The descent through the well was no mere tumble into darkness but a deliberate crossing of thresholds, from the pale quietude of Dirtmouth to the labyrinthine expanse below. The Forgotten Crossroads, aptly named, unfolded before the Knight as a sprawling network of caverns—worn, fractured, and faintly whispering of an age when these paths bustled with the cadence of countless tiny legs.
To the left, the Knight journeyed, drawn by the quiet song of the earth's secrets. Platforms hung suspended in the gloom, their chains creaking like weary sighs. The Knight descended steadily, stepping lightly as though not to disturb the ghosts of those who once tread this way. Reaching the bottom, it passed through a fractured floor, its steps leading to an unmistakable sound: the hum of a jaunty tune, carried by the echoes of a cavern.
Here was Cornifer, the cartographer, a genial bug with parchment at the ready and ink-stained hands that seemed as much a part of him as his horns. With a delighted wave, he offered a map of the area for the modest sum of 30 Geo. The Knight, recognizing the value of such guidance in this winding underworld, exchanged its hard-earned treasure for the parchment. Cornifer's cheerful tune followed the Knight as it retraced its steps upward, the promise of future meetings already etched in their brief encounter.
A Return to the Surface
The Knight, mindful of the challenges ahead, heeded the advice of the mapmaker. It climbed back to Dirtmouth, where Iselda, Cornifer's wife, had opened a shop of practical wares. The Quill, priced at 120 Geo, beckoned as an indispensable tool, enabling the Knight to document its own explorations upon benches scattered throughout Hallownest. Though the cost was steep, the promise of clarity in the depths rendered it a worthy investment. With Iselda's brusque yet oddly comforting demeanor as a send-off, the Knight once more plunged into the Forgotten Crossroads.
The Stagway Station
The map, now cradled in the Knight's possession, guided it to a chamber of peculiar grandeur. Here stood the Stagway station, a relic of Hallownest's former unity. Paying 50 Geo, the Knight rang the bell, its clear tone summoning the last Stag. The great beast, though aged, carried itself with a dignity befitting its noble lineage. The Knight marveled at the Stag's immense form and the network it represented—a lifeline between the realms of Hallownest. Unlocking the Dirtmouth entrance, the Knight ensured its future travels would be swift and sure.
Encounter with the False Knight
With newfound resolve, the Knight pressed deeper into the Crossroads. At the end of a winding path lay a chamber marked by an ominous stillness. The air hung heavy, as though bracing itself for violence yet unspent. Dispatching lesser foes, the Knight advanced to the far end, where iron gates slammed shut with a clang that reverberated through the cavern.
From above descended a great, armored figure, the False Knight. Its bulbous frame shook the ground as it landed, wielding a massive mace that gleamed cruelly in the dim light. The fight commenced, a clash of agility against brute strength.
The False Knight's attacks were as wild as they were powerful, each swing of its mace sending shockwaves rippling through the ground. The Knight, small but swift, danced around the attacks, waiting for openings. When the False Knight's helmeted head emerged unguarded, the Knight struck with precision, each blow ringing out like a bell tolling its adversary's demise.
As the fight wore on, the False Knight's fury grew, its assaults raining down with reckless abandon. Explosives fell from the ceiling, adding chaos to an already tumultuous battle. Yet the Knight remained undeterred, its patience and vigilance unwavering.
Finally, with a mighty leap, the False Knight slammed the ground, shattering the floor beneath them. Both combatants plummeted to the level below, where the Knight delivered a decisive series of blows to the vulnerable figure revealed within the hulking armor. The False Knight's shell lay crumpled, and from it, the Knight retrieved the City Crest, an artifact of significance yet untold.
The Road Ahead
As the Knight stood amidst the wreckage of its foe, the quiet of the Forgotten Crossroads returned, broken only by the faint hum of distant winds through the tunnels. The journey was far from over; the labyrinth held secrets, dangers, and revelations yet undiscovered. And the Knight, bearing its silent resolve, would uncover them all, one step, one swing of the Nail, and one glimmer of Geo at a time.