005: A Splash of Red

The sun had only recently risen as Naruto stalked through the Tal'Dorei countryside, the aftermath of their battle with the undead king still fresh in his mind. Alongside Vax'ildan and Lillith, they divided the spoils of their victory, with Naruto content to take his share of the gold and a mysterious rune. The prospect of visiting Brokk and Sindri at Eitr's Edge to have them work on his axe crossed his mind.

"Hold," Vax whispered, raising a clenched fist. Instantly, Naruto crouched low, his senses on high alert. Lillith took cover behind a large, ancient tree, her eyes glowing with arcane energies.

Both Naruto and Vax moved stealthily to the edge of the clearing, observing the remnants of a camp. "We've got ourselves a little encampment," Naruto noted, spotting two figures by a fire.

"And doesn't that mace-wielding fella look familiar," Vax added, recognizing a bounty hunter from earlier encounters.

Lillith joined them, whispering, "There are only four others in the area aside from us." Naruto nodded, using his chakra to sense two sparks of ki and two of mana. "The two are about five minutes away and returning," he informed his companions.

"We could sneak by them," Vax suggested, but Naruto shook his head. "I'd rather have these guys in front of us and not at our backs."

The group noticed freshly dug mounds of dirt, indicating the bounty hunters' losses from the previous night's "earthquake." Lillith felt a pang of regret, but Naruto reassured her, "It's not your fault. They chose this life, just as much as we did."

As they planned their approach, Naruto suggested, "I'll go in first. You two remain hidden, Lillith on support and Vax you cover her just in case." Vax nodded, taking Lillith with him to find a better position.

Naruto crouched low, eyes narrowed, waiting for the opportune moment. "And that's everyone," he thought before springing into action. He slid down the ridge, kicking up mud and dust, drawing the attention of the bounty hunters.

"Hello, friend," Naruto greeted the familiar mace-wielding paladin, his smirk widening. The bounty hunters exchanged nervous glances, recognizing the threat he posed.

As Naruto circled them, his form seemed to ripple, creating an unsettling illusion. "I wouldn't call it nothing, Joustin," Naruto taunted, his voice distorted as he moved.

The world seemingly bled into nothing, but a dark void filled with nothing but Naruto.

'This isn't right?' Joustin, realising the magic at play, attempted to dispel the illusion with a prayer. The world around him shattered like stained glass, revealing his unconscious companions, tied up by the blonde and the elf.

"Aww, he saw through it," Naruto chuckled, waving to Lillith in the forest.

Vax drew a blade ready to through defend himself, but the bounty hunter chose a different target.

A mace sang through the air, the weapons own unique sound as it was swung caused Naruto to dance around the strike be he summoned his Leviathan axe, deflecting Joustin's mace with ease. "Almost got me there," he teased, stepping back.

The cleric charged, shouting, "I'll kill you for getting in my way!" Naruto met his charge head-on, their weapons clashing with a resounding impact.

Ducking under a wild swing, Naruto delivered a stunning palm strike, striking with the force of an uppercut, sending Joustin's head rocking back. Blood sprayed in the air as the cleric struggled to retain his balance.

Joustin's vision swam as he tried to focus on his opponent, but he heard one distinct sound—a clap. In an instant, a poof of smoke appeared, and an echo of the blonde materialized before him. The doppelganger's leg was already in motion, driving its heel into the cleric's armored chest, knocking the air from his lungs and lifting him off the ground.

Naruto emerged from behind a tent, watching as the bounty hunter hit the ground with a thud. "Well, that went well," he muttered, pulling out some wire to secure the downed man alongside his compatriots. "All sorted!" he called out, signalling to Vax and Lillith to join him from the surrounding forest.

"Not bad," Lillith remarked, casting a glance at their would-be captors. Her eyes still glowed faintly from the arcane energies she had wielded.

Vax smirked, standing up from where he stood over the first guard he knocked when they were trapped in Lillith's illusion. 'Too easy,' the rogue thought as he sheathed his blade. 'After facing a dragon, there's not much that scares you,' he thought, as he began looting the tied-up hunters.

"After this, let's move out of this area," Vax suggested, pocketing another coin purse. "We're a couple of hours from the walls of Emon.

"Fine by me," Naruto replied, turning his attention to Lillith. "You okay?"

"I'm fine, just a bit tired. That illusion took a lot out of me," Lillith admitted, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"Thanks for that. They were already injured, but you made it easier," Naruto said with a warm, honest smile.

The sun continued to rise, casting a golden hue over the landscape as they begun making their way through the forest once more.

After a brief rest, Naruto, Vax'ildan, and Lillith continued their journey to Emon. The path was uneventful until they reached the city walls and realized they had picked up a stray. The vulpine bird Naruto had encountered the previous night had been trailing them at a safe distance. As they approached the bustling gates of Emon, the creature vanished into the shadows.

"Looks like we've got a survivor on our hands," Naruto chuckled, recalling the winged fox he had met before the earthquake. 'Glad you made it through that mess,' he thought, feeling a sense of kinship with the creature.

"Hey Vax," Naruto called out grabbing the elf's attention "remind me to ask Kiki to borrow her beastiary, maybe I can figure out what she is."

"Yeah sure, man." Vax responded as he eyed a guard who appeared to be already watching them. 'A member of the Clasp?'

Entering the heart of the city, the trio navigated the crowded market district and slipped into a seemingly unremarkable boot shine store. The shop was dimly lit and empty, an air of secrecy hanging over it.

"Vax, I'm not crazy, right?" Naruto asked, his eyes scanning the darkness.

"No, you're not. This is the place," Vax confirmed, drawing his dagger and igniting its blade to cast a faint glow.

Lillith tensed, her eyes sweeping the shadows for any sign of danger.

"Welcome back, Brother Vax'ildan, Initiate Naruto," a voice called from the darkness, causing the trio to turn. The elder of the Clasp stood before them, flanked by three other members. His face was obscured by a mask bearing the mark of the Clasp.

'Outnumbered again,' Naruto thought, unfazed by the lack of trust from the Clasp. He didn't trust them either.

The elder addressed them, "Lady Lillith, welcome to Emon. Your cousin Zahra will be pleased to hear of your safe arrival."

"A pleasure," Lillith nodded, maintaining her composure.

"Any trouble for the champions of the realm?" the elder inquired.

'Word travels fast,' Naruto mused.

"No trouble at all," Vax replied curtly, his eyes narrowing at the elder.

"Hey, we completed our end of the bargain," Naruto interjected. "Where's our money?"

The Clasp representative snapped his fingers, and a chest slid towards Vax, who immediately checked it for traps before opening it.

"Now then, Lady Lillith, please come with us. We have a safehouse where you can set up shop."

"Set up shop?" Naruto asked, glancing at Lillith.

"I'll let you find out, but I'll give you a hint—I'm here in Emon for business, not pleasure," Lillith replied with a sly smile, placing a hand on Naruto's chest before nodding at Vax. "See you around, Vox Machina." She winked at the boys before disappearing with one of the Clasp members.

"My services are expensive, so remember that every time you want to summon me," Naruto said, noting Vax had finished counting the gold and closed the chest.

"Naruto."

"Gotcha," Naruto replied, tossing the bag of holding to the half-elf. "Now then," he turned back to the Clasp, only to find them gone.

"Vax, I love you, but you need to work on your friends outside of Vox Machina."

"You're telling me."

"Home or Gilmore's?" Naruto suggested, looking up at the sky. "We could offload some of this loot and bring back a ton of gold to the keep."

