Belly of the Beast

is the 11th episode of the second season of The Legend of Vox Machina.

Plot summary
Kaylie continues to threaten Scanlan at swordpoint as he lies tied up on the bed. He tells her that he recognizes her features, and relates a tale of a whirlwind romance that sadly ended, with a woman named Lea. Kaylie, unimpressed, tells him that's not her mother; Scanlan throws out a number of names, none of which are Kaylie's mother. Kaylie angrily tells Scanlan her mother was named Sybil and that Scanlan had left her. She tearfully tells Scanlan that Sybil struggled to support the two of them and deserved better. Scanlan apologizes, even as Kaylie tells him she doesn't believe her. He tells her she can stab him, but Kaylie finds herself unable to do it, and says it would be an easy out for him. She then walks out, leaving her sword suspended right above Scanlan's chest. He escapes with some cuts to his hands, and tries to run after her, but misses her.

In the tavern, Percy, Keyleth, and Pike raise a toast as Vax, not drinking, sits with them. He sees a faint thread of golden light exit the door. Grog joins the table with a massive keg, and Vex swipes two flagons from members of the Herd of Storms as she returns, only to find Vax missing. Vax follows the thread out into the courtyard where the fight against Kevdak had just occurred. It disappears into three ravens with glowing red eyes, watching him. He seems to sense something pass behind him and turns to look, and when he turns back, he sees the dead of the battlefield rising. They grab at him, and the corpse of Uriel begs him to help bring them into the afterlife. Vax then sees several golden threads coming from his chest, all pulling him towards a masked female figure. He shouts at her, asking what she wants from him, before falling onto his back in the middle of the now still battlefield as the ravens caw.

Vax joins Scanlan, who is staring out into the night sky on a balcony. Vax hesitantly asks Scanlan if he's ever experienced a major life change and been unsure where to go from there. Scanlan tells him that he always feels this way, and Vax admits that he always used to run. Scanlan, looking at the sword Kaylie left, says that one must commit, even if it's scary.

In another magical remote conversation, Thordak berates Umbrasyl for not delivering the last of Westruun's gold. Umbrasyl tells him that he still needs to acquire another Vestige, but Thordak dismisses it as a distraction. Umbrasyl continues to promise delivery of the treasure, and Thordak tells him that it cannot delay him, threatening him if it does. When the conversation ends, Umbrasyl roars in frustration. Anna Ripley tells him that he should acquire the Titanstone Knuckles so that he would not have to yield to Thordak's leadership. Umbrasyl tells her he will destroy Westruun and take the last Vestige, and the two restate the terms of their deal; that Anna receive some of the treasure as resources.

The Herd, Vox Machina, and the members of Dr. Dranzel's band, including Kaylie, all converse among themselves the next morning. Kaylie pointedly asks Dr. Dranzel when they will leave, noticing but not addressing Scanlan when he enters. Pike notices that Scanlan looks stressed and tired. Scanlan asks for advice, and attempts to explain his situation, but his substitution of the word "puppy" for "daughter" discomfits Pike.

Grog then calls for attention and discusses the need for a plan, but has no plan himself. Percy steps in and begins discussing his plan for a trap at length. Vax meanwhile leaves the meeting and approaches the temple of the Matron of Ravens, a tall, pointed building with a massive raven skull towards the tip, in the midst of a graveyard. He calls out for Vex to reveal herself, telling her he heard her, but Vex scoffs and says that the noise was coming from someone else. Keyleth appears behind them both. Vex and Keyleth ask Vax why he snuck out. He tells them that he's been hearing the Matron's calls and needs to learn what she wants from him. Vex offers to go with him, but Vax says that it was his choice, and he needs to do this himself. Vex asks him not to go far from her, and Vax enters the temple. The door closes behind him, and veiled attendants approach him.

Outside, Keyleth, pacing, tells Vex what she knows of the Matron of Ravens' followers, none of which is good. Vex tells Keyleth to stop, and Keyleth admits she's nervous and that Vax has been closed off. Vex brings up that Keyleth has feelings for Vax, and that Vax returns those feelings. Keyleth worries that Vax is otherwise occupied, but Vex encourages her to pursue her feelings. Meanwhile, the attendants inside lead Vax to a pool full of a red liquid, over which watches a massive statue of the masked face of the Matron. It is dimly lit with candles by the statue only. Vax tells her he is here to honor his promise. He walks into the pool of blood, inhaling before he goes underneath the surface. As he sinks, the pool seems endless, with neither surface nor bottom. Vax lets out his breath and crosses his arms over his chest. He awakens in a void, with golden threads leading to his chest and surrounding him elsewhere, as the Matron of Ravens addresses him as her champion. He asks her what she wants, with some anger.

