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Chapter Text

Enter the Dragon

Chapter 1: Settling in…

Breathing through my nose, I continued on my way, carrying the log upon my left shoulder as I moved across the wastes. This would make the eighth log gathered since I started, would net me another 1000 geo for my efforts.
Stepping down the Kings Pass, I made my way into Dirtmouth, carrying the heavy log, shifting it to my other shoulder as my left shoulder began to ache. I’m sure if I still had skin, I’d be able to see bruises from the weight, but the chitinous exoskeleton where my skin used to be hid the subtle aches from sight.

Various bugs walked past me, going about their business, either ignoring me or giving me a nod of approval. Carrying the log, I made my way to the carpenter, opening up the door with my free hand, stepping inside as the large beetle inside startled at my appearance, before standing up and saying “Oh, there you are. Come, come, I’ll hold the door for you.”

Following along, I wait as he opens the door to the back of his shop, and carefully set it on top of the pile of logs I had already acquired, putting them now at eight logs total. Stepping back into the lobby, the carpenter beetle (named, amusingly enough, Carver) counted out the geo, into a sack, saying “I must say, that amount of wood will keep us supplied for quite a while. If only we could get more reliable bugs like you around, would make this business even more profitable.”

Once fully counted out, he hands me the bag, saying “Here you go, 1000 geo for the log. Stop on by anytime.”

I nod, accepting the bag of geo, and turn to leave, saying “You’re quite welcome.” as I step out the door, into the cool air of Dirtmouth. Stuffing the sack of geo into my cloak, I begin heading to the nearest food vender.
After finding and paying for some gruz legs, I picked out an empty spot in the rest area, and eat on them, trying to decide my next course of action.

I had been in Dirtmouth for roughly two weeks now, having woken up in a cave off the path to the Kings Pass. I distinctly remember going to sleep in my human form, before waking up alone, inside said cave, now insectoid in appearance. And upon finding Dirtmouth, I figured out I had been Isekai’d into the world of Hollow Knight.

Which, reeks of contrived BS, but I’m not going to question it too much. I’ve already had my panic attack once, no point in working myself up to another one. My body was, changed. I could still feel my hard bones under my flesh, but my skin had been replaced by chitionous plates, giving me an insectoid appearance. I had no hair, my chiton being a dark, almost black-blue color, with the exception of my face, which was a porcelain white, mask like face, very much like the Hollow Knight or Hornet, angled up into a pair of long horns, with branching hooks at the ends. My eyes were black pits, with black chiton lens covering my eye, muting the colors of everything I looked at. A pair of antenna, the same color as the rest of my body, sat where my eyebrows would have been, and I had a pair of tiny holes where my nose should have been. My mouth consisted of 3 sets of jaws, one set being my original human jaws, hidden beneath the mask, while two pairs of mandibles extended down and forward, giving me the look of a sangheili from halo, or predator from predator, when fully extended, with shark like teeth lining the insides. Made eating food quite the adventure the first time, but I eventually figured it out.

The palms of my hands and feet were a dark grey color, and acted like the cling pads of a gecko, ensuring I had a strong grip. My fingers and toes had extendable claws, that when fully extended were nearly 3 inches long, almost cat like in their shape.
My body shape was mostly the same, with two main changes. I had a small abdomen attached at the back of my waist, extending out about two feet, covered in segmented plates, and ending in 3 different organs. The largest one, and most dangerous, was the stinger I now had, a long, needle like stinger, very much like a wasp. My anus was located between it and my sex organs, which was mostly hidden within my abdomen, thankfully. And on my back, was a dual pair of wings, which allowed my flight, although I couldn’t fly for long, due to the extra weight of my bones.

Essentially, I was a wasp like bug, with the visual appearance of a mature vessel. Which I mostly hid under the cloak, being the first thing I bought from my first job. Within my cloak, I had a basic knife, geo bags, fire starting kit, and map I had bought of Hollownest.

Once done with my meal, I pull out the map, thinking my thoughts through. I knew that the time I had been brought in here, was before the infection had subsumed the kingdom, but I didn’t know how much time before that I was at. I knew that the Radiance worked through dreams, but I hadn’t dreamed once since awakening here, and I had been running ideas of how to possibly prevent the infection.

I could take a trip to Monomon’s Archives, but I would rather stay out of the Pale King’s radar, as it were. Deepnest was a no go, and I didn’t want to go anywhere near the Soul Sanctum, given what I knew of the place from playing Hollow Knight.
Sighing, I packed up, and made my way to a Stag Station, deciding that before I do anything, I need to get a weapon. Which meant finding some pale ore, and going to the Nailsmith. If he’s actually on the edge of the City of Tears, if he’s not there, then I guess I’ll have to settle for something else.

One stag station trip later, which was as unnerving as I expected, and I was in the City of Tears. And I hated it already. Holding my cloak close to my form, I begin exploring, reading the signs, following my way to eventually find a mining store. One thing I noticed while exploring, is that the City of Tears is much, much larger than the game made it out to be, being comparable to New York City. But underground.

Stepping into the lobby of the store, shaking as much water off of my cloak as possible, I step forward as the clerk in front of me straightened up, saying “Ah, hello welcome to the Miner’s Union. How can I help you?” with a nasally voice that I instantly disliked.
I respond “Do you sell pale ore here?”, my voice flowing out like silk (something I also disliked, but I could live without my original voice). The clerk nods, responding “Yes, we do, but it is quite expensive. Any particular kind of pale ore you require?”
“A pale ore suitable for use in creating a nail, would be preferred.” I say, watching as the clerk steps back, saying “Of course, I’ll be right back.”

A few minutes later, the clerk comes back, huffing while carrying a shining piece of pale ore, setting it on the counter and pulls out a device, messing with it for a bit before turning to me, saying “For this piece, which is rated as nail worthy, the price will be 800 geo.”

Pulling out one of my bags of geo, I count out the money, watching with some interest at how the clerk was seemingly expecting me to not have the money for such an expenditure.

Once fully counted out, I hand over the geo, and grab the piece of ore, lifting it with one hand, turning to leave as I say “Thank you.” The clerk simply ignores me, gathering up the geo as I step out of the shop, back into the endless rain of the City of Tears.
Putting my ore into a one of the pockets, I begin heading towards where the Nailsmith is supposed to be, hoping he’s still there when I get there.

Some jumps later, and I find the simple looking house, the clanging of metal coming from within. Smiling to myself, I step inside, the smell of metal in the air as the Nailsmith halts his current work, turning to me, saying “Yes, what do you want?”
I withdraw the piece of pale ore, and present it to him, saying “I would like for you to forge me a nail, long and thing, balanced on the hilt for ease of swinging.”, handing it to him as he pulls out a scale, setting the ore on it, mumbling to himself before turning back to me, and says “Alright, I think this will be more than adequate. Standard price for a nail is 800 geo.”

I simply nod, and hand over the geo, waiting as he counts it out. Once done, he puts the geo away, saying “I’ll have it done within a day.” and turns back to his current project, a clear dismissal.

I nod, turning around, exiting the house, and take a seat next to his house, pulling out my map as I make plans.

From what I remember of the game and it’s lore, it appears that the infection hasn’t happened at all yet, thankfully. Although I may have been lucky so far, so who knows if it is occurring, and I just haven’t noticed yet. I know that in deepnest, at nosk’s lair, a group of vessels escape. I know that the knight, or ghost, escapes at some point either before or just after the infection hits.

But what to do about the Radiance. I seemingly lack any magic power, with what little I’ve tried doing. I distinctly remember one fan fiction story, the Radiance’s infection being stopped by dream catchers, so that’s a possibility. There’s also the dream nail, which I know is owned by Seer, although whether she’s in the Resting Ground or not, is something I’ll just have to find out myself.

Rolling up my map, I head back towards the City of Tears, intent on getting some dream catcher supplies, and then settling in for the night. And then I’ll go from there, hopefully not dying in the process.

Chapter Text

Walking back into the City of Tears, I begin wandering the various venders, my eyes taking in as much as I could, noting various avenues and streets. Unlike Dirtmouth, the City of Tears was clearly a planned city, all straight lines and square cut rock and curved metal.

Eventually, I found a general store, of a sort. It carried normal store stuff, just bugified versions of them. A skein of silk was surprisingly expensive, at 500 geo, but understandable since Silk was an import from Deepnest. What took a surprising amount of time to find, was metal or wood hoops. I eventually found them, in the construction store of all places, but thankfully they were dirt cheap, allowing me to get enough supplies to make roughly 10 to 15 dream catchers. Of course, I wasn’t even sure if they would work at all, but I had to try.

After finding a bite to eat, I eventually found my way to an inn, my cloak thoroughly soaked. After paying for a night, I finally found myself in a room, squeezing out as much water out of my cloak as possible, and went to bed.

Awakening on a cloud platform, I stood up, looking around, attempting to figure out what was going on, when I jumped, noticing my arms and legs were normal. Looking at my relatively plain skin, I felt my hair on my head, the light breeze blowing tickling the hairs on my arms and legs, noting I was in underwear.

Chuckling to myself, I pan around looking for anything of interest, and jumped when a presence flowed into my mind, saying “What do you desire, you little one?” in a sickeningly sweet, feminine voice.

Frantically looking around, I trying blocking out the voice, thinking of the gentle running of water from my home to settle my nerves. “I can grant you your deepest desire, if only you open up to me, little one.” The voice comes again, sliding into my mind with the feeling of slick oil running across my skin.

Scowling, I respond “There is nothing you can offer me, Radiance. Nothing that truly matters.” out loud, noting that the light around me had begun getting brighter. The presence that felt like a light tickling at the back of my head, suddenly became much more intense, feeling like someone squeezing the back of my head, before disappearing, followed by the light becoming blindingly bright.

Holding my arm up to block the light, blinking out spots from my vision, I hear the soft undulations of something hovering in front of me. Lowering my arm, I see the Radiance, in all of her glory, shining very much like a sun given life in the form of a moth.

Her eyes staring down at me, she says “So, you know of me. Tell me, little one, why do you resist? Surely it would be better to let me in.”, her voice in that sickeningly sweet voice that I absolutely hated.

Straightening up, I say “And let you lead my body about like a puppet? No thanks. No, I rather prefer being a fully functional, individual being. Being enslaved within a hive mind, with no choice, isn’t really being alive.”

Turning away from her, I sit back down, continuing “As I said, nothing you can offer me I want. Nothing in this dream will become reality, no matter how much you or I might wish. Now begone.” and close my eyes, steadfastly ignoring her as she begins talking again, her sickeningly sweet voice causing my hackles to raise subconsciously.

After who knows how long, eventually something changes in the air, and suddenly the presence stabs into my mind, feeling like someone smashing the back of my skull. Holding my eyes closed, continue ignoring her, even despite the feeling of pain radiating from within my mind, grinding my teeth under the stress. This continued for an indeterminate amount of time, before I hear the Radiance suddenly scream in distress, the pressure upon me disappearing all at once, leaving behind a hollow aching in my skull.

Opening my eyes, I see her light disappear in the distance, before disappearing entirely, the feeling of tears running down my face as the light around me was suddenly darkened into shadow. Shakily, I look around, the feeling of pain still echoing in the back of my skull, and watch as void tendrils begin bursting through the ground around me, lazily moving towards me.

It was when what looked like shades began appearing, that I realized what I was looking at, before I suddenly awoke, gasping for breath as I sat up in bed, the feeling of faint pain fading away from my sense.

Quickly checking myself in the small mirror provided in the toilet room, I check myself over for any hint of orange. After finding none, not even any in my eyes, I let out a big sigh, and move back into my room, checking out the time piece in the room, letting out an even bigger sigh at only being asleep for 2 cycles, of the 4 cycle sleep I usually slept.

Lightly tapping the lumafly lamp in the room, I get out my things, and begin making a dream catcher, pushing the thoughts of catching dreams into it as I make it with a fervor. When I finished the final loop of string, a flash of light emits from it, briefly blinding me, before it dims into an almost unnoticeable glow.

Starring at it, I look it over, awed at the apparent bit of magic I seemingly had performed, before setting it next to my bed, feeling the dread of the dream suddenly disappear. Yawning, I lay back down, hoping and praying it worked, and eventually lost the battle to stay awake, slipping back into unconsciousness.

I didn’t dream the rest of the night.

Awakening much more refreshed than I had in a while, the dream catcher still lightly glowing next to me, I gather up my supplies, and head out, stopping by a food vender when a bright flash catches my attention.

Looking up, I see a figure get blasted out from a window, the white color of soul magic obvious, but the figure falling was clothed in red robes, bright pink wings attempting and failing to catch the air.

I took off running towards where they were falling, shoving aside smaller bugs as I saw them fall into one of the streams below. Throwing my cloak off, I took a deep breath, and dived, the cool water running over my form as I swam downwards, quickly catching up them. Grabbing onto them, I swim back up, dragging them behind me.

I flex my wings, almost flying out of the water, my cling pads allowing me to scale the wall next to the stream, pulling up the bug with me, setting them onto the ground, taken aback when I realize who this was. This was Marissa, the Songstress, and she clearly was struggling to breath.

I pull her robe aside, finding the general location of where her lungs should be, and press, pushing my considerable strength into it. Her thorax compresses beneath the pressure, and water is pressed out of her spiracles along her sides. Once cleared of water, she begins gasping for breath, coughing out water as a pair of sentries fly down, landing next to us as one of them shouts “By wyrm, you saved her. Quick, did you see where she fell from?” as other bugs begin crowding around, the sudden appearance of Marissa’s bright wings drawing in a crowd.

I simply turn, pointing towards the building she was blasted from, saying “I saw her get blasted out from there.” The sentries follow my arm, seeing the destroyed window quite easily. One of them turns, shouting orders to other sentries who had shown up, with several quickly taking to the air towards the window.

The lead sentry turns back to me, saying “You have our appreciation, we’ll escort you to the hospital, you must be freezing from that dip in the water.” I turn back to Marissa, responding “I’m fine, she’s the one that’s injured.”

The sentry narrows their eyes, looking me up and down, before responding “If you’re sure, we still need to get your statement of what happened, as well as Miss Marissa’s.”

I internally sigh, and say “Alright, if you insist. Let me grab my stuff.” and collect my things, putting my cloak back on, making sure to hide the dream catcher within. A pair of ground based sentries have shown up by now, one holding up an umbrella while the other bundles Marissa up, who appears to be in shock from the ordeal.

Following after them, I could only hope this doesn’t fuck up my plans.

Lurien watched impassively as reports came in, reading the latest tablet of new infections with the grim air of the doomed.

Sighing, he set the tablet down, thinking over what he was going to bring to the next Dreamer meeting when someone knocked on his door. Clearing his throat, he says “Come in.”

His butler opens the door, doing a light bow before saying “Sir, the Captain of the Guard wishes to speak with you, she says it’s urgent.” with the slight sent of fear coming from him. Lurien hums, and straightens up, responding “Alright, send her in.”

His butler bows, turning away and closes the door behind him. After a few minutes, Lucius steps through, her posture perfectly straight as always, stepping up in front of him, and salutes, before saying “Sir, we believe we’ve found a lead on the missing persons case, one that demands your immediate attention.”

Lurien simply nods, saying “You’ve got my attention, what’s the lead.”

Lucius responds “Just a cycle ago, the Songstress Marissa was assaulted by a disciple of the Soul Sanctum. From her accounts, she was being badgered by the disciple for some time, before claiming her soul would be used to ascend, or something along those lines. She was blasted out of a window and fell to the water. It is quite fortunate, that a citizen saw her fall, and rescued her from the stream. He also directed us to the window she was launched from, and the room she was in bears all the signs soul magic being used.”

At this point, Lurien’s eyes were wide, his mind running through thoughts, trying to understand why someone from the Soul Sanctum would do such a thing, responding with “How does this connect to the missing bugs case?”

Lucius’s antenna twitch, as she responds “Several of the homes of said missing persons bear similar levels of soul taint, as what was found today. It is my belief that the Soul Sanctum must be involved.”

Lurien deflates, and says “Alright, is Marissa alright? And what of the bug that jumped in after her?”

Lucius replies “Marissa is in shock from the situation and is still partially waterlogged. The bystander is seemingly perfectly fine, the water having no effect.” Lurien begins pacing, responding “Ah, so an aquatic species? I’ll have to thank them myself. Would you go and escort them up to me, please? I need to put together a plan to deal with the Soul Sanctum, and the bystander needs to be rewarded for the trouble.”

Lucius, as if predicting such a thing, replies “Of course, I actually brought them up with me. They did request to speak with you, privately for some reason though.” and heads back to the door, opening it up and walking out. A muffled “You may speak to him now.” is heard, and the bug steps through, wearing a damp cloak that hid most of their features.

Lurien bows slightly, saying “Greetings, I am Lurien the Watcher. May I have your name?”, watching as the bug reaches up, removing its hood, the sight of it’s face shocking Lurien to the core.

Looking back at him, was a mask like face, almost exactly like that of the Hollow Knight. There were differences, such as a pair of antenna, notable mandibles where the mouth is, as well as a sheen of partially transparent chiton protecting the eyes instead of the empty black, but the similarities were eerie.

“My name is Ray, and I have very important information to tell you, and little time to tell it. Tell me, did you sense the sudden intensity of infectious dreams last night?” Ray spoke with a voice that demanded he be listened too, the voice carrying through the air like a strong breeze, impossible to ignore.

Blinking his eyes, and trying to hide his panic, Lurien responds “Yes, I felt it, despite my best efforts.”

Ray nods, pulling out a strange object as he replies “Indeed. As it so happens, I have a gift, one that can help hold off the infection, for a time at least.”, presenting the object before Lurien. Lurien could feel the soul power pulsing within the object, as Ray continues “This is a Dream Catcher, a magic charm that can, well, catch dreams before they reach you.”

Ray holds it out, letting Lurien take it as he turns it over, looking over the soul work within. It was a simple thing, a metal hoop with silk string coiled around it, making the appearance of a net, the strands glowing with the power of soul.

“If what you say is true, then this needs to be brought to his majesty immediately.” Lurien excitedly says, looking over the object, his magic sense telling him that the magic was working even now, the essence of dreams getting caught and destroyed within.

Ray, his face impassive, says “That is up to you, but I won’t be meeting his majesty just yet. I have objectives I need to get done first. And I need you to understand how the dream catcher works, before spreading them around.” in a voice that brokers no argument.

Lurien, who by now was almost buzzing in place, looks at Ray like he grew a second head, says “Right, I understand, I was supposed to be rewarding you, not the other way around. You said you’d show me how to make more of these?”

Ray simply nods, walking over to a desk, pulling out a hoop and thread, and says “Watch.” and begins winding silk thread around the hoop, channeling soul into the string while doing so. Lurien watches with rapt attention, taking in how the spell work is channeled, as Ray says “It is quite simple, almost brutishly simple. When winding the string, you need to put your soul into it, with the intention of catching harmful dreams.”

Upon finishing the dream catcher, it flashed to life, the spell work finished, before dimming. Lurien startles when Ray hands him a hoop and thread, saying “Your turn.”

With little jitters fluttering up and down his arms, he follows Ray’s example, channeling his soul into the string, with the clear goal of catching dreams. Upon finishing his own hurried dream catcher, it lit up, the spell work finished, and Lurien was ecstatic.

Staring at the dream catcher, Ray grabs the one he brought and the new one he made, stuffing them into his cloak as he says “That is my gift to you, Lurien the Watcher. Before I go, I have three more things for you to consider. Firstly, the dream catchers, are not to be sold. They are gifts, and as such, only work when given away freely. Secondly, deal with the Soul Sanctum as soon as possible. It doesn’t take a genius to realize why the Soul Master’s power has grown at the same time as the number of missing bugs rises. And thirdly, the Pure Vessel is not pure. Never was, and never will be. And as such, the King’s plan to seal the infection inside it isn’t going to work. Another solution will be required.” and turns to leave, leaving Lurien stunned at the sudden drop of information.

Lurien quick composes himself, leaping in front of Ray, saying “What do you mean, the Pure Vessel isn’t pure? Of course it is! How could it not? And how do you know so much, I’m the only one in the city that knows of that?”, channeling soul in the possibility that he needed to restrain Ray.

Ray, his face as impassive as ever, simply leans forward, saying “How I know these things isn’t likely to be believed. As for the Pure Vessel, it may act pure and hollow, no mind to think, no will to break, no voice to cry suffering. While the last part might be true, it’s just as alive as you and I am. And how, might it be able to learn anything, if it doesn’t have a mind? Did it ever cry tears in it’s younger form? Has it ever acted oddly without orders? Use that smart mind of yours Lurien, for you’d have to be blind to not see it.” and then straightens up, stepping around the stunned Lurien.

Lurien starred in space, running through his earliest memories of seeing the Pure Vessel, of how it would react weirdly when given conflicting orders, how it learned etiquette and fighting skills, of how it cried void tears when it failed at one of the King’s tasks.

Shaking himself Lurien stepped out of his private office, shouting “Lucius, assemble the guard. We have some citizens to save.” even as the whirlwind of thoughts raced within his mind, trying to understand. Surely, the Pure Vessel was pure? It had to be.

Marissa sat, her thorax still sore, breathing in and out, staring at the ceiling as she tried to piece together why she had been attacked. She knew, being a butterfly, that she had quite the large soul reserve, but why would that drive someone from the Soul Sanctum to attack her?

The sound of a door opening drew her attention, and her savior stepped in, walking over to her bed, kneeling down to her level, as he says “Hello, Marissa. I hope you’re doing ok.” with a voice that sent shivers down her thorax, exciting her abdomen. It was a silky-smooth voice, with power behind it. Much like her own.

She sat up, wincing a bit from the soreness, and responds “I’ll heal. You have my thanks.”

Looking him over, he was dressed in his cloak, hiding his features, but even beneath the cloak, she could visualize what he looked like, his white face rushing towards her as she sank beneath the water, warm hands grabbing onto her, his body shaped like a bee’s, but without the fluff.

He pulled out a glowing object, handing it over, saying “This is a dream catcher. It will protect you from the infection.” She accepted it, holding it as it seemingly glowed with no visible source, the power of soul providing light. As he went to stand, she reached out, grabbing his hand, realizing almost instantly that he was practically burning up, the amount of heat he was outputting.

“I, never got your name.” She asks, feeling the warmth of his body seep into her hand, still an amazing sensation that she had never felt before from another bug. He seemed to be perfectly fine, no shakes or signs of infection, or other illness, and yet he burned like a low burning fire.

He straightened up, pulling his hand from hers, responding “My name is Ray.” and turned to leave, stopping at the door, saying “Stay safe, Marissa. I look forward to hearing you sing in the future.” before stepping out, closing the door behind him.

Marissa sat, staring at her hand, feeling the heat dissipate slowly, her thoughts whirling. She wondered, if how nice just the touch of his hands felt, how nice it would feel to cuddle up next to him.

Marissa shook her head, her face flushing at the mortification of her thoughts, before turning to the dream catcher, as he named it, holding it close as the soreness caught up to her, dragging her to an eventual sleep. And for the first time in a long time, her sleep was undisturbed by dreams.

Chapter Text

The pitter patter of rain behind me, I make my way towards the nailsmith, running the encounter with Lurien the Watcher through my mind. His mask glowed, showing the power of the soul within it, while his cloak hid his body. I could tell that he was a tall and thin bug, but what kind exactly, I had no idea. Lurien was seemingly steadfast in his belief in the Pale King, but hopefully he takes what I said to heart, and acts on it.

Marissa being attacked by someone from the Soul Sanctum wasn’t something I was expecting, but hopefully Lurien will solve that matter himself. Marissa’s beauty in person was much greater than I was expecting as well, putting the simple image from the game to shame.

After a few minutes (some of which was spent squeezing as much water out of my cloak as possible) I made my way to the nailsmith. Stepping inside, the Nailsmith turns, saying “Ah, there you are. Just finished it this morning.” and stands up, going to one of his racks, pulling out a sheathed nail, holding it out to me, saying “Long and thin, as requested. The balance towards the handle should also make it nice for throwing, so I added a hoop at the bottom, for attaching thread to.”

I accept the nail, pulling it from it’s sheath, giving it a light swing, testing it’s balance. As requested, the balance was focused on the hilt, allowing for easing of swinging. It is long an thing, very much like a rapier, but thicker. It was channeled, allowing for greater channeling of soul, very much like the knight’s nail in game. Sheathing it and attaching it to my belt, I say “It’s perfect, thank you.”

Stepping out of the nailsmith’s hut, who continued onto his next job. Pulling out my map, I plan out my next move. Knowing that I’ll need some kind of offensive ability beyond my nail, I hope the snail shaman is within the Kings Crossroads (aka, Forgotten Crossroads), and from their, visit Greenpath, hopefully making contact with Unn. From there, make my way to Deepnest, kill the Nosk, and save the vessels, before making contact with the Pale King. And maybe find the dream nail.

At least, that’s the current plan. Something to work towards, for now, as I make my way to the nearest stag station.

Wandering the crossroads, I stared at my map, grinding my teeth as I attempted to figure out where the Snail Shaman would be. After starring fruitlessly at the map, I put it away, and just began wondering, searching for the room that resembled what the False Knight was fought in. Something that I had long realized a while ago, but was still coming to terms with, was the fact that each area of Hollownest was much, much larger than what was shown in game.

Eventually, I found the room I was looking for, comparing it to what I remembered. The chamber was much, much larger than I was expecting, the carved stone and pillars almost giving it a shrine like appearance. Moving forward, stepping aside various bugs who continued on their way, not even giving me a glance, I strived forward to the next room, where the Snail Shaman is supposed to be.

