Releasing one final, rage fuelled scream, The Air Ashari raised her hands to the sky and unleashed a continuous burst of cascading light across the room, illuminating the entrenching darkness and revealing the Wraith's mangled bodies in all their macabre glory. Instantly glowing embers sizzled across their bodies, as the moulding skin pulsed and blistered beneath the never ending assault that was Keyleth's final gambit. 

The Wraith with both Vax and Jarett suspended by either claw cried out in pain, it's echoing screeches of blistering pain shared with its brethren as it dropped both men to the floor. In fact, every single one of the Undead released their victims and scrambled toward the nearest point of escape, some scrambled to the walls, desperately scratching away, the necrotic magic nullified by the searing light. One dashed toward the door, scrapping its black claws against the wood pointlessly, desperate to escape the prey, now turned hunters as it animalistically smashed its face into the door, pushing and pushing, hoping for some kind of escape.

But it never came, as a bolt shot through the air and planted itself square in the Wraith's forehead, spattering black blood across the iron rivets as it stopped thrashing and slowly turned its vulnerable self to Vex, whom laid back braced against the wall crossbow raised. "Now!" the wounded Ranger ordered as Vox Machina leaped into action. 

Both herself and Jarett charged the Wraith closest the door while Vax grasped his knife once more and leapt onto another's back mid air, digging the blade into it's chest over and over, slicing away at the loosened robes as necrotic blood splattered across his arms. Percy shot to his feet and grabbed another clamped to the wall by its collar yanking it downward face first into a pile of crates, shattering most as splinters through the air. Still thrashing in his grip the Noble battered the enslaved Wraith against the remains of the table then wrenched it upward and slammed its skull into a nearby cupboard smashing it open.

Ragnvaldr mustered what strength he could and gripped the leering Wraith by the throat, lurching it backward in his iron grip and sending and bone crushing punch to the side of its fragile jaw, pushing the thing away. Staggering to his feet, the weakened Oldegårdian gripped the back of its robe and dashed the head against a sharpened edge of the table, ripping a chunk of flesh and bone from its scalp, spilling rotten brain to the floor.

Jarett managed to restrain the Wraith closest the door, his gauntleted hands gripped around its scrawny throat as it slew its talons wildly, trying its damndest to gut him while Vex took the Captain's sword and stabbed it square in the chest twisting the blade as it fell to the ground in a puddle of its own blood, though not dead.

Having pushed the near slain Wraith to the floor, the front against the Gods shoved Vax away weakly, leaving itself open to Grog who shuffled to his feet, Grimoire still in hand and snapped a piece of iron from the chandelier above. Leaping feet first onto the downed assailant, Grog raised the iron circulate and smashed its skull over and over, yelling bloodied murder as the Undeath's cranium caved under the many dozen strikes.

Both his yells and Percy's moulded together as the Noble stopped the unmoving Wraiths head to a pulp, his dress shoes steadily covered with sludge as he gripped the exposed edges of the cupboard to steady himself, all while Vex and Jarett cut and stabbed at the butchered corpse of the Wraith. Soon Ragnvaldr's target joined its brethren as he tossed his victim to the floor, gripping it by the collar and kneeling down on one knee, delivering blow after blow until it was left with not but mulch for a head.

 Grog was the last to finish one of, gripping the Wraith by the skull, delving one thumb it its eye sockets and tearing upward ripping the head clean off in a mess of decayed bone and stringy muscle. Unleashing one last bellow, Grog yelled victoriously as he held the cranium above his head for all to witness as the light faded into darkness once more, leaving behind utter carnage. Silence filled the air once more, debris lay scattered across the floor from what was once a table, black blood lay splattered all across the walls and floor alongside the mangled bodies of those it belonged to.

Each and every one of the Party panted loudly as the corpses dissipated in droplets of the same blackened blood covering the room, vanishing from sight as if they never had existed. Jarett breathed heavy, his chest laboured as he still clutched onto his sword for dear life. "Where did those foul things come from?" he questioned incredulously turning to face the former Protectors of the Realm.

 "We told you. The Briarwoods." Keyleth insisted, bitterness evident in her voice as she was helped to her feet by Percy, the man insisting on supporting her already weakened form as he held her up by both arms.

"And they'll no doubt send more. We can't stay here." Percy followed, understanding their new enemy better than anyone. Still, Jarett wielded his sword heavy handed breathing heavily as he seemingly prepared himself once more to prevent their escape. "Don't make us fight you, too." the Gunslinger uttered as Ragnvaldr tightened his grip on the swords handle, hoping he wouldn't have to slay the very same man whom had inexplicably helped them, when others would have fled.

Jarett paused for but a moment, contemplating De Rolo's words as if he were weighing what truth lay within them. After a few moments he spoke up, "You intend to stop those that did this to my men?" the blood covered Captain inquired as his weary gaze met Percy's own determined one.

Nodding Percy replied, "You have my word." the man finished as Jarett, satisfied with such an answer sheathed his sword stood aside, pushing open one of the heavy doors.

