007: Run Ya Pockets!
Sneaking back into Emon was easy enough, but the city guard's heightened alertness forced Vox Machina to split up. Percy, Grog, and Scanlan set off to secure transportation, while Vax, Vex, Keyleth, and Naruto took on the task of gathering supplies for their journey.
The sun was just beginning to paint the sky in hues of pink and gold when a shout shattered the dawn's silence. "Get them!" A guard's voice echoed off the narrow alley walls as he caught a glimpse of Keyleth's distinctive red hair and green attire.
In an instant, the group scattered. Naruto and the twins melted into the shadows with practiced ease, their movements fluid and silent. Keyleth, her eyes wide with panic, shimmered and shrunk, her form twisting into that of a small, red squirrel. With quick, darting movements, she scampered up Vex'ahlia's leg and perched on her shoulder, her tiny heart pounding against the ranger's neck.
From his hiding spot in the rafters, Naruto raised a finger to his lips, signalling for silence. Below, three guards thundered through the alley, their armour clanking and boots scraping against the cobblestones. The blonde shinobi's mind raced, 'The twins and I are always better suited for stealth than the others due to our upbringings, I imagine. But Keyleth's quick thinking might have just saved us all.'
As the guards' footsteps faded into the distance, Naruto and the others dropped silently from their hiding spots, landing with catlike grace on the alley floor.
"Let's move to Gilmore's," Vax whispered, his voice barely audible even in the quiet alley. The group moved as one, sticking to the deepening shadows cast by the rising sun, their footsteps silent on the worn cobblestones.
After several tense minutes of ducking behind carts and slipping through narrow passages, they arrived at a small, gated entrance to Gilmore's store's underbelly. Keyleth, still in her squirrel form, leapt from Vex'ahlia's shoulder and squeezed between the bars. Once on the other side, she shimmered back into her elven form, her eyes darting nervously around the dimly lit space.
Naruto, not to be outdone, created an echo next to the druid before switching positions with the doppelganger, leaving it to dispel harmlessly next to the twins. He turned to see Vax and Vex already working in tandem to dislodge the grate, their movements synchronized and efficient.
The squad of four quietly made their way upstairs to the main floor, their eyes adjusting to the gloom as they searched for supplies. The air was thick with the scent of incense and magic, making the hairs on the back of Naruto's neck stand on end.
"Doing the crime is so exciting," Keyleth whispered to herself, her voice a mix of nervousness and exhilaration.
Naruto couldn't help but smile at her innocence. 'The crime? Adorable,' he thought, as he navigated the dark store with far more ease than the others, his shinobi training kicking in.
Their silent exploration was suddenly interrupted by a burst of purple and pink sparks erupting beneath their feet. In an instant, they found themselves trapped in a floating, shimmering magical cube.
"Well, damn," Naruto cursed softly, his mind already racing to find a way out of their predicament.
The lights of the store flickered on one by one, revealing shelves upon shelves of magical items and curiosities. A throat cleared in the darkness, and a familiar voice spoke, laced with amusement.
"Ehem," Gilmore stepped into view, his robes shimmering with barely contained magical energy. His eyes twinkled with mischief as he regarded the trapped group. "You know, crime doesn't pay, but it is entertaining." A smirk played across his lips as he took in the sight of Vox Machina's finest, caught like mice in a trap.
The tension in the room was palpable as the group exchanged glances, wondering how they would talk their way out of this one. Naruto's mind raced, weighing their options and the potential consequences of their actions. As Gilmore's smirk widened, it was clear that this impromptu shopping trip was about to become far more complicated than they had anticipated.
The arcane proprietor of the store snapped his fingers, releasing the group from his magical hold. They landed in a heap, but Vax and Naruto both managed to stay on their feet with feline grace. As Vax helped Keyleth to her feet, Naruto offered a hand to Vex, steadying her as Gilmore sauntered over with a knowing smile.
"We definitely weren't planning on stealing from your store," Keyleth stammered, her voice tinged with panic.
"Of course, that's why you were in my store before opening hours," Gilmore replied coolly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I assume you were going to leave an I.O.U?"
The group exchanged glances, searching for a response, when Naruto stepped forward, extending a small pouch of gold. "Actually, I was going to leave this behind and be on our merry way."
Gilmore appraised the blonde and then the bag of gold, before his gaze swept over the group. "Did I ever tell you you're my favourite group of fugitives?"
"How did you—?" Vax began, puzzled by Gilmore's knowledge of their house arrest, which had only occurred that morning.
"You think your arrest would escape my ears, my handsome half-elf?" Gilmore teased, raising an eyebrow.
"I guess not," Vax conceded with a small smile, the tension easing slightly.
"Now then, have a look for what you need. Vax, come with me and explain your current situation. Tell me what you need." With a snap of his fingers, a ghostly entity rose through the floor, causing Naruto to jump back in surprise.
"Fetch the cobalt pin from the storeroom," Gilmore instructed. The ghost nodded and floated deeper into the shadows, leaving Naruto to wander the store, his eyes drawn to the surplus of health potions. 'Is that an illusion gem? When did they come into stock?' he mused, reaching for the item as he heard Vex drop a bundle of explosive arrowheads on the main counter, where Vax was examining a wooden stake.
Naruto approached, placing three illusion stones next to the arrowheads. "I see you've found the casting gems provided by a new vendor in town," Gilmore bragged, a hint of pride in his voice.
Vax exchanged a knowing look with Naruto, both recognising Lillith's handiwork and recalling their recent excursion.
"Now then, when dealing with vampires, there are four major facts you need to know," Gilmore began, his tone shifting to one of authority. "They can only enter a place they don't own if invited, they cannot cross running water without a path, and while they boast immortality, they can be killed. Direct sunlight, holy water, and divine light are the most effective against a vampire lord like this Sylas seems to be." As he spoke, the ghostly servant returned, clutching a small hairpin.
"Excellent," Gilmore declared, taking the pin and tossing it to Naruto, who fumbled slightly before catching it. "Thank you, Jonathan," he added warmly to the ghost.
"Erm, what is this?" Naruto asked, examining the metallic chopstick-like object.
"It's a hairpin," Gilmore explained, as if that clarified everything. "The rest of your order is still being crafted, but this," he gestured to the pin, "was forged between myself and Sindri, using the adamantine and dragon skull you provided."
Naruto's eyes widened in realisation. 'Is this what I think it is?' he thought, spinning the hairpin between his fingers. In a flash of electricity, the pin transformed into a quarterstaff, its presence commanding attention.
The other members of Vox Machina looked on in awe as Naruto held the quarterstaff. Its dark adamantine sheen bore an obsidian-like luster, adorned with intricate inlays made from the bones of a blue dragon fused with adamantine ore. These inlays formed swirling patterns along the staff, reminiscent of storm clouds and lightning bolts. At either end, the staff crackled with latent energy, occasionally arcing with small sparks of electricity.
Naruto spun the staff, reacquainting himself with the old skill. As he moved through katas and forms, his rough movements gradually smoothed out, the staff whirling around his body with increasing speed and precision.
