the portal as quickly as possible.

“Oi!” Vex called to them from above Kima riding behind her on the broom. She landed and Kima hopped off at once.

“Allie!” 

“Kima.” Allura bent down to her partner’s level.

“The fսck were you thinking back there?” Kima demanded. “I told you to stay put.”

“So you could dive headfirst into Vorugal's toothy maw?” Allura scoffed. “Someone has to save you from yourself.”

”Really? This again?” Kima rolled her eyes. “Why can't you ever trust me?”

“I... I just don't... You're unpredictable.” Allura looked guilty just to admit it. “And it frightens me. I'm sorry.”

“Look,” Kima’s voice softened. “I don't do this sh¡t because I have a death wish or anything. It's just my way of keeping you out of danger.” She cupped Allura’s face in her hands.

“Um, ladies?” Vex said awkwardly. “The gateway.”

“Right, right.” Allura straightened back up. “Impending doom. Of course.”

They rushed back up to the ice cave and to the portal’s surface. Unfortunately Kima was the only other magic user present on this side. “Not my forte, but I'll give it a shot.” And she channeled her divine magic through her war hammer.

they heard the smashing and grinding of ice and the roar of the dragon. “No. He's found us.” Percy hissed.

”We need more time.” Allura was straining under the effort of opening the portal.

“We'll keep him outside.” Vex notched an arrow ready to rush forward. but before they could move Vorugal burst through the cave entrance. “Or not.” they were just lucky that the dragon hadn’t seen them just yet.

“Come on, come on!” Kima growled as they finally forced the portal open. 

“Yes. It's them!” Allura was utterly relieved only for her smile to fall when she saw the terrified faces of the rest of Vox Machina.

“Oh...”

“Big boy! Big, big boy!” Scanlan was running faster than anyone had ever seen and jumped through the portal trailing smoke.

“Help, help, help, help!” Keylith was wide eyed with cinders in her red hair.

 Everyone leapt from the portal and started to duck for cover. “Big, big boy chase us!” Scanlan’s shout was followed by a guttural demonic roar.

“sh¡t!” The beast was the size of the white dragon. It roared once more banging its massive fists on its chest like a gorilla. Which was about the closest comparison he could make. “What is that thing?”

Vorugal met the demon’s challenge with roar of his own, the two beasts beginning to circle each other. “Hey, you think they're gonna fight or fսck?” Grog asked grinning like a mad man.

There was no time to answer that question. No one could expect a demon and a dragon to pay attention to collateral damage during a brawl. So they all dove to take cover.

”Throwing a demon at a dragon? Hell of a plan.” Vex said to her brother, one arm raised to protect her head.

“That is what we're known for.” Vax responded looking just as dumbfounded.

Pike slid in behind the cover percy and the twin’s had found. Percy jumped the scent of burned hair assaulting his senses. Pike was nearly bald with a scorched scalp. Small patches of her white hair barely hanging on. 

“Pike! Your hair is.-“

“Cram it, de Rolo. I'm having a day!” She shook a scolding finger at him.

“You're mine!” The demon growled her horns tearing into Vorugal’s chest as the dragon struggled to hold it back. A beam of demonic magic tore that hole deeper, but the white dragon managed to redirect it. It gouged deep into the ceiling of the cavern tearing loose chunks of since and stone causing the whole mountain to shake at its foundations.

“Holy sh¡t.” Kima breathed.

they watched as both demon and dragon tore through the damage and out of the cavern entirely. Rocks and chunks of ice rained down on them.

“Everyone to me, now!” Allura shouted throwing up another magic shield to protect them.

”Wait, wait, wait!” Pike shouted as Percy and Vex ran to rejoin the rest of them. Vex reached them first and pulled him close to her in a fierce grip. “Okay, go.” 

Allura’s magic took hold and suddenly they were on a hillside by a gnarled tree watching the carnage unfold. Percy’s senses were flooded by the stench of blood and his mouth watered against his will. So much power all in one place. A veritable feast. He shook himself. 

“This show is amazing!” Grog was grinning. He was Scanlan watching the fight from a closer vantage.

”Hell yeah, it is.” Scanlan moved to join him. “Okay, five gold on the fire guy.”

“Oh, the one-two combo.” The two creatures gave the other no quarter, no time to recover from a blow. Teeth and claws flashed so savagely and blood was pouring onto the white snow in buckets.

“Uh, come on. Get him, get him.” Percy wasn’t sure cheering on either beast was advisable considering they would have to kill the survivor.

“Oh-ho-ho! Bringing the pain!” Grog whooped as the demon smashed a chunk of Vorugal’s own ice into the dragon’s skull. “Did you see that? Whoa!” A shard of ice as large as the Goliath nearly crushed the two of them. “Uh, maybe we watch from back there.” He sudjested his excitement sobering.

“Yeah, yeah. Yeah, a little distance sounds good.” They both moved to take cover with the rest of the team right as vorugal ripped the demon’s left arm off at the shoulder. Despite this the demonic creature managed to beat the dragon back. Right towards where they were hiding.

“Clear the fսck¡ng way!” Vax shouted as the two massive bodies came sailing towards them, shattering the stone and wood that had been their cover. They all dove for cover and when they stood they saw the dragon standing over the unmoving demon at the bottom of the cliff.

“You lose.” Vorugal growled raising a massive paw and smashing the demon’s head into bloody pulp with a single strike. The white dragon raised his head and roared his victory to the sky, blood spurting from his maw. He then sagged slightly his injuries still pouring crimson in rivers.

”Is it over?” Scanlan asked.

“Maybe he's too tired to fight?” Grog said hopefully.

That’s when the dragon turned his head to face them, blood pouring from between his fangs and turning a roar of challenge on them.

“Why do you guys have to jinx us like that?” Keylith demanded gripping her staff tight.

“Yeah, you're right. Sorry, sorry.” Scanlan rubbed the back of his neck.

“Uh... What do we do?” Keylith asked. “R-Run? Attack?”

“I got an idea. Wait here.” Kima said hefting her hammer over her shoulder.

“What? Kima, no.” Allura moved to block the paladin’s way. “Whatever you're thinking, you can't.”

“You know me.” Kima set a hand over the one Allura had placed on her shoulder. “And you trust me.” 
Allura gave a faint smile and backed off.

Kima took off hammer in one hand, using the other to snatch Mythcarver from Scanlan as she went sliding down the hillside. “Hey, that's mine!” He called after her indignantly.

“Where the belligerent fսck is she going?” Vex demanded staring after the paladin in disbelief.

“Don't worry. That is Lady Kima of Vord.” Allura said her voice full of confidence. “Slayer of beasts, survivor of Emberhold, and the woman I love. She's got this.”

“Yes. Come.” Vorugal growled. He stood still but Kima dodged every ice blast he sent her way. Her war hammer glowing with that golden divine light. Even when Vorugal raised a paw to crush her she dodged leaping up to them throw Mythcarver like an oversized dagger, where it embedded itself into the dragon’s chest. Vorugal’s roar of pain gave her the window she needed. As Kima fell she used her hammer to drive the sword deeper as if she were shaking a vampire. The dragon doubled over in agony crying out as Kima repeated the action adding a surge of divine energy to it this time tearing a larger gash into the beasts chest with the force of it. Blindly Vorugal batted her away doubling over as a torrent of blood poured from between his jaws.

“Okay. Now some help.” Percy could hear Kima’s voice from here as he saw the Paladin struggle to stand.

“You heard her.” Allura shot out a tendril of magic throwing the dragon even more off balance as he staggered.

“We got you, Kima.” That was followed by blasts of fire from Keylith.

“Pour it on!” Vex notched two arrows at once and let fly.

“Scanlan's hand!” The gnome flew through the air only to be batted out of it. But was quickly replaced by Pike who landed another hefty blow to the dragon’s chest giving percy an opening to land three good shots. Vorugal spread his wings.

”He's taking off!” Scanlan shouted. 

The dragon did not make it off the ground however thanks to an enlarged Grog “Looky what I caught.” Keylith jumped in to help growing thick thorny vines around the dragon’s tail.

”I will not be contained!” Vorugal roared in outrage throwing off their attempts to trap him.

“How is this thing still alive?” Percy shouted in frustration over crashing of blasts of ice. Surely this thing had shed more than enough blood to keel over by now?

“Oh, I don't know. It is a dragon.” Vax shouted back carrying Pike in his arms as he ran.

“Die, prey!”

Allura barely got a shield up in time to protect herself and Kima from the blast of ice the desperate dragon sent their way.

Good… he was getting desperate. Lashing out at random now. Percy thought.

