Chapter Text
What exactly is the void? Is it alive? I personally believe that it is, based on everything I’ve seen from it. How could it not be? The things it makes, the influence it has on anything it touches, and those that are simply born from it. My closest friend is one of these things, a creature of the void, something that is a bug yet isn’t at the same time. I still remember when I was given to him as a little babe, someone for him to nurture until I grew to the fine bug that I am right now. Yet he raised me not as a father, or a brother, but someone close to him. He didn’t coddle me or cajole me as his father did to his brother, the Hollow Knight. He knew better than that, so he simply raised me however he could, the best way he knew how. Through his “dance” of void and nail, a deadly combination that is both bewildering and terrifying to watch, he dispatches anything in sight that would be a threat to himself or to me. It felt rather sweet of him, and I couldn’t help but feel something odd beating in my chest. More so now that I am a full adult, and several years have passed since we both became adults, since our victory over the Radiance. With him being the new ruler of Hallownest and me becoming the Troupe’s new leader. The Nightmare Heart feeds nicely on whatever horrid energies this place still has, but I know I will have to leave Hallownest eventually.
Except, I do not want to; leaving this place would also mean leaving him behind, where he cannot follow me as I journey to the next place. During our adventures throughout Hallownest, he has shown a tendency not to have a full grasp of his own emotions. Not only his own, but emotions work and how they affect those around him, which often lead to awkward moments between the citizens of Hallownest. However, that was a long time ago, before he ventured into the Abyss past the seal that the Pale King created. Something to hide away all of his guilt, and the acts that he committed to stop the Radiance and find his so-called “pure-vessel”. My friend was born in this wretched place, far away from any grace of light. A cold, bitter, and horrid place. Even someone like him, a mere vessel for whatever lies beneath, a bug born to not possess any emotions, hesitated. He was afraid of what he had to face beneath, to return down there to access the deeper recesses of his innermost destructive power. To solidify his connection to the ultimate power of darkness within the deepest recesses of our world. All of this was to defeat the Radiance, not that I care at the time, since I was born and raised to be the troupe’s newest leader and the Vessel for the Nightmare Heart.
Yet, this little moment of weakness that he had gave me pause. I have seen this bug slay literal monsters without breaking a sweat; his nail never wavered, no matter what he faced. He ventured into the depths of Deepnest, faced the countless infected bugs that roam throughout the kingdom, and even battled the very essence of Nightmare itself, the previous Grimm before me. Yet just looking down there, at the countless corpses of his brethren, bugs like him, and the site of his first failure. I was… Enamoured. He was meant to be a Vessel without any emotions, a creature of emptiness, a void bug, yet here he is scared. To think someone like him could actually experience such strong emotions made me hope for myself, that I am not just some vessel for an otherworldly entity. Rather, I am my own bug, something with its own set of emotions and paths, someone who has a chance to be whatever I want to be. To have a choice in all of this, to possess the will and strength that the Knight faces each day of his whole life. How he continuously defies all expectations and the destiny that is presented for him, no matter who tells it to him, whether they be a god or not.
Yet… Even the most prestigious dreams have their most horrible nightmares at a high cost. When we were about to descend, he wanted me to stay behind, to stay up there as he ventured down there. At first, I was apprehensive. I didn’t want him to be alone down there; I could help light his path or assist in killing whatever is down there. He didn’t say anything, of course, like he always does, but rather, he simply gestured for me to stay right where I was. I guessed he wanted me to know that it was far too dangerous for anyone not of the Void, that the Void is… Alive. I didn’t know at the time, but I had to comply with his silent request. I waited there for what felt like forever, anxiously waiting for the Knight to return back up to the surface so that we could leave. That moment of weakness that he had is still fresh in my mind, and I worry for him in a way I’ve never felt before. It was a worry not born from the fact that I needed him to keep me safe so that I may grow; no, it was something else. Before I could come to terms with my thoughts, before I could understand why I was feeling the way I did, I saw him rise onto the platform.
However, he had changed somehow. I can’t explain it, but something happened down there that made him… Empty. Like how his heart that once beat lively is now beating with a different sound, a dark and empty sound. That scared me; he scared me. I was terrified of what had happened to him as he walked past me, with that soulless mask that he wears over his head. He didn’t even look at me; rather, he looked through me as if he had reached some sort of goal, that he had got what he wanted from the Void. He got his power, but at the cost of his own identity, someone who had lost himself to the Void to control its deadly power. His very aura was different, less inviting and more desolate, yet its power is hard to ignore as we roamed through Hallownest.
His strikes were heavier, deadlier. The shade powers he wielded become darker, more primordial. What had happened to him down there? Is he even the same Knight I have come to know? The same kind soul who raised me to be who I am today? I was dejected; it felt as if the bug I knew was no longer there, the one that raised me had disappeared. Yet this is exactly what he needed to defeat the God that was sealed away deep inside the Hollow Knight. That terrifying power he now wields, I hated every aspect of it. It threatens to drown anything that comes into contact with it, to consume everything in the world. This unnameable power he has found, the power he needed to kill the cruel and angry god that has been causing all the problems throughout all of Hallownest. However, I still fought right beside him, unwavering in my own resolve to see it through, even though it goes against the troupe’s original purpose. To collect the ember remnants of dying kingdoms, following what the Knight is doing, would mean to stop the Kingdom from dying.
