Day 38 - Morning
I woke to find Dewdrop sitting on my nose, staring at me with intense concentration.
"Uh... good morning?"
"You're going to win," she announced.
"I... what?"
"The battle. In three days. You're going to win and come back and tell me stories. I decided."
Through the bond, I felt her emotions, not fear anymore. Pure, crystalline certainty. The kind of faith that only children and the truly innocent could manage.
"Dewdrop, it's going to be dangerous..."
"I know. But you're Papa Knox. You keep your promises. You promised story time every day. So you'll win because you promised." She said it like it was the simplest logic in the world.
"That's not how battles work, sweetheart."
"It's how Papa Knox works." She flew up, hovering at eye level. "You came back from the scary dungeon. You came back from fighting the mean Paladins. You'll come back from this too because you promised me."
"What if..."
"No 'what ifs.' You promised. That's all that matters." She landed back on my nose, her tiny weight nothing but her presence everything. "I'm not scared anymore, Papa. I believe in you."
And through our bond, I felt it, her absolute, unshakeable faith. Not blind hope. Not desperate wishing. Just pure certainty that I would do what I said I'd do.
It hit me like a physical force. Made something in my chest glow warm.
"You really believe that?" I asked quietly.
"I really, really believe it. Forever and ever." She paused. "Also, I made you something."
She pulled out a tiny charm from somewhere, a miniature acorn wrapped in thread, with a single perfect leaf attached. It was barely visible, smaller than my fingernail.
"It's for good luck," she explained. "But you don't really need luck because you're Papa Knox and you're the strongest and bravest and you keep your promises. But I made it anyway because I wanted you to have something from me."
I took the charm carefully, this impossibly tiny thing made by impossibly tiny hands. "It's perfect."
"I know! I worked very hard! Pip helped with the thread because my fingers are too small, but I picked the acorn and the leaf all by myself!"
"I'll keep it with me. Always."
"Good. And when you come back... not if, when... I want the story about the tiny princess who believed in the big brave knight even when everyone else was scared."
"That's a very specific story request."
"It's about us. Obviously." She yawned, already settling into my beard for more sleep. "Now shh. I'm tired from making charms and believing in you very hard. It's exhausting work."
"Sleep well, sweetheart."
"I will. Because I know you're going to be here when I wake up. You always are."
She dozed off, her tiny snores barely audible, and I lay there holding her charm and feeling something shift inside me.
Her faith wasn't a burden. It was power. Actual, tangible power flowing through our bond. Her certainty that I would win, that I would come back, that promises were sacred and unbreakable, it was feeding me strength I hadn't known I could access.
Through the other bonds, I felt people stirring. The usual morning chaos about to begin.
But for this moment, I just held Dewdrop's charm and let her faith settle into my bones.
Three days until the Empire arrived.
Three days to make sure I was worthy of that faith.
Training With Purpose
The morning training session had a different energy. Word had spread somehow, probably through fairy gossip networks, that Dewdrop had declared I would win.
And because Dewdrop was beloved by literally everyone, and because children's certainty was infectious, the mood had shifted from "preparing for potential tragedy" to "getting ready to celebrate victory."
"The little one has spoken!" Kota announced dramatically as I entered the training yard. "The Warden shall prevail!"
"Kit, that's not how prophecy works."
"It is if Dewdrop says it! She's never wrong about important things!"
"She's four!"
"She's WISE four!"
I looked to Yorrik for help. He just shrugged. "The young ones have decided. You're going to win. Arguing with children's logic is futile."
"This is ridiculous."
"This is faith," Siraq corrected, approaching with her morning training group. "And faith has power, Knox. Especially when it's this pure."
She wasn't wrong. I could feel it... not just from Dewdrop, but from the young cubs who'd decided that if the tiny fairy believed, they could believe too. Their certainty was feeding through bonds I didn't even know existed, strengthening something fundamental.
"Alright," I said, addressing the gathered refugees. "If we're doing this, we're doing it right. Today's training isn't about evacuation. It's about celebration preparation."
Confused looks.
"You heard me. We're going to win. So let's practice what comes after. How do we house four hundred refugees long-term? How do we integrate families? How do we celebrate victory without destroying the dining hall?"
"That's..." Mo started, then stopped, her analytical mind catching up. "That's actually brilliant. Positive visualization. Preparing for success instead of failure. It changes the psychological framework."
