Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The Forgotten Crossroads was, up until recently, an unsafe place to be. Grotesque infected beings could be found around any corner, ready to explode at a moment’s notice.

That is, of course, no longer the case. Now, the most threatening thing to be found is a Vengefly, and even then, they’re no real danger to all but the most unprepared. 

Two bugs, similar in appearance but extremely dissimilar in stature, enter the Crossroads from above. They each carry a nail, though one is clearly more ready to use it than the other. 

Scrit-scrit-scrit

A Tiktik approaches, searching for its next meal. The small isopod unseeingly bumps into the leg of the taller bug.

!!!

They jump back instinctively, trembling slightly. The smaller of the two unsheaths their nail in a flash, standing between their companion and the interloper, ready to strike. That is, until a hand reaches out and touches theirs.

Wait. I want to learn. 

The small one looks up, confused, but obliges, lowering their nail and raising their hands to explain.

It’s called a Tiktik. They walk in circles in search of food. It can’t hurt you. I think it just eats plants. Its claws are sharp, but only used to climb.

Stepping out from behind their smaller sibling, the bug kneels down and holds out their hand. The Tiktik approaches, nudges their hand, and then begins to walk away upon not finding anything to eat. Emboldened by this success, they then quickly scoop it up, cradling it. 

I want to feed it. Let’s go back. 

“Ghost, Hollow, I’m coming in!” The door is thrown open while the warning is still being given. “H- what is that.”

My friend. 

They are clearly pleased about this development.

“Your… you know what? Why not. Anyway, I’m heading into the Howling Cliffs to search for something. It matters not what, but I figured I ought to make sure you two are still alive while I’m in the area.”

Hornet knows better than to inform her sibling that she, and the other denizens of Deepnest, eat that sort of thing on the regular. They’d probably be inconsolable for days. Best to just not mention it. And anyway, it’s rare to see them expressing that kind of joy over something. She might as well let it last. They’ve been through enough, and it’s going to take a long time for them to learn that they no longer have anything to fear, not with their siblings around to protect them forevermore.

Chapter Text

The vessels, like all beings that sleep, are wont to dream.

Ghost, like the child they still are, falls asleep at a moment’s notice, whenever they stay in one spot for long enough. Their naps are sporadic and often short, rarely allowing sufficient time for them to drift off into dreams. Hornet begins to wonder after a while if that is not just a trait but an adaptation, borne out of necessity. 

Hollow pushes themself for far too long before sleeping, and can often be found slumped down in their garden, or with a book open in their lap, as if they refuse to admit they have such a mortal need. More than once has Hornet had to drag them back into their house, usually with considerable difficulty given their large size and gangly limbs.

Part 1

On one day when Hornet decides to visit, she enters Hollow’s home to find them trembling, sitting in a corner, clutching their head in their hand. Particles of void float around them, almost defensively. 

“Hollow?”

They glance upward ever so quickly before returning to their previous position. 

“Hollow, is everything alright?”

She approaches slowly, careful to not make any sudden movements that might startle them. Carefully, she reaches out and touches their arm. They stiffen, immediately going still. 

“Hollow, it’s me. Hornet. Your sister. Did something happen?”

They glance up again, looking her over. Then, slowly, they reach out, brushing their hand against their sister’s face. 

Real. 

“Pardon?”

You’re real. 

“Last time I checked, yes. What’s gotten into you?”

I slept, and I saw her. I was in the past again, a world where you and Ghost had never shown up to stop her, to free me. I was weak, and crumbling, and she was in my mind. 

Hornet realizes it must be difficult to distinguish nightmares from reality when your reality was, up until quite recently, a living nightmare. 

“She’s gone, Hollow. Ghost made sure of that. She’s not coming back.”

I know that! I’m not foolish. But in my dreams, it feels like… like she’s there again. 

“I’m not accusing you of foolishness, as you are well aware. I’m simply reminding you of our reality.”

I know. I didn’t mean to lash out.

“And I understand the struggle not to, given all you have been through. It is a wonder that you are such a gentle soul, after everything. You have no need to apologize for being defensive, Hollow. In fact, perhaps it would do you some good.”

Hornet…

Hollow pauses, lowering their hand, thinking over what to say. Then, in lieu of words, they reach out and wrap their arm around their sister. 

Signing internally, Hornet returns the hug, holding her sibling close. These two strange bugs, her only remaining family… whatever will she do with them? 

Part 2

I can’t find Ghost.

“You what?”

They were asleep, and now they’re gone. I was just in the garden. What do I do? I didn’t- 

“Calm down. They were asleep?”

Inside, yes.

“I think I know what happened. I’ll go find them.”

Thank you. I apologize.

“No need, as it is not your fault. I’ll bring them back.”

Ghost has never actually confided in Hornet outright regarding the dreams that lead them to disappear into the cliffs for hours, but this isn’t the first time it’s happened, and Hornet is starting to put the pieces together. Rather than seeking comfort, they instead isolate themself, when normally they’re prone to enjoying the company of others. This diminutive warrior who has seen so much and endured even more, who goes out of their way to rescue others but never hesitates to draw their nail when they perceive even the tiniest of threats. Hornet thinks she’s coming to understand why they isolate.

She finds them atop a cliff overlooking the kingdom, sitting alone. Though they have no voice, if they did, the silence they now sit in would seem even more unnatural. 

“Ghost?” 

They don’t move. Hornet, sighing to herself, moves closer and sits down beside them. 

“Ghost, Hollow is worried sick about you.”

They look down, a bit ashamed. Hornet hesitates, then places a hand on their tiny shoulder.

“I think I know what brings you out here to this desolate place, away from everyone. You’re scared. Not of the threats that have always surrounded you, but of yourself. You know what you are capable of.”

They don’t respond. It’s not a denial, so she continues. 

“Your power far surpasses what nearly everyone else in the kingdom is capable of, though your sheer determination. You fight without hesitation, always pushing onward through the most insurpassible of obstacles. You’ve done the impossible, and however close it was, lived to tell the tale. And now there’s no more battles, no more infection, but your power remains. Your instinct to attack first and ask questions later, borne out of survival, remains. You fear that power, that drive to persist at all costs, will become weaponized against those around you, those you care for. Simply put, you’re afraid you’ll hurt us. Hollow, and me.”

They slump downward, trying to make their tiny body even smaller. She’s right, then. 

“But know this, Ghost. For as long as I live, I will not let that happen. I have stood as protector of this kingdom for so long, long before you emerged from the deepest darkness and began to wander these lands. I believe in not just your strength, but also your goodness, the drive to help others that is the reason why so many of our neighbors still live today, safe and happy. I cannot imagine a world where you turn against us. However, were that eventuality to arrive, I would personally ensure it comes to a swift end.”

She gently turns them to look at her directly.

“I am fast, and strong, and unrelenting. Your power, great as it is, could never strike me down for good. Were you to turn against me, your life would end far before mine. Know this Ghost, and fear yourself no longer. You will never bring destruction to this kingdom, nor to your family, for as long as I live. Got that?”

That’s… terrifying. 

She smiles. “I try.”

Thank you, Hornet. I believe you. I trust you.

She puts an arm around their shoulder, holding them close to her. They lean their head against her in turn, allowing themself to be comforted. They are really so small, Hornet thinks. Just a child still, not yet given the chance to grow up.

She’ll protect them for as long as she can. Their deepest fears will never come to pass. 

And right now, that protection comes in the form of a hug at the edge of the world, where the wind howls unrelentingly and the lights of the kingdom, their home, twinkle in the distance.

Chapter Text

A jump. A dash forward, across a thorny gap. Clinging to the wall, then clambering up to the next platform. 

Their destination is clear in their mind, though they have no real reason for the trip. Just a whim. A lot of their decisions are based on whims and fleeting ideas, but it always seems to work out, for the most part. 