That’s when he spotted Vex and Keylith zooming towards the dragon on Vex’s broom. But the arrow she fired flared with thorny vines. It went straight into the gash on Vorugal’s chest. Plant growth exploded from the wound constricting the dragon’s chest as he roared in agony. He fell bewards as from the thorny vines a flowering tree began to sprout from the still twitching barely alive body.

they all approached the beast still cautious of what it could do even in this state.

All except Kima, who walked right up to Vorugal’s head to stare him in the bleary yellow eye. The dragon growled weakly. “Hey. Careful what you chase. You might just catch it.” She swung her war hammer down, and with one final grunt and full body shudder, the Frigid Doom’s life ended in a splatter of blood.

Allura ran up to her love chuckling. She leaned down to rush viscera off of Kima’s armor. “Once again, just charging in, regardless of the danger.”

”But that's... okay, right?” Kima asked softly.

Allura smiled, nothing but love in her eyes. “It's what I fell in love with.”

“Come here, tight-ass.” Kima pulled her kneeling love into a deep kiss, getting them both covered in dragon gore.

Percy felt a pang in his heart watching them. He walked up to stand at Vex’s side. “I know, we're not together.” He said softly.

“But that doesn't mean we have to stay apart.” Vex whispered closing the distance between them and rest her head on his shoulder. Percy smiled and relished in that closeness for a moment. 

He saw something shimmering in the snow. “Dragon scales.” He mused.  Hunger roiled in his stomach like an angry beast. Dragon scales were useful. It was as a good of an excuse to separate himself from the others for a moment.

With his blade he carved small chunks out of the demon and white dragon alike. He didn’t bother hiding them in his coat this time but devoured them as soon as they’d parted from the body. Blood still warm despite the cold that surrounded them. Delicately he cleaned his mouth off before returning to the others his pack heavy with white scales.

“Whew, hair. That is a relief.” Pike smiled. “Oh, no offense, buddies.” She said to Grog.

”Eh, none taken. Not many can pull off this look.” He ran a hand over his bald head with a proud smile. “You know what I mean?”

“It'll be dark soon.”Vex said curling in on herself a little. At some point she’d lost her winter gear.

”Allura, can you... uh, "bamf" us out of here?” Vax asked

“Unfortunately, I'll need to rest before I can "bamf" anything.” The mage explained. It was to be expected. They were all completely spent after the day they’d just had.

“I mean, I guess we can pile into Chateau Shorthalt.” Scanlan said a cocky smile on his face.

”Where?” Percy asked looking at the gnome’s relaxed posture.

“You know, my waterbed homestead. The hot box. The short shack.”  Scanlan turned back to the group. “You know, my-my nightclub.”

“We're all a little tired for jokes, Scanlan.” Percy said leaning back. He barely had the strength to keep his ears from drooping.

“Oh.” Scanlan laughed lightly. “Trust me, if I made a joke, you would be laughing.” He sighed then. “Of course, I can't do the trick without a door.”

Grog peered around the ruined building they taken shelter at, and pulled out a door from the ruble. “Uh... You mean like this?”

“Grog, you're amazing.” Scanlan beamed as the Goliath set the door up in the deep snow. Scanlan pulled out an odd shaped gold key from his bag. “Okay, just pop in my magical key, and...” he turned the key in the door’s lock and a glowing purple S glowed to life on the wood as it swung open. “Entrez-vous.”

Purple light and faint music poured through the open door and they all stared at it bymbfounded.

“Scanlan... what the fսck is that?” Vax asked like he couldn’t believe his eyes.

Chapter Text

Still ankle deep in the snow Vox Machina took shelter against a ruined building. Percy was digging around in the snow further away having muttered something about collecting dragon scales. Vax was grateful he didn’t have to come up with an excuse to pull his sister aside.

”Well at least your trip to Hell was a success.” Vex smiled. “Everyone still has their souls right?”

”We do.” Vax nodded hating that he had to drop this bomb on Vex now as they were still flushed in their victory. “Listen, Stubby… about Percy-“

”Agh. Really Vax? There’s nothing going on between us.” Vex rolled her eyes. But her denial wasn’t at all convincing. “Like you’re one to talk you’ve been fumbling the bag since Whitestone.”

Vax flushed. “I’m not talking about that Vex. I’m being serious.”

Vex paused. “What is it about Percy then?”

”Something that devil Zerxus told us before we left.” Vax sighed. “I asked about Percy’s deal. If there was a way to break it…”

”Well?” Vex stared at him desperation creeping into her voice. “Can we break it?”

Vax wished he could have told her something different. “No… not unless we can trust another Overlord to win his soul and then free him… but that’s not the worst of it…”

Vex was gripping her bow tightly. “What could possibly be worse than that Vax?”

“This hell… it has an over population problem…” Vax whispered. “Once a year angels come down and exterminate every sinner they can find… destroying their souls.”

Vex’s face tightened with horror but then rage. She poked Vax in his chest. “He’s not going to die!” She snapped. “Why would you even bring that up?!”

”Because the Matron told me he would…” Vax admitted. “When we were in Westruun… being entwined with this other realm… it’s twisted his fate.”

”Fuck fate.” Vex snapped. “He’s not going to die. I wont let that happen!”

”Stubby…”

”I don’t want to hear it!” Vex cut him off. “I’m not going to let that happen.” She stormed off back to the rest of the group, leaving Vax to stand ankle deep in the snow.

He reached for those threads of fate. Percy’s still easy to pick out among the tangle that connected Vax to his friends. The bright sickly green sticking out among pure gold.

The dazzling purple light faded and Vox Machina stepped onto a marble floor. The massive room around them would have been perfectly at home in a castle. All be it a castle lived in and designed by Scanlan Shorthalt. 

“What in the hells?” Percy looked around swiveling his ears to find the source of the ambient music.

“How did you...? How are we...?” Keylith was wide eyed at the glitter of gold along the walls.

”Ooh...” Grog was staring up at the large chandelier that hung above them.

“Now, I know what you're thinking.” Scanlan smiled admiring his handiwork. “The place is a little small, but I'm a big believer in humble beginnings.”

“Humble?” Vex sounded skeptical. After all they could very clearly see the fountain and the marble statue of Scanlan himself in all his naked glory.

“Whoa.” Keylith averted her eyes.

“My word, indeed.” Percy couldn’t remember scanlan’s muscles being go that defined.

“Um, this is amazing.” Pike did look impressed though.

“Ooh, you're a wizard, Scanlan.” Grog beamed.

“Now, don't just stand there, fam.” The gnome spread his arms out to them. “Welcome to my getaway from the everyday.”

“What is this place?” Percy was still wondering about the physics of this place.

“And where the fսck is that music coming from?” Vax asked looking more confused than anything.

“All your questions shall be answered.” Percy heard the music pick up and he jumped as several spectral servants (not so different from the ones Gilmore could summon) flew in a formation to join Scanlan. “In song!”

“♪ Percy gets a workshop to make gadgets and gizmos ♪”

“♪ Grog, here's your fighting pit♪” 

”♪ Nice, nice, nice, nice ♪”

“♪And Keyleth gets a greenhouse to tend to her veggies ♪”

“♪ And maybe grow me some spice ♪”

“Uh, this is the key I found, you sticky-fingered hoarder.” Vex cut in having noticed the shape of the key still stuck in the lock of the door.

“We could argue about who found what. Or we could celebrate killing our third dragon!”

“♪ Château ♪”

“♪ Don't ya want it? ♪”

“♪ Château ♪”

“♪ I know ya need it ♪”

“♪ Château ♪”

“♪ Kick back and join me At the Château Shorthalt ♪”

“♪ Château ♪”

”♪ A bangin' nightclub ♪”

”♪ Château ♪”

”♪ We got a hot tub ♪”

“♪ Château ♪”

“♪ Come and join me ♪”

”♪ At the Château Shorthalt ♪”

”♪ But will there ever be a chance ♪”

”♪ To enjoy it with her? ♪”

“Hey, weenie. You coming?” Pike called back to him.

“♪ Ooh ♪”

“♪ Château ♪”

“♪ All you can drink ♪”

”♪ Château ♪”

“Plus, a whole lot of kink.” Vax backed away from a door down one hallway, his face flushed.

”♪ Château ♪”

“♪ A room for you and you ♪”

”♪ And you and you and you ♪”

“♪ Château Shorthalt ♪”

“♪ And you! ♪”

“♪ Château ♪”

”Is there wine?”

“Of course!”

“♪ Château ♪”

“Look, me on a horse.”