And I was thankfully not disappointed, seeing the familiar torches, leading up into an alcove above the previous chamber. Climbing up, I follow the torches, finding my way in front of the Ancestral Mound, which appeared to be in much better condition than the game, it’s stone exterior smoothly cut stone.

Stepping inside, I find the Snail Shaman, who appears to be napping. Clearing my throat, they jump up, shaking themselves awake. Straightening up, the Snail Shaman says “Oh, hello. I have been expecting you, come.” and gets up, moving into their hut, gesturing for me to follow.

If I had eyebrows, I’d have raised them, but none the less, I followed, stepping inside their simple abode, saying “Expecting me? What do you mean?”

The Shaman pulls out a black sphere, holding it out to me as they respond “Yes, the void, mysterious as it is, gave me a message. Here, inside this Arcane Egg, a message from within the void, meant for you, burning one.”

Accepting the Arcane Egg, turning it over feeling the surface with my fingertips, responding “Huh, well, that’s nice and all, but I was actually seeking you out for a trade of knowledge.” as I put the egg in one of my many pockets, retrieving my dream catcher, presenting to the shaman, saying “I’ll teach you how to make this, if you teach me how to focus and use my soul.”

The shaman simply laughs, before composing himself, and replies “That won’t be necessary, my friend. I was going to teach you anyway, even from here I can sense the massive pools of soul you possess. Come, come, time for your first lesson.” and gets up, grabbing their staff, leading me deeper into the Ancestral Mound.

I follow dutifully, this interaction already going far more in my favor than I ever expected.

Several hours later, I stood, taking a deep breath, and focus, believing I would summon the soul to form an attack. And the soul within me obliged, coalescing briefly in the palm of my hand, before I aim it at the target ahead of me, unleashing the vengeful spirit attack, blasting the target into pieces.

Grinning, I consider the possibilities, before turning to the Shaman, who is taking notes, mumbling to himself. The palm of my hand tingling, I turn away from the impromptu targeting range, and take a seat opposite from the shaman, saying “Thank you, I greatly appreciate you taking the time to teach me.”

The Shaman simply waves me off, responding “Oh it’s no trouble, I so rarely get visitors these days anyway, and the void demanded I teach you. As a servant of the void, it was an honor to serve. Now, you have places to be, and things to do.”

Again, if I still had eyebrows, they’d be raised, but I collect my things, leaving with a simple “Take care” as I left, moving towards my next objective, still slightly confused about the whole experience.

Channeling soul, as it turned out, was quite easy, once you knew how to do it. And apparently, I had been gifted with a tremendously large soul capacity, seemingly much more than Ghost got within the game, as I could cast 5 vengeful spirit attacks in quick succession, and only felt slightly winded.

Of course, that wasn’t the only thing that soul could do, and I’d need to experiment, see if I could come up with my own soul based spells, but that would be for later.

For now, I briefly planned out my route to Greenpath, to the next Snail Shaman, and continued my way.

Hornet, sitting along one of the benches within the meeting room, was bored. She idly ran her sub arm down the side of her needle, admiring the smooth metal finish of her weapon, tuning out the conversation going on between her father, mother and aunt. Sitting next to her, staring off into space with her wings twitching, was her half-sister, Princess Helia of the Hive. And to Hornet, the second most annoying bug in existence, second only to her father, who despite his brilliant mind, was sometimes the blindest one in the room.

Looking over her sisters appearance, it’s apparent she had hit a recent growth spurt, being slightly taller than she was. Having a face very much like hers, but with a pair of bee like antenna, Helia could almost be mistake for her twin, if not for the fact that her body was much more bee like, having patches of yellow and black striped fuzz along her carapace. Also unlike her, Helia had no qualms showing off her body, much like her mother, her subtle curves often drawing the eye of curious males who saw her.

Turning back to the adults, she parsed the few details of the meeting she had picked up on, was that the infection had seen a sudden rise in infections, mostly those who lived alone or were mentally deranged previously, but still a concern regardless. Queen Vespa was attending, having joined the Dreamer part of the plan, with much the same stipulation as Herrah. Which resulted in Helia.

Turning to her sister, Hornet says “So, anything interesting happen at the hive lately?” Helia gave out a deep sigh, extending then retracting her mandibles before turning to give Hornet the look, that she gives when she feels she’s been asked a stupid question. After giving Hornet the look for a moment, she turns away, sighing again as she responds “Or course not, you know that. If anything interesting were to happen, you’d probably be one of the first to know.”

Humming to herself, Hornet turns back to take a look at the three rulers arguing amongst themselves, throwing out ideas, while her sibling (despite her what father may think, the Hollow Knight, is her sibling) sat impassively, acting like the statue it was pretending to be. Hornet had voiced her concerns to her mother about the plan, but had been rebuked, leading to Hornet, when not embroiled in these meetings, trying to research as another way around the infection. But, with her father keeping her at arm’s length, it was difficult.

She was startled out of her thoughts, when a retainer stepped into the room, exclaiming ‘Your highness, I’ve got an urgent request from Lurien the Watcher!”, causing the arguing adults to cease, allowing silence to fill the room briefly before her father responded, “What’s the request?”

The retainer stepped forward, handing over a trio of tablets, his antenna and scent clearly showing his nervousness. Looking back to her father, she watches as her father’s eyes slowly widen while reading the message, the charge of soul in the air shifting ever so slightly, before he puts the tablet down, and says “I’m afraid we’ll have to cut this meeting short, Herrah, Vespa. An urgent situation has come up within the City of Tears, and I must attend to it. You’re both free to rest here before returning home.” and gets up, his long wyrm body uncoiling from around the chair he sat in, exiting the room while gesturing for her sibling to follow.

Herrah, her inner fangs grinding, stands up, calling out “Hornet dear, we’re leaving. We’ve been gone from home long enough as it is, for now. Pleasure as always, Vespa.” as she goes to leave, exiting out the room via an opposite door that her father left.

Hornet gives her sister a wave as she leaves, saying “I’ll see you later, dear sister.” Her sister simply rolls her eyes, responding “Yeah, yeah, see you later.” as she stands up herself, following along behind Vespa.

Catching up to her mother, Hornet states “Mother, I will be visiting the Archives before I return home.”

Herrah givers a look, before huffing out “Alright dear, but please be careful.” Hornet simply smiles, responding “Of course, I always am.” while twirling her needle around. Once they exited the Palace, and made their way to the Stag station, she parted ways, taking a stag station to the Queens Station, hoping for something, anything to be found at the Archives.

Of course, what she didn’t know, was her half-sister, had much the same plan, following after her, just one step behind.

Stepping onto Greenpath at last, I took in the green scenery. The temperature of the area was much warmer than in the Crossroads, or City of Tears, but not unbearable. A fortunate upgrade of having a carapace instead of soft skin, is that the humidity doesn’t get to me nearly as much as it would have.

After the escapade with the Snail Shaman, the trip to Greenpath had taken longer than I was expecting, the winding paths of the Crossroads much, much larger than expected, putting the time right at my next sleep cycle. I could already feel the draw to sleep nagging at me. Shaking my head violently, getting the adrenaline going, I begin scouting out the local area, looking for an appropriately hidden crevice to hide in.

Upon finding an appropriate hiding place a fair ways off the path, concealed behind a series of thick bushes, I set out my cloak, arranging it like a blanket and pull out the arcane egg that I had been gifted.

Turning it over and over, running my finger tips across the surface, I note that it’s surface felt less like an egg, and more like a silky smooth glass egg, and yet I could clearly see the designed on the outside of the egg. After a couple of minutes, one of my fingers felt a seam. Pulling it up to my face, I turn it over, running the seam over the exterior. Extending one of my claws, I run it over the seam, trying to get any kind of purchase, to no avail.

Humming in thought, I hold it up in the palm of my hand, focusing soul into the egg, seeing if it reacted at all. And react it did.

Once soul began flowing into it, it expanded, opening up like a flower in my hand, a swirling mass of what could only be void energy appearing above the flower before flowing towards me, causing me to lean back much too later, as it dove into my open nostrils.

The void flowing into my nostrils caused me to dry heave, feeling like something was stuck in my throat, before it dispersed, as a throbbing pain presented itself, spreading from my nose throughout my head before fading away into nothing, as if it never happened.

Shaking my head, I note that the arcane egg has seemingly disappeared, evaporated into nothing, for I could find no trace of ever having it. It was while checking my cloak, that I felt a slithering feeling at the back of my skull, as I hear “Burning One, take heed. Your appearance here is not simple chance, nay, it has been fated that you would come. The ancient enemy will attempt to strike at you before you are ready, before you ascend to your fated position. Please accept this humble servant’s gift. Know that when the time comes, the void will answer.”

After the words faded from my mind, I come to, almost fallen over from the strain, and sit up, rubbing the sides of my head as the pain fades. Suddenly a jolt blows through me, knowledge presenting and the disappearing, leaving my vision blurry as I try to understand what happened.

After several minutes making sense of what just happened, I finally begin to piece together what was in the egg. The message, was a warning, that the ancient enemy would attempt to attack me, and that the void would answer my call.

The flash of knowledge that flew through my mind was, magic. I think. Standing up, I step a fair ways away from my stuff, and get into a combat stance, mentally pulling at the magic that had been suddenly imbued within me, and focus my soul. Lashing out, a blade of soul energy forms out from my hand, longer and wider than my nail, creating a sweeping arc of energy, cutting through several vines along the wall.

Grinning like a mad man, I focus my soul and smash the ground in front of me, blasting soul energy around me in a circular explosion, very much like the desolate dive spell. One other power was left to try out, so I hold out my left hand, holding out my palm outward, and create a shimmering shield, black runes swirling within a soul powered shield.

After practicing each move a few times, I finally settle down for bed, chuckling like a crazy person at how much this would help future fights, as while I was knowledgeable about basic fights, I was no warrior. And in my previous life, I was much more comfortable with a gun, so these soul powers were a godsend.

But I had to wonder, who was it that created the arcane egg? Surely it wasn’t the void itself. The void, as I understood, didn’t really have a mind of it’s own, but it could be focused by others. Something to think about.

And after a fairly exhausting day, I finally closed my eyes, dreamless sleep claiming me once more.

Chapter Text

Turpin wandered along Greenpath, his old joints aching from the effort, as he searched for who Unn had requested he find. Turpin, being the oldest and wisest of the Moss Knights, was tasked by Unn herself to bring the Burning One before her.

And while he didn’t understand what she meant by ‘burning one’, he continued searching in earnest. Deciding that the best place to start, would be where the Pale King’s roads first begin crossing into their territory, and work his way back.

It was while walking down the path, towards the crossroads, that the noticed a noise, that was out of place. A slight, whooshing sound, like air being pushed and pulled through a narrow opening, so light on the air he almost didn’t catch it. But, knowing every sound that comes naturally within their home, he followed his ears, walking past a pair of dense, thorny bushes, and eventually came upon a large green mass.

Said large green mass, was shifting about, and after squinting his eyes, Turpin finally realized what he was looking at. He was looking at a bunch of mosscreeps, all bundled together around something. Or someone.

Upon stepping closer, several mosscreeps turned their eyes towards him, staring him down, as the shuffled closer together. Whispering out “It’s alright, I’m not here to harm. I just want to see what’s underneath ya, ok?”

Several mosscreeps chirped in response, before dispersing, opening up a hole for him to see what they were crowding around. It was a bug, a winged bug, curled up to sleep, which was the source of the noise, as it’s breath came in and out of the small pair of nose wholes on it’s face. It’s black lens covered eyes were a bit creepy, almost appearing to be staring at him even in sleep, but what really drew his attention was the glowing charm held in one of its hand, a metallic hoop with looped string forming a net like object, glowing with the power of soul.

Humming a bit to himself, he sits down, reaching out to shake the bug awake. Upon touching the stranger’s carapace, he pulled back, the feeling of warmth, unnatural warmth, coming from the bugs shell. Reaching out again, he felt along his shoulder, his eyes widening as he felt the burning heat coming off the stranger.

How on earth was he alive? His carapace emitted more heat than even the warmest bugs he had ever felt. At that level of heat output, Turpin would have keeled over and died from organ failure, and yet, this bug breathed with no issue, sleeping soundly like there was nothing wrong in the world.

“So that’s what she meant by burning one…” he grumbled to himself, getting up and stepping away, sitting back down across from him, watching and waiting for him to awaken. He knew that bugs whose sleep were disturbed tended to be quite aggravated, and he’d rather wait for him to wake up naturally.

As he waited, several of the mosscreeps had returned, crawling back into place, getting as close as possible to the warmth emitted by the burning one’s body. And so, Turpin waited.

Slowly, the dawning need to awaken dragged Ray’s consciousness back to alertness, opening his eye’s, the first thing he notices is the feeling of being covered, like being sheltered in a heavy comforter.

Slowly sitting up, he realizes that he’s been covered by mosscreeps, who chirp and whine upon him moving, climbing off of him as he sits up. Blinking the spots out of his eyes, stretching his joints, the bones popping sound muffled beneath his carapace, and notices he’s not along. Sitting across from him, is a moss knight, sitting cross legged, staring at him.

“Um, hello?” Ray tentatively asks, standing up as the mosscreeps scatter at last. The moss knight startles, apparently having fallen asleep itself, and stands up, stepping forward as Ray collects his things, saying “Greetings, burning one. You’re presence has been requested by Unn, and I am to escort you to her.”

Giving him a look of confusing, Ray responds “Requested by Unn?” while finishing setting up his cloak, hiding the majority of his form from view, standing up at his full height, putting him just slightly taller than the moss knight.

“Yes, burning one. Please, Unn is waiting.” the moss knight answers, turning away, walking back to the main path. Yawning, Ray starts after him, following behind him stretching and popping his leg joints before catching up.

After a few minutes of walking Ray asks “Why are you calling me the ‘burning one’?”, keeping pace with the moss knight. The moss knight simply responds with “That is what Lady Unn calls you, and judging by how much heat you emit, it is an accurate moniker.”

“Ah, I see. I suppose to most bugs, my body puts out dangerous levels of heat.” Ray says, looking around while following, taking note of the route in comparison to his knowledge of the in game Greenpath. From what he remembered, it was a fairly straight shot through Greenpath to the Lake of Unn, which is where he assumes his guide is taking him.

Turning back to the moss knight, Ray asks “May I have your name?”

The moss knight continues walking for a few minutes, seemingly ignoring the question until he answers “My name is Turpin, the Wise, brurning one.” Ray snorts, replying “Well, Turpin, my name is Ray. And you don’t need to keep calling me burning one, I do have a name.”

After that, the conversation came to an end, Turpin seemingly not interested in talking, and Ray too engrossed in taking in the sights and sounds of Greenpath to care, mentally mapping out the area as much as possible.

Soon, a small congregation of mosskin began filtering out from hidden grottos and homes, whispering amongst themselves before following along behind them, keeping a respectable distance between them and the ‘burning one’ that was going to meet with their deity.

After nearly a full cycle of walking (much like the Crossroads, Greenpath was much, much larger in person than what was shown in game), they made it to the Lake of Unn, where a smaller group of mosskin had already gathered, parting before Ray and Turpin as they walked to the edge of the pier hanging over the Lake.

Turpin gestured for Ray to wait, walking out to the very edge, taking a bow and speaks out “Lady Unn, the burning one has been brought before you, as commanded.”

After a few moments, the surrounding area briefly shakes, a large mass ascending to the surface of the lake, breaching the surface to appear before them. Ray, for his part, was slack jawed at how, massive, Unn was.

Unn wasn’t just a massive snail. She was THE, massive snail, that the description of massive snails were invented from. Towering above them by several hundred feet, Unn was an apple green color, with light green highlights crisscrossing her skin.

Leaning forward until her face was even with the pier, Unn spoke, in an almost whispery voice, very unlike what Ray was expecting “Burning One, step forward.”

Ray steps forward, lowering his hood down, exposing his head for the rest to see, looking Unn in eye. Once at the edge of the pier, Unn lowers one of her eye stalks down to directly in front of his face, before lightly pressing it against his forehead, forging a connecting between minds.

Unlike with what the Radiance attempted in the dream world, Unn’s connection to his mind was far less invasive, a simple communication channel between minds, instead of a digging spike.

“I have been awaiting you, Burning One, since you awakened in the land above. The void below, calls for you as well, it’s intentions unknown to me, but I must know. What is YOUR intentions here?” Unn speaks, her voice much clearer in mind speech than in the physical realm. Pulling up his memories of what he knows, Ray responds, “My intentions here is to stop the infection, before it is too late.” and pushes images of a fallen Hollownest towards Unn, showing the infected mosskin, deserted crossroads, bugs so grossly infected they burst apart into explosions, and other images related to the infection.

“I come bearing a gift, one that can, if not cure the infection, then at least halt it from reaching you.”, pulling out my dream catcher, presenting it before Unn and the crowd of mosskin, as Ray continues “It won’t save those already fallen to the old light’s thrall, but it can keep her dreams from reaching you entirely.”

Unn, brief glimpses of her thoughts touching Ray’s mind before disappearing, finally responds after a few moments mulling over his words “If that is your purpose for being, then you have my consent. And my blessing.”

Unn pulls her eye stalk back from Ray’s face, disconnecting from his mind, a light green light shimmering appearing between her stalks, briefly blinding Ray, before dimming, showing a charm. Said charm floats down to Ray, before lashing into motes of light, disappearing into him, felling like a rush of pin pricks across his carapace before disappearing. Unn then submerges back underneath the lake, disappearing from view shortly afterwards, leaving Ray slack jawed.

A tiny, green sigil appears upon his forehead, briefly burning brightly before fading, becoming almost imperceptible to the naked eye. Upon turning around, Ray found all the mosskin bowing before him, each of them recognizing the Mark of Unn branded upon his mask, marking him as the Prince of Greenpath.

Ray, was very confused by this behavior, not realizing he had a brand upon his mask, gesturing to the Turpin, saying “There’s no need to bow to me, I’m not you’re ruler. Now come, before I leave, I need to show you how to make dream catchers.” Upon those words being spoken, several moss knights stood before me, asking “What do we need to do?” in unison.

Blinking, Ray responds “Firstly, I’ll need flexible reeds and long grass shoots. While my original dream catchers are made from hoops and string, those materials I assume are rare here, so more simpler creations will have to do.”

The moss knights do a deep bow, before turning to other mosskin, giving out orders, as Turpin says to Ray “So, Burning One, what is the first step?”

Smiling, Ray responds “Firstly, we’ll need to create a hoop, similar to one of these” while pulling out a metal hoop and begins the process of showing the mosskin how to create dream catchers.

Turpin sat beside his fellow moss knights, twining reeds into the required hoop shape, contemplates the current series of events.

After showing the gathered mosskin how to create the simple dream catchers, Ray had departed, saying he’d return at some point in the future, and to simply spread as many dream catchers as far and wide as possible.

Ray, the Burning One, was a strange one. He didn’t walk like an insect, didn’t talk like one either, and the amount of body heat he emitted would have been lethal for any normal bug. His footsteps were almost silent, the soft thuds being the only indication of his movement, something that those with lesser hearing would surely miss.

Despite the strangeness of it all, the Burning One had been marked as Unn’s champion, and new leader of Greenpath, until he either died or the mark was revoked. And judging by how Ray acted, he didn’t even realize he had been branded.

Smirking to himself, Turpin debates telling him the next time he sees him but thinks against it. Better to let him learn it himself.

Unn sat quietly at the bottom of her lake, the pull to sleep again nagging at her mind as she reviewed what she learned from her interaction with the Burning One. For one thing, the Burning One was completely honest in his intentions, but it was the memories of what he was before being brought to the land of Hollownest, that really shook Unn.

The Burning One, who’s mind burned as bright as a sun, was fortunately unskilled in the mental arts, and when Unn connected to his mind, his every thought and feeling was bared before her. And she had quickly read through his memories, learning everything Ray was.

His mind was both a burning wildfire, and a booming thunder storm, thoughts and ideas blasting back and forth at all times, his every decision weighted before execution. Even his body operated at a higher frequency than most bugs, absorbing information at a rate that rivaled even a gods.

Unn was thankful that whatever force it was that brought Ray here, had picked a being who was both honest and kind to a fault, for if Ray were to turn his mind to more destructive pursuits, there wouldn’t be many who could stop him.

But the revelation that most shook Unn, was his factual belief in the gods of Hollownest. Much like the other gods, her power was derived from worship. The rulers of Hollownest gained power from worship, the Radiance gained it through worship, even Grimm gained power through much the same method. And Rays belief in the gods of Hollownest, powered by the strength of his mind, caused even her, to notice a substantial increase in strength.

Unn would have to wait and see, how nature took its course, and whether the Burning One could alter the fate of Hollownest, that had been shown so clearly within his mind. Regardless of what happened, it would be the most interesting thing to happen in Hollownest since the defeat of the Radiance, in quite a long time.

Deep below Hollownest, in the depths of the abyss, the void churned. The Voidbeast, sitting in it’s ancient throne, subtly moved, shifting ever so slightly. Within, it’s ancient mind turned, thoughts and plans millennia in the making, were finally coming to fruition. The hybrid had made it’s introduction to Unn, and achieved her blessing.

Only one more piece was needed to bring things to it’s planned conclusion. And so, it focused it’s mind, controlling the very void itself.

Far above the abyss, in the Archives, an empty bookshelf, in a far off corner, began to darken. Tiny, minuscule drops of void began to coalesce, forming a small puddle in the center of the shelf, churning until a form began to rise up out of the puddle. After forming the shape of a book, the void evaporated, leaving behind an ash grey book, the symbol of the King’s Brand emblazoned upon it.

Not a few moments later, a masked weaver by the name of Hornet, walks past, scanning for documents, spotting the grey book alone on the shelf, and moved towards it, her curiosity pulled by the symbol on the front, and it’s apparent importance, being alone in the restricted section.

Unbeknownst to her, her attention was drawn to it not by her natural curiosity, but by the Voidbeast, calling out to the void within her, demanding she take a look at it.

It’s newest move done, the Voidbeast settled back down, letting it’s ancient mind slow down and rest. Now, things would move as it had planned. And the hated light would meet its end.

Chapter Text

The Pale King, Solaris, was thankful for the invention of umbrella’s keeping the majority of his cloak clear of rain, as he skittered along on his many legs, heading towards the City of Tears, Luriens message replaying itself in his mind over and over again.

“Your Majesty

A new, and dangerous lead on the missing person case has come up. Marissa the Songstress was attacked, bug managed to escape, detailing how she was approached by and then attacked by a acolyte of the Soul Sanctum.

As stated in previous reports, a great many of those missing showed signs of a struggle, with soul taint consistent with what was discovered at the most recent crime scene.

We’ve already staged an investigation into the Soul Sanctum, and have found more than enough evidence to arrest and charge everyone inside. However, the Soul Master, Aldren Razor has already sealed off the upper levels with many layered levels of soul barriers, keeping us out. Despite my best efforts, I have been unable to break through.

I humbly request you’re presence in dealing with this matter, as soon as is possible.

Lurien,

Your Watcher”

While Solaris had known that Aldren had been quite insistent with his demands for soul experimentation, it had never occurred to him that the Soul Master would stoop to such levels. It was a well known fact that one could increase their own soul power by forcibly taking it from another, but to do so was considered heresy, by his own decree.

There was also the matter of dealing with the new higher being that had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, their presence being a tiny pinprick on his senses, before slowly growing into something much akin to his own ascension. However, this new higher being was seemingly content with living a normal life, having only just started moving around Hollownest over the past couple of days, their power a low burning hum.

Stepping out of the elevator with the Hollow Knight following close behind, along with a pair of Kingsmolds. He would have preferred bringing a couple of the Great Knights along as well, bug they were all already on assignments, and this was an issue that needed to be taken care of, now.

Making their way into the City of Tears, stepping past citizens towards the Soul Sanctum, his thoughts ruminating the situation. He had personally declined many requests and proposals from Aldren over the year, the requests getting more and more extreme as time went on, and thinking about it, he should have seen this coming. Even before being appointed as the Soul Master, Aldren had been an ego centered bug, that despite his great intelligence, rarely thought beyond his own interests.

Stepping into the lobby of the Soul Sanctum at last, he was greeted by a pair city sentries, who upon sighting him, quickly approach and bow, before rising, the taller one on the right saying “Your Highness, the Watcher is waiting for you above us, please follow me.” and heads towards the nearest elevator. Solaris followed behind, his party going up in pairs.

After a few minutes, with Solaris noting how it seemed over half of the cities sentries were here, he was led to Lurien, standing before a pair of double doors, covered in glowing soul glyphs. Turning to him, Lurien bows, then straightens up, saying “Your highness.”

“What’s the situation?” Solaris replies, observing the spell work before him, as Lurien responds “We’ve found an increasingly large amount of evidence corroborating our initial suspicions. We haven’t found any bodies yet, but we did find a partial ledger, with a list of names. On it was Marissa the Songstress. A great many of the others match those who have been missing. When we moved to apprehend Aldren, we came upon this.” while gesturing to the barrier, casting a dagger into the barrier, which shattered upon impact.

Stepping past Lurien, Solaris took in the spell work of the barrier, noting that this was very similar to a variety of designs of seals of binding that had been submitted by Aldren, all of them turned down for either being not strong enough, or being so strong as to burn out after a short time of function.

After a few moments of examining the barrier, Solaris spotted a notable weakness in the spell work, and drew upon his power, focusing a single soul spear into being, stabbing it into the weak point, forcing a spell of unbinding through the hole in the barrier, blasting it into pieces in an instant.

Stepping forward, Solaris says “The creation of this barrier is a clear show of Aldren’s guilt in this matter. Capture any members of the Soul Sanctum, but if they resist, lethal force is authorized.” with the full might of is voice, marching into the Soul Sanctum’s upper levels.

