Vox Machina Book 3: Heroes Become Legend

Chapter 15: From Death Silence Follows

Years ago...

It was a quiet night, dark, the moon the only source of light with crickets singing this night.

It was a quiet night.

"Halt. What are you-- Hey!"

A guard warns the intruders before the half-giant knocks him right out, throwing him right through the door, breaking it down as the barbarian stood in the frame.

He steps through, revealing himself in the light as Grog Strongjaw, his battle axe in hand.

He looks around the room and looks back at the door frame "Okay, door's open." he whispers, signaling the others. The ranger and rouge ran through the door.

Followed by the rest of their party, but the Cleric and druid stood guard at the door as the bard, paladin, and witch were right behind them. "All right, which one of these prisoners is the mark?" Vax'ildan questions as the past the cells.

"I told you, cult leader. Big payoff if we bust him out." Scanlan Shorthalt informs as Vax looks down at him.

"Most of these are empty. Did we arrive too late?" Kyria questions, the paladin just rolls his eyes at her. "Why not use that magic of yours that your believe to be more... connected." he retorts.

Kyria just frowns at the paladin, "Stop putting words in my mouth, you big baby." she shouts, Jason Brassfoot just sneers at her. "Oi, get a room you two." the bard whispers and the two just gag at the thought.

"Stow it. Both of you or you'll get us caught." Vex'halia snarls at them in a low tone. They sneer once more before looking away from one another.

But she slows to a halt, seeing one of the cells held person within. Still in one piece. Still alive. And enough to think for himself. She walks back to the cell. "Psst. You there. Happen to be some sort of cultist?" she whispers.

The man within just raises his head, "I beg your pardon?" he questions, wondering if the insanity finally kicked in. Vex's brother joins his side with the others.

"This must be our asehole." Vax spoke as he places his hand at his hip. Kyria steps closer to the bars, trying to peer through the black. "He doesn't look like some cult leader. Like like some beat up hobo." she states.

The man inside just huffs at her words, "If you're looking for the raving mystic, you missed him by two days." he informs, looking over at the deceased corpse beside him.

Kyria follows where his head turned. "Seems confinement didn't agree with his constitution." the man informs.

Both the witch and paladin scrunch their faces at the sight of he dead body. "He failed it horribly too." Jason whispers. The rest of the party joins them as the druid blinks at the sight of the corpse.

"Ooh. Uh, yeah. Gross." Keyleth whispers, shaking her head. Vax just crosses his arms. "Damn it. Guess we can kiss that reward goodbye." he states as Kyria stood to her full height "So why, we just go back, empty handed?" she asks.