“♪ Château ♪”

”♪ Come on and join me at the Château Shorthalt ♪”

”♪ Château, Château ♪”

“♪ Château, Château, Château ♪ What happens at the château stays at the château. ♪ Shorthalt! ♪♪”

It felt like an eternity since Percy had laughed so much. His exhaustion was nearly forgotten even as he climbed from the pool to change. On their way into this odd simulated outdoor chamber he’d spotted what looked like a hot spring. A good soak sounded wonderful. Hopefully it would help him wind down so he could actually get some sleep. 
He was just starting to pull off his bathing suit when he heard the door to the changing room creek open.

”Sorry it’s…” the words died on his lips. Vex was standing in the door, a slight smirk on her face.

she stepped fully inside and let the door close behind her. She approached him and Percy let that distance close. “I think that might be the most modest men’s swim suit I’ve ever seen.” Her tone was playful as she hooked a finger into the upper band of the garment.

”Well I…” Percy bit his lip. “I didn’t want to spoil the mood with the worst of my scars.”

Vex’s expression softened. “Darling. No one here judges you for that.” She laid her hand across his chest. “They show you’re a survivor… that you’re stronger than what hurt you.” She pressed the rest of her body to his. Her blue two piece left hardly anything to the imagination. Not that it needed to when percy had seen well… everything already. 

Vex wrapped her arms around his shoulders so their chests were flush together. Percy’s heart rate quickened and Vex smiled softly at that.

“Vex…” Percy breathed softly. Because this was everything he wanted. To just be close to her like this. To be true to how he felt, and had felt for her for a very long time. “Are you sure…?” A tryst… a mistake…

As answer Vex pulled him down into a deep kiss. Well… it wasn’t exactly an answer of any kind but it spoke for itself. Vex wanted to be close to him… even if it wasn’t the same way percy wanted… he couldn’t say no. He couldn’t bear to see disappointment in her eyes. Not when he believed Vex deserved the world and so much more. 

Her fingers threaded through his wet hair and the other was rubbing soft circles into his left ear. Then she pulled back so they could both breathe. But she still held Percy’s face his forehead pressed to hers.

”come on. Let’s get you out of this.” She mused playing with the shoulder strap of his swim suit. Pulling it back only for it to lightly snapp back against his skin with a slap sound. “I haven’t ever gotten to see that fluffy white tail of yours properly.”

Percy groaned softly his cheeks flushing. “Must you..?”

”I do think it’s so cute darling.” Vex tangled her fingers into his hair. “Why not find a way to enjoy it?” She rubbed circles around his ear and Percy melted.

A whimper escaped his lips. Damn his sensitive ears. That felt better than he ever would have thought. “Hell…”

”Do you like that darling?” Vex’s voice was soft and slightly teasing. Percy’s eyes fluttered and he leaned heavily into her touch. They both leaned against the wall of the changing room. “Yeah, you do.” Vex smiled moving her hands to the shoulder straps of Percy’s swim suit. 
It took a bit more wiggling as the garment was wet and slightly stuck to Percy’s skin. 

“This isn’t a very… ideal place for…” Percy trailed off in another moan as Vex pressed herself close to him and his back hit the wall. 

“You’re so Vanilla darling… this is a wonderful place.” Vex kissed him and Percy opened up for her. That heat pooling in his gut again and he couldn’t help but wrap his arms tight around her. “We go to so many of these wild places, why not bring the adventure into the bedroom?”

”Well…” He gasped softly as she kissed the hollow of his throat. “We… aren’t in a bedroom…”

”details, details,” Vex sighed pulling back to look him in the eyes. “If you don’t want to do this darling… I’ll back off.”

”No… no don’t stop.” Percy held onto her a little tighter. “Please… don’t go…”

”shh.” She smoothed her fingers through his hair. “I’m not going anywhere Percy. I won’t leave your side.” Her grip on him was tight. Almost desperate. As if she thought he’d disappear if she let go. Her knee was placed between his legs giving slight friction. 

Percy let out a small pouched put noise his hooves slipping on the wet untreated wood floor. “As much as I do love the adventure… this is a bit more precarious than I would like.”

Vex looked down to look at Percy’s hooves as he struggled to stay at this angle. “Right… hooves no grip.” She nodded backing up slightly. “I did see a hot spring behind this little shack. Let’s go there.” 

“That’s agreeable.” Percy nodded steadying himself in his hooves. “Let’s go, it sounds like the others have moved on. We won’t be seen.”

”You really do think of everything darling.” Vex took his hand and pulled him along. Thankfully he was able to grab a towel to wrap around his waist before they exited the changing room.

The steam rising off the water was more than enticing. Vex being there made it irresistible. Percy tossed his towel aside and waded into the water with her. He’d barely found his seat there before she was in his lap. When had she taken off her bathing suit?

”Feeling more stable darling?” Vex smiled looking down at him.

”Very.” Percy smiled wrapping his arms back around her shoulders loosely.

”Tell me Percy, how much have you done this before?” Her fingers were back in his hair. Percy shivered.

”Not much… I… I prefer not to count my other encounters…” Percy admitted. “You’re the first that matters to me.”

Vex smiled but a flicker of worry passed behind her eyes. “A topic for another time then.” She moved slipping Percy’s knees up over her shoulders. He let out an undignified squeak sound when he felt her hands cup his ass and touch his small tail. It sent pleasurable shivers up his spine and he whined. 

“Vex… oh…” Percy’s eyes fluttered closed as he felt Vex’s mouth on him. Her hand holding tightly to his tail almost using it as a handle to hold onto him.

Percy was lost in that feeling but his ears twitched when he picked up a sound unrelated to what they were doing. Whistling. Vax.

”Vex, st-stop.” Percy moved pulling vex off him.

”Darling what-“ she cut herself off as the sound of Vax’s whistling got closer. She met Percy’s eyes before she dived under the water, vanishing.

Vax was coming down the path a towel draped over his shoulder. He stopped short when he saw Percy sitting in the water. “Oh!” Percy chuckled awkwardly trying not to look towards the water. “Vax. Did you need something or...” he trailed off rubbing the back of his neck.

“Mm, just a soak.” Vax approached the hot spring. “Mind if I join you?”

“Actually, it's, um...” Percy trailed off as Vax dropped his towel giving him an eyeful. “Okay.” He sighed.

“Ooh. That hits the spot.” Vax leaned back and smiled as he settled into the water face turned up to the false stary sky.

“You know you're getting weirder, right?” Percy asked the half elf.

”Probably accurate.” Vax smiled and let the silence hang in the air for a few moments. Then he sat up to look percy in the eyes. “Mm. Look, I've been meaning to talk to you. About my sister. A-About everything. But mainly to apologize for… being so distant lately.”

“Oh. It's fine. I-“ Vax cut him off before percy could continue.

“With the Briarwoods and Alastor, I got this sense that you... attract danger somehow.” Vax’s voice and eyes were sad. Like he was at the bedside of a dying loved one. “Which worries me. But, ultimately, if you make Vex happy...” his face became stern. “and you'd better...” the smile melted back into his face. I need to rise above those feelings. The point is-“

Percy held up his hands. “I have a sister, too. I get it.” He cut in gently. “And it's wonderful how you care about her happiness. But it's all right to care about your own, too.”

Vax smiled at him softer now. He opened his mouth, closed it again and then said. “So, we're cool, then?” He stood again without  a care that he was not at all covered.

“There isn't a thing between us.” Percy felt how awkward his smile was as Vax climbed from the water. 

He was a few steps away before he turned back. “Just, if you're going to be with her, be careful in the next fight, all right?”

”Mm-hmm.” Percy could feel Vex gripping onto his leg. And he waited to hear the door to the pool room close before he tapped her shoulder.

Vex shot up out of the water gasping for breath. “I thought he'd never leave.”

“How did you hold your breath that long?” Percy moved closer to her to check if she was truly okay.

Vex laughed playfully, “Let's see if you can beat my record.” Her hands found his shoulder and Percy was pushed down under the water. He smiled to himself finding himself between Vex’s legs. Well, he’d read enough books to know what to do now.

And that’s how it went for them. From the hot spring to a sitting room with merrily crackling fire. They laid out on the floor still tangled together with their mouths locked together in a deep kiss. Vex was still laid out on top of him. Percy moaned softly feeling her clinch around him. His hands found her hips and Vex smiled moving up and back down on his length.

”You feel so perfect darling.” Vex murmured. She leaned down and kissed his neck and shoulders. “Are you ever going to finish?” She asked still moving her hips.

”Vex your…” Percy groaned.