The room was filled with the hum of electricity and the soft whistle of the cobalt and obsidian staff cutting through the air. Gilmore watched with satisfaction, a proud smile playing on his lips. "A fitting weapon for a warrior of your calibre, Naruto." 'It's reacting to him?' the sorcerer thought as he noted the arcs of electricity coming off each swing.
Naruto nodded, a grin spreading across his face as he felt the power of the staff resonate with his own energy. The weapon pulsed in his hands, not just a tool, but an extension of himself. Its weight felt familiar, like greeting an old friend after years apart.
'Old man Sarutobi, would you be proud?' the blonde thought, his mind drifting back to Konoha, to the towering Hokage monument and the wise, weathered face of the Third. As he went through the katas Jiraiya had shown him on their training trip, memories flooded back, as vivid as if they had happened yesterday.
"Jiraiya-sensei..." a younger Naruto called out, his voice filled with curiosity and a hint of reverence.
The Toad Sage turned, an eyebrow raised in amusement. "Sensei? Not Pervy Sage? This must be serious."
Naruto's face scrunched up in determination. "Could you show me how to use a staff like old man Hokage?"
Jiraiya's eyes softened, a nostalgic smile playing on his lips. "Like Sarutobi-sensei? I mean, I could. It would be easy enough - I took enough beatings from it as a genin." He chuckled, rubbing the back of his head as if feeling phantom pains from long-ago training sessions.
Naruto snapped out of his quick trip down memory lane as he finished his final flourish. The staff moved like liquid lightning in his hands, leaving faint trails of electricity in the air. With a flash of static that made the hairs on everyone's arms stand on end, the staff shrunk back into its hairpin form. "Does she have a name yet?" Naruto questioned his eyes never leaving the weapon.
"No, she doesn't," Gilmore responded before the room fell silent for a moment, the air thick with the residual energy of Naruto's display. Gilmore's eyes sparkled with pride and a hint of mischief, while the rest of Vox Machina looked on with a mixture of awe and anticipation.
"Tempestas Embrace," Naruto declared as he looked up at the group his eyes meeting Keyleth's and Vax's before resting on Vex.
Vex'ahlia was the first to break the silence. "New toys aside," she said, her practical nature asserting itself as she turned back to Gilmore. Her eyes fixed on the bottle of holy water sitting in the palm of his hand, glinting in the shop's magical light. "We will take all the holy water you've got."
Her tone was firm, brooking no argument. The gravity of their mission settled over the group once more, tempering the excitement of new acquisitions with the weight of the challenges that lay ahead.
Gilmore's eyebrows shot up, but his smile never wavered. "All of it? My dear, this is all I have."
Naruto just looked down at the pin in his hands and walked over to the closest mirror and decided to tie up his hair, pulling his longer hair into a small ponytail locked in place with the singular pin tying the hair together. The blonde did notice Keyleth tripping over herself as her fingers got stuck in a child's trap. 'I think it's time we get this party started eh.'
"So, Gilmore for some of your dearest friends how much does this run us up."
"Well, the staff was already prepaid for, so not to worry about that but for everything else." Gilmore flashed a smirked that promised empty purses, and Vox Machina left Gilmores store with only an eighth of what they entered with in terms of gold.
"Come on, slow asses!" Scanlan's voice rang out, a mixture of impatience and mischief. The gnome bard sat proudly in a horse-drawn cart, Grog's massive form dwarfing him as they waited for the others. Percy, his face a mask of concentration, held the reins with a steady hand, keeping the restless horses in check.
Naruto approached, his eyebrows rising in surprise. "Huh, they actually got a decent cart," he muttered, half-expecting to see some cobbled-together disaster given Scanlan and Grog's penchant for chaos.
The cart creaked to a halt as the supply run team began loading their hard-won goods from Gilmore's shop. The air was thick with the scent of leather, horse, and the faint tang of magic that clung to their newly acquired items. Naruto, Keyleth, and Vax'ildan clambered into the back, joining Grog and Scanlan, while Vex'ahlia gracefully took her place up front beside the brooding gunslinger.
Scanlan, unable to contain his pride, piped up with a smirk. "Check it out, we got a good deal on the cart." He paused for dramatic effect, his eyes twinkling. "Practically, literally a steal." The bard's grin widened as he asked, "How did you do?"
Vex'ahlia's response was tinged with exasperation and a hint of admiration. "Let's just say I would hate to see what Gilmore charges his enemies." She settled into her seat, her keen eyes scanning their surroundings for any sign of trouble.
Naruto and Vax exchanged a glance, their shoulders slumping in unison. Vax's voice was a mix of regret and resignation as he explained, "We got some cool shit, but we're broke again. We've got enough gold for one round of drinks, if we're lucky."
"Ohhh," Scanlan winced, his earlier bravado deflating slightly. His gaze dropped to the grimoire in his lap, its ominous presence a stark reminder of the challenges that lay ahead.
As Percy urged the horses forward, the cart lurched into motion. Naruto leaned back against the front of the cart, his eyes closed as he tried to centre himself. To his right, Scanlan and Keyleth huddled over the grimoire, their whispered observations barely audible over the creak of wheels and clop of hooves. Vax, to his left, meticulously went over his newly acquired rogue supplies, each item a potential lifesaver in the right moment.
At the far end of the cart, Grog sat in uncharacteristic silence, his lips moving in what could have been a whispered conversation with Pike or perhaps just the mutterings of a mind preparing for battle. The juxtaposition of the goliath's massive frame and his quiet demeanour added an air of surreal tension to the scene.
The cart trundled on, each bump and jostle a reminder of the uncertain road ahead. The weight of their mission hung heavy in the air, tempered only by the camaraderie that bound this eclectic group together. As they left the relative safety of Emon behind, each member of Vox Machina steeled themselves for the dangers that awaited, their newly acquired gear a small comfort in the face of the unknown.
A few hours passed and the group were making some good time as they left the lush, forested areas of Emon's countryside into the colder north were fog and decay were more rampant in Tal'Dorei.
As the group travelled the fog thickened, only those with the sharpest of eyes could really peer into it.
Even with his darkvision this fog did not allow for him to peer just more than a few yards. 'I may be groggy from my nap but no way is this crap natural.'
"The Briarwoods, are probably in Whitestone by now." Percy grumbled as the horses slowed in the fog.
A bush shook, a shadow moved.
Vex'ahlia noticed both. "Percy stop."
"I'm not that tired." He responded focusing on the road ahead.
"No I mean stop the damn cart, somethings tracking us."
Percy's eyes widened as he pulled on the reins bring the horses to a slow halt.
"Looks like its time to get active Grog, you good to go?" Naruto asked as he got up and stood next to the Goliath at rear of the cart peering out into the wilderness.
Both men drawing their weapons of choice out ready to rumble.
"Does it even need to be asked." Grog responded with a smirk as he gripped his favourite head chopper.
The forest seemed to have its own voice.
"Ergh, what was that?" Scanlan asked as he was spooked by their surroundings.
"I swear to all that is divine if its more ghostly fuckers some is getting a head shoved up their arse." Naruto cursed, he was sick of fighting things he couldn't just punch in the face.