"What time is it?" Vax asked as they exited the shop.

"Early afternoon, I guess." The blonde said as he guessed by the position of the sun in the sky. "Fuck it lets pick up a few barrels of ale for the keep," Naruto suggested as he remembered they were low on ale back at the keep.

"We've got gold now so why not." Vax said still annoyed with having to deal with the Clasp.

"Hey, I might even pull out my own secret stash."

"The fire toad's sake?" Vax's eye widened "But you never share that stuff."

"Because once I'm out it is done for so I got to be picky about its use, but I think actually celebrating killing a dragon is something we all deserve especially the two of us after the last 24 hours don't you?"

Vax just smirked "Well then who am I to turn down great booze."

It was late, the sun had set, and the full moon shone brilliantly in the cloudless night sky. The constellations were on full display as the troupe indulged in the forty barrels of ale Vax and Naruto had brought back from their journey. The duo had decided not to mention their dealings with the Clasp, finding the booze a convenient excuse for their absence the previous night.

Inside the keep, chaos reigned as Vax engaged in a game of ball tag with Grog—a decision he would soon regret. Scanlan, Pike, Keyleth, and Vex watched the spectacle unfold from the main hall, drinks in hand and laughter in the air.

Outside, Naruto sat with a sake jug from his homeland, gazing at the unfamiliar stars. "These are not my stars," he muttered, a sigh escaping his lips as he reflected on the constellations that had become his companions over the past two years. His thoughts drifted back to his arrival in Westruun, where a sorcerer's attempt to discover his realm had failed, but Vox Machina had managed to magically instil the Common language in his mind.

"Spending this day of all days alone once again," he murmured, memories of his childhood in Konoha flooding back.

A lonely childhood.

A few lights in his life. Ayame and Teuchi came to mind before Iruka.

Acceptance into shinobi corps.

A few more lights appeared. Shikamaru, Kakashi, Shizune and Gaara flashed to the forefront of the young blonde's mind.

Support from high higher places.

Tsunade and Jiraiya flashed in next.

"There you are, darling," a playful, slightly tipsy voice called from behind.

"Hmm?" Naruto shook off his reverie, turning to meet Vex'ahlia's hazel eyes with his ocean blue ones. "Vex'ahlia? What are you doing out here?"

"Just came to check on you, is all," Vex replied coolly, settling beside him. "You snuck away again."

"Not snuck away," Naruto grunted, wincing as her elbow nudged his side. "Just grabbing some fresh air." He took a swig from his jug, the familiar burn bringing a small comfort, before offering it to Vex.

Vex'ahlia took a swig, her face flushing as she winced at the drink's potency. "How do you drink that stuff?" she muttered, the alcohol's scent lingering on her breath.

"Home sweet home, baby," Naruto replied with a grin, reclaiming the bottle for another drink.

"Naruto…" Vex's voice softened with concern as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't do that," Naruto warned, not wanting pity. "I'm done looking for a way home. I barely survived getting here in the first place. And besides, I've got you guys…" He closed his eyes, missing the moment when Vex wrapped her arms around his neck.

The blonde felt a pair of lips gently touch his cheek before he heard a whisper.

Naruto's eyes widened as he was pulled into an embrace, his face buried against Vex'ahlia's chest.

"Gah!" he exclaimed, struggling in their drunken states until he found himself in a headlock.

"Finally, woman, I can breathe," Naruto gasped, his face flushed redder than before due to his closer proximity to the older woman's chest.

"Ha! The great Naruto defeated by the mighty Vex'ahlia," the ranger cheered, her voice echoing as a roar of approval came from Grog outside.

"Traitor!" Naruto called out, playfully accusing the grizzly.

"Now back to the party," Vex declared. "It's not every day one turns 18 or becomes champions of the realm." She began marching back inside, dragging Naruto along in a headlock.

'Where is she getting this strength from? She's drunk!' Naruto thought, bewildered as the seemingly stronger when fuelled by booze twin hauled him back to the festivities as they heard her twin cry out in pain.

'I think Grog got the three-point special from the sounds of it.' Naruto idly thought as he felt the grip on his neck slacken slightly as the pair witnessed Percy leaving the main hall and heading upstairs to his room.

Naruto now free of the headlock decided to head towards the room Percy came out of only stopping at the door. The blonde turned back after noticing the archer was further behind looking off into the distance in the direction Percy just left in.

"You can't be mother hen all the time." Naruto said as he saw the conflict cross her face.

"You're right darling Percy is a big boy, if he needs us he can come to us he knows that."

"Of course, I am now let's go I wanna challenge Grog to a drinking contest."

"Naruto you're already drunk?"

"Drunk, bitch please… I'm tipsy at best." Naruto said before opening the door and entering tonight's drinking hall with the others.

With the cry of a distant rooster and the first specks of light filtering through the window, Naruto awoke with a groan. He raised his left hand toward the window, shielding his eyes from the sun's rays. "One day I'm going to snuff you out for good," he muttered, squinting as he reached for a pair of bifocals with shaded lenses. 'What did Percy call them?' he wondered, placing the sun protectors on. "I can't remember, but much better."

Percy had crafted these bifocals when Naruto first arrived in this world, before he learned to control his dark vision. The void imprisonment had made it difficult to see in the light initially.

After quickly going through his morning routine, Naruto headed to the dining hall, where he found Percy already seated.

"You're up before me?" Naruto whispered, surprised.

"Hmm?" Percy looked up from his breakfast and a tinkering book he had been engrossed in. "I'm surprised you're up at all."

"How do you figure?"

"You, Grog, Pike, and Vex'ahlia were singing the night away," Percy replied with a smirk. "I'm pretty sure Grog tried to break into my workshop downstairs."

"That sounds like standard drunken Grog," Naruto shrugged.

"He had a kunai in hand."

"Oh, so that's where one of my blades went," Naruto mused, slumping face-first onto the table.

Percy arched an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips at Naruto's suffering. They'd all experienced hangovers, except for Keyleth, who never drank enough to have one.

As the morning progressed, the kitchen gradually filled with the members of Vox Machina, even Trinket, who ambled in to eat from his dedicated bowl.

"Aaah," Keyleth sighed cheerfully as she entered, vines and flowers magically spreading along the kitchen doorframe. "Good morning, everybody." Her cheerfulness was met with grumbles and indifference from the group. Two pigeons fluttered into the room, adding to the chaos.

Naruto sat slumped over, the bright light and noise exacerbating his hangover, but he needed to eat—preferably as much bread as possible.

Scanlan had a pigeon land in his hair, which he shooed away, only for it to settle next to him on the table.

"Why?" Vex groaned, her head pounding from a hangover after being awakened by a neighbours' nightmare.

"Why is she yelling?" Scanlan whispered.

"Hnn." Naruto grunted before his eyes widened behind the shaded lenses. 'Ahh crap, I'm starting to sound like the bastard.' "Keyleth, some of us are either still drunk or hungover, so please watch the volume," Naruto requested, catching a glimpse of golden light at the corner of his eye.

He noticed Pike muttering small prayers, her hand resting on her forehead. 'If that works, maybe I should've found a deity to serve?' Naruto thought idly as Vax joined the table, sitting between him and Grog.

Grog swung his left hand in a fist, a move that could be likened to a sledgehammer. The half-giant's punch landed squarely in Vax's crotch, causing him to drop his food and drink.

"Gah!" Vax exclaimed, reeling from the impact.

Naruto instinctively caught the tray of food, but the mug clattered to the floor, the noise jarring those still under the influence of alcohol.

