Percy had no idea how long it lasted, just that's it felt as though he was being torn apart. And all the while, there was Orthax's voice. Its laughter. The sick feeling that, after everything he had done, this was what he deserved. This slow, horrible torment as his soul was shredded and consumed. There was no real concept of time in this place, whatever it was, but it felt like days, or maybe weeks. It was hard to keep track of anything but pain. And then, long past the point where he had given up hope that it would ever end, there was a hand. Keyleth's hand. And it broke Orthax's hold, even as the demon fought with everything it had to hold on to his damaged, fading soul. Then Orthax was gone. Really truly gone, the scar in his spirit gone. And he was tired. He was done. He just wanted to rest, to let it all fade away until he couldn't fuck up the world any more than he already had. Vox Machina would keep their word. They would wipe any trace of his work from the face of the world. It would be better to just let it end now. He had brought about his own destruction. Why fight it?
But something held him there. He couldn't remember what. There were flashes of emotion, of connection, of belonging. Something pulling him back. And then a cold touch and the sudden feeling of being back in his body. A breath. A kiss. Consciousness. And then healing. He could tell Keyleth had poured all the healing she could into him, but he still felt tired and shaky and wrong. His hands trembled, worse than the ever did normally, and he clenched his fists against the feeling. His head was fuzzy and he couldn't see without his glasses. He wanted to speak but the words wouldn't come. He felt weak. But he was alive. Somehow, he was alive.
"What...how..." He was struck with a sudden thought and he grabbed Keyleth's hand tightly. "Thank you," he whispered to her. "Thank you. I saw what you did. Thank you. How long have I been..." He was distracted, suddenly, by Vex walking away. "Vex?" He called, hating the way his voice shook. Did she regret it? Had she paid some price that was more than she could bear?