The air is humid here, but pleasantly clean, especially compared to the Fungal Wastes. Almost there. The path gets more treacherous as they go, an indication that they are getting closer. They slip at one point, missing the platform and falling down into the thorns below. Typical. Undeterred, they climb back up and brush themself off. Soon, they see their destination. Stepping inside, they drop down and walk forward slowly.

Inside, however, it is empty. 

The White Lady is nowhere to be found. 

Wait, seriously? A whole tree god just vanished? Just like that? And what about the bit where she’d tied herself up? 

Confused, the tiny bug turns and leaves. Stepping back outside, they look around, trying to find some hint as to the former queen’s wearabouts. 

In the distance, they just barely can pick up a giggle. 

Raising their nail out of instinct, they begin walking toward the source of the noise. As they get closer, just visible through the thick vines and leaves, they can make out two figures. 

“Hello? Is someone there?”

The Knight steps closer. 

“Oh, it’s just the vessel. I must admit, I didn’t think I would see it again here.”

The Knight looks up at the figure of the White Lady, their mother. Beside her, in a pool of acidic water, is a large slug-like being: Unn, god of the Greenpath and creator of the mosskin. Unn looks them over and giggles. The White Lady speaks. 

“Are you wondering what I am doing out here, outside of my self-imposed exile? As you can see, after many years of isolation, I have acquainted myself with dear Unn here. What brings you out here, though? Did you need something from me?”

The Knight shakes their head. 

“Interesting. Perhaps its wandering has simply brought it back to me once more. As always, I am unable to discern its intentions. It has certainly grown strong in recent times, however. I am proud of all you have accomplished, vessel. And I have heard whispers, conveyed to me by Unn from the mosskin, that the Hollow Knight has been liberated from its duty as well.”

They nod.

“It is still disappointing how it failed at the purpose of its creation, but perhaps if now liberated, it can find a new purpose, in this new world created by void as well as gods.” 

The Knight raises their hands from under their cloak, so that they can sign a response to their mother’s rambles. 

They’re gardening.

Unn watches their movements, then leans over and whispers to the White Lady.

“Gardening? Who is?”

Hollow. We have a home in Dirtmouth. They keep a garden. They grow flowers, and fruit, I think. 

“The Hollow Knight is gardening? With the other vessel? Wait. The vessel is communicating to you?”

Unn smiles. 

“The child isn’t as empty as their expressionless face implies, you know.”

“But- the vessels cannot speak. They are incapable.” 

“The child has learned sign language, and speaks despite their voicelessness. Their tiny hands form the words they wish to convey so effortlessly, making their thoughts known.”

“Fascinating… I suppose we did, ultimately, incorrectly hypothesize as to what the nature of the vessels would be. First with the Hollow Knight, and now with the vessel that ultimately became the savior of the kingdom.”

“Reality is ever full of surprises. It’s our reason for existing, ultimately, to aid it in being observed, so these surprises can be known.” 

“It truly is, is it not?”

The Knight looks back and forth between the two higher beings before them. 

“The child has a question, unspoken but clear as a still pool of water.” Unn says gently.

The White Lady turns toward them. “It wonders as to what the two of us are doing here, in each other’s presence.” 

“Indeed. Perhaps you should tell them, being as you are their mother.”

“Yes, I suppose I am, aren’t I? Despite having never been there for it, having allowed it and all its siblings to be discarded… I am the mother of the vessels, including the one that stands before us. Very well. You see, vessel, since we began to communicate and enjoy one another’s presence, Unn and I have… how do I put this… become involved with each other.”

The Knight looks between the two, clearly surprised. 

“Yes, though I loved my Wyrm dearly, much time has passed, and it is time I learned to love once again. Unn has already shown me so much, and I find myself looking forward to a future with her, together.”

The Knight considers this, then nods. 

“Well, it would seem that the child approves,” Unn says. 

“I did not require its approval, but I suppose it is good to have. So, small vessel, did you need something else from us?”

I wanted to visit.

When Unn whispers their words to the White Lady, she momentarily looks taken aback. 

“You… wished to see me?” 

They nod again. 

“I cannot imagine why you would want that, but… thank you. Thank you, vessel. Or… have you, by chance, chosen a name for yourself by now, now that you are free from your obligations to the kingdom?”

They consider this. 

I think I’m called Ghost. Hornet started calling me that, and now everyone does. 

“Ghost… an apt name. Chosen for you by your sister, who did what I did not... Well, Ghost. It is lovely to meet you.” 

They bow their head in acknowledgment, and the White Lady laughs quietly, in spite of herself.

“Oh, dear… there’s no need for you to ever bow to me. If anything, I should be the one bowing to you. Thank you, for everything you have done.”

Ghost considers this, then nods, and raises one hand to wave a farewell.

“Goodbye, then. If you come to visit again, do you think… you could also bring the Hollow Knight with you? It would be nice, I think, to see them again, despite everything.”

They nod again, enthusiastic about the idea, before turning to leave. They have some important news to share when they get home, after all.

Hollow Hollow Hollow Hollow Hollow Hollow Hollow Hollow-

“Slow down, Ghost, lest someone thinks there’s a fire.” Hornet tries to grab the tiny bug as they run by, but misses as they dodge her adeptly and continue running all the way into the house of their largest sibling.

Hollow Hollow Hollow Hollow Hollow Hollow Hollow Hollow Hollow Hollow guess what guess what guess what guess what

Their sibling looks at them questioningly.

New mom! New mom! Mom is dating Unn and now we have two moms!

Hollow looks taken aback, but before they can even respond, Ghost has grabbed their arm and begun to drag them outside, in the direction of Greenpath. Hornet, bemused, has no choice but to follow.

It is such a good day in the life of one little Ghost.

Chapter Text

The Hollow Knight sits quietly from a safe distance, watching the two warriors before them slash at one another. To any onlooker who didn’t know better, this would seem to be a fight to the death. Hollow, however, does know better, and wishes they’d be a little quieter about all this. 

The smaller warrior slides past an area of effect attack involving a storm of spider’s silk, only to be caught off guard a moment later as their opponent dashes forward and catches them on her needle, throwing them back. They quickly retaliate by slamming the ground with a powerful blast of shadow, their opponent caught in the center. 

Hollow sighs as the latest attack rattles the windows of the houses in the town they are just outside of. Really, couldn’t they have chosen to do their sparring somewhere a little less bothersome? 

A clang of metal on metal as the taller of the warriors parries her opponent’s nail and then quickly strikes in the opening created, knocking the smaller of the two to the ground. She promptly presses the very tip of her needle to their chest, trapping them there.

“I win.”

In response, they transform into a being of pure void for just a second, long enough to exploit their new incorporeality to escape.

“That’s not- come on! Hollow, did you see that? I won .”

Hollow looks between the two. Their smaller sibling stands proudly, pleased with their little trick. 

They sigh.

You didn’t say they couldn’t use their properties as a vessel, did you?

“Well, I didn’t think it would be necessary, but that’s not the point.” 

Ghost steps forward and tugs at Hornet’s cloak. She looks down at them, annoyed, and they promptly wrap their little arms around her in a hug. She narrows her eyes.

“You can’t charm your way out of this, Ghost.”

They hold onto her tighter. She twitches. 

“Hollow, are you seeing this?” 

Hollow stands and steps over, looking down at the two before kneeling down and wrapping their arm around both of them at once. 

“Hey, wait!”

Hornet tries to wiggle out of their grasp, but they carefully extend a tendril of void from where their second arm once was and close the gap between it and their arm.

“Now both of you are using void against me. Truly, this is the worst possible outcome.” 

Ghost slips away and clambers up their tallest sibling’s back, onto their shoulder, and then presses their forehead against Hornet’s in a facsimile of a kiss. Her cheeks take on the slightest of pink tones.

“Fine, fine. I guess I love you too, Ghost.”

Hollow makes direct eye contact with their sister.