Naruto, Scanlan, Vex, and Pike winced at the sound, while Vax was in pain for an entirely different reason.

"Seven to two," Grog cheered, continuing his breakfast.

Vax'ildan struggled to regain his composure, glowering at Grog. "I never should have agreed to this stupid game."

Percy sighed at the pair. "Must you?"

"Hey, we all can't be uptight, aloof assholes like you," Scanlan retorted.

"Emotions aren't made to be bottled up," Vex'ahlia suggested, petting Trinket, whose head rested in her lap. "Maybe you should cut loose every once in a while."

Naruto snorted. "I'd love to see an unburdened Percy—think of all the chaos we could cause if we teamed up." He stood, pointing dramatically at the ceiling. "With my genius combined with yours, we could take over Emon for a week."

"You mean disrupt life as we know it," Percy countered.

"Isn't that what I just said?" Naruto replied, tilting his head.

Before more words could be exchanged, a loud banging echoed from the main entrance of the keep.

"Erm, are we expecting company?" Naruto asked, realizing he'd left his axe in his room.

"Hello?" a voice called from the hallway. "Vox Machina?"

"Keyleth, you just came from the hall. Why can't we open the door?" Vex asked.

"It's stuck," Keyleth said, pushing against it.

"Ugh, these hinges are rusted," Vex complained, giving it a shove.

"Grog, could you give it a shove?" Pike asked.

"Yep, one sec."

"Vax?" Naruto inquired.

The half-elf shrugged, still recovering from Grog's earlier hit. "What about you?"

"I'm not going to be the first to break something here," Naruto replied, watching as Grog gave the door a 'light' shove, sending it careening into the hall.

The group spilled out of the dining area, greeted by Emon's mistress of all things arcane.

"Lady Allura, welcome," Vax spoke first, spotting the older blonde. "Hope you didn't feel the need to bring a housewarming present."

"I didn't. I came to remind you that Sovereign Uriel expects you at his dinner tonight."

"Oh, that's tonight," Vex muttered, having completely forgotten.

"Finally, an evening of respectability, a proper evening of protocol and civilized conversation," Percy declared.

Naruto rolled his eyes, exchanging a look with Pike before they both snickered as he mouthed 'civilized' and mockingly gestured at Percy.

"It's not just a party," Allura continued. "Dignitaries from all over the realm will be in attendance to form a new security pact in light of the recent dragon attacks."

"Ah, you did mention dragons having plans and such," Naruto recalled from the council meeting about the blue dragon attacking the farmlands.

"We must put our best foot forward," Allura urged with a hopeful smile.

"Which foot is that again?" Grog asked.

"Not literal, buddy," Pike said, tapping his arm while stifling a giggle at Naruto.

"Hey Pike," Scanlan chimed in with a smirk. "Wanna be my date tonight? I promise to be on my best worst behaviour."

"E-rm," Pike stammered, playing with her hair and looking away. "Oh, I-I'm okay." She declined, causing Scanlan to frown slightly before turning back to Allura, missing Pike's glance toward the group and the slight reddening of her cheeks.

"Lady Allura, I promise we understand the gravity of the situation, and we shall present ourselves with the utmost dignity," Vax vowed, offering a slight bow before balling his fist and swinging.

Grog shifted closer to Pike, causing Vax to miss his target and hit Naruto instead.

"Oufff!" Naruto cried, slumping over. "Three points," he wheezed from the ground.

Vax winced, realising his mistake.

"Does it count as 7-5 now or 7-2 because he missed?" Scanlan asked.

"7-5. How do you score three points? It was one hit," Keyleth questioned.

"Keyleth, my dear, the rules of Ball Tag are as complex as they are beautiful," Scanlan explained.

'Beautiful my ass,' Naruto thought, flipping a middle finger at Scanlan before struggling to his feet with Pike's help. "Grog, due to others' actions," Naruto glared at Vax, "I'm turning this one-on-one into a triple threat."

"Oh, fuck me," Vax cursed, knowing he was the weakest striker. "I'm never having kids, am I?"

The grin on Naruto's face did nothing to hide the malicious intent behind his whiskered smile.

Percy facepalmed before walking over to Allura, missing two more strikes that laid out Vax and Grog, both clutching their family jewels.

"I believe that's 7 to Grog, 5 to Vax, and as a late entry, 4 to the new challenger, Naruto the Whiskered Menace," Scanlan announced.

"I vow, Lady Allura, I shall brief them on royal etiquette and manners. You have my word nothing will go wrong from the likes of us," Percy promised with a hopeful smile, ignoring the antics behind him.

Naruto stood among the members of Vox Machina, each of them adorned in the finest garments Gilmore had provided. The opulence of their attire reflected the grandeur of the evening ahead, a stark contrast to their usual adventuring gear.

'Gilmore really hooked us up,' Naruto thought, admiring his own outfit. He wore a long, flowing kimono jacket made of rich, deep blue silk, embroidered with intricate silver and gold patterns that resembled swirling clouds and waves. The jacket hung open, allowing for ease of movement and revealing an inner layer of lighter cream fabric. His chest was exposed, displaying the green gem necklace given to him by Tsunade when he was much younger. His headband, no longer around his neck, was wrapped around his upper left arm. Tailor-made trousers and open-toed sandals completed the ensemble, with a burnt orange sash cinching his waist for a final touch of elegance.

'Gilmore, you have outdone yourself as always,' Naruto thought gratefully, glancing at his companions.

Vax'ildan wore a smart dark suit with red accents, his usual flair for drama evident in the sharp lines and bold colours. 'Percy hasn't changed much from his regular clothes,' Naruto mused, noting the gunslinger's excited smile. It was a rare sight, one that warmed Naruto's heart.

Scanlan, on the other hand, was a spectacle in his own right. Draped in bright pinks and purples, he was dripping in jewels, each one catching the light and adding to his flamboyant appearance. 'That suits him to a T,' Naruto thought with a chuckle, deciding not to question the bard's choice of accessories.

Grog, ever the straightforward one, wore a clean sash over his shoulder, his muscular frame speaking for itself.

Naruto's gaze shifted to the ladies of Vox Machina, which he personally found more interesting to look at.

Keyleth was resplendent in her usual green, but her off-the-shoulder gown shimmered like the forest at dusk. The deep emerald fabric hugged her figure before cascading to the floor, hiding her short heels. Her arms were adorned with long green gloves, and her headpiece featured magically grown flowers, forming a delicate wreath. 'Apparently it's a druid thing, according to Scanlan,' Naruto recalled, noting the light makeup that accentuated her natural beauty.

Pike's gown was similar in style but pure white with golden accents. The off-the-shoulder design covered her collar and neck, and her pendant of faith rested prominently on her chest. Her white puff sleeves and neatly styled ponytail added to her angelic appearance. 'I think this is the first time I've seen Pike wear makeup,' Naruto thought, appreciating the effort she had put into her appearance.

Finally, his eyes landed on Vex'ahlia, who exuded confidence in her striking midnight blue gown. Golden embroidery flowed across the fabric, and the fitted bodice accentuated her figure. The skirt billowed gracefully, with a single leg slit allowing for ease of movement. Her hair was styled in soft waves, and subtle makeup highlighted her striking features. When she caught Naruto's gaze, she winked, making him blush but smirk back, refusing to look away.

The group was ready, each member reflecting their unique personality while embracing the elegance of the occasion. As they prepared to enter the banquet hall, the anticipation of the evening ahead filled the air, promising intrigue, laughter.

As Percy refitted his glove once again, he looked up at the group. "Alright, remember what we've practised, be reserved, be measured, be charming remember protocol."

