"Why do you come here, children of the lost? What purpose brings you to Saundor's madness and pain?"

"We've come to help you."

A mass in the ceiling separated ever so slightly, she watched as two feet descended from the strange apex. She could now see the feet of a full creature, held aloft by connected tendrils of black plant matter, emanating from the back and shoulders, as it slowly descended from the ceiling. A thin, elf-like individual, their body comprised of hundreds of small plants, leaves, and thorns. The only semblance of flesh she could see across the face was the nose, the eyes, and the mouth. The rest of it seemed to slowly give way to a similar nest of plant-like vines that completely filled the exterior of the room.

It slowly touched down, its feet hit the ground, and as it did, the tendrils all detached and withdrew back into the ceiling, leaving it there, arms to its side, its head down. Its face came up, its eyes immediately open with a bright yellow glow that bathed their party. She could see the form, the edges of all her friends now, even being framed by this light that was pouring forth from its face. Vex'ahlia bowed, watching in her peripheral as some of her friends followed suit while others remained upright.

"You all come here, but one of you is the reason." It looked straight towards her. The light focused and narrowed from his eyes. She felt caught in his gaze, she couldn't move from those piercing eyes if she'd wanted to. "You. Sweet, broken Vex'ahlia. Unwanted daughter, unproven ally. Selfish and cruel. You drive those whom you would call family into danger and death for your own gain. I understand you." There was a softness and sadness to the face as he took one step in her direction. "You are lost without form. Without knowing who you are, child. You stand shattered by expectation. Presenting an illusion of confidence. Behind it, you never left that bloodied girl, dagger in hand, body at your feet. You are a killer, run as you may. The tears you cry are not in vain, my sweet, my dear Vex'ahlia. You can rise above your trembling destiny. I have lived a thousand years and a day. I have seen many things. I can grant many gifts."

Vex'ahlia turned to her friends, shaking, tears pricking the corners of her eyes at the memories that rose, unbidden to the forefront of her mind. "Are we still pretending to like this fuck?"

"Nope." Scanlan's blunt response almost made her smile and helped to strengthen her.

She turned back to him, glaring in a useless bravado. "I don't want anything you offer."

"You mistake," Saundor quickly assured. "My intent is not to hurt, but to understand. I see lots of my youth in you." He paused a moment. "We are not as different as you may think. You have things I do not. Companionship. I have been without for so very long. And the ones I have let in have hurt me so very deeply." His eyes actually cast away from her for a second and he stepped back into place. His confident form withdrew into an almost hanging, sad position. A position she had seen in many others.

"You've been betrayed."

"We all have in some degree, yes."

"Is that why you are what you are now?"

"I don't even remember. I just know that I'm alone and she left me there."

"She? Who is she?"

"Memories have faded. I just want someone to understand me, that's all. Can you understand me?"

"Saundor. I…I understand." Loathe as she was to admit it, she did understand what it was like to feel that lonely. Even with her brother beside her all these years, her constant companion, there was one thing he would never understand. Because she would never tell him. And her friends…sweet little Pike, awkward, sheltered Keyleth, confident Grog and Scanlan. They would never understand. Percy…might.

"Is there trust in you?" His form stepped forward once more, his head tilted, looking at her curiously. She nearly scoffed. Was there trust in anybody? Still, his pain became much more clear to her.

"You want to be loved."

"I wish a bond. A companion once more. Would you embrace me? Embrace your rebirth? I could give you so much."

"Vex'ahlia." The pained, begging sound of her brother's cautioning voice filled her ears, further adding to the conflict within her.

"I could give you the means to protect them. Your home."

"What would you ask in return?"

"Your heart."

"My heart is someone else's."

"All I ask is one who knows my pain. What is your answer?"

Vex was silent for a long time, thoughts crossing and conflicting and going in circles in her head. She didn't even notice when her brother grabbed her shaking hands. "Can we talk?" she asked in a voice shaky and hollow. "Alone?"

He stepped back and raised his hand. There was a slight rustling to their right and vines rose, clearing the path to what looked like a second inner chamber. Just how big was this tree? Saundor seemed to almost glide over to this new doorway and stood aside, waiting for her.

She took a step towards him but felt her arm tugged back. Her eyes followed the appendage to find her brother grasping the end of it, face contorted with fear, anxiety, and barely suppressed simmering anger. His eyes begged her not to go. Her friends fared no better. Grog, twisting his blood axe in his hands, growling low in Saundor's direction. She could see the purple arcane energy crackling between Scanlan's fingers as his mouth muttered an incantation for a chain lightning spell, glaring at Saundor as if itching for him to make the wrong move. Keyleth stared at her, waiting for her to give the word to attack. Pike did the same. Percy had Retort loaded and cocked, ready to fire at a moment's notice, his face as unreadable as ever.

"Vax, let me go," she muttered, soothingly. "I promise, I will return to you."

"You and I both know you don't even believe your own words. Stay with us," he implored. "We will get you your bow. Or we can leave here entirely. There are other vestiges. Hundreds of them."

"Vex, I really don't trust this guy," Keyleth muttered. "What if he takes you somewhere we can't follow?"

"We will always find her," Vax declared, turning his glare on Keyleth, before turning back to her. "I will always find you. But that doesn't mean you should make me look. I don't want you to go with him, Sister."

"She'll be fine," Grog assured, never taking his eye off the lithe figure standing by the newly revealed doorway. "She's Vex. But just in case he gets any ideas, can I give 'im a little taste of what 'appens if he doesn't bring 'er back safe 'n sound?" He snarled, presenting the blade of his ax towards Saundor.

