Keyleth ran, trying to get as much distance between Ghurrix and herself, her head still pounding from getting slammed by the pit fiend's fiery mace. She pressed a hand to her temple, feeling the blood pouring from the wound, thinking that at this point a concussion was the least of her worries. She was coming to realize that her spells weren't working, that she couldn't keep the fiend restrained, thinking that they were definitely in over their heads this time.
The pit fiend's sheer presence was frightful as she ran, the fear threatening to overwhelm her. She managed to fight off her fear, still maintaining her distance. But even she could feel that things were beginning to feel hopeless. They hadn't prepared enough or not at all for this situation. If her Feeblemind spell had worked, if any of her spells had worked, the situation would've most likely gone differently.
She stood there in the middle of the alleyway, hopefully a safe distance from Ghurrix. The pain from her head wound was intense, and she could still smell the scent of burning hair–her hair–as she managed to put out the flames. Her circlet was damaged, her antlers broken and charred, but she could still feel the magical enchantment, feeling relieved that the boon it gave her was still working. And yet, as she saw the pit fiend hovering overhead, despite fighting off the momentary fear, deep down she was terrified. Terrified that she was going to die here in the Plane of Fire.
It was a sensation that she hadn't felt since Glintshore, when Kynan stabbed her in the back with Whisper. She could still feel the dagger wound in her back, the sensation of falling unconscious as her limp body hit the glassy terrain. She was terrified. Terrified at the thought that instead of her losing Vax, it was the other way around. It was a different kind of terror, the terror of losing him due to her own death. It was the same sensation that she felt now, here in the City of Brass as the fiend and his friend loomed over Vox Machina.
She could still see Scanlan's mansion door behind her, and she knew she could make a break for it, but at the same time she couldn't, wouldn't leave her friends, her family.
She couldn't, wouldn't leave Percy. The gunslinger who had to constantly face the darkness within his soul. The gunslinger who was her best friend that she had just gotten back after dealing with Ripley and Orthax. The gunslinger whom, despite their differences as polar opposites of the morality spectrum, she loved so much.
She couldn't, wouldn't leave Scanlan. The bard who was constantly the life of the party and managed to get them out of so many dire straits... except for the one that led to this moment. The bard who, due to having tried and failed to make the deal with Ghurrix, was in danger of being killed out here without a chance to see his daughter again. The bard who, despite his chauvinistic mannerisms in the past, had recently changed, instead taking value in his own survival and self-worth after learning that he now had someone to fight for.
She couldn't, wouldn't leave Pike. The cleric who willingly came with them to such a dangerous place as this for the sake of grabbing the final Vestige because she didn't want to fall behind the others. The cleric whom she grew close to despite her status and learned to put her trust and—gods forbid—her faith in time and time again. The cleric who loved all of Vox Machina, the family that she would give her very life to protect.
She couldn't, wouldn't leave Grog. The goliath who was never one to run away from a challenge, his boundless courage serving him well with every confrontation. The goliath who was a surprising source of wisdom for her, who had taught her to value the gift of patience when she was at her worst when dealing with Raishan. The goliath whom she loved like a brother and wasn't always appreciated when he was willing to change himself for the better.
She couldn't, wouldn't leave Vex. The ranger whom, despite their differences and arguments in the past, she put her trust in many times over. The ranger who loved her as much as she loved her own brother. The ranger who was willing to put her life on the line to protect her family.
And she couldn't, wouldn't leave Vax. The rogue who was always by her side from the very beginning. The paladin who served death and yet still found life, his conviction being an inspiration for her. The man who stole her heart, who loved and respected her with all the affection he could muster.
Keyleth thought of all of them, her family, as she stood there frozen on the spot, unsure as to what to do at this particular moment. And for the first time ever as far as she could recall, she closed her eyes and prayed. She prayed to whomever might be listening that she would have the courage to see this through, that she would not abandon her family in this dire hour. And that's when she heard the familiar sound of wings approaching her and the owner of said wings landing in front of her. She opened her eyes and there he was. The Champion of the Raven Queen. The man she loved, whom she allowed herself to love despite her fears.
Vax? What are you doing?
She opened her mouth to say something, but couldn't get a single word out as Vax reached out to her, grabbed her by the face, and pulled her in for a kiss. A part of her thought that this was not the time or place for such affection, but in this dire situation, it kept her grounded. It made her feel brave, knowing that he was still here, that he was still alive. As he kissed her, she could feel a sudden surge of bravery course through her. She could feel the divine energy that came from Vax giving her a newfound feeling of courage as her fear left her, calming her down.
Vax broke the kiss, gave her a reassuring smile, and flew back into the fray. Keyleth stood there, dazed at the sudden kiss and subsequent feeling that coursed through her. She felt... good. She felt confident. She felt brave. She felt—as horrible as it sounded—like a hero. She looked up at Ghurrix's massive form once more, but instead of cowering, she stood tall and proud. She was not going to die here. She still had things to do, things that only she could do. She was not about to disappoint her friends, her family. She was not about to fall apart now of all times.
Keyleth stood firm as she watched on, ready to aid at a moment's notice. They had a Vestige to claim and a home to return to. It was time to see this battle through to the very end.