Grog and Vax smirked and curtsied before the group.

Naruto snickered but felt slightly bad for the poor fellow.

Percy just sighed and began walking ahead. "Just follow my lead." He said shaking his head.

After a couple minutes the troupe reached the cloak room.

A brunette wood elf sat behind the desk in armoured uniform. "Sorry you cannot enter armed. If you've brought weapons then they must be checked in here."

The group looked at each before shrugging.

Grogg's head chopper was dropped first followed by Naruto's Leviathan axe lodging deep into the table. Percy placed his pepperbox with more care than the axe wielders. Vex then dropped her bow and arrows, at the same time as Keyleth's magic staff. Vax through two of his daggers down. Naruto ruffled through the inside of his kimono and pulled four more kunai, 3 shuriken and custom explosives.

With all their weaponry disarmed and on the table the guard looked at the weapons on the table before his eyes went back to the group before looking down at the weapons again.

"You're this many weapons to a Peace and Security summit?" the guard questioned disbelief in his tone.

"Have you not heard of security?" Naruto said as he pointed at their armaments on display. "Just pass the ticket already." The blonde said not pleased from being away from most of his weapons.

Inside the main hall the Sargent at arms was greeting and announcing all who entered. Music played was soft and beautiful, but it was being performed by a mini orchestra so the Sargent At Arms had to project his voice.

"From Kragghammer! Graven Greyspine!" the Sargent called out.

"From Emon Vox Machina?" this time the Sargent tailed off unsure if who he was addressing.

Scanlan just scoffed. "Is that all you got?" the bard asked before moving not even waiting for a response. "Allow me," he said before clearing his throat. "Vox Machina! Champions of justice, hunters of dragons, destroyers of chastity."

The high society members gasped many unsure to handle such a claim while the people who knew Scanlan looked embarrassed.

Recovering from the bard's statement Percy moved first. "Ok guys let's stick together. Follow my lead for formal greetings and or you know you can do whatever you want." Percy finished as he looked at the backs of everybody as they wandered off leaving him and the blonde.

"For what it's worth Percy, I think you had the right idea just the wrong kind of group." Naruto said offering a small smile before also walking away.

As Naruto left Percy behind, he wove through the throngs of elegantly dressed guests, snippets of conversation reaching his ears. The opulent hall was a sea of shimmering fabrics and glittering jewels, a stark contrast to the battles and adventures that defined his usual days. After several minutes of aimless wandering, he found himself in the shadows of the second floor, near one of the many supporting pillars, where Vax stood, partially concealed.

"What's got you lurking in the dark?" Naruto asked, leaning casually against the opposite side of the pillar.

"I'm not lurking," Vax replied, his eyes fixed on the crowd below.

Following Vax's gaze, Naruto spotted Keyleth, her fiery red hair unmistakable, as she navigated conversations with nobles. Her earnest attempts at diplomacy were evident, and Naruto couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Ah, Keyleth is working on her negotiation skills, I see."

"That's our Kiki, always trying," Vax said with a fond smile, though his eyes remained watchful.

"Still doesn't explain the skulking," Naruto teased, a playful grin spreading across his face.

"I'm not skulking," Vax insisted, scowling slightly. "I thought you said lingering?"

"Nah, lingering is too polite. You're being creepy—hence, skulking," Naruto quipped, enjoying the banter.

"Piss off, brat," Vax retorted, though there was no real heat in his words.

Before Naruto could respond, the herald's voice rang out, echoing through the hall: "From Whitestone! Lord Sylas and Lady Delilah Briarwood!"

Naruto's head snapped to the left, his gaze sweeping past the elegantly dressed newcomers. A familiar sensation prickled at the edge of his awareness—a chakra signature. 'Chakra?' he thought, eyes darting around the room. 'That's impossible.'

"Naruto, come on, we've got to move," Vax urged, breaking Naruto's concentration.

"What's up?" Naruto asked, following Vax's lead.

"Don't know. Sis signalled us over."

Naruto nodded, falling into step with Vax as they joined the others gathered around Vex and Percy.

"It's them," Percy said, his voice tight and his complexion even paler than usual. "I hail from Whitestone. It was my home until those fiends took everything from me." His gaze was fixed on the Briarwoods, a mixture of fear and anger in his eyes.

"What do you want us to do? Should we mention it to Allura or Uriel?" Vax suggested, concern etched on his face.

Naruto glanced around at his companions, noting their shared worry for Percy. 'I'm glad I found this group,' he thought, feeling a swell of camaraderie. "If you want to start something, we've got your back, Percy," Naruto offered, extending a fist for a bump.

Percy managed a small, appreciative smile, returning the gesture. "Thanks for the offer, but we can't go to Uriel. This isn't the first time I've tried to explain my situation to nobility…" He trailed off, frustration evident.

'There it is again,' Naruto thought, sensing another chakra ping nearby. His eyes scanned the room, landing on two busboys struggling with luggage bearing the Briarwood seal. 'Those two have chakra?'

"What if I make myself scarce and slip into their chambers?" Vax proposed.

"I'll disappear about five minutes after you and make sure those two stay far out of your way," Naruto said, nodding toward the servants.

"Sounds like we've got a plan," Scanlan chimed in. "But in case of any trouble, we should have a safe word." He looked to Grog for suggestions.

"Right, the safe word is 'chenga,'" the half-giant declared after a moment's thought.

"Okay, well, my safe word is 'mummy,'" Scanlan added with a grin.

As the group moved together, Vax discreetly broke off, while the rest of Vox Machina encountered Lady Kima and Lady Allura.

"And somehow, you guys look worse every time we see you," Kima jabbed, her tone teasing.

"I don't know about that, Lady Kima," Naruto replied with a cocky smile. "Lady Allura," he said, offering a small bow. "Surely you disagree. We of Vox Machina, minus Scanlan's accessories, look great." He gestured to his fancy kimono and ignoring the wild hey from said bard.

Allura giggled, seemingly amused by Naruto's charm, while Kima's eyes narrowed in mock annoyance.

"Indeed, young Naruto," Allura said with a smile, before frowning slightly. "You're short?"

"Hey, I'm average for a gnome," Scanlan quipped, feigning offense.

"She didn't mean that," Kima interjected, pointing at the groups bard. "Where's Vax?"

"Oh, my bad. Vax, he, erm, has the squirts," Scanlan blurted out, earning wide-eyed stares from his companions.

'I'm glad I didn't leave just yet,' Naruto thought, stifling a laugh.

"I see, how delightful," Allura said, clapping her hands together. "Come along, we'll show you to the seats of Uriel's dragon slayers."

As the group followed Allura, Naruto slipped away unnoticed, his mind already focused on the task ahead. The last thing he heard before disappearing was Grog's voice, whispering with excitement, "Ohh, shit's about to get real."

As Naruto strode past the cloakroom, he raised his left hand without breaking stride. His Leviathan axe responded instantly, ripping itself from its place on the wall with a metallic clang. The sudden movement sent cloaks fluttering to the ground and knocked over boxes of weapons, creating a cacophony of noise.

"Hey, I need your ticket!" the guard shouted, but by the time he poked his head out of the booth, the cerulean-clad blonde had vanished in a blur of speed, leaving the guard with a single thought as his hair was blown back by the rush of air. 'Fast!'

Naruto moved with purpose, his senses honed and alert as he navigated the corridors of the castle. The guard detail was sparse around the servants' quarters, a fact that did not escape his notice. 'This is where I felt those pings,' he thought, his mind racing as he descended the winding stairwell that led into the depths of the castle.