"Easy, big guy," Scanlan hissed. "As much as I would love to show this Casanova exactly what awaits him if he harms her, I don't want to put Vex in any more danger."

"Vex?" Pike called, reaching out to clasp her other hand, not in protest like her brother, but in support. She felt the familiar warmth of her Goddess' power working through her friend and she felt reassured and comforted by it.

Still, all these voices and yet the one she wanted to hear most was silent. She glanced at Percy, the only one of her friends who hadn't spoken up in defense or protest. His face was turned away, eyes and barrel of his gun still locked on Saundor. Vex's hope dissipated and she turned back to her brother who sighed, resigned.

"If you must go, take this," he murmured, handing her his precious Flametongue dagger and hugging her tight. "You don't have to hit well; you just have to hit," he muttered into her ear. "If he tries anything, promise me. Promise me you will scream, yell, do whatever it takes to make a sound and I will come for you."

Vex'ahlia clutched one of her brother's prized possessions in her hand as he withdrew from their embrace and tucked it safely in her boot. She took one last, long look at each face and turned her back to them. Her footsteps echoed throughout the hollowed tree as she approached Saundor and the entryway he'd revealed.

He bowed her through gallantly and waited until she'd passed before following her and lowering the vines once more. Inside this secondary chamber, she was surprised to find an elegant sort of…dining table if she had to guess, grown up from the trunk of the tree itself and made up of what seemed to be vines entwined on themselves until they'd taken the desired shape. Such a long table, yet only one ornate, vine-made chair occupied it, further exposing his longing for companionship to her.

"I know not why your companions believe I brought you here only to harm you," he stated, raising his hand. As he did so, a series of vines rose from the trunk and twisted themselves into a seat similar to the one he was already taking his place at, directly to its right. Saundor gestured for her to join him.

"Can you truly not fathom it?" she asked, never once taking her eyes off his as she rounded the table and sat, tightly crossing her arms and legs.

"I have given up my intentions freely. It was by your own request for solitude that we are here in this moment, yet I am met with their suspicion and guard. I know not what I have done to warrant their wariness and warnings."

"Can they hear us in there?" she asked, jutting her chin towards the now-hidden entrance.

"You sought solitude and I have granted you such in all aspects, my dear."

Vex turned away at the endearment. "They are wary because of my tears. You caused what none in there have ever seen, save Vax, and he, not since we were children."

"I never meant to cause such heartache, dear Vex'ahlia. Only to establish a connection between us. You have my humblest apologies."

"What do you know?" Vex whispered, barely above a breath.

"Pardon?"

"What do you know?!" she demanded, slamming the table with her fist, clenching her eyes shut as long-repressed memories swirled in front of her. "What do you know of that night? What do you know of that day?" She tore from her seat and stood, facing the wall as the tears that had been threatening streamed down her cheeks. Her arms wrapped themselves around her as her shoulders trembled. "What do you know of that bloodied, little girl?"

"I know she screamed until her little voice was hoarse for someone to help her. Anyone. I know she begged and pleaded for it to stop until she was beaten into silence. I know she fought with everything her tiny body could give until it hurt so much that she collapsed in a storm of fear and pain. I know that when she awoke, she could not stand what had been done to her and she took a dagger, cruder than the one in your boot, and slashed. At herself, at her sleeping assailant, at everything. And I know that she never spoke of the event to anyone. Not even her beloved brother, as he bandaged her wounds with an eerie calmness before slipping off into the night to avenge his sister's capture, knew exactly what it was he was truly avenging."

"Enough," she cried, sinking to her knees, arms still holding herself together. She felt like she might fall apart without them. "No more, please no more. I-I can't…"

"Oh, my dear, sweet Vex'ahlia," he crooned.

Suddenly, she felt two unfamiliar, lithe arms wrapping themselves around her back and behind her knees as he picked her up and carried her back to the table, placing her on his lap and holding her close. The momentary fear and tension she felt at his touch was lost with his scent. Earthy, mossy, the scent of her forests. The only place she could ever let her guard down. Her hands grasped one of the vines that formed Saundor and she curled into him, wishing she could disappear behind those vines and hide from everything like she used to. Amidst that familiar scent and feel of bark, yet unfamiliar hold, Vex'ahlia cried.

"You say your heart belongs to another, yet how can you give anything that is so deeply locked inside you?" Saundor hummed, his fingers threading effortlessly through her tangled hair. "You guard your heart so jealously that you've walled it up, buried it underneath this shell of a façade you've convinced everyone was your true nature. I see you, dear Vex'ahlia. You do not have to hide from me as you do others. You are safe with me. I will keep you ever safe."

She cried long and hard, every tear she'd repressed over the last almost two decades. To his credit, Saundor's hold never faltered. Snug enough that she was secure in his rms, yet loose enough to pull away if she wanted. And his tone remained low and soothing. He was content to let her release every pent-up emotion she had, reminding her that she was safe, that he was there, that he understood her loneliness and gave voice to how her guarded heart ached for another to see past her defenses.

Eventually the force of her pain began to simmer as she cried herself out completely. For a long while after her last whimper left her lips, she remained in his comforting grasp, breathing deeply the scent of the forest. Her body ached, her throat was sore, her nose stuffed. She felt weak and humiliated.

"You must be exhausted from running for so long," he murmured, still threading rhythmically through her hair. "I would not repeat my request for a bond while you are in such a vulnerable state. Shall I instead guide you to a place where you may rest your head and refresh yourself?" She nodded meekly. It wouldn't do for her friends, who were already on edge, to see her like this.

