Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Void was a treacherous thing, Quirrel learned in a record amount of time of courting the vessel that had vanquished the infection and survived.

Upon realizing they were truly free of the need to be the hero they settled down to live with the hollow knight and the elderly bug by the bench.
They were a peculiar little thing, expressing quite a lot if one knew what to look for, and upon learning to sign they became quite talkative.

Quirrel preferred to orbit about hallownest, not often staying in one place for too long, however, the blue lake and City of tears remained one of his most frequent stops, there was something so enrapturing about that still blue water that stretched as far as the compact eye could see.
He still returned to the humble town often enough to greet his small friend and their intimidating largest sibling. When he queried about the hollow knight, who Herrah’s child referred to as Pure, and Ghost signed as Hollow, and received a clear answer.
‘Friendly, merely hurt here.’
Ghost signed, tapping where Quirrel’s heart was when mentioning the hurt.
Hollow themself spent most of their time with the nail masters and especially Mato, who had adopted the pale descendant as his own.
Mato came into dirtmouth more often after that.
All in all life was really seeming worth it.

Quirrel set down his quill and tapped the stone desk of his dwelling in the capital, the pattering of the rain against the windows and the remaining citizens bustling quietly weren’t the thing distracting him from his journaling.
The unmistakable sound of carapace on stone hit his antenna beneath his bandana. He stood and reached for his nail cautiously, only to see his little friend and the protector of hallownest barging in uninvited through his front door. Though Ghost had no qualms with going and staying as they pleased
“Ghost, protector, what brings you here?”
‘It’s Thursday’
Ghost signed simply, not paying any mind to Hornet who glared at the facets of Quirrel’s abode.
“Ah yes, I forgot, my apologies. So why did you bring one sibling and not both?”
It was quite rare to see Ghost without Hollow nearby or not alone, but just them and Hornet was something new.
“Ghost insisted I see the city now that there’s not infected bugs everywhere, I see no reason to, but they wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“They can be quite persuasive, enjoy your visit, we won’t be long.”
Hornet gave him a suspicious look and pet her sibling’s head before jumping down the spire to the city square.
“So my friend, where are we to go, or do?”
‘Hot springs?’
Ghost suggested, Quirrel glanced at his work and clacked his mandibles together.
“Sure. The pleasure house has really improved in service since last you went, my friend.”

After paying a fee for entrance, each bug was given a robe to relax in and a small amount of pleasantries such as snacks and shell masks and scrubs for relaxation.
Ghost pulled off their mothwing cloak but hesitated on removing their second cloak,
“What’s wrong my friend?”
Quirrel asked,
‘Can’t remove my cloak’
Ghost signed as they dipped their soft void legs in the hot spring and trilled softly, one of the limited noises they could make.
“Well, the water shouldn’t damage it, it seems to be a part of you after all. Besides, it floats up to the top of the water when you swim.”
Quirrel took off his bandanna and let his antenna breathe in the scents of the bathhouse, water splashed on his shell as Ghost jumped in the hot water, without Monomon’s mask he had no defense from the warm water.
Ghost laid on their back, floating on the water as if they were a buoy. The faint melodies of a feminine bug singing filled the air if Quirrel listened for it.
“The pleasure house really is impressive, Seven pools, a new coat of paint, and perfect ambiance, wouldn’t you say?”
“No hole in the wall or thieves, much better.”
The vessel signed lazily, they seemed almost asleep, perhaps in a trance. Ghost seemed to fall asleep anywhere they could stay still in with no threats, he had seen them pass out on a bench many times during their times in the city of tears.
‘I prefer it without the corpses.’
Ghost added suddenly,
“Yes, that makes it much better.”
Ghost floated over to him, horns bumping into his belly.
“Are you alright?”
‘Sleepy.’
Was traced into his carapace as Ghost relaxed into his lap. As jarring as it was at first, Quirrel soon cast away his concerns and let Ghost sleep for the time being.

When the vessel awoke Quirrel was puzzled,
“Ghost my dear friend, did you know that you float like a ball of air on water?”
They responded by flicking warm water at his face,
“Alright! I get it.”
Quirrel laughed softly and the two spent the rest of their visit relaxing and chatting.

Hornet gave a judging glare when one city dweller mumbled about ‘damn weavers’
She gripped her nail and held back the burst of silk that threatened to spew out and whip wildly in her rage. She threw her nail and zipped off to where she left her sibling.
The apartment was empty and Hornet saw Red,
That damn archivist must’ve taken revenge on ghost. She’d kill the isopod the moment he returned. She readied her blade and set her traps about the home.

“My short friend, are you sure about this?”
‘I have more than enough geo.’
Ghost signed as they purused the expensive trinkets in a new shop.
“You certainly do, but they’re gouging the prices!”
The store clerk gave Quirrel a nasty glare as they handed Ghost a package and a small box. The vessel paid and took Quirrel’s hand to lead him out of the shop.
“So, what did you buy?”
‘Surprise.’
“Oh, I see!”
Quirrel climbed the wall and yelped as a blade nearly struck his shell.
“You bastard!”
Hornet screamed, cloak furled around her, all six eyes open in rage, Ghost popped their head up and went into action, running between their sister and friend.
‘Stop! What are you doing?’
“Little ghost? But I thought that-“
The princess of deep nest blushed and sheathed her nail, collecting her traps,
“Clearly my guess was wrong, I will go now.”
She turned to leave only to be stopped by ghost grabbing her claws.
‘Apologize now’
Hornet grit her teeth beneath her shell and glanced at Quirrel.
“My apologies for trying to kill you, I’ll take my leave.”
She jumped down the shaft and Ghost slumped, giving their full attention to Quirrel,
‘Are you okay?’
“I’m… startled, but I’m quite alright Ghost. Thank you for coming over.”
“I’m sorry for hornet-“
The pill bug took the soft void in his hands mid sign.
“Shh, it’s fine. You should head home soon, the others must miss you.”
Ghost nodded, nuzzling Quirrel’s cheek and handing him the small box from the store,
“For me?”
He asked as he took it in his hands, ghost nodded.
The tug of ribbon and pulling off the top led Quirrel to see the stunning sculpture of monomon in the archives, with himself, carved of crystal and glass, stone and tin.
“Oh ghost, I love it! Thank you!”
He hugged his short companion and cherished the chirp Ghost made.
“Ghost! C’mon, Hollow is waiting!”
The king-to-be said goodbye and leaped after Hornet, leaving Quirrel to his thoughts once more.

Chapter Text

“Pure! We’re home!”
Hornet called out as she set her needle against the door frame beside a blade as tall as her.
The largest vessel lumbered over and bonked foreheads with her affectionately.
“Ah, Hornet, Ghost, you’re back, Elderbug was getting worried.”
Mato spoke softly as he emerged from the stairway.
“Well we’re fine. Ghost was just having a playdate with that scholar again.”
Hornet huffed, pulling Ghost back as they tried to waltz in with their nail.
“Nails by the door little ghost, you know the rules.”
Ghost’s void seethed as they tossed their blade aside and set the wrapped gift on the stone table.
‘From the sculptor, for the family.’
They signed, the three others, soon four with the addition of Elderbug coming from his nap, flower placed in his recently donned cloak.
“A gift? For all of us? Ghost you spoil an old bug.”
Elderbug blinked in delight, Ghost pushing the package towards their seated family impatiently.
“Alright alright Ghost, we’ll open it.”
Each member of the family was replicated, with charming accuracy.
The Mato held Ghost and hollow in each arm, elder bug and hornet sat on a minuscule iron bench.
Elderbug let out a surprised gasp, hornet and hollow were each enamored without the piece, sparking into conversation together. Mato flushed with joy and picked ghost up, tossing him in the air with a jovial laugh.
“It’s outstanding! We love it!”
Ghost flapped their bright wings happily as the family began dinner.