"It's also practical," I said. "Because Dewdrop said I'm winning, and I'm not about to let down a tiny fairy who made me a good luck charm."
I pulled out the acorn charm, holding it up. It was so small most people couldn't even see it, but the gesture mattered.
"This," I announced, "is my guarantee of victory. Dewdrop made it. Therefore it's magical. Therefore I'm winning. Questions?"
Silence. Then Kota started clapping. Then others joined. Then someone started cheering.
It was absurd. It was childish. It was based on a four-year-old fairy's absolute faith in her Papa.
And it was exactly what everyone needed to hear.
Through the bonds, I felt the shift, fear transforming into determination, anxiety becoming anticipation. They weren't preparing to run anymore. They were preparing to stay.
Training shifted accordingly. Kas taught combat forms not for desperate last stands but for confident defense. Refugees practiced not evacuation drills but victory formations. Even Mo's contingency planning took on a different tone, less "if we survive" and more "when we've won."
"This is insane," Yuzu said, watching the transformation. "You've weaponized a child's faith."
"I've accepted a gift freely given," I corrected. "Dewdrop believes I'll win. The least I can do is prove her right."
"And if you can't?"
"Then I'll die trying, and she'll never know I doubted. But I'm not planning to die." I looked at Yuzu directly. "I'm planning to win, come home, and tell her the story she requested. Because I keep my promises."
Through our bond, I felt her concern transform into something else. Belief? Hope? Whatever it was, it was stronger than fear.
"You're going to do it," she said, wonder in her voice. "You're actually going to walk out there alone and win because a tiny fairy believes you will."
"Yes."
"That's the most Knox thing I've ever heard."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Afternoon: The Faith Spreads
By afternoon, Dewdrop's declaration had spread through the entire fortress. The fairies had taken it as gospel truth... if Dewdrop said Papa Knox would win, then Papa Knox would win. Children accepted it without question. And slowly, adults started believing too.
Not because of prophecy or magic or any rational reason.
Simply because watching a tiny fairy's absolute faith was more convincing than any tactical assessment.
I found Mo in her workshop, surrounded by calculations she was actively... erasing?
"Mo?"
She looked up, slightly embarrassed. "I was running probability calculations. Success rates, casualty projections, resource allocation post-battle..." She gestured at the papers. "But they're all assuming you might fail. And watching Dewdrop this morning, feeling her faith through the bonds... I realized I was planning for the wrong outcome."
"You can't just ignore probability."
"I'm not ignoring it. I'm choosing to calculate for victory instead of survival." She pulled out fresh paper, already filling it with new numbers. "If you win... when you win... we'll need these contingency plans instead. Housing expansion, resource distribution, medical treatment for your inevitable injuries because you're definitely going to be hurt even if you win..."
"That's more realistic."
"It's also more useful. Dewdrop's faith is affecting all of us, Knox. We're not just hoping anymore. We're planning for success." She paused. "Is that naive?"
"Maybe. But I'll take naive faith over resigned preparation any day."
Through our bond, her analytical mind warred with her emotional hope, then settled into something balanced. She believed. Not blindly, but genuinely.
"I'm making you a recovery schedule," she announced. "For after the battle. You're going to be injured, exhausted, and probably insufferable. I'm scheduling meals, rest periods, and limited visitation so you can actually heal."
"I don't need... "
"You're going to be laid up for at least a week. Possibly two. I'm planning accordingly."
"That's very presumptuous."
"That's very practical. You're winning, but you're not invincible. Someone needs to make sure you recover properly afterward." Her eyes were suspiciously shiny. "Someone needs to make sure you're healthy enough to keep your promise to Dewdrop."
"Mo..."
"Just accept the schedule, Knox. Let me plan for your victory. It's how I show I believe in you."
So I accepted the schedule. Let her plan for my recovery. Let her faith manifest as detailed contingency plans for after I won.
It was very Mo. And it was perfect.
Evening: Conversations With Partners
Dinner that night was different. Lighter. People laughed more. The tension that had been building for days had transformed into something anticipatory rather than anxious.
After the meal, each of my partners found their moment with me. Not goodbyes, affirmations.
Kas pulled me to the training ground, just the two of us under the stars.