In a fruitless effort to preserve the remains of her dignity, Vex'ahlia stood up from his lap and turned away, unable to bare his understanding gaze. He stood behind her and raised his hand. Again, vines opposite the wall they'd entered from parted, this time revealing a spiral staircase that wound wide around the trunk of the tree. Saundor walked first, leading her up and around its dizzying height until they reached its apex and stepped out into its broad, lush canopy. It spread far and was so thick with foliage that she could not see the eternal twilight beyond it. Interestingly, it did not appear as dead as it had before. Rather than black, the leaves and vines had changed to the deepest of greens and the bark had turned a rich brown.

Saundor, who also looked more alive than when he initially descended before them, waved his hands in a complicated pattern and vines, branches, and leaves melded themselves into the most elaborate hammock she'd ever seen. It was supported by entwined branches and vines, yet the inside was cushioned by a thick layer of greenery that, when she moved closer to inspect it, was soft and dry to the touch. He waved again and a basin-like form was created by vines springing up directly from the trunk, just to her height, and filled with clear water.

"Cleanse yourself, my dear, and rest. Return when you are ready. I shall be waiting in the chamber with your friends. I will not keep them waiting for word of your well-being, lest they lose themselves to their worry."

Vex'ahlia nodded, not trusting her own voice and ran her fingers over the brim of the basin he'd created for her. She watched as vines wrapped around his form and he sank into the very trunk of the tree that was his domain.

'I suppose the stairs were for my benefit,' she thought wearily. Saundor seemed to be doing a lot that was purely for her benefit. He was going out of his way to ensure her comfort when he could have just as easily…not.

Vex'ahlia gingerly sat down on the hammock he'd crafted, finding it surprisingly sturdy. She slid into it, breathing deeply. What did he want with her, exactly? What sort of bond was he seeking? And why her of all her companions? She didn't have long to think on these questions though, as the sounds and smell of the forest combined with the physical exhaustion of the last several hours quickly lulled her into oblivion.

She awoke some time later to the eerie sensation that someone or something was watching her but when she bolted up ready to strike, there was nothing there. She groaned, stretching and rubbing at her face. Vex'ahlia still felt exhausted, but she figured her party wouldn't be able to hold off her brother from searching her out much longer if she didn't make an appearance soon. She splashed some of the cool water on her face trying to wash off any remains of her…talk…with Saundor. What answer was she going to give him? What answer was she going to give the others when they began asking questions? She huffed and flung herself back on the hammock and just let her thoughts wander.

Vex huffed again when, no matter what she tried to think of, her mind kept circling back to that tall, strange, lonely creature that was Saundor. She nearly cursed herself when she discovered that, despite his unsettling overall appearance, she was of the opinion that he had a rather attractive face. His long, sharp features were very elf-like and she had never been one to deny the beauty of her father's people. Even if they never did accept her or her brother, they were still beautiful as a race. His bright, yellow eyes were full of emotion. It was so easy to read what he was thinking just by looking at them.

Thinking of his face made her wonder what he must have looked like before he'd turned into this creepy, vine-covered entity. That thought lead to wondering who was the 'she' he'd mentioned and why 'she' had betrayed him so deeply that he became cursed as a result. That 'she' had left him in this desolate place alone. Vex frowned at that thought. Whether she liked Saundor or not, no one deserved to be alone for so long that he couldn't even remember who 'she' was, only the feeling 'she' left him anguishing in. At lease she had her brother and her friends, even if they didn't know her all that well. She could at least look over in any direction and find one of them to talk to.

That gave her pause. He'd said something similar, hadn't he. Was that all he was asking for? A friend to talk to? Someone to share his burdens with? Someone…who understood him. As the realization dawned on her, she all but smacked herself in her stupidity. She had been making this bond-thing out to be way more than what it was. He hadn't called her out like that to upset her or anger her or anything like that. He wanted to prove that he understood her. He'd said all that as a sign of trust.

All that time in that secondary chamber, he never did anything she didn't need or ask for. She was the one who demanded that he told her what he knew. That wasn't his fault. And when he saw how much the recitation upset her, he comforted her. He refused to ask her to bond with him while she was upset, and when he offered her the chance to rest that she took, he'd crafted everything she might need then left her alone. He didn't crowd her, he didn't press any advance with her, he'd remained far more respectful of her than she honestly deserved.

If that was truly all he wanted, she could definitely agree to being his friend. He'd asked for her heart, but really, didn't all her friends already have a piece of her heart? It was no different. Vex chuckled to herself as an image rose unbidden to her mind of having tea with Saundor. She, animatedly talking about the wild shenanigans of Vox Machina and he, listening intently to every word, grinning with amusement as he made vines pour the tea for them. It was…kind of cute. In its own way. She felt so stupid for not having seen it sooner even though Saundor had practically spelled it out for her what he wanted.

"It's a good thing I did figure it out before I went and did something reckless," she muttered to herself, still resisting the urge to facepalm. "Alright, I'd better head back down before Vax does something equally reckless."

Feeling lighter than she had in days, Vex'ahlia stood up from the hammock again and brushed herself off. She picked up her Sky Sentinel from a nearby branch, though when it had gotten there, she didn't know. It had also been re-strung and…polished? The silver bow was gleaming. She descended the stairs that were made for her holding it in her hands, staring at it in contemplation. Apparently, her sleep had not been as undisturbed as she had originally thought. Vex tightened her grip on it as her feet touched the flat trunk of the second chamber. Even from here she could hear the distress of her companions at her continued absence followed by the calm reassurances of Saundor that all was well.

"Ah, Vex'ahlia," Saundor called in that same low tone even before she'd crossed the threshold. "I trust you rested well?"

