The Hope Devourer

is the 12th episode of the second season of The Legend of Vox Machina.

Plot summary
The scene opens on an idyllic cottage, in which an aged Scanlan is telling the story of how he almost single-handedly defeated Umbrasyl to two grandchildren. When he finishes it, an older version of Kaylie enters and fondly tells the children they can hear one more story. As Scanlan begins to read a new story, the text of the book changes to read "WAKE UP", and the children and Kaylie's faces become Vax's face, all shouting for Scanlan to wake up. Vax, frustrated, finally tears out some of Scanlan's chest hair, and Scanlan awakens, still in Umbrasyl's stomach. Grog is similarly revealed to still be hanging on to Umbrasyl by a rope.

The other four members of Vox Machina, after some incredulity regarding Scanlan's plan, take off after Umbrasyl: Vex on her Broom of Flying and Percy and Pike on Keyleth, who has transformed into a massive raptor. Percy tries to take a shot, but Grog keeps him from getting a clear line of sight. Meanwhile Umbrasyl tries to shake Grog, who manages to hang on even as Umbrasyl flies low over trees and into a mountain, though the rope is lost and he clings on with his hands.

Inside Umbrasyl, Scanlan and Vax consider their escape, and Vax decides to increase the size of the blade wound so they can emerge. Grog simultaneously slashes into Umbrasyl with his bloodaxe until Umbrasyl breathes acid on him, and then loses his grip, falling to the ground. Pike notices him fall and Keyleth and Vex speed towards him. Meanwhile, Grog, while in free-fall, slams together the Titanstone Knuckles shortly before he hits the ground. He creates a crater, and his leg is badly broken. Pike reaches him as he coughs up blood, and begins her healing spells. As this happens, Vax continues to stab Umbrasyl. As a wave of acid rushes towards them, Scanlan uses Scanlan's Hand to push Vax out through the wound and escape himself. He then catches them on the hand, but Umbrasyl quickly knocks them off and they fall, Scanlan once again unconscious. Vax appeals to the Matron of Ravens and accepts the fall, telling her he no longer fears death. A raven flies by, and the Deathwalker's Ward sprouts golden wings. Vax flies to catch Scanlan just in time, and Scanlan is very appreciative.

Pike heals Grog as best she can, but he is still injured, though stable. Vax and Scanlan land. Keyleth, awed, tells Vax he is beautiful, but Vex is jealous of the wings. Scanlan rushes over to Pike, who is tired but otherwise unhurt. Percy, looking through the sights of his gun, reports back that Umbrasyl is headed into a nearby mountain cave. He tells them they need to hurry, but Scanlan points out how depleted the group is. He says they shouldn't push their luck, but Vax tells him he doesn't believe in luck, and that Umbrasyl, like them, is also wounded; now is the best time to strike. Scanlan sighs in despair as the others limp towards the mountain.

In his lair, Umbrasyl is startled by a magical call from Thordak, who tells him that he needs the gold for his emergence. Umbrasyl angrily apologizes. Once Thordak vanishes, Ripley asks Umbrasyl what happened. He tells her he was ambushed, but when she asks about the other Vestiges, he says that they are headed to them, as he is aware Vox Machina approaches. Ripley urges him to flee instead to recover from his injuries, but he begins to heal himself instead. Ripley remarks that once they kill Vox Machina, they will have all the Vestiges they need.

Vox Machina reaches the base of the mountain, and Vax volunteers to scout. When Vex expresses concern, he tells her it is no time for cowardice, at which point Scanlan scoffs and leaves. The others watch him go. As Vax gets ready to leave, Keyleth stops him and reminds him of their panic word, "chenga." Meanwhile, Pike follows after Scanlan, who is throwing rocks from a cliff, and asks him how he's doing. Scanlan tells her that "she" also called him a coward, and it comes out through conversation that Kaylie is his daughter and he is terrified of letting her down. Pike tells him that it's difficult to go forward, but worth it.

Vax scouts Umbrasyl's lair, which is full of remains and bubbling pits of acid. In there, he sees the head of Kamaljiori on one of the stalagmites. As he looks for the dragon, Umbrasyl, having been invisible, appears behind him. Vax tries to escape, and avoids being thrown into a pit of acid, but is knocked out of the air.

