Archive of Our Own ^beta

When Angels Lose Wings

BY: WolfaMoon

SUMMARY:: Something has always been missing from Percy. After reclaiming Whitestone, The rest of Vox Machina learn what was taken from Percy.

Disclaimer: Don’t Own

^8^ When Angels Lose Wings ^8^

Percy shuddered ever so often. All of Vox Machina thought he was always cold. After all he was only human. But in truth it is much worse. He is not human. The de Rolo line is actually Assimar. One of the few families of them in Exandria. Blessed by the Dawnfather. Cursed by the Briarwoods. Dewinged by Dr. Ripley. Escaped when they thought they were too weak to do anything. Then Cassandra died.

Lost in a world of unknowns. Welcomed to a group a misfits. Drowning in secrets and sorrow.

And his new family knew most of him. Even helping him claim back his birthright.

So he sits in the top spire of Whitestone Castle. Reminiscing on when he first leaped and soared. The wind blows past him.

“I use to escape up here all the time. Too much of a coward to leap. The Briarwoods knew this.” Cassandra voices as she sits next to him on the ledge next to him.

“I stood on a ledge on a mountain once and contemplated the same thing. But if I did, they would win. I would not get my revenge. I’m so glad that I didn’t.” Looking at her.

“Same, I’m glad you came back.” They both nod. A hawk calls from above them. Looking up as he glides on the current.

“I miss flying.” Percy stands up and steps closer to the edge.

“Percy,” Cassandra voices with worry.

“Has your back been feeling heavy?”

“It’s been itchy.”

“Phantom pains,” lifting a leg to hover over the edge.

“Percival!” His foot comes back onto the ledge again.

“I wasn’t going to jump.” He giggles with a nervous edge.

“I wouldn’t blame you.” She stands beside him. “We avenged our family.” Percy looks down to the ground so far away. Breathing deep before looking to Cassandra.

“Whitestone needs it guardians. Even without our,” wings. “We were still blessed by the Dawnfather.” Percy hugs his sister close.

~

“Should we really be snooping around Percy’s castle?” Keyleth voices low to Vax, Vex, and Scanlan.

“Half this stuff is the Briarbitchs. I don’t think Percy would mind us pilfering from them.” Scanlan answers. Vex smiles at this. They did deserve whatever spoils that remained from them. Vax opens a locked door and quickly shuts it.

“Something wrong brother?” Vax places his head against the door and holds the doorknob tight in his hand.

“It’s… It’s a child’s room.” Vax breaths. Slamming into him that yes Percy has a sister again but he still lost other siblings, family. “It’s untouched.”

“So?” Scanlan asks.

“Those our Percy's younger siblings room. I will not violate whatever memories he can have still of his family.” Vax growls at Scanlan. The words hitting the bard hard. It hit all of them hard. Scanlan moves off to the next door. It’s locked. There is a flower on the door. Probably another siblings door. Than there is one that is unlocked at the other end of the hall. Opening he sees the sun streaming through the windows. There are drapes over items in here.

“This one is unlocked and packed with stuff.” They watch Scanlan enter the room. Inside the sees the draped items. Looking not to have been touched in years.

“This is probably still Percy’s family stuff.” Vax voices.

“The Briarwoods probably placed it here.” Vex.

“It’s done protectively.” Keyleth voices. “Probably the staff.” Scanlan looks under drapes and it’s pictures of all over Whitestone. But what catches his attention in the large one leaning against the wall.

“Ah hah. Let’s see what Percival looked like as a kid.” Pulling the sheet off he gawks at the family portrait. “Oh, shit. Guys.”

“What?” They all hurry over and freeze as they look at the image. There is the full family as they once were. Standing proudly. Their wings gleaming in the light captured in the frame. All of them every single de Rolo.

“Percy has wings?” Keyleth voices in shock. Sure they had all bathed before around one another. Recollecting that Percy always kept his back from them.

“Had,” a voice answers from the door. They all turn to see Lady Yennen enter the room. She moves smoothly to look at the family. “I thought this portrait was destroyed.”