"I did," she replied just as calmly, leaning casually against the barked frame.

"Vex!" her brother shouted, running up to her. Her other friends followed close behind. Vax grabbed her by her shoulders, inspecting her closely. "What happened?! Are you alright?! Did he do anything to you?!"

"Vax, I'm fine," she insisted, shaking off his grasp before hugging him. "Thanks for worrying about me but I'm really okay. All we did was talk and then I was tired from everything so he made me a place to sleep."

"You promise?" he mumbled into her ear, hugging her tighter.

"Of course," she assured, returning his embrace.

"Alright. It's just…you were gone for so long and…and Keyleth couldn't scry you. You have no idea how worried sick I've been."

"You're not the only one who's been stressing, Vax," Scanlan said reprovingly. "Vex, I'm still not certain he didn't do anything to you without you knowing. Can I just…double check? I trust you, I don't trust him."

"If it makes you feel better, fine, but I'm telling you, you won't find anything." Vex'ahlia turned to Saundor waiting patiently against the far wall, Grog standing between him and their group, blood-ax still at the ready. "I apologize for this."

"There is nothing to apologize for, my dear. They are concerned for your well-being. It is to be expected. I imagine I would react in much the same way were I in their position."

"Stop calling her that!" Vax demanded, turning quickly and standing guard in front of her. "She is not your dear, she isn't your anything! She is our friend and my sister!"

"Vax, calm down," Vex murmured, placing a hand on his shoulder. He stared at her in disbelief. "It's fine, I promise. Trust me?" His eyes narrowed suspiciously but he nodded and stepped aside. "Go ahead, Scanlan. Do you need me to relinquish my magic items?"

"No, I can distinguish between them and anything I would be looking for."

Her short friend started and finished his 'Detect Magic' incantation faster than she'd thought possible. His eyes glowed purple as he scrutinized her form for a full minute. He walked closer and circled around her, inspecting her from head to toe. Arcane magic fading from his eyes, he stepped back and sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"There's nothing. I can't find a single shred of magic on her or around her that shouldn't be there," he finally acquiesced.

"But…then…why couldn't I scry you? I should have been able to no problem."

"Now that would be my doing," Saundor answered calmly. "I ensured our privacy whilst we were having our discussion, per sweet Vex'ahlia's request. I felt your attempt to scry upon our conversation and I put a stop to it."

'I'm…going to have to think my requests through a little more when dealing with him,' Vex thought, feeling abashed, placing another hand on her brother's shoulder as he tensed at the unforbidden term of endearment. 'He appears to take things very literally.'

"Are you feeling more refreshed, Vex'ahlia?"

"Yes, I am, thank you. I did have a question for you, though. A-about my bow?" She held up her Sky Sentinel.

"Ah, yes. I do hope you don't mind. After seeing it, I could not help myself but to take a closer look at it. That is quite a proud and beautiful weapon you wield, my dear, and you've maintained it well You have its loyalty and I can tell at a glance that you take your partnership with your bow seriously."

"Of course. My life depends on this weapon and without one to use it, my bow becomes nothing more than a pretty decoration, devoid of purpose."

"Quite right. A weapon and its master must be in equal unison or ever one will fail the other."

"You speak of weapons with such passion and reverence."

"Naturally. They are the means by which we survive. Whether in hunting or protection, it is our weapons, as well as our mastery of them that ensure our continued existence. Why should we not be passionate and reverent towards them? I know I am not alone in this. Surely, you've noticed how meticulous your goliath friend and your brother are about sharpening their blades in precisely the right way. Or the way your druid prunes her staff. And you know your tinkerer is intimately familiar with every single little part of his weapons. It would not surprise me if he could rebuild them blindfolded and he trusts no other to touch them."

"I see your point." 'I guess we really do revere our weapons in our own way.'

"I knew you would," he replied, sounding pleased. "Have you given further thought to what was discussed?" His eyes, which had displayed the unbridled enthusiasm he felt while speaking of weaponry, suddenly became shadowed and guarded.

Vex kept her own face impassive. "I have."

"And? Will you accept my offer?"

She began a slow approach across the main chamber and watched the light in his eyes glimmer with barely restrained hope. She wondered how she could have possibly missed it before. This strange entity was so expressive. Vex'ahlia found it oddly…sweet. Saundor reached out to her as she passed the center of the chamber, hope ever growing. She stepped ever closer and reached out her own hand, clasping his peculiar, vine-like fingers, locking them with hers and smiling gently at the mysterious creature.

"I will."

"Vex'ahlia, no! You can't be serious!"

"Why not, Vax? We've given our friendship to many a more unusual being than him."

"F-friendship?!"

"Of course," she said with a small laugh, grasping Saundor's hand tighter. "What sort of bond did you think he wanted?"

"Ah- well…er…" She laughed again at her brother's discomfort and more when she realized he wasn't alone in the direction of his thoughts. Vax was blushing heavily, but he wasn't the only one. Scanlan's cheeks were tinted pink and she could tell he still held those suspicions. Poor Keyleth's entire face was bright red.

"Yes?" Vex teased.

"We thought he had…ill intentions…with you," Percy said bluntly, crossing his arms. "Darling are you sure about this? The Fey are not to be trusted."

"I'm sure," she replied, resolute, squeezing his hand again.

The moment she did, a flash of bright light encompassed them both, blinding her. It took a minute or so before the spots left her vision but when they did, all she saw were her friends staring at her incredulously.

"What?" she said, looking around.