“And you, Hollow. I suppose. ”

Satisfied, they release her from their grasp, and Ghost hops down, allowing them to stand back up. 

From behind them, someone clears their throat.

“Is everything alright over here? The townspeople were, ahem, worried.”

Elderbug stands a fair distance away, as if still afraid to get any closer.

“Everything is fine, worry not. We were just getting in some practice.” 

“I see. Well… next time, you could do it a little further outside of the town? That would be appreciated, I think, by everyone.”

“Of course. Our apologies for bothering you, Elderbug.” Hornet bows her head to him, then reaches out and smacks Ghost, prompting them to do the same. Hollow curtsies, showing off their proper upbringing. Hornet looks slightly annoyed, but Elderbug seems amused, chuckling to himself before walking back over to his usual post. 

Once he’s outside of earshot, Hornet grabs their cloak and pulls them down to her level.

“Did you just curtsy ?”

They nod. 

“Unbelievable. Perhaps next time we’ll make sure you have a nice long skirt to hold the hem of while you do that nonsense.” 

Hollow perks up. Hornet realizes she made a mistake. 

Could you? 

She winces, but can’t bring herself to crush their hopes and dreams. “Do you really want that?”

I do!

“Very well. I’ll see what I can do. You’re lucky I know how to sew, vessel, because there’s no way we’d find a garment large enough for you in this kingdom.” 

Hollow hugs their sister once more, and she makes a point of looking visibly annoyed. However, mentally, she is already planning out a dress design for her sibling. She might as well take this opportunity to show off her skills, after all. 

Chapter Text

Hornet carefully considers the sight before her, trained eyes taking in every detail. 

She reaches out, and quickly makes a cut. The thread falls away, out of sight. 

It is done. 

She smooths the hem carefully, making sure the stitching doesn’t show. It took her so long to weave this fabric, a subtly iridescent material consisting of silk and impossibly thin metallic thread. Though at first glance it is a pure white, when caught in the light just right, a rainbow of colors bursts forth. It is her masterpiece, and the stitching that now holds together the garment must be perfect, so as to not ruin the illusory effect the material creates. 

It is terribly impractical, and she wouldn’t be caught dead in something like this. It is not for her, though, and she hopes that the recipient will at least get some enjoyment out of the outfit, a flowing dress and matching cape. 

Satisfied with the results, Hornet carefully folds it up, wraps it in tissue thin paper, and ties a ribbon around the resulting package. Time to deliver it. Hopefully her work was worthwhile. 

When she arrives in Dirtmouth, she’s trying to not have second thoughts. What if they don’t like it? What if she got the measurements wrong? What if she’s about to make an utter fool out of herself?

She shakes her head slightly. No point in doubting herself now, after months of labor. She suspects her sibling has already forgotten about her taking down their measurements, it’s been so long, or perhaps has at least assumed that she isn’t going to follow through. They should know better, though. She always follows through. It is her nature. 

She knocks on their door. 

A few moments later, it opens. Hollow stands there, looking a bit surprised to see her, but they wave and gesture for her to come inside.

She steps through the door, the gift she carries hidden underneath her cape. A Tiktik scurries into the room, spots her, and instinctively runs away. She watches it for a moment before returning her attention to her sibling.

“Hello, Hollow. I trust you have been well?”

They nod.

I have. Ghost was in here earlier, but I believe has since set off, venturing into the mines. They should be back in a little while, however.

“Typical of them, yes. They can never sit still for long.”

Hollow takes a seat on a floor cushion, gesturing for Hornet to join them. She obliges, crossing her legs gracefully. 

Did you need something, or are you just visiting? It’s nice to see you, so I do hope everything is alright. 

“No need to worry, Hollow, my reason for ascending to Dirtmouth today is perfectly mundane. I have brought with me something for you.” 

They tilt their head slightly. For me?

Hornet pulls the carefully wrapped package out of her cape, and hands it over to them. They accept it gingerly. 

What did I do to deserve such a kind gesture?

“Absolutely nothing, and that is the point. You don’t need to earn kind gestures from us. Now, are you going to open it?”

They nod, carefully pulling the ribbon off. Hornet made sure to tie it so that they could easily remove it. She watches closely as they unwrap the gift.

Is this… 

They unfold the fabric, standing up so that it does not touch the floor. Their hold on it is reverent. 

“So, what do you think?”

They certainly look astonished, but are unable to sign a response while their hand is full. Hornet stands up, holding out her hands. They carefully place the dress in her grasp, bowing their head slightly.

It’s beautiful. Is this really for me?

“Of course it is, who else would it fit? I suspect you are the tallest bug in Hallownest.” 

It-- I’m not sure I can do it justice. After all, I’m… 

Hornet interrupts. “You’re going to wear it at least once before you start that nonsense.” 

Of course, I didn’t mean to imply that I wouldn’t. It’s just so beautiful, and I… am not. 

Hornet grabs their arm, puts the dress over it, and points to the corner.

“Change. Now.” 

Hollow doesn’t argue. They step behind a changing screen, dress and cape in tow. When they step back out, despite having been looking at this dress for the past several months, Hornet is surprised. It turned out even better than she had imagined. The opalescent material drapes over them perfectly, the edge of the cape melting into the trailing dress seamlessly. They stand up to their full height, the tips of their horns brushing the high ceiling, and there is an air of pride to them that Hornet has not seen them carry themself with in so, so long.

“You look wonderful, Hollow. I told you you would.” 

Thank you, Hornet, my dear sister. Thank you. 

Hornet thinks they might start crying. She wonders if that’s even physically possible. 

“Of course, Hollow. You did ask me for a dress, after all. And it is the least I can do, given how much you look after Ghost for me.”

I never imagined it’d be anything like this, though. This is… ethereal. And you made this! It’s amazing. 

“Thank you, I suppose. It did take a while, so I apologize for the wait, but it took time for me to gather the materials and weave the fabric.”

No, thank you! I will cherish this, always. 

Hornet nods, and turns to leave now that her errand is complete, but before she can go, Hollow pulls her into a hug. She sighs to herself and allows herself to hug them back. When they’re satisfied, she steps back.

“I need to return to Deepnest now. After all, I am the closest they have to a leader now.”

Hollow nods.

Your dedication to your responsibilities is admirable. Thank you again for taking your time away from your duties and putting it toward me. 

“Yes, well. You are my sibling, after all. I hope you enjoy your new dress and your--” A movement catches Hornet’s attention, and she looks to see a Crystal Crawler climbing the wall of her sibling’s cottage. “Your, ah. Your home here. It’s very quaint, is it not?” 

I dreamed so long of having a home like this one day, where I can live in quiet peace. Now I can make it happen.

Hornet smiles. They certainly deserve a life of quiet peace after everything they’ve been through. “I look forward to visiting again next time I have the opportunity.”

She turns again to leave. As she reaches for the doorknob, she is interrupted by a crashing sound as a figure falls suddenly from the rafters. Her smallest sibling picks themself up off the floor and waves up at her. 

Chapter Text

“Little ghost, just what do you think you are doing?”

Hollow steps forward and picks up their sibling, setting them on their shoulder. Ghost had agreed to stop by today to assist me in some chores, though I didn’t expect them back quite so soon.

“They were in your rafters, Hollow.”

I do not control the way they behave. Nobody is capable of that.

Hornet nods solemnly. “That’s fair.” 

Ghost has settled in against their sibling, leaning their head against theirs. They seem to enjoy being carried, another reminder that they are still a child. Well… perhaps that’s not entirely true, even? All the vessels had hatched at approximately the same time, after all. The neglect of their childhood must have prevented them from molting thus far. 

Say, Hornet. Of the three of us, whom do you think is the oldest? 

“Oh? I can’t say the thought hasn’t occurred to me before, but why do you bring it up now?”

I was just wondering.