Naruto hopped out of the cart followed by the others. Grog and Vax went straight a few paces while Naruto went to the side. Keyleth stayed behind the goliath and elf her staff at the ready.
"Vex'ahlia!" Naruto called out "I don't like this, its screaming trap."
"Tell me about it." The archer answered from her position near the front of the cart. 'Don't I know it to.' She agreed.
"Awe poor little puppers." Keyleth said as she relaxed.
"Huh?" Naruto said to hearing Keyleth talk, before he sniffed the air. 'Smells like rotten flesh?'
The druid had moved in front of the rogue and barbarian and crouched down low extending her hand. "Are you hurt little guy?" she asked the wimpering shadow as its heavy footsteps drew closer.
With a every step there was a wet spatter, as it came further from the fog.
Blood dripping from its limbs and torn and rotted maw.
The druid screamed as she fell backwards fear taking hold.
"We got company!" Naruto yelled from his side as he spotted several more of these undead canines prowling out of the forests.
Their growls brought forth only the feeling of unease.
"What the fuck are those?" Grog asked the group.
"A gift from Lady Briarwood," Percy responded The List already drawn and cocked.
Towards the front of the carriage the largest of these demon dogs with three glowing eyes growled lowly but loud enough to draw Vex'ahlia's, Scanlan's, and Percy's attention.
Its lower mandible split open as its jaw split apart allowing the beast to release a godforsaken sounding roar that paralyzed the horses.
"What the fu," Vex couldn't even finished her sentence before a prehensile tongue shot from the beast's mouth stretching through the gap between the horses and humanoids targeting the gnome holding the book the undead hounds tongue wrapped around the bard trapping Scanlan and yanking him from the cart only to turn and dash into the heavy fog.
'Shit!' Percy and Vex thought together.
"Scanlan!" Vex'ahlia shouted as she already notched an arrow taking aim as Percy fired his first shot.
Naruto and the rest of Vox Machina quickly backed into the cart as they gave chase.
"There were enough of those things to make a small pack." Naruto commented as he watched the shadows follow along easily keeping pace with their cart. 'And that big one is leaving us in the dust.'
"Hyah!" Percy whipped the reigns with all his might to keep them in the race.
The fog was getting thicker and the roots more wild and twisted.
Naruto turned to Vax. "Keep an eye behind us the ones we saw are chasing us." The blonde warned as he walked up towards the front of the carriage to see if he could help the two driving this thing.
As the blonde stuck his head through the tarp Naruto saw the beast with Scanlan make a massive leap over a ravine of some kind. "Keyleth we need you now!" Naruto called as Keyleth too stuck her head through the tarp.
The girls' eyes widened as she tapped into her mana her eyes and hand glowing green with druidic nature magic and she summoned giant vines large and strong enough to take them over the gap onto the other side, keeping them in eyeline of Scanlan.
"Great job," Naruto praised as cart finally stabilised and had both all wheels on the ground at once.
The route the wolf was leading them seemingly took the out of the forest and around the back of the mountain were there were sheer drops to lead to nothing more but death.
"Scanlan! Hang on!" Keyleth shouted from the side of the cart.
Vex'ahlia took a shot, the first arrow missing the lead wolf by mere inches.
"Come on, Percy faster. Hyah!" the archer shouted over the wind.
The gunslinging noble looked affronted. "This thing was not built for speed, and did you just hyah me?
As the carriage thundered down the road in pursuit of the captured bard, Vex'ahlia's keen eyes locked onto the lead undead hound. Its grotesquely elongated tongue had Scanlan ensnared, the gnome clutching Delilah's grimoire with nothing but sheer determination.
"Percy, hold her steady!" Naruto bellowed, his voice cutting through the cacophony of hoofbeats and creaking wood as he deftly maneuverer from the back to the front seats. Percy's hands tightened on the reins, his knuckles white with tension.
The blonde shinobi cast a quick glance at Vex, who stood poised between him and the gunslinger, her bow drawn taut. "On my mark!" she called, her lithe muscles quivering with anticipation.
The arrow flew from her grasp flying through air with an unexpected precision.
As the arrow drew nearer to the pack leader another elongated tongue struck the arrow.
"Damned mutt," Vex'ahlia bit down on the curse as the tongue retracted to the mouth of the undead hound on the left. The half elven ranger drew and notching a second arrow before taking aim once more.
Naruto's his axe already out his chambered arm sprang forth unleashing his weapon from his grasp. The leviathan sang through air with own unique sound. His cerulean eyes scanned the road ahead, quickly assessing the situation. 'The leader has Scanlan, and the other two are protecting its rear and flank,' he noted, his tactical mind working overtime.
"Now!" Vex cried, loosing another arrow with deadly precision.
In a blur of motion, the undead hound on the right slowed and leapt, attempting to intercept the arrow meant for its leader. But Naruto was faster. His axe whistled through the air, embedding itself deep into the beast's skull with a sickening crunch. The creature froze mid-leap, suspended in an unnatural stillness as frost crept across its form.
Vex's arrow, unimpeded, sailed through the frozen hound's slightly parted jaws, finding its mark in the hide of the lead beast. But to their dismay, the arrow seemed to have little effect. "Shit," Vex hissed, frustration evident in her voice.
Undeterred, Naruto sprang into action. He summoned an echo behind him, gripping its wrist before pivoting with inhuman speed. With a mighty heave, he launched the clone towards the second hound, leaving the frozen beast in his wake.
"We've got company back here!" Vax's warning pierced the air. Vex whirled, loosing another arrow in one fluid motion. The projectile found its mark, burying itself deep in one of the pursuing creature's eye sockets with a wet thud.
The reins cracked once more as Naruto clapped his hands, instantly switching places with his echo. Now airborne above the second hound, he stretched out his left hand. The Leviathan axe tore free from its icy prison, spinning through the air like a deadly buzzsaw before smacking into his waiting palm.
"Sorry, pup," Naruto quipped, his voice tinged with grim determination, "but it's time I send you to meet the abyss once more." In one fluid motion, the trained shinobi swung his axe, the blade cleaving through the beast's neck with terrifying ease. Muscle, sinew, and bone parted like butter as Naruto landed gracefully. The hound's head crashed to the gravel, its body tumbling lifelessly in their wake.
"Scanlan!" Naruto cried out, desperation colouring his voice. An adamantine chain shot from his wrist, snaking through the air towards the last hound. But fate was cruel; the chain fell short, missing the beast's rear leg by mere inches. 'Shit, it's out of range,' Naruto thought, his heart sinking.
An arrow whizzed past, so close it ruffled Naruto's hair. The projectile narrowly missed the final hound, which maintained its iron grip on the struggling Scanlan.
"Naruto!" Vex'ahlia's shout cut through the chaos, drawing the blonde's attention. A quick glance behind confirmed what his ears had already told him their horse-drawn carriage was bearing down on them at breakneck speed.
'Here we go,' Naruto thought, his body instinctively preparing for action. As the carriage closed in, his legs coiled like springs. With explosive power, he launched himself skyward, his body twisting in a graceful backflip that would have made his academy instructors proud.