I could feel the Nightmare Heart’s tremendous influence over me, more so it does now than it did back then. Yet it did nothing to make me stop the Knight from preventing the dying kingdom from fully collapsing; it felt… Good. I wish I knew why it does, but it feels both right and wrong to do so. To be against my nature and to keep defying it, it was a feeling like no other, and it was enrapturing. Is this what you felt like often before you plunged into the dark depths of the abyss? The rush of defying the destiny and nature that was presented before you, to be full of this courage as you pass trial after trial? Do you even still feel that rush anymore, ever since you gained that… Void Heart? All I know is that when we faced the cursed monster that dwells inside the Pure Vessel’s mind, you were dreadfully calm, and you didn’t have a tinge of fear. Were you just fearless and so determined to see the deed done? Or perhaps have you already gone far down the path of emptiness? All I remember is that you delivered the final blow, darkness reigned from the deepest parts of the darkest mind, the Void’s true power at full display. You tore the Radiance apart, lashing against it with all of your brethren whose Void forms assisted in dragging the thing down to the darkest abyss. I watched as it consumed a God, and the terrified sounds it made as it was dragged down, I did not know what to think of it.
We had won against such tremendous odds, yet I didn’t taste any of that sweetness we usually get from our past victories. This victory felt more shallow, more bitter as it made me realize just how dangerous the power my Knight as obtained at the expense of his own emotions. He truly became a vessel worthy of the Pale King’s grace, one that would have been used to seal the thing away rather than kill it as we have. After the Radiance’s defeat, he went missing after having his mask cracked in the process of defeating the creature, leaving just me and Hornet in a crater of his own doing. At first, I thought he had sacrificed himself, having destroyed his body just to unleash the full power of the Void. I was saddened, believing that I had been abandoned by him, or perhaps I was more ashamed at the fact that, for a moment, I felt relieved that he was no longer alive. It was a shameful moment for me to think I would even be glad to see the death of someone who had taken care of me for the short time I was alive. He was someone I cared about most deeply, more so than anyone in my Troupe, in which I was forced to cherish, no matter what I think.
So I was raised by Hornet afterwards, seeing how we both had lost someone we grew unexpectedly attached to, for she had lost a sibling and I had lost a close friend. She continued to raise me in his stead, she taught me how to properly fight, while the Troupe helped her raise me even more. I had grown attached to her as well over time, seeing how she would teach me her culture and tell me about her own past before even the Ghost. She confides in me, and when I was able to start speaking, I confided in her too. We both share an unwilling sense of responsibility now, ever since the defeat of the Radiance, with the Troupe still waiting on my command to start shifting to a brand new dying kingdom. The Nightmare Heart grows hungry and wary that we have been in this place for too long, while Hallownest is not dying anymore, the embers persist a little. However, it is not enough to feed it for long, and it may very well demand more sustenance soon. I have already grown into a fine adult thanks to Hornet; she has given me more than she ever needed to, and I am ultimately grateful for that.
I was hoping to never leave Hallownest, but the call of the music is strong now, and I very well would have to leave this place. I was saddened by this thought as I waited in my chambers, unsure of what I should say to Hornet. I hope she would understand, but the show has to go on, and the Troupe has become ultimately restless after having to wait for so long for me to finally mature into a fine Troupe Master. Yet, these feelings I had for that Knight persist. What would he look like now? Would he still allow me to be by his side? No matter, I suppose I’ll just have to visit his shrine up in the centre of the capital now. I couldn’t believe such a long time has passed since I was but a small Grimmchild, and the power I wield after bonding entirely to the Nightmare Heart. I suppose I now know what it feels like to be a true vessel to another powerful entity, or at least I think that’s how he would have felt.
As I exited the Troupe’s tent, I could see Brumm playing his loud instrument again. I was hoping not to spark a conversation with him, but before I could leave, he said, “Ah, Troupe Master! Where are you off to now?”
“Simply to the Capital for today. I do not need an escort; I can make it there safely myself.” I replied calmly, not wishing to reveal my personal business to the rest of my Troupe.
Grumm bowed, thankfully, he doesn’t seem to mind such, “Ah, very well then! Troupe Master? About what I asked before…”
“Yes, yes, we will be leaving soon. After I am done with everything I have planned today, we shall travel! The show must go on!” I proclaimed to my Troupe, and they all cheered, having finally grown weary of Hallownest, much to my annoyance. I know I haven’t been alive as long as the old Grimm, so I am not exactly as experienced as he, but I still very much like to stay as long as I can.
