Day 40 - Dawn
The day before battle should have been tense. Anxious. Full of last-minute preparations and barely suppressed panic.
Instead, I woke to the sound of singing.
Not battle hymns or war chants. Children's songs. The young bear kin cubs, fairy children, and even some of the refugee kids had gathered outside my quarters, singing something about "brave Papa Knox" and "promises that never break."
"What is happening," I mumbled into my pillow.
Through the bond, Nyx's amused voice: The children have decided to serenade you. Apparently, it's good luck.
That's not a thing.
It is now. Dewdrop organized it.
Of course she did.
I extracted myself from the tangle of sleeping partners, carefully, because waking them all at once was a recipe for chaos, and opened the door to find approximately thirty children of various species standing there, all grinning up at me.
"Good morning, Warden!" they chorused.
Dewdrop flew forward, beaming with pride. "We made you a good-morning song! To remind you that you're amazing and you're winning and we believe in you!"
"That's... that's very sweet, but..."
"AGAIN!" she commanded, and the children launched into another verse.
Papa Knox is very tallHe protects us one and allTomorrow he will win the fightBecause promises make might!
The rhyme scheme was questionable. The melody was chaotic. The sentiment was absolutely genuine.
And through the bonds with all of them, these children who'd been terrified days ago and were now singing because a tiny fairy had declared victory... I felt their faith join the growing well of power.
"Thank you," I said when they finished. "That was beautiful."
"We know!" Dewdrop announced. "We're very talented! Now you have to eat a good breakfast because fighting is hard work and Papa Knox needs energy!"
"I..."
"NO ARGUMENTS! I made a schedule! Mo helped! You're having eggs and protein and vegetables that you actually like because Kas knows which ones!"
I looked at the assembled children, at Dewdrop's determined expression, and realized arguing was futile.
"Okay. Breakfast. Then what?"
"Then you do whatever wardens do before battles! But you have to be back for lunch because we're having a pre-victory feast!"
"A pre-victory feast."
"YES! Because we're already celebrating! The fighting is just a formality!"
Through the bonds, I felt my partners waking up, feeling the children's energy, and their own amusement/exasperation/love mixing together.
This was my life now. Battle preparations organized by a four-year-old fairy with absolute certainty in my victory.
Somehow, that felt exactly right.
Breakfast: The Confidence Meal
The dining hall was decorated. Not with somber battle preparations, but with actual festival decorations. Ribbons, flowers, banners that said things like "WARDEN KNOX: UNDEFEATED" and "TODAY: TRAINING, TOMORROW: WINNING, NEXT DAY: STORIES."
"Who did all this?" I asked, stunned.
"Everyone!" Lira announced, flying over with Pip. "We stayed up late! It's a pre-victory celebration! Very traditional!"
"It's absolutely not traditional."
"It is now! We're making new traditions!"
Kas appeared with a plate stacked so high with food it was architecturally impressive. "Eat. All of it. You need maximum energy for tomorrow."
"Kas, this is enough food for three people."
"You're eight feet tall and about to fight four hundred enemies. You need three people's worth of food. Eat."
Through our bond, her absolute conviction that I needed proper nutrition. I wasn't going to win this argument.
Mo arrived with her inevitable notebook. "I've finalized the post-battle recovery schedule. You're going to be injured, probably severely. I've accounted for everything from minor exhaustion to catastrophic magical depletion. Here's your meal plan, your rest schedule, and your limited visitation hours so you can actually heal."
"Mo, I haven't even fought yet."
"Preparation prevents problems. Now memorize this schedule."
"I can't memorize seventeen pages of..."
"Then I'll read it to you during your recovery. While you're too injured to escape."
"That's ominous."
"That's efficient."
Yuzu settled beside me with surprising grace for someone who'd clearly just rolled out of bed. "I've confirmed through my contacts, the Empire is definitely coming tomorrow. Four hundred and thirty-seven Paladins, fifty-three siege weapons, twenty-eight aerial units, and one High Luminary's Chosen named Matthias Dawnbreaker."
"Dawnbreaker. That's a very ominous name."
"He's very ominous. Never lost a Purification. Blessed by Seraphina herself. Has divine authority to call down actual judgment from the Light." She sipped her tea calmly. "You're going to destroy him."
"That's a very casual assessment of a near-divine warrior."
"I've seen you fight. I've felt your power through the bond. And I've watched Dewdrop's faith make you stronger every day." She smiled. "He's bringing divine authority. You're bringing Papa Knox energy. Papa Knox wins."
"That's not a thing!"
"It absolutely is!" Dewdrop called from across the hall. "Papa Knox energy is the strongest energy!"