“Do you think Percy will want it hanged up somewhere?” Keyleth asks.

“I don’t think they need to be reminded of what once was. They live with those scars everyday.”

“So the Briarwoods took their wings?” Vax asks.

“They took the whole families wings. Dr. Ripley removed them. I had to console Cassandra when they brought her back. Filled with arrows and what stubs they had left of her wings bleeding.” All of them felt bad for their part in talking Percy out of killing Ripley when he had the chance.

“So Percy had wings?” Vex asks.

“This portrait doesn’t do them justice. Each set of wings had a luminescent color to them. His reflected the moon beautifully when he flew.”

“He could actually fly?” Scanlan asks. Yennen smirks.

“Has Percy ever feared high places?” They all recollect. He didn’t. He was the first to go high. Find a nest to look out from. Nodding she sees the words lock into place.

“Can he grow them back?” Keyleth asks.

“I doubt we could reattach them after all this time.” Scanlan voices.

“Have the siblings been to their parents room yet?” Yennen asks with unvoiced concern.

“No we just started exploring.” Snooping, Vax informed her.

“You will need to keep them away from there.” She voices with authority.

“Why? What aren’t you telling us?” Vex voices growing protective of her friend.

“The Briarwoods displayed the wings of all of them in their bedroom. They used them to block out the light in their chamber.” Vax is out of the room like a shot but stops as he sees Percival standing at a door. It’s open and he is just frozen.

“What did you find brother?” Cassandra voices as she closes a door across the hall. Vax flies down the hall to stop her, stop them. Percy enters the room and slams the door shut. “What? Percy?” She goes to bang on the door but Vax stops her. “What’s”

“Is this your parent’s room?” Vax asks.

“It was.” Looking at him in confusion. Her face goes blank. “What did the Briarwoods do to our parents room?” Yennen comes rushing down the hallway.

“Where’s Percy?” She asks accounting for one of the siblings. Vax tries the door but it is locked.

“Inside.” Vax growls trying the door again. Cassandra places a key and turns the lock. They push the door but it won’t budge.

“Percy?” The two call for him. The weight pushes the door closed.

“Damn it de Rolo let us in,” Vax curses. Trying the door again. “Where is Grog when you need him?” The door moves a pinch. “Sister, help me.” Yennen has pulled Cassandra away from the door.

“What is goin on? Why would Percival lock the door?” Looking to Yennen. “What’s inside?” Yennen looks sadly to the door. “Answer me.” She voices getting upset and desperate.

“Your wings.” Scanlan voices.

“Wings? How?” Do you know.

“You’re family portrait.” Keyleth voices. Everything begins to make sense now. Cassandra moves to the door and knocks a certain way. They freeze.

“Percival, it’s Cassandra. Please let me in.”

“No,” is whimpered out.

“I already know what they did. They took pride in the fact of using it to block out the sunlight. Please Percy.” The doorknob moves and the door opens. Percy looks wreaked. Cassandra bowls in hugging her brother.

“They hung them like trophies.” He gasp before sobbing into his sister neck.

“I know. We can bury them in the catacombs. So our family can finally rest peacefully.” Percy growls with anguish. Vex moves in to hug Percy on the side. Looking into the room to see the wings hung like prizes.

“I wish we could bring them back and kill them all over again.” Percy growls.

“Once is enough.” Cassandra consuls.

“I’m going to find Ripley and make her choke on her own blood.”

“Later darling,” Vex runs her hands through his hair. “Let’s leave this room. We can come back later.”

~

Pike comes in to Whitestone being carried by Grog. She has been busy help heal those in need. But as she entered she felt the heavy curtain of something big they missed.

“What’s going on?” She asks as they enter the dinning hall. Percy is absent as well as Vex. Cassandra is drinking wine only and refilling it again.

“Family secrets.” Scanlan voices scraping his fork across the plate.

“What? Is Percy okay?”

“Vex is with him, Pickle.” Vax informs her. He is just moving the food around on his plate. Grog moves them in so Pike can sit. Grog takes a seat beside her and digs in.