Quirrel was homesick. He couldn’t lift a pen, the sculpture Ghost got for him reminded him just how much he missed the archives.
He had to see them again.
He grabbed a bag and filled it with some moss and fruit along with a blanket, he was going a long way!
He left his home and took in the city for a moment before choosing his path. He could travel through the waterways to the doorway leaving beside the mantis village, or skirt his way around pilgrims path, which still had a finicky gate.
He’d much rather deal with a broken door than a flukemonga. Those things were repulsive.
He leaped to an elevator and pulled the switch, tapping his claws against his blade as he waited. As he traveled up, he came into the bench he once sat on with ghost when they first came to the city. What wonderful memories.
He soon arrived at the gate, rolling under it just as it slammed shut. Quirrel’s heart raced, the pill bug leaning against the wall regaining his breath.
It was a brisk walk down the path and he was truly in the wastes. Next stop? Queens station.

Ghost fluffed up their pillow and adjusted the blanket, getting ready to sleep, when the door creaked open.
Ghost?
Faintly glowing eyes met their abyssal eyes.
Hollow? What’s wrong?
The tallest vessel came up to Ghost’s bed and kneeled.
Bad dreams, couldn’t sleep.
Ghost patted the spot beside them and lifted the blanket.
Hollow darted in and purred roughly, Ghost snuggled into their faintly warm abdomen and quieted their own mind, Hollow following suite and resting.
Ghost didn’t dream, they never have in all their existence,
So why were they in the dream realm’s mockery of the abyss?
They jumped and tried to use their wings but couldn’t feel them. Upon checking their inventory they found nothing, no claw, not even a cloak .
Every charm was gone, even voidheart.
On every god ,they were scared. This wasn’t even a memory, they expected the nightmare king to appear, but there were only shades floating, then the word was bathed in lightz
“LITTLE WORTHLESS GNAT!”
Oh no, they knew that voice, it had screamed in their head again and again when they used the dream nail.
Radiance flapped her wings, her crown gleamed in her light, Ghost squinted, how was she alive? They slapped her till she spilled Essence!
“DID YOU REALLY THINK YOU COULD KILL A GODDESS IN HER OWN REALM? INSIGNIFICANT FOOL! AND NOW YOU'LL DIE IN MY PRISON OF SOLITUDE!”
The moth laughed as her light grew brighter and brighter, the sheer heat of it burning Ghost, pain was numbed to them but it still hurt.
Being burnt alive was no way to perish.
Ghost jolted awake, void seeping from their body, hollow purred softly, curled around them protectively.
Ghost wiggled out of the hold and limped to the central dirt mouth bench to heal.
This was really, really bad.
Ghost returned to cuddle their brother, clinging to their newly grown cloak, they didn't sleep again that night.

Quirrel had spent the night down at the mantis village, who only required him to fight their leaders.
Thankfully he was a trained swordsman and a distant relative to balders, able to protect himself just fine from attacks.
He was led to the barracks and offered a cot to sleep in, much better than the stone ground.
But now he was eating breakfast as he took the shortcut to the station, jumping wall to wall with ease, passing sleepy fungoons and an ambloon in a cramped corridor. A few jumps and he was at the entrance of the queen’s station.
There was a bug that Ghost had told him about, a polite cannibal, but he was so close to home.
He dashed across the ledge and entered the fog canyon, dodging the electric and docile explosives.
Up and up he climbed, passing the entrance to the queen’s garden, taking the shortcut Ghost had cleared in front of him to the teacher’s archive directly.
He halted before his old home and smiled, entering the building and making his way to his old room.
It was cramped and damp, just how he liked it, with wilted plants that died long ago, his bookshelf was full of textbooks and beloved novels.
He picked one out and smiled, a collection of Lurien’s best poems and paintings, it was so obvious that the watcher was infatuated with the king and feared the root queen.
He set it on his old bed and grabbed a dust covered journal, blowing the grime off it he smiled,
It was his diary, tucked between his favorite novel and a gardening guide.
He opened it and let himself take in the writing for a good while

Quirrel ending up taking all his favorite books and the pots his dead plants sat in, making a detour to where monomon slept for years.
“I hope you’re happy in the place beyond my lady. You’d want me to live on and make the most of the world, wouldn’t you?”
The silence he received was deafening
“Well… goodbye my lady, I might spend a while reading your works, you truly were a wordsmith.”

Hollow woke to ghost clinging to them.
What’s wrong?
They asked the distressed vessel.
Nothing, I just need to start moving.
Hollow rolled their eyes and scooped ghost between their horns, rising from their nest and carrying their small sibling with them.
Ghost clung to their horns as they entered the kitchen and opened a flask of soup to pour into their left eye, giving Ghost a honeycomb to shove into their void for later.
We’re going to spend today together Ghost.
The small vessel was quiet.
Okay. Where to, brother?
To mother? I miss her.
The hollow knight slumped slightly, they’d been so busy recovering they weren’t able to see the tree goddess.
Well it’s a plan then, just us?
Just us.

Chapter Text

The gardens were overrun with sharp thorns that cut and stabbed like a nail. Hollow carried Ghost in his arms and saw how they bristled when the two passed by a crevice sprouting vines so thick they’d break shell.
Hollow could remember a time when their mother walked about and let her roots travel across the whole palace. He missed those days. The scent of night jasmines blooming each spring because the king knew she adored them. The soft sounds of eternal dusk when hollow would nod off in the library, all the retainers leaving them to sleep.
But those days were over. The rose tinted glass had shattered and they knew that their father wasn’t the just god he was seen as.
Ghost returning to fight them in the black egg had truly cemented that in their head, they saw their sibling fall while their father moved forward, ignoring his own child, and leaving every last one to rot in what once was a cradle, but was soon a casket.
Hollow shook their head and hugged Ghost tighter,
They were alright, ghost was alive, the infection was gone, Hornet was alive and finally able to relax for the first time in hundreds of years.

And his mother… she was alive too. Ghost led them past a large festering mantis corpse ghost strides past with ease and many others, walking right past a sickening sight…
Dryya
She laid dead by the entrance of the overgrown egg. Ghost stopped and glanced back, panicking when they saw their brother shaking,
What’s wrong?
Go ahead, I need a minute to mourn…
Ghost nodded and climbed in the white egg.
Hollow grazed their hand against Dryya’s shell. Her armor held the illusion of her figure, but the sense of decay and the sunken in flesh showed she was long gone, as dry as a molt and picked clean aside from her exoskeleton. He swallowed his sorrow and prayed softly
You were a strong warrior, and a good teacher… I will miss you dearly
Hollow vowed to bury her in resting grounds as soon as he was able to.
One more glance at Dryya, and hollow crawled into the entrance of the egg.
Down a chute he fell and meters ahead he felt her glow, evergrowing and sturdy,
His mother, the white lady.
She was conversing with Ghost.
“It says the hollow one is here now? I do not believe it, surely it replaced them.”
Hollow stood in awe, stumbling before his mother and grabbing one of her roots,
“Ah! They are here! That presence so strong, my dearest child hath return!”
Hollow nearly cried he was so happy, he squeezed the root and signed against her feelers.
‘Mother, I am well, I missed you. Pray tell, why are you bound?’
“For fidelity my sweet kin, I do so love my king and I shall not birth another generation.”
She answered. A feeling running across his face and feeling the crack in his shell.
“You have changed, Pure Vessel.”
He nodded and nuzzled her branch,
“I remember when you were as small as the vessel beside me. You fit in my arms swaddled so.”
You were swaddled!?
Blame the king, not me! I would’ve let another take my place were I not so young.
Hollow shot back to his sibling.
They turned their head to the side
“So, will you visit your mother more often?”

