The Knight, having gathered its needs from Sly's shop and received the Grubfather's meager yet heartfelt gratitude in Geo, descended once more into the depths of the Forgotten Crossroads. This time, its course veered toward a passage cloaked in green, where creeping foliage claimed the stone walls as though nature sought to reclaim its dominion over Hallownest.
The corridor opened into a verdant path, vibrant yet foreboding. The air here was thick with the scent of damp earth and the faint hum of hidden life. It was not long before the Knight encountered a creature reminiscent of the temple's guardian—a beast that coiled into a shell of impenetrable defense when approached. The Knight, unshaken by this display, employed its Vengeful Spirit, sending fiery bursts to shatter the creature's resolve. With the beast dispatched, the Knight pressed forward, stepping into the realm known as Greenpath.
The Living Labyrinth
Greenpath was a world apart from the Forgotten Crossroads. Lush greenery wove through the stone, and creatures lurked in shadows, emerging suddenly to ambush the unwary traveler. Elevated platforms hung precariously over pools of acid, their surfaces a perilous reminder of the consequences of a misstep. The Knight tread carefully, employing precise strikes and spells to ward off venomous enemies that exhaled clouds of poison.
The wooded corridors led the Knight to a branch in the path, where an upward climb revealed a much-needed bench. Here the Knight rested, its small form briefly still against the vibrant backdrop of the living labyrinth.
A Fleeting Glimpse
Further along the path, the Knight caught sight of a lithe warrior standing upon a ledge. This figure, poised and enigmatic, exuded an air of purpose. With a swift motion, they departed, leaving the Knight to wonder at their identity. The path they took was inaccessible for the moment, forcing the Knight to descend into a deeper shaft in pursuit of answers.
Cornifer's Map
At the bottom of the shaft, the familiar hum of Cornifer's jaunty tune greeted the Knight. To reach him, the Knight slashed vines holding stones suspended by greenery, creating makeshift platforms to navigate the chamber. Finding Cornifer nestled among his maps, the Knight exchanged 60 Geo for a guide to Greenpath's winding trails. The cartographer's cheer brought a rare moment of levity to the journey before the Knight resumed its path.
Through Thorns and Shadows
The Knight pressed on, cutting through overgrown vines and descending slabs of stone into the depths of Greenpath. Pools of acid bubbled below, thorns clawed at the edges of the passageways, and Moss Chargers, massive beasts draped in leafy camouflage, lurked along the trail. These creatures, though formidable in appearance, were swiftly dispatched by a combination of the Knight's Nail and Vengeful Spirit.
The path climbed upward to a toll gate, where the Knight paid 50 Geo to unlock another bench and update its map. Rested and resolute, it ascended the chasm to an area where the architecture of Hallownest's forgotten glory began to resurface amid the green.
Encounter with the Moss Knight
The ascent brought the Knight face-to-face with a Moss Knight, a towering foe shrouded in foliage. The Knight's strategy was twofold: leap above the beast to strike downwards and retreat swiftly, or unleash a flurry of Vengeful Spirit spells to weaken it from a safe distance. The Moss Knight's attacks, though powerful, were slow and predictable, allowing the Knight to outmaneuver it with relative ease. Victorious, the Knight pressed onward, leaving the ruins behind as the green reclaimed its hold.
The Greenpath Stagway
Continuing deeper, the Knight discovered a Stagway station nestled within the foliage. For 140 Geo, it unlocked this vital connection, ensuring swift passage to and from Greenpath. With its map updated and its resolve renewed, the Knight ventured upward once more, taking the first leftward path to confront the mysterious warrior glimpsed earlier.
Hornet, the Agile Protector
The encounter was swift, the warrior revealing herself to be Hornet, a figure both fierce and graceful. Her movements were a blur, her needle a deadly weapon that struck with precision and speed. The battle was a test of reflexes and patience, with Hornet dashing across the arena, leaping into the air to deliver sweeping strikes, and hurling her needle in calculated arcs.
The Knight responded with deft dodges, well-timed Nail strikes, and bursts of Vengeful Spirit when openings presented themselves. Hornet's attacks demanded precision—her dashes required the Knight to leap over her path, her needle throws to be avoided with quick footwork. At times, she paused, stunned by the Knight's relentless assault, allowing for a brief reprieve to heal or land additional strikes.
The battle was fierce, but the Knight's determination outlasted Hornet's agility. Defeated, she retreated, her parting words enigmatic and laced with challenge.
The Mothwing Cloak
In the aftermath, the Knight discovered the remains of one who had fallen to Hornet's needle. From the body, it claimed the Mothwing Cloak, a gift of profound utility that granted the Knight the power to dash. With this newfound ability, the labyrinth of Greenpath would yield more of its secrets.
And so, as the green canopy above swayed gently in the unseen breeze, the Knight moved forward, its journey through Hallownest growing ever more entwined with the mysteries it sought to unravel.