“So what did I miss?” Vax looks sadly at his food. Pike looks to Scanlan. Scanlan would tell her. Not missing the glance over at Cassandra. There is a small nod. Cassandra knows that Vox Machina has become family to her brother. A comfort to him. And by the gods he needs them now.

“Percy,” Scanlan sets down his fork to give pike all of his attention and not see Cassandra. Not wanting to see her wince as he relays what they learn. “Percy had wings. The Briarwoods and Ripley, cut them off. The Vampdick hung them in their room like trophies.”

“Percy can’t fly,” Grog voices around food.

“He did.” Cassandra voices low but not as low to not be heard over Grog’s eating.

“So that is why they are painting pictures of him with wings.” Grog voice before drinking his ale. Cassandra looks at them in shock.

“What!?!” Grog Continues.

“Your residents. They are placing murals all over Whitestone.” Cassandra takes a shaky breath. So people remembered their true form. Still believed them guardians. And Percy… Percy the great protector/deliverer. Her hand moves to her shoulder and rub there as if trying to reach for something. A habit they had seen Percy do. Learning now the real reason of that nervous habit.

“Pickle, is there anyway to heal them back on?” Keyleth asks.

“What? The wings still exist?”

“The Briarwoods have them hung in their room.” Scanlan informs.

“I don’t know about healing them back on but if I had known this tidbit, there might be a way.” She hums as she piles food on her plate. Also filling her wine glass. “I never used that spell before on him so it might work. But I’m tapped out and need a long rest man.”

“Do you truly think you can regenerate them back?” Cassandra asks with hope.

“I don’t know. I’m not a great healer but maybe.” Eating a morsel of food. “I don’t want to give hope if I fuck this up.”

“As long as you try, we would be grateful.” Cassandra stands from her chair. “I’m rather tired. Good night and see you tomorrow.” She exits the room. Vax turns to Pike. Pike looks at him.

“You got this Pike. You’re the best cleric there ever was.” Pike blushes at Scanlan’s praise.

“Thank you Scanlan. But this is big and I don’t want to hurt Percy.” Hurt him more than he already has.

“You got this Pickle,” Vax laying a hand on her. “I’m going to take them a plate of food.”

“Don’t tell him, Vax. Not yet.”

“By your command.” Filling up two plates. He moves past kissing her head on the way out.

~

Vax finds Percival’s room. There is a P written very low on the door. Drawn by a child. It hurts to see the life Percival once had. The lost of all of it. Nudging the door open he finds them on the floor.

The room is a nice size. The bed looks comfy as hell. There are gears and workshop tools on a desk by the window. There is a dismantled clock on another. They are covered in dust. Even as a child he was building and fixing things. Vax smile that Percy still retained that. Coming over to the trio. The humanoids relaxing against Trinket. Vex looks up at her brother as he kneels beside them. Percy is resting on Trinket but leaning on Vex.

“You read my mind.”

“Glad to be of service. How is he?” Vax lays a plate on his sisters lap.

“He’s been restless. Just finally his spirit hit a limit. Gather all of this was too much after our adventure.” Vax sits down and maneuvers Percy so he is resting against him. Vex fixes Percy’s hair from his face. Percy takes a deep breath, shudders than relaxes. The twins always stunned how Percy felt safe with them. Took solace in their presence. Consoled his spirit and theirs that they have a family still.

“Don’t worry stubby. We still have him.” She nods to her brother’s wisdom before digging in to her meal.

Vax can just look down at Percy as he rest against him. Looking so young with too old hair. Trinket makes a nose snuffling at Percy’s plate. With a whine Trinket looks up at him. Vax smiles moving the plate closer to the bear so they can eat and still rest against him.

“So what was discussed at dinner?” Vex asks watching her brother just stare at Percy with mixed emotions. Knowing her brother liked the looks of Percy in his own way. Walking a tightrope and able to fall on either side and find companionship. Discovering him in bed once with a male and female lover. Her mind smirks at this as she was shocked at the revelation but not surprised. Whatever made her brother happy. Her feelings for Percy had not gone unnoticed by Vax. She is scared to follow it and than lose it. Only if she was a little courageous to take a leap.