“Well… I recall in my childhood that you were already being trained and molded toward your eventual sealing, so I suppose you are the oldest of us.”

What about Ghost?

“Hm… logic suggests that they are the youngest.”

Ghost, who has been listening intently to the conversation, shakes their head suddenly.

“Oh?”

Me and Hollow are twins. 

“Hm? What makes you say that?”

We hatched at the same time. I saw them taken away by the Pale King before we were all sealed in the Abyss. 

Hollow considers this. 

I recall, as I was led away from our birthplace by Father, that another vessel had managed to climb to the top of the Abyss. At the time, I thought little of it, if at all, but… I did glance back, just briefly, at my sibling who was left behind. Perhaps that was Ghost. I know not who my hatchmates were, however, if any. The memories of scrabbling up out of the darkness, instinctively climbing toward escape… they have faded with time. I could not tell you if another vessel shared my egg. 

Ghost taps their little hand on Hollow’s head to get their attention. 

I know where my egg was, I found it before. I can show you!

Before Hollow can respond, Hornet interrupts.

“Hollow… would you be capable of handling that? A trip back to your birthplace, confronting the cruelty that is your shared past? I don’t want you to get overwhelmed, and trust me… it’s not a pleasant sight.” 

I have never been back before. Though I was raised in that ancient region, I was not permitted to leave the palace grounds. I honestly cannot say, but I would like to try. I wish to understand more about the others, the ones who were less fortunate than myself.

Hornet shakes her head. “I don’t think it wise to return to that place, but ultimately it is your decision to make. I shall accompany, if necessary.” 

Thank you, Hornet. Your support is valued. 

Ghost tries to stand up from on top of Hollow’s shoulders, but loses their balance and falls to the floor with a thud; Hollow quickly extends a tendril of void and scoops them back up. Hornet hates when they do that, unable to completely suppress the sense of dread that always consumes her when they do, but doesn’t say anything. They’re both made of void anyway, so surely it wouldn’t hurt either of them to be interacting using only their void forms. Probably. It’s not reasonable to think their wispy, incorporeal true forms could accidentally combine or something. Right? She shakes her head slightly. 

“So. A visit to the Abyss. Sounds cheerful. Shall we head out?”

Ghost nods, a little enthusiastic. Hornet cannot imagine why. 

The entrance to the Abyss stands before them, long since unsealed by the smallest of the three. Darkness consumes the deep room, making it nearly impossible to see a thing. 

Ghost steps forward, jumping down into the pit without hesitation. 

Hornet and Hollow look at each other. 

“So... “

So.

“Do you remember the way back out?”

Not especially.

“And I have never gone past the entrance.”

They share another glance. Hornet steps forward, jumping down to the first visible platform. Hesitantly, Hollow follows. Together, the two descend into the darkness, following the slight glow of their tiny sibling, who stands at the bottom, holding up a lantern. When they finally catch up, Ghost waves. Hornet gracefully leaps down, with Hollow slowly following. 

“Next time, wait for us, little Ghost. We aren’t as familiar with the Abyss as you.”

They nod. Sorry, I just got excited to show you everything.

Hollow is looking around at the ground beneath their feet, visibly uncomfortable.

Is this… we’re standing on the shells of our discarded siblings, aren’t we? 

Ghost looks a little sheepish. Oh. Yeah. Sorry. They’re kind of everywhere down here. You get used to it.

Hollow thinks that they would prefer to not get used to it. 

“Sooo… you were going to show us your egg, Ghost?”

Right! Here, it’s this way. 

They leap down into another hole. Hollow tries to follow, but quickly finds that they might be a little too large. They struggle to fit, almost getting stuck.

“Ghost? Wait up,” Hornet calls. 

Hollow pulls themself back up out of the hole. My apologies. 

Ghost hops back out as well, clearly considering this situation. Then, an idea.

Wait right here!

Ghost jumps back into the hole. For the third time today, Hornet and Hollow look at one another. 

“They’ll be alright.”

Of course. I do feel bad that I am unable to accompany them to see where they hatched, though. 

A few minutes pass, and then Ghost pops back out. They’re clutching a piece of parchment, which they hold out toward their siblings.

Hornet accepts the paper. On it is a rough drawing, showing a dark, broken egg.

“Oh, is this your egg?”

Ghost nods.

Hornet passes the paper to Hollow, who examines it closely before handing it back.

I wish I could see for myself where you came from, my sibling. 

Ghost nods again, stowing the paper somewhere in their cloak and then reaching their little hand up toward Hollow’s, seeking to take hold of theirs, looking up at them expectantly.

I-

Hollow can’t help but look around again. They can feel the weight of this place. The air feels thick, the lingering energy of their countless discarded siblings weighing it down. 

They are starting to feel… overwhelmed. Though it is silent here, there is a howling in their head that they can’t seem to block out, making them ache. They lift their hand to their face, perhaps to try to cover their eyes, but their fingertips brush over the crack in their shell and the next thing they know, they have fallen to their knees. 

The voices of the myriad voiceless are screaming in their mind, and they are sinking down into the depths of this place, into the relentless and unceasing darkness made up of the countless souls that are still trapped here.

If Ghost has unified the Void under their will, then why are so many other wills tugging at their mind now, as if beckoning them to join them, to abandon their body, broken and burned out as it is, and become one with the emptiness that is their shared origin?

They are drowning in the sea of the Abyss. 

A hand on their cheek, a glow breaking through the void that threatens to consume them. Ghost is doing their best to hold their sibling close, the gentle luminescence of their shell lighting up the darkness. Beside them, Hornet has placed a hand on their shoulder, anchoring them further with her touch. 

“Hollow. Can you hear me, Hollow? Hollow. It’s time to wake up. Please…”

Hollow looks up. They are back in the Ancient Basin. How did they leave the Abyss? They don’t recall the ascent. 

Did they break down back there, falling apart while Ghost and Hornet faced the same darkness as they did without bending? 

I’m sorry. I don’t… understand what happened. You must have been so worried about me.

Hornet, visibly relieved, takes a seat on the ground next to them. In their lap, Ghost is still clinging to their chest. 

“I knew this was a bad idea,” Hornet says. “Ghost had already confronted the darkness of their past, and it transformed them profoundly at their strongest. Of course you were incapable of confronting it all at once.” 

I… was too weak? I am, I suppose. Ever failing at being all that I should be.

“Stop that,” snaps Hornet. “The emptiness of that place consumes all who enter. It is not that you are weak, it is that you are vulnerable.”

How is that any different?

“You were forced through an unimaginable hell for the majority of your life, and then made to confront the atrocities that you were birthed from, at no fault of your own. You are incredibly strong, Hollow, but all beings have some sort of vulnerability.” 

Hollow shakes their head. Ghost pats their cheek again, getting their attention. 

Hollow? I’m sorry I made you come here. I think because I spent so long here that their voices don’t affect me as much anymore, and I forgot how loud they are. I just wanted to show you where we came from, because I’m glad that you’re my sibling. I’m sorry. 

It’s Hollow’s turn to initiate a hug, holding Ghost close before letting go to sign a response.

I’m glad you’re my sibling too, Ghost. I’m grateful to have a family once again, a home with you and Hornet. Thank you for showing me your egg. And, you know what? I think you may have been right. Perhaps we are twins. 

Ghost perks up.

You think so?

I do. We emerged at the same time, from deep within the ground. Perhaps our bond is such that we are not just siblings, but hatchmates. 

“It would make sense,” Hornet adds. “From what you two have described, I could make the same conclusion. We may never know for sure, but it is certainly logical.” 

Slowly, Hollow stands up, taking care to support Ghost against their chest so they don’t fall. 

If you wished to return to the Abyss, we can. 

“No, I think I’ve seen enough for today.” 

Ghost nods in agreement, and the three begin to return to the stag station together, leaving the darkness behind them.