”Don’t worry about that darling.” She hushed him gently. “It’s okay. You can let go.”

And he did biting down on his own cry of release. Vex kissed him again pulling his long coat from the for to drape over them. Percy gasped trying to catch his breath as Vex pulled off of him and laid beside him resting her head on his shoulder.

“Teammates with benefits.” Vex laughed breathlessly. She sounded so content. “I could get used to this.”

Percy smiled as well sighing softly. “I'm trying not to question it, but... I feel... good.” He chuckled. “Without revenge weighing me down. I spent so much time chasing destruction, I'd almost forgotten what possibility felt like.”

“Oh?” Vex moved to drape her arm over his chest. “And what's in your future if we survive this?”

”Whitestone.” Percy said simply. “See if I can't build a home again.” He turned to look at her. “You have an open invitation, you know, if you ever care to lay down roots. You are technically nobility now.”

“True. I have a title.” Vex smirked chuckling. “That and a piece of silver will get me a round of ale.” She nuzzled against his shoulder.  “Tempting, though.”

They slipped there that night cuddled close under Percy’s coat. The soft warm fabric that had shielded him on many a cold night alone on the streets. Now acting as a soft blanket for a much more domestic sene.

In the morning they were met with the smell of cooking meat. Chicken to be more specific. Percy and Vex had left that room separately to not draw suspicion. Sitting at the table there was apparently nothing to eat other than chicken.

“Hey, give me another drumstick.” Grog asked looking around the table.

“What's the magic word?” Pike chided.

”Uh, give me another drumstick... buddies?” Grog amended.

“That's better.” Pike tossed him one.

“There's really nothing else to eat?” Keylith asked looking at the meat skeptically.

“Yeah, sorry. They only make chicken. It's a whole thing.” Scanlan said looking tired.

“What about eggs?” Grog asked “Eggs are just chickens that ain't chickens yet.” He paused. “But which one came first?”

“Anyway, the conclave is down to two dragons.” Vax spoke up. “And we can all agree it's time to bring the fight to Emon.”

“Except for the one dragon that's gonna stab us in the back.” Keylith muttered looking at Vax from the corner of her eyes.

“We know the risks. But Pike has the plate now. That changes things.” Vax reminded her.

“Um, actually, I'm-I'm not awesome with it yet.” Pike cut in looking nervous.

“Well, can't the Everlight help you?” Grog asked between bites of chicken.

“I haven't... had a... chance to ask yet.” Pike said awkwardly.

“And there's still the matter of Dr. Anna Ripley complicating things.” Percy reminded the table. If anything she could be more dangerous than the dragons.

“I thought you were past revenge, darling.” Vex said gently. Percy felt her hand on his knee under the table.

“Oh, I am.” Percy nodded. “She still possesses Cabal's Ruin, though.”

Vax stood up his chair scraping the floor. “Look, we can't keep chasing vestiges all over the map. How many are enough? Three? Five? People are dying.” He looked at their resident bard. “Scanlan, you're rather quiet. Back me up here.”

“Uh, I-I don't know. Wh-Whatever you want.” Scanlan didn’t even look up from the table.

“What's with you?” Kima asked. “You've been pissy all morning.”

”Yeah, what happened to the carefree crooner from last night?” Allura at least sounded more concerned.

“Vestiges, dragons, mad scientists.” Scanlan almost snarled. “How am I supposed to save Tal'Dorei when I can't even talk to my own fսck¡ng daughter?!” The music screeched to a stop and they all stared at the gnome. “Sorry.” Scanlan stopped and walked away from the table shoulders hunched.

”Uh, okay.” Pike began. “Look, guys, um... It's Kaylie. You all met her in Westruun. And Scanlan's just going through some stuff. Okay?” Pike got up from her chair and moved to follow Scanlan. “I'm gonna go check on him.”

“And Kaylie was who again?” Grog asked into the awkward silence.

They let Pile handle that as none of them had ever seen Scanlan act in such a way before. But soon enough they need to exit the Château so Allura could teleport them.

“Let's hurry.” The mage called to them as they stepped back out into the frigid wastes that was Draconian. “We must check in with our allies.”

“I'll never say no to home.” Percy smiled as they all grouped up around Allura.

“Everyone here?” She looked around at Vox Machina. Her hands were aglow with that blue magic. “Right, then. To Whitestone.”

They gathered closer as that magic swirled around them. As it faded they were standing in the cool night air of the Parchwood just outside the city. 

Percy breathed in those familiar scents. “It'll be nice delivering good news for a change.”

Vex turned back and smiled at him playfully. “Only had to go to hell and back to get-“ she suddenly cried out and clutched at her head. Percy reached out to steady her.

His heart drop right into his stomach. “The city.” They’d crested the hill. Fire. Whitestone was on fire. A red haze against the peaceful night air.

“Wh-What's happening?” Grog’s voice was soft. It was never soft.

“Oh, no.” Keylith covered her mouth in horror.

“Percy...” Vex squeezed his hand tightly.

“We're too late…” Percy pinned his ears back against the screams he could hear. “They've hatched.” He could see and smell the stink of the hatchling dragons. Hear their screeching cries. 
Percy leapt transforming into his stag form. He heard the others shout after him but he didn’t stop. He had to get there. Fast.

The others caught up to him at the city gates as he transformed back. “Damn it.” Vex panted. “Quickly, everyone, we have to save the castle.” Everything was burning. Houses, shops, everything.

“What about the Sun Tree?” Keylith was staring around wide eyed. “We can't just let it burn.”

”It means everything to this place.” Allura agreed.

An explosion in the distance made Vex pause. “Fine. Two teams.”

Another much closer blast knocked Pike off her feet. “Please!” A man’s muffled cry of agony reached them. Ripping a deeper hole in Percy’s heart.

“sh¡t.” Pike pulled herself up. “We gotta get them out of there.” She ruched off.

“Wait for me.” Kima rushed after her.

”No! Damn it!” Vex snapped. “We can't be everywhere in the city at once.”

“Sister, we have to be.” Vax told her. 

Vex let out a sharp breath. “Good luck, then.”

Vax’s wings flared out and he took off into the cinder filled air. “I'll keep them away from the tree!”

That left percy, Vex and Grog rushing towards the castle. Dodging and cutting down hatchlings where they could.

Grog rushed forward with his axe. “Come and get it, peewee!” Before he could swing a scorpion bolt pinned the newborn dragon to a pile of smoldering ruble. “Huh? Wait, where did that come from?”

“Wish we could give you a warmer welcome, but glad you're here.” Yennen called to them. A guard was standing beside her. “Quickly, reload.” She ordered.

“Yes, ma'am.”

“Yennen, where is Cassandra?” Percy could not keep the panic from his voice. With everything crumbling all he could think about was getting his sister to safety.

“She was in the castle when they attacked.” Yennen told him before a dragon screech made her turn.

“Another one!” The pale guard shouted.

“We'll deal with this, Percy. Go find your sister.” Yennen told him.
Percy nodded he and the other two barely getting out of the way as a dragon tried to pounce on them. But he could only focus on what was in front of him. His family castle… the home he’d grown up in was burning… crumbling before his eyes. Newly hatched dragons coming in and out of windows as well as new made holes in the structure. And it filled him with rage.

“The bastards are everywhere.” He growled. With Vex’s help they took out two of them only for four more to come out of the woodwork.

“What, more of 'em?” Growled grog. “That's a big fսck¡n' problem.” He slammed the Titianstone Knuckles together and enlarging his size. “And I'm an even bigger one. Rah!” He leapt into the castle gate yard to clear an other for them. He wrestled one dragon to the ground and Percy heard the new born creature’s neck snap under Grog’s hands. As he and Vex raced for the entrance way steps.

They saw Gilmore staggering out of the smoke that clouded the main doors. He raised a magic shield to protect them from yet another attacking dragon. “Ah. Are you three a sight for sore eyes.” She sighed holding his side with one hand.

”Where's Cassandra?!” Percy demanded, he didn’t wait for an answer rushing into the castle.

His sister was facing off with a dragon with nothing but her rapier. But she was holding her own. The hatchling screeched at her.

“Bugger!” Cassandra snarled as the dragon reared up to charge at her.

Percy landed several shots to throw it of. “My thoughts exactly.” A second hatchling burst through the wall and with the other began to circle them. The two remaining de Rolos stood back to back.

”I suppose we've had worse family reunions.” Cassandra quipped.