The stairwell was dimly lit, the flickering torches casting long shadows that danced along the stone walls. Naruto's footsteps were silent, his training as a ninja allowing him to move with stealth and precision. He could feel the familiar thrum of chakra in the air, an energy that was both comforting and unsettling in this foreign world.

As he reached the bottom of the stairwell, Naruto paused, his eyes scanning the dimly lit corridor ahead. The air was cooler here, the stone walls echoing with distant sounds of movement. He closed his eyes for a moment, focusing on the chakra signatures he had sensed earlier. They were close, just beyond the next turn outside, nearby.

'Whoever they are, they're not ordinary servants,' he mused, gripping the handle of his axe more tightly. The thought of encountering others with chakra in this world was both intriguing and alarming. It meant he wasn't alone, but it also meant potential danger.

As Naruto moved through the dimly lit corridors of the servants' quarters, an unsettling silence enveloped him. The halls were eerily empty, devoid of the usual bustle of staff. 'Calm down,' Naruto reassured himself, 'They're all busy serving upstairs.' Despite his reasoning, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease. He pulled a hidden kunai from the band of his trousers, its familiar weight offering a small comfort.

His mind flashed back to the banquet hall, to the moment when he had first sensed the chakra pings. The presence of the Briarwoods and the mysterious energy had set him on edge. Now, as he stood on the brink of discovery, anticipation and caution warred within him. 'Time to see what's really going on,' he thought, steeling himself as he pushed through the door leading to the outside world.

"The stables?" Naruto muttered, surprised to find himself under the open night sky, the castle looming above. Before him was a minor collection of servants, some smoking, others chatting quietly during their break. Naruto walked past them, his attention drawn to a young man with dirty brunette hair cut short but unevenly, the young adult or older teenager was leaning against the stable, arms folded across his chest.

"Hello," Naruto greeted, waving as he approached.

The man sneered, attempting to dismiss the teen with a glare.

"Well, that's not very nice," Naruto said, feigning a pout. "All I did was say hello."

The only response was a low growl.

"Well, a growl is better than nothing," Naruto chirped, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the man. A shiver ran up the stranger's spine as Naruto leaned in, placing his hidden kunai up to the beefier man's side discreetly. "Where the hell did you get chakra from?" the blonde whispered, his voice low and dangerous.

"I don't know what you're on about.

The man was scared Naruto could tell.

'But he's also lying,' A voice whispered in the back of Naruto's own.

"Devon, the last of the luggage has been dropped off upstairs," a shaky voice called from within the barn. A skinnier, ashy blonde young man walked from around the side of the stables.

Both Naruto and Devon turned to the newcomer, eyeing the broch on his lapel.

"You work for the Briarwoods?" Naruto asked, addressing both the scrawnier one of the two as he recognised the symbol of Whitestone from Percy's jacket.

Devon growled again. "What's it to ya? Huh, punk?"

"Punk, oh, that's original," Naruto rolled his eyes, unimpressed. "Look, right now I don't care about your bosses or whatever, but you have chakra," Naruto accused. "Every time I mention it, you tense up and start shaking, so stop wasting my time."

"I told you; we don't know what you're talking about," Devon snapped, shoving at Naruto. The blonde sidestepped easily, letting the man trip over his own momentum.

Naruto turned to the smaller man. "Shall we try again?" he asked, his tone calm yet firm. A growl erupted behind him, drawing his attention.

A shadow loomed, enveloping both Naruto and the blonde man. 'What the fuuuu—' Naruto's thought trailed off as he turned to see Devon transforming. His body twisted and bulged, skin shifting from pale white to a greyish beige. His eyes darkened, sclera turning black, pupils narrowing into snake-like slits. His face elongated, forming a canine snout.

"This chakra is like those damned curse marks," Naruto muttered, recognizing the sickly energy. The small group of servants nearby had collapsed, overwhelmed by the oppressive aura Devon emitted.

"You ask too many questions," Devon growled, his voice a guttural snarl.

"It's kinda my thing, sorry if it ain't working for ya," Naruto quipped, as he noted the retreating form of the other in blackwood's employ further into the stable. 'Well, at least this won't be a two-on-one,' he thought, taking a stance. "I don't know if the Briarwoods are messing with similar magics or if he's back and in this world," Naruto said, referring to a familiar enemy. "But I do know this: I'm about to beat your ass," he declared, summoning his axe to his palm with a confident smirk. "And you're going to tell me everything I want to know."

Devon roared, the force of his breath ruffling Naruto's hair.

'Interesting breath,' Naruto mused, crouching low. "Let's get active." With that, he leapt forward, meeting the cursed mark user's charge head-on.

Axe edge met hardened flesh. Sparks flew, illuminating the night briefly with their clash.

At the same time as the meeting of mystic axe, against supernatural claws. Desert was being served in the main banquet hall.

"Tell me," Delilah spoke up, to confirm her suspicions "Have ever heard how we became caretakers of Whitestone."

There was an uncomfortable silence on Vox Machina's end.

"The official story is that city was administered by the De'Rolo family till all succumbed to a rare illness and died with no heirs." Delilah paused allowing emotions to stew as she told her story. "But I'm afraid the truth is, we created that tale to protect their legacy."

A wine glass smashed in the young man's grasp.

The woman smirked condescendingly at the realm's champions. "But the truth and sad reality is that the De'Rolo's abdicated the seat. The family grew bored of ruling and after the spoiled children raided the treasury they abandoned and left their people to rot."

The reaction was immediate.

"LIARS!" Percy shouted as he stood slamming his bloody fist into the table beneath him. The only Whitestone native at the table seethed and shook in rage. His wrath was almost palpable.

The room went silent for all watched and waited.

The sovereign frowned at the scene.

Lady Kima rolled her eyes while Allura held her head in hand.

'We were at desert, so close without incident.' Allura thought to herself.

"Thank you Sovereign Uriel, but I think we will retire for the night." Sylas suggested as he folded up his napkin and placed his cutlery down his desert almost untouched.

"It was a lovely dinner," Delilah spoke up as she stood from her seat. "We especially enjoyed the company, so refined." She finished with perfectly polite sarcasm as she left the room with her husband.

The room returned their stares toward Vox Machina, mainly Percy but still.

"Would you excuse us for but a moment." Vex'ahlia spoke up and dragged Percy away to another entrance alongside the rest of the troupe.

"Pike please heal his hand. And Percy remembers our little talk about emotions and expressing yourself." Vex'ahlia started as Percy began to pace. "Well clearly we need to cover a time and place."

Pike just nodded and went remove the bloody glove.

"You don't understand." Percy grumbled as he slowed his pacing as he felt the healing touch of Pike push out the splinters and shards of glass while his trigger hand healed over.

"Then help us understand," Pike offered as she held his hand after it had finished healing.

Percy took a deep breath before looking at his party. "The Briarwoods, they murdered my entire family."

A look of shock and concern passed over each of the Vox Machina members faces at hearing such information for the very first time, even Grog.

Vax'ildan was closing the trunk he had found, as he strained to hear the muffled voices getting closer to the bedroom chambers he currently occupied.

"But finding the boy was unexpected. Our circumstances have changed. I'll summon those two to ready the horses," a voice said, dripping with authority and urgency.

A flicker of arcane light danced beneath the door, casting eerie shadows across the floor. Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the corridor, extinguishing the fire that had been warming the room. Vax turned, eyeing the extinguished flames with a mix of curiosity and caution. As the embers began to crackle, they erupted into a towering plume of flame, forcing Vax to shield his eyes. In that moment of blindness, two figures materialized behind him.