Maybe next time I’ll show you my favorite rock, Ghost signs, causing Hornet to look at them incredulously, though she says nothing.

Wait, hold on. What’s that?

A sigh. “That’s just a bug, Hollow, like literally everything else.” 

No, but look at it, it moves so strangely. I want to take a closer look. 

Before their sister can stop them, Hollow has closed the distance between them and their target, scooping up the shadow creeper and holding it close. The small creature seems unbothered by this development, settling into their hand.

“Not again…” Hornet groans, but it is too late. Hollow has a new friend.

Chapter Text

It happened quietly, so much so that Hornet does not notice right away. Her sibling, the vessel, that little ghost who had already endeared itself, no, themself to her, had disappeared a few days prior, and though she had been following their travels throughout Hallownest closely, she thought nothing of it at first. They wandered aimlessly at times, easily distracted, and so she figured they would reappear sooner or later.

When they did not, she tried to not worry, but soon found her thoughts consumed by concern. Perhaps it is time she went looking for them. 

So she set off, venturing into the depths of the kingdom once more in search of that little ghost. And that is when she began to realize.

No longer did the reanimated corpses of bugs who succumbed to the infection shamble along the roads they once walked. No longer did she come under attack from creatures that once upon a time were peaceful. The sickly sweet scent that once underpinned nearly all areas of Hallownest was no longer detectable. 

The infection was gone.

The little ghost. It must have been them. They did something. But what? 

She sets a course toward the Black Egg Temple, the most likely place they went, trying to ignore the sense of dread that had begun to well up within her. They were fine. The little ghost, they had to be fine. They had gone through so much, survived more than just about anyone else. She would find them there, safe and sound, perhaps fallen asleep somewhere in the aftermath of a battle, as they are prone to doing. 

As she approaches though, she soon realizes that something is very wrong. 

Yes, the tendrils of infection that had once covered the area had crumbled away, but so, it would seem, had the black egg itself. 

“What did you do, little ghost?” she whispers as she approaches. 

Her eyes catch a glimpse of something white in the middle of the wreckage. 

No, no, no, no no no. Hornet rushes over to it, and nearly collapses upon realizing what it is. 

A fragment of a mask. 

This was the little ghost’s. 

Her sibling is dead. 

They’d barely had any time together. She’d fought them not once but twice, and both times came away impressed by their strength and conviction. She’d observed them as they wandered the kingdom, helping those they came upon and befriending other travelers. They were so small but took the weight of the world upon themself like it was nothing. 

She just wanted more time with them. 

First her mother, and now her sibling. She never got to know either. 

A noise from behind her startles her out of her fugue, and she whips around to see an imposing figure behind her, holding themself up on their nail that is taller than she is. 

The Hollow Knight. It survived. 

She immediately readies her needle, preparing for combat. The Hollow Knight takes a step closer, forcing themself upright and raising their nail. 

So it would be a fight. 

Hornet really didn’t want to do this. Not now. Not like this. Couldn’t she have just a few minutes to grieve? Why did it always come to this?

The vessel swings their massive nail at her, though it misses its mark significantly. She prepares a strike in retaliation, but before she can throw her needle, the Hollow Knight falls to the ground, no longer able to stand. 

She steps closer, hesitantly, and realizes just how horrible the vessel before her looks. 

Their cloak is tattered. A crack in their shell runs down their face. One arm is missing altogether, burned away by infection, and void drips from a hole in their chest. 

They are dying. Anyone could see it. If left like that, they would soon succumb to their injuries. 

Hornet didn’t have to think about it. She stows her needle away and carefully puts the vessel’s remaining arm over her shoulder, helping them to their feet. They are limp, their weight almost overwhelming against her, but she knows what she has to do. 

There would be no more deaths today.

She begins to guide them out of the temple, toward the stag station, but then stops. She looks back.

“Hold on just a moment,” she whispers, not even sure if the vessel would understand her, as she helps them lean against a wall. Then, she runs back and quickly scoops up the fragment of her sibling’s mask, tucking it away into her cloak. The Hollow Knight watches her motionlessly. 

“Alright. Come, let’s get you to safety.” 

If the vessel had any questions as to why she had stopped, they gave no indication, and Hornet preferred it that way. Better to have a distraction, even if it is in the form of a dying vessel, than be forced to confront the tangled feelings within her.

Chapter Text

Light streams in from outside. 

The Hollow Knight lies motionlessly in what seems to be a pile of moss and leaves, carefully arranged around them. They are staring at the ceiling, not quite registering what they see, the vines that grow over it covered in verdant leaves. 

Their chest aches terribly, and they are too weak to sit up and look around to take in their surroundings, but they know one thing for sure: this doesn’t make sense. 

Someone approaches silently, kneeling down beside them and placing a hand on their cheek. They struggle to lift their head, barely managing it. 

“Oh!” The stranger says, surprised. “You’ve awoken.” 

Hollow pushes themself upright a little further, but the stranger presses her hand against their shoulder gently, stopping them.

“Don’t. You can’t move yet.” 

Why can’t they? Surely it isn’t safe here. They need to figure out what’s going on. They need to figure out where She is. Surely this is another one of Her tricks.

“You’re still gravely injured. Your wounds may open up again were you to move too much, and I’m not sure I would be able to patch you up a second time.” 

Wounds?

Hollow slowly raises their hand, looking at it, then gingerly touches their chest. It is wrapped up in bandages made from spider silk, and though the pain is still great, the tumor that was once burning them from the inside out… is gone. 

That’s not possible. It can’t be possible. Can it?

The stranger senses their confusion before they can suppress it. “You’re no longer infected, no. As far as I have gathered, nobody is. The infection is gone.” 

Gone? Just… gone? How?

The spider slides a little closer to them, sitting on a pile of moss. 

“Your sibling sacrificed themself to save Hallownest. To save you, and countless others. Another vessel, like yourself, but still so small, took it upon themself to make things right. And… they did, but at such a cost.” 

She slowly stands and walks across the room, picking something up off of a pedestal. She hands it over to them to examine.

“This is all that remains of them now. That little ghost.”

Hollow turns the mask shard over in their hand, solemnly. So… they failed, but another vessel succeeded where they could not, dying because they could not fulfill the purpose of their existence. 

Hollow wishes desperately that they had a way to say something to this stranger, who was clearly attached to that other vessel. What they would say, they know not, but surely anything would be better than the silence they are cursed to. The silence… they cannot dare to show that they have a desire. It has been so long since they lost control, but now they must re-exert it.

Perhaps their inner conflict shows somehow, because the stranger gently takes the mask shard back and places a hand on their shoulder. She says nothing, but sits there anyway, and if they could, if it was possible, Hollow would ask her what they were like, their cursed sibling who succeeded where all others had failed. They must’ve really been something special. 

Unable to keep their head up any longer, Hollow leans back against the moss. The stranger looks at them with concern. 

“Is there anything I can get you?” she asks. Hollow can’t think of anything, unaccustomed to anyone asking them that kind of question, and unsure how they would respond in the first place. They are not supposed to need anything, much less want. They shake their head slightly, and she nods. 

“If that changes, do let me know. Water, blankets, anything. And are you in pain?”

They stare up at the ceiling. Yes, they are in pain, and have been for so long that they can no longer remember what it was like to not be. 

“That was a foolish question, wasn’t it? Of course you are. To be honest, I am not entirely sure how to help you, but I am refusing to let you die, too. Perhaps that is selfish of me.”

It’s not, Hollow thinks. She should have left them to die back at the Black Egg Temple, as any reasonable bug would. Simply letting them live is a kindness few would show.

“Admittedly, I’m not even doing it for you. I’m doing it for them, the little ghost. They would have helped you, and so I will too.” 

Before they can stop themself, Hollow reaches up and gently places their hand over hers, still on their shoulder. She looks momentarily surprised, then laughs softly.

“You aren’t empty either, are you? I wonder if any of the vessels ever were.” 