The Matron tells him that the threads do not control him; rather, he is Fate-Touched, and can influence fate and destiny. She tells Vax that all mortals are bound by the fact that they will one day die. Her domain is to protect the moment of death and its importance, and asks Vax if he will also serve it. He accepts, though he says he has no choice. The Matron tells him he's afraid of dying. He says he is, but she tells him not to be; death is what gives life meaning. With that, Vax emerges from the pool, gasping. He exits the temple, after a pause to wonder if the Matron had always been watching him. As he does Keyleth is first excited, then horrified - along with Vex - to see Vax covered in blood. He tells them he's fine, despite their protestations, and that the Matron is watching them. They all head back to the meeting, where Percy is still lecturing on the workings of the trap to a bored audience.

Grog translates to the herd that their task is to dig so that Percy can set the trap, and they leave happily. Percy accidentally traps his own hand in his model. As he shouts, Zanror gives Grog Kevdak's Bloodaxe, and after Grog confirms the Bloodaxe does not speak, gladly accepts. Meanwhile, Scanlan tells Kaylie, who is leaving, that he can change. She doesn't listen, but tells him that she might be headed to Ank'Harel. Scanlan promises he can try to become the father she deserved, but she angrily rejects his offer back of her sword, and leaves.

The herd and Vox Machina set the trap for Umbrasyl. Most of them hide in nearby trenches, with Vex in a nearby tree, holding Fenthras. Umbrasyl approaches, but stops just short of stepping on the pressure plate. Vex notices and shoots an arrow to spring the trap before Umbrasyl can fly off. He is trapped, and the herd fire grappling hooks to hold down the dragon. Vox Machina attacks him while he is restrained, but with a mighty effort, Umbrasyl breaks free and becomes invisible. The herd rushes to attack, but Umbrasyl's acid and the fact they can't see him result in many casualties on their side, and narrow escapes from Vox Machina. Grog activates the Titanstone Knuckles and enters the fight, but still cannot see the dragon. Vax and Scanlan leap into the pit where the trap had been set to evade the acid spray. Vax berates Scanlan for his recklessness. When Scanlan tells him he has something to prove, Vax tells him he's now the champion of the Matron of Ravens. Scanlan tells Vax he's a father, which Vax admits is a major revelation. Scanlan then tells Vax that his plan is to get into the dragon...but not through the mouth.

Above, Vex shoots an arrow that pierces the invisibility and reveals Umbrasyl, at which point Grog attacks. Scanlan and Vax use the opportunity to enter Umbrasyl, who is immediately startled. They arrive in his acid-filled stomach. Scanlan activates Kaylie's sword, which stays in place as it had when she used it on him. Umbrasyl is temporarily grounded, and Vox Machina attacks once more, but though Umbrasyl is badly injured, he allows the sword to pierce through him and takes off, a wound in his stomach. Scanlan is knocked out as he is thrown around Umbrasyl's insides. Umbrasyl taunts the others as he leaves. Grog attaches the bloodaxe to a rope and sinks it into Umbrasyl, and is carried off, dangling behind him, as Umbrasyl flies into the sky.

Cast
End credits list main cast, then guest cast in alphabetical order.

Crew

 * Written by - Eugene Son
 * Directed by - Alicia Chan
 * Storyboard artists -

Vox Machina
These characters are Vox Machina and their adventuring companions.
 * Keyleth
 * Percival de Rolo
 * Scanlan Shorthalt
 * Grog Strongjaw
 * Pike Trickfoot
 * Vax'ildan
 * Vex'ahlia

Returning
These characters previously appeared in an episode of The Legend of Vox Machina.
 * Kaylie
 * Kevdak
 * Matron of Ravens
 * Thordak
 * Zanroar
 * Umbrasyl
 * Sovereign Uriel
 * Dr. Dranzel