"Vex'ahlia," muttered a velvety tone into her ear. She turned her head sharply at the sound. A tall male with long, pin-straight, black hair, pale green skin, bright yellow eyes, and a beaming smile hovered, bent near her shoulder. A crown of birch now sat upon his head. "You've done it. You have set me free." He laughed delightedly and picked her up, swinging her in a wide circle, causing her to laugh in response after her initial tension melted away. "Vex'ahlia, you beautiful creature, thank you!"

"Ahhh! Saundor! Put me down!" Vex shrieked, laughing.

"Oh! Apologies." He set her down gently, still beaming though more in control. "You'll have to excuse my exhilaration. I have been bound by the burdens of that curse for so very long."

"It's fine, I'm glad I could help. You look…better." 'Much better, actually,' she thought appreciatively.

He was already tall, but he held himself straighter. He looked lighter, as though a great weight had been lifted from his entire being. The vines that once covered him seemed to have melted away to reveal a proud form on par with any great being she had ever encountered. She could feel his power radiating off of him, whereas before, she'd felt his power, but it was as though it was muted or diminished somehow. Now it flowed off of him in droves. Already the tree they stood in was beginning to look greener and more alive than it had since they'd crossed the river. The hand she still held had not lost its bark-like texture, but it felt warmer and the long fingers that wrapped around hers were now more finger than vine.

"I feel leagues better," he assured her. "Allow me to introduce myself to you fully, my dear Companion. I am Saundor, Archfey of the Feywild, and this, the Heart of the Feywild, is my domain." He bowed elegantly before her, extending his hand to her.

'Well, that's certainly unexpected,' Vex thought. 'Never thought I'd make friends with an Archfey.' She hated to admit it, but she was a little lost for words. How did one address a creature of his caliber? She was silent, slightly in awe as she reciprocated and was further shocked when, instead of shaking it as she was accustomed to, he kissed it.

"Alright, alright, enough of that," Vax interrupted.

"Vax," Vex reprimanded sharply as Saundor withdrew. "Knock it off. You're being rude to my new friend."

"Your new friend who made you cry naught but two hours ago," Percy added, suspicion lacing every word.

"That was a miscommunication that has since been cleared up."

"Vex, darling, if I didn't trust him before, I really don't trust him now that his true form has been revealed. Archfey are extremely powerful, wild, unpredictable beings. There is no way of knowing just what he will ask of you now that you've made a bond with him."

"Guys," Pike spoke up. She had been following the conversation intently. "Vex trusts him. If we trust her like we say we do, then we should trust him too. I stand with Vex on this one."

"I'm with Pikey no matter what," Grog declared. "If she says 'e's good, that's good enough for me."

"Thanks, guys," Vex smiled, heartened by their reassurances. Vax and Percy didn't seem convinced, though, and even Scanlan and Keyleth still looked skeptical.

"What would I have to ask of her beyond companionship?"

"I-" Percy all but growled, balling his hands into fists. "There is all manner of things the likes of you could demand of her."

Saundor was silent for a moment before his eyes narrowed into slits. "You dare suggest that I would use our bond to take advantage of my Companion without her consent?" he demanded in a deadly low voice.

"Maybe not without her consent," Scanlan interjected, placatingly. "But that's kind of what we all thought. Most of us have never met a Fey and the one who has…from what we believe, the encounter ended in about that way. So…that's really all we have to go on." Grog grinned unabashedly.

"Is that true?"

"You might have tried to talk her into such a union," Percy acquiesced.

"I would do no such thing. Listen, Companions of my Companion, and listen well for I will not repeat myself. I will never do or say a thing that would intentionally harm or upset my sweet Vex'ahlia. And as proof of this, I will add one thing more to the gifts I have for her: that by which my Companion may command and betray me."

The jaws of Percy and Scanlan both dropped, their faces wide with shock. Vex and the others stared cluelessly at them. The room went silent.

"Do you mean-?" Percy whispered.

"Seriously?" Scanlan added. "Well. That eases my worries, that's for sure."

"What? What is it?" Keyleth asked.

"What is he talking about?! Percy? Scanlan?" Vax demanded.

"I think…I think he means to give her his Truename," Percy breathed in astonishment.

"We already know 'is name," Grog said, looking between Scanlan and Percival. "It's Saundor. Right?"

"That's his given name," Scanlan answered. "Every Fey has a Truename, or at least, that's what the stories say. If someone finds out a Fey's Truename, that gives them a certain amount of control over that Fey. The stronger the Fey, the stronger the control. For an Archfey like Saundor to be willing to give up his Truename to Vex…guys, that's…that's big."

Vex looked up at the strange Archfey, amazed and concerned that he would even consider such a thing. "S-saundor…are you sure?"

"Consider this a sign of my trust in you, dear Vex'ahlia, that you will not betray our companionship." She searched his expressive eyes for any hint of uneasiness or doubt. Finding none, she nodded. "Then, stand in front of me. It is time I bestow upon you gifts befitting my Companion and Savior."

Skeptic of his description of savior, she did ask he asked and stepped in front of him, facing her friends. She felt his long-fingered hands on both her shoulders. She closed her eyes and suddenly, she was in a clearing somewhere in some forest, though she hadn't moved. She was alone. Something that rarely happened since she and Vax had decided to travel with such a large party. Vex'ahlia breathed deeply the smell of damp earth and thriving vegetation. Her long ears twitched at the many sounds that brought the forest to life. Rustling leaves, animals scurrying about their little ways, calls of birds and other creatures, and for the first time in months, Vex'ahlia truly relaxed. Her shoulders dropped as peace entered her heart and she smiled. In her mind's eye, she began walking. Not really hunting or tracking, just simply existing. Admiring the sheer beauty of what she still considered her true home.