Hornet stood at the entrance of her home. Her true home.
Deepnest.
She hadn’t taken the path through mantis village since the infection began.
Younger mantises tried to fight her, but those who could recall her simply bowed.
The carcasses rotting and impaled on spikes didn’t bother her.
Deepnest was a place for the strong to survive, and the weak to be eaten.
She passed the ever moving centipedes and hopped down to the hot spring, soul rushed to her sore knees. She let them soak and stood to reach the bench,
She attached weaver song and out of silk cocoons her dear friends emerged, they jumped and skittered, greeting her and asking for orders,
“Only be by my side, that I ask.”
“Yes princess!”
Her trek was slow, she savored seeing her home return to normal, nests alive with brood, fiercely guarded by mothers, eyes in the shadows, that glinted light, but did not glow. Little weavers sun silk lines to chat with her, squeaking joy at her return and praising her late mother.
She picked up a corpse from a spike pit and tossed it over her shoulder, it was only polite to bring a meal after all.
Midwife tunneled out of the wall, gnashing her many teeth,
“Princesss, you smell so strong! Your blade is sharp and as keen as your mind.”
“No need to flatter, I brought you something to consume.”
Hornet tossed the corpse crawler and saw midlife light up, that mask crunching open as her godmother feasted like the beast she was,
“Ahh, haah, delicious delicious flesh. My dear Hornet you are far too kind, but I know you, what do you desire in return?”
Hornet smirked.

The beast’s den chattered, the facsimiles of bugs turned to her and fell apart, legs drawing back,
“Princess, dear queen of ours.”
A voice spoke from below.
“Tricky thing, nasty and writhing!”
Midwife snarled, body slinking around her monarch.
She turned to Hornet,
“This way my dear.”
Up and to the left, past her mother’s resting place and hidden behind a dust covered web, was her childhood bedroom, one she shared with her mother when she had barely hatched.
She had many a room, in the white palace, the weaver’s den, in the watcher’s spire and the archives, none were as precious and sacred as this.
Plushes wove of beast silk littered the walls, tapestries of her own self, a blanket, tiny and ragged, so loved and used the silk snapped and frayed.
“This was your nursery dear, are you sure this is where you want to build a new office? I can just as easily excavate the lower storage web.”
“This is where I want it… where I was born, where I was loved, and the happiest of all.”
“It shall be down when next you return princ- my Queen.”

When all in the house were sound asleep, Ghost crawled out of their bed and tiptoed to the door, grabbing their nail and battle charms.
They knew what they had to do, and they didn’t like it.
The street of dirtmouth was quiet, everyone would hear the stag coming and awaken, so they’d take the long way. Ghost consulted their map and leaped down the well.
With the glow of their trusty lantern they took the path to the city of tears.

It poured as always, Ghost traveled down the building by the gate, looking out the window, it was beautiful out tonight, shame they were heading to the filthiest place in the city.

Chapter Text

The junk pit was nothing but a pile of rotting disappointment. While the rest of royal waterways was putrid, and the septic tank of the Dung Defender’s home was sickening to other bugs, Ghost found this place the most repugnant.
It was all due to the ominous chained sarcophagus, it was the only thing left untouched in their journey of their once forgotten home. They had heard whispers of what lay in that tomb, and there had to be a reason the being inside was locked away.
Regardless, they steeled their courage and drew their last iron simple key. Using their wings to latch onto the gilded casket they got to work. Enough force and the cheaply made key slid in the slot, touching the back with a thunk. Ghost turned the key with all their might and heard the familiar snap of weak metal. They hopped back as the lock opened at the chains clattered to the pile of trash forming the floor. The sarcophagus groaned and the segments flung apart, allowing a large masked bug to fall to the filthy ground.
Had Ghost just disturbed a casket? And dumped the clearly important body in a pile of filth?
The body rose slightly with a breath, Ghost calmed, the golden masked stranger was alive. Of course they were! Why would a gilded shining coffin appear in the sewers of the city of tears? Well… that didn't sound too far off.
Regardless of the logistics of how it arrived, the casket was here in the junk pit. And so was the masked bug,
Specks of essence flitted in the air, calling the vessel to dream nail the bug.
Ghost obliged and immediately was assaulted with shrill thoughts.
“Thou crawler! Thou cringer! Thou smallest of the small!
By what right dost thou trespass here, in this home of the Gods? Shrivel away and begone! Begone!”
It bashed against their skull, so intense, it was too focused, but still far too layered, the brightness of the dream was blinding. Ghost picked them self up from the ground, spires of engraved metal stood to bridge the gap between them and the islands before them.
They knew what they had to do.

Quirrel had been perplexed by seeing ghost wandering in the dead of night in the city of tears.
Why was Quirrel awake? Well it was embarrassing but he’d slept too long during the day and couldn’t sleep, spending the night reading and tending to his new plant.
“Got enough water little darling? You’ll bloom soon.”
He cooed, stroking the verdant leaves, velvety smooth with a soft fuzz. It reminded him of Ghost’s natural cloak, growing from their neck.
Why did the thought make him fluster?
He shook his head and let his antenna out of his bandanna. His dear friend Ghost, they were a cute little thing really. They were shorter than Quirrel and the way they got excited whenever the two met made Quirrel’s cheeks tint blue. There was a thing about the small being that made Quirrel want to pick them up and…no! No..it wasn’t possible that he could..Quirrel shook his head and his Antenna twitched as he stared at the flower in his hands
He couldn’t…but..could he? Could his heart really be pulling him towards his friend?
He stroked the soft leaf again and sighed, glancing out the window and staring in awe.
What was ghost doing in the city, especially late at night? Rushing like they had business to do.
It was only natural he grabbed his bag and went to follow the vessel.
Ghost was certainly fast, but they weren’t quiet, so he was able to follow them to the nailsmith… wait, when had that tunnel opened up? And it let into a stinking fall to the sewers?
Quirrel was quick to follow though. He’d follow ghost anywhere the vessel went. Why was that? Why did he want to leap in to danger just to protect the vessel? Why did he want to take his nail out not for his own safety but for the safety of ghost? His breathing quickened as the noise of dirty water splashing sounded and the jumped down to an opening that lead into..fog canyon?
“Ghost!”
The air was hazy and he coughed,
“Ghost? Where are you my friend? Are you upset?”
He wandered forward and fell down a shaft he didn’t see, he was quick to dig his nail in the invisible wall and catch his breath,
Visual hallucinations…
The only thing that could cause such a thing were powerful beings, and the mushrooms of the fungal wastes.
He’d have to be careful, and rely on his sense of touch, not his eyes. He had spent too long away from the wastes and wasn’t used to the effects.
He stumbled as he followed the being, his hand grabbing on to something and a calm breath leaving him as he pulled whatever it was closer, the being laying limp in his arms as he felt around for something to differentiate them from someone else
“Ghost..why did you run? Is there something wrong?”
He asked, brow furrowing as there was no response from the being..nothing at all
“Little Ghost..do you need help?”
No response still,
He couldn’t tell if they were signing, the sound of water was too loud and he couldn’t feel them moving.
Until the spores left his system he’d have to just hold Ghost tight and pray they’d be okay

