Before the rest of Vox Machina can even process the sight, Lord Sylas and Lady Delilah Briarwood step elegantly through the shattered window frame above. Floating down to the courtyard like twin shadows, their cloaks billow around them with supernatural grace. Sylas casually wipes a smear of Vax's blood from his bottom lip, his pale face twisted into an arrogant smirk as his eyes glow a predatory, hypnotic crimson.

"Vile, sticky-fingered rats," Delilah sneers, her voice cutting through the chilly night air. She extends her pale, ringed fingers, weaving a sickening purple hex that makes the surrounding atmosphere turn freezing cold, instantly rotting the palace grass and wilting the flowers beneath her feet.

Grog roars in a blind, berserk rage, his eyes bloodshot as he charges forward, swinging his massive greataxe in a lethal, bone-crushing arc. Sylas moves like a supernatural blur, effortlessly parrying the massive blow with a casual, deafening crack of his dark greatsword. The vampire's blade drinks Grog's blood upon contact, growing larger and casting a malevolent shadow across the courtyard. Nearby, Keyleth’s hands glow with frantic green energy. She desperately slams her palms onto the ground, summoning thick stone walls to block Delilah's line of sight, her breathing heavy and erratic with panic.

Pike slides on her knees to Vax's side, her small hands radiating a warm, golden holy magic as she presses them against his bleeding throat to knit the torn flesh. "He's fading fast! His pulse is dropping! I need cover before they finish him off!" she screams over the echoing din of battle.

Percy’s knuckles turn stark white against the grip of Pepperbox, his aristocratic composure entirely melting away into pure, unadulterated hatred. A terrifying, pitch-black smoke begins to leak from his pistol barrels as the dark entity within him stirs. Vex draws her bow string tight, an arrow notched and aimed directly at Delilah's head, her voice cracking with pure desperation Grog can't hold Sylas alone, and Delilah is targeting Pike! We need a plan right now or we lose them both!"