Looking up from her meal she sees both her men asleep and her bear. Content she rest back down. Maneuvering Percy’s arms around her. Resting her head on Percy’s chest. Content with her family.

~

The next day, Scanlan approaches Vax after breakfast.

“So how do you want to do this?”

“Do what Scanlan?”

“Pike’s awake.”

“I know.”

“Well?”

“Well, what?” Scanlan makes a wing flapping motion with his hands. “Cut it out.” Vax slaps his hand away.

“What? You didn’t tell Percy?”

“Would you have?”

“No, but I can sing him to sleep and Pike does her thing than tada. It works, it works. It doesn’t than no disappointment.”

“Do you think he doesn’t want his wings back?” Keyleth comes out to join the conversation. “Well did you ask him?”

“Why ask, when we can do it. SURPRISE.” Scanlan sings.

“I’m not sure he would appreciate the surprise.” Cassandra comes out voicing her 2 copper. “I know we can still feel the phantom of them. Especially those days,” she gulps. Keyleth moves to offer her some support. “But the Percival that I knew is gone. Gone like his wings. But a new set with his new beginning. Maybe… he deserves it. Place him in slumber. He will insist it be me first. So I can be the de Rolo Whitestone needs. But the de Rolo that deserves them back is him. The eldest. It will bring more hope to the visage they are plastering everywhere. My brother deserves them back.” Cassandra voices like a diplomat looking at all the angles for him for the betterment of Whitestone. This is it.

“One song coming up.” Scanlan voices to Vax. “You get Percy.”

“And I’ll get Pike,” Keyleth voices moving off down the hall. Vax looks to Cassandra who is rubbing her shoulders hard.

“If this works,” Vax tries.

“I don’t need hope. I just need my brother to understand his position in this world again.” Vax blinks at her as she walks off. His position? True Percy is part of Vox Machina. But he is also part of something bigger than them. Whitestone is the de Rolo’s. And if Freddy gets his wings back who will he choose. This worries that little boy inside of him fearing being alone. Losing his family.

Moving down the hallway to Percy’s room again, it’s empty.

“Percy!” Looking around for any sign.

“Are you looking for Lord de Rolo?” An older dwarf comes out of the room with all the portraits of the de Rolo.

“Yes, do you know where he is?”

“He’s in the twins room.”

“You worked for the de Rolo’s” The woman nods sadly. “You placed the pictures in there.”

“The old staff did.” Stage whisper, “Right under the Briarwoods noses.” Vax smiles at her cunning.

“So you had hope that the de Rolo’s would return?”

“We all did. Especially with the prophecy.”

“Prophecy?”

“Oh, well you aren’t from here so. It goes something along this: With moon eyes they see the evil. Leaping through dark to climb the tree and bring back the light. With suns dawn and tree bloom the bloodline has returned. Then moon gleamed wings shall fly over us once more.”

“And this is about Percy?”

“Everyone thinks it. And we all believe it is.”

“And what of Lady Cassandra?”

“Oh, the Kestrel. There is one, it say; she sings to those who listen to help bring down the night and call home the lost one. To bring the dawn with his flight.”

“Does Percy know of this?”

“No, but I bet his sister does. She might not tell him to inflate his ego. Sharp as a tack young Percival. Such a rebel for a sister. But that is siblings, pushing each others buttons.” Vax giggles.

“Yeah I know how that goes. So where is he?”

“Probably the platform tower.” She points to alcove at the end of a hallway with stairs leading up.

“Thank you kindly for your time.” Vax moves down the hall and climbs the stairs.

Getting to the top he is breathing hard. Looking out he sees Percy standing on the edge. Curious and wondrous now at what Percival will look like with wings.

“Everyone is looking for you.” Percy nods having heard his heavy breathing.

“You should have taken the platform up.”

“Next time I will do that.”