As his vision adjusted to the relit room, Vax'ildan found himself face-to-face with the Briarwoods. Panic surged through him as he backed away, each step bringing him closer to the roaring fire. "Oh, I beg your pardon, I was just turning down your bed for the night," Vax lied, his voice smooth despite the fear clawing at his insides. With each retreating step, the couple advanced, their predatory grace unnerving.

"Forgot those little mints everyone is so fond of," he added, attempting to lighten the mood with a forced smile.

The Briarwoods exchanged a knowing glance, their silence more menacing than words. Vax's hand instinctively reached for his daggers, only to remember they were left in the cloakroom. 'Shit!' he cursed inwardly, feeling the weight of his predicament. "Oh gosh, what a handsome couple," he tried again, his voice tinged with desperation. "Lost my train of thought."

The couple's eyes met again, a silent communication passing between them. 'I wouldn't buy this if I were them,' Vax thought, realizing the futility of his attempts. 'Fuck it,' he decided, making a bold move to slip past them. But Sylas was quicker, his grip like iron as he seized Vax's shirt, pulling him close.

Lord Briarwood stood unmoving, his eyes glowing with a hypnotic allure. The golden light reflected in Vax's own eyes, ensnaring him in a web of submission. Delilah watched from the bed, amusement playing across her features as her husband circled their captive.

"A curious one, are you?" Sylas whispered, his voice a velvet caress as he leaned over Vax's shoulder. "And you do look delicious." With a chilling smile, he revealed his fangs, sinking them into Vax's neck with a swift, practiced motion.

Pain exploded through Vax's senses, snapping him out of the glamour that had held him captive. With a surge of adrenaline, he threw an elbow, missing Sylas but using the momentum to propel himself across the room. Now, with the Briarwoods between him and the door, Vax had only one option—a window at his back.

Groaning weakly, he felt the blood loss sapping his strength, the mental strain of breaking the glamour leaving him dizzy. "There is no way out, my friend," Sylas purred, his words sweet yet hollow.

Vax chose the only escape left, diving through the third-story window. Glass shattered around him as he plummeted toward the pond below. His last words, a desperate whisper, escaped his lips before he hit the water's surface:

"Chenga…" Vax'ildan whispered exhaustion overcoming his entire body as he bled.

Vax'ildan was not having the best of evenings. Blood mixed with water, pooling beneath him as he lay gasping for breath. Sylas stalked closer, a cruel smile spreading across his face.

"Look at you, all cut up and bleeding everywhere," the vampire taunted, his voice dripping with malice.

Vax's eyes darted down to the largest shard of glass he could find. Ignoring the pain, he gripped it tightly and swung with all his might. But Sylas was too fast, effortlessly weaving around the desperate slashes as if they were child's play. The vampire's smirk widened as he slashed back with his claws, tearing four deep gashes across Vax's abdomen. Before Vax could react, Sylas clamped his hand around the elf's throat and lifted him off the ground, squeezing with cold, unyielding strength.

"There's no escape tonight, my friend," Sylas hissed, his fangs gleaming. His ears twitched as a sudden blur crashed into the pond nearby, sending a spray of water and dust into the air. Sylas's eyes narrowed, scanning the disturbance just as a metallic chain whistled from another direction, nearly impaling the lord of Whitestone, the blackened chain pirece ground beside his feet.

Eyes wide, Sylas traced the chain back to its source—an axe swinging dangerously close. He was forced to drop Vax to avoid losing a limb. As the axe embedded itself into the ground, the water froze instantly, locking the vampire's legs in ice. Vax crashed onto the now-frozen surface, groaning in agony.

"Oi! Bastard, let go of my friend!" a voice shouted. From the shadows, a blonde figure yanked himself overusing the slackened chain, landing between Sylas and the injured rogue.

Sylas's grin grew wider. With a mere flex, he shattered the ice trapping his legs, his eyes burning with hunger as he studied his new challenger. The blonde fighter wasted no time, lashing out with a flurry of powerful kicks. Sylas deflected the first few strikes, but the sheer force sent him skidding across the ice.

Naruto landed in a defensive stance; his eyes locked on Sylas. Meanwhile, Delilah Briarwood floated down from the ruined room above, her gaze flickering between the blonde and the third figure now lying motionless in the water. Her lips curled into a slight smile. "One of his pets… disposable," she mused, recognizing the dead man in her husband's colours.

Naruto's voice cut through the tension. "Your lackey couldn't answer my questions," he growled. "And since he was under your employ, Briarwoods," he shot a quick glance at Delilah before focusing on Sylas, "I'll ask you the same thing: why did he have chakra?"

Sylas's smirk turned feral. "Chakra? You'll find no answers in your grave, boy." The vampire's form blurred as he lunged forward. But Naruto was ready, sidestepping the rush and driving a brutal kick into Sylas's knee, forcing the joint to snap backward with a sickening crack.

Sylas's pained snarl echoed across the pond, but the vampire retaliated swiftly, blocking Naruto's follow-up strike and countering with a punch to the gut that sent the air rushing out of Naruto's lungs. "GAUH!" Naruto gasped as the impact left him reeling, his vision swimming.

Sylas chuckled darkly, grabbing the still airborne Naruto by the ankle and hurling him across the ice. The blonde crashed into Vax, sending both teammates sprawling. As Sylas's leg twisted back into place, the crack of resetting bones reverberated in the cold air.

An eagle cried above, momentarily distracting Sylas as it dove towards him. Delilah's eyes flashed with dark energy, and a bolt of magic struck the bird mid-air, sending it crashing into the ground, where it reverted back into Keyleth.

Percy sprinted towards her; his pepperbox already drawn. "SYLAS! DELILAH!" he roared, firing off three shots in quick succession. The Briarwoods raised a shimmering barrier that deflected the bullets with ease.

"Would you look at that, dear," Delilah cooed, amused by the display. "The pup who survived… all grown up."

Vex emerged from cover, her bow drawn and two arrows ready. "Step off, bitch," she snarled, releasing her arrows straight at Delilah.

With a wave of her hand, Delilah caught the arrows mid-air, dark energy swirling around them. "Twigs won't save you," she sneered before sending a blast of arcane energy that sent Vex and Percy flying back.

Grog's roar cut through the chaos as he charged towards Sylas. "No one gets to kill Vax and Naruto but me!"

Naruto staggered to his feet, scanning for incoming attacks. He spotted Pike rushing towards them. "Not me—get Vax!" he shouted, pointing towards his fallen friend.

Pike nodded and diverted her attention to the bleeding rogue. Naruto clapped his hands together, summoning an echo that flickered into existence beside her, ready to guard while she healed.

The real Naruto sprinted back towards the melee as Grog swung his axe with reckless abandon. Sylas dodged and weaved with inhuman grace, mocking them all with every effortless sidestep. "These are Emon's protectors? Protectors of the realm?" he jeered as he prepared a counterattack.

Sylas launched a fist aimed at Grog's jaw, but Naruto intercepted, kicking the vampire's arm upward and following with a double-footed stomp to the chest that sent Sylas skidding across the ice.

"Impressive," Sylas muttered before a thunderous crack split the air. Percy's shot struck true, blowing a gaping hole in Sylas's side. The vampire's sneer wavered, and Grog whooped in triumph.

"Don't celebrate yet!" Naruto warned. "He heals."

"What?" Percy blinked in disbelief as Sylas's wound knitted itself back together in seconds.