Ghost’s shell dribbled void as they stood before their adopted father and uncle, the two bowing deep in respect.
They had done it, the first trial complete.
It’d been exhausting, but they’d started this journey. They hoped it wasn’t morning yet, Hornet would be pissed they ran off again. It was time to rest at a bench and wake up.
Ghost sat and gripped their nail. They felt the layers of shell heal on them and looked down again..they hadn’t seen Quirrel in awhile..Ghost hoped that they were okay. It was no secret of theirs that Quirrel was important to them..more important than any amount of Geo they could earn..the only real secret was the void heart that beat for them..no not the charm..their heart, or soul to be more literal. Quirrel was more than a friend in ghosts eyes
Ghost tilted their head and ran their hand against the brand on their skull. If they were to king one day… they wanted a spouse.
But there’s no time for that now! Ghost took their dream nail and held it to the sky, leaving the god seeker’s mind,
And waking on something warm…
“Ghost! Oh thank the higher beings! You had me worried sick. Thankfully the hallucinations have worn off. Are you alright? Who’s this sleeping figure?”
Quarrel tilted his head to the shuddering figure of the Godseeker. Ghost jolted slightly and was quick to sign,
‘Long story, take me home?’
“Yes, of course! Oh I am so happy you’re awake”
Ghost was held close, their cloak flowing as they kept their head close to Squirrels chest. They loved the sound of his beating heart..they loved the feel of his warm hands gripping on to their form tight. If they were to have a spouse then they would want it to be Quirrel.
“You know i was just thinking of you…I almost thought you were a hallucination when i first saw you”
Quirrel commented
“Err, well felt you, I was seeing fog canyon, not this strange place.”
‘Junk pit’
Ghost informed,
“Yes! This wretched place… i'm not sure if the stags are awake at this hour. You can stay in my home until morning!”
Ghost flustered and shook their head
“No no I insist! Please, I invite you to stay in my humble home with me”
Ghost wanted to squirm away..run and not return..their feelings growing too strong in such close proximity

It didn’t help how close the two slept that night..well..how close Quirrel slept. The pill bug curled up and cradled Ghost in his arms, Despite ghosts usual ease,
They couldn’t sleep
Not a single moment, not when they could hear Quirrel’s hemoglobin moving around, so loud and delicious sounding to their void. They shivered and tried to focus on something else. Maybe the legs wrapped around them? The hands that gripped his cloak? Maybe the soft breaths of the other as he slept comfortably next to someone who could easily end their life in seconds. Ghost shivered and wished they could close their eyes and see nothing but darkness. Suddenly Quirrel mumbled something..Ghost didn’t quite understand it but luckily Quirrel mumbled it again..his name
“Ghost…”
It was so soft, spoken like a sweet prayer. The bug’s antennae twitched and he rolled onto his side, in an even tighter ball than before.
Yeah ghost wouldn’t be sleeping tonight.