"Then go. Give them hell." The Captain of the Guard relayed as the beaten down party trudged across the cobbles and through the passageway one by one, none sparing a glance to the Captain who had inadvertently made their new mission even harder. Ragnvaldr however, stopped just shy of the threshold between the ruined State Room and the Corridor, handing the now sheathed blade back to Jarett, leaving without a word spoken. "And wish me luck trying to explain all this." he uttered glancing around at the decimated room he stood within.

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After a night fraught with a seemingly endless horror, the relief which fell over Vox Machina was impalpable as the morning sun rose on the horizon illuminating their keep in its warm glow as well as the endless plains of rolling hills. Behind the still crumbling walls, having washed the tar from his skin and furs Ragnvaldr sat silently upon the stripped bed wincing as incredible pain burrowed through the wound pierced through his side.

Carefully as could be, the vengeful Oldegårdian unwound the bandage from his waist, tossing the fabric to the side as he glance downward at the bleeding, uneven gash left by Aymon's dagger, the stitched wound having reopened sometime during their battle. Unfortunately, without Pike's miraculous holy magic the human resorted to the method of which he had grown so accustomed to, taking a cloth placed within a bowl set upon the dresser, soaked with water and pressed it hard to his side hissing through gritted teeth as the pain burned even worse than before.

Only moments had passed when he peeled the material from his soaked skin, taking a single deepened breath through his nose as he took up the needle and thread, writhing the cloth tightly and placing it between his teeth as to not bite his tounge should the pain become too much. With the pointed needle held in his steady hand, Ragnvaldr dug the hook through the nearest edge of the lesion huffing through his nose as his teeth clamped down on the rag. 

Having dealt with such things many a time the man pushed through the pain, weaving the needle with thread through his toughed skin uncaring of his neatness so long as the slit was closed up well enough. Eventually, after the final string of thread kneaded its way through his skin Ragnvaldr dropped the rag from his maw, breath heavy as the sting finally subsided long enough for him to wrap another layer on bandage around his torso.

Now satisfied with his less than precise work, his attention was stolen toward light steps thudding down the hallway, of which they quickly came to a stop revealing Percy standing in the doorway, sack containing some basic necessities slung beneath his arm as he donned the same coat Vox Machina's newcomer had grown all too used to. "Didn't I say to be ready come sunrise? We won't get passed the others in the light, especially if you want to bring Moonless." the Noble sighed, keeping one gloved hand gripped tightly to the sling holding the sack.

"If we play our cards right, they won't even know we're gone." the Oldegårdian sighed, both Slayer and Hound alike deciding, for their friends own safety to leave them behind, "Moonless will follow me on her own once we pass the wall." he grunted, rather solemnly standing from the bed to his full height towering over Percy by at least a few inches.

Unquestioning of the mans lack of any such camping gear Percy watched as the sullen man strutted from the beds side, snatching his lost axe from its placed leaned against the wooden frame. "Come on. We'll find some horses and make our way to Whitestone. From there, we'll decide what happens next." Ragnvaldr uttered as De Rolo nodded silently, taking a note of his new companions unusual apprehensiveness.

Trotting toward the winding stone stair case with Percy leading the way, the two men descended down the steps toward the rounded passage leading the entrance way, now cleared of any evidence of the Wraiths attack. As soon as the pair emerged from the shaded archway, a soothing voice called out to them, "No goodbye?" Vex asked as Percy and Ragnvaldr turned to see the remainder of Vox Machina standing before them.

Percy dropped his shoulders ever so slightly, taking a deep breath refusing to meet every one of the questioning gazes sent his way. "We're going to Whitestone." disclosed to the now healed and armed party.

"And so are we." Keyleth insisted, gripping her wooden staff tightly by her side. Appearing just that bit more confident, not just in herself, but her ability as well. A sight which for better or worse, forced a near invisible grin to spread across Ragnvaldr's face. "If we beat Sylas, his charm on Uriel will fade." she concluded, holding herself with some hidden sense of dignity, the like of which even the others hadn't seen.

In front of Vax and Vex, arms crossed one over the other Scanlan spoke up next. "And we can clear our names. Honestly, I wouldn't last a day in prison with this face." he chuckled softly, "Look at me. I'm a snack." The Gnome boasted jokingly motioning both hands down his miniature figure.

Breaking herself from her brothers side Vex stepped toward the two closest the doors, coming to a stop mere feet from them. "We're all with you, but... No more secrets, all right?" she inquired softly poking one single finger to the centre of Ragnvaldr's chest and darting her hazeled gaze between the mismatched allies.

"Maybe just a few?" the Oldegårdian chuckled solemnly, glancing to the hand which lingered for just a few moments more after those words left his mouth. "After all, a mans nothing without them..." he spoke up, a ghostly half smile stretching across his lips as both his own Emerald eyes lingered on her Hazel ones. For the briefest of glorious moments, a silent though heavy thread connecting their fates, were two became one, even if neither knew such a thing lay in wait.

But alas, their current predicament called for no such feelings as Vex dropped her pointed finger opposing hand bracing against her shoulder as Percy finally gave his own reluctant, though none the less thankful answer. "Understood. Thank you. All of you." he expressed one last time as Ragnvaldr turned on his heel pushing the doubled doors open to reveal their sunlit Courtyard, occupied only by Trinket, Moonless and Jarett who stood a ways behind the two animals.