"Turned his knee backward earlier, and here he is, still dancing," Naruto muttered, gripping his axe tighter.

"oh shit… that's bad," Pike called out as she stabilized Vax's injuries.

Sylas's laughter echoed ominously as he conjured a black, crooked sword in his hand. "My blade thirsts."

The vampire surged forward, too fast for most to track. The ice cracked beneath his feet as he darted past Naruto and Grog, aiming a lethal strike at Percy.

"Crap!" Percy yelped as his gun was knocked from his hand.

"You're mine!" Sylas snarled, swinging the cursed blade down, but Grog intercepted, blocking the strike just in time.

"Aww, you have a sword… that's cute," Grog taunted, pushing Sylas back.

Naruto leapt in from behind, his axe swinging down with all his strength. Sylas turned to mist, evading both blows, and reformed behind the shorter of the par, claws wrapping around the young Uzumaki's neck. "Drop your weapon, brute, and kneel before your superior," Sylas commanded with an icy authority.

Grog swung his axe with reckless intent, uncaring that Naruto was in the way.

'He'd really kill an ally to take me out?' Sylas thought, caught off-guard. But just as the axe neared, Naruto smirked, and in a puff of smoke, he was gone—replaced by an echo that took the full brunt of Grog's swing.

Sylas dropped the shattered echo just in time to sidestep Grog's wild strike. Back near Pike, the real Naruto reappeared in a cloud of smoke, wincing at the feedback from his echo's destruction.

"Ever get bisected before exploding?" Naruto groaned as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Pike shook her head, still focused on healing Vax. "Can't say I have."

"Well, I just did," Naruto grumbled, before charging back into the fray.

By the time he reached the battlefield, Grog was back on the offensive, roaring with each swing. But Sylas was too fast, too nimble dancing in-between Grogs strikes and for every miss the goliath paid three times that.

Naruto jumped in to assist, clashing with Sylas's blade, blocking a lethal strike aimed at Grog.

He noticed something sinister—the vampire's blade was absorbing the blood from Grog's wounds. "A blood drinker…" Naruto muttered grimly as the sword grew looking even more dangerous looking.

Naruto dived in, icy runes flaring to life as his axe head began frosting over. "I don't care how big your sword gets," he snarled, skidding into a low sweep aimed at Sylas's ankles with the Leviathan Axe. The vampire lord's instincts kicked in, forcing him to leap over the strike despite not needing to.

As Sylas soared, Naruto seized the opportunity and hurled the lone kunai he'd kept since arriving. The blade whizzed through the air, nicking Sylas's ear as he barely dodged. The vampire lord's eyes blazed with fury as he landed. His boot came crashing down onto Naruto's head with brutal force, smashing the blonde's skull into the marble floor with a sickening thud.

"Get off him!" Pike shouted, her voice trembling with urgency as she saw Sylas trying to drown Naruto beneath his heel. Her hand shot up, and Grog's battle-axe began to glow with the holy spark of Sarenrae's light.

"Thanks, Pike!" Grog bellowed, charging in and swinging the radiant axe with everything he had. Sylas was forced back, the holy energy searing his undead flesh.

The fight raged with escalating desperation as both sides sought an opening. Even with divine aid, Sylas was a whirlwind—too swift for Grog to lock down. Meanwhile, Pike rushed to Naruto's side, flipping him onto his back.

"Come on, come on!" Pike murmured anxiously, summoning a healing light. Naruto suddenly choked, water sputtering from his mouth as he gasped for air.

"Naruto! You're alive!" Pike exclaimed, relief flooding her voice as she sent more energy toward Grog.

Across the courtyard, untouched by the chaos, Delilah stood watching. Not a hair out of place, she observed the battle with mild amusement. 'Still playing with his food,' she mused, though her eyes narrowed when she spotted Sylas's wounds and the holy aura clinging to Grog's axe.

"Blood and miracles… how revolting," Delilah muttered, her gaze settling on Pike, the source of the holy power. 'A troublesome little halfling,' she thought, before casting a last glance at the downed archer and druid, dismissing them as irrelevant. "Not even worth my time. At least my Lord Husband seems entertained." With a swirl of black and violet arcane energy, she vanished.

Delilah reappeared behind Pike and Naruto, her presence like an icy chill in the air. "This little one is far too much trouble," she sneered, channelling dark magic through the crystal around her neck—a relic imbued with Whitestone's stolen power. "Begone!"

A wave of chaos magic exploded from her hands, tearing across the ground. Naruto's instincts screamed at him—he moved before he even thought, throwing himself between Pike and the incoming blast. The dark energy phased through him harmlessly, but Pike wasn't so lucky. The magic tore into her, cocooning her soul in darkness.

"Pike!" Naruto's eyes widened in horror as he turned to the witch, fury blazing. Crimson aura began to leak from the whiskered teens body swirling around him like a maelstrom of power. The blonde primed a dash towards the witch before he heard Pikes whisper causing him to stay nearby.

"G-Grog…" Pike gasped weakly, her connection to Sarenrae severed. She crumpled, drained and fragile. Naruto looked up just in time to see Grog sent flying by a crushing punch. Sylas had crossed the distance in an instant.

Naruto's heart skipped a beat—few had ever managed to knock Grog down like that. Before he could react, Sylas was upon them, his blade aimed at Pike.

"Your gods won't help you now," Sylas spat, drawing back his sword. His strike was swift and merciless, bolstered by both vampiric power and the strength of a giant.

"Shit!" Naruto cursed, calling his axe back to his hand just in time to block. The dark blade crashed against the frost-covered axe, sending tremors through Naruto's body. The force drove him to a knee, the sheer pressure crushing.

"You brat! Why won't you die properly?" Sylas snarled, his voice full of venom.

"Dunno—maybe a lack of parenting," Naruto wheezed, his breath heavy. Blood trickled down from a deep wound on his shoulder, drawn into Sylas's cursed blade.

"It seems Kraven's Edge has taken a liking to your blood you annoying pissant," Sylas sneered, raising his sword for another strike. "And now it wants more!"

'Oh that makes sense.' Naruto thought as he really hadn't seen this much of his own blood since his last battle with Sasuke almost five years ago.

"Keyleth! Shut the door!" Naruto barked, eyes locked on the druid. As Sylas swung again, Naruto lunged forward, spearing the man ramming into him with everything he had and driving him back.

Keyleth, barely conscious, summoned the last of her strength. A wall of thorny vines erupted from the ground, creating a barrier that separated the Briarwoods from the rest of Vox Machina.

While most of the group took a moment to catch their breath, Naruto refused to stay down. Sylas's knee smashed into his gut, yet the blonde stubbornly clung on, teeth gritted in determination.

It wasn't until Sylas delivered a hammering blow to the back of the blonde's skull did Naruto fall his body slamming into the ground. "Stay down!" Sylas roared, his frustration slipping into something resembling fear. Delilah cast him a concerned glance. "You and that brute—you're cockroaches testing the limits of my patience," he spat, kicking Naruto's limp form into the wall of thorn filled vines.

"Oi! What's happening over there?"

"Someone get the captain!"

Guards' voices rang out as they stormed the courtyard.

Hearing the familiar creak of their carriage, Delilah smiled. "Desmond has arrived," Sylas muttered, recognizing their former servant.

The same blonde wretch Naruto had encountered earlier that night appeared, pulling the reins of the horses to a stop.

"Lady Briarwood! I did what you—gah!" Desmond's words were cut short as Sylas flung him aside, leaping into the driver's seat. "Yes, yes, we know. Now I'll drive—thank you very much."