“So why is everyone looking for me?” Vax steps to stand beside Percy. Looking down from the height to out over Whitestone.

“We need to talk on what are next course of action is going to be. And we need all of Vox Machina together to decide.” Percy sighs heavily. Vax watches as he lifts a leg up looking to step forward but Percy turns to step back in and toward the lift.

“Let’s get this over with.” Percy waits till Vax is beside him to run a finger over a stone and the lift lowers them to the bedroom’s floor. Getting off Vex is leaning out of Percy’s room.

“Oh Percy, I need your help with something.” Percy looks to Vax who just shrugs. Being a gentlemen he moves down the hallway back into his room. Vax hears Scanlan sing gently and a thud. “Scanlan!” Vex shouts at the gnome. Vax hurries to the room.

“He’s asleep isn’t he.”

“Grog, a hand.” Vax gets there in time to see Grog picking Percy up off the floor.

“Over here buddies,” Pike motions to the bed. “Roll him on his stomach.” Cassandra waltz silently up beside Vax.

“You’ll need to remove his shirt.” Vex grabs her knife out and cuts the fabric. They all gasps at the crescent scars on their friend’s back. And other lines of torture there. Cassandra gasps running from the room. Vax watches her runs off but he needs to focus on his friend.

“I’m not sure this is going to work guys.” Pike voices with worry. “I’ve just been studying this.”

“Please try, Pike.” Vex pleas as she moves to sit on the bed. Maneuvering Percy so his head is in her lap.

“Ok, ok. Scanlan, keep singing to keep him under. I don’t know how much this is goin to hurt.” Scanlan takes a post on the settee at the end of the bed. Vax closes the door, locking it. Keyleth kneels while holding one wing in her arms. Grog stands close by with the other. “Alright, here we go. Hold his wings to his back.” Pike’s hands glow as she lays them on Percival's back. Their noble friend shift and moans at her touch and her light digging into him. Whimpering and shifting as the magic sinks in. “Easy Percy, it’s just me, Pike.” Pike begins to really glow. Groaning herself with the effort of the spell. Then Percy is bleeding and whimpering. His fingers clawing into Vex’s legs. It feels like forever but it’s been two minutes. There is movement along Percy's back but it is hard to see through Pike’s glow. “Almost, whoa.” After the third minute has passed. Pike stops glowing. The wings shift under the holders hands. They shudder and try to move away from the unknown touch. The glow of Pike’s healing is fading from the wings. The wings look new and have grown a little more to match it’s mate. They shimmer into a light blue moon glow.

“Everyone back up.” Grog pets before stepping back at Vax’s command. Keyleth does the same jumping back from her post by the wing. The wings lower to display out across the bed. Pike moves slowly to Percy's head. Touching him again to heal any pain he has from this. Scanlan stops singing.

“Holy shit, it worked. Well done, Pike.” She glows under the praise or it might be her magic.

“That’s all I can do for now. We should let him rest. We don’t know how he is going to react to this.” motioning to Grog to lift her up. He does.

“They’re very pretty feathers.”

“Yeah,” she yawns. “We can look at them later, okay?”

“Okay.” Scanlan unlocks the door so they can depart. Keyleth looks down a Percy. A man she considers her best friend. Knowing there was always more to him. And to see him with all his glory and everything he has again. She smiles. Moving she kisses Percy on the forehead. Pushing a little more healing into him.

“I’ll take Trinket for a walk.” The two leave. The remaining look from one another. Vax moves to stand by his sister.

“Did we do the right thing?” Vex asks Vax. Vax nods.

“Percy needed this more than even he knows or would ever admit.” Vex nods running her fingers through Percy’s hair. “Should we wake him up?”

“We should wait to see if it really takes.” Vex wants to touch the wings. But these are sacred and were used to hurt him. Used to desecrate the symbol of the de Rolo’s. “Percy? Darling?”

