In the seventh episode of Season 3 of "The Legend of Vox Machina," a poignant glimpse into Anna Ripley's past unfolds as mages ruthlessly assault her hometown, stealing their precious residuum supply and claiming her father's life in the brutal raid.
Shifting to the present, Vox Machina is shocked to learn of the massacre in Whitestone, where over 500 souls were lost. Percy, with a keen insight, suspects Anna's timing in revealing Whitestone to Thordak was strategic—a diversion for a devastating residuum raid. A clue left behind, a rare rock belonging to Anna, leads them to deduce that she is beckoning them to the Isle of Glintshore.
Meanwhile, Scanlan arrives in Nicodranas to find Kaylie already gone, his timing unfortunately too late. Percy, desiring to confess his relationship with Vex to the group, faces Vex's insistence that their mission should remain their priority. However, their romantic entanglement is already evident to the others, as their affection is more overt than they realize.
Their journey brings them to the Isle, where they discover a mysterious cave. Inside, Percy pours his heart out to Vex, revealing that his desire to share their relationship stems from his deep love for her. Yet, Vex diverts the conversation, unable or unwilling to engage.
As Vex inadvertently trips a wire, guards are alerted, and the tension mounts. Amidst the smoke, she hallucinates her mother's ghostly figure, warning her that love brings destruction. Her vision shifts to Percy being dragged into the depths of the cave, and she is consumed by guilt and despair.
Upon awakening, Percy finds himself face to face with Anna, who reveals that she has subjected his friends to delirium gas. She appeals to him for assistance in rectifying a power surge that periodically disrupts her invention. Anna shares her father's wisdom, emphasizing that while she aims to empower humanity, their choices in wielding that power are their own. She draws a parallel between their lives—mages stripped both their families from them, fostering a relentless thirst for revenge that drew them both to Orthax.
Yet, Percy remains undeceived. He seizes her hand, electrifying her instantly, then launches an assault on the guards before making a daring escape. Anna, undeterred, unleashes Orthax upon him, the creature ravenous for his soul.
In the depths of the forest, Pike searches in vain for the Everlight, just as Zerxus had foretold. She senses Zerxus's hand gripping hers, urging her to place her trust solely in herself and her ancestral blood.
Percy, despite being wounded by gunfire, persists in his unwavering dash to reunite with his friends. He steadfastly refuses once again to collaborate with Anna's sinister scheme, prompting her relentless pursuit.
Meanwhile, Keyleth grapples with harrowing hallucinations. Pike, summoning her inner strength rather than relying on the elusive Everlights, heals her. She extends the same miraculous power to the other members of their group.
Percy, astute as ever, exploits Anna's recurring hourly weakness, orchestrating an explosion that turns the tide against them. Orthax, freed from Anna's possession, exits her body, allowing Percy to approach her. He has had his fill of vengeance. He confronts her, insisting that justice, not retribution, is what they seek, and offers to assist in ridding her of Orthax. With her intellect and will, she could still make a positive impact on the world.
She reaches out for his hand, and for a fleeting moment, it seems as though she might heed his plea. But then, in a shocking betrayal, she fires a bullet into him. He collapses to the ground, his final vision being the sorrowful face of Vex.
Vox Machina rushes to his side, but their efforts come too late. When they discover Percy, his life has already ebbed away. Vex cradles him in her arms, begging him not to abandon her.