Chapter Text

Hornet spent the night slumbering peacefully after a very long day, but good things only lasted so long.
Nightmares of her father had plagued her, nothing scary, more infuriating.
She watched desperately as he threw her siblings in to the pit to their inevitable death. She could do nothing though..her body a spirit as she watched him look pleasantly down at his fallen kin.
Hornet woke up quickly with her blade in hand and growled, looking around and sighing as she realized it had only been a dream
Maybe ghost could speak with her until she was ready to go back to bed again. Hornet jumped out of bed and dragged her needle across the floor as she headed to Ghosts room
It was empty, maybe it was an odd night and ghost went to hollow’s room instead of vice versa?
A peek in there gave her nothing either.
This was bad.
On most night escapades Ghost left a note. She hadn’t found anything. Either it was a serious threat, something impulsive, or ghost had been napped.
She jumped out of the home and hunted down her sibling, eyes narrowed as she scanned the ground. Who could have gotten close enough to ghost for them to be kidnapped? A thought hit her and she gripped her nail tighter
“Quirrel..”
She knew she had gotten a bad feeling from the bug from the start..the hand holding and the looks..Quirrel wanted something from Ghost and she wasn’t going to let him have it
She zipped across the caverns with her needle, readying her traps and keeping her mind sharp.
Quirrel was gonna see hell. And he didn’t have monomon’s mask to keep him from being attacked this time. She waited silently for her prey to awaken, eyes watching the door as something shifted from inside the small home..but nothing came out. The more she waited the more impatient she got..watching as things moved but never towards the door. What was he doing? Hurting her sibling? Hornet growled and ran to the door
She slammed it open and found ghost eating a honey comb with their void jaw, which opened from under their shell.
“Um, may we help you protec-gah!”
“Shut your filthy mouth you sick bastard.”
Hornet growled, pointing her glare at the isopod
Ghost stopped eating immediately and dropped the honeycomb, grabbing on to Hornets nail and shaking their head as they quickly signed
‘Stop! He has not harmed me!’
“T..Then why didn't you leave a note! He must have done something to persuade you to come here!”
Ghost grabbed onto Quirrel’s hand and shivered, standing in front of them protectively
‘He offered me lodging after I went to the junk pit. I will tell you later. It’s not something you’ll like.’
“Not something I’ll like? What the hell does that mean? What did this bastard do?”
‘Hornet I was fighting for my life all night in someone’s dream, I have to do this. All of Hallownest could be in danger!’
“Slow down my friend, I can’t understand you.”
“Well I can. It’s not for you to know regardless.”
Quirrel flinched at her tone and Hornet put her hand out, Ghost gripping on to Quirrel’s hand tighter
“Lets go home Ghost…if that is what you’ve been doing then we need to assess this in a more civilized manner and not with..”
She looked Quirrel up and down
“Him..”
“Hey! I was of high status as well! I’m not some feral baldur! I was Monomon’s assistant, what makes me any different from you.”
“You aren’t moonskinned, you don’t glow or radiate hope, you are neither wyrm nor root!”
“Hornet don’t you dare insult my mother!”
Quirrel hissed, ghost had never seen him so upset.
“The madam was just as important as herrah. But herrah did not run test after test for the king.”
“Don’t you even speak my mother’s name!”
“I can speak her name if I want to! At least my mothers only contribution wasn’t bearing a child for bargain just because they wanted one!”
Hornet let out an angry cry and tackled Quirrel down, panic filling inside of Ghost as the void desperately tried to push itself out. Watching the two fight made Ghost want to scream and when they brought their nails out they lost control and the void inside broke free from the confines of the shell
They longed to shriek, and so they did,
The void and soul wailed for ghost, snapping the two to attention.
Ghost slammed their nail against the stone floor and let their wings unfurl, glowing bright.
‘As king I command you to stop!’
Their nails dropped to the ground and the both stared, Ghost seething..well the void inside of them seething..Ghost crumpled, soft limbs feeling unable to move, Quirrel held them close as the void retreated back into the glowing shell
‘Go Hornet, you are not wanted here right now. That was unacceptable.’
“B..But Ghost-!”
‘No. I do not want to hear it’
They signed angrily, Quirrel gulping as Hornet glared at him before leaving and collecting her traps
“I’ll see you at home. Hollow will be worried.”
‘I know’
“You will be explaining what was so important you had to run off to fight in dreams.”
‘Go’
Hornet left and Ghost tucked their wings back.
‘I’m sorry for that, she’s very protective.’
“It’s..alright..I understand.“
A hand placed on Ghosts shell and the vessel flushed an unseen blue, looking away from the other.
“So, seeing as I didn’t expect to see you here..how would you like to go do some exploring?”
‘I know where everything is’
“Well..I know..”
‘Maybe I just need to go. I don’t want to be a danger to you.’
“You’re not a danger to me! Trust me, i've been through much worse than hornet”
‘But you don’t have Monomons shell to protect you anymore.’
“I know how to fight dear. You needn’t worry for me.”
Ghost gripped onto Quirrel’s leg,
‘It’s still dark out, you should sleep.’
“I’m not tired anymore, I slept plenty.”
‘Please..’
“I’ll lay down, how about that. Would that make you happy Little Ghost?”
‘Greatly.’
Quirrel laid down and curled up around Ghost, their arms wrapped around the other as he felt a shell butt against his protected chest. Ghost truly worried for him, he could tell by the way their body still shook.
“Don’t you worry Ghost..I promise I will never leave you.”
‘Thank you I don’t want either of you hurt’
“I’m sure the protector and I can come to equal footing one day.”
Quirrel pet Ghost’s horns and felt the bug chirp softly
The sound made them feel something..different..new. He had never thought of the noise in such a way and a part of him wanted to hear it again..so he complied. Quirrel pet their horns once more, shuddering at the deserved Chirp that followed
“Adorable..”
He mumbled, not meaning to make it out loud. He flustered and turned his head away, only to have his belly nuzzled.
‘Yes, I am adorable’
“And very deadly. I like that about you.”
‘ I like how you seem to have no instinct..I could kill you whenever i wanted to.’
“But you wouldn’t..And i trust we’ll never be in the situation you would.”
‘You’re most likely right, but it could always happen..’
Their face pressed into the soft shell of Quirrel’s stomach and the pill bug laughed softly
“You won’t be able to do anything down there..”
‘It’s warm.’
Quirrel laughed,
“Yes I suppose it is.”
‘I like it’
“Oh! Thank you my friend.”
They tilted their face down and small horns poked at Quirrel, Ghost gripping on to them and nuzzling their face into the warm spot. Quirrel said nothing, only watched silently as his friend relaxed
‘Thank you..’
“For what my friend?”
‘For everything. I have yet to repay you for your deeds to the kingdom..I would’ve never freed hollownest if you hadn’t been there’
“I barely did anything.”
‘You were there, a calm presence when I needed it the most. When I went to the birthplace… you were the first one I went to to be comforted by.’
“I’m sorry you had to go through that ghost.”
‘It’s better to remember than forget those you’ve lost.’
“I..suppose you are right, little friend..”
Quirrel smiled and pet the vessels head, a breath leaving their shell as they relaxed on the other but refused to fall asleep
After awhile of just sitting in silence Quirrel spoke up
“You should get back before someone else worries..”
‘They will be fine without me. I have been meaning to talk with you’
“I can’t hog your attention, you have a very loving family, I’m sure hollow will be worried sick, he’s very attached to you.”
‘He can wait a little longer. I need to tell you something.’
“What is it my friend? Is it why you were in that dump?”
‘It’s..sort of. There is not easy way to say this so i just need to come out and tell you’
Squirrels heart thumped, hoping to hear the words his heart longed for
‘The Radiance is still here’
Those were not the words that Quirrel had wanted..but he supposed this was a more serious matter than affection
“I see.”
‘I’m going to kill her. She will not survive again and threaten my family.’
“Is there any way I can help, you don’t have to do this alone Ghost. Is it dangerous?”
‘It’ll hurt, but you won’t die, that’s for certain.’
“I can do that. Let me fight by your side!”
‘Quirrel-’
They started but the bug put their hands over Ghosts and looked at him seriously
“Please..I can be useful! You saw how I helped with Uumuu.”
‘You’re too important..what if she infects you?’
“You’ll defeat her anyways right? I need to prove myself ghost..please let me do this”
Ghost was silent as they thought about it..Quirrel earning the respect of Hornet..that could be useful for later in his life when he decided to court.
‘Fine.’
“Thank you!”
‘But you must be careful! You don’t know what it’s like being in the presence of a goddess’
“I’ve been before the white lady in her strongest form.”
‘She isn’t like the radiance.’
“I know. But I can face anything if I’m by your side.”
Ghost tilted their head affectionately and squeezed Quirrel’s hand.
‘Alright.’
“So. How do we get to her?”
‘We must fight. Prove our worth, but we must be certain, and to do so we must go to the spot I defeated her to be certain.’
“The black egg?”
‘Yes. Let us check the stagways.”
Ghost then got an idea and looked over to Quirrel, putting their small hand out for the other to grab
‘Actually, there’s a better option I have in mind.’
The last thing Quirrel expected was to be pulled through a rift in the dream realm and to be teleported back to dirtmouth
“H-how?”
‘Dream gate, Seer Taught me.’
“You always surprise me, Ghost. I feel a bit dizzy.”
Quirrel mumbled as his knees shook, hands coming out to hold him still.
‘Go sit at the bench, I’ll be back.’
“Alright.”
Ghost walked into their home and found Hollow crouched by the door, eyes on his sibling.
Where?
Junk pit.
Hollow shivered and shook their head.
I can smell it, bathe. Now.
I have no time. A battle awaits me. I will bathe after
Battle? Wait, that is no smell..you are wearing charms
It is nothing Hollow. Quirrel is waiting for me.
Ghost tried to go but was blocked by their sibling who stared at them with slightly orange eyes, a side effect of their torment
You cannot go. Hornet has warned me of this Quirrel character
He is no danger. Brother, I must go now. I promise i won’t be long
Ghost put a hand on their siblings and looked up at them with dark eyes, Hollow struggling to say no
I’m coming with you, I am feeling strong enough to travel and fight.
The more the merrier, though I must warn you, you won’t like who were trying to fight.
Hollow grabbed their nail and fixed the silvery cloak Hornet had made them.
“Where do you think you’re going? I’m coming too. Besides you need to tell me what had you in that dump in the sewers.”
Hornet butted in.
‘Yes yes! Come as well’
Hollow signed happily
Ghost hesitated and walked outside where Quirrel looked good as new, a hand petting Ghost as they walked to the and gripped on to their nail
“There you are. I see your siblings are coming along too”
‘Yes. Please be nice to each other’
“Don’t worry my little friend..I do not start arguments”
The walk to the egg was tense, Ghost nervously glancing back every now and then to make sure hornet wasn’t setting up any traps
When they got to the egg Hollow was first to sign
‘Stay out. If she has gained power then we will bring you in.’
Quirrel nodded and Hornet grumbled angrily
“I hope we can be civil… for ghost’s sake at least.”
“I’ll try. Only for ghosts and hollows sake.”