After moving through a few rooms, a pair of acolytes teleported in front of them, their eyes glowing with the power of soul. Before Solaris could utter a word, they both summoned soul bolts, blasting them towards him.

Rolling his eyes, Solaris deflected the soul blasts with ease, a simple barrier appearing in front of him, before summoning and sending a pair of soul spears. One of them teleported away, with the other not reacting fast enough, getting speared through the center of its torso, the splattering of orange blood confirming his suspicions.

He turns to his entourage, saying “It appears as though they are infected. Don’t bother arresting, attack to kill. Lethal force is authorized for any who resist.” The Kingsmolds saluted, and then began marching ahead, while his Hollow Knight kept it’s original position next to him, having not been ordered itself to move.

Stepping forward, what followed would less be called a battle, and more of a slaughter. The attacking acolytes, who would have been a major fight for most bugs, were practically nothing under the shear might Solaris wielded, their soul spells having no effect, and any of the more nail inclined acolytes swiftly found themselves taken apart by the Kingsmolds and the Hollow Knight. Their orange blood ran thick, many of them simply exploding from the pressure within their bodies when struck.

Lurien and his Sentries followed behind, taking care of any stragglers and seizing evidence. Eventually, they found their way to the very top of the Sanctum, slaughtering dozens of acolytes that attempted to stop them, fully cementing their traitor status in the eyes of Solaris.

They reach the Soul Masters Sanctum, which has another barrier, much like the one down below. Solaris smashed it into pieces just like the last one, noting the same weakness in this barrier the previous one had, and continues forward, jolting back when a trio of Soul Warriors teleport next to him, lashing out with their nails.

In a flash, all three are parried, two on either side by the Kingsmolds, the one directly in front of him by the Hollow Knight. The Hollow Knight retaliates, sending the Soul Warrior back with the force of the swing, leaping forward to bring it’s nail down upon the stunned bug, cleaving it in two, orange blood flying from the force of the strike.

The Soul Warriors engaged by the Kingsmolds floated back, blasting soul bolts at said Kingsmolds, who deflected with perfect form, their scythes twirling around at breakneck speeds, deflecting soul bolts with ease, advancing forward. I summoned and then launched a pair of soul spears, catching one of them through the face, ending it’s life instantly. The other teleported, appearing behind me, launching itself at me with it’s nail held forward.

I simply whipped my hand around behind me, a soul nail appearing in my hands, deflecting the attack and then beheading the soul warrior in a single stroke. Dismissing the soul nail, I continued forward, my guard falling back into step behind me. The next set of doors I immediately blasted apart, and as I stepped forward, a series of barriers springing to life in front of me, layered upon each other like layers of paint.

Beyond the barrier, I could see Aldren, surrounded by 12 acolytes all bowed in prayer, as the Soul Master chanted a series of soul spells in quick succession. I began burning my way through the barriers, using brute force instead of the careful application used before, but even I could see that I wouldn’t get through the barrier in time to stop the current spell taking place.

Before my very eyes, Aldren completed the spell, and the acolytes around him began spasming, before shrinking down, their bodies being converted into pure soul, which swirled around Aldren before being absorbed, his body expanding under the strain of containing that much unnaturally obtained soul.

Even as the last barrier fell beneath my might, Aldren turned to me, shouting “My ascension into GODHOOD WILL NOT BE STOPPED, FOR SHE HAS FORSEEN IT!” and unleashed a massive blast of soul towards me. I raised my hands, summoning a much larger barrier than previously, blocking the attack, even as I summoned a single spear, launching it towards Aldren’s face, smashing into his face, shattering his mask.

Screaming in pain, the Soul Master raised himself up, before plunging down at unnatural speed, smashing into the glass floor below him, blasting through it without stopping. Extending my wings, I dove after him, summoning and launching a series of spears while descending.

It wasn’t until I landed that I realized where we were, for around us, in what was once the Soul Sanctums Amphitheater, was now a tomb, containing hundreds of corpses of bugs in various states of decay, their bodies forcibly drained of soul. Above me, I hear the sounds of battle commence, as several soul warriors teleported in above me, engaging my Hollow Knight and the Kingsmolds. I briefly considered helping them, but my attention was caught by Aldren.

Aldren, his mask shattered, began speaking gibberish, randomly teleporting even as his body started coming apart from the wounds inflicted upon his body, before appearing before me, holding a large orb of soul. I instinctively raised a shield, expecting a soul attack, however fruitless it would have been, only for Aldren to flash brightly before disappearing, the scent of a teleportation spell thick in the air.

Cursing, I try following the trail of magic with my inner eye, trying to determine where it went, but quickly lost it beyond the City of Tears. Looking around, I took in the sheer number of bugs that had their lives taken by the Soul Master, trying to understand how long this had been going on.

Eventually, my Hollow Knight dropped down, stains of blood along their nail and cloak, followed by the Kingsmolds, both of which were now damaged, having dents along their armored forms. Once down, they took up their formation around me.

Taking a deep breath, I continued my way through the Soul Sanctum, intent of clearing this place of all members, their minds clearly long gone from either soul insanity or the dreams of the Radiance.

“Stay on guard, my loyal knights. We continue until there are none left.” I say aloud, more for the Kingsmold’s benefit than the Hollow Knights.

Several cycles later, the Soul Sanctum had been secured. Sitting in the Lurien’s office, Solaris sat clutching his head, as the headache of the fallout of Soul Santum’s fall would be tremendous and would lead to his most hated thing of ruling Hollownest, paperwork.

Over 500 bodies had been collected from the Soul Sanctum, many of them too twisted and deformed to easily be identified, and yet there were still several hundred more to collect and sort, hidden away in the various crevices and closets of the Soul Sanctum. Nearly all members of the Soul Sanctum were killed or captured, with only 5 members known to have escaped, the Soul Master the most dangerous of them.

Lurien walked up, sitting down across from, him, and says “This event will have far reaching consequences.” Solaris straightens up, responding “Indeed it will. And we’ll need to spread the word that the Soul Master is to be killed on sight, along with his remaining acolytes.” with a grim tone, steepling his claws as Lurien nods.

Lurien stands up, waving Solaris over as he says “Something else important has come up, something involving the infection.” This got Solaris’s attention, getting up for his seat and ambling over after him, following him over to a desk, where a glowing object sat.

Lurien grabs it, presenting it to Solaris as he says “This, is a dream catcher, an object that, after some testing appears to keep those who sleep near one safe from the infection.”, holding it for Solaris to inspect it. Taking a hold of it, Solaris turned it over, viewing the simple construction, being a simple metal hoop with string twined over it in a net like pattern. Focusing his soul senses, he could see the simple spell work, less designed and more implied, seemingly pulling the very essence of dreams out of the air.

His eyes widening with the sudden revelations, thoughts dashing back and forth at how such a device will help curb the infection, Solaris looks to Lurien, saying “This is amazing! How did you discover it?”

Lurien simply turned away, walking in a semi-circle, replying “I didn’t discover it. A bug, by the name of Ray, showed me how to make them. He’s the same bug that rescued Marissa the Songstress, and pointed us towards the Soul Sanctum.” Turning back to Solaris, Lurien continued “He also knows about the Pure Vessel, something that no citizen should know about. I don’t know where he went, but he left shortly after showing me how to make more of these dream catchers.”

Solaris considered the information dropped on him, saying “What does this Ray look like?” Lurien sighed at that, pointing to the Hollow Knight, saying “Visually, he looked very similar to the Hollow Knight, with a white, mask like face. What the rest of him looks like, I couldn’t say, he was wearing a heavy cloak the whole time. However, Marissa is believed to have gotten a good look at him when he rescued her, she even painted a picture of him shortly after leaving the hospital.”

“Alright, you have my thanks. I hate to leave this mess all to you, but I need to return to the palace. Lurien, if these dream catchers do in fact work, you have my permission to create as many as possible, even recruiting others to the task.” and began to leave, gesturing for the Hollow Knight to follow him.

Before leaving, Solaris decided to visit the Songstress, see this painting she created, and after entering the Pleasure House, leaving his Kingsmolds in the Lobby below, he entered her room, where Marissa was singing for a crowd of nobility and other well off bugs, all of whom scrabbled to get out of his way, bowing before his light.

Once in front of her, Marissa stopped, bowing before saying “Greetings, your majesty. Have you come to listen to me sing?”, confusing apparent on her face, having only sang for his majesty at city wide events, never so up close and personal.

Solaris responds “No, not today. I heard you had a, dangerous encounter the other day and wanted to check to see if you were alright. As well as see this painting of your savior for myself, if you wouldn’t mind.” with the air of formal procedure, keeping emotion out of his voice.

Marissa, slightly startled, turns to the rest of the crowd, saying “I must apologize, but that concludes tonight’s songs.” followed by the groaning of multiple bugs, many who wanted to shout some kind of complaint, but complied, not wanted to cause a scene in front of the King.

Once they were all gone, Marissa walked to her back room, gesturing for Solaris to follow. After walking in, Marissa walked over to a curtained painting, pulling it aside, unveiling a painting of a being, set in a pose that evoked one jumping down towards something, as Marissa says “This, is the painting of Ray. I was, inspired, by his selflessness, jumping in after me, a total stranger, with no question of reward. And his voice, silky smooth and powerful, pulled at my creative mind.”

While Marissa spoke, Solaris looked over the painting, taking in the details. The mask of the individual pictured was very much like the Hollow Knights, but shorter, having only two pairs of points, one pair curling inward, and the other pair curling outwards. The being’s body was a dark, almost black blue, shaped much like the body of a bee, a dual pair of wings extended out from their back. They had 5 fingered hands, which had grey colored pads on them.

Turning away from the painting once Marissa was done speaking, Solaris turns back to her, who has grabbed a similar looking dream catcher, as she continues “He gave me this. I wasn’t really sure if what he said was true, but ever since I’ve had it, my sleep has been undisturbed by dreams.”

“I see. Did he say anything else when he gave you it?” Solaris asks, observing the magic within the dream catcher, much the same as the previous one. Marissa responds “No, only that he looks forward to hearing me sing in the future.”

Humming in thought, Solaris turns away, saying “Thank you for your time. We’ll be going now.” Marissa replies “Of course, your majesty.” while staring at the painting, a slight blush appearing on her face as they walked away, hoping to meet the mysterious bug again.

And following behind the Pale King, as dutiful as ever, the Hollow Knight, had a small, tiny thought flow through the back of its mind. Said thought was so small, as to not register as being a thought, but it existed none the less. That thought, was “Sibling…”, holding the picture of it’s sibling to memory, trying to understand why that picture caused it to think the word sibling.

Chapter Text

Sitting at the Stag station in Greenpath, Ray was faced with a conundrum. There were three ways to get to Deepnest, but none of them were ideal. He could take the straight route, simply take a stag to the stag station, and make his way to the nosks den from there, but he wasn’t sure if he would get questioned or attacked by the denizens of Deepnest. The other two ways weren’t as straight forward, with one of them going through the fungal core, to then drop down into Deepnest. The last one was through the hidden station, past the palace, and then to Deepnest through the tramway.

His musing was cut short by the appearance of a stag, stopping at the station, lowering itself down to be boarded, saying “Hello, tall one. Where too?” Humming in thought, I make my decision, saying “I need to get to the White Palace, please.” At that, the stag looks me up and down, replying “Understood, climb on.”

I climb on, securing myself to the seat, after which the stag takes off, moving through the stag way tunnels, causing my stomach to flutter from the speed and roughness of travel.

Hornet was walking through the Archives, looking for a private place to read this, mysterious book she found in the restricted section. What was weird about it, was that when she saw it, it called to her, like she needed to read this book.

It was a matte grey color, with the symbol similar to her father’s royal symbol, but different, with extra horns, and colored a dark black. The material felt like it had been soaked in ink, and yet no stains appeared on her hands when exploring the book, finding no names or anything else besides the symbol.

Books, she remembered, were quire rare, requiring wood to make the paper, and a substantial amount of ink to impart the knowledge upon the pages. The advantage of the books was that a single book could hold dozens of tablets worth of knowledge and took up less space, but the paper they were made from was easily damaged.

Tucking it into her cloak, she eventually found her preferred hiding spot, a place that only a spider could climb to, and after making sure she was in the clear, entered her hiding spot. Once settled, she went to open up the book, when her sister jumped into her hidey holt, startling her as Helia says “What cha doin?” in that childish accent she oh so loved doing, settling in next to her.

Once calmed down, Hornet replies “I’m reading, obviously.”, showing the book to her. Heliac glances over it, looking it over before saying “And where did you find a book? I thought they were quite rare?”

Hornet begins to pull open the book, responding “They are, and this one was found in an empty area of the restricted section.” Helia simply hums in response, reading over the first page with Hornet, which says “To those higher beings of light and dark, god and void, this message is for you.”

Hornet turns the page, which reads “Before there was anything, before there was time, there was the void. And from the void, came everything. From within the void, two beings were created, the being known as Life, and the living entity of the void, known as the Lord of Shades. Life, afraid of the dark, fled the void, creating living beings in it’s wake, attempting to escape the frightening darkness. The Lord of Shades, entranced by the light and warmth of Life, chased after it, spreading the void in its wake, absorbing and loving all that Life left behind. Eventually, Life would tire, and the Lord of Shades would catch up, bundling up Life in its arms, and returning to the void, keeping Life safe from the world.”

Hornet stared, taking in the words, trying to understand the meaning behind them, looking at Helia, who was staring at the book, deep in thought. After a few moments, Hornet whispers out “This, this means, that my sibling, can’t be hollow. The entire plan is doomed to fail.”

Helia takes a deep breath, before reaching out, turning to the next page, and began to read, hugging Hornet with her free arm.

The book’s pages read “In the realm of dreams and nightmares, another pair took shape, called forth by the belief of the moths. The pair would be known as the Radiance, God of Dreams, and Grimm, God of Nightmares. Together, they led the moths through their dreams, Radiance leading the dance, with Grimm following behind. Together, they completed each other, keeping the dream realm in balance.

That is, until they stumbled upon the land of the living shadow, drawn by the living light that is Life, like a moth to a flame. The Radiance, the leader of the dance, wanted to take Life for its own, while Grimm, the follower, wanted to move on to lands anew, continuing the dance. Their disagreement led to a schism, with the Radiance dealing a mortal blow to her brother in her anger, driving Grimm and his followers away, disrupting the dance.

With no further distractions, she drew upon her power, and attacked the very void itself, driving it from the lands above, searching and searching for the appealing light of Life deep within. This drew the void back together to reform the Lord of Shades, who lashed out at the Radiance, forcing her back into her domain, but not before the Radiance found and stole Life’s light for herself, adding to her power. From her realm, she attacked the Lord of Shades through the power of her dreams, emboldened by her followers worship and the power gained from Life, forcing the Lord of Shades into a never ending sleep, pushing the void further down into the ground, out of sight.

For many cycles, the Radiance ruled from her dream realm, content with her followers worship, and grew complacent, eventually growing blind and deaf to her followers pleas, only giving miracles for the most fervent followers.

Then, the wyrm came. Appearing from beyond the wastes, the wyrm was drawn to the land by the latent power of the pale root, a living remnant of Life’s creation, but was met with fear from the moths. The wyrm, after coiling around the large tree like root it’s instinctual need to hunt triggered by the hidden presence, eventually exhausted itself, it’s exhaustion allowing the root to reach out and communicate with it, expanding it’s consciousness with the revelation of other beings having thoughts. The wyrm, once it’s strength had been regained, summoned it’s power, and pushed out a spell of understanding. This allowed all who had come from Life, who each spoke their own tongue, to understand each other. Those others who weren’t intelligent before, now found themselves understanding of the world around them, understanding of themselves. All who were touched by the wyrm’s spell, understood its source. The wyrm, it’s body decaying from the force of the spell, shed its outer form, and ascended to godhood, becoming the God of Light and Knowledge. The moth tribes, who had been ignored for far too long by their creator, willingly joined the new light, reaching out for help to survive. And the wyrm, its mind and body emboldened by the new worship it received, abliged.

The Radiance, who had been content before, now suddenly had a yawning void of empty dreams to fill, and suddenly realized how lacking her worship had been, began to try to force herself into the dreams of these new minds, only to find herself being blocked from their minds, shielded by a new light, one that rivaled her own. Summoning her might to a physical form once again, she lashed out at this new light, her fury from her believers being stolen from her driving her actions. The battle shattered the land above, darkening the sky with the power of their light. In the titanic battle, the Radiance’s brother, hurt and angry, assisted the wyrm, launching a two-pronged attack. In the end, the Radiance’s physical body was destroyed, with all of her power lost with it, disappearing from the dream realm. The god Life, disappeared as well, leaving behind an empty void, rumbling deep beneath the land. And the wyrm, now ruler of the land, proclaimed the land to be Hallownest, and he their Pale King.

But even in death, the Radiance lives on, still worshiped by a select few devout believers, keeping her name alive. This allowed a faint memory of her to come back into being within the dream realm, lacking the power to force her will upon those that scorned her, but even the sturdiest mind may give in to the sweet promise of the dream.

The burning one will soon come, their mind born from a land without gods, brought to Hallownest with but one goal. The salvation of Hallownest, and the end of the never ending dream.”

And on the last page, was what could only be described as a painting, of a being, who appeared to look a lot like Helia, but without the short fuzz of a bee, with their horns being shown to be similar to Hornets, but ending in two curling points on each side.

After rereading the book, a couple of times, the two of them turn to each other, with Helia exclaiming “We need to show this to your father right away.”

Hornet simply closes the book up, respond “No, not right away. He won’t believe it if its just us showing him. Firstly, we need to show mine and your mother. Then with their help, we can convince him that my sibling isn’t hollow.”

Helia nods, her wings starting to buzz in place in excitement, asks “So, this burning one, do you think he’s here already?” Hornet stands up, putting the book in one of the pockets of her cloak, responds “I don’t know, and I don’t care. Whether this burning one is here or not, we need to do what we can to stop this foolhardy plan.” and jumps out of the hiding spot, Helia following along shortly behind.

Getting off of the stag, I stumbled a bit before my balance returned, and I began walking. Noting that at the time the hidden station (or, Palace Station, as it’s apparently called), was quite busy, bugs coming and going, nobles being tended to by servants, larger worker bugs carrying supplies to the palace. It was the hustle and bustle of a kingdom in its prime, and it was something I hoped to keep together.

But first, I had some vessels to rescue, and so I began walking, making sure to keep my cloak secured around my form, moving forward through the crowds. It was while passing the white palace, which was just as massive and grand in scale as I expected, that I realized that the Pale King and Hollow Knight were walking towards me, with a pair of Kingsmolds following dutifully behind them.

I kept to the side, making sure my hood kept my face hidden, continuing to move in the opposite direction, hoping and praying that they ignore me for now, when I notice the Hollow Knight’s head tracking me, staring at me with their dark eyeholes, which was much more unnerving than I was expecting.

I continued walking past, ignoring them even as I hear a whisper in the back of my mind “sibling…”. I push back mentally “Not sibling, but friend. I’ll be back, with more siblings. Pretend I wasn’t here.” along the same path I felt, feeling a sense of, agreement, for lack of a better word, in response.

Continuing on, thankful that the Pale King hadn’t noticed me, or noticed the Hollow Knights apparent interest in a random cloaked bug, but from what I knew of him, it wouldn’t surprise me if he was far too busy thinking about the current infection problem to notice a single bug out of many.

Finally making it to the exit, I climb and fly my way up to the top of the ancient basin, and find myself in front of the tram station. And then I have a horrible thought. In the game, you needed the tram pass to operate the trams.

Fortunately for me, there was instead a toll booth, instead of the usual tram pass slot, costing 500 geo for transport. Which was quite steep, but thankfully I had more than enough geo to pay for it, stepping into the tram, which was surprisingly empty.

Stepping forward to the side facing Deepnest, I press the glowing button, and settle down on a seat, waiting as the tram departs into Deepnest.

Out in the deep, dark empty lands of the wastes, the Grimm Troupe travels, always searching for the next nightmare flame to keep their master alive. Within one of the wagons, the Troupe master sits, humming a tune to himself as he waits, awaiting the time to begin the next show, when a niggling feeling brushes up against his consciousness, a calling back to the land of Hallownest.

He stiffens, feeling the call not of the wyrm, or even a lit torch, but of the void, calling to him, demanding he come to Hallownest. He gets up, calling out to Brumm “Brumm, we’re making a change of plans. Set course for Hallownest.” Brumm, in the lead wagon, simply nods, and directs the Grimm Steeds, telling them to change course.

Grimm sits back down, a small grin appearing on his face, as he considers the possibility of why the void, of all things would be calling. Regardless of the reason, it has been a long time since Grimm has seen Solaris, and it would be good to see him again. And it would be much fun to tease him again, such delightful teasing would be some of the best fun he’s had in quite a while.

Chapter Text

Stepping off of the tram, I breath in the earthy scent of Deepnest. It was unlike the rest of the kingdom, much more of an earthy smell than even the land above, and quite nice. Reminded him a bit of home, to be honest.

Continuing forward, I make my way towards the hot spring, stopping when I come upon a loose feeling dirt. Searching my memory, I recall that this was the drop down into an area where the Sharp Shadow charm was, in the game. Who knows what could be there now, and I don’t even have the ability to shade dash anyway, so best not to mess with it for now.

Leaping and flying over the various spike obstacles, which were as annoying in person as they were in the game, I eventually make my way to the hot spring, which glowed a soft white color. And there was a metal bench there as well. Surprisingly, there were no bugs in or around the hot spring, but I wasn’t going to question my luck.

Stepping around the spring, I continue forward, eventually find myself in the heart of Deepnest. And it was a cramped and dark as I was expecting. Fending off deeplings and dirtcarvers, who were very, very hungry for my flesh for some reason, I climbed over the various obstacles, until I found the tunnel leading to the nosk’s den.

Breaking through the week wall blocking off the tunnel, I began my trek down into the depths, searching for another hidden wall, finding it after several minutes with my nail, crashing through the weekend dirt wall. Through this wall, the tunnels got very short, forcing me to crawl forward, putting strain on my joints and dirtying my cloak. It was while going down a downward sloping tunnel, that movement caught my eye. A face, my original face, stared at me in the darkness, the low light obscuring the body, but I could recognize my original face anywhere. Picking up the pace, I follow after it, knowing I was walking straight into a trap by the nosk, but that’s what I wanted.

After some time, following the face disappearing and reappearing throughout the tunnels, I finally stepped out into a larger tunnel, soft light illuminating what could only be the nosk, it’s cloaked body wearing my original face like a mask, simply staring at me. I pulled my cloak off, setting to the side as I held my nail at the ready, my wings twitching in anticipation.

For a few minutes, we stared at each other, me waiting for the nosk to make a move, and the nosk waiting for me to come closer. Eventually, I grew impatient, and raised my left hand, launching a vengeful spirit blast at the nosk, who recoiled from the sound, but was unable to dodge the attack. The impact of the spell blew the cloak of its body, and it shrieked in anger, it’s form contorting and stretching until it resembled a nosk in full form, charging at me with reckless abandon.

I jumped up, my wings propelling me through the air as I rained vengeful spirit blasts upon its body, sending orange blood splattering from the smaller limbs upon its body being broken and bent from the impact. Once underneath me, it leaped up, shrieking as it reached with a pair of its limbs. I deflected the attack with my nail, before descending upon it in a charge, soul gathered in my left hand as I slammed my nail into it’s back, the soul explosion shredding several of its limbs into pieces, it’s cries of pain echoing around the chamber.

It bucked with sudden strength, throwing me off, my nail coming loose from it’s back. I fluttered my wings, landing a short distance away before diving to the side as the nosk leaped at me, screaming in rage. I launched another spirit blast into it as I moved, circling it as it attempted to stand, many of its limbs broken and crushed from the fight. It lurched towards me, spitting orange acid from its face, forcing me to dodge to the side, accidently stepping off of the raised platform, loosing my footing and falling onto my side. I immediately try to stand back up, my wings buzzing behind me as the nosk lands atop me, trying to force me into the dirt. The nosk, holding my left hand between a pair of it’s claws, reach forward and bit down upon my left arm, it’s fangs piercing through the carapace, tearing into the flesh beneath. Screaming in pain, I grip my nail, and stab through it’s head, nearly severing it from the body from the force of the strike, pulling my nail back, stabbing again and again until the head comes off, the body stepping back before falling to the side, it’s limbs flailing in death throws.

I stab my nail into the ground next to me, and pry off the nosks head from my left arm, crushing it underfoot, before jerking back in surprise as the nosks body lashes out with one of its limbs, catching me in the side, tearing a long gash along the right side of my body, cracking and tearing carapace from the force of the blow. And my vision turns red.

When I eventually come too, the nosk’s body has been torn apart into many small pieces, and I’m absolutely covered in blood, the pain from my wounds catching up to me as I kneel, taking in deep breathes before spitting out a glob of discolored phlegm, the taste acrid in my throat.

After catching my breath, I stand back up, and begin looking around, noting a surprising lack of bodies in the place, before I look up, and my breath catches at the sight above me. Strung up in webs, were both small weaverlings, and vessels. Upon catching sight of me looking at them, the weaverlings begin to shake, tying to hide in their restraints, while the vessels simply stared at me, unmoving. Counting them out, there were 14 weaverlings, and 12 vessels, all strung up together in distinctive groups.

Taking some more deep breaths to fill my lungs with air, I take wing, flying up first to the weaverlings, saying “Don’t be scared, I’m here to rescue you.” and begin pulling the strands apart, using my claws to cut through tough silk with ease. After freeing the first two, they begin helping out, pulling their siblings free, as I fly over to the vessels, who haven’t made a single sound the entire time, their faces tracking my movements.