Time passes, and they fall into a routine. Every day, the kind spider returns and checks on them, asks them how they are feeling, changes their bandages, talks to them for a while. Every day, Hollow sits up a little further, moves a little more, and slowly begins to accept that this is reality. Their reality. They aren’t being taunted with dreams of freedom from the Radiance, they have actually been given it. And every day, Hollow wishes more and more that they could speak to this stranger, to ask her why she’s still here, what their sibling was like, why she cares so much. 

One day, when the stranger asks if she can get them anything, they make a motion with their hand, as if holding a pen and writing something. 

“You want… paper? Something to write with?” 

They nod. 

“Of course. I’ll be back.” 

When she returns, she places a sheet of parchment and a quill down beside them, and they push themself upright against the cushions so that they can write. Their hand is shaky, their script crooked and nearly illegible from years and years of neglect, but hopefully this will suffice. When finished, they push the paper over to her to read.

What is your name? 

She looks up at them, expression unreadable. 

“...Hornet. It’s Hornet.” 

Hollow would have gasped if they could. Hornet? That Hornet?

In their memory, their half sister is tiny, an energetic force of nature always darting around the palace. They were forbidden from interacting with her, and she was forbidden from ever speaking to them, but sometimes she’d sneak away and find them anyway, asking them endless questions about who they are and why they’re so quiet. 

The spider before them is solemn, weighed down by stress and anguish and solitude, that boundless enthusiasm gone. Could it really be…? Is this really their sister?

Hornet examines their face, clearly watching for their reaction. They reach out their hand, and she returns the paper to them.

Sister?

“Yes. So you do remember me, after all.” 

They nod. Of course they remember her. How could they forget? They didn’t recognize her after these countless years, but they would never forget her. 

She sighs slightly. “You and I… we are our only family left. I thought, after losing the little ghost, that I would be alone again, but… perhaps that is not so. Perhaps we have each other.” 

Hollow flips the paper over, trying to write smaller this time so they don’t run out of room again. 

Who were they?

“The little ghost? They were… amazing. I first saw them at the edge of Greenpath, following me through the undergrowth. I was certain they were a threat, and when they caught up to me, I tried so hard to strike them down. I viewed all surviving vessels as a threat to the fragile peace of Hallownest. But then, they prevailed over me. Astonished, I fled, but I kept an eye on them after that. I realized quickly that before they appeared before me, they had been traveling for a long time, wandering outside of the kingdom. The sands out there… something about their curse will strip you of your memories, but if you survive them, you will emerge stronger, more resilient than before. They had survived that void beyond the kingdom, and then returned, driven forward by a quest they themself did not fully understand. I realize now that they must have sensed your weakening, and returned to try to help.

“And help they did! I challenged them again, at Kingdom’s Edge, outside of the grave of Wyrm. I needed to see if they really had the ability to do it, to change fate. They did not disappoint. Their strength had only increased since our first encounter in the Greenpath, and they clearly possessed the conviction necessary to achieve their goals. They almost fell there shortly after, trapped within the Wyrm’s husk, but I rescued them, suddenly unable to imagine a world without them. I had put my faith in them, for better or for worse. They were the hope that drove me forward again after so long.

“It ended so quickly after that. I made the mistake of imagining a future with them in it. They entered the Abyss and confronted their past, their memories returning to them in full force, and it only made them stronger still. I was confident that they had the power to put an end to the suffering of this kingdom, and to survive whatever it would take to make it so. So I watched them, and waited for them, but they disappeared, and before long, so did the infection itself. I don’t know what they did, and I may never know. But whatever it was, it saved us all, at the cost of their own life. That mask shard is the only remnant of them I have found. I know not if their spirit, the void at their center that makes up their essence, still exists out there somewhere, but for all intents and purposes, they are no more. I will never see them again, trotting out of the darkness and looking up at me curiously, waiting to see what I would have to say. I will never be able to thank them for all that they have done. 

“I’ve wondered since then… What is the point of me now? I have stood as the protector of Hallownest for so long, preventing anyone who would dare to defile these sacred ruins from entering. Now what do I do? The only answer I have come up with is in you. I know they would have wanted you safe, so now my mission is to ensure it is so. I hope you don’t mind.”

Hollow sits and takes this all in, but is unable to come up with any response that would suffice. Instead, they lean forward, and carefully wrap their arm around Hornet. She stiffens at first, but then relaxes, allowing herself to lean against them. 

“Ha ha… Not long ago I would have hated myself for showing this kind of vulnerability to anyone, but for some reason, I feel like I am able to open up to you. Perhaps you and the little ghost had that in common. There’s something special about both of you.” 

Hollow doubts that, but doesn’t say so. Instead, they will focus on their sister, who clearly has needed this for so long. 

They may not be the little ghost, but perhaps they’ll be good enough for now, good enough to comfort their long lost sister, if only for a moment. 

Chapter Text

Rage is boiling within them, but there is nothing left for them to lash out at. 

The Radiance is dead. The Godseeker is no more. They have destroyed everything that stood in their way. 

What is left to destroy? 

They look down at their hands, flexing their fingers. The carapace is sharp, yet simultaneously immaterial. Since when? They reach for their nail, only to find it is no longer there. 

Awareness. They stop and take in their surroundings. They are back in the junk pile, in the waterways. They step forward, and their horns brush against the ceiling. Since when did they do that?

They find a puddle to look into, and are shocked at what they see.

They’re a shade. Their shell is gone. And not only that, but they are unlike any of their shades they have ever seen. Massive, with eight glowing eyes, surrounded by tendrils of void. 

They remember what happened. How their body split open, how they became one with the whole of the void and took control of it, putting an end to both the Radiance and the Godseeker’s ritual.

Wait. What happened to Hornet? They haven’t seen her in days, they should go find her, and quick- 

Wait. They can’t see her like this. She can’t see them like this. They’re not sure what would happen, but it surely wouldn’t be good. 

But they want to see her again, more than anything. They want her to be proud of them. They want to see her smile, without the weight of the kingdom’s fate on her. 

So they begin to formulate a plan. In the past, when their body and shade were separated, they were always able to hunt down their shade and reunite with it. Perhaps they just need to do that, but in reverse. They just need to find what happened to their body and… get back inside of it. Somehow. 

And so they begin searching.

It turns out to be easier said than done, though. Their final battle happened in the dream realm, technically, but their body isn’t where they left it before. Something about… whatever it is they did must have displaced it. 

They find their cloak floating in the waterways, and spend several days searching every corner for the rest, for their shell and mask, but come up empty.

Time passes, first days, and then weeks, as they scour the kingdom for the remnants of their body. They begin to worry, worry about what would happen should they never find it. Worry about what Hornet must be thinking. They hope she isn’t upset. They’ll be back soon, they promise! 

In the Black Egg Temple, they find a pile of rubble. The Hollow Knight is nowhere to be found, and they hope that they’re still alive. They didn’t deserve what happened to them, and the whole point of them going to the Godseeker was to try to find another way, one that didn’t require them to kill their sibling. 

In the rubble, however, they find part of their shell. Progress! Their body must’ve somehow wound up here, back where it all began. Before too long, they’ve excavated everything they need, and begin to focus soul to mend it back together.

Come on, please work, please work....

Though with effort the pieces fuse back together, they soon realize one is missing. They try to enter their body like that, but it doesn’t take, void seeping out of the hole in their head until their whole shade has leaked back out. 

They need to find the last piece. 

They search the rubble again, over and over, but the missing piece is nowhere to be found. They’re beginning to develop a hunch as to what happened to it, and they don’t like the idea at all. 

If Hornet had returned to here, if she saw their broken body lying in the rubble… perhaps she has already concluded that they died. Perhaps she took that piece of their mask with her as a memento. They can’t come up with any other reason why a single piece of it would disappear from the rubble. In Hallownest, husks are largely left alone, due to their sheer number. The only reason you would take something is if it is of value, and a piece of their head is surely not of value to anyone. Anyone but, perhaps, their sister. 