“This one is up there.” Percy leveled his weapon  at the dragon facing him. He’d rip the throats out of every single one of them if that would make this all stop. But with just Retort and Diplomacy he knew he wouldn’t be able to hold his own for long. He needed time to focus to tap into everything else. He let the dragon get close inches away before shadowy tendrils grabbed and restrained the creature. 
it struggled and thrashed but Percy wasn’t going to let it go. He snarled and with a flick of his wrist the tendrils pulled the small dragon apart. Limbs and head pulled from the greater body with the popping of joints and tearing of flesh.

That’s when percy heard the impact of Cassandra hitting the marble wall and sliding to rest on the floor. “Cass!” Vex and Grog came in just in time to cover him. He kneeled down next to his sister. “Are you all right? What hurts?”

She winced and looked up at him with only one eye cracked open. “Everything?”

“The ceiling's coming down!” Vex shouted.

Percy and Cassandra stood there frozen watching their home crumble down around them. Smoke filling the air and their lungs.

“Percy!” Vex screamed.

“Come on, you two.” Grog swept them both off their feet. 
Grog carried Cassandra as they ran.

Percy turned back watching his home consumed by flames. The red light reflected in his glasses. “This can't be happening.” The surviving hatchlings were all taking to the sky screeching as they flew off and disappeared.

they met back up below the castle wall guards were helping tend to the injured as well as the numerous dead… so many dead. The stench of burned human flesh filled Percy’s nose.

”I want search and...” Cassandra winced as she tried to stand with her injuries. “search and rescue.”

”Search, rescue, recovery. Find survivors, if there are any.” Yennen told the guards who nodded and obeyed without a word.

”Where the fսck was Scanlan?” Vex seethed as she helped Pike tend to a wounded woman.

“He had to be somewhere.” Pike whispered.

“Somewhere more important than here?” Vex growled. Pike winced but didn’t respond to that.

“Hatchlings.” Percy growled. He was staring at the charred bodies that had been recovered from a collapsed home. “Barely a handful of hatchling dragons... did this.” Some of the pale guard covered them to spare their lord from the sight. “How did they find Whitestone when the entire city was cloaked?” His voice broke.

“Raishan sold us out.” Keylith Spoke. “There's no other explanation.”

“Kiki's right.” Vax cracked his knuckles rage and guilt in his eyes. “And when we see that b¡tch-“

“Ah, typical.” A small girl walked up to them.

“Uh, are you okay, little one?” Grog kneeled down to her in concern

“Your judgment is clouded by anger.” The girl said coldly.

“My fudge is clouded b... wh..?” Grog blinked in confusion.

Green vapor covered the girl and Raishan’s human form stood before them. “And your ignorance is staggering.”

“We had a deal.” Keylith held up her staff. “You swore you wouldn't attack while we were gone. You lied!” Fire shot from the tip of her staff, but the dragon threw up a sickly green shield. 

“We're not doing this again, are we?” She sounded irritated and bored.

Vax rushed forward the Deathwalker’s Ward aglow. His dagger was at the shedragon’s throat. “We are, but it won't end the same.”

”Calm yourself.” Raishan said. “This attack was regrettable, but it was not my doing.”

”Please.” Vex snarled pulling an arrow from her quiver and notching it. “Those were young dragons. Thordak's children.”

“He had no idea where Whitestone was hidden. But you did.” Vax’s voice was dangerous and sharp as his blade.

“You traded this city for your cure, and it'll be your last mistake.” With a wave of her hand Keylith shot thorny vines in Raishan’s directions. But with another swirl of green smoke she was gone and those vines hit home on Vax’s chest knocking him off his feet with a pained cry. “Vax?!” They all rushed to their rogue’s side.

Raishan reappeared. “Fools.” She coughed. “Today was Thordak's revenge for Vorugal. Nothing more.”

“So you knew it was happening.” Pike pulled up a divine shield as the rest of them spread out around the green dragon.

“If I had warned Whitestone, he would realize we were working together. I couldn't stop this.” Raishan reasoned. 

Grog scoffed. “Couldn't or wouldn't?”

“Ask yourself, who else knew of your ties to this place?” Raishan hissed. “Who would be bold enough to inform a dragon? Who had motive to destroy the De Rolos?”

Percy felt his heart stop. He knew. Maybe he’d known from the moment he’d seen his city burning. Scanlan had been wrong. Ripley was always going to be threat as long as she drew breath.

“No more stalling. Time's up.”  Keylith hissed.

“Very well, then.” Raishan glared at them all. Everyone readied an attack. Weapons were drawn and magic sparked. In the shadow of green vapor Raishan’s full dragon form loomed.

Percy turned Retort to the sky and fired. “Stop!” Everyone stood down and stared at him. He even had the dragon’s full attention. “It was Ripley.” Percy snarled baring his sharp teeth in a way he never had before. He needed something to bite. To feed. “She must have told him, sent him here as a message to me. A demonstration that the unarmed cannot defend themselves.”

“Then we'll hunt Ripley down.” Vex said at once coming to his side.

“No.” Raishan snapped. “That's what she wants. You have the plate. Stay the course and finish Thordak once and for all.”

“We cannot fight a giant with an adder in our boot.” Percy snarled ears pinned back against his neck.

“Need I remind you that I gave you Ripley's location before, and you squandered the chance?” Raishan shot back. “His eggs are already hatching. You must get to Emon and-“

”We're quite finished taking orders from you, Raishan.” Percy cut her off.

“And what of our deal?” The shedragon snarled.

”It's over.” Percy said simply. “You voided it.”

“Well, then, you've let vengeance blind you again.” Raishan smirked. “I'll see you in Emon eventually... as enemies.” She turned from them and began to walk away, she turned to look percy in his eyes. “Just remember, when your last breath leaves your lungs, it didn't have to be like this.” And with one last puff of green smoke she was gone.

the ruins of his home still smoldering around him percy found himself standing in the throne room. The place where his parents had issued edict and order alike. They’d worked so seamlessly together it had been as if they could reach each other’s thoughts. He remembered the first time his mother had brought him along. Little Percival, barely three years old sitting in Lady Johana’s lap as she held court alone. He couldn’t remember the reason his father and Julius had been absent… but knowing them it had something to do with a hunt. 
His mother had conducted herself with such grace… every choice she made had been fair. If two people had come to her with a disagreement she settled it in a way that made them both at least content. She’d made it all look so easy. How was anyone supposed to…

“Are you sure about this, darling? Thordak is ultimately responsible.” Vex’s kind voice pulled Percy from his thoughts.

“These people, they relied on the De Rolos to protect them.” He looked at the smoldering banner, his family crest all but burned away. “On me.” He closed his eyes and grit his fangs. “Yet every time I try to do the right thing, the people I love, the people who matter get hurt.” His voice broke. In the end what had that gotten him? His home destroyed… his people massacred. “I thought I could move past this, but Ripley won't let me.” He turned to Vex then taking her hands. “So I'm not asking, I'm begging. Help me end her. Help me end the suffering of my people for good.” He closed his eyes, ready for the no. Ready to have to do this on his own. Back to where he’d started.

“No need to beg, darling.” He opened his eyes to look at her and Vex squeezed his hands. “If this is what you want, I'll be right beside you. But aren't you at all worried about revenge clouding your judgment again?”

He pulled his hands away from hers to look at his gloved hands. “I've worried these hands would always carry the stain of evil...” his demon Overlord was proof enough of that. “But perhaps I can finally scour them clean in Ripley's blood.”

Chapter Text

Percy’s grim proclamation followed him into what was left of the council chamber. He heard the others had begun without him. He found he didn’t care. He needed the freedom to go and hunt a monster. Let them talk.

“How many souls?” Keeper Yennen’s voice was soft.

“Over 500 dead, 800 wounded.” Allura responded. “Even more missing.” She let out a long exhausted breath.

“The survivors must be protected.” Yennen said “Gilmore, how soon can you cast that cloaking spell?”

“There's nothing left to cloak.” Gilmore held his hands out over the table helplessly. “The dragons know we're here.”

Percy watched all of this from the wall, only then did Yennen seem to notice him.

“You have that look in your eye.” The holy woman met his gaze. “What is it, Percival?”

“Ripley knew Whitestone's location this entire time, but chose now to reveal it to Thordak.” His ears twitched. “And I think I know why.” He gestured for the others to follow him. Down into the cellars below the castle. Ripley’s scent was stale but no less noticeable to him. He pulled open the storage room door. He knew he’d find nothing, but the conformation still fueled the rage in his heart. “The Residuum.” He half snarled. “Whitestone's entire supply. Stolen. She used the attack to cover while she raided our reserves.”

“Ripley has a mind for machines, not magic.” Yennen mused. “Why would she need Residuum?”