Once next to them, I began freeing them one by one, hearing a slight “Sibling…” within the back of my mind with each one, barely more than a whisper. Unlike the weaverlings, who at least seem to be physically ok, the vessels are in rough shape, several of them sporting cracks in their masks, forcing me to heal them with soul before getting them down, lest the strain kill them.

Once I had all of them down, I sat down, taking deep breathes to cool my rapidly heating body from the exertion, my wing muscles feeling like they were on fire from so much flying. While catching my breath, the vessels and weaverlings all crowd around me, the vessels all chanting “sibling, sibling, sibling” while the weaverlings chitter amongst themselves.

The largest of the vessels, sporting a curling pair of horns that created an hourglass shape between them, forced itself onto my lap, reaching up for my mask, it’s voice solidifying in my mind while it spoke “sibling, big sibling, kill big scary, fix siblings, save siblings, protect siblings?”, the impressions of fear and hope strong in equal measure, both overshadowed by pure, unfiltered love.

Giving the impression of safety along the link, I respond “Yes, I’ll protect you, as much as I’m capable. But first, we need to get out of here.”, upon which the vessels all piled on, hugging me with reckless abandon, only for several to pull pack, staring at the red colored blood they found, turning their gaze up to ask me “sibling, hurt?” with an intensity not felt before. I calmly go to stand up, saying “I’m alright, I’ll heal later. For now, we need to go. That includes you as well.”, directing my gaze to the weaverlings, who have been staring at me the entire time.

“Before we leave, was there anyone else alive, here?” I ask, glancing over both groups, who all shake their heads no. Sighing, I stand up fully, several vessels clinging to my form while the rest follow after me. Collecting my cloak, I begin making my way out of the nosk’s den, saying “Well, guess the next stop is the Hidden Village.”

Herrah, following along the trail of sound, the screams of the nosk and whatever it was that was fighting it having gone silent, was stuck with a conundrum.

When she had returned to the Village, she found it in chaos, weavers and devouts frantically doing a head count. A nosk, the cowardly beast it was, had assaulted one of the weaver’s dens while she was gone, leading away a group of their younglings with it’s mind magic, leaving behind the corpse of a pair of weavers that had attempted to stop it initially, 14 weaverlings missing from their homes.

The frantic search had stalled, the trail ending in a collapsed tunnel, forcing them to dig out the tunnel. This was halted when the screams of a nosk, engaged with some roaring creature, echoed down the tunnels, the sound focused ones triangulating it to be emerging from the near the hot spring towards the lowest sections of Deepnest.

And judging by the sounds of the fight, it had clearly ended, with the nosk going silent, while the beast that fought it roared in anger and rage for a while, before going silent itself. Leaving them just short of the location to the nosk’s den.

Keeping her needles at the ready, she continued forward, her eyes easily seeing in the darkened tunnels, when she caught a scent. A heavy, irony scent, unlike anything else she had ever smelt before. It reminded her of rusted metal, but there was a tang to the scent, denoting it as organic in origin. Breathing in the smell, she began following it, gesturing for others to follow behind her as she zeroed in on the scent, and found herself face to face with a robed being.

Said being was the origin of the scent, and her sharp eyes could see tiny drips of its irony blood dropping from beneath it’s cloak, almost imperceptible to all but the sharpest eye. She drew her nails, shouting “Halt, strange creature.”

At her words, the being, who had stopped moving when she came into view, startled a bit, standing up straight as a swarm of weaverlings burst from behind it, swarming towards her, chirping in distress and relief. Herrah, eyeing the being before her, lowers her nails, talking in native weaver tongue to the weaverlings “I’m so happy your safe, my weaverlings. Come, we need to get you back to your nest. Who is this one?”

The weaverlings stopped crawling over her, a pair of larger ones stepping before her as they reply “Vessel friend, saved us, killed scary bug, hurt.” Herrah gave the mysterious bug a once over, saying “Stranger, you have my gratitude, for finding our missing weaverlings.”

The bug lowered its hood, the sight of his white, vessel like face shocking Herrah to the core, as the bug responds in a silky smooth, but still masculine voice “You’re quite welcome, Herrah of Deepnest. But it wasn’t just weaverlings that I rescued.” and opened up his cloak, showing off 4 vessels within his cloak, all 4 of them absolutely tiny, holding onto his body with their tiny hands. And from within, Herrah could see the long gash on his side, leaking a bright red hemolymph, the smell of iron increasing without a barrier of cloth in the way.

What shocked her even more, was when more vessels came forward, surrounding the strange bug, staring at her, their eyeless faces being quite unnerving to look at from so many. Herrah says “You’re wounded, and we owe you quite the debt for saving so many, come, I’ll escort you to the village. And, may I have your name?”

The strange bug, starting to falter back and forth from hemolymph loss, responded “My, my name is Ray. And I would much, appreciate….” before starting to fall over, Herrah lunging forward to grab him, setting him down gently, immediately spinning up some emergency webbing to clot up the damage, gesturing to a devout nearby, saying “Quickly, go get some weavers. We need to ensure this bugs actions are not in vein, and secure the safety of the younglings.”, looking over the weaverlings and vessels, taking note of the positively scorching warmth coming from the strange bug, Ray.

Nearly a cycle later, the strange bug was bundled up in a guest room, their wounds healed with weaver magic, and asleep, with the vessels all piled up on and around them. The rescued weaverlings had been safely returned to their home, with extra guards placed around the village. A pair of devouts had explored and found the nosks den by following the irony blood trail left behind by Ray, leading them straight to the den.

The devouts reported, that the den had been wrecked in their fight, stones crushed beneath the force of their blows, the body of the nosk torn apart into many tiny pieces, it’s face shredded apart. The ferocity of the fight showed that this Ray, despite how soft spoken they had been, were a force to be reckoned with, and needed to be treated with care.

What little Herrah had been able to get out of Ray before he succumbed to his exhaustion, was that he was a being from beyond Hallownest, and knew of the nosks den, somehow. She’d have to interrogate him more thoroughly once he awakened, but he would be treated as an honored guest regardless of what she learned. He had saved those weaverlings, after all.

But now the question of the Kings lies. She had been told, quite convincingly, that there was only one Vessel, the Pure Vessel, who was of without mind, will or voice, the perfect vessel to contain the infection within. She, Lurien, Monomon and Vespa would join together under a shared dream, to create another seal on top, both to protect the Vessel from outside influence, but to strengthen the seals upon it.

However, the vessels rescued from nosks den acted just like children, staring at anything and everything around them, but congregating around Ray the entire time, hugging him at various times, and at the moment, were all curled up with their guest.

Them acting like children clearly shows that whatever the Pure Vessel may be, a mindless being it is not, which meant that the entire plan was a failure in the making. And all of the various complaints and concerns by Hornet now became much more believable than before.

Herrah grabs a pair of tablets, and begins writing a pair of letters, the first one detailing that in a decacycle, she would be coming to the Palace, for a meeting of great importance, and she requests that the other dreamers attend the meeting as well. The second letter was to the White Lady in the Queen’s Gardens, requesting that she be present for a meeting of great importance in the White Palace. Signing the letters, she exits her personal chamber, coming out onto the central platform in the center of the village, and points to a nearby messenger weaver, saying “You, deliver this message to the Palace and the Queen.” The messenger bows, accepting the tablets, stowing them away into a satchel, and leaves, moving towards the stag station.

Just as the weaver makes it to the stag station, Herrah sees her daughter come flying through, followed by her half-sister, the both of them heading straight to Herrah. Hornet lands a perfect landing, needle held at standard carry height, while Helia lands just after her. Hornet strides up to her, saying “Mother, we found evidence that the Pure Vessel is unlikely to be perfectly hollow, like father claims it is.” while pulling out a dark grey book.

Herrah almost wanted to sigh, the timing of this was almost too perfect, but responds instead with “I believe you, Hornet. Something has come up that throws the Pure Vessel plan into doubt, come, I’ll show you what I mean.” and heads towards the guest room, gesturing for them to follow. Hornet and Helia give each other looks, before following after her, making their way through the main building. They find themselves in front of the honored guest room, which hadn’t been used in many cycles.

Herrah brings up a finger, shushing them, and opens the door slowly. Within, Hornet and Helia see vessels. Several of them. Counting them out, there had to be a dozen of them, all slumped together in a pile, asleep. And underneath them, just barely visible, was a scarily familiar mask, similar in shape to Hornet’s, but with two curling points in opposite directions. Hornet opens up the book, flipping it to the last page, her eyes widening within her mask as the familiar visage of the ‘burning one’ is revealed.

Herrah pulls them back, closing the door, gesturing for them to follow her. She leads them to the her personal chambers, and sits down, saying “Alright, now show me what you found.” Hornet opens up the book, handing it over, talking it through with her as she read the book.

While reading through the book, Herrah had a terrible thought. With the vessel plan a failure in the making, another solution would have to be sought. And given the Pale King’s desperation before, she hoped that whatever sacrifices were needed for it, were less drastic than the Pure Vessel plan. She could only hope.

Chapter Text

Solaris sat, sitting upon his thrown, contemplating recent events. He had, after returning to the palace and healed the Pure Vessel, sequestered himself into his workshop, working on miscellaneous projects to ease his mind, when it hit him. That presence, that he had been feeling for the last few cycles, had been right there, passing him as he returned to the palace. When he stretched out his senses towards the new presence, he noted it’s location, deep in Deepnest, beyond his current reach.

While distracting himself in his workshop, he felt the expenditure of powerful soul magic, originating from Deepnest. Focusing his senses again, the presence was apparently in a fight, blasting powerful soul magic in combat. The soul magic was raw, unrefined, but powerful none the less, showcasing that whatever this presence was, it was still quite young. Afterwards, the presence seemed, wilted, tired, but still strong.

Keeping a note on the strange presence, he finally cleaned up and went to bed. Upon falling asleep, he found himself not in the dream realm, that he had gotten used to, but sitting inside Grimm’s tent, in the nightmare realm. He sat up fully, waiting for Grimm to make his appearance.

And he didn’t have to wait long, as Grimm appeared before him in a burst of nightmare flames, bowing before him, saying “Hello, my dear Solaris. I hope you’ve been well.” in greeting, straightening up before gesturing for Solaris to follow, leading him to Grimm’s personal chamber.

“Things have been, good and bad. Despite my best efforts, your sister’s infection continues to claim bugs at a steady pace.” Solaris responds, falling into step with Grimm, entering Grimm’s personal chamber after a few moments. Grimm’s personal chamber was as lavish and colorful as Solaris remembered, taking his place at the guest spot, as Grimm sat down on a positively massive cushion, summoning up some tea.

“Yes, so I’ve felt. Even after all this time, my sister’s grip on the dream realm, diminished as it is, has continued to drag others to her thrall.” Grimm responds, pouring out a pair of cups, handing one to Solaris and taking a sip of his own. Solaris, after taking a sip, says “So, I’m sure you didn’t drag me here for some simple tea. What do you want?”

Grimm takes another sip of his tea, setting it down as he sighs, responding “What, can I not visit an old friend?” with a smirk, leering at him. After a few moments of Solaris staring back, unresponsive, Grimm releases another sigh, continuing “Yes, this visit isn’t just for tea. I’ve been called back to Hallownest, by the void.”

Solaris’s eyes widen, rearing back as if struck, before leaning forward, star more intense than before, and says “Called? By the void? But that’s impossible. The void isn’t alive, it can’t call to anything.”

Grimm lets out a huff, smoke puffing out of his jaws as he responds “As impossible as it seems, the void has called, and so I shall answer. But that’s not the only reason. Even as far from Hallownest as I currently am, I can sense a new godling in the making, living in Hallownest as we speak. Their mind burns like a raging wildfire, suppressed by a raging thunderstorm.”

Solaris sets down his teacup, and says “Yes, I’ve felt this new godling. It currently resides in Deepnest, and as of yet, has made no moves against me or my Kingdom.” with a hint of concern, steepling his claws in nervousness. Grimm chuckles, and leans forward, responding “Even with it’s mind shielded from my sight, I’ve been able to gleam that it is unlikely to a threat to you or your kingdom. If anything, the sense I’ve gotten from it, is that it wishes to help stop the infection, although whether that is of it’s own personal desires, or something instinctual, I don’t know as of yet.”

Grimm finishes his tea, setting the cup aside, and continues “My troupe will be arriving in about 7 days. Then, we can talk more, face to face. A warning, my current vessel is, quite promiscuous, and I ask you to resist stabbing him when he flirts.” with a shit eating grin, giving Solaris his own bedroom eyes.

Solaris simply sighs, and responds “Alright, I’ll try to be courteous to your current vessel. But I promise, nothing!”, empathizing the last word with harsh tone, before summoning up the essence required to exit the nightmare realm, awakening back real world, blinking the spots from his eyes as he sits up in his bed, alone, as he has been since his Root had sequestered themselves into their gardens.

Rising up, he got dressed, and went to get breakfast, along with his Hollow Knight. It was while eating breakfast, that a retainer stepped in, bowing before saying “Your majesty, an urgent message was received from Deepnest.” and holds out the tablet. Solaris accepts the tablet, reading over the message.

“Pale Wyrm

In a decacycle, I will be coming to the Palace for a meeting of great importance, for the future of Hallownest. I request that all three of the other Dreamers, be present for this meeting, for their input will be required upon new information I have learned.

Sincerely,

Herrah of Deepnest.”

Just reading it, he could feel the demeaning sneer upon her face, and could already feel a headache coming on from the implications. Turning to the Hollow Knight, who has already eaten their food and sits still, awaiting instruction, Solaris says “Pure Vessel, I want you to join Ogrim in the training yard, and continue your exercises. I will collect you when you’re finished.”

The Pure Vessel, after a moment of silence, stands and straightens up, following his instructions and leaves the room, headed towards the training yard. After they leave, Solaris gets up, and moves to the throne room.

It was while moving towards the throne room, that he finally noticed a soul signal. Or rather, the lack of one. Changing his course, he moved through the hidden doors and chambers, heading down into a hidden, secret room that only he and the White Lady knew of.

Coming up to the door, he released the soul seal on it, and stepped inside, his eyes widening in horror of what he says. Inside the room, what was once an immaculately lit room, was shrouded in darkness, the luma fly lanterns dark and empty. In the center of the room, surrounded by what could only be void stains, was the black egg, of the former Black Wyrm. And the egg was empty, caved in on itself.

Staring at the egg, he racked his mind for answers, trying to understand the impossible thing before him. And only came up with one solution. The void had freed his brother, from his forced imprisonment. But that shouldn’t be possible. The void isn’t aware, it just, exists. Like a force of nature.

Focusing his senses, he now believed that the new godling he had been sense, might have been his brother, now freed, reborn into a smaller form. And was apparently either possessed or infected, by the void in some way.

Channeling his soul, he created a series of seals of binding, locking the void within the room. Once done, he exited the room, adding another layer of seals on the outside of the door, and went back to his throne room, a headache already forming from the assured problems that would arise from his brothers escape.

Amorpha sat, surrounded by plants around her, her personal gardeners tending to the plants every whim, as she contemplated what to do now. Her husband was likely to go through with the Vessel plan any cycle now, and if it succeeded, then the infection would be quelled. And life would move on. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that the Vessel plan would fail.

Casting her memories back, she laments, wishing how things could have played out differently. She wishes she had been more steadfast in standing her ground, in not giving in to his plans, in protecting her children from their doomed fate. Even now, so many cycles later, the urge to have more, is strong. And in shame, she has chained herself in her own spells of binding, to keep her urges at bay, to prevent such another painful loss of life again.

While reminiscing, she senses a being bowing before her. Focusing her sight, her loyal knight, Dryya came into view. She says “Rise, my loyal knight. What have you to report?” with her wispy voice. Dryya pulls out a tablet, responding “My Queen, a message from Herrah of Deepnest has arrived.” and holds it out to her.

Amorpha reaches with one of her tendrils, taking the tablet and bringing up close to her eyes, reading the message, which reads “My humblest apologies, your majesty, for not visiting you in some time. I will be holding a meeting of great importance with your husband in 10 cycles, and humbly request you attend. It involves the Pure Vessel, and the future of Hallownest. I know you still hold yourself guilty of it’s creation, but the news I bring will allow you to have the children you so desperately deserve. Sincerely, Herrah.”

Amorpha, sets down the tablet, closing her eyes as she ruminates on the message. After a few moments, she opens her eyes, looking at Dryya as she says “Dryya, my loyal knight, prepare the carriage. It is time we finally return to the White Palace.” At her words, Dryya bows before turning away, shouting orders to her retainers and gardeners, preparing to move their Queen back to the Palace. Closing her eyes, she begins drawing her roots back into herself, a process that will take many cycles, and while doing so, spreads her awareness across them.

And immediately notices a burning presence with the heart of Deepnest. Attempting to discern the meaning of this presence, she pulls away, putting her concentration on withdrawing her roots, and relieving her seals of binding. It was time to return to the Palace.

Chapter Text

Ray found himself back in the dream realm once again. This time, in his new hybrid form. Opening and closing his hand, he stands, searching around the area, finding himself sat upon a large, flat stone floor, with wispy clouds floating serenely in the distance.

After seeing nothing, I imagined a camping stool, and one of my favorite books from before being brought to Hallownest. Sitting down on the stool, I began to read, treading through the first few chapters I remembered from memory alone.

After an indeterminate amount of time, I realized the light behind me had substantially brightened. Looking behind me, I see the Radiance, standing on the platform, bending down to read the book over my shoulder, seemingly entranced with the words on the pages. Clearing my throat, I say “So, Radiance. We meet again. Are you going to be civil, or am I going to have to ignore you again?” while snapping the book shut.

The Radiance straightened up, sighing before answering “I will be civil. You made it quite clear, last time, that my influence was not welcomed. And you’ve piqued my curiosity. What are you?”

Standing up and turning to the god, Ray responded “I, am a being not of this world. Formerly human, now, whatever it is I am now, but still human in mind and soul. And I do not condone what you’ve done, Radiance.” while walking in a semi-circle, keeping the Radiance in his sight. After a few moments, he continued “Since you are here, would you mind answering some questions? What I know of you is only from an outsider’s perspective, but I’m sure my sources are biased in their own way.”

The Radiance blinked her eyes a few times, responding “I’ll gladly answer your questions. It has been a long time since another higher being has DEINED, to talk directly to me.” with a hint of desperation, shrinking down to his size, to look him directly in the eye, instead of him having to crane his neck to look at her.

He hums to himself, summoning a pair of chairs, like the recliners from his home, and a table with some drinks and glasses upon them, being his favorite drinks that be remembered the taste the most. Sitting down in his chair, he gestures to the chair opposite, saying “Well, go ahead, take a seat. My first question, is what happened between you and the Pale King?”

The Radiance eyes the chair, before eventually settling into it, noting how, alien, the chair was to anything she remembered. The drinks were labeled, words and names proudly emblazoned on the bottles. She focuses back onto the godling before her, and answers “I, in a moment of blind rage, lashed out at the wyrm and its followers. I believed I could kill the wyrm and retain control over my domain. I was wrong. The wyrm, defeated me, destroyed my physical form and banished me back to the dream realm.”

Ray poured himself a glass of Dr. Pepper, summoning a pair of ice cubes into the drink, taking a drink of the bubbly soda, sighing at the tingling feeling, setting the glass down as he focused back onto the Radiance, saying “And, what drove you to attack him? His realm is different from your own. He exists in the physical realm, while you exist in the dream realm. Surely you two could have coexisted together?”

The Radiance, humming in thought for a few minutes, finally responded “I, admit, that I got complacent over the many cycles of my rule. I neglected my followers, and when I realized they had abandoned me, the rage I felt blinded me to the reality of the situation. And I paid for my mistakes.”

Ray steepled his fingers, looking over the drinks he had summoned, and picked a watermelon lemonade out of the selection, pouring a cup of it, and offered it to the Radiance. The Radiance, after some hesitance, extended a sub wing, taking the drink in her grip, giving it a once over before taking a sip. The drink, cool to the touch, tasted of a delicious fruit, sweet followed by a light sour tang as the liquid went down. She enjoyed the taste, asking “This is, quite good. What is it?”, setting the glass down after emptying the drink.

Ray finishes his glass, his drink being a bubbling, brownish liquid, before answering “That, was watermelon lemonade. A drink from my home. What you taste is, unfortunately, nothing more than a memory of it. I doubt anything like it exists in Hallownest.” while staring into his glass.

Ray focuses back to the Radiance, and says “Alright, I think I have a decent idea of what happened between you and the Pale King. But what I do not understand, is why you chose to pursue vengeance, in the form of the infection. I make no claims to understand the reasoning, vengeance itself can often twist one’s mind in pursuit of that goal. But surely you must know, what will happen if the infection claims everyone, correct?”

The Radiance’s light dims, looking away from his eyes, as she responds “The infection, was a last resort. And one that I do not fully control anymore. It came about from my desperation, and the life inside me lashed out, clawing its way into others in their dreams. And their forced worship has allowed me to regain control, to a degree. But I cannot stop the infection. And I will not be forgotten. Not again.” with a tiredness of ages past.

Ray leaned forward, and says “Unfortunately, you don’t get a choice in the matter. Either you stop the infection, or I erase you. Permanently.” with a hardened edge of steel in his voice, his eyes narrowed in suspicion at the Radiance’s claims. The Radiance’s light brightens up in response, as she narrows her eyes at the proclamation.

Ray turns to the side, noting the platform they were sitting on was shrinking, black tendrils lashing below them. Turning back to the Radiance, he says “It appears that our time in this dream is coming to an end. This is my ultimatum, Radiance. If the infection isn’t stopped by the time I meet with the Pale King, then I will have no choice but to consider you, my enemy. And I will erase you, from the dream realm. For the safety of all who reside in Hallownest.” with the same even tone he had been speaking with the entire time.

Realizing that the void was coming far too close for comfort, the Radiance took to the sky, disappearing from the dream in a show of light. Ray just continued enjoying his drink, whistling a tune as the void closed in, tendrils gently reaching out to touch him.

Ray awakened, in a dark room, surrounded by soft warmth. Yawning, he sat up, stretching, his joints popping from the process, feeling movement around him. Instinctively rubbing at his eyes, when his vision clears, he is face to face with several vessels, the rest piled on and around him. The two biggest vessels lean forward, hugging him, their thoughts flowing through the back of his mind “Sibling awake, sibling dreamed?” with a touch of concern.

Chuckling to myself, I hug them back, answering “Yes, I’m awake. And yes, I dreamed. But you do not have to worry. The old light won’t sway me.” as I get up, stretching my legs and wings, flapping them lightly to stretch the muscles, and finally, get a good look at the vessels.

The largest vessel, had the curled horns, forming the shape of an hourglass in between the horns. The second vessel had a set of long, straight horns, similar in shape to an antelope’s horns, angling backwards over their head.

The third vessel had a pair of horns like Ghost’s, a pair of symmetrical horns angling up from their mask, with two pairs of points, one pair much lower on their horns.

The fourth had a pair of ram like horns, situated more on the side of their mask. The fifth vessel, which I recognized as being the one found in Greenpath in the game, had the dual pair of horns on the sides of its mask. The sixth one had a pair of antler like horns, the ends slitting into three prongs on the ends. The seventh vessel had a trio of short horns, like a crown.

The eighth vessel had 4 horns, also like a crown shape. The ninth vessel had three jagged horns, with the outer two extending to the sides, while the center one extended forward, almost like a proper horn. The tenth vessel had pair of short, rounded horns, leaving their face almost heart shaped.

The eleventh vessel had a set of horns that looked very much like the Hollow Knights, but curved outwards instead of inwards. And the final vessel had an asymmetrical set of horns, one long horn on the left side of their mask, and a pair of short, pointed horns on the right side.

After taking them all in, I ask “Do any of you have names?” The vessels all turned to each other, glancing between themselves before all staring at me at the same time, as they all say “Name? Sibling have name?” Chuckling, I respond “Yes, I have a name. My name is Ray. And you all need names, and while I can give you all a name, would you prefer to find your own name?”

Some of the vessels shake their heads no, while others cock their heads to the side, confused. Humming in thought, I say “It’s alright, no need to decide now. We can figure names out later, together. But first, I need to get breakfast, I am starving.”, with my stomach growling immediately after the last word exited my throat.

Looking for my stuff, finding it all bundled in a pile, I’m interrupted when the door to the room I was in opened, a weaver stepping in, saying “Oh, yes, yes, you’re finally awake. Come, come, lunch was about to be served, come.” while exiting the room, gesturing for me to follow.

Grabbing my dream catcher, I go to follow, saying to the vessels “Time to face the music. Stay close to me, okay?”. They all nod, following directly behind me, while I follow the weaver, who leads me through a series of hallways, before leading me to a large chamber, where a bunch of weavers sat, and Herrah the Beast sat at the head of the table, discussing something with Hornet. Upon entering the room, they pause, Herrah turning to him and saying “Ah, he awakens at last. And just in time for lunch. Now, take a seat. I have many questions.”, gesturing to a specific chair.

I sit down, and am immediately dogpiled by the vessels, who are starring at everything around them, tying to take in the environment, bugs, etc. Herrah chuckles, speaking in low tones to a weaver that had appeared next to her, who nods and scampers away. I finally take a good look at Hornet, who appears to be about my height, her curved horns perfectly symmetrical, and notice that her lower jaws have fallen down, in an approximation of being slack jawed. As I cock my head to the side, she startles, turning away, pointedly not looking at me.

