Without Vox Machina, I couldn't have done any of this.
Nor any of what's to come.
Da fuck just happened?
She took him.
Raishan took Thordak's corpse.
Kiki? Are you okay?
Of course I'm not okay.
She laid a trap for us and we walked right into it.
- Oh, we didn't know. - I knew.
This entire time I've known, but I couldn't convince anyone.
You can't blame yourself for this.
I don't, Vax.
Every time I brought it up,
every time I raised my voice,
I was questioned, doubted, dismissed
by my own team.
Wait.
What are you doing?
Not waiting for anyone else's approval.
Not relying on anyone anymore.
- Keyleth, please-- - Don't. Don't come after me.
Keyleth!
Keyleth was right, you know.
We deluded ourselves.
Convinced each other we could solve any problem if we did it together.
And you disagree?
Before Vox Machina, there was you and me.
And we never left business unfinished.
You want to go after Ripley.
I thought avenging Mother would feel better.
It didn't.
Because I know there's one more wrong to right.
What about the team?
There is no team anymore.
If this is what you want, sister...
I'm with you.
What is happening to us?
So, still nothin'?
His body's healed. But he won't wake up.
Oh. Ooh, you try prayin'?
I... don't know if that will help.
Let me try somethin'.
Scanlan?
Scanlan...?
Hey, Scanlan!
Wake up, you lazy ass! I got booze! And naked ladies!
And naked ladies covered in booze!
Oh, man. Dat always works.
Maybe he doesn't want to wake up?
Buddies, you just might be right.
I got to find Allura.
Don't move until I get back.
Wha...?
Sorry, sorry. It's Pike, hello. You know me.
Sorta. Listen, which room is Kaylie in?
Uh... six.
Thanks, Doc.
I'm her ride.
You're the healer. Why would I be able to do fuck-all?
Because he cares about you. Like, genuinely cares.
I-I've never seen him like this about... anyone.
Except himself.
He's been working on this song.
It's for you.
Yeah? Then how come he never came to see me?
He did. Tried, anyway.
Kaylie, he risked everything to find you.
Look, I've known Scanlan a long time
and we've been through a lot.
Oh. Are the two of you, you know...?
No. God, no. Well, I mean...
Okay, fine, I did, you know, we were gonna try to...
We don't need to talk about that.
You bring something out of him no one else can.
And, I don't know, you might even make him want to live.
Scanlan fucking Shorthalt.
There you go, green friends.
Oh.
Keyleth...
How will I lead the Ashari if I couldn't even get six people...
six friends to listen to me?
Stumbles are a part of growth.
Like Mom's garden.
When she left, I overwatered, underwatered, wilted the whole thing.
But I never tore it out.
The seeds were there, just under the surface,
waiting to be coaxed back to life.
Except I won't get another chance.
None of this matters if I can't find Raishan.
You know something.
Dad. Tell me.
There is an ancient ritual.
It can locate someone over vast distances.
That's exactly what I need. H-How do I use it?
You don't.
The ritual is extremely dangerous, known by only a handful of Earth Ashari.
They will not share it without permission from the Council.
Then you better call a meeting.
Stilben.
Home to the least trustworthy filth in the realm.
You sure about this?
You can't clean up the world without getting dirty.
Then... after you.
Korrin, the Council has gathered. What business did you call us to hear?
Thank you, Uvenda, councilpersons, I--
Actually, I wanted to address you.
I am Keyleth, daughter of--
Why are you not on your Aramenté?
I assure you, we wouldn't have called you here if it wasn't urgent.
At the battle of Emon, I fought alongside brave Fire Ashari,
who gave their lives against Thordak.
We won. At least until Raishan betrayed us.
And I think...
I know it's my duty to stop her.
Which is why I ask you to entrust me
with the Earth Ashari Seeing Ritual.
What?
Absolutely not. You're not ready.
I'm not the same girl you knew when I left.
I've survived the Fey Realm, ridden into the Hells of Despath.
I have passed through fire and become one with it.
You have no idea what Raishan is capable of.
The Ashari have dealt with this same dragon before.
Our elders afflicted her with a corruption that will eventually be her end.
Wait.
We cursed her with that disease? I-I didn't--
There are a great many things you do not know, Keyleth.
You're barely through half your trials.
And now you're asking to, what, skip ahead in your Aramenté
and learn this dangerous rite?
It could kill you.
I can handle it.
Can you? Your mother said the same
and she was never heard from again.
As Ashari, our mission is to guard the rifts.
Raishan may blame us for her condition.
You may have personal animosity with her.
But that cannot supersede your duty, and it does not justify the risk.
The request is denied.
- Dad... - I'm sorry, Keyleth.
I must recuse myself from this decision.
Lousy cheat!
Idiots. You'll attract attention.
Now get out of my sight.
A pepperbox...
This little thing? I picked it up in Darktow.
You chose the wrong door, lad.
Just came to ask where you got that pepperbox.
I could answer... or I could slice your throat.
Don't be trimming another You wouldn't harm
who keeps the cloak. a fellow member of The Clasp.