Time seemed to slow as Naruto sailed over the charging horses, their eyes wild with fear and exertion. He landed on the carriage roof with catlike grace, only to lose his balance at the last second as he tripped over an uneven rung. "Gah!" Naruto let out an undignified yelp as he tumbled onto his backside, the impact causing him to bite down on his tongue.
"You alright darling?" Vex'ahlia called out as she glanced above seeing Naruto's shadow through the tarp above.
"JUSTFINE," Naruto jumbled his response before extending his arm through the tarp ripping a fist sized hole through it, showing the group a thumbs up.
Vex'ahlia smirked before drawing one of the arcana filled explosive arrows and taking aim toward the last undead mutt out in front.
Inside the carriage, chaos reigned as Grog, Vax'ildan, and Keyleth found themselves locked in a desperate struggle against a trio of relentless undead canines. The confined space of the carriage amplified the frenzy, turning it into a claustrophobic nightmare.
"Grog watch out!" Keyleth shouted as she was almost run over and squished by a wrestling Grog. Her eyes blazing with primal energy, summoned thick, thorny vines that erupted from the floorboards. With a fierce gesture, she ensnared one of the beasts, its rotting flesh tearing against the sharp thorns. With a guttural cry, she hurled the creature from the carriage, its howl fading as it tumbled into the darkness behind them.
Grog, the towering goliath, found himself in a precarious wrestling match with another of the undead hounds. The beast's jaw snapped inches from his face, its fetid breath washing over him in nauseating waves. The confined space of the carriage negated Grog's usual advantage with weapons, forcing him into a brutal, primal grapple. His muscles strained against the unnatural strength of the creature, veins bulging as he fought to keep its gnashing teeth at bay.
Vax'ildan, meanwhile, was pinned to the floorboards, his lithe frame struggling under the weight of the third hound as its tentacle like tongue wrapped around his arm drawing the elf's limb closer to its split chinned maw. "Shit!" The rogue cursed as his daggers flashed in the dim light, finding their mark again and again, yet the beast showed no sign of slowing. Each stab that would have felled a living creature seemed to have little effect on this magically enhanced monstrosity. Vax's face contorted with effort and frustration as he fought against the creature's supernatural strength and indifference to pain.
"Vax!" the druid cried in worry as Keyleth turned her attention to his attacker. She tackled the beast from Vax. Her eyes began to glow an intense, otherworldly green as she tapped into the depths of her druidic powers. A low, menacing growl emanated from her throat, growing in volume and ferocity until it seemed to shake the very air around them.
The effect on the undead hound was immediate and startling. Its milky, dead eyes suddenly matched the vibrant green of Keyleth's gaze. The creature's aggressive demeanour melted away, replaced by a whimpering submission as if confronted by an apex predator. It began to back away, its tail tucked between its legs, retreating towards the rear of the wagon.
Grog, seizing the moment, let out a roar of triumph. With a herculean effort, he lifted his grappling partner overhead, its legs flailing uselessly in the air. In one fluid motion, he hurled the beast towards its cowering companion. The two undead hounds collided with a sickening crunch before tumbling out of the carriage in a tangled mass of rotting limbs and snapping jaws.
The trio watched as the creatures hit the ground behind them, their bodies breaking apart on impact and leaving a grisly trail of decay in the carriage's wake. For a moment, the only sounds were the thundering of hooves and the heavy breathing of the companions as they exchanged looks of relief and grim satisfaction.
Atop the thundering carriage, Naruto rose and crouched into a runner's stance, his body resonating with the rhythmic pounding of hooves. The wind whipped through his golden hair, his hair pin the only thing keeping his hair together and out of his face, creating a wild halo around his determined face, a beacon of resolve amidst the chaos.
With a confident smirk, Naruto began to focus, channelling his chakra nature. The air around him shimmered and distorted, as if reality itself was bending to his will. The tarp covering the cart rippled violently, snapping and billowing as though caught in the heart of a tempest, a harbinger of the storm he was about to unleash.
Miniature twisters formed around Naruto's legs, swirling with increasing intensity, their chaotic dance reflecting the turmoil of the battle ahead. His cerulean eyes locked onto Scanlan and the lead undead hound, calculating the distance and speed needed with the precision of a seasoned warrior. In a heartbeat, Naruto vanished from the carriage in an explosive burst of wind, leaving only a whisper of his presence behind.
The world blurred around him as he sprinted, each footfall releasing a powerful gust that propelled him forward at inhuman speeds. To the untrained eye, Naruto was nothing more than a golden streak, a flash of light easily outpacing the galloping horses, a force of nature unleashed.
Within seconds, he was right behind the hound, close enough to reach out and touch the tied-up Scanlan. The Leviathan axe materialized in his hand, its metal gleaming ominously in the moonlight, a weapon of both beauty and destruction. With practiced precision, Naruto swung the weapon, its blade singing through the air as it cleaved through the creature's grotesque, tentacle-like tongue, severing its hold on the bard.
Scanlan fell from the beast's grasp, and Naruto's free arm shot out to catch him. "Gotcha!" he exclaimed, skidding to a halt in a shower of gravel and dust, the impact sending small stones flying like shrapnel.
Naruto glanced down at the bard, who stared back with a mixture of relief and awe. "I've just got no words for any of that," Naruto quipped, setting Scanlan down with a grin. With deft movements, he slashed through the gnome's bindings, freeing him as Scanlan spat out the remnants of the undead tongue, clutching the grimoire to his chest and gasping for air.
"Thanks for the save," Scanlan managed between gulps, his voice shaky but filled with gratitude.
Suddenly, an arrow whistled overhead, followed by the tell-tale sound of metal scraping leather. Naruto's instincts kicked in. He swiftly moved his leg, knocking Scanlan backwards as he swung his axe upwards to meet a shadowy figure emerging from the darkness.
The Leviathan axe clashed with a large zanbato, the impact sending sparks flying into the night air. Naruto found himself locked in combat with an ashen-skinned creature dressed as a simple bandit, its red eyes and fang-like teeth betraying its true nature. 'Vampire?' Naruto thought, memories of Silas flashing through his mind, a chill running down his spine. 'That sword looks familiar to.' The blonde thought as he glanced at the black blade before him. "Looks like the kubikiribocho," Naruto muttered as his axe clashed against the half-serrated edge.
"Our master's would have that grimoire returned. Or face down my Ebon Flow!" the Vampire snarled as he put his weight behind his named blade to overpower the blonde.
Vampires should overpower humans in most cases, but Naruto was not part of the many.
"Interesting blade, you got there." Naruto smirked as he held the larger weapon at bay with his own strength. "Reminds me of something from my home. I think I'll take it off your hands." The whiskered one thought as he already figured who would have the knowledge to make a blade so close in design to one of the seven swords of the mist, in this world. 'Wait a minute did he say we?' the blonde thought.
His eyes widened as a second shadow materialised from the surrounding fog. Forced to disengage from the blade lock, Naruto spun his axe in a fluid flourish, using the flat side to deflect a short sword aimed at Scanlan. The secondary threat was knocked away, and Naruto pivoted back to parry the first vampire's broadsword into the dirt, the clash echoing like thunder.