Oh, jeez. 

They aren’t sure where it is she actually lives, either. They’ve seen her in a number of places in Hallownest. They’d check Deepnest, but recall being told that she never returns there anymore, so that wouldn’t make sense. Does she even have a home? What if she just wanders the kingdom as a vagabond, with no one place she returns to? They can’t risk just running into her, they need to find out what she did with the piece of their mask. If she has it on her, though… that might not be good. 

They recall that they first saw her in Greenpath. Maybe somewhere around there? It’s not much, but it’s the only lead they have. 

They find their answer at the Lake of Unn. The shrine on the edge of the lake, to be exact. They spot Hornet coming and going several times. If anywhere, their mask shard must be in there. They watch quietly, waiting for her to leave, and then sneak up to the door, before quickly recoiling.

Someone’s inside already. Lying in a pile of moss, covered in bandages, is the Hollow Knight. That must be why Hornet keeps coming here. Did she rescue them from the ruins of the Black Egg? 

They aren’t sure how their sibling would react to seeing them. Do they remember their encounter in the pantheon? Do they remember being driven by the Godseeker to kill them? Or was that the real them, was the one who tried so hard to kill them in fact the Hollow Knight? They have no way of knowing what their sibling is really like. They can’t risk it. 

They can spot, peering in through a crack, the piece of their mask, sitting on a pedestal in the shrine. Hornet must have taken it, after all. How are they going to get to it, though? Perhaps, if they are very careful, they can retrieve it. They reach out with a tendril of void, slowly, carefully creeping along the edge of the room, toward where their mask shard lies. Almost there… 

They suddenly feel the point of a needle pressed against their back. Oh, crap. 

“Creature. Move and I will slice the life from you before you can react.”

Hornet. She’s here. They move to sign to her, to let her know that it’s them, but then think better of it. If they move their hands, it might be taken as a threat. 

Slowly, they try to stand up. The pressure against their back grows stronger. Though they are not fully corporeal in this form, it is beginning to hurt.

“I said, do not move. State your purpose.”

They can’t! They need to move to tell her! Frustrated, they look around for a solution, but find none. There is no escape, no way to get out of this. They’ll have to fight her.

Their nail lost, they try to think of an alternative. If they fight with only claws, she’ll never believe it to be them. Carefully, making sure Hornet won’t see, they form a tendril of void into a nail. Perhaps she’ll recognize their fighting style. They can only hope. 

They’ll need to be quick. Though they aren’t sure Hornet could actually kill them in this form, they don’t want the fight to draw out. They don’t want to risk hurting their sister. They were so angry before, in Godhome… they can’t let themself lose control like that again. 

They might kill her if they do. 

That cannot happen. 

Their path calculated, they quickly make themself fully incorporeal, whipping around and drawing their void-nail from within their shade. Hornet strikes almost instantly, and they parry, forcing her back. 

Now. They need to be so careful. 

They raise one hand, and void begins to emerge from the ground, taking form as it does. Hornet strikes at them again, but her needle goes right through them. Quickly, they extend the void they have summoned and seize the needle before she can retract it, disarming her. 

“You…! I’ll kill you!” 

Hornet lunges at them, much to their surprise. They thought that if they managed to disarm her, she’d take a moment to stop, to think. Something must have changed. 

She claws at them, though her claws phase through them. She rips her mask off and bites them, attempting to paralyze them with her venom. They simply shrug it off, their void form immune to such biological attacks. Frustrated, she throws her head back and screams wordlessly. 

Hornet! Please! Stop! They are signing frantically at her, desperate to get her attention, to stop her assault. 

A loud thud interrupts the chaotic scene. The Hollow Knight now stands just outside the doorway, their nail driven into the stone path. They are clearly struggling to stay on their feet, but they extract their nail and raise it. 

“Hollow, stay out of this!”

The Hollow Knight shakes their head. They point the nail at the void creature that stands there, not threateningly, but to direct Hornet’s attention. 

Hornet. It’s me. Please listen.

Hornet scowls at them, but doesn’t attack. 

It’s me. Your sibling. Please. Do you remember me?

“My sibling? The only sibling I have left is here, pointing their nail at you. The other died, and now you are here, threatening their memory.”

Hollow shakes their head again. Hornet looks over at them.

“I told you to stay out of this, Hollow. You’re still hurt.”

Hollow is starting to get rather annoyed. Will she just use her eyes? Frustrated, they stagger back inside, grabbing the mask shard. Hornet watches them, still seething, but doesn’t move. Slowly, Hollow steps over to the void creature and hands the shard to them. 

They nod. The missing piece is finally theirs. Maybe now she’ll understand. As they turn to retrieve their body from where they left it under a nearby bush, they wonder if Hornet would dare to attack the Hollow Knight for their perceived slight against her and them.

Hornet is just staring, at a loss of words. In her mind, she just lost the last piece she had of her sibling. Hollow knows what she must be thinking, but they want to see what will happen. That shade… could that really be the little ghost that their sister loved so much? It feels so familiar, somehow.

After a minute, the creature reappears, carrying in their arms a tiny body. Hornet gasps, but Hollow quickly grabs hold of her hand, anchoring her to them. 

A moment of hesitation. Then, the creature sheds its form and enters the body that now lies on the ground. At first, nothing happens. Then, slowly, they sit up. 

They raise their hands and look at them. Small and nubby, the shell soft with youth. They stand, a little shaky, and step over to their sister. 

Hornet is staring at them, still speechless. Her first thought is that this is a trick, but they way this being moves is so familiar, so distinctive. She reaches out her free hand and brushes it against their cheek. They lean into the touch. 

“I- little ghost…?” 

They nod. 

I missed you, Hornet. I’m sorry I made you worry. 

Her eyes go wide. 

“You. You were dead. How did you-”

I’ve done stuff kind of like this before. Sometimes when I fall in battle, part of my shade gets separated from me, and I have to go find it to get it back. This time, I won the battle, and I lost my body in the process, but my shade remained whole. So I went searching for my body, but I couldn’t find all the pieces. You had the last piece. I’m sorry I scared you.

“Ghost... “ 

They reach out their arms and hug their sister, at long last. After several long moments, they step back, looking up at her. A tear runs down her face, but she quickly wipes it away. 

They turn their attention to the figure next to her, still holding her hand. The Hollow Knight had helped them get through to her. Perhaps they aren’t so bad, after all?

Hi, they sign. It’s nice to meet you for real.

The Hollow Knight watches their movements, not understanding. Oh. 

“They said it’s nice to meet you,” Hornet translates, her voice barely higher than a whisper. 

The Hollow Knight nods, and waves to them. So they don’t know how to sign? That’s okay. They’ll just have to teach them, if they’ll let them.

I’m Ghost. I’m so happy to have another sibling. 

“They- they say they are Ghost, and that they are happy to have another sibling.” 

The Hollow Knight lets go of their sister’s hand, and tries to copy the movements. It is difficult with only one hand, but they won’t give up. They’ll learn to speak, no matter what it takes. They finally have a family again, one that might actually allow them to express themself, to communicate freely.

Excited to see their sibling’s willingness to learn, Ghost hugs them as well, wrapping their arms around their sibling’s legs, for that is all they can reach. Hollow shakes slightly, as if laughing, and then kneels down carefully, allowing their sibling a better angle. When Ghost wraps their arms around their shoulders, they stand back up, supporting their sibling with their hand. Hornet watches, a smile on her face.

“Hollow, I believe I told you to not move around so much,” she chastises, though she obviously isn’t completely serious. They shrug, and she grabs their cloak to drag them back inside, still playful, ready to tease her sibling like she once did so long ago.

A family. That’s what Ghost has now, isn’t it? And they can’t wait to get to know them. 