The egg was as quiet as ever.
So… you felt her too?
Hollow asked, glancing as the aged silver chains scattered across the floor and the gouges in the keratin
She attacked me in my dream
Ghost mentioned offhandedly, eyes searching for any bright essence, but only void filled the stale air. Hollow halted in his lumbering steps
And you didn’t tell me?!
I did not wish to worry you! She is powerful, and you cannot handle her!
I am not a weakling. I can handle her...I wish you would have told me that she had attacked you
Ghost looked away and tried to focus on something else, blocking their brother out of their head and making the vessel more upset
Ghost! Why don't you trust me?
Hollow gripped their nail’s handle, the pale ore of their prosthetic glinting in the low light his moon blessed shell gave off
Because I am scared I am going to lose you once more.
You won’t lose me, I fought her just fine for centuries!
That was before she took your arm, and your mind.
I’m stronger now. I am no longer alone now.
Hollow-
Hollow replied before Ghost could think another word
Ghost, i can fight her fine. I am strong and smart and I know what I am doing now! Please..you won’t lose me again
I just can’t take that chance Hollow
So why are you willing to sacrifice the pill bug then?
Hollow spat bitterly
I trust him, he’s a competent fighter.
You’re getting on my nerves! I’ll show you just how strong I’ve become.
Hollow took his blade and readied his stance.
Ghost took their nail out and the void within roiled in their shell as it tried to break free
I have beat you once..I will do it again brother. Stand down and we can go home
Ghost pleaded, only meeting cold determination in their brother’s eyes
Never! I must show you my strength! Maybe then you will finally believe in me!
I am not our father! I have always believed in you, strength or not!
Hollow growled, the sound raspy and so wrong, a sound from a throat that shouldn’t exist.
Liar! You just hid the truth from me, me! Who knows the most about our enemy! Prepare yourself!
Their nails clashed together and the clang of a perfect parry rang in Hollow’s former tomb

Quirrel quickly looked towards the opening in the gaping egg, his worry seeping in as Hornet hissed at him
“What are you looking at?”
“What if they're in trouble? We have to go make sure they're okay!”
“They said to stay here until they come out!”
“I say we go in and make sure they're not dying!”
“You are such an impulsive thinker! What if you perished there?”
“Then ghost would think it was your fault!”
“No they wouldn’t , I’m not going to let you die in there idiot!”
She looped shining thread around him,
“If you go in there by foot you’ll die before you reach the main chamber!”
“Ghost would save me..”
“You stupid bug..putting so much faith in to a small being..they have better things to worry about other than you”
Hornet snarled, watching as he stared in to the cave
“You go in there..you will die..alone.”
“They..would save me..i know that they would”
“You are a selfish bug”
“I’m in love. Isn’t that the same thing?”
He stepped forward and was pulled back,
“They’re busy! It’s too far, you can’t fly through the air with your weapon, I barely survived going in just to restrain hollow, what makes you think you would last any longer?”
Suddenly there was a screech that came from inside and silence fell over the cave, both Quirrel and Hornet silent and waiting for any sign of what it might’ve been..of course..they already knew.
“Ghost.”
Quirrel rushed in without warning and Hornet cried out
“Stop! You’re going to kill yourself!”
She gripped the thread and threw her needle,
“Grab tight idiot!”
Quirrel yelped as he was grabbed and held on tight to the beast’s cloak. They flew forward and saw the siblings clashing with nail and spells,
“What is going on in here?”
Hornet yelled.
The two merely pointed out, still slicing at each other
“Ghost!”
Quirrel called, the power of the egg already sucking away the soul inside of him. He just needed to get closer..he could talk some sense in to ghost
OUT!
Roared the void from inside of the shell, Ghost struggling against their siblings blade as they were nearly stabbed
“Ghost please!”
“You idiot, they cannot even hear you.”
Hornet growled, grabbing Quirrel’s arm and attempting to drag him away but failing against the force of the other
“I..I have to get to them!”
“They will finish their duel..no one will be hurt..but we have to go!”
“No! Ghost!”
Hornet threw her needle and pulled the thread,
“Move! Idiot, they can’t ever truly die!”
Quirrel watched desperately, struggling as he watched Hollow's long blade crash into Ghosts shell and shatter it into shards of chitin . Hornet was right..he knew she was. But it still hurt to watch and it still made him angrier than he had ever been before. He hoped Ghost would visit him that night..that would be reassuring enough..

Ghost awoke on the last bench and got up, Hollow was right. He was stronger. They had to go apologize, and get their shade.

Chapter Text

Radiance growled as she spoke to her brother, golden chains wrapped around her as Grimm idly filed his sharp claws
“Grimm! Are you even listening to me!?”
“Hm? Oh but of course dear sister...I’m very much not thinking about how I left my child in charge of my troupe”
The nightmare king responded, the goddess grumbling and narrowing her glowing eyes at him. The thumping of the heart pounded in her ears, the snickers and chants of the kin itching at her pride.
“This entire realm could be yours if you’d just help me!”
“I’m quite content with my spot in Dirtmouth”
“Grimm! Free me! I came all this way to visit the heart and you do this?”
“They think you’re gaudy.”
“GAUDY!”
“Too bright, holier than thou. You’re entitled. The heart, We, don’t like those that can’t hold their own in the spotlight.”
“Little spawn I will rip you apart.”
The red Moth cackled, lifting his tattered wings over his devilish grin
“Oh, so rude, do give the nightmare kin a good show.”
The audience chanted and snickered as the moth tried to spread her wings. She screeched as the chains burned her and she folded them once more, seething as Grimm laughed, the sly look on their face gnawing on Radiance’s patience.
“You want to be free? Why don't you go and invade some dreams?”
He mocked her, she shined brighter in her vitriol.
“These chains will only hold for so long, you’ll regret this.”
“Oh, my, are you truly trapped? What a show!”
“You’ve made yourself an enemy Grimm. I shall rain hell upon you.”
Grimm raised his hand, silence falling over the crowd.
All was quiet, Grimm leaned in,
“Sister, you’ll be here until I get bored of you, what could be more delightful than the nightmares of a goddess?”
He stood straight and the heart thumped louder
“Well? Get the music started! It’s time to dance!”
The nightmare kin cheered and jumped into the arena.