At the edge of the clearing, she absently rushed her fingertips over the bark of a tree. As she did, they tingled. Glancing down at them, it looked as though they had taken on the appearance and texture of the bark. The sensation continued through her hand, up her arm, across her chest, until her whole body tingled. Strangely, it didn't cause her alarm. She only watched curiously as the bark-like appearance covered her and then seemed to sink just beneath her skin.

Looking up again, Vex realized she could see much further than she could before. Never would she have been able to see that family of deer frolicking ahead. They would have been too far away and getting closer would have meant scaring them away. And to the Southwest of her, what had to be easily a hundred feet away, she could spot caves carved into the base of a mountain. As with the bark covering her body, the sudden increase in visual range didn't startle her. Vex only tilted her head. It was as if nothing could puncture her bubble of peace.

She continued her little stroll South of her clearing, occasionally brushing the bark of the trees to see if that sensation came back. It didn't and that neither bothered nor relieved her. On a whim, she decided to change course and walk Southeast for a little while. That thought caused her momentary pause. She had no compass. The canopy was too thick to see where the sun hung in the sky. How did she know which way was which? Now that she'd considered it, she also felt like she knew exactly what time of day it was, too. An odd thing, but it did not cause her any unease and she kept walking. Vex giggled to herself. This place was strange, to be sure, but she was not bothered by its strangeness.

At length, the thick trunks began to grow thin and sparse and soon after that, she spotted the edge of the forest and the start of a large meadow. She was still a ways out from it and reluctant to leave the comfort of her trees so she slowed her pace.

It came to a point where she could not delay it any longer and Vex'ahlia braced herself just inside the treeline. The sun was just beginning to set behind her and she somehow knew instinctively that she had four more hours of walking before she would have to rest for the night. The wind blew off the meadow more strongly than she had expected, and it whipped her hair around her face. It was cool and crisp and refreshing. And in it, she swore she could hear a voice. A word. Whispered as though it should not be spoken.

Vitalis.

For the first time since she had found herself in this strange forest, she felt her peace begin to shake as a heaviness entered her heart. But with that heaviness came a warmth. A comforting glow that filled her being with the sensation that she was not alone. That she never had been nor ever would be. Vex'ahlia smiled, tears falling down her cheeks at the reassurance and tranquility it brought.

"Open your eyes, my dear Vex'ahlia," a soft voice called.

It sounded as though it were right by her ear but when she turned her head, she didn't see anything. 'Open her eyes'? They weren't closed. Were they? She passed a hand over her face and felt her eyelids. When had she done that? Surely, she hadn't been walking around the forest with her eyes shut. Had she? But she could still see everything.

"Come now," the voice crooned.

It was a struggle. As though forcing herself out of a deep sleep. She had to physically pull her eyelids apart with her fingers and when she did, the forest and meadow around her seemed to melt away reveling the trunk of the hollowed tree she'd stood in before. Only now, she could see everything as though it were bathed bright sunlight. Every vine that grew up the walls, every ring that circled the floor depicting its great age, the worried faces of her friends and her brother. It was all so clear. She could count the feathers of Vax's armor, see the grooves carved in Keyleth's antlers, even count the number of stray hairs that stuck out from Pike's usually neat bun. Vex'ahlia blinked a few times, rubbed her eyes harshly, but the clarity never faltered. A gentle chuckle sounded behind her and she whipped around. Her breath caught in her throat. Saundor stood, beaming at her with unconcealed pride and delight. But it wasn't the Saundor she was used to seeing. He looked more ethereal, more beautiful, than even the glimpses she'd had of Sarenrae.

'So this is the beauty of the Fey.'

"Your Truesight will never fail you, my dear Companion. You were magnificent, Vex'ahlia! Absolutely remarkable!"

"What do you mean?"

"My dear Companion, had you hesitated in the slightest, even for a moment, while I was bestowing my gifts onto you, wherever your mind took you would have turned hostile, and you would not have been able to accept them. I admit I held my breath as it looked like you would do just that when I presented the gift of a keen mind, but you accepted it and even laughed as you did so."

"What do you mean, where her mind took her? Why is she crying?!" Vax demanded. Vex touched her cheeks and indeed felt the wetness of tears. When had she done that?

"You put her through a test to give her gifts?" Keyleth asked, confused.

"That makes sense. I can explain it later," Percy muttered.

"Wait, what happened?" Vex asked, looking between Saundor and her friends.

"There is no other way that I can bestow them. You had to be completely relaxed in to receive the gifts I have gave you. To do that, I put you into a trance. You decided where you were once you were there. Tell us, my dear, where did your mind take you?"

She thought about it for a moment. It was odd. Recalling it was easy, but it was as though recalling a dream. She could see every vivid detail with perfect clarity but trying to put it to words was a struggle. "I was…in a forest," she said haltingly.

Saundor's smile broadened. "Of course you were. Go on."

She began telling them what happened. Her words were slow, hesitant. She described feeling at peace, enjoying the sensation of simply being. She told them of the tree bark that extended to her and how tingly it felt. She talked about the deer and the caves she saw and how she changed direction and seemed to know exactly which direction she was going. She mentioned being reluctant to leave her calm, pretty forest to the meadow beyond.

"I-I heard a voice," she said distracted, her brow furrowed in thought. "In the wind. It said something. Was that-?"

"My Truename, dear Companion, yes," he answered softly. "It is yours. With it, you may call upon me, command me, even kill me. This I give as a sign of my trust in you. If ever you need me, for anything, speak it and I will be by your side in an instant."

"I will safeguard it well," Vex promised, feeling rather shaken.