“I may have a theory.” Percy was careful not to show his fangs around her. He picked up something from on of the bare tables. A glimmering piece of rock. Like black diamond. He gripped it in his hand and turned going to find the rest of Vox Machina where they’d set up a camp fire below the castle wall.

“Thordak knows this place now, and Raishan knows it's unguarded.” Keylith’s voice was the one he picked up first. “If we're gonna get Ripley, we need to do it soon.”

“Scanlan could try to find her again with Mythcarver.” Pike’s optimistic voice dropped off. Scanlan wasn’t here. “If he was here.”

“I could check with my old contacts in the Clasp.” Vax offered as percy approached the fire light. “If anyone knows how to catch a snake, it's a guild of thieves.”

“No need, I've got her.” Percy held up the small stone for them to see. “Obsidian Thermite. A rare rock scorched by divine fire during the Calamity. This can only be found in one place: the Isle of Glintshore.”

Vex caught it car quick when he tossed it to her. “She didn't just leave this behind. It was intentional. An invitation.”

“Clearly.” Percy had to agree. But he didn’t care. “But we'll be going anyway.”

“I see nothing wrong with that plan.” Grog was at least enthusiastic about the prospect of a fight. 

Vex stood up to meet Percy’s eyes. She looked at him with such concern, quelling the fire that burned inside him. “Darling, I know this is personal for you. Are you sure you can contain yourself?”

“You said I'm a changed man.” He whispered looking directly at her. “Let's hope you're right.”

She gave him a small smile. “We'll leave at first light, then.”

“Right. Uh, side note.” Grog spoke up with his hand raised. “Where is Scanlan?”

“Hopefully, having better luck than we are.” Pike sighed.

That night when He and Vex went to bed together there was still that passion. The soft entwining of their bodies. Her voice in his ear gentle and soothing to the rage in his heart. Without that he knew he wouldn’t have been able to fall asleep. Having her close at such a time was more comforting than any bed or blanket ever could be…

But when Percy woke he was alone. His heart sinking. He knew it was logical. They were still trying to keep this just between them. But that didn’t make it hurt any less.

He dressed himself and went down to the Sun Tree to meet the others. Vex was leaning against the trunk in its shade. The dappled light golden on her face.

“You weren't in bed this morning.” He murmured sliding in beside her.

“I had to sneak out before anyone else woke up.” She whispered back.

Percy nodded in agreement. “You know, while it's been nice having something that's just ours, there comes a time when you realize what's important to you.”

She stared at him. “You want to tell them?” 

“I want us to be honest with ourselves.” Percy said quietly. Vex could use all the casual terms in the book but they both knew that it was so much more than that.

Vex smiled leaning her head back against the tree. “I'd like that,” she admitted, her smile fell then. ”but telling them will change things, and we need them focused on the task at hand.”

Percy let out a quiet breath. “I'm sure you're right.”

“Of course, darling. I'm always right.” They both paused. The others were watching them. Percy turned away from Vex clearing his throat and pinning back his ears tight to his neck. If they were talking about them he didn’t want or need to hear it.

Vex was the first to walk forward to join them kneeling down to Trinket’s eye level.

“Trinket,” her voice was soft. “I'm leaving you to watch over Cassandra and Whitestone. They need you. Understand?” The bear let out a plaintive sound but didn’t seem to protest.

“Okay, we don't know a tree on Glintshore, and Allura can't teleport us 'cause we might wind up in the ocean.” Keylith said in her usual rapid fire way. “So... boat, then?”

“No.” Percy knew something like that would take far too long. They needed to get there fast. “We fly.”

Between Keylith’s wildshape, Vax’s wings, and Vex’s broom all of them would be able to get there.

”Road trip!” Grog laughed as they took flight as one, if at varying speeds.

At the best of times Percy was not a big fan of flying. Air ships were a different story. That involved something solid under him. Now his hooves dangled in the air as he sat behind Vex on her broom. He kept his arms wrapped tightly around her. If she wanted to play it off for the others she could. His distaste of flight was well known so that wouldn’t be an issue.

It was hours and hours of this. At some point they’d entered a storm and were fighting against the wind and rain. A crack of thunder made him shiver. “Would you like my coat?” He offered Vex. The turbulence was making his stomach turn in unpleasant ways.

“Thank you, darling,” She’d turned her head to smile at him. “but I believe we've arrived.”

”Oh, thank goodness.”  Percy was relieved to see the island looming up out of the mists, and even more so to have solid ground under his hooves again.

Grog was groaning. “A whole day with no ale. I'm starving.”

“Don't worry, I'm sure there's a tavern just around the next ancient ruined bend.” Vax said arching an eyebrow at their grumpy Goliath.

“I'll ancient ruin your bend.” Grog grumbled crossing his arms.

“You all hang tight. Percy and I will scout the perimeter.” Vex called as they hadn’t landed yet. So much for solid ground. But Percy had other things to think about as they flew over the craggy cliffs of Glintshore. Though the fog was making scouting rather impossible from this height. “Can't see a damn thing.” Vex complained.

“What if it changed things for the better?” Percy asked her. They were alone. And he didn’t want to think about Ripley right now.

“What?” Vex craned her neck to look at him.

“Telling them about us.” Percy clarified.

“Mm, please.” Vex rolled her eyes. “Scanlan will mock me relentlessly, Keyleth will call me a hypocrite. My brother, I can't even imagine what he'd do to you.”

“Are you sure that's why you're against it?” He asked her gently. ”To protect me?”

Vex almost scoffed, but it was soft. “Why is this so important, anyway?” They both perked up when they heard it. The telltale sound of metal clanking against metal. “Uh, hold that thought.” They moved towards the sound lowering until they saw it. A mine shaft. The entrance lit was torches. “What is that?” It was occupied. Vaguely humanoid shapes moving about. Percy spotted their shark-like tails and dorsal fins.

“Let's go tell the others.” Percy could smell their fishy stink from here.

Soon enough they were trekking through the dense forest, Vex and Vax in the lead. “Too risky to approach from the air.” She said as they slid one by one down a small slope.

“But if anyone's out there, we can't see 'em.” Grog said.

“If anyone's out there, they can't see us.” Vax reminded him.

”Mm.” Grog grabbed a large fruit from a tree as they passed and bit into it.

“Oh,” Keylith stopped. Before them stretched a clear path through the forest. “a path. That's... convenient.”

“And probably crawling with traps.” Vax kneeled down to get a closer look at the ground. He seemed to spot something. He stood and snatched the fruit from Grog’s hand. “Let me borrow that a tick.” He tossed it lightly and it landed on the leaf litter strewn ground.

“Wha-“ there was a click and a small explosion. Grog was splattered with the remains of the fruit, a dumbfounded look on his face. “Oh... Uh...” he glared at Vax. “Why don't you explode your own breakfast?!”

From then on Vax was leading the charge disarming traps as they slowly went. The closer they got the more dead coiled like a snake in Percy’s belly.

”Ah, got one.” Vax picked up the small circular pressure plate from the disarmed trap. “A message from Ripley.”

“The De Rolo crest.” Pike said quietly. But Percy could still hear, even from his place at the back of the group.

“Something's not right.” Vax muttered. “That was easy. Almost-“ he’d brought his hand up to his chin but then Pike cut him off.

”Almost too easy.” He shot her a look. “I... Sorry. I've just always wanted to say that.”

Percy had turned his back to gaze at the sun rising over the water. He heard Vex approaching him.

“Vax is almost finished.” She said. “Once we reach the cave, we should be ready to-“

He cut her off turning to look at her. He knew now. If he didn’t say it… he may never get to, “Look. There's a reason I've been pressing you about this.” But he still paused. Steeling himself for those simple yet impossible words. He had to say it because it was true. It had always been true from the moment they’d met. “I'm in love with you.” And there it was.

He watched Vex’s eyes widen. The rising sun casting a golden glow around her face. “Percival, I... I'm...” she backed away. The shade of a tree casting her in shadow once again. 

“Disarmed.” Vax called to them, Vex flinched looking towards her brother. “Come on, let's move.” Percy held his breath as she looked back at him. “Stubby, Freddy, come on.” Vax called. Vex turned away and started to follow after the others. Percy reached out to stop her the words dying in his throat.

He stood there a few moments longer his heart aching. It felt like it was bleeding out. 

They continued down the path all the same. Percy’s breaking heart be damned. No. He stamped those feelings down. Ripley. That was the reason they were here, crouching in the brush with the mine shaft in sight. There was still that fishy scent in the air. Percy was picking up something sharper as well.