Again, I miss not having eyebrows, cause they’d be raised substantially, and refocus my attention back to Herrah, only to have my face wrenched to the other side, directly into another masked face, who says “Oh, aren’t you just the most gorgeous looking bug I’ve ever seen.” followed by a flurry of movement as I’m bodily turned this way and that way, only catching a glimpse of the bug before Hornet bugs in, suddenly in my personal space for just a moment as she says “Helia, don’t harass our guest. And I’m sure he’s still sore from his injuries, stop bothering him.” before dragging Helia away, planting her into a seat next to Hornet’s, who then sits down herself.

Herrah lets out a knowing chuckle, before letting out a loud chitter, catching everyone’s attention, and says “Apologies, Ray. Helia gets excitable, from seeing handsome bugs up close. Now, let us have a meal, then I will be grilling you for answers, understand?” with a hard edge entering her voice near the end.

I simply nod, setting a pair of vessels on my lap as the others are ushered into their own seats by weavers, the food being served on wooden platters. The vessels were served small tictics, who simply sucked the soul out of them, leaving empty shells behind, while I was served a large dirtcarver,

Extending my claws from my hands, I begin taking apart the dirtcarver, the burning hunger within me driving my actions. After a few minutes of relatively silent eating, baring the whispers of weavers around us, the meal is done. I had left nothing behind of the dirtcarver, not even any of its legs were left.

Once all the vessels were done, they piled around me again, starring at Herrah as she started saying “Now that you have had lunch, time to answer some questions. Firstly, who, and what, are you?” Hornet and Helia, who had been giving each other the stink eye, focused back onto me.

I cleared my throat and replied “My name is Ray. As for what I am, even I am not really fully sure. Do you know about other dimensions?” Hornet and Helia give each other a look, while Herrah responds “I know that there is the dream realm, and the nightmare realm. What does that have to do with what you are?” while leaning forward, her eyes narrowing at his response. Ray continued “It has everything to do with what I am. I am not a natural bug. I’m sure you’ve figured that out, at the very least, for no other bug I’ve met emit body heat like I do.”

Taking a deep breath, he continues “I, was once a human being, from a world without gods. Humans are warm blooded creatures, with a soft skin surrounding flesh on top of an internal skeleton, an internal shell, if you will. We didn’t molt, but instead grew over time.” Holding up his hand, he says “Whatever force it was that brought me here, as far as I can tell, left most of my internal organs and bones in place. But changed my, exterior, to better fit in in Hallonest. And gave me a pair of wings, and a stinger.”

Hornet and Helia have gotten up by now, Helia holding an ash grey book while Hornet walk over to my side, gently moving vessels out of the way, as she says “An internal shell? What do you mean?” I turn to her, and hold out my hand, saying “You can feel them for yourself, the bones of my hand.”

She takes my five fingered hand into her three fingered hand, feeling over the chiting, squeezing my knuckles, her eyes widening as the soft chiton of my hand gives under the pressure, feeling the bones beneath the flesh.

Herrah has at the point leaned back, on of her hands resting on the side of her mask in thought, says “Alright, I think I believe you, for now. I must admit, I initially thought you were sick with the infection, due to the amount of warmth you emit, but I haven’t seen a single drop of orange emit from you anywhere. And, because of your actions, I am obliged to grant you full guest rights.”

She straightens up, and continues “However, I still have more questions. What do you know of the infection?”

I ignore the goosebumps traveling up my arm as Hornet, now joined by Helia, explore the bones in my hand, and answer “I know it is a sickness of the mind and body, brought on by dreams. Something that I actually have a temporary solution for.” and withdraw my hand from Hornet and Helia, reaching down and grabbing my dream catcher, presenting it before Herrah.

Herrah leans forward even more, and says “And this is, what exactly?” with a questioning tone. I reply “This, is a dream catcher. Think of it, like a soul powered web, that catches dreams before they can reach you. You can’t be infected if the dreams never reach you.”

Herrah smiles beneath her mask, and says “Oh, a trap for dreams. That is, that’s amazing. I wonder why hadn’t the wyrm thought of that.” and cackles, before continuing “You’ll show us how to make these things, won’t you?” I relinquish the dreamcatcher to Hornet’s hands, answering “Yes, of course. That is partially why I’m here. I’ve already shown the mosskin how to make them, and I’ve shown Lurien as well, although weather he’d done anything with them, I don’t know.” while she looks it over.

“A magical charm, that can repulse the harmful light.” Herrah responds, considering his words for a moment, and then says “Well, I think that is enough heckling for now. I again, thank you for saving the little ones. And bringing proof of the wyrms lies, with the vessels. Hornet, Helia, if you would not mind, please escort Ray to his new accommodations for now, so he can rest. We’ll reconvene tomorrow, where you’ll show us how to make these, dream catchers.” and gets up, leaving the room with a pair of devouts following behind.

Hornet and Helia, practically drag me from the room following that proclamation, the vessels following along behind us. Now this close, I could smell a scent, coming off Hornet and Helia, but I could not place it. Fortunately, my new room, which was different from the room I woke up in, was close by, and they practically throw me onto the large bed situated in the center of the room, with Hornet checking over and replacing silk bandages on my wounds while Helia just, stares at me, making me quite uncomfortable.

Once done, Hornet sits across from me, lightly slapping Helia on her mask while saying “Quite staring.” and grabs the grey book, opening it up to a specific page, and presents it to me, asking “Now, we have our own questions. Firstly, why are you in a book, if you came from another world?”, pointing to a picture on said book.

And said picture, was a picture of, me. Leaning forward, I look over the picture, taking in the details, which perfectly match up with my current body. And now I started realizing, that this was not just me being in the world of Hollow Knight. I was straight up, in a prophecy of some kind. Bloody fantastic.

Leaning back after looking at the picture, I say “I, have no idea.” Hornet and Helia give each other a look, before turning back to me, Helia saying “Well, at the very least, we don’t have to worry about you being an all-knowing god. Now, time to snuggle.” Hornet jerks back, giving Helia a scandalous look, as she says “Helia, you literally just met him, control yourself.” Helia just scoffs, responding “So have you, and you’ve been giving him looks the entire time as well, I just want to feel this supposed warmth he emits, and so do you.”

I start leaning back, wiggling back away from the suddenly very creepy looking Hornet and Helia, as Hornet says “Fine, but we’ll both cuddle with him at the same time. Deal?” Helia simply nods, and then both turn to me, and suddenly I am tackled by both. Hornet wraps my arm around her middle, her red cloak depressing under my arm, while Helia practically drapes herself upon my shoulders. The vessels, who have been watching this the whole time, decide that now is the time to dogpile me again, and suddenly we are all buried beneath a dozen soft, black bodies, their white masks sticking out of the pile.

And sitting under all of this, wondering what on earth was going on, I just sighed, dreading my future if I am already being fought over like a stuffed teddy bear. I can only hope things do not get even more complicated in the future.

Slowly walking, the wind lashing its bone white face, the vessel continued forward, the call of the void strong in its mind. And a flicker of thought, that had reached it some time ago from the void, was a name. Ghost. Its name was Ghost.

Ghost had been walking, for a while, when it heard sound coming up behind it. Turning and drawing its nail, Ghost watched as a group of bugs dressed in red and black, on a pair of wheeled carts, caught up to it. When it was obvious, they weren’t going to attack, Ghost put its nail back on its back, as a bug dismounted one of the carts, walking up to it with a confident stride.

Said bug was tall and thin, their face a rounded mask like face with black highlights, their eyes glowing a nice red color. They come to a stop in front of Ghost, and bow, saying “Well met, young traveler. Are you by chance, headed towards Hallownest?”

Ghost cocks their head to the side, contemplating the question, before nodding yes in reply. The tall bug before it smiles, and says “Ah, I see. Well, we happen to be heading towards Hallownest ourselves, and we happened to notice you walking all alone. Would you like to join us on our way?”

Ghost thinks on it, and simply nods, the tall bug’s smile even larger than before. The tall bug says “Ah, where are my manors. I am Grimm, master of this Troupe. And you are?” Ghost again considers how to answer, lacking a voice, and not knowing how to write, just shrugs.

Grimm nods to himself, as if sensing the answer, and says “Well, no matter. Come, we must continue on.” while heading back to the caravan. Ghost goes to follow, when they are suddenly tackled by a flying thing, blocking Ghost’s vision with grey and black wings.

Grimm chuckles, leaning over and grabbing the winged thing, saying “Now, Grimmchild, that was just rude. My apologies, my child loves to make new friends.” Ghost stands back up, looking at the Grimmchild with as much annoyance as its face could make, and follows along. If Ghost was honest, it would love the company. It had been alone for so long.

Chapter Text

“No, Lily, that’s not for you, put it down. Violet, stop slapping your sibling, they’ve already apologized.” Ray yells out holding a pair of vessels in his hands as Hornet attempts to coral the vessels around him, all of them excited to be going on the trip to the Palace.

It had been over a week since I had been brought to the Hidden Village and had been very busy. In between corralling the vessels, who had eventually all either decided on names for themselves or had me choose a name for them and playing with some weaverlings, it had become their mission to get into anything and everything.

Their favorite activity, as it turned out, was to dogpile me, and nap. Which was fine when I was on a break from either making dreamcatchers or teaching weavers how to make them, but was less fine when I was in the middle of doing something. The other times, they were often running around in circles, getting into play fights, trying to emulate me, from what I have figured out. Their emotions and thoughts flowing into and out of my mind like wind chimes.

They eventually learned to, not speak per se, but vocalize at the very least. They could make chirps, chortles, and little hisses, but were unable to form words. But they were at least able to communicate with others now, instead of by proxy through me, even if it still involved a lot of charades. While we had not had time to do so, they would learn sign if all went well, further allowing proper communication with others, something they would need when they got older. Despite the fact I was not technically related to them, their continued insistence on my being a sibling, was quite endearing. And it made handling them easier, as they listened to me the most.

Hornet and Helia were, interesting. While I had an idea of what Hornet was going to be like, dealing with Helia was, much more taxing. Unlike Hornet, who, despite the obvious infatuation with me, at least stay mostly respectful, Helia had no such compunction, and would try to snuggle and flirt with me as much as possible. In between the flirting, I asked about the Hive, and learned that Vespa had agreed to become a dreamer, with the same condition that Herrah had. And that lead to Helia’s hatching. That meant that there was an obvious difference to this world than the world of Hollow Knight I was familiar with, but nothing I could not handle.

I was quite thankful when Helia had left to inform her mother of the plan, as that meant I wasn’t getting advances from the promiscuous bee girl every five minutes. However, that left Hornet, who was my self-assigned guide and protector while in Deepnest, to start flirting instead. At least she was much more subtle about it.

Herrah, annoyingly, thought it was hilarious. And in a moment of privacy, she told me straight faced that out of all the bugs to catch her daughters eyes, she couldn’t have picked a nicer looking bug than I. And my embarrassment continued. Thankfully, Herrah said that such things were to be worried about after the infection was dealt with, and no sooner.

Herrah had continued her questioning of me more over the last week, and I eventually laid out all I knew about the infection, the Pure Vessel Plan, and the future of Hallownest if said plan was implemented. Herrah was, disbelieving initially, but Hornet and Helia jumped in to defend me, pointing out that the book they found has a picture of me, down to the smallest details. I had no answers as to why that was the case, but Herrah simply brushed it off, stating that whether I was brought here intentionally or accidently, it did not matter. I was their honored guest, and I had brought a tool to ward off the infection.

Which basically ended up with me being treated by the weavers and devouts like royalty. And one of the first things they did to signify this, was to make me a silk robe, similar in design to Hornets. I requested they color it blue if possible, and they obliged, creating a crisscrossing pattern of silk that caught the light, making it look like small scales. The cloak, was much, much nicer than my pervious one, and allowed full range of motion, with proper inner sleeves and inner pouches lining the inside of the cloak. It also stuck closer to my body, showing my body shape off more than my previous robe, which hid most of my body from sight. The slits on the back allowed my wings to extend, allowing flight with the robe still on.

The creation of dreamcatchers progressed quite well, even if the weavers were very smug at how much nicer their creations turned out compared to mine. Many of the weavers were convinced I learned the craft of dreamcatchers from a weaver in a far away land, and even after telling them that it was something I remembered from my home, they still insisted it must be a weaver art of some kind. And while I can understand their reasoning, it still gets annoying.

Once the vessels were all corralled, with the help of a couple of weavers, we were guided to the Stag Station above the village. The process was slowed by the vessels always wanting to explore every new thing around them, but my calm voice would always bring them back to me, thankfully.

It took nearly a full cycle for us to all get situated on the Stags, several of them summoned for the trip, and once all was set, we were on are way to the White Palace.

On the ride to the White Palace, Hornet contemplated. She had, ever since she first understood the consequences of her father’s plan, been looking for answers and solutions of her own, to the problem of the infection. Ray’s appearance appeared to be tied to the book she found in the Archives, but he claimed up and down that he had no knowledge of the book.

And she believed him. The way he spoke, with a voice that carved through the air like a sharpened nail, easily overriding lesser voices with ease, and sent shivers down her back, practically demanded that he be believed.

A couple of days after he had healed, she had challenged him to a spar, as a test of sorts, to get a feel for his own fighting skills. The way he walked and talked showed his background was of common folk, who more often than not had no fighting skills of their own. His defeat of the Nosk spoke of some ability, but she wanted to see it for herself.

And so, the spar commenced. And she learned a great deal of his capabilities. The first thing was that he was much, much heavier than a normal bug of his size, likely even heavier than Herrah was, despite her being physically larger than him. Blows from her needle, that would stagger an opponent, even when blocked, barely made him move, and his own attacks, while not as fast as hers, had a substantial strength behind them, with several blows forcing her back from the force. She also figured out that he wasn’t nearly as flexible as his exterior made him out to be. The internal shell of his limited the range of his movements, but despite that, he was a capable opponent. And his flight ability was quite slow, but still useful for gaining altitude on an opponent.

He had hinted at knowledge of how to beat the infection, but stated he’d reveal all he knew at the meeting with the King. The dream catchers were a temporary solution, and would only stall, not halt, the infection. She had, after creating one of her own, had slept the most peaceful sleep she had ever had in a long time, without the plague of the dreams call. It was frankly, a miracle.

And the most annoying thing of all, was that Ray, intrigued her. Not just in simple curiosity. But, intrigued her, personally. His voice, the warmth he emitted, the obvious intelligence, the sure way he spoke and moved. It all spoke to her instincts, that this was a capable and desirable male. One to be courted. And it irked her to no end. She had, over the many cycles after her fifth molting into her adult form (having gained her fathers, short, stature sadly), met many potential suitors.

Most, failed to live up to her own standards. Some were strong, but dumb. Others were smart, but lacking in either body or will, and many simply attempted to court her to gain favor with Herrah, promising this and that for her hand. Herrah had dismissed all who went to her personally and had practically banned asking her for her daughter’s hand. And Hornet’s pickiness had spread far and wide. But despite her reputation, she still had suitors come and go on the regular. It was quite irritating.

Ray, despite his outsider status, was already deeply connected to the inner court of Deepnest, through his actions and words. And she had to admit, with a proper, form fitting robe, he cut quite the imposing figure, similar to that of her sibling, the Hollow Knight, but without the stiffness of pretending to be empty.

And on top of that, her half-sister, Helia, had quite obviously made her interest in Ray well known for all to see. Ray had brushed it off for the most part, but even without the scent denoting embarrassment, she could tell he got quite flustered from Helia’s attention. The attention from everybody, got him quite flustered. And it was quite satisfying to watch. Then Helia would tease her, and she would flush with embarrassment herself.

Overall, it was quite annoying. But it was also quite refreshing. Seeing the little vessels acting like the little grubs they were, really put into perspective how her bigger sibling had been raised, more like a machine, than a living bug. And Ray’s attentiveness to the vessels showed a kind, caring soul, that also happened to be incredibly smart and ruthless when pushed. She had visited the site of the nosk’s den herself, and the amount of power shown off there, was quite frightening.

It did mean, that he had held back during their spar, but she conceded the point that a spar was far different from a fight to the death. And the weaverlings, when questioned, had described him going into a murderous rage when struck by the nosk’s dying body, acting less like a civilized bug, and more like a raging beast, until the nosk was in little pieces.

His injuries had thankfully, healed up, only a light discoloration of the chitin remained to denoted he was injured at all. She had expected some healing, but not for it to heal up completely over the course of several days.

Coming up to the White Palace at last, she helped Ray coral her siblings, and keep them hidden in new little cloaks of their own, to hide their true nature at least temporarily, until they were in the Palace. She couldn’t wait to see the look on her father’s face when he saw them.

Helia walked alongside her mother, a group of Hive Gaurdians buzzing alongside them, the Hive Knight leading the procession as they made their way from the Hive to the White Palace. And she ruminated on her thoughts.

Much like her sister, she had long since figured out that the Hollow Knight, the ‘Pure’ Vessel, was not pure. Like her mother, she had the ability to speak telepathically with those related to her, and it was through that connection that she could feel the mind of Hollow Knight, despite its best efforts to the contrary.

But her own reservations had been dismissed, explained away as her seeing a mind where there wasn’t one. But, now with proper evidence, which would be laid out for all to see at this upcoming meeting, they would have to take her seriously.

Turning her thoughts to more pleasant things, she was already planning how to swoon Ray to be her lover. He had all the things she had been looking for in a prospective mate. He had a powerful build, razor sharp intelligence, a silky-smooth voice that demanded he be listened to, and he could even fly. And he was so, different, from all other bugs she had met. She did not fully believe that he came from a different world, but that didn’t matter. He had already stolen her heart with his actions and words, and the teaching of his dream catchers to protect the Hive, sealed the deal.

But how to get him to willingly join her. That would take some doing, as it was made obvious that he was not romantically inclined, at least for now. She would just have to play her cards right, and things would fall into place. But for now, save her sibling, defeat the infection. Then get Ray to fall for her. Sounds like an excellent plan to her, although she is sure that her sister would tell her she was being irrational about the whole thing.

Solaris sat, waiting in his throne room, for the various Dreamer’s and their escorts to arrive. The Palace’s grand hall had been converted into a meeting room, for this very purpose. And Solaris was quite happy, all things considered, with the current situation. His wife, Amorpha, had finally returned, and was sitting at his side, reading a series of tablets to get her back up to speed on current events of the kingdom.

She had returned at Herrah’s request, something that he had not honestly thought would happen, but now he was thankful for Herrah’s actions. His root had been tight lipped about what Herrah had said, stating that all would become clear when everyone was here.

Unfortunately, he could not just look into the future with his foresight anymore. It had been acting quite strange the last few decacycles, and despite how hard he tried, the most he got was foggy images, and illegible words. Thinking back on it, his judicious use of his foresight on all matters had likely dulled its use, a mistake in the making especially now that he needed it the most.

His Pure Vessel stood next to his throne, on the opposite side from his root, and was as impassive as ever, not a single twitch in its perfect stature. He had decided, that as soon as the seals on the Black Egg were finished, he would put the plan into motion. He had put it off long enough, and the infection was beginning to take hold in the lower most sections of the City of Tears, despite the new introduction of the dream catchers.

Which brought his thoughts to his wayward brother, whose mind was approaching the palace alongside Herrah, if his soul senses were correct. All of his subjects’ minds looked like little candles to his soul senses, with Lurien, Monomon, Herrah and Vespa being particularly large and strong candles. Hence them being chosen to be the dreamers.

His brother’s mind, after having finally brought his own considerable magic to bear to see it in full, was much, much different from how he had been when they last fought. Unlike himself, his brother, the Black Wyrm, had a much more simplistic mind, his instinctive need to devour and consume even greater than his own had been when he had been a wyrm. His shedding of his wyrm form had shed most of his former instincts, barring the instinctive need to protect territory.

Whatever had been done to his brother, had transformed his mind. Unlike the minds of his subjects, his brother’s mind, was on fire. Like, mentally, literally on fire. And yet, his burning mind was constrained within a thunderstorm, thoughts and ideas flashing across the surface before disappearing again, making reading his mind an almost impossibility. And something else that he could clearly feel connected to his brother’s mind, was the void. It felt much like how the Pure Vessel felt, and yet, clearly his brother’s mind had not been hollowed out like the Pure Vessel’s was.

It was quite the conundrum, but at least the worst of the infection could be held at bay by the dream catchers, a shipment of which had been delivered to the palace from Lurien’s crafters, protecting the minds of his retainers and knights from the harmful dreams. Even he, who was normally immune to the call of dreams, had slept more peacefully with a dream catcher hanging above his bed. He would have to thank the strange bug that created them, whenever he was found.

Lily sat on top of the large, 6-legged bug, held in embrace by their older sibling. Their older sibling, Ray, held both her and Violet in his arms, one warm arm each keeping them in his grasp. And his embrace was as loving as ever.

Lily, who had plucked the name from Ray’s mind, was quite happy with how their lives had progressed. Their older sibling’s mind, connected to the void hive mind, allowed them and their other siblings to come and go as they pleased, learning and absorbing information from Ray’s mind with ease. And they had learned a lot over the last several days.

Their siblings mind was unlike the rest of their siblings, having a defined sense of self, something they have only just began to understand. The inside of Ray’s mind was a calm sea, with raging thought storms and burning instinct raging around the center with reckless abandon, with all of his memories and knowledge stored deep within the center.

Their connection to their siblings had shown them a world without gods, but also a world of great loneliness. Their newest sibling came from a world where everyone’s mind was separate from each other, and one’s mind was truly alone. Lily could not quite comprehend what such a world would feel like, but Ray had lived in it, and Lily and the rest of their siblings were determined to ensure he was never lonely again.

Their sibling also had knowledge of the hateful light, that even through the void, Lily could sense when they went into their sleep trance. The void protected them from the hateful light, but for those not of the void, the dream catchers Ray created, did so in its stead.

Lily didn’t know what the future would hold, but regardless of what happened, Lily would be there for their older sibling. For their savior. And the void within them, agreed.

Chapter Text

The meeting had not even started properly, and I was already frazzled. As it turned out, keeping a dozen children together and out of trouble while waiting for the meeting to begin, was quite the test of his patience. And I is pretty sure most of them are simply looking for an excuse to have me pick them up. They did love being held by me.

Around him, the Herrah and Vespa sat in one corner, animatedly talking in hushed whispers, speaking faster than I can understand. Hornet and Helia are both helping me coral the vessels, while also giving each other the stink eye between glances at me. It was honestly quite cute, if annoying.

Standing off to the side, was a pair of Moss Knights. They had been waiting for us at the entrance to the palace by Unn’s request and had informed me of the progress in Greenpath. Almost all of the surviving mosskin had dreamcatchers now, with those that were infected having been restrained or driven off. Those that had been restrained had, after a while, finally been freed from the infection of their bodies when restrained under multiple dreamcatchers for several days. However, the infection had left their bodies incredibly week, and only a few had survived. And the dreamcatchers still had no effect on the simpler beasts, who lacked a mind to understand the danger of the old light.

While this was all good news, the limited success of the dreamcatchers in freeing those already under her sway meant that it was not a permanent solution. Especially since many of those who were freed, died as a result.

Finally, after a full cycle of waiting, a retainer entered the waiting room, do a slight bow before everyone, straightening up and saying “His majesty will see you now. Please follow me.”

The retainer, a smallish pill bug wearing the same white robes all retainers had in the White Palace, about faced, and exited the room through the double doors he entered through, gesturing for them to follow.

As the others turn to follow, I crouch down to the vessels level, and reach through the connection they so often like to use to talk to me, and mentally project “Alright little ones, hold hands and stay close to me now, alright.” The vessels all nod at once, and form a line, with Lily at the front holding my hand as I lead them, following behind Herrah and Vespa.

A few minutes later, we finally pass through another large, arching door, and enter a massive room, adorned with bright, shining chandeliers and silk tapestries. The floor had been covered in a set of large tables, forming a semi-circle, with a large table at the middle where the Pale King sat, almost blindingly bright, even on the opposite side of the room from them.

To his right, sat the White Lady, glowing a more softly light, overshadowed by her husband’s splendor, but still bright none the less. She was clad in flowing white robes, which were adorned with a series of glowing sigils, making her appear to shimmer in place.

And on the left side, stood the Hollow Knight in full regalia, silver armor and cloak concealing the pitch-black chitin beneath, large great nail held in a neutral pose, pointing down. Their bone white mask as large and comical as ever, much too large compared to their almost rail thin body. And standing at attention around the room, were the Great Knights. Ogrim, Dryya, Ze’mer and Hegomal I already knew the appearance of, but Isma’s appearance was quite nice, all things considered. She was wearing white armor like all the rest, but instead of chitinous plates, she had green leaves extending out from her armor, and was proportioned much like Vespa or Helia was, with a leafy abdomen extending from her waist. All of them were dressed in full battle regalia, their weapons gleaming in the light.

Sitting on the nearest table to the left of the royal couple, sat Lurien the Watcher, along with a single sentry, decked out in much more intricate armor than normal, denoting a higher rank of some sort. And sitting alongside them was Marissa, of all people. What she was doing here, I had no idea.

Sitting on the nearest table to the right, of the royal couple, sat Monomon the Teacher, sitting in a wheeled tank, which affirmed my suspicions on Monomon’s true nature. Alongside her sat Quirrel, who had his blue hood set on top of his head, hiding his antenna from view. Alongside them sat a pair of similar looking ants, one a darker brown color while the other was a shiny black, both wearing blue hoods like Quirrel’s.

Upon the Pale King noticing us, he straightens up to his tallest height (which wasn’t saying much), and he says “Ah, Herrah the Beast and Queen Vespa. I welcome you to the White Palace. Now that you are here, we can begin.” with a dry, razor thin voice. As clinical and aloof sounding as physically possible, and it immediately got on Ray’s nerves.