Vitalis. The weight of that gift alone was more than she could have imagined. Why would he gift her so much power over him? Especially after he was already betrayed once and cursed for it?

"I trust you will."

"You said you gave me keen mind and truesight?" she asked a moment later. The weight of his words were growing heavier. "What are those?"

"There is no disguise you cannot see through now, no lie that can deceive you, no darkness your eyes cannot pierce. Up to a certain point. Even I cannot see forever." He grinned and she chuckled at his attempt at a joke. "That is your Truesight. Your Keen Mind means that you will ever know which direction is North, what time of day it is, how long until the next sunrise or sunset, and all information you have seen or heard in the past thirty days. In addition, the Barkskin that sits just below your skin will forever protect you. Armor or no, there is no paltry, low-level attack that could pierce you."

"Oh, is that all," Vex muttered, dizzy after his description of the gifts he'd granted her.

"Of course not, my Companion. To these, I add three others."

"I was joking." What more could there possibly be for him to give?!

"The first, baring the effects of poison or fatal blow, you will have life at least as long as mine, my dear, and as long as your Archdruid friend when she reaches her full potential. We will forever have each other. The second, this." He gestured to a lowering vine wrapped around something that gleamed in the light of his yellow eyes. When it reached her, Vex held out her hand and it dropped a small, oval-shaped mirror into it. "This is a means by which we may communicate between Planes. With it, you need only speak my given name and I will answer your call. Finally, I have gifted you with a means of protection, as I'd promised. Now I will give you the means of protecting." He turned to the wall of vines behind him and they parted, revealing a large, curved bow that he grasped and held out to her. She heard the others gasp behind her as her eyes went wide.

'Is that-? Fenthras! I completely forgot about that!' Yet, she felt almost guilty accepting even more from him. All she did was extend her hand in friendship.

"This bow is powerful as it is beautiful. However, without a Master to serve, it sits, unused and unrealized. I wish you to take it. Use it. Become its Master. Earn its loyalty as you have earned that of your own weapon, and it will serve you absolutely."

"Saundor," she breathed, holding out her unoccupied hand. It trembled between them. He placed it in her grasp and she clutched it to her chest almost reverently. She could feel it practically humming power.

"With your acceptance of my gifts, you are now, in essence, a Minor Fey."

"Me?! I'm a Minor Fey?!"

"Not exactly. I have given you many qualities that would consider you such, however, you are still of Elvan and Human descent and you still retain those qualities as well. This is why you would still succumb to moderate to high-level blows and substances, for example. Poison will not affect me, though enough high-powered blows would eventually drain my lifeforce. You will also be able to find prolonged comfort bot here and in your own Plane, whereas I could not stay there for very long. But essentially, you have now transcended into the realm of Minor Fey."

"You hear that, Vex, you're now part-elf, part-human, and part-Fey," Scanlan teased, breaking the tension that had been building. "You and Vax were always mutts but now you're a whole mongrel."

"You're right," she laughed, grateful for his timing.

It sounded forced even to her ears and she winced at how bad her laugh sounded to everyone else. She just…didn't know what to say. This was all too much to process at once. Powers she'd never even dreamed of that elevated her to the rank of a Minor Fey, a bow straight out of legend, a means of communicating that transcends the barriers of the Planes, and the Truename of an Archfey. She felt overwhelmed. Humbled. Dizzy. Her mind and heart were racing as she tried to come to terms with it all.

"Vex?" her brother called, quickly approaching her.

"I'm fine," she said, a little too quickly. He clasped his hands over her shoulders and stared at her, brown eyes searching.

"Hey, Grog," he called over his shoulder, "do you still have any wine in the bag of holding?"

"Yeah, like…lots."

"Pour me some for Vex, will you?"

"Sure. Could use some, meself, now you say it."

"Is she alright? What's wrong?" Keyleth asked, worried.

"She's fine, just a bit worked up is all."

"Here, have her lay down on this."

She was moving but she didn't know how. All she could see was her brother's black, feathered armor, but it was fuzzy. She could hear voices, but they were muffled, as though her ears were stuffed with cotton. Her head was rushing. It had been a little while since she'd felt like this. Since she found out she'd died and Vax had made a deal with the Raven Queen to save her. Someone took Fenthras and grabbed her hand. She barely registered it.

A familiar warmth flowed through her and suddenly, breathing came easier. Her head cleared a moment later, and with it, the fuzzy vision and muffled sounds of the voices around her. She looked at the one who held her hand and found Pike smiling gently at her, still shimmering with the light of Sarenrae's power working through her. Vax had knelt in front of her and was hugging her head to his chest, rubbing her back.

"There. Nothing a little Lesser Restoration can't fix. Better?"

She nodded, not trusting her voice.

"'Ere you go, Vexy," Grog mumbled, looking slightly discomforted, handing her a goblet.

She sipped the wine slowly, embarrassment beginning to sink in. Only Vax had ever seen her like that and that was only once. She'd made sure he never saw it again.

"What was that?" Scanlan asked, his voice betraying his nerves.

"I don't know. It just happens sometimes when she gets overwhelmed. This is the first one I've been able to help her through since we discovered our mom, though. Usually, she goes off on her own and suffers it alone." Her face shot up to meet her brother's. How did he know? Vax smirked, sadness tinting his features. "Did you think I wouldn't figure it out every time you went off to 'hunt' or 'rest' after something happened? It happened while we were in Syngorn, too. You used to overwhelm yourself all the time trying to earn Father's respect. You think I never sat outside your door, listening to you break down whenever he wouldn't give you the time of day? But you didn't want anyone to see you like that. So, I didn't." Vex hid her face, red flushing her cheeks in shame.

