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

Pass Through Fire

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

After traveling for the day toward the location where Vax gave them for Osysa's mate, the group was setting up a camp in the harsh snowy region. The wind chilled Athena as she gathered wood for the fire and shelter. 

"And then, whoosh, I was alive again. It really puts life into perspective, you know?" Vex recounted her literally death experience again, "I feel more grown, more mature."

"Eh, you look more mature," Pike said as she brought more wood over. 

"I'm going to take that as a compliment because of how mature I am," she pointed out, "Vax gets it. Right, brother?" 

"Sure. Whole new perspective," he stated as he continued working on the shelter with Percy who gave him a concerned look. His jaw still hurt from the punch he received after their chat. Percy felt an object hit his head releasing a painful grunt. The group looked up to see Keyleth up on the mound above looking off into the distance as the breeze was knocking her wood out of her hand. 

"Uh, Keyleth. Keyleth!" Athena called out, starting her causing her to drop the rest of her sticks. "Is something wrong?" 

"No, nothing," Keyleth answered as she picked them back up and walked down to the group. "It's just, we're so close to Pyrah." 

"Is that where you're from?" Percy asked. 

"No, I'm an Air Ashari. The Fire Ashari live there, guarding the rift to the Fire Plane. It was one of the last places my mom was seen alive on her Aramenté." 

"Oh, Keyleth. I'm so sorry. If we're close to Pyrah, maybe we should go," Pike suggested. 

"I'd like to, but the people of Tal'Dorei are depending on us," Vax said standing up from the shelter. 

"No, y-you're right. It's fine. I didn't mean to... I-I'm gonna go get more wood," Keyleth scurried off away from them. Athena gave a look of worry to Vax who gave a small shrug. Athena understood why Keyleth wanted to go there but Vax was right. The more they wait to deal with the dragons, the more people will die. This was all an unfortunate circumstance. 

"Uh, how long has Grog been gone? Doesn't take that long to pop a squat," Pike questioned as they took a break around the fire. 

"This is Grog we're talking about," Percy stated. 

"I'll go check on him. Here. For the fire," Scanlan threw the broom from Gilmore's to Vex as went off to look for Grog. Vex turned over the broom as she began to inspect it. 

After a while, Scanlan and Grog returned with the latter seemingly satisfied after his crap. Keyleth also returned back to the group relieving Athena's worries but she had a sullen look on her face. 

As night approached, Athena took her usual first watch letting everyone sleep, especially after the previous day's events. She couldn't imagine that she would get much sleep anyways after all that occurred. She kept watch on the outer banks of their now mostly enclosed camp watching the breeze flow through the air through a small opening. Out here, it seemed that everything was at peace. That there was no impending dragon threat. 

She looks back at the group, checking in on them. Their breaths steady with Grog snoring along. Her gaze turned back to Vax who was sleeping upright against the wall and his new armor. The speed and power that it gave him truly was a marvel to her and showed the importance of obtaining these vestiges. However, she kept thinking back to what Erathis spoke to her. 

She knew that he had made some sort of deal with the Raven Queen for his sister. What had he given in to save her? Athena didn't judge or question his decision. She would probably...no she had at that moment offered to do the same.