Chapter Text
A Novelization by - Lorelei S.
Hollow Knight - Team Cherry
In wilds beyond they speak your name with reverence and regret,
For none could tame our savage souls yet you the challenge met,
Under palest watch, you taught, we changed, base instincts were redeemed,
A world you gave to bug and beast as they had never dreamed.
—The Elegy for Hallownest by Monomon the Teacher
You walk along this path, swiftly yet slowly. Not a sound is made as you push through the harsh winds. The air around whips and lashes as the path continues to be followed. A light in the distance comes to your eyes, a small village somewhere after the end of your path. So with a destination in your sights, you take a leap.
You begin to fall for what feels like forever, until you crash down into the earth below. The cavern surrounding you feels cramped, but somewhat comforting. The rocks around you clash with the dim light of the light bugs flying around you, giving your surroundings this blue tranquil cave. The air is still as you begin to view your surroundings. The rocks of the cave swirl and flow as if they weren't entirely rock. It flows with a sense of a past life. But you don’t really have the time for thinking of all of this rock. In front of you lies some kind of door, so without thinking, your body swiftly moves to eliminate the door before you. But after that there just seems to lie another door. After several more slashes, a smaller bug approaches you, attempting to connect with you it attacks. Swinging your little nail around is kind of natural to you at this point, and it attacked first right?
You decide not to ponder on the morality of killing that creature as you move forward. After that hit from that bug you feel as if a sense of pain is overcoming. But as if it were some form of intervention, a bright light flashes as it begins to speak from a nearby rock.
“Higher beings, these words are for you alone.
Your great strength marks you among us.
Focus your soul, and you shall achieve feats of which others have only dreamed.”
After deciding to believe the nonsense this light speaks from the rock, you begin to focus. All of your energy surges through you as it rises till an instant where- You feel fine again, it was as if that bug had never attacked you. But something is off, this soul doesn’t feel entirely yours. This feat you have achieved was taken, as if the life force of that small bug you ended is now forever a part of you. You decide this doesn’t bother you, you rub your small nubby hands on your carapacian exterior of a head and get back up, the feeling of your boney outside always seems to calm you. It;s rigid softness has a sense of calmness to it. As if it doesn’t have to abide by any specific actions given to it. It’s time to continue venturing this cave, you have a destination after all. Continuing down this hall you begin to climb, hoarding all of these small rocks you can find. Most places use geo for currency, you find this to be common knowledge. You aren’t sure why you brought this up but, it felt worth noting to yourself.
You continue adventuring this cave, the winds had stopped bellowing but a light breeze could still be felt. After jumps and climbs, you fight more small enemies (with dubious morality) collecting more money and even coming across a glowing cocoon. Breaking it open you kill the small bugs inside, filling yourself with the blood of the creatures. You feel as if you’ve been consumed with a new life and feel stronger than ever (even if it felt a bit taboo)
Walking forward a few rocks began to shake a bit. At first, unbothered, you continued walking. But as the floor kept shaking it crumbled and the 30 foot descent became noticeable. Getting up and looking around, you see one pathway ahead, might as well take it.
Your small detour was a bit annoying but as you exit you see one of those small broken doors but massive in scale. You begin to whack at it, just like all the others. Smack after smack after smack. With one last hit.
It crumbles.
A long pathway opens up. Walking through leads to a dropoff. And off the cliffside you see it. Your first goal, the town you saw before your leap. Now it seems to be time for one more leap of faith.