“Mmm,” he groans shifting a little. The wings shift with him and they brush against her. This sends electricity through them as he quickly escapes from her touch to waver and stand before them. The wings splayed out behind him. “What?” Turning to see the wings out of the corner of his eyes. “What did you do?” His hands reaching out scared to touch what he knew he lost. “Am I dreaming?” Looking to the twins for confirmation.

“You aren’t dreaming darling.”

“How?” The wings droop a little.

“Pike,” Vax informs the royal. “Sorry in advance for what we did. But we were unsure if it would work and we didn’t want to give you false hope.” Percy nods. His hands finally make contact with the wings. He shudders at his own touch. They are so soft.

“I forgot how soft they were.” There is knock at the door which has them all turn. When they look back to Percy the wings are gone.

“What?” Did the spell fail, the twins look for the wings that were once there.

“Who is it?” Percy asks to the door.

“It’s me, Cassandra.” Vax moves getting the door. She enters and looks at her brother. “They told me it worked.”

“It did,” Percy shudders and the wings come into existence again. Cassandra tears up. Percy holds his arms open for her. She moves in hugging her brother. The wing eclipse around them.

“Where did they go?” Vax asks. “How did you hide them?”

“We can make are wings slip into a fey dimensional plane.” The siblings shudder at a memory. Knowing the next question of why they did not do that sooner back then. “We were forced to bring them out by threat of another. And Delilah could rip into the plane and just pull them out. It was better if we did it voluntarily.” Cassandra is crying in her brothers arms.

“I’m so glad it worked. Do you think you can fly?”

“They ache a little.” Percy answers his sister’s question. “I need to stretch them out before I attempt that leap of faith.”

“Our people will be so excited to see you in true form again.” The wings instantly vanish at his sister’s words. Fear of the unknown and out there. Fear of losing what he just gained. Sighing, knowing he is a symbol of hope for his people. And his wings will start a new age for Whitestone. “It doesn't have to be today. Relearn them. I’ll come back later.” It hurts her to see her brother whole. But happy to see her brother whole. With a tad bit of jealousy there. Her wings were not hung as trophies in the Briarwood’s bedchamber. They had torched them after their escape. “I love you brother.”

“I love you too.” Kissing her head. His wings reaching out and touching her cheek quickly before maneuvering behind him.

“They look bigger.”

“They adapted I gather to my older form.” Cassandra nods taking them in. Whatever Delilah magic or their own kept the wings well preserved. Her wings are gone but maybe she can take her mothers or Vesper’s. If Pike is willing to try. Percy sees her thinking. “Do you think our mother’s or Vesper’s would be a suitable replacement?” She smirks at him for reading her mind. She missed this silent communication. His wings flutter.

“What’s wrong?” Cassandra asks. Percy looks hard at her than shakes his head. “No, what is it?”

“I…” He turns from her to step to his bed. Vex moves to stand beside him.

“What is it darling?” Percy looks at her with pain sorrowful filled eyes.

“I can hear them.”

“Hear who?” Vax asks using his keen senses to take in the area. Moving toward the door to see if anyone is there. “There is no one there.” He informs them.

“Who was it?” Cassandra asks eyes focused on her brothers.

“Oliver & Witney.” Percy closes his eyes tight. Cassandra envelops him in a hug. His wings come out and enrapture her in them. The twins share a look. Confused and worried of what they have just done.

“Percy,” the twins look with question at their fighter. Percy straightens his back and the wings vanish from. His lensed eyes look at them. “What is going on? Did something go wrong with the spell?” Percy shakes his head with a puff.

“Each of our line have a special talent, a gift. With mine I can see slightly beyond the veil and see ghost.”

“Most of the time it is a fragment of a memory still alive.” Cassandra voices.

“What was your?” Vax asks.

“I could turn invisible and seem to fly without my wings.” Cassandra spoke proudly. “But if I take Vesper I wonder if I will get hers or mother’s if hers.”

“So you want to get a set attached?” Vex asks. Cassandra nods. She wants to be whole. Be what she was before the nightmare of the Briarwoods. Percy moves to his sister and hugs her.

“Tomorrow.” Cassandra wraps her arms around him tightly.