The entire hall erupted in agreement. Children cheering, adults nodding seriously, even the usually stoic bear kin warriors making solemn affirmations.
"I'm surrounded by insanity," I muttered.
"You're surrounded by faith," Nyx corrected, appearing in her dragonkin form. "And that faith is power. Actual, measurable power. Your mana capacity has increased seventeen percent since Dewdrop's declaration. Your physical enhancements have stabilized at levels that should be impossible. Your emotional regulation is better than it's been since the transformation."
"You're saying a tiny fairy's belief is making me objectively stronger."
"I'm saying that bonds work both ways. Her faith flows to you, makes you stronger. Your strength flows back, confirms her faith. It's a feedback loop of absolute certainty." She grinned. "You're being powered by a four-year-old's unshakeable conviction. It's adorable and terrifying."
"So if I doubt..."
"Don't." She said it simply, certainly. "Don't doubt. Don't question. Don't worry. Just accept that you're going to win because you promised, and promises have power."
Through our soul bond, her own faith, not in prophecy or magic, but in me. In my stubborn refusal to break promises. In my absolute commitment to protecting family.
That was the power feeding me. Not hope. Not wishful thinking. Earned trust from people who'd seen me keep my word before.
Mid-Morning: Final Preparations
Despite the festival atmosphere, there was still work to do. Mo had calculated optimal defensive positions (even though I was fighting alone, having strong fallback positions was "tactically sound"). Kas had drilled the warriors on emergency protocols (even though we weren't evacuating, being prepared was "responsible"). Yuzu had mapped every possible approach route (even though the Empire was coming straight at us, having intelligence was "always valuable").
Everyone was preparing for victory while planning for complications. It was practical optimism at its finest.
I spent the morning checking on people. Not giving grand speeches or making dramatic preparations. Just... being present. Talking to refugees, helping with construction, playing with the children who kept finding excuses to be near me.
"Warden!" Kota bounded over, vibrating with excitement. "I've been practicing! Watch!"
He launched into a combat form that was... enthusiastic if not technically perfect.
"That's great, Kit."
"I'm going to be just like you when I grow up! Strong and brave and good at keeping promises!"
"That's a lot of pressure."
"It's inspiration! Matron Siraq says you're a good role model!"
I looked over at Siraq, who was definitely trying not to laugh. "Did she now?"
"She did! She also said you're stubborn as a rock and twice as hard-headed, but I think that's a compliment?"
"It absolutely is," Siraq confirmed, approaching with her characteristic grace. "Stubborn keeps you alive. Hard-headed means you don't give up. Both excellent qualities."
"I'm choosing to take that as praise."
"Good. Because it was meant as such." She watched Kota run off to practice more. "He idolizes you, you know. All the young ones do. Not just because you're strong, but because you're kind. Because you keep your promises. Because you're showing them what strength should be used for."
"That's a lot of weight."
"You're eight feet tall. You can handle it." She smiled. "Knox, tomorrow when you walk out there, and you will walk out there, because you're not sending anyone else, remember that you're not just fighting for Ashenhearth. You're fighting for every child who believes that promises matter. That honor exists. That monsters can protect instead of destroy."
"No pressure."
"Enormous pressure. But you've handled worse." She stepped closer, her voice dropping. "I know you're going to win. I've seen what you become when family is threatened. The Empire is sending divine warriors. You're bringing fatherly determination. Fatherly determination wins."
"Everyone keeps saying that like it's established fact."
"Because it is. Ask any parent... we're terrifying when our children are in danger. You've adopted half the fortress. That's a lot of protective instinct to channel."
She wasn't wrong. The idea of any of these children being hurt, of Dewdrop's faith being betrayed...
It made something in my chest burn cold and certain.
"I'm winning," I said quietly. "Not because I'm the strongest or the most skilled. But because I promised a tiny fairy I'd come back for story time. And that promise is absolute."
"There it is. That certainty." Siraq kissed my cheek. "Hold onto that. Tomorrow when things get hard, when you're tired and hurt and wondering if you can continue... remember story time. Remember that tiny voice expecting you home. Let that be your strength."
Through our bond, her own faith mixing with everyone else's. Building into something tangible.
I was carrying an entire fortress's belief into battle tomorrow.
The Empire was bringing four hundred Paladins.
They should have brought more.
Afternoon: The Pre-Victory Feast
The "pre-victory feast" was exactly as chaotic as expected. Someone had roasted entirely too much food. The fairies had enchanted the decorations to sparkle. Children ran everywhere in organized chaos. Adults pretended to be dignified while clearly enjoying the festivities.
"This is surreal," I said to no one in particular.