"Trinket! Hi buddy." Vex cooed kneeling down as the gentle mass of armoured muscle trotted forward nuzzling his black button nose into the crook of her neck, lowly grumbling as Vax scratched the hint of exposed fur on his back. "Oh, I know, darling. But you'll be safer here at the keep. We'll be back soon." she whimpered pressing her forehead gently to his own as the bears stumpy ears drooped ever so slightly.

Moonless did the same to her own master, simply trotting up toward Ragnvaldr as the human lowered himself as close to eye level as he could to the mass of wolf. "I meant it when I said we'd kill him together...." he declared, scratching the Dire Wolf's neck while another pressed itself gently to the top of her face.

Scanlan walked straight past the reunion, one finger tapping against his chin as he examined the strange wording of the now opened Grimoire. "Told you guys this book was a big deal, not that anyone ever listens to me." The Gnome sighed to no one but himself, coming to a dead stop as Jarett stepped in his way, "Eh, what do you want now?" he snipped as the Captain levelled the Lute so Scanlan could take it.

Handing the instrument back to its rightful owner, Jarett spoke one last time to the motley crew. "Careful where you aim that thing." he advised with a newfound respect for those he had considered traitors to the Realm not a night prior.

"See what I mean, A snack." Scanlan purred as Vax placed a firm hand to his shoulder, the pair strutting side by side toward the rest of Vox Machina, stood at the wide open gates of the keep and out over the rolling fields.

United as one, all standing shoulder to shoulder Percy stole a glance toward those he was lucky enough to call friends. "Very well. To Whitestone." he commanded, taking the first step away from the confines of the Keeps Walls, followed by the others and Moonless whom waddled along next to Keyleth, head dipped to the ground already sniffing for any would be threats or animals to be turned to dinner for the Party.

"We should probably get some supplies, huh?" Scanlan probed as the group drew ever further from the opened gates, none seemingly aware of Pike whom stood stock still arms by her side as she stared at the back of her friends heads while the distance between them grew and grew with every fleeting moment.

"I can make a run to Gilmore's." Vax replied weaving his way to the Druid's side.

Vex scoffed loudly with an all knowing smirk directed toward her brother, knowing full well her twin basked in the attention the suave shop keep showered him with. "Not without me to negotiate." she insisted, keen to keep him on track without such distractions.

Finally, as the members of Vox Machina took another step Pike called out to them. "I'm not going." She squeaked as the entire party turned at once baffled by her sudden admission.

The dumb grin stretched across Grog's weathered features fell instantly as he turned his bald head toward the miniature Priestess. "Wh... What do you mean?" he stuttered for but a moment, quickly composing himself, though terribly as the hurt in his bounding voice remained evident.

Grasping the ruby amulet in gauntlet hand, Pike held it upward glancing down at the now meaningless item. " I can't hear the Everlight. It's like you said, Grog. I think I need to tell her sorry. Properly, at a temple." the Cleric finished glancing between her long time friend and the item bestowed upon her to spread the message of her still silent God.

Grog broke rank and turned right back around, crouching down to talk with the tiny woman. "Well, I'll come with you. Like old times, just you and me." he insisted happily, placing a comforting paw upon her shoulder, though the others knew his cheeriness was in vein as his tone remained laced with a hint of poorly hidden hurt.

"I have to do this alone, buddy. And they need you." she decided clasping a minute hand atop his thickened wrist, glancing passed the Goliath and toward the Party, more specifically Keyleth whom stood at their forefront.

Fighting back the tears welling in his child-like eyes, The hulking male bowed his head gaze locked to the floor. "Oh, but... What if I need you?" he whimpered meekly glancing up to met her eyes in his.

Those words were enough for Pike's all ready fragile mask to shattered as tears brimmed in eyes as she fought a loosing battle to fight them off. Instantly the Gnome leapt forward and locked her arms firmly around Grog's neck as if she were refusing to let such a beloved hulk go. "You can always talk to me. Even if I'm not around, you'll feel me there with you." Pike encouraged as best she could, running a soothing hand across the mans tattooed head.

With one last, shuddering gasp Pike pushed herself free of Grog's arms and circled around his towering form, stepping toward Keyleth whom gripped her tall staff in both hands. "You're their light now..." she uttered silently as the Druid replied with no words but just a simple nod, the determination quickly replacing her expression of utter shock as she placed a hand to Grogs trunk like arm and escorted him back toward the rest of the group. The jovial Giant now utterly silent as despair consumed his soul.

Continuing on their way, Pike watched as Vox Machina slowly grew further and further away with every step they took. Scanlan, before he left turned back for the briefest of seconds sending her a weakened, though encouraging wave only to drop his hand back to his side and drop his shoulders, gaze cascading to the ground as Pike wiped what little remained of her tears away, turning on her heel and walking down the opposing path as Vox Machina vanished from view, leaving her all alone to continue her journey to what she believed, was redemption.