Jiji sat in her cave, nodding off in the candlelight, coming to attention when a dark stain filled her senses.
“You’ve got darkness buried, don’t you.”
Ghost tilted their head, Hollow looking in the dark cave, hornet strolling in and placing down 3 rotten eggs.
“Confessor.”
“Yes, yes! That is me, what do you need? Shall I call your shade? Though the shadow lies within you.”
Hornet cleared her throat
"No, we've come for...advice."
"Advice? What advice do you seek small vessel?"
"Ghost, do we really have to do this?"
The vessel signed defiantly, and Hornet groaned, Hollow studying the damp cave and nervously fumbling with their hands
Ghost sat, patting the ground and bowing their head to Jiji, who flicked her antenna in appreciation.
“Can you understand Hallownest sign?”
Hornet asked, glancing at her siblings and picking at the fraying on the hem of her skirt, she’d have to mend that.
Jiji blinked slowly.
“Sign?”
“Sign language, my siblings are mute, so they communicate with their hands.”
“Oh! No, I’ve been asleep a long, long time.”
Hornet grit her teeth and Ghost glanced to her, signing calmly
‘It's okay Hornet, we'll do our best so that she knows what we're saying.’
"Oh, what's that thing you're doing with your hands!"
Jiji purred out, Ghost pointing to their shell and then their hands
“Just… if you two sign slowly, I can translate.”
Hornet offered, Ghost nodding.
“So, what is the matter?
Jiji asked,
Hornet cut in,
“One at a time, Hollow, you start.”
The largest sibling looked at his sister, signing methodically. Hornet watched and nodded.
“Ghost lied to Hollow and broke their trust. They feel… like they aren’t being taken seriously.”
"Well..What exactly did Ghost lie about?"
Hollow signed and glared at his smaller sibling, Hornet speaking slowly
"The Radiance. A being who had tormented Hollow is back and Ghost hadn't told him...he was angry. And they fought with one another"
Hollow narrowed their eyes and Ghost signed quickly
‘I did it to protect you!"
‘You refused to open up, you kept me in the dark while you were hurt! You have allies, yet you didn’t turn to me? I know the most about her. She hurt me beyond my knowledge…’
'That's why I don't want her around you! You've been suffering in her wake for years and you just want me to stand by and let you put yourself in danger? No. I know what's best for you!'
'You sound just like father.'
Hollow signed bitterly
“Both of you stop! I- I can’t read that fast!”
Hornet cried out, Hollow signed apology after apology and he bowed his head, Ghost only looked away and Jiji blinked at the three of them.
"Perhaps,you need time apart? Even close knit families can have falling outs sometimes. I think what you all need is a break from each other."
"A..A break? Where would Ghost and hollow even go?"
'Quirrel'
Ghost signed simply, Hollow rolling his eyes
‘You know Quirrel! He was Monomon’s assistant.’
Ghost signed, irritation easily visible in their body language.
‘He’s trouble.’
‘Name a single thing he’s done wrong.’
'He worked with the ones who had imprisoned me!'
Ghost stood and Hornet was quick to sit between the two.
"You know what, I think that Jiji is right. You both need time apart from each other to work your own things out."
Jiji nodded and Ghost huffed, Hollow sheathing his nail and turning his head up defiantly
'Fine.'
Was the only thing he signed before he left the cave Ghost had faced their regrets by blade.

Ghost stared at the pelting rain hitting the stone below Quirrel’s apartment, the isopod sighing.
“I’m so sorry that they said that. You frightened me Ghost…”
‘I’ve died before,’
“I’ve never seen it, that was horrifying”
Ghost merely shrugged and placed their nail inside of the home, rain sliding down the carefully carved spirals
"So, how long will you be staying?"
'A few days at most.'
Quirrel nodded, eyes following the glowing shell that moved to his room. Could this be it? A chance to let his feelings bloom? He could only hope.
‘I’ll be spending most of my time in the junk pit.’
“What? Why?”
‘If I prove myself, I can kill her.’
"Well then you have to let me fight with you too!"
'I've beaten her by myself before.'
Ghost signed defiantly
"Well two will get it done faster, right? Please ghost, I need a purpose in this world, or I'll just be sitting here for the rest of my days"
Ghost’s eyes caught on the sharpened blade Quirrel had on the wall.
They remembered the last time Quirrel had let go of his blade. That couldn’t happen again.
“You may follow.”

Hollow stared at the empty spot in their bed, the spot Ghost often occupied. He’d really struck them down. Void or not Ghost was family, and you don’t hurt family
No cost to great
You shouldn’t hurt family. Hollow needed to be alone… to think. He needed to go home.
The Old Stag took them to the station they asked, not asking anything. Hollow was thankful for that.
Spools of fine silk coated in dust; the air tasted of death. Hollow wondered if the palace grounds always had, and they were just blind to it.
Their entire childhood home, gone. Only empty gates and a forgotten kingsmould remained of the great palace.
But it wasn’t home.
Hollow made his way across the carved stone, truly entering the basin he’d crawled into. Shadow Creepers scuttled by, eyes dark and bodies armored. Hornet said they tasted of decay and dust. The particles of void floating up called to them. They had to go further.

Quirrel felt queasy,
“My friend, let us sit for a moment, something gnaws at my head.”
‘Godseeker. Ignore her.’
“Ghost. I’m not sure if normal bugs can survive here.”
The thick clouds went as far as the eye could see, the air thrummed and the brightness was unlike anything in Hallownest.
Ghost took his hand, squeezed it and began to jump across the pillars, bright wings materializing and disappearing in an instant. Where did they get those, what other mysteries were there to solve? He had seen glimpses of their back, there was a carving in it. And their front something akin to a charm molded into their flesh. Monomon’s words echoed in his conscience,
“Every unknown thing must be studied, Quirrel, from the tiniest particles to the largest beasts and even gods. Study. Question. Learn.”
She was right in that. He loved the work at the archives and he’d taken it with him throughout his life. This… place was a new chance to study, not only the location. But Ghost as well.
He zipped across the gaps and followed his dear friend.

Hornet didn’t like being alone. Not anymore. She had never been alone as a child, Guards, Midwife, little weavers and her mother… The great beast loved her more than anything. A deadly and ruthless ruler she’d cradled Hornet, trained her, taught her to hunt, let her choose who she wanted to be. Her mother had been the one to help her transition.
Hornet had hatched wrong, not in any physical sense, she had been healthy, a proper weight and with no visible defects. But her title; it was wrong. Per Deepnest tradition she was not named until her first successful hunt. She’d been called many monikers, little one, weaver, small beast, but most of all they called her prince. She had loathed it from the start, clawing at masks and screaming with small mandibles clacking.
It wasn’t until she went to hive that she discovered why. Vespa had adored her, a tiny little thing that was eager to train. She was a second mother to hornet, feeding her, showing her how to deal with her subjects, and to be patient. To listen. It was during these lessons that she met someone just like her.

A knight, small at the time, waved to her during one of her stays at the woman's hive. Her fur puffed out and the loose pollen floating around them caused Hornet to sneeze. They seemed lively, much more than the bugs in Deepnest
"Hi! I'm Hive!"
Their voice seemed to shift between two tones, Hornet tilting their head and looking at the hand that stayed out towards him
"Oh. Hello."
“You must be the weaver! Queen Vespa says such nice things about you.”
“She does?”
The bee nodded, little wings flapping so fast they buzzed. Hornet smiled.
“I like Vespa. She keeps showing me new hunting techniques I didn’t even think of in Deepnest.”
“So, they really eat everything there?”
“Yeah. The weak are used to sustain the strong. It’s a bug-eat-bug world, right?”
They shook their head again.
“No. Queen Vespa is the only one who eats other bugs.”
"Well then what do the workers eat? Surely you get scraps do you not?"
"Nope! We live off of the nectar we collect and honey we produce ourselves! Of course, each one of us gets a different amount of food depending on what we do!"
"You must not eat a lot then huh?"
"Hey! I'm just short! I'm the most important out of all the bees here!"
They huffed, Hornet chuckling softly and playing with her carefully crafted cloak
"So, what do you do then?"
"I'm a knight! The best one ever!"
“You will be one day. Have you come for council Hivelet?”
Vespa cooed from behind, leaning forward to hear them. Vespa was large, bigger than Hornet had ever known.
“Yes! I have an important request of you!”
“Name it Hivelet, and it is yours.”
"I would like my gender changed for all the hive to know!"
They chirped, their head being pet softly as Hornet stared in surprise when the queen nodded
"Of course, my little protector."
She cooed, voice booming even when soft
"Y-you can do that?"
Hornet asked quietly, the Hive Knight nodding and looking at her happily
“Which words best suit you, Hivelet?”
“Him!”
Vespa hummed.
“It is so. The hive will know by the hour.”
“You can do that…”
Hornet mumbled to herself.