A wave of nausea washed over Naruto as he stumbled for a moment after deflecting a throwing knife. 'This chakra? The snakes.' "You both reek of that snake," he muttered under his breath.
The short sword-wielding vampire snarled, flashing his fangs. "Lord Orochimaru sends his regards," he hissed, venom dripping from his words.
The broadsword-wielding vampire glanced toward his companion, forcing the roguish vampire to recoil, his mouth closing with a snap. "Keep your mouth shut, Kyron. Just because you're Stonefell's bastard doesn't mean crap to me."
The younger of the two stepped back slightly, fear crossing his features before he schooled his expression. "Of course, Benson."
'So, he is definitely back, and he is 100 percent aiding the Briarwoods. I need to speak with Percy,' Naruto thought as he leapt back into the fray, blocking a new flurry of strikes from both fledgling vampires on either side as they scattered at his approach.
Scanlan looked on, his voice a quiet encouragement. "Come on, Naruto, you got this."
The blonde spun, imitating the movements of a dancer while swinging his weapon, blocking and attacking both enemies simultaneously with experienced grace. 'From the snakes' chakra coming off these two, I should assume they both have curse marks, on top of being vampiric assholes,' he thought as he executed a mikiri counter on Benson. His boot stamped down on the back of zanbato, pinning it into the gravel-like ground.
Naruto smirked before swinging his axe, frost and cold radiating off the weapon. With a burst of physical strength, the vampire leaned back, ripping his zanbato free.
"Huargh!" the vampire yelled as he hopped back a couple of paces, sword in hand. He felt his vision go dark. 'Not dark, tinted… Am I bleeding?' Benson thought, reaching up to his forehead only to feel the large gash Naruto had landed on him.
"Tsk," Naruto clicked his tongue in annoyance as he stayed on the move. 'He moved at the last second,' he thought, focusing his physical chakra and ki into his fists and legs.
The over-eager Kyron hissed as his body began to become enveloped in an active cursed mark chakra.
'I don't think so,' Naruto thought as he dashed in, instantly catching Kyron in the throat with a palm strike, causing the fledgling to halt his transformation as he was sent into a coughing fit. The inexperienced vampire lashed out with a wild swing in retaliation.
Naruto just smirked dodging at the perfect moment leaving an echo behind blocking the wild short sword strike. A millisecond later an arrow ripped through the back of the echo's head piercing deep into the shoulder of the vampire.
'Nice one Vex,' Naruto thought as he wanted to glance back and thank the archer but focused on his enemy, who was staggered by that arrow shot. The blonde then hopped, already rotating his hips to land a 540-roundhouse kick that smashed the vampire away from him and Scanlan.
The sound of the carriage thundered in the background, getting closer and closer. The blonde formulated a plan. "Scanlan, you ready to fly?" Naruto asked discreetly, his voice tense with concentration.
"What?" the bard replied, his eyes wide with alarm as he took in the new threats.
Ignoring Scanlan's confusion, Naruto channelled his power into the axe. The frost rune began to glow, ice crystals forming along the blade's edge. With a mighty swing, he smashed the axe into the ground, causing a burst of permafrost to erupt before them. The vampires hissed and recoiled from the sudden cold their movements stunted by the icy blast.
In one fluid motion, Naruto scooped Scanlan into his arms and leapt backwards, soaring through the air towards the rapidly approaching carriage. The wind rushed past them as they flew, Scanlan's startled yelp lost in the chaos of their daring escape.
Naruto's eyes locked onto the approaching horse-drawn cart, his gaze flicking between Percy and Vex'ahlia. Their mouths moved frantically, shouting something that was lost in the cacophony of wind and hoofbeats.
Scanlan, still clutched in Naruto's arm, squinted at the archer's lips. His eyes widened as he deciphered her warning. 'Look out!' he thought, but before he could voice it, disaster struck. A dark shape hurtled towards them, barely visible in the moonlight. The undead hound, its eyes glowing with unholy light, barrelled into the airborne pair with bone-crushing force.
"What the shit!" Naruto cursed, caught completely off-guard. His planned trajectory shattered, he and Scanlan were sent spinning through the air.
They hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind from their lungs. The grimoire flew from Scanlan's grasp, its pages fluttering open as it skidded across the rocky terrain.
But their ordeal wasn't over. The hound's momentum, combined with their own, sent the unlikely trio tumbling towards the cliff's edge. Naruto's fingers clawed at the ground, desperately seeking purchase, but found only loose gravel.
Time seemed to slow as they reached the precipice. Naruto caught a glimpse of Vex'ahlia's horrified face, her hand outstretched as if she could catch them from afar. Percy was already leaping from the carriage, taking Vex'ahlia with him as the upcoming road had a sharp turn the horses couldn't navigate at such speeds safely, but it was too late.
With a sickening lurch, they plummeted over the edge. The world spun around them as they fell, the undead hound's snarls mixing with Scanlan's panicked shouts and Naruto's determined grunts.
As they plunged into the darkness below, Naruto's mind raced. They were falling fast, with jagged rocks surely waiting at the bottom. He needed a plan, and he needed it now. The lives of both himself and Scanlan hung in the balance, with only seconds to act before they met a grisly end at the foot of the cliff.
The rocky path atop the cliff was littered with the battered forms of Vox Machina, slowly rising to their feet. Their bodies bore the marks of their recent battle—scratches from undead hounds and bruises from their desperate leap from the speeding cart. The acrid smell of smoke and burnt wood wafted up from below, a grim reminder of their lost transportation.
Vex'ahlia and Keyleth were the first to scramble to the cliff's edge, their hearts pounding with fear for their fallen comrades. Vex's voice, usually so controlled, cracked with desperation as she called out, "Naruto! Scanlan!" Her words echoed hauntingly in the vast emptiness below, returning unanswered.
"Shit," Vax cursed, his fist clenched so tight his knuckles turned white. The rogue's face was a mask of anger and grief, his eyes scanning the abyss below for any sign of life.
Keyleth's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock. "They didn't make it," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the wind that whipped around them. The druid's shoulders slumped, the weight of loss settling heavily upon her.
A sombre silence fell over the group as they gazed down into the gorge, the reality of their friends' apparent demise sinking in. Percy's face was stone, his eyes hidden behind the glare on his glasses, while Grog stood unnaturally still, his usual boisterous energy subdued by grief.
Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through their mourning, its melodic tones rising from the depths below. "Rise! Oh, Mighty Scanlan Rise!" The bard's song, equal parts triumphant and ridiculous, drew their attention downward once more.
There, ascending from the mists, was a sight that defied belief. A massive, spectral purple hand, shimmering with arcane energy, bore aloft two figures. Scanlan stood proudly, his pose reminiscent of a conquering hero, while beside him sat Naruto, cross-legged and grinning, his posture a picture of nonchalant victory.
Relief washed over Vox Machina, their faces lighting up with joy and disbelief. As the magical construct drew closer, Scanlan's voice rang out once more, "Hehe. When I die, it will be how the gods intended. Choked to death by a disgruntled pimp."