Herrah and Vespa split off, their entourage following behind them. I follow after them, the little procession of cloaked vessels dutifully following along behind me. I note that they have gotten everyone else’s (barring Herrah and Vespa’s group, of course) attention, with the Pale King looking, confused, for lack of a better word, the White Lady looking shocked, the Hollow Knight starring as emotionless as ever. Lurien and Monomon have stopped murmuring to themselves, looking at the cloaked vessels with confusion.

Once seated, with the vessels patiently crowding around me as silent as ever, the Pale King says “Now, Herrah, for what reason have you summoned the dreamers? It was under my understanding that all preparations for the plan were ready. What news do you have to report?” with a commanding tone, his brightness increasing ever so slightly.

Herrah clears her throat, and responds “New information has come to light, regarding the vessel plan, that needs to be considered before we do anything. For one, it has come to my attention, that there was more than one vessel created.” with a regal tone, gesturing to me. I pull up Lily onto my lap, and giving Herrah a look, who nods at the silent question, I remove Lily’s cloak, revealing them to the room.

Gasps ring out around the room, with Lurien visibly leaning backwards in shock like they had been struck, the five great knights tensing from the sudden appearance of another vessel. Monomon and Quirrel were both leaning forward with interest, while the other two at their table furiously began taking down notes. The Pale King had leaned back, his jaws slack, starring at the vessel like it was his doom. The White Lady starred, bright blue tears streaming down her face. And the Hollow Knight looked like it had been punched, visibly startled from the appearance of another vessel. Lily, now the center of attention, begins vibrating in my lap, saying “Biggest sibling is so bright, look look!” while pointing at the Hollow Knight.

I respond “Yes, yes he is.” and turn to the others, whispering to them through the void “You all can remove your cloaks as well.” The rest of the vessels all scramble to pull their cloaks off, eliciting even more gasps from the presiding royal couple. The Royal Knights appear to be tense, glancing between me, the vessels, and the Pale King, awaiting orders. Lurien has turned to stare at the Pale King, while Monomon is whispering something to Quirrel. Vespa has given the vessels a good once over before returning her attention to the King, awaiting his response.

The White Lady has started crying, bright blue tears streaming down the sides of her face, as she slowly turns to her husband and says “Did, did you know there were other survivors?” with a tone demanding she be answered. The Pale King finally snaps out of his stupor, and responds “No, no I did not.” while giving each of the little vessels a once over, before focusing his attention to me, and demands “You, reveal yourself.”

I sigh internally, and finally lower my hood, revealing my mask like face for the room to see. And the reactions are just as sudden as the reaction to the vessels. Lurien simply stares, his expression unreadable behind his mask. Monomon has stopped whispering with Quirrel, and is now starring intently at me, studying my appearance. Marissa looks my face over, watching with interest at the proceedings. And the Pale King looks like he’s been punched.

After a few minutes of tense silence, the Pale King clears his throat, and looks over to Lurien’s table, and says “My dear Watcher and Songstress, is this the bug that showed you how to make the dreamcatchers?”, voice almost cracking at the very end. Lurien simply nods, while Marissa briefly glances back to the King, responding “Yes, your majesty.” before turning back to stare at my face.

As the Pale King sighs, the Herrah clears her throat, and continues “In addition to the appearance of more vessels, evidence has come to light that has shaken my confidence in the plan to seal the infection within the Pure Vessel.” The Pale King straightens up at this and responds, “And what evidence is this?” with a hard tone, giving Herrah a glare that could kill.

Herrah turns to Hornet, holding out her hand. Hornet hands over the book, and Herrah presents it, saying “This book, which was discovered by my daughter, contains a very explicit story on Hallownest’s ancient past. In fact, I would dare say it was a prophecy, if I were the lazy type.”

The Pale King gestures to Ogrim, who walks over, gently taking the book from Herrah’s hand, and brings it before him, handing it to the Pale King. He opens it, reading through it at a fast pace, before closing it up, and says “This book, proves nothing. Where, did your daughter happen to find this, fairy tale of a book?” with conviction.

Hornet answers “I discovered it in the Archives. In the restricted section.” with absolute certainty, holding her gaze steady when the King’s glare turns from her mother to herself. After a moment of tense silence, Monomon makes a whistle like sound, and says “If I may, can I see the book? Surely I’ll know if it’s genuine or not.”

The King then directs his glare to Monomon, holding it steady before huffing and handing it back to Ogrim, who brings it over to Monomon’s table. Monomon takes it with a tentacle, bringing it down to eye level with Quirrel, and reads through it rather quickly. After reading through it to the end and turns back to the king while handing it to Quirrel, and says “My liege, I must disagree. As you know, my research into the ancients has unearthed many discoveries, not least that of the void. And we know that the God of Life did exist, the life blood cocoons are evidence enough of that.”

“Furthermore, my research into the ancients did describe a grimoire of sorts, a book of prophecy born directly from the void. I had dismissed such things as simple superstition, but it is my opinion that this book the princess found, is that grimoire.” she continued, gaze holding steady even as the King’s light brightened with every word she said. Despite the obvious glare of the King, she continues “Furthermore, if the existence of the God of Life can be proven as true, than the supposed Lord of Shades, must also at least have existed at some point as well. And that must mean that even the void, isn’t truly empty.”

At that statement, the Pale King shouts out “Enough, Monomon. That is all conjecture, and you know it. The void is empty, I have seen it, and the Pure Vessel is exactly that. Pure!” before turning his gaze to me, saying “It is true, that there was more than one vessel was made. But clearly, those vessels are not pure.”

I set Lily down, gently murmuring to her to stay put, and stand up, saying “Your majesty, I hate to the bearer of bad news, but your Pure Vessel was never pure in the first place. Tell me, did the Pure Vessel ever cry tears of void, ever?”

The Pale King’s light is almost blinding at the point, making most have to shield their eyes, simply stares at me, an almost imperceptible hiss entering the air, as Monomon answers “Yes, the Pure Vessel when it was freshly brought up to the void, cried tears quite often. It was explained away as the void reacting to the world when under stress.”, her voice tapering off towards the end.

I briefly glance towards the Hollow Knight, who is ramrod straight now, and say “Did it never occur to you, that those were tears of a child, crying in distress. Furthermore, did the Pure Vessel ever act in a strange way against orders, do something of its own will without prompting, anything at all?” By the end, the Hollow Knight is shaking in place, its hands gripping onto the nail like its life depended on it.

Hornet stands up at this point, drawing the attention of everyone in the room and says “Yes, actually. One of my earliest memories here in the Palace, is when I stumbled upon my sibling while exploring the palace, chasing after a life blood echo. I met my sibling, who played with me that afternoon. All without prompting.” while staring at the Hollow Knight. She takes in a deep breath, and continues “My sibling, you no longer have to pretend. It’s okay.”

I tentatively reach out with the void within me towards Hollow, and say “It’s alright, Hollow Knight. You need not fear being impure anymore. You never were.” with as much understanding and acceptance I could push through the link. At this point, the attention of the room has shifted to the Hollow Knight, who is visibly shaking in place, void tears running down it’s face as I get a whisper back “sibling, Hollow scared…”

I reach out, calling upon the other vessels to join me, and answer back “It’s alright, we’ll be here to help. Do not be afraid.” and refocus my attention back to the Pale King, who is starring off into space. I clear my throat, which silences the room again and say “Your majesty, you have the power of foresight. You can see into the future. I know what will happen if you go through with this fool hardy plan of yours. Use your foresight you are renown for and see the truth before you.”

The Pale King gives me a simple glare, before closing his eyes, soul visibly channeling through his hands, sitting straight and regal for a few moments, before jerking back, his eyes still closed as he mumbles out “no…”, tears beginning to appear upon his mask. “NO!” he shouts, bringing his hands up to hold his head, as he visibly sags, the White Lady reaching out to catch him before he fell from his chair, as the Hollow Knight, in plain view of everyone, drops its nail, the resounding clatter on the ground silencing the room, as they move to grip their father, tears continuing to run down their face.

Solaris sagged down his chair, his foresight showing him, finally, what he had been trying to see for a while. And he wept. His foresight had been unreliable for many cycles now, and yet, when prompted to use it now, it cleared up so suddenly as to be a shock. And the visions he saw, were horrific. The crossroads, consumed by infection. The City of tears, silent, empty of all but wandering husks. Deepnest haunted by mad weavers and deeplings, the hidden village empty of life. And the Black Egg, seeping a sickly, orange light, the Pure Vessel within cracking beneath the pressure of containing the Radiance. And of himself, dead on his thrown, alone.

No matter which angle he looked, which preparation he made within his foresight vision, all of them ended the same way. With the Pure Vessel cracking beneath the might of the trapped goddess, sometimes almost immediately after sealing, sometimes many cycles after the fact, but always cracking, releasing the infection upon the world once more. And even the Dreamer Seals were helpless to stop it.

All of his plans, all of his preparations, it was all for nothing. And yet, with his foresight continuing, he saw another future. One without the infection. The details of this new future were vague, but the one defining feature was that the Radiance was not contained in the Pure Vessel.

And suddenly, his foresight shut him out, his head aching from the visions, tears running unrestrained down his mask, and he realizes that everyone is staring at him, with varying levels of concern. Straightening back up into his seat, he takes a deep breath, before he realizes his Pure Vessel is holding onto him. Turning to take in the vessel, he sees them trembling, void tears running down his face, starring at him expectantly. And something inside him breaks, but he has to persevere, at least for the moment, and tears his gaze away.

Taking some deep breaths, he focuses his attention back to those gathered before him and says “My foresight has shown me the truth. I, believe it prudent to take a recess for 4 cycles, and we will continue this meeting then. But first.” and focuses onto Ray, and states “Ray, I must thank you for the gift of the dream catchers.”

Ray simply nods in response, his attention being drawn by the vessel in his lap, who was pointing at myself. Ray mumbles something, and I only catch the tail end of it “…later, Lily.” before turning his attention back to me.

I rise shakily, continuing “We shall reconvene in 4 cycles, you all have your assigned guest rooms, and there is much to think about, dismissed.” and move out, being shadowed by both my wife and the Pure Vessel. Although, I guess that is not really an accurate moniker, anymore.

Sitting calmly in our assigned room, with Herrah’s and Hornet’s Room next to us, I am climbed all over by the vessels, who are all very excited to see everything around them, their excited thoughts and whispers echoing in the back of my mind, as I contemplate.

That meeting could have gone worse. I had expected resistance from the Pale King, but I guess once the truth was inescapable, he had no choice but to accept it. Monomon at least, saw reason quickly, but I expected that.

Hive Queen Vespa had pulled me aside while exiting the room and thanked me personally for my efforts to stop the infection and had quietly whispered into my ear that she’d welcome me with open arms at the Hive. Herrah was walking past when she did so, and simply snickered, but thankfully didn’t make the situation any more awkward than it already was. For up close and personal, Hive Queen Vespa was, quite beautiful.

Turning my thoughts to other areas, I swiftly grab Angel, pulling her into my lap and give her a good tickle, saying “Alright everyone, I know you’re quite excited, but please, settle down a bit, or you’ll have to face the TICKLE MONSTER!” and tickle Angel some more, only to be dog piled by the rest, their giggling laughter in my mind a chiming chorus.

A familiar sound caught my attention, and that of the vessels, as we all turn to towards the door of our room, where two figures stand, taking in the pile of vessels on me. The tall figure, black and red in form, stands Grimm, a massive grin all over his face, as he looks me and the vessels over. And standing beside him, was Ghost.

I pull Flutter off my head, their little wings flapping in the air, and say “Hello. To what do we owe for your visit, Grimm?” Grimm’s eyes widen, as he responds “Ah, I see you are well informed. Well, this little one heard of the commotion in here, and wanted to join.” while gesturing to Ghost, who was vibrating in place.

I hear “Can I play?” whisper into my mind, and I give a huff, responding “Of course, you may join.” Upon hearing those words, Ghost bounds forward, and leaps, tackling my chest, hugging onto me as I hear “Siblings, siblings alive, Ghost sorry for leaving, Ghost alone.”. I gently hug Ghost back, and say “It’s alright Ghost, it’s okay. You no longer have to be alone.”

The rest of the vessels have now turned to all trying to hug Ghost at the same time, holding me in the center of the hug pile. While they chatter in the back of my mind to Ghost, questions and answers flowing back and forth, I focus my attention back to Grimm, who is leaning in the doorway, just watching all the proceedings, and ask “So, what are you doing in Hallownest? I haven’t lit the lantern yet, so there must be some other reason?”

Grimm’s grinning, smug face slackens, blinking at me like I had just insulted him, his grin returning after a moment as he responds “Ah, well, the reason I’ve come to Hallownest actually has to do with you. For you see, the void called. And when a primal force such as that calls, you answer.” with a flourish, a small ball of flame appearing in his hand, trying and failing to look intimidating.

I simply respond “Really? The void? And what do you mean, having to do with me?” Grimm just smiles, showing off his many sharp teeth, and answers “Oh, it’s quite simply really. The void has called me here, to help you. And having met you personally, I cannot wait to see what kind of performance we can make together. But first, it is time to meet my favorite wyrm. I’ll be seeing you later.” and disappears in a puff of red smoke, the sound of his teleportation clear as day.

Starring at the spot where he once was for a moment, I turn my attention back to Ghost, who has continued to stare at me, surrounded by siblings. I run one of my hands over the top of their head, and say “So, would you all like a story?” That gets their attention, and then all nod, 13 black pairs of eyes staring at me.

Pulling up memories of my former life, I begin “So, this story is a story of a young boy, named Hiro. And how he became a hero.”

Grimm thought things had gone quite well, all things considered. This new godling was quite intriguing, having gained the love and awe of the voidlings with ease, and would likely be the one to ascend into the fabled Lord of Shades from so long ago. He certainly had the mental strength to do it.

Popping into Solaris’s personal room, he did a flourish, saying “Why hello there, Solaris. How did the meeting with your wayward brother go?”, only to still upon seeing the Solaris crouched down on the floor, embraced by Amorpha and his Pure Vessel, all three of which have turned to give him each a glare of shared annoyance. He chuckles in embarrassment, and straightens up, saying “Ah, I see this is a bad time, I’ll come back later.” and teleports away.

Reappearing in his Tent, which is located next to the Palace Grounds, he walks into his personal chambers, pulling out a large, black toned chest, with a seal of nightmares upon its lock. Undoing the seal with a touch of flame, he opens up the chest, pulling out various objects and nick knacks, until he gets to the bottom of the chest, where a smaller lock box is sat. Undoing the nightmare seal on it, he opens it up, and gently takes out the object within, holding it up to inspect it in the light.

The handle is very much shaped like a nails, ending in a torch like opening, a pair of sharpened spikes extending out the sides, forming a cross guard of lethal intent. Focusing nightmare flames into the object, a blade of burning red flames springs forth, creating a long, glowing red blade of nightmare flames, sending shadows around the room from its glow.

Smiling a treacherous smile, he extinguishes the blade, and puts in into his belt on his side, hiding it from view, and puts his things away. Soon, the Nightmare Nail would have a worthy wielder, one whose burning mind would cut the way into the dream realm. And Grimm would finally be free of the need of the ritual.

Ghost sat, surrounded by siblings it thought it would never see again, only half listening to the story being told before it, their bigger sibling’s voice strong and steady. They were more focused on their void connection, perusing Ray’s memories like a book, absorbing and learning information at a brisk pace. Ray’s memories were like bubbles, thoughts, feelings, images and sensations all tied together to make for a visceral experience while absorbing the information.

And it was glorious. Ghost considered themselves a fast learner, it was what allowed them to figure out how to escape the abyss in the first place, and that helped in this endeavor greatly. Their vocabulary was already expanded, language and speech being the first things they learned from Ray’s mind. The absorption of memories didn’t affect him in the slightest, their memories reforming intact after being copied over through the void bond, none the worse for wear.

Their siblings, all of whom had chosen names from the word soup of Ray’s memories, had connected Ghost to their hivemind, and together, they all learned how to be, from Ray’s mind. Ray was an, odd, sibling. They weren’t originally a sibling, instead being a fleshy being of constant struggle between instinct, logic and emotion, their thoughts and feelings trapped within their head, the same as the rest of his kind.

The memories of how and why Ray was brought to Hallownest were vague, flashed of light and pain, before they woke up outside the town of Dirtmouth. The memories of sadness, anger and despair were bundled up tight, shunted off into the recesses of his mind, ignored, but Ghost thought it prudent to understand all of their Sibling, not just the good.

They could feel the void connected to Ray’s mind, just as they could feel the void within themselves, welcoming all into its cool, dark embrace. The void had done something to bring Ray into their world, turning them into a sibling, and while Ghost did not understand the how or why, none of that mattered. For Ray, even surrounded by siblings, still felt alone. His mind was that of a being from another world entirely and did not truly feel at home.

But despite that, he shared his love with the siblings freely, giving them all he could give with nothing wanted in return. And his warmth was, intoxicating. Grimm was warm, but his warmth was a burning kind of warm, almost too hot to touch. Ray was the seeping warmth of a warm bed, flowing out of him all the time. Ghost understood now why his siblings and even the void wanted to be always near Ray all the time.

Ghost was not for sure what the future would hold, but Ghost would be there for all of it.

Chapter Text

Solaris sat, embraced by his root and child, letting the tears flow, as the enormity of the situation finally dawned. Everything he had done to halt the infection, the vessels, the seals of binding, the dreamers, all of it was for naught. His foresight had made it quite clear that was the case. But all was not lost.

Finally stirring, he turned to take in the pure vessel in full, his child, the void tears having dried up while they sat with him, their shaking having finally ceased, sitting quietly with him while he wept. Taking in a deep breath, he reaches out, cupping the side of his child’s face, and says “My child, you are too kind. And to think, I was planning on sealing you away, for the good of many. How I was a fool.”

His root maneuvers next to them, reaching out with a tendril, whispering out “I should have been more…” while cupping the Pure Vessel’s head on the opposite side of his hand, before turning him, and continues “…forceful, in my care. What will you do now, my wyrm?” with a melancholic tone. He reaches up and rubs at the side of his mask, a headache in full swing from his use of foresight, and answers “I will do what I have always done. What is best for Hallownest.”

He gets up, and finally sits down in a proper seat, his root and child taking their place next to him, as he contemplates. After a moment, he says “My root, I had thought that this Ray, the one who created the dream catchers, was my wayward brother, broken free by the void. What do you think?”

His root hums in thought, and responds “Whatever they are, they are not your brother. Whatever it was the void did when it broke your brother free, it corrupted and broke down your brother’s essence, leaving behind an empty shell. And the essence that is Ray, took their place within their shell. We’ll have to ask Ray after this meeting is fully over.”

His eyes widen at her statement, and asks “What do you mean?” She simply responds “Your senses focus on the mind and soul, so I’m not surprised you didn’t notice. My senses are focused on the soul and essence. And the essence residing with them is unlike any other being I have felt. Whatever they are, they are not your brother.” with conviction in her voice, looking off into the distance, her eyes focused elsewhere.

He closes his eyes, focusing his mind on that of Ray’s, the burning sensation of Ray’s mind a beacon unlike any other minds he had ever seen, aside from the old light’s. But unlike the old lights mind, which hungered for more minds to join its hive mind, Ray’s mind is contained and content. From what he could tell, Ray was telling a story, if the flashes of though on the surface of his mind were any indication, to the vessels.

Opening his eyes to take in his Pure Vessel, who is staring at him expectedly, only for them to suddenly whip their head to the side towards the door to their chambers, where Grimm makes his appearance again. Letting out a long drawn out sigh, he says “Alright Grimm, you’re here. What do you want?”

Grimm gives him a grin, doing a flourishing bow, as he replies “Why, I simply wanted to visit with my favorite wyrm. And I have heard there has been quite the commotion, most recently. Why, I even head you have abandoned this foolish vessel plan of yours?”, his gaze smoldering towards the end. Narrowing his eyes, Solaris says “Oh, is that all? Well, if that is all you’re here for, then you may leave. I don’t have time for your pestering today.”

Grimm simply smiles even wider, teleporting in a puff of smoke to appear next to in front of them, giving another bow before presenting a bouquet of deep red, scarlet flowers, the hum of nightmare flames evident in them, as he says “Firstly, a long overdue congratulations, for your marriage, and hatching of your child. And secondly, I actually wanted to talk to you about your most interesting guest.”

His root Amorpha accepts the bouquet, murmuring thanks, as Solaris responded “Yes, my wayward brother. Although, having met them in person, I do not think they can really be called my brother anymore. Why? Did you have any knew insight to them?” Grimm chuckles, responding “Yes, their dreams are unlike any other being I’ve felt. And within their mind, burns a fire storm of nightmare flames, just begging to be released. I am half tempted to drag them into my tent, to see what a wonderous performance for the Heart they can bring. Did you tell them I was coming, by the way?”

Clacking his mandibles together in exasperation, Solaris responds “No, I did not. I told my guards to be expecting you, but nobody else. Why?” Grimm gains a thoughtful look for a moment, and says “Well, when I stopped in to drop off a little wondering vessel I found in the wastes, they knew who I was. Even asked why I was here when the ritual hadn’t been invoked.”

That sends chills down Solaris’s back, at how little he truly knew of this Ray. Ray’s surprising amount of knowledge on things had been, disturbing. He would have to question them more thoroughly at the next meeting. After humming in thought, he said “I suppose we’ll have to ask him some very thorough questions soon. His understanding of things that no one should know, is disconcerting, but something we can work around.”

Heaving another sigh, Solaris continued “Now, I’m sure you’re just waiting to regale me with stories of other places you’ve visited, so out with now, while you have our attention.” Grimm smiled darkly and snapped his fingers, summoning a chair from bright red flames, sitting down before them. Grimm sat down, leaning forward, and began “Well, to begin, the most recent kingdom I was drawn too, was the Kingdom of Vale, upon the dragon leylines…”

4 Cycles later, I found myself back into the large meeting room, back in my place next to Herrah and Hornet, as the Pale King takes his place upon the throne. Once everyone was set, the Pale King began “Alright, now that we have had time to deliberate, and come to terms with the new information brought forth, we need to make a new plan. What say you, Ray?”

I stand up at my name, I say “As of now, I know of a couple of routes that can allow us to take the fight directly to the Old Light. Both require the use of a moth artifact, however.” The Pale king blinks in response and goes to respond when the doors to the meeting hall are thrown open by force, a glowing figure walking into the room. It takes me a moment to recognize them, my eyes widening at the realization. Standing before us, an orange glow emitting from their eyes, with essence swirling off their form, is Xero.

The Kingsmould’s guarding the door immediately activate, bringing their scythes to bare, when Xero summons a pair of soul nails that swiftly behead each of the Kingsmould’s with ease, their swings only halfway through when smote. After a moment of silence, the Great Knights draw their blades, preparing for battle when a loud scream emits from the Xero, his voice straining from the infection, as the Radiances voice comes through “Stay your blades, for I come to speak at this gathering!”

The power behind the words sends many to their knees, Monomon faltering in her tank, Quirrel curling up into a ball, the ants grasping their heads in pain, the Hive Knight only barely holding themselves up. Herrah and Vespa seem unaffected, as do Hornet and Helia, but Lurien is shaking in place, holding themselves up with their arms, while Marissa has fainted from freight. I am unaffected, as are the vessels.

The Great Knights, who had been the target of the Radiance’s words, were barely holding themselves up, their limbs shaking from the effort of fighting through the godly command of the Radiance. After a moment, the Pale King’s light becomes blinding, the sound of dozens of dream nails being summoned as he says, “Old Light, why have you come here, of all times?”

The Radiances laughs, although coming through Xero’s body, sounds more like a wheeze, and responds “As I said, I’m here to talk. About perhaps coming to a peace, of sorts. I am sure you would just love for me to stop my infection of your precious subjects. To that end, I propose a deal.”, orange tears beginning to flow from Xero’s eyes as she speaks, her power too much for Xero’s body to contain.

The Pale King lightens up his brilliant light, allowing everyone to finally open their eyes, as he responds “A deal, Radiance? The only deal I will accept, is one that frees my subjects from your infection. Now speak.” Xero shakes in place, their eyes now fully consumed by orange, as the Radiance says, “My proposal, is that in exchange for stopping the infection, you allow any who wishes too, to worship me in their dreams, as it was before.”

The Pale King answers “I never once had control over what they dreamed of in the first place, Radiance. Furthermore, release those under your thrall, and I will consider a peaceful resolution in due time. AFTER, you release your thralls.”

The Radiance responds with “Very well, Pale Wyrm. I will be waiting at the crown for your resolution for 3 decacycles. If you do not show, I will consider the talks as failed. Goodbye.” Xero’s eyes brighten for but a moment before the glow disappears. Xero coughs up orange phlegm, his eyes unseeing before focusing on the Pale King, rasping out “….my…. king….” and collapses to the floor, orange blood forming a puddle around his body.

I rush over as I hear “XERO!” and am joined at Xero’s side by Dryya, who helps me roll him over, while I hear yelling and curses throughout the room, the kings light having dimmed now that the Radiance has left. I focus my soul, forcing it into Xero’s ruined body, causing him to convulse a bit, coughing up more orange sludge, his breathing still shaking and wispy, and say “Help me remove his armor.” Dryya grunts in acknowledgement, and helps me remove Xero’s thorax armor, which once removed, showed how damaged Xero’s form was from the strain of being the Radiance’s focus.

While I work, I hear the While Lady say in the background “Do you think she’ll truly stop?” The Pale King responds “I don’t know. I would like to hope, but I am not going to assume she will. That she was able to subsume one who’s mind was as sharp as Xero’s so quickly, doesn’t bode well.” Xero’s coughing finally calms down after he coughs up a third wave of infection, his eyes clearing up.