“Will you fly for me?”

“I…” He looks concerned over his shoulder. It has been so long. They come out again and he flaps them hard. Stepping back he does it again. They are all watching him. He flaps hard. His mind sinking into his instincts of flying. Remembering.

“Wow they work.” Opening his eyes he spies Pike who has entered the room with Grog and Scanlan. They are all looking up at him. He flies higher till he bumps the ceiling.

“I remember these ceiling being higher.” Rubbing his head.

“They are so beautiful.” Scanlan voices. Percy smiles before descending and hovering before touching down. Giggling at the achievement. Spying Pike, he moves in and picks her up. Then he is back in the air with her in his arms.

“Whoa,” Pike exclaims as she is being picked up and lifted up into the air. She grips on to him tight.

“Thank you, Pike.” He kisses her on her cheek. She smiles so wide at this then looks down hugging Percy tighter in fear of the drop. “I’ve got you.”

“So they feel alright?’

“A little tight. I have forgotten how the weight feels.” Then they are lowering to the ground. “I just think I need to exercise them.” Glaring at Cassandra. “Tomorrow.”

There is a knock on the door and the wings vanish.

“Yes?” Percy voices.

“Dinner is about to be served.” A servant voices.

“Oh right that’s what we came to inform you.” Scanlan voices after he shakes his gaze from Percy.

“Let’s eat.”

~

The Next Day after a long rest.

Percy is up in the platform tower pacing. Cassandra is being fitted with their mother’s wings.

“Stop looking so glum.” Turning he sees his eldest sister, Vesper, standing there. Taking a step back toward the edge. “Sorry Percy, I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

“So they send you as ambassador?”

“That was what I was training for.” He huffs stepping toward her.

“It’s good to see you again. Who is all here?”

“The twins as you saw. Mother and father became shattered. Julius broke with their lost. So it’s only been me and the twins. Ludwig vanished in light. So I can only presume the Dawn Father saved him from this limbo.”

“Why are you still here?” Ghost almost always had a purpose for staying. Needing something fulfilled before moving on.

“To watch over Whitestone. To keep an eye on Cassandra.”

“Well Whitestone is once ours again. So what is making you stay?”

“I wish to see one final thing.”

“The twins.” Vesper turns to the pillars.

“Come out you two.” The twins come out to stand with their ghost sister. Percy can feel his emotions winning at seeing them. Tears begin to fill his eyes. To early taken from this mortal coil. Not spared in the violence and wrath of the briarwoods.

“Don’t cry, Percy,” Whitney begs.

“Sorry.” Vesper gasps. Percy looks up at her. “What’s wrong?” Vesper looks straight at Percy.

“Cassandra has my wings.”

“I guess since mother’s spirit is not here a connection could not be made.” Vesper nods at him. “Are you alright that she has them?”

“It’s my last desire.” Her desire to see her family fly over Whitestone once more. Percy shudders as he feels Cassandra call to him.

“Up on the platform.”

The remaining de Rolo’s wait for the last to arrive.

Cassandra come’s up. No longer does she wear her once silver wings. Now she wears Vesper’s purple wings. They stretch out behind her. Vesper sighs contently.

“They look beautiful on her.” Vesper voices.

“They do.” Percy voices as Cassandra steps toward him.

“Who’s here?” Cass asks.

“Vesper and the twins. I gather mothers did not take.”

“I gather she is not here.” Percy shakes his head no. “I understand.” Cassandra moves to the edge of the platform. “You coming?”

“Do you think you should after just getting them attached?”

“Pike is a goddess and a treasure with her talents. I have faith in her.” Cassandra expands the wings. “Keep up.” She leaps from the platform. Her wings spread out catching the updraft to glide up. Than she is flapping and flying to the sun tree. Looking back to see his siblings shimmering. A sign that their desire is being meant. Meaning they would be leaving them.

“I can’t convince you to stay.” Percy looks at them whimsically.

“We’ve stayed long enough,” Whitney voices.