"I'm not worried," she said bluntly. "I've seen you fight. I've felt your power through the bond. I know what you're capable of." She met my eyes. "You're the strongest person I know, Knox. Not just physically. In every way that matters. The Empire is sending four hundred Paladins, and all I can think is 'that's not enough.'"
"Kas... "
"I'm serious. They should send a thousand. Maybe then it would be fair." She grinned, fierce and certain. "You're going to destroy them. And I'm going to watch from the walls and cheer every time you make them run."
"That's bloodthirsty."
"That's confidence in my mate." She pulled me down for a kiss. "Win for me, Knox. Then come back so I can celebrate properly."
"What's properly?"
"You'll find out after you win."
Yuzu found me in the library later, her usual seduction completely absent. She just sat beside me, took my hand, and said: "I used to manipulate people's faith. Make them believe things that benefited me. Twist their certainty into weapons." She squeezed my hand. "But watching Dewdrop today... that's real faith. Pure faith. The kind I've spent my life exploiting." She looked at me. "Don't break it, Knox. Whatever it takes, whatever you have to become, don't break that little fairy's faith. She deserves to have her Papa Knox come home."
"I won't break it."
"I know. Because you're too stubborn and too kind to let her down. That's why I love you." She kissed my cheek. "Win because you promised her. Everything else is just details."
Mo cornered me in my quarters with her completed recovery schedule and several new contingency plans.
"These are for after," she said, spreading them across the table. "After you win. After you collapse from exhaustion and injuries. After we have to carry you inside and make sure you don't die from stubbornness." She looked up, eyes bright. "I've calculated every variable I can think of. Medical needs, nutritional requirements, rest schedules, limited visitation plans so you can actually recover without the entire fortress hovering..."
"Mo, you didn't have to... "
"Yes I did. Because you're winning, and someone needs to make sure you survive your victory." She thrust the papers at me. "Promise me you'll follow this schedule. Promise me you'll let us take care of you after you've taken care of everyone else."
"I promise."
"Good." She deflated slightly. "I believe in you, Knox. My calculations say you should lose. My heart says you'll win. I'm choosing to trust my heart for once."
"That's growth."
"That's terrifying. But also... hopeful?" She smiled, uncertain but genuine. "Win for all of us. But especially for Dewdrop. She deserves to have her faith rewarded."
Nyx found me on the wall walk at midnight, after everyone else had said their piece. She transformed into dragonkin form, settled beside me, and we sat in silence for a long moment.
"I can feel it through our bond," she said finally. "Dewdrop's faith. It's literally making you stronger. Your power level has been climbing since this morning."
"I noticed."
"It's not just her. It's all of them. Everyone who believes you'll win is feeding you strength through the bonds." She looked at me, her dragon eyes seeing everything. "You're becoming something again. Something beyond chimera. The faith of your family is transforming you."
"Is that dangerous?"
"Probably. But it's also beautiful." She took my hand. "Knox, I'm not worried about you losing. I'm worried about what winning will cost. About how much of yourself you'll have to give to keep your promise to that tiny fairy."
"Whatever it takes."
"That's what I'm afraid of." She pulled me close, her warmth enveloping me. "But I also know you. Know you'll do exactly what you said. You'll win because you promised. And then you'll come home because that's what you do."
"You sound certain."
"I'm your mate. Your soul-bond. I know you better than you know yourself." She kissed me, deep and claiming. "Win, Knox. Destroy them. Show the Empire what happens when they threaten your family. And then come home so I can remind you that you're mine."
"Possessive."
"Dragon. Same thing." She grinned. "Now come to bed. You need rest. In three days, you're going to do something impossible, and I want you well-rested for it."
Day 39 - Morning
I woke to Dewdrop's voice singing something. Not a real song, just happy, tuneless humming as she organized something on my nightstand.
"Whatcha doing, sweetheart?"
"Making sure everything's ready for when you come back tomorrow! I picked out which story I want, and I made a list of questions, and I drew a picture of you being brave!" She showed me a crayon drawing that was mostly scribbles but clearly showed a very tall figure (me) and a tiny figure (her).
"It's beautiful."
"I know! I'm very artistic!" She settled on my chest, looking up at me with complete trust. "Only one more day until you win, Papa. Are you excited?"
"Excited isn't the word I'd use."
"Confident? Ready? Prepared to be amazing?"
"Those work better."