Vax'ildan, his earlier anguish replaced by a smirk, approached the pair as they touched down. "Careful what you wish for," he quipped, his tone a mixture of relief and amusement.
Naruto chimed in, "I keep telling him the same thing," before dramatically rolling off the hand with exaggerated laziness. As he brushed himself off, he found himself enveloped in Vex'ahlia's embrace, followed swiftly by a punch to the arm that made him yelp. "Ow! You trying to give me a dead arm, woman?"
Vex turned away, her voice thick with emotion poorly disguised as irritation, "Glad you morons survived."
The mood shifted as Naruto mentioned confirmed intel, promising to explain later when they were in a more secure location. The weight of their mission settled back on their shoulders, tempered by the joy of reunion.
Their celebration was short-lived, however, as Vex'ahlia sank to her knees, lamenting the loss of their supplies. Scanlan, ever the optimist, pointed out their remaining holy water, only for fate to cruelly intervene. The sack teetered on the cliff's edge for a heart-stopping moment before plummeting into the abyss.
A collective cry of "No!" echoed across the cliffside as they watched their last resources disappear.
At the gorge's bottom, a grotesque scene unfolded. The undead hound, seemingly indestructible, tore itself free from its mangled lower body. With unholy determination, it hobbled towards the grimoire, snatching it up as two familiar vampires materialized nearby.
Naruto's curse cut through the air, "You have got to be shitting me. Why can't things just stay dead after we kill them?"
Scanlan's response was tinged with weary humour, "You know, I ask myself that question almost every time we fight necromancers or the undead in general."
The group watched, tension palpable, as the beast and its guards paused at the treeline, their stance a silent challenge to Vex'ahlia's drawn bow. After a moment of taut silence, they disappeared into the shadows of the forest.
Percy turned away, his voice bitter and low, "She got what she wanted. Again."
The air of defeat was shattered by Naruto's dramatic cough. With a flourish, he produced Delilah's true grimoire from his coat, revealing his clever switcheroo. The group's spirits lifted once more at this small victory, with Vax offering a congratulatory high-five.
As the adrenaline of their narrow escape began to fade and his warrior blood cooled, the weight of their next move settled upon them. Naruto turned to Percy, his eyes gleaming with determination, "Where to next?"
The group walked away from the wreckage, the remnants of their gear scattered and lost, save for Vax's wooden stake and Naruto's newly acquired weapon. Their transportation was gone, along with the two horses that had been their steadfast companions. The loss weighed heavily on both Keyleth and Naruto, even as they clutched the grimoire, grateful that their party remained intact.
After several hours of walking, they stumbled upon a relatively secluded clearing beneath a natural alcove. The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm glow that filtered through the trees.
"This could shield us from the elements," Percy thought, scanning the area before turning to the group. "We've made good distance today despite the earlier setback. We should rest here tonight."
"Fine by me," Naruto replied, his tone shifting to seriousness. "I've got some important shit to discuss, especially with you, Percy."
Percy raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Hmm? What is it?"
Naruto locked eyes with the last de Rolo, his expression grave. "The Briarwoods. I believe they have someone from my realm in their employ." The gravity of his words hung in the air like a storm cloud, darkening their spirits.
Keyleth's voice trembled with fear. "And he's working for the Briarwoods?"
"If not for them, then definitely with," Naruto confirmed, turning away as he recalled the implications of his revelation. "I didn't even realize I wasn't the only one who landed here until Uriel's dinner party."
Vax leaned back against a rock, processing the information. "So, we have another element to worry about."
Naruto continued his voice steady but filled with urgency. "I have no idea about his current capabilities, but he was part of a world-famous and dangerous trio—the Sannin, the legendary three shinobi. The strongest of a generation." He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. "He marks his followers with a magic seal that bonds a fraction of his soul to theirs, granting them access to corrupted arcana that allows him to influence their minds while offering them twisted power."
As Naruto finished explaining the potential new foe, he walked to the far side of the clearing, clearly not in the most joyous of moods. The others knew that Naruto's past was precious to him, and he rarely brought it up unless absolutely necessary.
Keyleth knelt down, gathering kindling before setting it alight. In her eagerness, she infused the flames with too much energy, causing the twigs to erupt into a towering pillar of fire. Vax'ildan yelped as the flames singed the edges of his cloak.
"Oh my gosh, sorry, sorry, sorry!" Keyleth exclaimed in a flustered panic, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
Vax chuckled lightly, patting out the embers. "You're fine, you're fine, no worries," he said, offering her a warm smile.
"Yeah, no worries," Vex snarked, crossing her arms as she leaned against a nearby tree. "You'll probably get your shit together eventually."
Keyleth laughed awkwardly at the archer's deadpan delivery, the tension easing slightly.
"Oi," Naruto hollered, breaking the light-hearted moment. "If you ain't got anything nice to say..."
Vex huffed and settled down next to Naruto, her demeanour softening.
"You know, green ain't such a good look on you, ya know," he teased, watching as she began to restring her bow.
"I have no idea what you're on about," she retorted, feigning innocence.
"Hmm, sure," Naruto replied, rolling his eyes with a grin.
"Believe what you will, but every beautiful flower has thorns," Vex shot back, her tone laced with an underlying meaning.
Naruto sensed there was more to her words, but fatigue washed over him, dulling his curiosity. "How about we just watch the sunset together?" he suggested, a smile breaking through his weariness. "Now that the fog has magically disappeared."
He chuckled, pulling out the real grimoire and tossing it over to Percy. "This might mean something to you, since she is in Whitestone. Maybe you recognize the designs or something."
As Percy examined the grimoire, his expression shifted to one of concentration, the weight of their mission settling over the group once more.
"Great, three big bads to worry about," Scanlan exclaimed, plopping down next to Grog as he rummaged through their bag of holding. He pulled out a few items of junk before extracting a scroll he had taken from Brimscythe's cave. "Okay, let's see what this baby can do?"
The group settled into their makeshift camp, the crackling fire illuminating their faces as they prepared for the night ahead. Each member of Vox Machina was lost in their thoughts, contemplating the challenges that lay ahead and the bonds that would see them through. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a final burst of colour across the sky, a fleeting reminder of the beauty that still existed amidst the chaos of their journey.
The night had settled in, a blanket of stars twinkling above the makeshift camp of Vox Machina. The group sat around a crackling fire, their bellies full and spirits lifted by Scanlan's melodious voice. The bard's latest composition echoed through the clearing, a not-so-subtle ode to his crush.
"She was a holy, holy gnome," Scanlan crooned, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he strummed the final chord.
Laughter erupted from the group, a welcome respite from the weight of their mission. Vax wiped tears from his eyes, wheezing, "Oh god, Scanlan, you've outdone yourself this time."
Grog, his massive frame silhouetted against the firelight, leaned forward with a gleam in his eye. "I know! How about we share the strangest creature we've ever killed?" His voice brimmed with childlike excitement.
"Ha, that's easy," Vax replied, a smirk playing on his lips. His mind drifted back to a particularly bizarre encounter. "There was this shape-shifting fiend, started as a halfling, then transformed into a scimitar-wielding tiger-like Leonin."