Hornet drifted from her thoughts. She had heard that the knight had died defending his home. A valiant death, but one that made her heart pang in loss.
The man would do anything for his queen...for her…he helped her find herself, come out to her mother.. the entire kingdom! He was always going to have a place in her heart..
Hornet lowered herself next to her mother's last resting place and let her forehead press to the ragged cloak
"Everything's better now..everything…is okay.."
It wasn’t fully true. The sudden change from being the kingdom’s sole protector, to being just hornet. It was so much to shoulder. She clenched the dusty cloth in her hands. She couldn’t even recall coming to Deepnest, how long had she been lost in the past?
Her shoulders shook and for once…she let herself cry..her tears trailing down her face. As much as she loved having peace, fending for herself in the wasteland of the kingdom is what distracted her.
"Mother…I don't know what I'm doing...I don't know what to do anymore.."
She sniffled out, no response coming from the resting corpse.

Chapter Text

Quirrel was in awe. Ghost leaped up and slashed at the Vengefly, ending its squawks.
He had been too stunned by the crowds watching them fight. What had Ghost called them? Godkeeper? No, seeker. Godseeker.
They kept their eyes on the small vessel with bitter judgement, Quirrel covering his face as a bright light engulfed the two and they were thrown into a different battlefield. This one was smaller and had Ghost grabbing on to the others hand
Stay close
Quirrel heard their voice in his head, scratchy and as intimate as a whisper. Something about it was uniquely appealing to the isopod. How he could hear them he didn’t know, perhaps the dream realm was enhancing the vessels abilities
“My friend, is that… your voice?”
Ghost halted, only to shoot a fireball of dark soul at the Gruz mother.
Yes
“It’s beautiful.”
He called out as he jumped behind the dazed bug and slashed along her belly, the weakest spot he’d identified. As she faltered, Ghost sliced her clean open.
Quirrel could only watch, starry eyed as the bug sheathed their nail and looked back at the man
Stay focused
They spoke before the light engulfed them once again. Quirrel felt something in his stomach…a feeling he had long forgotten…
It had been building and making a home in his heart. Watching Ghost fell beasts, it truly struck him how smitten he was. He was lovestruck.
The rest rooms gave Quirrel a minute to breathe and Ghost a chance to change their charms. It was nice to rest in the spring with his friend… they were friends, teammates. And fighting dead beings. It was bizarre to see Hornet, fighting Ghost and barely noticing him. How strange.
“Dreaming”
“Pardon?”
Hornet was dreaming. It’s a past fight we had.
“I see.”
He really didn’t get all this.

When the Mawlek was slain there was another ding, and instead of an arena there stood a tall bug, the woman watching them fight, she was humming, blissfully unaware of their presence. Ghost began to walk towards the exit, Quirrel pulling them back by the cloak.
“We should talk to her, see what she has to say?”
Ghost stilled and the woman turned their face down sharply. For having a molded mask, an exceptional amount of contempt showed on her face.
“Hello Miss Godseeker.”
She looked past him to Ghost
“Dost, thou mean to thwart our sacred goal? Dost envy drive thou to such madness?
We pray that the Gods of this Kingdom punish thee, obliterate thee, utterly destroy thee!”
Quirrel bit back a vile word, gripping his blade.
“It seems we are the ones destroying your gods… let’s go Ghost.”
As they entered the doorway the woman’s voice echoed.
“Creep on, meagre one, and may the Gods utterly destroy thee!”

A familiar figure sat on the ground of the arena.
“Is that… Mato?”
Ghost shook their head, the bug noticing them and letting out a battle cry.
“Geusssso!”
This wouldn’t end well.
He leaped at alarming speeds, Ghost getting knocked by the blade and dashing through the man. Oro’s charges and attacks were brutal, Quirrel barely able to get in a second strike due to his propensity to change positions without a warning. Ghost leaked void when hit, healing when a window appeared. Ghost had said they had died before, Quirrel would not let that happen.
“Kasah!”
Oro grunted as soul spilled into the air. They did it.
“We did it!”
Thump.
“Fuck.”

The fight was hard, but they made it by a sliver.
Oro and Mato bowed to them, Ghost following, Quirrel cradled a broken stomach plate. The only hit he’d taken, and he was useless in the fight. Light filled the sky, and they were back in Godhome.
Quirrel gaped at his healed belly.
“It’s… fixed? This really is a dream.”

That night, the two camped in the dampness of the sewers, Ghost studying the small trinket in their hand while Quirrel watched. They had beaten the first both the brothers and had unlocked one of the keys to beating the Radiance, time was all they had now.
"Ghost."
The vessel looked over
"What happens…when she's finally gone...what are you going to do?"
‘I'll ascend...become a God.’
"You're going to leave? But..I need you!"
They reached out to hold his cheek. Their hand was soft, unlike a normal bug’s chitin.
‘I won't leave you, not you, or my family.’
They pocketed the god tuner and moved closer to Quirrel, lying atop his belly and resting their head.
Quirrel’s breath hitched, and he stared up at the leaking rocks above him, the void being on his belly rising and falling with each breath
"Ghost."
The other shifted and looked at Quirrel, the man's words catching in his throat
"May I study you? I never read much on void in the archives"
There went his chance
They nodded, lifting their cloak and baring their back.
“Is that… the king’s brand? Carved into you.”
Ghost jolted as Quirrel touched the brand
His fingers drew back, and the vessel seemed to loosen, shaking their head and bringing Quirrel’s hand back to the brand.
‘Stay..feel..study’
The words that the other spoke made Quirrels face hot, and he quickly swallowed down any thoughts of stopping. Ghost wanted this.
“Your temperature. Does that come from being void?”
‘Yes, some sensations are numbed, mostly pain. But I personally can feel heat. The infection burnt.’
Quirrel nodded, eyes
“Where do your wings stay? And the charm on your chest, what is it?”
‘The void of my body contains many things. They are small slits on my back they unfurl out of. And this charm. It is part of my very being. When I regained my memories, it became mine.’
"Fascinating."
Quirrel mused, his eyes sparkling as he pressed forward and ran his fingers along Ghosts shell
"And your glow."
'I'm a being brought into this place by a moon deity. This glow is only a representation of that, nothing special'
Ghost explained, a tendril sneaking up to grasp Quirrel’s leg
“And that?”
‘My void. My shell contains it when not under duress.’
“Are you stressed?”
‘No. Any strong emotion or motivation will bring it out as well.’
Quirrel swallowed as he felt it squeeze his leg, his eyes falling half lidded. The soft glow of the shell lit up his face and he rubbed Ghosts horns.
"You're…so amazing Ghost…my Ghost."
'Yours?'
"Just a phrase.”
Ghost tilted their head down as they got comfortable on Quirrel’s lap.
‘I like it.’
They signed. Quirrel flushed and smiled, pulling Ghost closer and allowing their body to be squeezed by the dark void being
It felt amazing. To have the other's unusually frigid body keeping close and the unbearable purr leaving them
“Let’s rest, today was long. And let’s get home in the morrow.”
Ghost nodded, already half asleep. Quirrel stroked their horns and yawned, despite the vile scent, it was nice and moist here, perfect for his gills. He hoped the other pale siblings were alright.

Hollow had reached his home. His hands shook as he looked down at his birthplace. Nothing to do but crawl in. The tunnels were cramped and the sound of the shells crunching beneath him was chilling. Regardless, he found his hatching place and curled up in the nook. In the fetal position he slumbered, cradled by the long dead corpses of his family.