"Good! Because you're going to be SO amazing! And then everyone will know what I already know... that Papa Knox is the best and strongest and keeps his promises always!"
Through our bond, her faith was a constant warmth. Stronger today than yesterday. She wasn't hoping I'd win. She knew I would.
And feeling that certainty, that pure belief...
I found myself believing it too.
Training - Final Preparations
The final day of training had an almost festival atmosphere. People weren't drilling desperately, they were practicing victory formations. Preparing celebration plans. Discussing how to welcome me back after I won.
It should have felt presumptuous. Instead, it felt right.
"Tomorrow," Kas announced to her training group, "the Warden walks out alone. We stay here. We watch. We believe. And when he wins, we celebrate."
"What if he needs help?" one of the younger refugees asked.
"He won't," Kota answered immediately. "The tiny fairy said so. That's basically law."
"Kit, that's not..."
"The TINY FAIRY SAID SO!"
I had to walk away before I started laughing. The absolute conviction in his voice was ridiculous and heartwarming in equal measure.
Siraq found me later, watching the organized chaos.
"Your family believes in you," she observed.
"They believe in a tiny fairy's declaration," I corrected.
"Same thing. She believes because you've never broken a promise to her. They believe because she believes. It's faith based on evidence, Knox. That's the strongest kind."
"And you? Do you believe?"
She smiled, soft and certain. "I believe you'll do whatever it takes to keep your promise. I've seen you become a monster to protect innocents. Believing you'll win a battle to keep a promise to a child? That's easy."
Through our bond, her faith joined the others. Not blind hope. Earned trust.
"Siraq, if something does go wrong..."
"It won't."
"But if..."
"Knox." She took my face in her hands. "You're going to win. You're going to come home injured and exhausted. Mo is going to enforce her recovery schedule with terrifying efficiency. And I'm going to make sure the clan integrates properly while you're recovering so you don't have to worry about it." She kissed me gently. "That's the plan. That's the only plan. Now stop trying to prepare for failure and start preparing for victory."
"You sound like Dewdrop."
"Good. She's wise beyond her size."
Evening: The Faith That Feeds Power
That night, I sat in our secret grove with Dewdrop, just the two of us under the stars.
"Papa?"
"Yeah, sweetheart?"
"Tomorrow's going to be scary, right? Even though you're winning, the fighting part will be scary?"
"Probably."
"That's okay. You can be scared and still be brave. That's what you told me." She settled into my palm, looking up at me with those enormous eyes. "And if you get scared, you can think about me. About story time. About your promise. That'll help."
"You think so?"
"I know so! Because whenever I'm scared, I think about you and I feel better. So it should work the other way too!"
Through our bond, her faith was blazing bright. And she was right, feeling her certainty, her absolute belief that I would come back...
It made me stronger. Clearer. More determined.
"Dewdrop, what if... "
"No 'what ifs,' Papa. You promised. That's all that matters." She yawned, already getting sleepy. "Tomorrow you're going to be amazing. And then you're coming home. And then story time. That's what's happening. I decided."
"You decided."
"I decided. And I'm very smart, so my decisions are good ones."
"Can't argue with that logic."
She dozed off, and I sat there holding her, feeling the faith flowing through our bond. Not just from her, from everyone. All of them believing not because they had to, but because they'd seen me keep my promises before.
The Empire was bringing four hundred Paladins tomorrow.
They thought it was enough.
They didn't understand what they were really facing.
Not just a chimera demon with three races worth of power.
But a Papa Knox who'd made a promise to a tiny fairy.
And Papa Knox kept his promises.
Always.
[IMPERIAL ASSAULT: TOMORROW]
[DEWDROP'S FAITH: ABSOLUTE]
[FAMILY'S BELIEF: UNSHAKEABLE]
[KNOX'S POWER: RISING]
[THE BATTLE APPROACHES]
[THE OUTCOME: ALREADY DECIDED BY A TINY FAIRY]
[STORY TIME: SCHEDULED FOR AFTER VICTORY]
I looked down at Dewdrop, sleeping peacefully in my palm, completely certain her Papa would come home.
And I made a silent vow: whatever it took, whatever I had to become, whatever price I had to pay... I was keeping that promise.
The Empire was coming.
They were bringing an overwhelming force.
And they were going to learn that some promises were stronger than any army.