The group leaned in, captivated by Vax's tale. He mimicked the creature's voice, "I will return and find you!"
Knife to the dome.
"Uh huh," Vax responded in a bored tone. "Heard that before."
"And I'm still waiting for this return," Vax finished with a laugh, eliciting chuckles from the others.
"Oh man, that was a good one," Grog nodded appreciatively. "Naruto, how about you?"
The blonde shinobi furrowed his brow in thought. "Hmm, me? Well, there was this one time a giant snake ate me. So, I blew it up from the inside." He pretended to gag, his face scrunching up in disgust. "Have you ever smelled like the inside of a snake for a week? It's gross."
Keyleth, her eyes wide with a mix of horror and fascination, chimed in. "Both of yours were pretty crazy. I think the strangest kill I've ever had would be..." She began with an innocent smile that belied the dark tale to come.
'RARRGHH" An orc wielding a battle axe leapt from its position down onto the unsuspecting elf.
The druid turned around and channelled her magic letting off a gust of powerful wind magic. She wasn't the heir to air ashari for nothing, as her attack knocked the berserk orc into a magma pool. Where he slowly sank and drowned in a pool of lava.
While he screamed. "Shh! Ssh! Ssh! Go to sleep… quiet, quiet." Keyleth tried her best to whisper in moment.
As Keyleth recounted her story of the orc and the magma pool, the group's reactions ranged from shock to awe. Naruto, Vex, and Scanlan exchanged wide-eyed glances, while even the usually composed Vex'ahlia raised an eyebrow. Percy glanced up from the grimoire, his interest piqued.
'Keyleth is terrifying!' Naruto thought, a chill running down his spine as he saw no remorse behind her eyes.
Scanlan broke the stunned silence. "Pretty dark, Keyleth. Didn't know you had it in you."
Grog, seemingly unfazed by Keyleth's tale of magma-induced demise, bounced in his seat. "Oh, my turn!" He launched into his story of the giant termite, his hands gesticulating wildly as he described ripping out its tongue with his teeth.
"Holy fuck, that was brutal," Naruto exclaimed, both impressed and slightly nauseated.
Vex'ahlia nodded approvingly. "He gets points for originality on that one."
Scanlan, never one to be outdone, cleared his throat dramatically. "I think I've got one. Hands down the worst monster I've ever faced." As he delved into his tale of passion and unexpected horror, the group's reactions ranged from disgust to morbid fascination.
It was dark, candles were lit a beautiful woman was having her way with her gnome, Scanlan Shorthalt.
"Wait, wait, wait." Naruto interrupted.
"What?"
"How's that any different?" Vex asked.
"Yeah that sounds pretty normal for you." Vax continued.
"No, no, no I haven't even gotten to the good part yet." The gnome smirked.
"Huh, yes, yes!" the woman cried out in the throes of passion.
Drooled dripped on to the bard's upper chest causing to look up out the woman who appeared to be nearing climax suddenly grow a second head.
"Ergh!" the twins cried out in unison their faces contorted in revulsion.
Keyleth whined, covering her ears, her sheltered upbringing unprepared for such sordid details.
"I need an adult." Naruto whispered to himself.
Grog, usually unflappable, stood up, his face a picture of disgust. "Oh, what the actual fuck, Scanlan?"
The bard, revelling in their reactions, smirked and leaned in conspiratorially. "What? I still finished," he whispered, not quite quietly enough, eliciting a chorus of groans from the group.
As the laughter and disgust subsided, Vax turned to the quietest member of their party. "How about you, Percy? What's the worst monster you've ever faced?"
Percy's response cut through the jovial atmosphere like a knife. "We're about to face them soon. They're in Whitestone." His tone was cold, devoid of the humour that had permeated the night. The group fell silent, the weight of their mission suddenly pressing down on them once more.
Grog, uncomfortable with the sudden shift in mood, cleared his throat. "Buzzkill," he muttered, only to feel a sharp pain in his arm. "Ow!" The goliath looked down to see Naruto, who had somehow managed to give him a dead arm.
Naruto looked up at Grog, a mixture of amusement and admonishment in his eyes. "Pike's not here to do it, so I will. Consider it a reminder not to be a dick."
The tension broke slightly as the group chuckled at Naruto's audacity.
As night settled over the camp, the twins ventured into the shallow parts of the forest, their footsteps barely audible on the leaf-strewn ground. The task of gathering kindling was a welcome distraction from the weight of their impending mission.
Vex'ahlia, her arms laden with a bundle of firewood, broke the comfortable silence. "You know, I keep thinking back to when we left Syngorn." Her voice was soft, tinged with a mixture of nostalgia and old pain.
"Hmm?" Vax glanced at his sister, his own arms full of kindling. "Yeah, well, screw that place," he replied, a hint of bitterness creeping into his tone. "And father. The whole place nearly broke us."
"Nearly," Vex echoed solemnly, her eyes distant with memories. Then, with a small smile, she added, "But it didn't." They continued walking, the forest around them alive with the soft sounds of nocturnal creatures. "Because we stuck together."
The pair paused at the edge of the clearing where their companions rested. The warm glow of the campfire flickered in the distance, casting long shadows across the ground. Vex noticed her brother's gaze lingering on the camp, or perhaps on someone within it.
With a knowing smirk, she bumped her shoulder against his. "We didn't let ourselves get distracted by pretty things," she teased, her voice low and conspiratorial. "Be careful, brother. Those vines have thorns."
Vax offered his sister a small, grateful smile, the bond between them palpable in the quiet moment. "You're imagining things, Stubby," he deflected, but his smile turned mischievous. "While you're worried about me, shouldn't I be concerned about you going after younger men?"
Vex sputtered, caught off guard by her brother's sudden counterattack. "I have no idea what you're on about," she protested, a healthy blush rising to her cheeks. She punched her brother in the chest, perhaps a bit harder than necessary, before striding past him towards the camp.
'Right, sure,' Vax thought, not believing her for a second. He knew his twin's tells all too well. "All seriousness, Stubby," he called out, his voice carrying a note of genuine concern. "You know, sometimes courage is knowing there could be trouble and taking the chance anyway."
Vex'ahlia hesitated, her back to her brother. Her gaze drifted across the camp, lingering longer on Percy and Naruto than the others. The firelight caught the conflicted emotions playing across her face – longing, fear, and something deeper that she wasn't quite ready to name.
After a moment, she shook her head, glancing back at Vax. "So is stupidity," she said simply, but there was a tremor in her voice that belied her casual tone. With that, she walked fully into the clearing, where the rest of Vox Machina was beginning to wind down for the night.
Vax watched his sister go, concern and understanding warring in his eyes. He knew the walls they'd built around their hearts, the defences that had kept them safe for so long. But he also saw the cracks forming, the tentative reaches towards something more. With a sigh, he followed Vex into the camp, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them.
As they re-joined their companions, the atmosphere was thick with unspoken tensions and possibilities. Percy sat apart, tinkering with his weapons, while Naruto chatted quietly with Keyleth. Grog and Scanlan were already snoring softly, oblivious to the emotional undercurrents swirling around them.
