Who knew that being a Great Knight, clad in holy iron armor, would make it easier to venture into a forest filled with sprites, fairies, and, of course, the Faes—the mischievous and unpredictable beings Galahad planned to confront while assisting with Tupa's quest?

Galahad pondered the Faes' rebellion. It would be understandable if it were the Unseelie Court, but aren’t the Faes within the city’s borders the benevolent type? It raised concerns that Galahad could not ignore. He was no fool, and his instincts were usually spot on. He had been through many adventures with his previous party and had encountered various creatures and entities. Why would the Faes act up now? It couldn’t be just simple mischief, could it?

Galahad steeled his heart and spirit for whatever trials the Gods might throw his way. He knew his resolve would be tested to succeed in his main mission of destroying the Heavenly Yard dungeon. Finding and convincing the Elusive Assassin he sought would be the first step.

“There you go, little one…” Galahad’s back straightened as he looked at the fairy with delight, donning his gauntlets once more. He couldn’t touch the tiny creature while wearing iron but couldn’t fully remove his armor and risk danger in this treacherous forest. Reversing his red cape, he gently placed the fairy within and tended to its broken leg. The glowing creature stood, examining the small strip of red cloth Galahad had torn from his cape to wrap its leg. It smiled brightly, took flight as if it had never been injured, and gave a thankful kiss to Galahad’s helmet before fading into the night.

Darkness once again engulfed the surroundings, but the flame stone lamp provided enough light for Galahad to see. It would have been nice if a fairy had accompanied him, but he wasn’t one to abuse favors, even for important tasks. He would plead, of course, but he could never force others.

He knew he would have to be extra stubborn and convincing when he finally met the Assassin he was pursuing.

As Galahad continued his hike, various creatures emerged in curiosity but kept their distance, while others chose to hide from the light of his lamp. Strangely, he saw no Faes, only fairies. It seemed his aid to one fairy had sparked the curiosity of others, leading them to test his patience with playful pranks. These pranks made him more popular among them, as the Knight never lashed out, instead laughing and shaking his head. His cape, however, became a coveted item, with fairies ripping little pieces from it whenever he was distracted by vines wrapping his ankles or sudden bursts of light.

Mischievous creatures indeed. His cape might serve well as barter.

“Little friends, how about we make a deal?” Galahad knelt, addressing a group of giggling fairies perched on a large mushroom. The fairies blinked and looked up at him curiously, no longer wary. “You like my cape, right? I will give it to you. In exchange, can you tell me if you have seen a human? He is an Assassin, said to have come here to talk to the Faes and retrieve books… oh?”

Galahad stopped, seeing fear in the fairies’ faces. They shook their heads, not to indicate they hadn’t seen the man but to warn him against seeking him.

“You are in grave danger, Human Knight!” one fairy spoke directly into his mind, clasping its hands as if pleading for his safety. “That human has been branded, darkness has claimed his psyche. You must not follow him, lest you fall prey to the growing darkness in this Forest!”

Galahad sensed the fairies were withholding something, but one thing was clear: Tupa was in danger, branded by this darkness.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

“Please…” Galahad pleaded, alarmed. “That man is in more danger, and I need to find him. He is vital to my quest and needed by the world outside this forest. Please, just a direction, or proof of his life. I cannot let him die in vain, alone, without comfort.”

He had pledged to the Gods to make the world a better place. Helping this Assassin, now in great peril, would be a step towards that goal.

“… do not believe them.” The fairies’ wings drooped in sadness as their playmate chose to walk towards darkness. Seeing the purity of his heart and his willingness to help, they decided to aid him with a warning. “They are not what they seem, and they are not what they claim. The human is in danger. The books are carrots, and the human is being tricked!”

“Them? You mean the Faes?” Galahad leaned closer but not enough to weaken the fairies with his helmet’s metal. “Are these Faes from the Unseelie Court?”

“I’m sorry, Human Friend… we cannot say.” They shook their heads, then flew away. “Please be safe… please do not believe.” They left without looking back, fearing the danger of being associated with the Assassin despite their fondness for Galahad. This made Galahad ponder deeply, but he remained determined.

‘What are you doing, Tupa?’ Galahad wondered. He had heard much about Tupa from others, and he doubted the Assassin would fall for trickery. Could this be his ‘need’ to go where he is needed? If so, then this danger was significant. Galahad wouldn’t let Tupa face it alone.

His journey continued until he saw a flickering light in the distance. It looked different from the fairies’ glow. Could it be a Fae? Galahad approached cautiously, then rushed forward, nearly dropping his lamp. His armor clanked as he ran to the fallen figure, lying motionless with a broken flame stone lamp and scattered books. He knew instantly it was the Assassin.

“Hey… hey!” Galahad gathered the Assassin in his arms. The other was limp and cold, the smell of blood strong. He saw sunken eyes within the hood of the masked Assassin. “Hey, wake up!”

Without delay, Galahad took a vial from his satchel, pulling down the Assassin’s mask and pouring the liquid into his lips. His heart raced as he watched the Assassin’s pale face. Seconds ticked by, and the Assassin stirred. Tired eyes fluttered open, locking with Galahad’s.

“What the hell is a knight doing here?” he rasped, sitting up with Galahad’s help. He rubbed his face, smelling the blood on his clothes. He knew who did this. “You should leave while they aren’t targeting you.”

“No, I am here to stay, with you.” Galahad made his intent clear, causing Tupa to look at him warily. “Hey…! You are not well yet—”

“I’m fine. Don’t be weird. Just figure out how to get out of the forest without the Faes misdirecting us.”

Tupa was unwelcoming, but Galahad understood. He was a stranger who had appeared suddenly, and the Fae’s trickery had made Tupa wary of everyone. But Galahad wouldn’t leave him alone, not when he seemed so vulnerable and frail.

“Let me lead the way.” Galahad straightened up and helped Tupa pick up the books. They smelled strongly of magic—some holy, some attuned with nature, and some more forbidden, urging him to open them. He stopped only when Tupa quickly snatched a book.

“Quest details say not to open any of the books. It looks like you’re not here for the book retrieval quest.” Tupa gathered all the books, so many that Galahad couldn’t see his face. Galahad sighed with a smile, taking half of them despite Tupa’s refusal. “Don’t—”

“Sir Assassin, I came here to seek your help.” Galahad said gently, placing some books in his satchel. “You may not need me, but I am desperate for your aid.”

Galahad’s words had struck a chord. The Elusive Assassin considered his words, though not his presence, because Galahad said he needed help. Tupa was someone who aided when there were needs, and Galahad's plea resonated with him.

Tupa stopped, looking at Galahad, as if he could see through his helmet. After a minute, he turned and started walking slowly. Still weak, but moving—an admirable trait.

Galahad’s words had struck a chord. The Elusive Assassin considered his words, though not his presence.

“We will talk outside the Forest. But I cannot accept outright. I am still trying to finish the quest, and these Faes are playing with their food.”

Galahad smiled within his helmet, confident he could gain the Assassin’s trust. Walking beside him, Galahad matched his pace, becoming a positive aura to Tupa’s unwelcoming one. “Don’t worry! I know you are busy. I’ve been looking for you for months. I’m just happy you’re alive and well.”

Tupa remained silent, but Galahad didn’t know that those words would be remembered. No one had ever expressed happiness at his survival. It was strange for the Assassin, especially from a stranger. In his cynical mind, he believed the Knight was truly desperate for his help.

Humans, after all, are creatures driven by needs and wants.