"This is faith," Elder Mirielle corrected, appearing beside me. "Your family believes you'll win, so they're celebrating early. It's not presumption, Knox. It's confidence. They know you. Know what you're capable of. Know that promises to children are sacred."
"What if I fail?"
"Then we'll deal with it. But we're not planning for failure. We're planning for victory. Because that's what you've taught us, to believe in better outcomes. To have faith that good people doing good things can win."
"That's optimistic."
"That's necessary." She smiled, ancient and knowing. "Tomorrow you face an army. But you're not alone. Every person here, every child who sang for you, every warrior who believes, they're fighting with you. Their faith is your armor. Their trust is your weapon."
"That's a lot of metaphysical weight."
"You're a chimera powered by a four-year-old's unshakeable belief. You passed 'normal physics' months ago."
Fair point.
Dewdrop found me during dessert, settling into my beard with a satisfied sigh. "This is nice. Everyone's happy. Tomorrow you're winning. Next day is story time. Everything's perfect."
"You're very certain about tomorrow."
"Because I know you, Papa. You keep promises. You promised story time every day. Tomorrow's just the day you have to work extra hard to keep the promise. But you'll do it. Because you're Papa Knox."
Through our bond, her faith was a constant warmth. Unshakeable. Absolute.
"What if things go wrong?" I asked quietly.
"They won't."
"But what if..."
"Papa." She looked up at me, tiny face serious. "You're doing the 'what if' thing again. Stop it. You're going to win. I decided. And I'm very smart. So my decisions are good ones."
"You decided I'm winning."
"Yes."
"Just like that."
"Just like that." She settled back into my beard. "Now stop worrying and enjoy the feast. Tomorrow's just another day you keep your promise. That's all."
Just another day keeping my promise.
She made it sound so simple.
And maybe it was.
Evening: Individual Moments
As evening fell and the feast wound down, each of my partners found their moment with me.
Kas pulled me to the training ground, the space lit by moonlight and fairy lights.
"Tomorrow you fight alone," she said bluntly.
"Yes."
"I hate that. Every warrior instinct I have says I should be beside you. Fighting with you. Protecting you."
"Kas..."
"But I know why you're doing it. Because if I'm there, you'll worry about me. You'll divide your attention. You'll hold back." She took my hands, her grip strong and certain. "So I'm staying here. Watching. Believing. And when you win... not if, when... I'm going to be right here waiting to celebrate."
"What if I'm too injured to celebrate?"
"Then I'll celebrate quietly beside your recovery bed. While Mo enforces her schedule. While the others hover. While Dewdrop reads you stories." She grinned. "You're winning, Knox. I've never seen you fail at something you truly committed to. And you've committed to that tiny fairy. The Empire doesn't stand a chance."
"You make it sound inevitable."
"Because it is. You're Oni-level stubborn now. That's basically a superpower." She pulled me down for a kiss. "Win fast. Win decisively. Come home. In that order."
"Yes ma'am."
"Good." She released me, but her eyes were soft. "I believe in you, Knox. Completely."
Yuzu found me in the library later, her usual seduction completely absent. She just sat beside me and took my hand.
"I spent my life manipulating faith," she said quietly. "Using people's beliefs against them. Making them doubt themselves while believing in me. It was power. It was control. It was empty." She looked at me. "But watching what Dewdrop's faith does to you, how it makes you stronger, clearer, more determined... that's real power. Pure power. The kind I've spent my life pretending to have."
"Yuzu..."
"Tomorrow you're going to do something impossible. You're going to win because a tiny fairy believes you will. That's the most beautiful magic I've ever seen." She kissed my temple. "Don't break her faith, Knox. Not because of what it would do to her, but because faith that pure deserves to be rewarded."
"I won't break it."
"I know. Because you're you. Because promises matter to you in ways most people can't understand." She smiled, genuine and warm. "Win, Knox. Show the Empire what happens when they underestimate a father's promises."
Mo cornered me in my quarters with her final schedules and plans.
"This is your post-battle recovery protocol," she said, spreading papers across the table. "I've calculated for every possible injury scenario. Magical exhaustion will require these supplements. Physical trauma will need this treatment schedule. Psychological impact will benefit from limited social interaction followed by gradual reintegration."
"Mo, you've planned for every... "
"Every possible outcome except death. Because you're not dying. You promised Dewdrop. You don't break promises." She looked up, eyes suspiciously shiny. "You're winning, Knox. My calculations say you shouldn't. My heart says you will. I'm trusting my heart."
"That's terrifying for you."