“It's quiet.” Vax murmured. “Almost-“

“Almost too quiet.” Pike popped up beside him. Vax shot her a look. “I'm sorry.”

Vax turned to look at his sister. “Did you see anyone when you and Percy scouted it?” When she didn’t reply he pressed. “Vex?”

she blinked seeming to come back to awareness. “Oh, uh, no. I mean yes. Yes, there were some guards. Looked like… sharks.” She walked forward and Percy caught a glimmer in the air. A wire. There was a mechanical clicking sound. “We saw-“

From holes and notches in the trees streamed clouds of sharp smelling gas that billowed over them in thick waves. It burned Percy’s eyes and throat. He closed his eyes and fell to his knees. When he opened his eyes the forest blurred away, to be replaced by damp dungeon walls. The smell of blood… his blood filled his nose. He saw himself. Young, emaciated and trembling tied to a chair. Ripley dragging that curved hook down across his chest. Something hot and sticky splattered across his face. Then someone’s fingers fisted in his hair tugging his head back bearing his throat. A wide square face grinned down at him red eyes gleaming.

”Vox…” and his vision went dark, only vague images coming to him until he knew no more.

When Percy woke he was staring into dim green light through the glass lenses of a gas mask. “sh¡t.” His hands were tied together at the wrists but he was able to pull of the mask and force himself into a standing position. Then he heard the unmistakable clicks from two pepperboxes. Those holding them looked more shark than anything, red eyes glimmering in the darkness.

“Hello, Percival.” Percy turned his head up to the voice. Ripley was standing on an upper catwalk, her warped form haloed in green by the massive steel machine behind her. “You're late.” The two shark men pulled percy along towards her. Carefully he checked under his glove. They hadn’t taken Diplomacy. “Welcome to your factory. A production line powered by a magnificent battery that combines the arcanum of Cabal's Ruin, steam locomotion, and whitestone residuum. All inspired by your design.” She was eating up every one of her own words. 

“So this is what you've been up to.” Percy growled trying to avoid the hypnotic red of her eyes. “Apart from decimating my home.”

“I did you a favor.” Ripley waved off his words. “You always despised your noble duties.”

“How dare you-“ his snarl was cut sort by what she held. A scrying stone. Inside flickering images of his friends. Blood shot eyes and faces twisted in horror and pain. Vex, her fingers knuckle white tangled in her hair as she writhed on the ground.

“And once my delirium gas tears through the minds of your friends, you'll be free of all obligation.” Ripley sneered. “A clean slate for our partnership.”

“After Whitestone, you're mad if you think I'll have anything to do with you!” He stepped forward only to be stopped short. A wave of energy washed over them as the arcane battery sent a discharge through the cavern.

”A minor inconvenience.” Ripley sighed. “I had to improvise when I realized the Plate was a fake. The only issue is this power surge, once an hour, like clockwork.”

Percy’s ears flicked to a pipe leaking steam, a pressure issue then. Leave it to Ripley to overlook something so simple but crucial. He kneeled down and tightened the valve handle cutting off the leak. He just needed that pressure to build a bit. The pipes were flimsy. One good kick would give him a smoke screen.

He heard Ripley chuckle. “Look at yourself. Already trying to solve it.” He glared at her standing up. “Why do you fight this, Percy? The thrill of discovery, the ambition... This is who you are.”

“I've changed. I have things that are worth living for now.” That tore open fresh a wound that was still bleeding.

“There is nothing else worth living for.” Ripley smirked. “I have been touched by the Morningstar’s Hell just as you have. When we found each other, I didn't resist like you. I welcomed the insight, the clarity, the power. I accepted who I am. And I am so much stronger for it.” There was another one of those glass screens. The demon’s face leading down at them in bored disinterest. “Now will Vox receive the souls of those slain by your weapons. And in return, everyone will have power of their own. And it will be up to them how they use it.”

“But at what cost?” Percy asked her. “Your soul?” 

“Mages took both our families away.” Ripley snapped at him, shark teeth bared. “That thirst for payback, it's not why the overlords were drawn to us. it's why we were drawn to the overlords.”

Percy took a deep breath. Really what else could he say? He’d welcomed Alastor’s power now. He’d eaten humanoid flesh. “You're right. I've deluded myself…” he spoke watching her eyes alight with triumph.“Insisting I've moved on. Maybe it's time I accept that some scars don't heal.” He held out his hand to her, but Ripley had never seen him use Diplomacy before. She didn’t know what it was.

“I understand that all too well.” She clasped her hand with his, her smile all teeth. Vox was watching closely now. 

“We're very similar, Anna. I'm not perfect.” Percy let his lips quirk up in a smile. “But my imperfections don't make me weaker. They make me who I am.” He let the charge go and watched it arc through Ripley’s body before he sprang away. 
He reached for his visibility as he kicked the steam pipes to let it burst open. He skidded down on his hooves across the catwalk.

“Go! Get him!” Ripley roared.

“I told you he was fucking useless!” Vox seethed. “Let me have his soul. I’ll break him on his back!”

Percy skidded to a halt at the open crates. They were full of the same pepperboxes. Shoddy work but no less deadly.

“This is useless, Percy.” Ripley called to him from above. “Our weapons are ready to ship. I'm simply finishing what you couldn't.”

“The blood of every innocent life would be on our hands!” The use of his voice dropped the invisibility. “I will not be complicit!” 

“Progress cannot be stopped.” Ripley’s and Vox’s voices seemed to meld together.

Percy felt that shiver go up his spine. He reached for that feeling. In his hand was the microphone staff that he’d modified. A thinner more accurate Bad News, with a long cruel blade on the barrel. And the radio. He’d called it to himself… he didn’t know why until he heard the music. He knew what he needed to do. 

🎶”For 10 long years, I′ve suffered every punishment and pain. From the wrath of gods and monsters to the screams of innocents slain. I come back and find my palace desecrated, sacked like Emon! Worst of all, I hear you dare to sell my work and hurt my friends!”🎶

Chapter Text

Vax had seen grief before. Felt it more than he’d ever wanted to. Choking, agonizing, all encompassing grief that seemed to block out all light from the world. A hole in the heart that could never be filled, only paved over with time, only for the smallest thing to rip that hole open to bleed fresh.

Vax knew this, and knew as the champion of the Matron he’d be privy to even more grief from others. But never had he witnessed or felt the grief of an entire city until now. If personal grief was choking… this was suffocating. A darkness that no amount of remembrance candles could penetrate. And there were plenty of those present on the funeral precession.

Vax had seen the deaths of lords before. Growing up in Syngron he’d seen his fair share of state funerals… but never anything like this. Those had never felt like personal losses for the people. They’d moved on with hardly a tear shed for the lost.

Whitestone was grief stricken. Not just for the loss of their loved ones caused by the dragon… but for their prodigal son.

Vax’s personal grief weighed heavier than the casket he was helping carry. Grog was bearing most of that physical weight after all. The de Rolo’s carved their coffins from the very stone that gave their city its name.

Though Jarret and Gilmore hadn’t been nearly as close to Percy as Vax and Grog had been he was grateful for their presence all the same. Bringing Percy home had been hard enough.

He’d fought… that had been clear enough from the carnage of Ripley’s minions and the gore that had covered him head to hoof. And Vax had looked… he’d searched desperately for his friend’s soul while Pike and Grog had searched for Ripley. Both in vane. Percy’s soul was nowhere to be found… and there was no evidence that Ripley had died with him. They’d found a large amount of blood and a trail leading from the mine… but nothing more. Percy’s killer… the woman who’d tormented him since his youth was still out there. Walking… breathing while Percy was cold in his casket.

It wasn’t fair. And then there was that radio. That damned machine crooning with the voice of Percy’s demon. His Overlord. Singing of their loss. Taunting them in their failure to save him. Digging the wound even deeper for Vex’ahlia as she held the still form of her love.

Vax knew… he’d maybe always known how Percy had felt about his sister. A blind man could have seen it even if it took them forever to act on that mutual attraction. Percy had wormed his way into all of their hearts. More than a companion… more than even a friend. Percy had been their family. They were burying their brother.

They entered the chamber under the castle. The tomb that housed the de Rolo dead of generations gone past. On the walls stood the carved likenesses of Lord Fredrick, and Lady Johana, and their other children. Their remains had been recovered after the defeat of the Briarwoods, finally being laid to rest after so long. Percy’s body would rest with those of his family. Vax’s heart ached even more at the idea that Percy’s soul was not with them… safely reunited with those who had loved him before them.