Outside, Keyleth helps split Grog's leg, which is still broken. She then walks over to Vex, who is looking suspiciously up the mountain and tells her she believes something has happened to Vax. Keyleth asks Vex if she could feel if Vax were in trouble, and Vex tells her she can't feel anything. Pike offers to stay with Grog as the rest, despite Scanlan's initial protestations, leave for the dragon's lair. They interrupt Umbrasyl just as he taunts an unconscious Vax and begins to steal his armor. Umbrasyl meets their challenge, noticing that Vex wields the Vestige Fenthras, and a fight ensues. They are able to rescue Vax, but Umbrasyl remains at large as they huddle in part of the cavern. Scanlan recommends they leave, but Vax insists they finish the fight. Scanlan tells Vax they can't win, and Percy admits that they are in bad shape. As they argue, Umbrasyl uses Mythcarver to locate Vax and Vex via their Vestiges. Vax continues to tell them this is all fated, and they are supposed to be here to slay the dragon. When Scanlan angrily curses the Matron of Ravens, Vax tells him that he controls his own destiny. Scanlan flashes back to Kaylie's words, telling him that he has a lot to do to make up for his past. He begins to speak, but Umbrasyl bursts through the stone, breathing acid. The fight continues, and in the process, Keyleth is nearly knocked out and Vex is disarmed.

As Umbrasyl grabs Fenthras and approaches Vex, he is suddenly hit by Pike. Umbrasyl goes to attack her, but Grog stands before her and fights him off. Umbrasyl goes invisible again. Keyleth saves Grog from an acid attack, but barely escapes herself, and Percy rushes to help. Scanlan remembers more of Kaylie's words: that no one will save you. He gives himself a pep talk as he watches the rest of Vox Machina continue to barely avoid death at Umbrasyl's hand. He starts to run away, but when Vex falls and Vax calls for her, Kaylie's taunt echoes in his head and he stops. Umbrasyl disables Grog, whose leg is still broken, and Pike cries out that they won't be able to win. Umbrasyl gloats over them and clutches Fenthras and the Titanstone Knuckles, claiming he has three Vestiges. As the rest of the party prepare to meet their fate, Scanlan corrects him, saying he has only two, and shows that he has stolen Mythcarver. He leaps and drives the sword into Umbrasyl's eye, singing a high note, and Umbrasyl collapses, dead. From a hidden alcove, Ripley watches and runs away.

Vox Machina stare at the dragon's corpse before Pike realizes they can't find Scanlan. Vax and Grog lift Umbrasyl from Scanlan, who is unmoving. Pike tearfully rushes over and tells Scanlan that he did it, even if he didn't believe in himself, and that Kaylie would be proud, before kissing him. Scanlan then opens his eyes and jokes that Pike is in love with him. Pike, after a moment, embraces him. Scanlan then notices the dragon's hoard, which Vox Machina raids. Scanlan in particular grabs a floating key, to Vex's chagrin. As the party bickers over their shares, Vax notices the figure of the Matron in the distance and nods. She nods back before vanishing.

Vox Machina slowly make their way from the mountain, with Percy declaring the next place to go is Whitestone to report back. Scanlan and Vax share a moment, as Vax admits that he thought Scanlan would run. Scanlan tells him that he believes in Vax, even if he doesn't worship the Matron himself.

Cassandra narrates on the nature of seizing destiny over scenes of Vox Machina's allies waiting by the Sun Tree in Whitestone; Dr. Dranzel's band sitting around a campfire; Velora Vessar treasuring the feather Vex gave her as Syldor looks on; Wilhand Trickfoot writing a letter as a locket with a picture of him, Pike, and Grog lies open next to him; and as Vox Machina emerges from the Sun Tree. Her speech is a toast, given to Vox Machina in the war room in Castle Whitestone, and everyone drinks their wine. Percy remarks they have three to go, and Kima remarks on Thordak's strength. Yennen mentions that even Thordak has weaknesses, and Cassandra asks her to elaborate. Yennen's voice mutates as she warns the table to think before they act, and her eyes flash green and inhuman as a dragon's horn grows from the left side of her face. Gilmore calls out that she's a dragon before he collapses, as do Allura, Kima, and Cassandra, leaving only Vox Machina awake. Yennen reveals herself to be a member of the Chroma Conclave, and Keyleth recognizes her as Raishan. Percy asks her what she's done, and Vax throws a dagger, which she deflects. Raishan tells them their allies are only asleep, and that to stop Thordak, they need her help. When Vex asks her why they should listen, Raishan points out that she didn't sense her, and that she could have killed them all. She tells them that Thordak is unstable and wants to steal Tal'Dorei's gold, but not just to accumulate wealth. Vex asks why.

Thordak, in Emon, flies above the burning horde as Vorugal joins him. Vorugal tells him that Umbrasyl has been killed by Vox Machina, and warns him that they will likely come for the remaining dragons. Thordak only chuckles, and tells him that he is building a new army to take over the world. He gestures towards a multitude of eggs lying in a vast pile of gold and treasure. A cracking noise is heard.

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

Crew

 * Written by - Brandon Auman
 * Directed by - Eugene Lee
 * 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.
 * Allura Vysoren
 * Anna Ripley
 * Cassandra de Rolo
 * Kaylie
 * Kevdak
 * Kima of Vord
 * Raishan
 * Thordak
 * Vorugal
 * Umbrasyl
 * Keeper Yennen