The twins exchanged one last meaningful glance before settling into their respective spots. As the fire crackled and the night deepened, each member of Vox Machina was left to their own thoughts, dreams, and fears of what the coming days might bring.
The following day, Vox Machina rose with the sun, their bodies aching from the previous night's rest on the hard forest floor. They set out early, hiking through the dense woods towards Whitestone, the air thick with anticipation and dread.
"Almost home," Percy muttered, his voice barely above a whisper as he recognised the surrounding forests of his childhood. His eyes, usually sharp and calculating, now held a distant, haunted look. "I'd thought I'd never see it again."
Keyleth, ever the empath, offered a kind smile. "What's Whitestone like, Percy?" Her question was gentle, an attempt to draw him out of his brooding thoughts.
"Yeah, what should we expect?" Vex'ahlia chimed in, gracefully stepping over a fallen tree trunk, her keen eyes scanning the forest for any signs of danger.
Percy's face softened slightly, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. "It's beautiful," he began, his voice taking on a wistful tone. "Lush with orchards always in bloom, even during the winter. Thanks to the Suntree." He paused, arms gesticulating wildly as he tried to convey the tree's immense size. "It's said that this tree was planted by the Dawnfather, over 1000 years ago."
The gunslinger's fingers absently traced the button on his coat. "It's even on the family crest here. A symbol of my family's ties to the city." His voice faltered, shame clouding his features as he looked away. "Or at least, it used to be."
Keyleth, her heart aching for her friend, stepped forward, blocking Percy's path. Her green eyes blazed with determination. "We're going to help you get it back."
"All of it," Vax added, his usual sardonic tone replaced by unwavering support.
Naruto, arms behind his head in a deceptively casual pose, chimed in, "Don't look back here all surprised, you goof. Of course, once you have everything you claim, I want a title, mi'lord." Naruto said in his usual laid-back tone.
Grog, in a rare moment of tenderness, placed a comforting hand on Percy's shoulder. The young nobleman managed a small, grateful smile before leading the group towards the forest's edge. 'Thank you, my friends.' "We're here," he announced, his voice a mix of anticipation and dread.
The sight that greeted them was a far cry from Percy's nostalgic descriptions. Gone were the blooming orchards, replaced by a cold, mysterious fog that clung to the town like a shroud. The once-majestic Suntree stood as a skeletal reminder of better days, its branches bare and lifeless.
Percy's shock was palpable, his face a mask of disbelief. 'It has only been five years,' he thought, his mind reeling.
"Percy?" Keyleth's voice was laced with concern.
"What have they done?" Percy whispered, his eyes fixed on the desolate fields and the dying Suntree.
The group quickly made their way down the trail to the city gates, tension mounting with each step. The absence of guards and townspeople at this hour was unsettling.
Naruto, ever vigilant, voiced what they were all thinking. "No guards, no people at this time of day. Percy, are we sure Whitestone ain't a vampire nest?"
"I certainly hope not," the returning heir muttered, his hand instinctively tightening on his pepperbox.
As they ventured deeper into the town, the devastation became more apparent. Destroyed buildings lined the streets, and the few people they encountered were dressed in rags, their faces gaunt with hunger and fear.
"Um, no offense Percy, but your town is creepy as shit," Scanlan muttered, his usual bravado noticeably subdued.
Percy's eyes darted around, searching. "We need to find Keeper Yemmen," he whispered back.
Vex questioned, her bow at the ready, "You sure about her?"
"She can be trusted," Percy responded, determination filling his words.
"If she's even alive after five years," Naruto chimed in as his eyes went over the state of the city. 'It looks like a civil war in this place.' The blonde thought as they ducked into an alleyway to avoid a patrolling guard.
Their conversation was cut short by the sound of heavy footsteps approaching. The group looked up in horror as a massive shadow loomed over them, each thunderous step shaking the ground.
"Uh, b-big thing there. There's a big thing," Scanlan stammered, his face pale.
Naruto, a glint of excitement in his eyes despite the danger, quipped, "Grog, you ever killed a cousin before?" the blonde whispered as he was tempted to draw his axe or even try out his
Before Grog could respond, Vex'ahlia interrupted, her voice urgent. "We need to move. We're not safe here, too exposed out in the open."
The group continued their frantic dash through the town, using the overcast sky to their advantage. As they prepared to cross a main street, Percy suddenly froze, his gun arm falling limply to his side.
"Percy?" Keyleth called out concern etched on her face. "Are you okay?"
Naruto followed Percy's gaze, his eyes widening in shock and anger at the sight before them. There, hanging from the bare branches of the Suntree, were eight bodies – grotesque effigies of Vox Machina and someone dear to Naruto's past back in the Elemental Nations.
Keyleth's voice trembled as she whispered, "It's us."
Percy's voice was hollow as he stated, "The Briarwoods know we've come."
Naruto's eyes flickered between cerulean and crimson, his voice a low growl. "Percy, give me one good reason.
"Naruto is right we should cut them down." Keyleth agreed.
Percy turned away, his voice strained but resolute. "No, both of you stand down. It's obvious the Suntree is being watched. Cutting them down alerts the Briarwoods to our presence if they are not already aware."
Vex'ahlia approached Naruto, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. She watched as he struggled to control his breathing, his eyes finally settling back to their usual blue. "You know, one of these days, you're going to explain that little trick," she said softly.
Naruto offered a grateful smile, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Maybe I will when we get back to Emon. Got to stay focused without bringing up the past."
As the group followed Percy deeper into the heart of Whitestone, the weight of their mission hung heavy in the air. The once-beautiful city now stood as a testament to the Briarwoods' cruelty, and Vox Machina knew that the real battle was only just beginning.
THE END
A.N.
Thats a wrap on chapter 7
We've arrived at Whitestone.
Are heroes have Delilah's grimoire still.
next chapter we shall she the Briarwoods reacting to being punked.
slight changes to arrival in Whitestone.
their will be more targets in Whitestone. than the show depicted.
the new nobles will all be getting got along with some exposing of council members.
O.C villains
Benson- Part of the whitestone guard, and fledgling vampire who serves under Orochimaru and wields a recreation of the Kubikiribōchō based of the Ebony Flow from the Black Myth Wukong game.
Kyron Stonefell- bastard son of Sir Kerrion Stonefell and fledging vampire who serves under Orochimaru
Now I know a few people wanted the claws but I've just never been a huuge fan of them so I'm going with my little twist on the Ruyi Jingu Bang.
how did we find the action? the pacing?
Naruto using Step of the Wind is like him using a shunshin and as he levels higher it change its appearance.
In this world btw Naruto actively trained with Jiraiya over those two years not just rasengan size management and break out of genjutsu.
Next chapter its going to heat up a lot more as we draw ever nearer to the battle of Whitestone.
Oh and before we get into season 2 btw I just want to let people know were going to Kraghammer theres is a monster I want Vox Machina to handle befor the Chroma Conclave...
How will the Tempestas Embrace go up agaisnt the Kusanagi no Tsuchi
Lemme know what you think.
Leave a review as it fuels my engines of creation.
Stay Chilling Y'all