Chapter Text

Hollow!

Their head snaps up. What was that? 

Hollow!!

They shift into a defensive pose. They don’t recognize the voice, if it is a voice at all, and to have it in their head like that… 

Hollow? It’s me! Ghost! Guess what I learned to do!

Hollow thinks that maybe it wouldn’t be unwarranted to dropkick their sibling for this. If Hornet asked, she’d surely understand. Anyone would. 

Go on! Say something back! I’ll be able to hear you!

They rest their head in their hand. Why is their sibling like this? 

How are you doing this, little ghost? Since when are you capable of telepathy? 

Yeah, see! There you go! 

That doesn’t answer my question.

I think it has something to do with Voidheart. 

With what?

When I went back to the Abyss and remembered everything, one of my charms changed form and now I have the ability to sort of control the void?

Control… the void? Does that include them? Hollow is disconcerted by the idea. 

No no no, I wouldn’t do that to you! It’s mostly just the sea of void at the bottom of the Abyss, it used to try to attack me and now I can make it stop and have it help me do things sometimes. 

I see. And this somehow also gives you the ability to speak into my mind?

Because we’re both void! 

Hollow still doesn’t enjoy the idea of Ghost being able to control them, but their sibling gave their word that they wouldn’t do that. 

What about other vessels? Would you be able to control them?

I haven’t seen any that are still alive… their shades stopped attacking me too, though. I think they could tell that I was one of them.

Hollow considers this. 

This is certainly interesting. I wonder why it is you specifically who has received such a power over void. Perhaps the strength of your will…? Is it alone sufficient to bind such a primordial force? Hm…

Hollow’s words trail off as their thoughts become more abstract. For a few moments, there is silence between the two siblings. Then…

Hollow!

They jump a little, still unaccustomed to their sibling’s voice in their head. 

Please don’t yell.

Sorry. I just wanted to ask you a favor.

If they could sigh, they would. What is it?

Can you go shopping for me? I want some nectar. 

Hollow stares at them in mild disbelief. 

Why can’t you get it on your own? You have the geo. 

The big bottle is heavy. 

As if you are not capable of simply storing it within your person as you do your other belongings? 

The two make eye contact. The little one is practically pouting. The taller shakes their head, defeated.

As you wish. Anything else? 

Fruit gummies, please. 

Hollow stands, fetching a bag to carry the shopping in. Ghost hops up, and shoves a handful of geo at their sibling.

Thank you!!

Yes, you’re welcome. Next time, however, get your sweets on your own.

You’re the best!

As Hollow leaves, they feel a little warmth rising within their chest. They don’t really mind doing favors for little Ghost, do they? Being able to care for another feels nice, and as weird as their small sibling is, they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Chapter Text

They stared at their reflection but did not truly see it. Rather, they saw in their mind’s eye what could have been. 

What if it had been Ghost? What if they’d been the one who emerged from the darkness first and was chosen by their father? 

Or, better yet, what if they had refused to leave without them? What if they both had been chosen, allowed to ascend from the Abyss and be raised in the palace together? What would their sibling look like if allowed to grow properly? 

For the sake of this scenario, Hollow chose to imagine Ghost if they had been allowed to grow naturally, not forced artificially into molts again and again as they themself had been to create their unnatural height. Their sibling would be a striking figure, tall but not so gangly and awkward as they were. They would be graceful, carrying themself with pride and strength. 

Hollow had refused to admit, when asked, that they remembered their hatchmate from when they had ascended. They said that the memory had faded with time, that they scarcely recalled the other vessel who had followed behind them. 

That was a lie. The memory was etched into their very soul and would be forevermore. They remembered the sickening crunch that had followed shortly after they turned their back, and it echoed in their head at their lowest moments. 

It was one of the many weapons She had been able to use against them during their imprisonment. 

They would never tell Ghost that, though. 

What if the two had been accepted together, though? Which would have wound up sealing Her? They thought that their sibling likely would have stood a better chance through their sheer determination, but logically that was likely untrue. Hornet has theorized that the only truly empty vessels never even hatched at all, having been devoid of the most basic of instincts that would have urged them to escape their eggs. None of the ones who emerged and certainly none of the ones with the will to climb up out of their birthplace would have been sufficiently empty, enough to contain Her. 

It was better this way, right? Their sibling did not have to suffer an eternity being torn apart from the inside. Though it comes so very late, they have a chance at a normal life now, a chance to grow up naturally and be happy. Hollow would never have that chance. It was taken from them long ago. 

Sometimes, they envied their smallest sibling so very much. 

Ghost deserves the life before them, though. They are the savior of the kingdom and every single bug within it, and they earned their rest, their play, their freedom. They, on the other hand, are nothing but a failure. The quiet life they now lead is as good as stolen, stolen from everyone who fell to the infection due to their weakness. 

They raise their hand and place it over their bad eye. The others haven’t yet realized that they are half blind, as they are ever so good at acting. They walk with a cane more often than not to help support their unwieldy, sore body, and have figured out how to discreetly use it to feel out the path before them, preventing them from misjudging the steps they take. Hollow can handle it, as they have always handled every hardship handed to them, with silent dignity that smothers all else, all of their pain and regrets concealed so carefully behind their dark eyes.

Hollow shakes their head ever so slightly. There’s no point to these thoughts of what could have been. What’s done is done. They never had the strength to change fate, anyway. 

A movement in their reflection catches their attention. A tiny shadow approaches them.

Sibling? 

They reach out and rest their hand on their sibling’s head, and the little one responds by leaning into their touch with a tiny chirrup. A warmth rises in Hollow’s chest as they look upon their tiny twin. 

Did you need something, little Ghost?

Ghost shakes their head. 

Wanted to say hi but you weren’t responding. Was starting to get worried. 

How long had their sibling been standing there, watching them dissociate? They hang their head slightly, ashamed. 

I’m sorry, sibling. I was just… thinking. 

Ghost nods knowingly. 

Be right back, they say, before running off into the other room. Hollow wonders idly what their sibling is up to before they return, a red-clad spider led in by her hand. 

“Is something the matter?” Hornet asks, looking them over. They shake their head, but at the same time, Ghost nods. 

Hollow’s not feeling well, they sign. Hollow squints at them. Did Ghost just tattle on them to their sister?

“Ah, dear. Did something happen or are you just having a bad day?”

Ghost seems satisfied now that Hornet’s attention is on their sibling. Hollow makes a mental note to play a trick on them later as revenge for being a snitch. 

“Hollow?”

My apologies. I’m just having an off day. 

Hornet nods knowingly, placing her hand gently on their shoulder. “I understand. Is there anything I can do to help?”

Hollow is about to shake their head, denying that they have need for anything, pushing their sister and her offer of comfort away, but stops. They don’t have to do this anymore, right? With their siblings, it is safe to be themself. 

Hollow nods. Can we just… 

“Yes?”

It takes a bit of mental effort to force themself to finish the sentence. 

Just… cuddle, I guess? I don’t want to feel alone right now. 

Hornet seems momentarily surprised, but quickly recovers.

“Of course, Hollow. You need only ask. Here, little Ghost, could you go fetch some blankets? I wish not to make Hollow move unnecessarily, so we shall simply create a nest of sorts here.”

Ghost runs off to fulfill the task, returning a few minutes later with their tiny arms absolutely full of blankets and pillows, which they throw unceremoniously onto the floor in front of their sister. Hornet giggles.

“Very good.” She picks up a blanket and drapes it over Hollow’s shoulders, and they pull it close around them. Ghost climbs into their lap and presses a tiny kiss to their cheek before curling up there, head pressed to their chest, eyes half closed with contentment. Hornet laughs and places a second blanket over the two before sitting down beside them, arm around Hollow. Hollow purrs softly, a low rumble from deep within their body, and doesn’t even mind that someone heard them express themself. They are safe here.