"Completely terrifying. But also... liberating?" She smiled uncertainly. "I've spent my life trusting numbers. Trusting logic. Trusting probability. But watching you, watching how faith and promise and determination create their own probability... maybe there are equations I don't know yet."
"That's very philosophical for Mo."
"I'm expanding my analytical framework to include emotional variables." She thrust the papers at me. "Now promise me you'll follow this schedule after you win. Promise me you'll let us take care of you."
"I promise."
"Good." She deflated, vulnerability showing through. "Come back, Knox. Even if you're injured. Even if it's hard. Come back. We need you. Dewdrop needs you. I need you."
"I'll come back, Mo. Always."
Finally, Nyx found me on the wall walk at midnight, after everyone else had said their piece.
She transformed into her full dragon form, curled around me protectively, and we sat in silence for a long moment.
"I can feel your power growing," she said eventually. "The bonds are feeding you strength. Everyone's faith, their certainty, their love, it's all flowing into you. You're becoming something again. Something beyond even your chimera transformation."
"What am I becoming?"
"Something that keeps promises. Something powered by love and faith and absolute determination." She lowered her massive head to look at me directly. "You're becoming exactly what the Empire fears most, a symbol that you don't need their authority. That family and faith and chosen bonds are stronger than their hierarchy."
"That's a lot of responsibility."
"You've carried more. You carried an entire dungeon's corruption and balanced it. You carried the weight of everyone's survival during the Paladin attack. You can carry this." She nuzzled me gently. "Besides, you're not carrying it alone. We're all with you. Every bond, every promise, every tiny fairy who believes you're invincible."
"I'm not invincible."
"You are when it matters. When promises are on the line. When children are watching. When family needs protection." She rumbled deep in her chest. "Tomorrow you're walking out alone to face an army. And you're going to win. Not because you're the strongest, though you are. Not because you're the most skilled, though you're learning. But because you promised a tiny fairy you'd come back for story time, and that promise is absolute."
"You make it sound inevitable."
"Because it is. You're my mate. My soul-bond. I know you better than anyone. And I know that promise to Dewdrop is sacred to you. More sacred than your own life. You'll win because failing would break that promise, and you don't break promises."
Through our soul bond, her absolute certainty. Not hope. Not faith. Knowledge. She knew me well enough to know that some promises were unbreakable.
"I'm scared," I admitted quietly.
"Good. Fear keeps you sharp. But Knox? That tiny fairy isn't scared. She knows you're coming back. Let her faith balance your fear. Let her certainty strengthen your doubt. You're not alone in this."
"I love you."
"I know. I love you too. All of you, the demon, the dragon blood, the astral weirdness, the Papa Knox who tells bedtime stories. All of you." She wrapped her wings around me. "Now come to bed. Tomorrow you change the world. Tonight, you rest with your family."
The Final Night
I returned to our quarters to find everyone already there, waiting. Not sleeping. Just... being together.
"We're not letting you sleep alone tonight," Kas announced.
"We decided you need us," Yuzu added.
"For moral support and statistical probability enhancement," Mo finished.
"That's not how statistics work."
"It is now. I'm expanding my frameworks."
Dewdrop was already asleep in my beard, having apparently claimed her spot hours ago. Through our bond, I felt her peaceful dreams. Dreams of story time. Of Papa Knox coming home. Of promises kept.
Her faith was absolute.
And somehow, that made everything clearer.
I settled into bed, reinforced by Mo's engineering and expanded to accommodate everyone, and let my family surround me. Not saying goodbye. Just being present. Being together.
"Tomorrow," I said quietly, "I keep my promise."
"Tomorrow," they agreed in unison.
Through all the bonds, their faith flowed. Not blind hope. Earned trust. They'd seen me keep promises before. They believed I'd keep this one.
And feeling that certainty, that absolute conviction...
I believed it too.
The Empire was bringing an army.
I was bringing Papa Knox energy.
Papa Knox energy was undefeated.
Tomorrow, the Empire would learn that lesson.
Tonight, I held my family close and let their faith become my strength.
[IMPERIAL ASSAULT: TOMORROW]
[FAMILY'S FAITH: ABSOLUTE]
[KNOX'S RESOLVE: UNSHAKEABLE]
[DEWDROP'S DREAMS: PEACEFUL]
[STORY TIME: SCHEDULED]
[THE EMPIRE'S MISTAKE: IMMINENT]
Through Dewdrop's bond, I felt her dream. She was dreaming about tomorrow night. About sitting in our secret grove. About Papa Knox telling her the story she'd requested.
About a promise kept.
And I made a silent vow: whatever it took, whatever I had to become, whatever price I had to pay, that dream was coming true.
Because Papa Knox kept his promises.
Always.