Chapter Text
“Get down!” Percy shouted as an arrow whizzed past, missing Vax by inches. Vax spun around, slashing foes with his daggers and giving Percy a nod of thanks. Their goal had seemed simple at the start: eliminate the dangerous creatures that haunt the caves surrounding a small town. It was nothing they hadn't done before. Vox Machina had traveled throughout the multiverse, besting every challenge they met. Naturally, they assumed that their luck would continue, because it always had.
They assumed wrong.
Percy fired shot after shot from Pepperbox, aiming for the heads of the shadowy monsters. Their somewhat humanoid forms seemed to change shape constantly, secreting a dark purple glow from their arcane nature. One of them swiped at Percy with its claws, sharpened to a point. He ducked just in time, feeling the wind of the blow by his ear.
Vox Machina had entered the caves expecting a small skirmish, not a life or death battle. Ill prepared, their party had split, breaking into fractions as each person desperately fought for a way out of the ambush. The gnomes had fled west, Pike guiding Scanlan past deadly beasts. Vex did what she could to protect Trinket from the hail of knives raining down upon him as they advanced east. Grog had fled south with a living but injured Keyleth in his arms.
Percy and Vax faced the main assault in the north, watching each other’s backs, buying time for their friends to make it to freedom.
A beam of crimson light zapped the ground near Percy’s feet, disintegrating the stone. He took a glance at Vax, who gestured to move forward. The two continued shooting and stabbing their way through the enemy forces. A light gleamed at the end of the cave, a faint hope in the face of despair, and they made their way towards it. A fireball slammed into the rock wall across from them. In the split second before it exploded, its light shone on Vax’s eyes, and Percy could see that the fear reflected there echoed his own. They continued on anyway, slowly but surely forging a way out. Percy could only hope the others had escaped safely. The thought crossed his mind as he and Vax leaped through the opening in the stone. Percy gave one of the rocks a firm shove, causing the opening to collapse in on itself. The enraged cries of his surviving monsters pierced his ears, but he didn't care. Percy let out a laugh of joy, the skin at the corners of his eyes crinkling as a smile lit up his face.
“We did it, Vax! We made it!” Percy grinned at the caved-in wall that sealed in their enemies.
“Yeah...we did.” Vax mumbled in a faint voice from behind him.
Percy turned to look at his friend and gasped at the sight.
Blood seeped from multiple stab wounds in Vax’s chest. His skin faded to an even more pale color, and his eyes filled with sorrow. And yet, he smiled. Blood coated his lips, but the smile shone with beauty anyway. He staggered a few paces to Percy’s side before his legs crumpled beneath him. Percy caught him as he fell.
“Vax!” Percy’s eyes widened as he realized the gravity of the situation. Instinctively, he searched the area for Pike, but saw no one. He felt through his pockets rapidly, hoping for just one potion, something, anything-
“Percy.” Vax coughed weakly. “No.”
Percy hesitated. “What?”
“I can see her...the Raven Queen.” Vax’s eyes started to focus on something beyond him. “She says it's my time.”
“Well, forget her! You have me. You have Vox Machina. You have so much to live for, Vax!” Percy held his friend close to him. His blood soaked his coat, but he didn't care.
“It’s been an honor.” Vax continued faintly. “I have no regrets...only one request. Please, Percy...look after them. Look after my sister.”
Percy nodded. Tears filled his eyes and streaked down his cheeks, and he didn't bother to hide them. “I promise.” His voice broke. “It doesn't have to be this way. I'll get a healer. We can bring you back.”
“Sorry, Percy.” Vax gazed up at him softly. “Not this time. She needs me...on the other side.”
Percy broke into a sob. He couldn't help it. His best friend was dying and he couldn't do anything to stop it. “I won't accept this. I can't do this! Not without you.”
“Ah, but Percy…” Vax gave him his signature smirk and spoke the words that would stay with his friend for the rest of his days. “I will always be there to guide you.” And then the light left his eyes, and the body grew still and cold in Percy’s arms.