"Stop them!" Percy's voice echoed from beyond the vine wall, followed by gunshots tearing through the barrier.

Delilah climbed into the carriage, her eyes lingering on Naruto's prone form slumped against the vine wall as he struggled back to his feet. 'What's with that brat made of?' she thought, baffled by his resilience, before catching sight of Percy emerging from the smoke nearby. With a crack of the reins, the carriage bolted into the night.

"Come visit us, Percival," Delilah cackled, her voice fading as they disappeared. "You're always welcome back home!"

Percy snarled firing into the distance until his firearm clicked several times showing that it was out of ammunition to fire.

The five other members of Vox Machina Grog, the twins, Pike and Keyleth followed Percy through the gap battered, bloody and bruised.

Vex looked around only to spot a familiar blonde slumped against the wall of vines next to them. "Naru!" the ranger cried out leaving her brother to be supported by Keyleth as she helped the blonde stay standing.

"Did we win?" Naruto asked in a daze as he slumped forward into the girls embrace as he collapsed from the blunt force trauma he received along with the blood loss.

"I had them." Percy snapped "I had them!" his voice getting louder with wrathful edge to it, causing the rest of the party to look on concerned.

The former noble turned glaring at his party. "And you let them slip away!"

Four of the six gasped at the bite and blame in his tone Naruto was still slipping in and out of consciousness and Pike was clutching at her religious symbol of the Everlight now cracked by dark magic.

'Percy I-I was trying to save Pike,' Keyleth wanted to say but the look in his eyes Percy would not have heard it.

"Everlight no, no please." Pike begged as she clutched her necklace even as the light flickered and faded from her palm.

Over in the distance Desmond groaned as he began to sit up. 'I'm free,' was the first thing he thought as he observed around from the destruction.

"You," Percy growled and began to march over toward the downed man in Briarwood's colours.

' Frederick de Rolo, Johana de Rolo.'

With a quick reload Percy marched over towards the kneeling man and kicked him over onto his back. "Start talking," the gunslinger demanded while taking aim with his pepperbox. "Why were the briarwoods here? What were they after?"

'Julius de Rolo, Vesper de Rolo,'

"T-t-they were invited like you." Desmond answered his voice shaking with every word. "By Sovereign Uriel."

'Whitney de Rolo, Ludwig de Rolo,'

"Sylas and Delilah have never left the confounds of Whitestone before!" Percy's voice seemingly broke in his rage. "Why here!? Why now!?" he aimed the already warm barrel deep into the servant's face, as black smoke seemed to appear form within the gunslinger's clothes.

Desmond had now more words to share he was terrified shaking in his boots.

' Oliver de Rolo, Cassandra de Rolo,'

Percy just reached into his jacket pulling out a raven inspired witchdoctors mask and slipped it over his own face as the smoke became thicker in its potency. "Answer me now!"

On the side Keyleth was covering her mouth afraid of how Percy was acting.

"What the actual fuck?" Vax'ildan asked from Keyleth's shoulder.

Grog's eyes widened as he held his cut up arm.

"What the shit, Percy what are you doing?" Vex called out as she shifted Naruto's weight around to support the boy better as his legs were like jelly.

Naruto's own eyes snapped open; his cool cerulean blues replaced by a smouldering scarlet. 'Is Percy like me?' the blonde looked on unaware of how dire the actual scene was before him.

"Please I'm just a servant I swear," Desmond managed to stammer out as he raised his hands into the air. "They don't tell me anything!" the skinny blonde cried as he leant back. "Please don't hurt me, please."

' Frederick de Rolo, Johana de Rolo, Julius de Rolo, Vesper de Rolo, Whitney de Rolo, Ludwig de Rolo, Oliver de Rolo, Cassandra de Rolo,'

The names of Percy's lost relatives sang in his heart but screamed in his mind as his brilliant brain replayed their deaths, in his mind over and over.

It was too late for anything but this.

Percy pulled the trigger.

The hammer fell.

Bang.

Desmond's digits spread across the courtyard.

"Percy you need to stop this!" Vex'ahlia called out once more.

Desmond was trying to get away, but his legs weren't working, too scared to run and down a workable hand. The servant tried his best to crawl away but even that was at a snail's pace.

Percy stalked over toward his own prey; his own shadow morphed into a demonic shadow beast looking creature. The last living de Rolo stood on the crawling man's leg stomping on him, preventing the man from crawling further.

"You fool, now you soul is forfeit."

"Percy n-," Vex'ahlia tried once more but was stopped by a sudden weight leaving her shoulders. She looked down to see Naruto gone from her grasp.

Percy quickly found his shooting arm aiming at the sky as he fired.

"What do you want Naruto?!" Percy said fighting to remove the blondes grip from him.

Crimson glared at pure white lenses of the mask.

"Not the time, nor the place." Naruto snarled as he refused to let go of Percy's arm fall.

"Halt right there!" A deep and powerful voice called out. Drawing everyone's attention, minus Naruto's and Percy's who were currently in their own battle of wills.

"What is the meaning of this?" Sovereign Uriel's voice rang out through the destroyed courtyard.

Percy took a breath cooling down as the smoke began to recede before he relaxed his gun arm.

Naruto just smiled tiredly as his eyes flickered between red and blue before he promptly passed out where he stood for Percy to catch the younger teen.

"Guards! Arrest Vox Machina!"

The END

A.N

Holy fuck that was an interesting session yeah writing big collab fights sucks ball so much going on so much to keep track of.

they are sick once you get it right but so many things to keep track of makes the job so much harder but then I love big ass fights so my fault oh well.

I don't think the fight scene was my best work but by the time we are fighting at the Ziggeraut it will be alot it will be smooth af.

I basically left out the Vex and Keyleth take on Delilah because really and truly nothing really happened while Grog was on his ones so rejig that shit,

Now while Naruto can box with Grog on the best of days we've what Kraven edge does for Grog he one v one a dragon for a bit so yeah it draining blood anf adding strength of vampire plus a goliath as strong as Grog is yeah Naruto is going night night.

but then again Grog and Naruto are members of the party who can take a beating and keep on ticking.

let me know if i put too much in this chapter because if you think about it last chapter ended we were outside Emon this chapter fucked up some bounty hunters, we made it back to Emon finishing the deal with the Clasp (will be back later in s2), went home and partied, had a birthday, had some dinner fucked up the immediate local area.

Also giving everyone some moments

Naruto and Vex got today's moment

Writing the Percy/Desmond/Naruto ending was deffo my favourite thing to come up with especially the voice Percy is repeating in his head of his family.

Now I ask the question of to you guys what do you think?

the chapter is mainly action do we like the dynamic of Grog and Naruto working together

did we like Sylas vs Naruto

lowkey i just realised i utilised the power of the offscreen/panel for Naruto vs Devon (OC)

But yeah Devon's dead and both Devon and Desmond were marked cursed seals.

clearly Desmond can't or wont use it

Devon could and was supposed to act as a guard for the Briarwoods.

If I haven't made it obvious yet Orochimaru is in this verse alive and experimenting out in the world of Tal'Dorei

I'll make this clearing pairings ain't locked down but its not going to be a harem I love the critical role pairings and if i'm going to ruin one I ain't ruining them all just to give Naruto all the girls.

Alright i'm going to crash y'all

p.s one last thing Thanks for all the feedback on the stat sheet, the next sheet will be coming at the end of season 1 which display new abilites as well and i'll amend the wisdom because some of ya'll make good points.

leave a review as fuels my engine of creation

Stay Chilling Y'all