“And we are happy the de Rolo’s will always fly over Whitestone.” Ludwig smiles as he shimmer.

“Go!” Vesper voice. “Fly, show us what we desire.”

Feeling bold Percy keeps his eyes on them as he gets to the edge. Stepping back he falls. The air rushes by him. As he gets closer to the ground he expands his wings catching the current and flapping to reach higher into the air. Soaring around the tower to see his siblings shimmer into dust. Crying, he fiercely flies to catch up to his sister.

The two remaining de Rolo’s fly above Whitestone. People point up at them. Some in awe. Some pulling others to look up at the siblings. Cheers begin to rise from the town. Someone begins to ring the bells of temples. Alerting the town to the Dawnfather’s chosen. To the angels in human flesh. Percy finally seeing the murals on the walls of him with his wings. The art of Vox Machina on others. His sister with the kestrel wings she once wore. Another of them half and half. On the left is Percy on the right is Cassandra. The town cheers.

Cassandra swoops by Percy.

“Let’s give them a show,” she voices through their celestial winged bond. Percy nods flying high into the air. Cassandra knows what he is doing and matches him. They go high before twisting to let the air sweep around them. To fall with gravity. To move fast toward the ground like he had done earlier. Then expanding his wings so they soar over the heads of Whitestone’s people. They cheer. They reach up. But just out of reach. Then flapping till they are hovering over their people. The town grows silent. Murmurs travel in the silence.

“WHITESTONE!” Percy cries out. “With the vanquish of evil we have been blessed with the return of our strength. Never again will we let evil enter it. We will fight. We will always be triumphant. May the Dawnfather bless you all in living a prosperous life.” The people just stare at him in awe. The prophecy of Whitestone is coming true.

“WHITESTONE!” Someone shouts in the crowd. The crowd begins to chant Whitestone. Then there are a few.

“DE ROLO!” Cassandra hovers beside him. They nod before flying back home. There on the platform is Vox Machina and Lady Yennen. Percy does another search for his siblings but they are gone for good with their desire fulfilled. The town cheering below them.

Cassandra moves in and hugs Pike.

“Thank you, thank you.”

“No problem. Happy to help.”

“Yes, thank you, Pike,” Percy voices stepping toward them.

“So they feel alright?”

“Yes they feel fantastic.” Percy preens before shuffling them out of sight. Cassandra rises and tries to do what Percy just did with his wings. They remain. Cassandra begins to look with worry to him. “Relax Cassandra. They will still be accessible. Trust me.” Cassandra takes a deep breath. The fear of hiding them to never have them again. Breathing they fold behind her and pop into the fey realm. Releasing her breath she moves and hugs her brother. “You should of told me about the murals.”

“I didn’t want to inflate you ego.”

“My standards are not what they once were.” He smiles. “Some of them.” He looks to his friends.

“I believe we deserve the right to celebrate. Do you all agree?”

“Bring on the ale!” Grog voices swooping up Pike and heading to the platform. Keyleth moves forward and hugs Percy.

“I’m glad your whole again.” Their foreheads touching. “And I am glad to have you still be my honorary brother.”

“You will always have me by your side.” They release. Keyleth moves to Cassandra and escorts her to the platform.

“This is going to make such a great song.” Scanlan voices waggling his eyes at the twins.

The platform descends leaving the trio alone.

“I don’t know how to thank you enough for what you’ve done. You will always have a home here.”

“We didn’t do it for that,” Vax voices.

“We did it for you,” Vex ensures. They move in and hug him. “And we are never going to let you leave us. We love you.” Vex kisses him and backs up. Percy looks at her in shock before he is being kissed by Vax. This startles him more.

“I don’t think I deserve this. Deserve you two.” Percy looks long at each twin. He has admired both over the years. Wishing but never allowing. The darkness inside of him not letting him have nice things. But looking at them now.

“We are allowed to have pleasurable things.” Vax purrs.

“We do deserve them after all we have done.” Vex grins with the last word. They could have this. They could have what they always wanted. Each other and a home to call their own.

^8^ THE END ^8^