Vax knew he could have slept easier if that had been the case. He could have helped slide the casket onto the dais with reverence rather than dread. He could have stared at the still… peaceful face of his friend with quiet grief without feeling the urge to grab and hold onto him… trying to force life back into that cold flesh. 

It had taken them a long time to get Percy cleaned up. He’d been caked in blood and bits of viscera. A prong of his right antler had been broken off. The lenses of his glasses cracked in their circular frames. his eyes open and blank drained of that intelligent light that they’d always sparkled with.

Now he was cleaned, eyes shut as if he were sleeping. They’d dressed him in that nice suit he’d bought for formal events in Emon. Percy had been so proud of that purchase when he’d made it. Beaming at the accomplishment it signified. Vox Machina were successful mercenaries at last. And now it covered his cold body. The hole in his chest. There had been no exit wound… Pike had insisted on removing the bullet. That tiny ball of lead that had drowned their brother in his own blood.

Vax had to step away. He joined the others standing at the side of the dais along side Cassandra and Keeper Yennen as those who had known Percy best. Loved him the most. Even Trinket was allowed to stand at Vex’s side. The bear had nuzzled at Percy’s body when he’d first seen it. He’d licked his hands and nudged him with gentle paws… trying to wake him. Now the bear sat with his head bowed in grief. Vex had always said Trinket was smarter than anyone gave him credit for…

Vax forced himself to look forward at the those gathered in the chamber. Many familiar faces of those who’d fought at their side in the Whitestone rebellion. It was only fitting that they were here to say goodbye.

He saw Yennen step forward out of the corner of his eye, a lot candle in hand. As the only priestess of the Dawn Father present it was her duty to conduct to the final rites. “The people of Whitestone are no strangers to loss.” She spoke in a solemn but bravely steady voice. To her sadness she was used to burying de Rolos. “Grief has become our most familiar neighbor. And yet, the sorrow of this tragedy is somehow crueler than the rest, as our cherished brother, friend and noble son has been stolen from us anew.” Nothing could change that fact. Percy had already died to his people once. But now they had a body. A tangible object for their grief to center on. “Like his family, Percival de Rolo was a man of deep devotion to his home and loyalty to its people. And though not religious, he believed in Whitestone with every fiber of his being. His heart found meaning in our history, but his mind illuminated our future, spending the hours and minutes of his life carving our legacy with the unwavering chisel of time. When we kneeled, broken, Percy stood tall, reminding us that hope is a flame worth fostering.” For someone who had been without hope for so long Percy had a talent inspiring hope in others. “And though today we say goodbye, the Dawnfather will keep his eternal spark alive in all of us.”

No! Vax thought furiously. He wanted the scream. Percy was not with the Dawn Father. He was in some Hell being tormented by the demon who owned his soul. He was not safe with his departed family. He was not able to reunite those who he’d loved and missed so much. Vax knew as someone who’d lost his mother at a young age the ache of longing to be held like that again. But Percy was not being held by his mother. He was not safe. A fact that Vox Machina had decided to keep to themselves. Yennen didn’t need to know. Cassandra didn’t need that on top the grief of loosing her last living family for the second time. 

“In his name we pray.” Yennen spoke. “Deliver the light where darkness dwells.”

“Deliver the light where darkness dwells.” Those gathered in turn. But Vax did not, Vex did not. The rest of Vox Machina spoke it in hollow, disbelieving tones. 

Scanlan was not here. And that fact made Vax’s blood boil. They’d needed him. They’d needed him during the dragon attack. They’d needed him when they went after Ripley.

All it could have taken was one more set of hands. A spell… something, anything. Then… they might not be standing here in this tomb. Grog wouldn't be lifting a white stone slab carved with their brother’s likeness to slide it into place on the casket. Sealing Percival de Rolo away forever.

The carving was good… but Vax didn’t think it captured even a fraction of what made up Percy’s face. It was him but not. The mason had carved in his stag-like features. The ears, the antlers and the hooves. But the carving held none of Percy’s life. There was no warmth in those stone eyes as the lid was slid into place. Obscuring the true Percy forever with a final, chilling thump. 

Then the people of Whitestone were allowed to step forward and pay their final respects. Leaving candles and flowers around the casket. Vax couldn’t help but feel angry. These people hadn’t known Percy. Not truly. He wished that this could have been private. It had felt wrong parading Percy’s body through the city like that. The grief of his sister and his adoptive family on display for all to see. But he kept his mouth shut and let it go on.

By the end of it all of them were exhausted and turned to leave. But Vex stayed. Standing at the head of casket staring into those stone eyes. Only her quiet refusal of his touch made Vax back off. He would let her have time and then he’d come back for her.

Even though they went back up to the castle none of them tried to sleep. They took up a post on one of the few balconies that had survived the dragon attack. Vax and Keylith leaned against the rail to look out over the city. The glimmer of many candles still flickered along the path they’d taken through the city. A spot of beauty in the still decimated streets of Whitestone.

As the sun began to peak over the mountains Vax looked up. The sound of small feet, running at a desperate sprint. Then sliding to a stop at the door, brow beaded with sweat… was Scanlan Shorthalt. Vax felt sick.

“What happened?” His gaze flickered over them. His eyes went wide. Vax saw the realization there. He couldn’t have walked through the city and not noticed that there had been a funeral. “Where's Percy?”

Vax growled under his breath and moved from where he stood. He needed to get his sister. They needed rest. He walked right past the gnome without looking at him. He couldn’t say anything now without regretting it. No matter how much he wanted to shout and scream and rage. Where were you?! What was so important you had to leave when we needed you?! They were in a life or death struggle with the Conclave. What good was bonding with his daughter if the world ended and everyone was dead?!

Vax’s fury faded as he entered the tomb once more. He heard his sister’s sobs. Saw her kneeling at the dais. The arrow head percy had given her clutched tightly in her hand. 

“Sister.” He closed the distance and pulled her close.

“I couldn't say it…” Vex’s voice broke as tears tracked down her cheeks. “I wasn't strong enough…”

He cupped her face and wiped her tears with his thumbs. a loosing battle. “You're the strongest person I know.” He murmured softly.

“I was worried how he'd react, how you'd react.” Vax saw his own grief echoed in his twin, only tenfold. “I closed off my heart when I should have opened it. Gods, I am a bad luck charm.”

Vax’s heart ached for her. “Why would you say such a thing?”

“My love ruins everything it touches.” Vex’s voice trembled along with the rest of her body as she sobbed. “The idea of feeling that strongly again terrified me.” Her eyes drifted and she looked back to the casket. “And now... Percy never knew.”

“Of course he did.” Vax turned her face back so she would look at him. He continued to wipe her tears. “He may have been an aloof, indignant arsehole, but Percy was sharper than I.” He had been their aloof, indignant arsehole though. “And every time you gazed at him, I knew.”

“You did?” Her voice was small. Wounded.

”You'd be a fool to miss it.” A smile tugged at Vax’s lips despite himself. He knew this to be true. The two of them… it had always been clear how they felt for each other. But they’d wasted so much precious time. “And that man was no fool.”

“Even so, what was unsaid will remain so.” Vex sniffled. “How can I live with that? How can anyone?”

Those words followed Vax as he took his sister up to the castle. He walked her not to her room but to Percy’s. Shockingly the bed was unmade on the side he knew the nobleman had preferred to sleep on. But Vex slid into it and let Vax tuck the sheets and comforter over her. Her eyes closed almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. Trinket took up a place at the side of the bed so Vax felt okay with leaving her there to rest. So he walked his feet taking him to Keylith’s room. He found the Ashari in the hallway.

”Hey.” He was shocked by how steady his voice was.

“Hey. Is Vex okay?” Keylith looked him over, concern in those beautiful green eyes. “Are you?”

Vax sighed softly. “I'm sorry for running away.” He said. “From us.”

Keylith smiled at him. “Come inside.” She gestured him into the room and they sat on the bed together.

Vax laid his hand over hers. “The future has frightened me for so long. But it's a future which hasn't yet been written.” Alastor had tampered with Percy’s fate. Had twisted his path into a grisly gory end. “And I'm starting to think fate is what you make it.”

Keylith turned her hand in his so she could hold and squeeze it. “It's okay to be scared.” She told him. “But we can face anything if we're together.”

“I don't want to be alone tonight,” Vax admitted quietly. “do you?”

“I haven't wanted to be alone most nights.” And they closed that short distance between them. This time there was no rush of horror. No images of the future flickered behind Vax’s closed eyes. There was only Keylith. Her sweet earthy scent, her warm skin pressed against his own.

They both may also be on such limited time. They shouldn’t waste it. Not anymore.

“Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”

"Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" - Dylan Thomas