"Hey. Look at me." He tilted her face to meet his. "It's fine. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You're my sister. Taking care of you is what I live for. As long as I knew you were not completely alone, I was happy just watching over you and making sure you were safe." He brushed a few stray tears away and kissed her forehead. "I love you."

"It's called a panic attack," Percy answered. "Vex'ahlia, darling, if I had known you suffered them, I would have taught you how to deal with them long ago. I still get them time to time. They're easy enough to manage once you know how."

"Vex, it's alright," Pike assured, in her usual soft-spoken way, squeezing her hand. "I get it. You're so strong now and you hold someone's life in your hands. Trust me, I know how that feels. There's so much pressure and it's scary. And sometimes, it's too much." Pike giggled. "That's when we go get plastered together."

"Sure," Vex snorted.

"And if that don't work, we could always go kill things," Grog suggested. "Try out that new bow o' yours."

"You can't just drink or kill your problems away," Percy sighed, exasperated. "There are healthier ways to handle these things."

"Yeah, but that's not as fun," Grog countered, looking superior.

"The point is," Vax interjected as Percy was about to make a retort, "you don't need to hide away. Let us help you. Let me help you, at the very least."

"It's only fair, really," Keyleth, who was holding Fenthras, said smiling warmly. "I mean, you've seen us all at our worst."

"You're still the same proud, strong, confident Vex we've always known," Scanlan assured. Then he pouted, crossing his arms. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but…I think you might even be cooler than me."

"Scanlan! You? Never!"

"You're a frickin' Minor Fey now! Who's BFF's with a frickin Archfey! How am I supposed to compete with that?!" He stomped his foot, throwing his hands up as they all started laughing at his antics.

"Pardon…BFF?" Saundor asked, coming to stand beside Keyleth who jumped at his proximity. "I am not familiar with the term."

"It means she's your buddy," Grog explained. Saundor's confusion only grew.

"Buddy?"

"Yeah, your mate."

"Not that kind of mate," Vax shouted, springing to his feet and standing defensively in front of her. Her brother sighed. "It means she's your 'best friend forever'. He groaned. "Your…companion," he bit out through gritted teeth, slapping his palm against his forehead when Saundor's confusion cleared.

"I'm sorry, everyone. Saundor, you too. I hope this doesn't change your opinion of me."

"There is no cause for an apology, my dear," he replied, taking a step closer. "Please, do not worry about me when my only concern is your wellbeing."

"He's right," Percy agreed. "Much as I am loathe to admit it. This is not a thing to apologize for."

"I think…I think I just need a little time to get used to it all."

"Entirely understandable. In that case, shall I send you and your companions back to where you left so that you may get proper rest?"

"If you could," Vex replied, standing up slowly and leaning heavily on Vax. He wrapped his arm around her, supporting her as he'd always done.

"With ease, my dear."

"Would it be the same time we left?"

"Mere minutes would have passed."

She smiled wanly at her unexpected new friend. "I will use this, I promise," she said, holding up the mirror. "I will call for you. It just…it'll probably be a little while before I do."

"Take all the time you need, Vex'ahlia. I await your call, but I am in no hurry. Take care of yourself. Until we meet again, my sweet Savior."

The trunk and Saundor faded to black around them and when the darkness lifted, Vox Machina once again stood at the familiar gates of Whitestone. The sun was just beginning to set for the evening. Percy hailed one of the guards to let them through and the group trudged silently past the city. No one spoke a word as they made their way together up the hill to the pristine castle and not once did Vax relinquish his embrace. When they'd made it to the hall where their rooms were located, Vax steered her towards her room without hardly a 'goodnight' to the others and shut the door behind them.

Vex didn't question him. Just silently placed her mirror on the nightstand beside the bed and began the process of removing her armor while he did the same. At one point, she tossed him his Flametongue dagger and he caught it without even glancing up from unlacing his boot. Vax sat behind her and took out her braid before carefully brushing out her hair, slowly working out every knot and kink he could find.

"It's not as tangled as it usually is," he mumbled. "Lot of grassy bits though. What is all this?"

"Probably moss and leaves from the hammock he made me."

"Uh-huh."

He continued the process until her hair was silky smooth again and tended to his own dark locks. Exhausted from the physically and mentally draining day, Vex plopped down on the soft bed with a huff.

"Alright," Vax muttered, laying down and reaching out his hands for her to take. "Come here, Stumpy."

She nestled up to her twin and clasped their hands together with a soft sigh. When it was just the two of them like this, she could almost pretend that she was in a different time altogether, before they'd met the rest of Vox Machina, still surviving in the forests of Wildmount. Vax started to hum a soothing tone. One he'd sang to her their whole life long. Their mother's lullaby.

"Vax," she whispered, heart caught in her throat.

"Shh, shh, shh. We'll talk tomorrow. Tonight, we sleep."

She nodded and he went back to humming, singing softly. He was right. There would be time to sort all this out later. Time for explanations. Time to familiarize herself with these new powers and figure out what it all meant. She yawned. For now, she would content herself with the knowledge that they had successfully obtained that which they had set out to retrieve, with not a drop of blood spilled, that she had made a powerful new friend and ally that she could call upon whenever she needed help, that she had become a powerful ally to her friends, and that her friends still stood by her even when they saw her at one of her lowest points. The sound of her brother's voice drifted off into silence before picking up in light snores and Vex'ahlia smiled.

There, in the dark of her room, she could almost hear Saundor's voice.

'You are not alone.'

The words brought a peace to her heart, similar to the feeling she'd had in the forest of her mind and the part-Elf, part-Human, part-Fey finally succumbed to the siren's song of sleep.