A Raven's Blessing | Vax'ildan x OC | TLOVM

Scanbo

Warnings: Strong and Sexual Language; Violence, Gore & Death.

"Time to start talking, Percival. The fuck happened back there," Vax sithed. They had just returned to the resistance hideout below the tavern, running away from the blazing inferno that they left the prison. Archie sent the freed rebels out to gather the remaining rebel in the city for the morning. Vax's anger had only grown since they left. He needed to know what the hell was going on. Percy was not himself anymore and was clearly keeping secrets still from them.

"I assure you, I'm in control," Percy calmly stated. Stonefell got what he deserved. What they all deserved.

"Oh, were you in control when you pointed that at her?," He pointed at Athena, "I saw your eyes. You could've killed her." Percy felt guilty for his momentary lapse at the prison. He could never imagine harming any of his friends. While he would never admit it to himself, it did scare him that he got so close. One trigger-pull away.

"The pepperbox is a very potent tool," he explained glancing at Athena with sadness present in his eyes now, "I-I may have gotten carried away, I'm sorry." Percy sat down, trying to gather more words to speak out, to explain why he did it.

"It's okay, Percy. I'm fine-" Athena stepped forward trying to consul him. Vax placed his arm out to stop her from getting closer to him.

"Oh, I swear, if you turn that thing on any of us again," he grabbed Percy by the collar," I will not hesitate. I will kill you." He dropped Percy down, walking away to get some space from him. Athena didn't know what to do, what to say, who to comfort. She felt at a loss right now.

"Percy, holding that weapon, it's like you're a different person. What is it?" Vex asked to help ease the tension while getting to bottom of Percy's recent development. Percy just looked at his pepperbox in silence as everyone waited for his response.

"When we came here, darling, you promised no more lies. You owe us the truth."

"You're right," Percy immediately responded. She honestly was expecting him to deflect the question but was glad he was coming clean.

"The creating of the pepperbox begins five years ago," Percy began to recall. "With my family murdered, I had no way of striking back. So I did the only thing I could. I fled. Washed away to a new life." Percy remembered his escape like it was last week and how he ended up being saved by fishermen after he jumped into the rushing river.

"I feared the de Rolo named was a death sentence so I disappeared. Wandering aimlessly, my days spent struggling for survival. My nights were filled with fear, blood...and cruel nightmares. These unrelenting visions of my family's end. I worried I would go mad from grief. The hatred inside me grew. Vengeance burning hotter than black powder. Nearly consuming me," Percy shuddered at the painful memories.

"Until the new vision came," he held up his pepperbox, "A spawn of science that would bring me the revenge I so desperately sought. I dreamt of a machine that would tip the scales of fortune in my favor. I dreamt of this."

"Yikes, no wonder he's single," Scanlan commented.

"Not the time, Scanlan," Vex sighed.

"Do you normally build death machines you find your dreams?" Vax asked.

"Not the first time I've been inspired," Percy replied honestly, "Does it matter where it came from?"

"At the moment? Yes, I'd say it does."

"Yeah, look, don't get me wrong, that thing's badass. But what are those scribbles for?" Grog asked since he didn't know how to read.

"The monsters I hunt." Percy turned the chamber of the gun with the flick of his thumb, a click for each turn. "Professor Anders, Anna Ripley, the Briarwoods, and until about an hour ago, Kerrion Stonefell," he said remembering what he did.