I sit him up, still pouring soul into him as he starts to become lucid, his eyes focusing on Dryya, as Xero says “…my lady, I’ve failed you…” and passes out, going slack in my arms. Even with the soul being poured into him, I can feel him slipping away. I turn, shouting “He needs medical attention, now, or he is lost.”

A sudden poof of smoke gives away Grimm’s teleportation, and he appears next to us and crouches down, saying “Hold open his mouth.” Dryya, eyeing Grimm, complies, as he conjures up a small vial of life blood, pouring down Xero’s throat. Xero sputters for a moment, and then his breathing stabilizes, with Dryya heaving a sigh of relief as she whispers out “thank you…” to Grimm, who stands up and backs away.

I stand up, turning back to the Pale King, who is rubbing their head, and say “So, what now, your majesty?” He breathes a deep sigh, motioning for a pair of retainers that had been called in with a stretcher to get Xero and responds “For now, we prepare. I want the entire palace swept for any other infected, then everyone else is to be sent home. Ray, I ask for you to stay here, at the Palace. There is much to do, and I want you to explain what you know. Dismissed.”

Elsewhere, Seer is sitting at the top of the crystal mountain, finishing the touches of a summoning circle. Sitting across from her, sat the last pair of moth warriors, chanting an incantation as practiced. Once done with the circle, Seer pulls out the dream nail, and a perfectly spherical piece of pale ore, shined with runes across its surface. Setting the orb in the center of the circle, Seer takes her place across from Markoth and Thistlewind, and begins chanting.

Essence draws forth, swirling around and around the circle, pulses of essence pouring into the pale ore, and as the essence compacts, Seer channels essence into the dream nail, and strikes the orb, blinding them briefly as the sound of tearing dimensions is heard. When the light clears, a new moth is standing before them, a mortal frame of pure essence, condensing into the shape of the Radiance.

The moths all bow, saying “Our beloved goddess, we have done as instructed. And may your light guide us all.” The Radiance takes in a deep breath in the realm of the living in the first time in a long time, letting out a long sigh, and replies “Thank you, my children. Now, it is time to prepare for the Pale Wyrms arrival. And the entrapment of the one who goes by Ray.”

Seer blinks, asking “What do you mean, entrapment?” Radiance simply responds “It’s quite simple, my dear Seer. With the power and knowledge granted to me through my brief connection to Ray, I taught you all how to create me a vessel body. And now, I shall use this body, as a means of insuring my children’s continued perpetuation.”

The Radiance then begins walking, summoning essence to bring forth her vision into the real world, with her vessel body as a conduit. Stretching her influence through those infected, she began culling her connections, removing those who had been only recently infected first. It was painful work, the infection magic unwilling to break free of those infected cleanly, but if she did not want Ray to truly end her, she had too. Not just for her sake, but the sake of her moths as well. Her brief time connected to his mind had been a pleasant experience, talking to another being who considered her a person worth talking too and not just a threat to exterminate. And, she had to be honest with herself, the power of his mind was, intoxicating.

Deep below, in the abyss, the ancient creature stirred. It could sense the output of essence, from atop the crown of Hallownest, and planned. It seems the pulling of Ray into its realm had, unintended side effects. The hated enemy had drawn strength and knowledge from Ray’s mind during their brief connection, creating a new physical avatar for her to wield. And yet, it could sense the lessening of the infectious light, cutting from those recently infected.

The culling of the black wyrms essence, for use as an external shell for Rays soft body, had apparently given some of the ancient wyrms knowledge into Ray’s subconscious. Briefly looking into Ray’s mind through the void connection, it could feel no inherent change of Ray’s thoughts or beliefs. It rumbled in satisfaction at the voidlings use of Rays inner mind and withdrew from the connection. The void’s many children were advancing in leaps and bounds through their connection to the former human, and soon, the Abyss would have a new people to call its own.

Channeling the void within, it called forth the ancient defender of its people, and the void rumbled in response. From deep beneath the void sea, the vorpal serpent responded, awaking in the first time in a very long time, with a new directive. The safety and security of the soon to be Abyssal King.

Chapter Text

Solaris sat in his workshop, working on odds and ends. It had been an interesting decacycle, with the chaos of the Radiance’s appearance, Xero’s apparent infection, and settling the vessels. Over the days, a knew routine had settled, at least for the moment.

The revelation of Ray coming from a different reality was mind numbing in its absurdity, but Ray’s mind was resolute in its belief, their tale echoing what Herrah, Hornet and Helia had all said when asked later. The black grimoire had been most enlightening, now that he was in the right mind to understand it. It was, disconcerting, that such a book had escaped his notice, but he believed that it was likely the result of the voids interference.

When asked how he was brought here, Ray was as in the dark as he was, explaining that he had seemingly died in his previous world, the exact details lost to the void, and reawakened in a cliff within the Howling Cliffs. That Hallownest was a story within his world, a fictional story at that, angered him greatly, but Ray simply explained it away as likely a consequence of the “many worlds theory”, which Ray described as the idea that upon an idea being made, somewhere in reality, a world resembling that idea took place.

It sounded a lot like dark art magic to him, but he would not question it. The void has shown to be able to accomplish the impossible, so this whole situation, despite its absurdity, would be accepted. No matter how much of a headache it brought him.

Putting his tools away for the day, Solaris began leaving the workshop and made his way to his office. Sitting down at his desk, began looking through the day’s paperwork, reports of construction projects and the like, and a group of reports on the infection. Reading the reports, double checking the reports again and again, he sat them down, leaning back into his chair as he takes in the information before him.

The infection, for lack of a better word, was receding. There were no new cases, and those that were still infected were not being mindlessly aggressive anymore, merely docile. Bugs who had been newly infected were awakening without issue, while those who had been infected for some-time were still infected, but no longer hostile. It seems that the Radiance was going through with her word, at least for now.

Even if she broke her word, the lull in the infection would at least give them time to make and spread more dreamcatchers, which were being created as fast as the artisans could make them. Ray had thrown himself into the work, creating dreamcatchers alongside others, often with one of the vessels alongside them.

Thinking of the vessels made his heart clench, the memories of the many hundreds of vessels trying and failing to reach the top of the abyss. Those that made it to the top, who were not pure (none of them were pure, he realizes now), were sent back to the abyss below. The sounds of cracking shells echoing from down below, haunted his sleep, now that he knew how WRONG he was, about everything.

He did not deserve forgiveness, for any of it. But he could at least make it up to those that live. The Pure Vessel (he’s going to have to figure out a name for them at some point), the vessels that Ray found, all would be granted a proper childhood. And when the infection problem was dealt with, he would take a trip to the abyss. And rescue any remaining survivors, provide them with the life they deserve.

But that would be all for later. For now, the vessels that were here would be made to feel comfortable and plans for dealing with the Radiance were to take shape. Grimm had said that he had an idea and had not been seen since the incident with Xero. His dear Root and Pure Vessel were spending their time with the vessels, his wife indulging in finally getting to be a mother. If only he could have seen it sooner.

Amorpha was having the time of her life, gently playing with her children as a mother should, at long last. The 13 little vessels were all bundles of joy that she cherished, each one of them precious in their own right.

And they were all so unique, as precious children should, each having their own unique horn shape and personality.

The vessel that Grimm brought with him, went by the name of Ghost and could have been mistaken for the Hollow Knights twin before their molts, with a pair of smoothly curved horns ending in a pair of points. Ghost was the least active of the vessels, content to stand and stare at whatever caught their attention at that time.

Lily was one of the most hyperactive vessels, investigating anything and everything around them, dragging their siblings along for the ride. Lily’s horns formed an hour glass shape in between them, and had shown their unique ability at every opportunity, where they would extend out their arms like whip like tendrils. It made keeping her out of things impossible, but thankfully, Lily had been taught to be respectful of other bug’s belongings, so thankfully they were careful with their ability.

Spike was Lily’s partner in crime, usually jumping up to places with their incredible jump ability, often taking Lily with them. Their horns were straight and pointed, giving them the appearance of wearing a helmet.

Violet was usually wherever Ghost was, with horns like what the Hollow Knight had when younger but ending with a single pair of points. They hadn’t yet shown any unique power but were sure to develop it in due time.

Flutter loved to use their little wings to flutter up to high spaces, and were often the last one found when playing hide and seek, finding hard to reach places to hide in. They were also quite shy, hiding behind other vessels, or Ray, when meeting new bugs.

Flash was easily the most aggressive of the bunch, dashing with reckless abandon at bugs as a form of greeting, their flat-topped head flanked by a dual pair of horns making their dashes thankfully, painless.

Breeze had antler like horns, ending in three nubby points, and would often strike poses when meeting interacting with new bugs, their cloak blowing in an invisible wind. They mostly followed Flash around, acting as a backdrop to Flash’s antics.

The vessel that stayed with her the most, was a precious little one named Tiara. They had three short horns atop their mask, looking very much like a small crown, and were often curled up in her lap. When they played with their siblings, Tiara showed the ability to become intangible, their body becoming void, allowing them to move through the tiniest of spaces. Thankfully, they would rather nap with her, rather than cause trouble.

Helm, who had similar horns to Tiara’s, but with 4 instead of 3, followed in Tiara’s footsteps, only instead of wanting to stay in her lap, they insisted on being in her husband’s lap anytime he was available. When he wasn’t, Helm would get into trouble, showing the same ability as Tiara did, following along with Flash as they got into things.

Thorn had three horns, with two pointing backwards while the center horn faced forward, sharp and created on the edge. They mostly followed along with whatever their siblings were doing, or simply stayed around her when not actively playing. They hadn’t yet shown any unique powers, but it would only be a matter of time.

The kindest one of the vessels, Angel, had a pair of short, rounded horns, and always had an air of peaceful love around them. They loved getting hugs, from everyone around them, but especially Ray, often getting into little fights with Lily over who got to sit in his lap. It was the cutest thing.

Aurora was much like Thorn in temperament, rarely moving unless prompted by another, their horns like the Hollow Knights when younger, but straighter and longer.

Silis had an uneven set of horns, a longer horn on the left side of their face, with a pair of shorter horns on the right side. They had developed the ability to manifest an extra pair of arms from their void, although only for a limited time. They were a hoarder, absorbing small objects into their void with reckless abandon, and had been reprimanded a few times for taking important items directly beneath retainers’ noses.

All of them loved to dogpile Ray when he was around, and would sleep with him, often times after he told them a story. All of them precious.

Her oldest child, the Pure Vessel, who had not yet chosen a proper name (which was something she’d have to talk with her husband about. A proper name was long overdue.) spent most of their time with her, leaning into her preening as she talked to them about all the things she had been wanting to talk about for so long, the Pure Vessel nodding along to her words.

Whatever she may have thought of Ray, she was in debt to him for bringing her children back to her, even if they preferred sleeping with him over her. She could live with that. She would have too, for they deserved all the world, for the pain and suffering they had been consigned to even before their hatching.

She sighed, deep in thought, as Tiara snuggled deeper into her lap, running one of her branches over their head in contentment. The impending meeting with the Radiance was approaching, and it caused tremors to flutter within her, the uncertainty and fear of the unknown situation ever present. That the Radiance was now willing to parley, was a miracle in an of itself, but the timing of it was suspicious. She suspected that that Ray’s appearance had something to do with it.

Dryya stood in the training yard, watching as Ray and Hornet sparred again, the clanging of nails sounding off throughout the yard, joined by Ogrim and Isma, watching the fight. Ray fought quite well, his nail movements showing his inexperienced, but skillful nail work.

Hornet was as brutal as ever, her swings and jabs at full force, and yet Ray would scarcely move when blocking and parrying, his own swings sending Hornet back with the force. One thing she noticed, was that Ray was a static fighter, moving only when required to dodge or parry, his feet holding firm under Hornet’s assault.

Helia sat off to the side, taking in deep breaths while recovering from her own sparring session with Ray, watching with interest as Ray went on the offensive, swings and jabs forcing Hornet to dodge and parry, until Ray did a twirling move that sent Hornet’s needle off to the side, the sparring session ending with Ray’s nail touching Hornet’s, signifying his win.

Ray himself was only lightly breathing, the sounds of his breath loud in the air, as he says “And that makes two victories in my name, Hornet.” Hornet just scoffs, slapping the nail away as she straightens up, pulling her nail to her hand, responding “Need I remind you, that’s two out of ten, Ray. I still hold the record over you.”

Ray just chuckles, taking in a deep breath before saying “Yes, I’m aware. But I am getting better.” At that, Dryya straightens up, drawing her nail as she steps forward, saying “Yes, you have been getting better. But you need to be more proactive when defending, and you need to stop being so static. Now, you spar with me.” and stands in the training ring, gesturing for Ray to take his place on the opposite side.

Hornet smiles, leaning over to whisper “Good luck” to Ray, and leaves the ring, joining Helia to watch, a smirk on her face. Ray takes a series of deep breaths, and takes his place opposite Dryya, and takes a fighting stance.

After a few moments of them starring at each other, Ray makes the first move, lunging forward, lashing out with a standard swipe. Dryya parried with ease, and immediately went on the offensive, forcing Ray back with her strikes, many of them forcing Ray back from the force, unlike when Hornet struck at him.

Dryya kept up the assault, even as Ray began to falter beneath it, his return strikes becoming clumsy, and his parries strained from holding back her attacks. However, as she when for another strike, Ray caught her nail, and performed the same twirling trick that disarmed Hornet, sending her nail off to the side.

Dryya smirked, simply turning with the move and lashed out with a kick, making sure to measure her force appropriately, catching Ray in the chest, launching him out of the ring onto the ground beyond, his breath knocked from him.

Dryya collected her nail and walked up to Ray, saying “You fight well, but rely on your strength and weight to hold your position. That may work against foes who are weaker and lighter than you, but any skilled opponent will use your static style against you. Better to be proactive, than reactive.” and holds out her hand.

Ray grabs her hand, and hauls himself up as she continues “Additionally, if you plan on disarming your foes, be prepared for attacks of all kinds. But overall, you are improving.” and helps him up. Ray takes in some breaths before saying “I understand, Dryya. And thanks.” before he is interrupted by his stomach grumbling.

Dryya laughs, and says “Well, I’d say it’s time to take a break. It is lunch time, so let’s go.” and goes to the break room, followed by the rest as lunch is served.

Grimm slinked in out of the shadows, enjoying the show of the dance between Ray and Hornet. Ray’s skills were steadily improving, and soon enough, he’d be ready for a dance of his own, with the Nightmare King himself.

He could feel his sister, having taken up a vessel avatar at the Kingdoms Crown, her presence shifting about as she withdrew her influence slowly from the bugs of Hallownest. Ray’s appearance had apparently convinced her to see reason at last. How Ray did it, he didn’t know, especially since his sister had shown that she would hold on to the bitter end. Until now, that is.

While he ordinarily would be pleased that his sister was finally beginning to act reasonable, he couldn’t help but feel at ease with the change in her behavior. Something in his gut, something even in the Nightmare Heart, told him to be wary of her intentions.

Hence, why he was preparing Ray to be the new wielder of the Nightmare Blade. Ray’s mind was unreachable through the realm of dreams, protected as it was by the dream catchers and a cradle of void. But his subconscious mind was easily exploited, and he had been channeling nightmare flames into it while Ray spared. Despite the amount of nightmare flames being channeled, Ray seemed entirely unaffected. Which was a good thing, as that was a mark of a truly strong mind.

Grimm smiled darkly, fantasying the glory of the upcoming dance. And maybe even the events afterword. Refocusing, he slinked off into the castle, grinning at the teasing he’ll give the Wyrm today.

On this day, Ghost had been watching their sibling spar with their other sibling, entranced by the clashing of nails and the back and forth of their movements. When Dryya intervened, giving their sibling a good blow, Ghost wanted to jump in to help, bug resisted, holding back the instinct to lash out at the knight.

Following along as they went to have lunch, Ghost catches up to Ray, tugging on his cloak to get his attention, saying “Sibling, can I train too?” while impressing the image of a nail through the message. Ray reaches down and picks Ghost, holding him as he responds “Certainly, as long as your parents are ok with it.” Ghost chirped in pleasure as Ray rubbed the top of his head, humming in contentment with the answer. Step one to nail training, is a go.

Chapter Text

Lily wandered along the halls of the Palace at night, joined by Violet and Angel, just exploring the empty halls. Their new home was much, much nicer than the abyss they had been born in, and even nicer than the musty, dusty halls of Hornet’s home. The only thing Lily would have liked better about living in the White Palace, would be if it were much darker, as the near perpetual glowing light during daytime could be almost blinding at times.

Hornet and Helia’s interest in their sibling was quite funny, especially seeing the differences between how the two of them flirted with their sibling. While Helia’s was obvious and in Ray’s face, much to his embarrassment, but Hornet wasn’t nearly as subtle as she believed she was. Ray’s thoughts on the matter were, confusing, but they figured that was something they’d learn to understand in time. Factual knowledge absorbed from Ray’s mind only explained so much.

Lily eventually wandered into the training yard, Violet and Angel trailing behind them, their curiosity peaked by the sounds of nail strikes sounding off into the air. Standing in the center of the yard, with a training dummy setup, was Ghost. Ghost was swinging a nail at the dummy, going through vertical and horizontal strikes in quick succession.

“Ghost, what are you doing?” Lily asks, walking up to them as Ghost goes through another succession of blows, pausing after a few minutes to turn to them, responding “I’m training my nail skills. I’ve seen, images of myself using nail like a master in Ray’s memories, and I want to match what I saw. So I’m here.” with an impression of desperation.

Lily giggles, while Angel steps forward, and says “Ghost, you don’t need to match what his memories of old show. He loves you regardless, as he loves us all.” while impressing the feeling of love that Ray exuded through the void connection at all times. Ghost just shakes their head, chirping in distress as they respond “I know that. But I need to get better, to be able to defend them when the time comes. Something within me, tells me that Ray is in terrible danger. And I want to be prepared to deal with it when that danger appears.” and goes back to attacking the dummy.

Lily chitters in agreement, pulling out another dummy on the other side of the arena while saying “Ah, so you’re not the only one. I’ve felt much the same way, although without any memories of my past self to compare to. I think its actually a good idea to get the rest of our siblings trained as well, both for the safety and security of our most beloved sibling, but also the safety of ourselves. Ray won’t always be around to protect us, our time with the nosk is proof enough of that.” and takes a fighting stance, before lashing out with an arm, extending it out into a sharp void whip, a loud crack resounding from the dummy as the tendril leaves a line in its front.

Violet steps up next to Lily, raising up a hand, and focuses. After a moment, a dagger made of void is conjured, hovering in place until launching into the dummy, piercing through it with ease, before fading away after a moment, leaving a dark mark in the dummy from the void. Lily turned, giving Violet a look of sudden understanding, saying “That’s amazing Violet. How many can you create at a time?”

Violet blushes a bit and mumbles out “Only one at a time for now, but I’ve been trying to work on summoning more…”, turning to stare at the ground in embarrassment. Ghost has come over, holding a pair of practice nails, holding one out for Angel and Violet. Violet takes theirs, but Angel hesitates, saying “I, don’t really like violence, but to protect Ray better in the future…” and finally takes the nail.

Ghost takes a stance, saying “Alright, now repeat after me.” and begins slowly swinging their nail, watching as Angel and Violet repeat, speeding up as they get the motions down. Lily smiles internally at the scene, and goes to Ghost’s former target dummy, and begins practicing their void whips some more, trying to go faster and faster with each attack, while Ghost leads Angel and Violet in learning the art of the nail.

Tiara, Helm and Aurora were all sitting in a circle, in the garden section of the Whit Palace, playing with a plot of dirt, childishly enjoying themselves. They found the dirt fun to work with, forming structures and images within the dirt, visible beneath the pale light their masks created even at night.

It was while doing so that Tiara sat up, focusing upon their connection to the void, listening to Ghost and the others as they begin training themselves, and decided that would be a good idea to do so as well.

Getting up out of the dirt, Tiara says “Helm, Aurora, we should be training ourselves like what Ghost is doing.” Helm simply cant’s their head to the side in response, finishing up the dirt castle while Aurora says “But, the dirt is so fun to shape?” while sitting in the middle of a group of little hills of dirt, shaping another as they speak.

Tiara huffs, chirping in exasperation and responds “Yes, playing with the dirt is fun, but we can have fun later, when Ray is safe from the angry moth lady.”, stepping over the little hills of dirt to pull Aurora to their feet, while chirping at Helm, who chirps back, standing up to follow along as they head towards the training yard, which quickly turns into a race to see who gets their first.

Breeze, Flash, Flutter and Spike were all racing along throughout the halls, playing a combination of tag and hide and seek, running at maximum speed as they did so, jumping to and fro along rafters as they went along. It was while doing this that Flash, having a significant lead in the race, ran head first into Tiara, a loud crack sounding throughout the hallway from the force of the impact, Lily letting out a low screech in surprise.

Once Flash was done shaking their head in pain, they let out a series of angry chirps, while speaking “Tiara, what are you doing getting in my way, you know it’s hard for me to stop when I’m dashing.”

Tiara shakes their head, and once they got their balance back, glared at Flash, responding “It’s not my fault you weren’t looking where you’re going. Never mind that though, it’s time to join Ghost in training. Think of it like a game, one where winning the grand prize is keeping out beloved Ray safe.” and moves around Flash’s group.

Breeze, Flutter and Spike, after a moment’s hesitation, go to follow after Tiara, chirping at Flash to follow. Flash considers going on their own in spite, but concedes, following along behind them to the training area.

Silis and Thorn had finally figured out the lock on their father’s workshop and were busy checking out the various contraptions throughout the room in detail, instead of simply watching their father work on them.

Silis’s attention was focused on the multi geared device that their father had been working on previously, a snippet of information they gleamed from Ray’s mind telling them it was supposed to be a clock.

Taking it apart and putting it back together again in different combinations, they were stopped when they got a pulse from Tiara through the void, asking them to join them in the training yard. Putting the clock back where he found it, Silis grabbed Thorn, who was trying and failing to take apart the empty carapace of a wingmold, and dragged them behind them, headed towards the training yard. Some practice in hand eye coordination was in order, especially for their extra pair of arms.

The Pure Vessel, who now simply went by Pure, was roused from their sleep by the echoing sounds of nail strikes and vessel chirps. Getting up, they collect their nail, and head towards the noise, following along behind it absentmindedly, their thoughts still muffled from sleep.

Stepping through the archway to the training yard, they blink their vision a couple of times while taking in the image before them. Arrayed around the training yard, were all their siblings currently residing in the palace, half of them training with nails, while the other half were channeling void into attacks again and again.

Looking from one side of the yard to the other, Pure decides to just go with it, and sends out a questioning chirp. All of the vessels halt in their movements, turning as one to stare at Pure, who asks “What, are you all doing at this time of night?”

Ghost jumps forward to stand in front of them, their had turned up to stare at them as they respond “We’re training, so that we can help Ray in the future. Want to join us?” with a perfectly even tone, which was effectively the closest thing to a straight face a vessel could do. Staring down at Ghost, Pure considers things for a moment, and says “I suppose we could, but if you all are going to be training, it’s best to do so with Father’s supervision.”

Ghost chirps in annoyance, saying “Father won’t let us train yet, but I have a bad feeling about the upcoming meeting with the angry moth lady, and I want us to be ready to help out if things go wrong. So please, will you help us?” with a pleading tone. As the other vessels await Pure’s decision, Pure thinks things through.

They themselves spent most of their time in the Palace being trained for their ultimate purpose, training night and day to perfect their body and soul to be the ultimate weapon and cage to contain the source of the infection. Unlike themselves, who trained because their father demanded it so, their siblings were training themselves to protect their sibling. It was, cute, for lack of a better word.

After a moments more consideration, Pure chirps in confirmation and says “Alright, I’ll help in training you. We will begin the basics first, so that I know what you need improvements on. Nail users first.” with a glint in their eyes. Their siblings chirp in response, forming a line as Pure begins “The first thing to using a nail, is understanding that to get the most of a nail, is to have it be an extension of your body, not nearly a tool.” while extending their nail, showcasing while repeating the training they had with both Dryya and Ze’mer, both masters of the nail arts.

Taking their preferred stance, the blade of their nail facing backwards, Pure continued “The second most important thing to the nail arts, is to have a stance that is provides both balance and power. Each of you will fight differently, and as such, I’ll need you all to pick a particular nail, and figure out a stance to go with it. Once you have the stances down and the basics of wielding your nail, then we can move onto using real nails, but for now, training nails it is.”

Pure then went through a series of stances they used with their great nail, before going at ease, saying “Now, once you’re chosen your preferred nail, we’ll begin on stances and the basics of the nail. Follow me.”, moving towards the armory of the training yard, followed behind by their siblings. Pure felt, joy, at the thought of teaching, passing on their knowledge of the art of the nail to their siblings. Thinking on it, having their father teach them the knowledge of the soul and spells, would allow them all to be as capable as they were. Briefly thinking of Ray and what they knew of him, should probably also bring Ray into the training. The hopes of Hallownest rested on Ray’s shoulders now, and he’d need all the help he could get.

Ray awoke slowly, the feeling of multiple voices running around in his had drowning out his initial morning thoughts, until he is suddenly pounced on by a bright red shape, being pulled up to his feet by what could only be Hornet, her words fuzzy in his ears as she drags him through the halls, the now bright lights of the morning lights blinding his eyes temporarily.

After a few moments of walking, he suddenly finds himself being dragged into the training yard, and as his vision clears, he sees the Pure Vessel standing at attention, and all of the other vessels are standing at attention, various types of nails in their hands, all looking guilty as charged as Hornet jumps into my vision, shouting “Did you put them up to this? The clanging has been going on for hours now.”