No beads on your scar. Didn't see your mark.
Suppose we be doves, then. Guess that makes us friends.
- Vex, get off, get off! Sister! - He was about to kill you!
No, he wasn't. He's Clasp.
Apologies. She's a little, uh...
- She can be a bit... - Don't worry about it.
I got a sister, too. Fuckin' love her.
Let's start over, shall we?
Huh?
You'll always be with me.
And one day you'll be ready for your own journey.
You only have to listen.
Hmm.
A ship's been making its way up and down the Lucidian coast,
delivering these weapons.
Flies no flag.
Bears no marks.
Stops here to restock.
Any chance you know when the ship is coming back?
Only docks at night.
Never announced ahead of time.
Then I guess we should get comfortable.
You're on your own now.
I don't mess with these fuckers.
Thank you, friend.
There's no friends among thieves.
Just remember, our debts are paid in blood.
See you on the other side.
May winds watch you all
as you return to your clans.
With the firelight extinguished,
this council is adjourned.
Not yet.
Our business is not complete.
You haven't listened to me.
The council has ruled, Keyleth.
No, you did.
Not them.
I've been told this fight isn't worth the risk.
Warned to be cautious.
To wait out Raishan's disease.
To shut up and stay on my Aramenté.
But that's not leadership.
It's cowardice.
You speak with a confidence you have not earned.
Your mother knew th--
I am not my mother.
My path is my own.
A real leader is willing to give up everything
for what she believes.
That's who I'll be when I sit on this council
as the Voice of the Tempest.
Yes, the Ashari have a duty to our people.
But we also have a duty to Exandria.
Like it or not, we are part of this world.
And I'm ready to fight for it.
I'm ready to die for the people I love.
You can deny me, Headmaster Uvenda.
But I will not leave this arena unless I hear the same
from each council member.
Since this ritual belongs to my people,
our opinion must be considered.
We are Ashari,
but Keyleth is right.
We are also Exandrian.
It's time we started acting like it.
Pa'tice, you have no connection to this dragon.
You won't be able to perform the ritual for her.
Which is why I will teach the girl.
And the rest of you concur?
Thank you for standing up for my daughter.
Hold your thanks, Korrin.
Gaining the council's permission was easy
compared to what lies ahead.
Many have died attempting this rite.
So when do we start?
Still nothing.
We should just go down there and force someone to talk.
Stubby, I know you want to find her.
But we can't lose our heads.
Of course.
Methodical.
How's this?
I'll see if I can pick up some conversation.
You stay put.
Great.
It takes years for Earth Ashari to master their powers.
To draw energy from the ground.
Become one with the soil.
But this place,
a nexus of intersecting arcane ley lines,
will help you access those same abilities.
Strange statues.
The ritual harnesses the nexus's power.
But even here it is difficult to master.
Wait, these were people?
Remember what you possess as an Ashari.
The force of the wind blowing your hair,
the power of the rock under your feet.
Like these ley lines, you are an axis
around which the elements flow.
And as soon as you teach me,
I will use those things.
But I cannot.
Because I already have the ability.
Like a mighty elm sprouting from a single seed,
you must anchor your power
and allow it to grow.
A ship.
Enough waiting.
I am not missing her.
Snap to it!
Huh?
Nasty habit.
Those'll kill you, you know.
Huh?
Well.
Look what we have here.
Eh, your turn to roll.
We caught someone snooping around the docks.
Hurry.
Damn it, Vex.
Connect with the ground.
The stones, the mud, the imperfections.
Like this?
Good.
Now sink in, but slowly.
Lose control,
and you could lose yourself.
That's a calming thought.
I... I sense something bitter.
Yes.
The tether of enmity between you and Raishan.
It courses through the ground like a sickened root.
Follow it through the soil,
through the rock.
Follow it to her.
Headmaster?
I-It's too much.
I can't stay connected.
Hold focus, Keyleth.
No!
No, it's pulling me under! Ah!
Keyleth?
Why can't I do this?
The fuck you doing here?
Nothing.
I was... lost.
Heh. Now you're found.
Sorry, hon.
Anchors aweigh.
Hold it.
Boss told me to do the honors.
Why?
What does she care?
Eh, you want to ask her?
Be my guest.
Interesting.
Where's your hook, Nikolai?
Ah, well.
Can't fault me for trying.
Hey!
No--
The hell were you thinking?
You almost ruined us.
I'm sorry. I--
If I stop, even for a moment,
everything I feel about Percy comes rushing back.
Like I said, I'm with you.
But this only works if you're with me, too.
I know.
And I am.
Oi! Intruders!
Intruders--
Cut the mooring.
Launch the ship!
Well, so much for doing this quietly.
Vex, a little... help!
Shit.
Thanks, sis.
Nature can sense when something is holding you back.
Now try again.
Focus. Reconnect with the soil.
I... won't...
fail!
Is-is that Raishan?
No.
It's something else.
Looks clear.
Welcome aboard.
Ripley.
At your service.
Shit.
Chirp.