Blinking my eyes in confusion, I mumble out “What are you talking about…” before yawning, letting out a long-drawn-out morning yawn. Once done, and having stretched my jaws into place, Hornet says “They’ve been training with Pure all night. I don’t know how you weren’t woken up by it, and I don’t care, if they’re going to be trained by Pure, then so will you.” with a hiss at the end, her fangs poking out beneath her mask.

Extremely confused, I merely respond “Sure, whatever. Can I have breakfast first?” followed by another yawn, then my stomach making itself known with a loud grumble. Hornet deflates a bit and grumbles a bit before swiftly turning to the assembled vessels, shouting “You all, baths first, then breakfast. Understood?”

The vessels all shake their heads in unison, moving to put away the training nails while Pure just stands there, seemingly please with themselves. I give them a look, tentatively reaching out through the void to ask “What on earth were you all doing last night?” Pure stares for a moment, and responds “Siblings wanted to train, and I obliged. Speaking of training, I agree with Hornet, in that you should be trained to the same level as me.”

I groan, already dreading the bruises I was going to gain from this, and say “Fine, whatever, it’s not like Dryya’s training isn’t hell on earth as it is. But first, breakfast. Then training.” with a note of finality, turning around and leaving the training yard behind me, leading Hornet along by the hand, followed along by Pure leading the vessels behind us.

When I realize I was holding Hornet’s hand, I swiftly released it, pretending it did not happen, and focus my mind on the apparent hell I was about to be thrown into.

Chapter Text

Moving through her private abode, Marissa hummed a tune to herself, just enjoying her peaceful home with quite contentment. Her work had both become more and less stressful over the last couple of decacycles. Her own personal dreamcatcher hanging above her bed, it is light glow offering safety and security in her sleep. It was amazing how much having a proper night’s sleep, without the fear and anxiety of falling to the infection, did to improve one’s energy and mental awareness.

She had signed a soul charged promise to withhold her silence, of the true nature of the infection, but she understood why that was the case. As she understood it, gods like the Pale King and this, Radiance, gained power from being worshipped. And the infection was an insidious way of forcing those unwilling to let the old light into their minds, by manipulating their dreams until they gave in.

This put into context how important the dreamcatchers were, and how important the upcoming negotiations with the old light were. She could only hope and pray that they were successful, that there would be a time when they would not have to fear of going mad from their dreams.

Lurien was sitting in his chair, a cup of tea steaming in his grip, as he came to grips with what the reports of the last few days indicated. The dreaded infection, which had been a never-ending source of nightmares for the last centi-cycle, was seemingly beginning to come to an end. The infected that were still contained within the lower levels of the City, were no longer violently trying to tear their way out of their confines, no longer raging at everything around them. Those that had recently been infected had become freed of it, their mind’s returned to them. Those that had been infected for a substantial amount of time, their bodies warped by the infection, were now docile, with some regaining some of their minds, while others were practically comatose, but alive.

The upcoming negotiations were a spot of much discussion, with him having to take a trip to the White Palace every couple of days to work on one detail or another. They were now at the point that all current preparations that could be done, were done, and they simply had to await the proper time frame to meet with the old light, and hopefully, achieve a form of peace.

Personally, as the Watcher of the City of Tears, he wanted for all the world, to make the Radiance suffer as the citizens of his city have suffered. To watch as friends, family, children and the elderly, were claimed by an unstoppable disease that targeted the mind, leaving behind hollow husks that had to be put down for the safety of everyone else. To suffer at having to have to put to death your own citizens that were too far gone to save, to watch as everything you love falls apart around you.

However, as the Watcher, and right hand of the King, he had to see the bigger picture. And regardless of his feelings on the matter, negotiations with the old light, to bring about a, peaceful, end to the infection, was preferable to the old light winning in the end. That the King’s plan with the Pure Vessel was doomed to fail, was a bitter pill to swallow, but in hindsight, it makes sense.

Letting out a sigh, he takes a long gulp of his tea, enjoying the warmth and taste. Exquisite as always. Taking in a deep breath, he mumbles his prayers, hoping the upcoming negotiations work out. If they did not, then he did not know what he would do.

Aldren huffed and puffed, as he worked. The injuries to his body, while healed, still stinged, the cracks in his shell still visible despite the healing he endured. The ache inside his shell from the sudden loss of what he now knew was the infection, forever sat in the back of his mind, no matter what he was doing or how relaxed he was, he ached inside.

His escape from the Pale King had been a miracle, as he had teleported randomly, throwing caution to the wind when he unleashed the teleportation spell. He ended up in the fungal wastes, somewhere deep within the Mushroom Village. He nearly died, Shroomal warriors attacking him on sight.

He initially fled, his soul reserves drained from the fight with the King, but as soon as he got some amount of soul back from life saving soul totem, he quickly turned the fight around, blasted apart the Shroomal warriors attacking him. After draining some mushrooms of their soul, he set off to find a new place to hide and heal.

4 of his acolytes had survived, and shown up to his new hidden lab, deep in the depths of the fungal wastes. They had to be careful not to attract the attention of the Mantis tribe, but their new location proved fruitful enough for gathering soul. It was while getting some proper healing supplies, that they were suddenly wracked with spasms of pain.

It was not until later, when he could not hear the whispers in his mind anymore, that he realized they were now free of the infection. Two of the acolytes had unfortunately passed away, their bodies unable to cope with the strain of losing the infection, but he and the other two had survived. They healed their wounds and survived despite everything.

However, they could not stay within the fungal wastes. Hence, why they were gathering what supplies they were able to scrounge up from the Shroomal village and were going to make their way back to the City of Tears. While the Sanctum had fallen, there were many hideouts they had setup specifically for the possibility of the Sanctum being raided.

He would need to recruit more acolytes, as he would not get much done with only two of them. And clearly, despite the power the warriors of the Sanctum had been able to wield, they were nothing compared to the power of a god. And even himself, despite his power, was lacking when compared to the Pale King, who used most of their godly might to give bugs their minds.

More research would have to be conducted, and reconnaissance would need to be undertaken. That they had seemingly been cured of the infection, despite the hollow feeling it left inside of them, and this had to be investigated. Was it just them, or did everyone sudden get cleared of the infection? They hadn’t found anymore infected within the Shroomal village since they were cleared of it, but it seemed that most of the Shroomal’s had either died or become inert instead. Were they spared because of their heightened soul reserves? Was it the rituals they underwent?

Questions such as these ran through Aldren’s mind, as he gathered up their meager supplies, plans forming within his mind. Before they could pursue such plans though, they needed to get to a safe house. Which meant crossing mantis territory. Ordinarily, they’d just teleport, but attempts to do so caused their soul to fizzle out ever since they lost the infection, so they’d have to take the long way there.

Once done, Aldren set off, keeping a large cloak over their body to hide their face, and slowly made their way up through the Fungal Wastes, his destination in mind.

Tunneling throughout the kingdom, the Vorpal Serpent considered its options. It’s new ruler, the Burning One known as Ray, was training their body and soul within the Pale King’s Palace, learning alongside their void siblings. This was good. The presence of the Nightmare King was not. Even from this far distance, the new connection to Ray’s mind allowed them an insight into their mindscape, and they could see the subtle changes the Nightmare King was imposing upon their chosen ruler.

They were, however, only subtle changes, most of them geared towards making Ray less, open, to the Radiance’s influence, so for now, they left them be. Already, they had learned a great deal of the current situation. The time for Ray’s ascension would be coming soon, but Ray was interested with ending the feud between the warring Light’s. Even despite this, however, they did not think the piece would last. The claws of influence from the Radiance were already present, albeit only on the outer edges of Ray’s mind, kept away by the void within his core.

They would be watching carefully, fully prepared to intervene should the Radiance break Ray’s defenses to his mind. They did not think it likely, but it didn’t hurt to plan ahead for the possibility. It was fortunate, that the Pale King was reconciling with his void touched children, for if he had not, then they would have had to punish the Pale King for his actions against the void. The void had been quite active as of late, funneling into and out of Ray’s mind, learning great and powerful things. Such as the knowledge of how to truly channel the building blocks of the universe, to create and destroy by manipulating the very matter that makes up everything.

In Ray’s world, his kind had only begun to manipulate the very fabric of reality, mostly to create the terrifyingly powerful atomic weapons, devices capable of ending an entire civilization in one fell swoop. However, even more powerful, was the idea, of creating from such a power.

The Voidbeast was already putting this knowledge into practice, crafting new bodies for the hundreds of voidlings the Pale King had left behind, and was creating a great void cocoon, for Ray to undergo his ascension inside. Even if the Radiance agreed to a peace, there would still be a reckoning for all Hallownest to pay. For the void, who had listened through rock, and metal, and time, was now ready to voice their complaints for all to hear. And Ray would be the new King, Ruler and Sibling to the void, their mind a burning beacon for all to connect to and ascend.

The Radiance sat on her new throne, humming a tune as she overlooked the new structures atop Hallownest’s Crown. The few homes that had remained from so long ago, had been torn down, and new buildings rebuilt. She had, borrowed, some of the miners from the mines below, for help with the labor part of it, as well as the securing of materials. The miners and their overseers had been some of the first to be infected, to the point that many of them had hollowed out, their bodies kept alive by the infection.

She did what she could, returning as much of their memories and personality back as possible, but their dependence on the infection meant they would never be truly alive again. But she could at least allow them to have some semblance of self again, even if it was only an echo of what once was.

The overseers, who had large egos, were surprisingly the most unaffected by the change, as they were smart enough to figure out when they were infected, and took steps to hide that fact, hence why the mines had not been shut down by now.

With the new buildings on the Crown done, she had then spent some time finetuning her vessel’s appearance and power, as she didn’t want to put too much of her power into the vessel, lest it get destroyed, and she banished back to the almost non-existence that had created the infection. Her connection to Ray was, incomplete, but she figured that would be the case, given his connection to the void, which was actively funneling into and out of his mind. And she could not approach via dreams, as he used a wretched dreamcatcher to keep her out. Not that she did not blame him, but still.

Her brief time within his dreams had given her some insight into his mind. He was not a inherently violent creature, hence why he had made his ultimatum instead of just trying to kill her from the outset. He loved quite freely, finding beauty in a variety of things, and he was smart. Incredibly smart, as the brief look into something called “programming” he knew about, only gave her a headache.

And the power. His mind was unlike any other being she had ever felt before. Not even the Pale King, who’s mind was crazy powerful, was nothing compared to the wildfire that resided within Ray’s mind. The power of his mind, constrained with rational thought, was a constantly churning storm, and her brief connecting to it had gifted her a substantial amount of power just from contact. Even now, she could sense the increase in Unn’s might as well, as Unn had met Ray face to face.

She had altered her vessel’s body to better appeal to Ray’s subconscious. A small part of her balked at the thought of trying to appeal to a mortal, for she was a goddess, it should be the other way around. But his power was very real. And something she had learned from the many lady bugs under her thrall, was that a surprisingly easy way to get what you want from a man, was to appeal to their masculinity. And so, her vessel had a curvy, hourglass form, her chest and hips curved into pleasing shapes to the eye, her abdomen that was normally hidden behind her fluff, extended out, covered in soft fluff. Her wings were shaped to appear as a cloak, and when extended, would accentuate her form. Her three-pointed crest was made shorter, her normally hidden antenna fully extended up and over her head, provided a facsimile of the “hair” that his former home’s kind possessed.

And to top it off, her face was a slightly canted heart shape, her glowing white eyes accenting the darker chitin of her face, her mouth parts formed into a normal bugs design. She, looked drop dead gorgeous, and she was fully prepared to do anything to get Ray by her side. Perhaps, with his power at her disposal, she could finally rid herself of the plague of life, that she had partaken in so long ago. One could dream.

Chapter Text

Ray stood before a mirror, finishing up the final touches of his armor. The Pale King had insisted he have a suitable set of armor, to match both himself and Pure. The pale white colored metal almost glowed, with how shinny it was, reflecting the light around like a rave ball. It was nicely contrasted with the dark cloak that was connected to his armor at the shoulders. Much like Pure, he had a pair of grieves on his legs, and a pair of arm bracers, with an armored chest piece protecting his thorax. His abdomen was protected by a chainmail like cloth, a slot at the end allowing his stinger to extend should he need it.

All in all, barring the different horns, and the addition of wings, he looked like a smaller, more evenly proportioned Pure. His nail had been upgraded, refined into a pure nail, much like Pure’s but smaller, similar in proportion to Hornet’s needle. The blade was now so sharp, it sang when it moved through the air.

He lifted his cloak, checking his selection of charms. In addition to a set of armor, he had been outfitted with a selection of charms. He had not had time to explore charms previously, but the rundown he had been given was sufficient. He had a full arrangement of charm notches, which because of his, unique, physiology, was able to carry 15 charm notches, which was frankly ridiculous. Even the Pale King, who was a god, could only safely hold 10 before straining his physical body.

The charms he had been granted, after some thinking on what strategy he would employ, was the Longnail, Shaman Stone, Soul Catcher, Soul Eater, Quick Focus and the Steady Body. All of them thankfully either readily available, or easily crafted. More powerful charms would have required more time, but what he had allowed him to be flexible, able to bring the pain with both nail and spell with ease. And should he take damage, he can heal it away quickly.

After another check to make sure everything was in place, he set off, heading towards the throne room. On the way, he let his thoughts drift, the chatter of the voidlings in the back of his mind quite whispers, talking amongst themselves. The last couple of weeks had been, exhausting, but productive. His reaction times had become sharper, faster, his nail work smoother, more precise. The Pale King and Pure had trained him on their use of soul magic, greatly expanding the spell selection at his disposal, including soul nails, soul daggers, barriers, and explosions. He could even teleport if he absolutely needed to. It required a bit of concentration and expended a considerable amount of soul but was useful in a pinch. Sadly, he could not spam it like Pure could, but apparently that would come with practice.

Rolling his shoulders, he stepped into the throne room, walking up to the Pale King, who was sitting upon his throne, Pure standing at attention to his left, and the White Lady positioned to his right in her own seat. “Greetings, your majesty. We ready to go?” I ask, standing at attention before them.

The King responds “Yes, we are about as ready as we can.”, and turns to the White Lady, continuing “My Root, I entrust the Palace to you while I’m gone. We should only be a few cycles, but we are treading the unknown.” The White Lady nods, responding “Of course, dear. I’ll be awaiting your return.”

Letting out a sigh, the Pale King stands up, stepping off his throne, me, and Pure following behind him as we go to gather up those that will be joining us. Hornet naturally volunteered to join us, along with Helia. The remaining vessels all wanted to come as well, but I had to explain that this was a very important meeting, and I needed them to be safe. They naturally objected to being separated from me, but Pure reassured them, promising them I would be kept safe. It was very heart warming, all things considered.

Isma and Ogrim would be joining us, with the remaining three knights staying behind. A pair of kingsmolds were also coming with us, and they had been modified to act as a distraction if the meeting went sour, hopefully alloying us to escape should the need arise.

And the final one to be joining us, is Grimm, surprisingly enough. He had been around, providing entertainment for the vessels, but I was not fully sure why he was sticking around. He was cordial, but strange. Not acting at all the way, I was expecting the supposed Nightmare King to act like, but I was not going to question it. We had enough on our plate as it was.

Once we were all gathered, we set out, leaving the White Palace, moving towards the Crown of Hallownest. The once ancient moth village, and where the Radiance was awaiting.

The Radiance sat, starring of towards the horizon, standing next to the ancient statue of herself. The town of Dirtmouth lay down below, a little town of traders, workers, and crafters, buying and selling wares to travelers that come to Hallownest. It was, serene, lightly listening in on the dreams of the bugs who went about their business, and really put into perspective how, brutish, she had been.

The influx of power granted to her by her brief contact with Ray’s mind, allowed her to realize that she had not been herself. The insidious power of Life, which she had gladly partaken in cycles past, had warped her world view, her very personality. And it, disturbed her. She had Ray to thank for the clarity she now had. The power of Life inside of her still whispered in the back of her mind, whispering sweet promises.

She had made a grave mistake, she now realizes. The power she gained from Life was intoxicating, allowing her to expand the Dream Realm into something beautiful. But it was tainted, by the undercurrent of Life. Thinking back on her actions, she had upset the balance. In more ways than one. She had put the Abyss to sleep, forcing it into the deep dark below. And she had struck her brother down, forcing him to separate himself from the Dream Realm, subsisting on nightmare flames in a facsimile of life with the Nightmare Heart.

Her actions towards the Pale King, had been selfish, and destructive. No wonder the Moth’s had abandoned her so long ago. Unfortunately, the Moth’s relied on her light to survive, and as such, nearly all had died out after a couple of generations, unable to prosper under the cold, clinical light of the Pale King. It was fortunate, that there were any surviving moths at all. She had been careful in her handling of Marina the Seer, Markoth the Paladin, and Thistlewind the Explorer, increasing their power while pruning any hint of the infection from them.

Turning around, she surveyed the newly reconstructed village before her. A series of small homes had been built and furnished in traditional moth paraphernalia, with a larger building serving as the main hall. The moth village had never been particularly large, and the endless march of time has limited the amount of usable space at the top of the mountain, but it will do. If all goes well, then she can begin to repopulate the Moths. “Perhaps with a bit of help…” she thinks, focusing her power to sense where Ray is.

They are moving, moving closer. Good, very good. And she still had time to prepare the main hall for the meeting.

Stepping up onto the top of the tunnel, I take in the sights of the Crown of Hallownest. It was, beautiful, it its own way. And clearly had been renovated, newly constructed buildings surrounding the courtyard. Overlooking the town of Dirtmouth down below, stood a statue of the Radiance.

Stepping to the side as the Pale King and the rest of our entourage finished the climb, a figure approaches us, coming out from the shadow of the statue. Looking them over, they are clearly a moth, standing at a quite tall 6 feet in height, matching my height with a set of three horns extending from the top of their head. Their body is, positively feminine, with an hourglass figure, white fluff accenting their frame. They walk up joined by the Seer and Markoth, who stand slightly behind them.

“Greetings, welcome to my ancestral home. I’m quite pleased, that you agreed to meet with me here.” The new figure says, in the same tone and voice of the Radiance. Grimm cackles next to us, and responds “Oh, I see how it is, sister. Finally decided to create a new vessel for yourself did you?”

The new figure sighs “Yes, brother, I figured it’d be easier to discuss terms in person. Now, follow me, I’ve got the main hall setup for us.” and turns away, walking with an exaggerated gait, their hips swaying back and forth as they walk towards the largest building. I turn to Grimm, saying “So, that’s the Radiance’s new body?”

Grimm just smiles, responding “Yep, it appears she’s fashioned herself a vessel body to interact with the physical world.” I hum, and go to follow, my entourage following along behind me. The Pale King quickly steps up to take his place in front of me, following behind the Radiance.

Entering the building she entered, we find ourselves inside a meeting hall of sorts, a large round table set in the center of the room, with a set of chairs around it for us to take seats. The wood of the table and chairs seemed, new, with a nice glossy finished across the surface of the wood.

The Radiance takes a seat the head of the table, a throne like chair that is raised up above the table, showing off her new body for all to see. The Pale King takes his seat opposite her, and I take the seat to his right while Pure takes a seat to his left. Hornet situates herself next to me, along with Helia. Grimm decides to stand back a bit, flanked by Isma and Ogrim, who take parade rest positions. The kingsmoulds were left outside, ready to move at a moment’s notice.

Once we were all sat, the Pale King leaned forward, saying “Alright Radiance, we are here. I must commend you; you have upheld part of the deal. Already, the infection is receding. However, I must ask, why haven’t you fully ended it?”

The Radiance let out a sigh, replying “Come now, Pale Wyrm, no need for our god voices here, don’t want to deafen our guests. And to answer your question, it is because I do not have full control of the infection. I never did.” with a melancholic tone towards the end, gazing off into the distance. I lean forward, saying “What do you mean, you don’t have full control of it? Wasn’t the infection your creation?”

The Radiance focuses her attention onto me and responds “It was my creation, yes, but it’s not my power that drives it. At least, not fully. As I’m sure my brother has informed you of, when we first came to this land so long ago, we discovered an ancient, sleeping power deep below, hidden in the grasp of the abyss. This power, I partook into myself.”

I lean back a bit as Grimm just scoffs, while the Pale King leans forward, saying “Yes, the God of Life, if the black grimoire was to be believed.” The Radiance nods, replying “Yes, the great God of Life, held in the embrace of the void. I took its power for myself, and for a time, things were good. Now, I am not going to retell my life’s story up to now, so I will cut to the chase. The infection, while a creation of my own in desperation to stay alive, is not fueled in its entirety by dreams. The key component within the infection, is the influence of the God of Life.”

She continues “I have pulled my infection from those that can survive it. Those that remain infected, do so because to fully remove it would kill them. The claws of Life within the infection have sunk into their bodies so thoroughly, that to removed it would destroy their bodies. I have been returning the minds and memories of those that were fully lost to the infection, giving them back most of their autonomy, but it is taking time, and they’ll never truly be free of the infection.”

The Pale King responds “So the reports I’ve heard have said. So, you want worship, while I want my people to be safe. I am sure it goes without saying, that if the general populous learns of your hand in the infection, then there will be no peace. However, there is a way we can phrase it so that your worship is, beneficial to the kingdom, so that the populace will abide by it.”

He continues “Give a bit of time, say 6 decacycles, to let the fear and paranoia of the infection begin to pass. And to give you more time to return the heavily infected their minds. Then, we can officially announce you to the populous, as the God of Dreams, that cured the infection, stopping it in its tracks. This will bring the populous onboard with your arrival, and we can focus on moving forward from there.”

Grimm cackles at this, turning to give the Pale King the stink eye and says “My oh my, Wyrm, I didn’t expect this out of you. What brought about this line of thinking?” I simply hum in thought, considering the possible ramifications of such a move, as the Pale King responds “It’s quite simple. We need a peaceful resolution to the infection, this provides a way for the Radiance to be peacefully presented to the populous, and we do not have to fight. It is a win-win scenario for all of us. Isn’t that right, Radiance?”

The Radiance blinks, thinking it over, and says “That is, correct, Wyrm. I am, surprised, that you would provide such a generous offer. I know mere words cannot and will not fix the wrong that I’ve done to your people, but I hope my actions will right what has been wronged, in time. There is one thing I want to add to this deal.”

She then fixes me with a glowering stare and points at me, saying “I want him.” This silenced the room, with all of us staring at her like she’s grown a second head. I’m left slack jawed, trying and failing to understand what it is she meant, as the Pale king responds “Him? What do you mean you want him?”

She clears her throat and says “As I’m sure it is obvious, my moths have been, diminished, with only my Seer and a couple of warriors surviving. I need to create more moths, and I want him to be their father.” Again, this sends the room into silence, only to be broken by Grimm losing it, descending into a laughing fit.

“That’s, hahaha, hilarious sister. Could you be any blunter, ha.” he says, trying and failing to hold in his laughs over the whole thing. I finally get my bearings and growl out “I’m not a sex toy to be handed out at your earliest convenience, Radiance.”, going from shocked to furious. The Radiance simply laughs, which pisses me off even more, before responding “Of course not, my dear Ray. I’m going to court you first, of course.”

The Pale King loudly clears his throat, giving me a look to chill out, before saying “Whoever you decide to court can be done on your own time. Are we in agreement of everything else?” with a harsh edge in his voice. The Radiance continues to stare at me for a moment, winking at me before turning her attention to the Pale King, responding “Yes, I accept.”

Letting out a sigh, the Pale King stands up, saying “Alright, we’ll work out the details later. I’ll be holding you to your word, Radiance. Don’t make me regret this.” and turns to leave. I stand up, very confused about this whole situation, giving the Radiance a glare as I walk out, who simply grins and poses provocatively.

Rolling my eyes, I follow along behind the Pale King, Hornet and Helia flanking me while also giving the Radiance their own glares. Grimm stays behind, saying “I’ll stay for a bit, catch up with you all later. I have some things I need to speak with my sister about, in private.” and went back into the meeting hall.

Letting out another long drawn out sigh, I turn to the Pale King and say “So, what now?” He simply hums, responding “We reconvene at the Palace, and work out the details. That went much better than I was expecting, so I’ll take what I can get.”, turning to give me a look as he continues “Regarding her, blunt, interest in you, whatever you decide to do about it, please don’t provoke her.”

“No promises.” I reply, rubbing a spot between my eyes on my mask, and am led away by Hornet and Helia as we follow the Pale King out. I’m already dreading future meetings with the Radiance, if this is how our future encounters will pan out.

As they all walk away, she turns her attention back to Grimm, who is glowering at her with his usual smirk. Glaring at him, she says “What do you want, Grimm? Here to criticize me?” Grimm just grins even more, letting out a cackle before saying “Oh, I could criticize you, but we both know you’ve never listened to anything I’ve ever suggested. No, I’m just curious, as to why you’re so interested in Ray. I know you don’t need him to repopulate the moths, there must be some other reason.”

“You’re correct, I don’t NEED him to do so, but the moths created from our union would be stronger, more powerful. And more importantly, able to survive should I recede again. As I’m sure you noticed, there are only three moths that remain in Hallownest. I need to ensure that future moths will be able to outlive me, should the unthinkable happen again.” She responds, getting up and stretching herself out, walking around to stand in front of Grimm, giving him a smirk of her own as she says “Now, what might YOUR interest in Ray be, my brother? I’ve felt your influence, however small it may be. What’s your game?”

Grimm just lets out a low chuckle, responding “Oh, it should be quite obvious to you, dear sister.” with a sarcastic drawl towards the end. She considered his response, saying “You intend to gain some of his power for yourself. So, you no longer have to rely on the heart to survive. Am I right?”

Grimm’s grin just widens, turning away as he says “Oh, I’m sure you’ll figure it out. I’ll be seeing you, my dear sister.” and walks away, leaving her to her thoughts.