I was born here, and I was raised here by two siblings, and now that I am grown, I am just expected to leave just because some entity grew hungry? What’s worse is that no matter what I think, the blasted thing can hear me, and I don’t know if it is silently judging me or silently laughing at me for these careless thoughts. As I leave the tent, I let out a heavy sigh, looking around Dirtmouth, where my Troupe has been stationed for the last several years. Dirtmouth is all but abandoned now, the residents having moved into the city a long time ago, yet it was the perfect place for the Troupe to be. The Troupe always liked desolate places, and the fact that Dirtmouth became extremely deserted over time is perfect. I guess that’s why they tolerated this place for this long while I matured; thankfully, it allowed me to somewhat come to terms with leaving this place. Perhaps one day I can visit this place, from time to time, before the next Ritual, that is.
As I made it to the Stag Station, I could still see a few remaining bugs waiting to go to the capital, no doubt to live there now that the place is slowly being rebuilt. After such a long and treacherous era, the place still feels the aftereffects of the Radiance’s infection, having only rebuilt just about half of the Capital. Some mantises are even moving to the Capital to act as guards for the bugs there, while the citizens continue to rebuild more of the place. It’s more polished now, so much so that it looked completely different from what it was when I first arrived there with the Knight. I wonder what he would think when he sees the place now compared to back then. I could only hope that he would be happy about it. Of course, I didn’t help much in rebuilding it; after all, the Troupe thrives off dying kingdoms, not restoring them, so I couldn’t expect that much from them.
As the Old Stag arrives at the station, he would come to face me, “Ah, Grimm Child. Do you wish to go to the Capital again?”
“Yes, Old Stag, I wish to visit his shrine again. Soon, my Troupe will be leaving. I’ve kept them waiting long enough.” I said to him, my tone rather somber, having to constantly remind myself that I would be leaving Hallownest for some time.
“Ah, I see. Well, I do not believe that I am saying this, but I will miss our rather brief time with each other. You and Lady Hornet have grown to be a rather integral part of the Capital’s rebuilding efforts,” said the Old Stag. He, too, sounded saddened at the news of my leaving.
“Oh, please, do not be so flattering. I did nothing, I merely gave Hornet my counciling.” I told him, knowing that all I really did was just give Hornet a few ideas, such as better lighting or better roads. Speaking of Hornet, I remember that I have to come visit her, so I asked, “By the way, where is the Fair Lady? Is she in the Capital today?”
“Now, that is the strangest thing, she hasn’t come to the Capital today from where she lived. At least, I haven’t taken her to the capital today, do you reckon she ventured there on foot?” asked the Old stag. He seems worried for Hornet.
“Perhaps, knowing her, she most likely wouldn’t mind stretching her legs now and then. She has been rather busy with the rebuilding efforts, constantly meeting with the new noblemen and women of the Council she has made.” I said, trying to calm the worries of the Old Stag, while also hiding away my own worry.
“Ah, yes, could be. You’re right. Well, climb aboard, everyone! Let us be off!” yelled the Old Stag. Everyone who had been waiting for us to finish our conversations was already starting to board. I do the same, sitting at the very front beside a few bugs. I could tell they are only a little disturbed about my appearance. After all, I am the Troupe Master, someone that they know little about, and only heard the most eerie tales about.
The Old Stag may be old, being much older than he was when the Knight was still alive, yet even with his age, he is still rather spry and nimble. Sure, he is a bit slower than before, but he still has enough power to keep carrying bugs from place to place. I held on as he moved with great speed, his large legs galloping across the great pathways throughout all of Hallownest in order to make it into the Capital. My mind still weighs heavily on where Hornet is. Perhaps she is indeed travelling on foot, perhaps she is busy hunting or fighting any remnant bugs that would cause harm to the Capital. Perhaps she is visiting those who still haven’t ventured into the Capital yet, either trying to convince them or simply visiting friends. Perhaps she is already with the council right now, I can already hear Quirrel and Lemm arguing about what is the best course of action for the Kingdom. Quirrel and Lemm, it took a while to convince Quirrel to even come into the Capital after finding him wandering around aimlessly, saying that he had “fulfilled his purpose”. While Lemm, well, refused at first because he doesn’t see himself as the right fit, rather wishing to stay as a humble Relic Seeker. It took some time to convince them, but they became part of the new council members who help regulate the Kingdom.
“Old Stag, tell me, what do you think the Knight would have felt if he were still alive?” I asked, my mind still wandering back to the Knight.
“The Knight? Well, I am sure he will be proud of all of us, seeing how we helped rebuild the Kingdom, “he says plainly, but this doesn’t seem to quite ease my thoughts about the Knight.
“I hope that you are right…” I mumbled silently, choosing to stay quiet for the rest of the journey to the capital.
We passed the Forgotten Crossroads, now illuminated with lights and with fewer dangers roaming around, through the Green path now lively with vigilant Mantises waiting along the pathways. We pass the Fog Canyon, which seems to be calmer today than usual, watching distant jellyfish floating here and there. Then, through the Fungal wastes, where shrooms continue to fester, but we try our best to avoid whatever bad things persist in there. Finally, after some time, we finally reached the western gates, where bugs now flock into the City. However, something seems to be happening; we would see several bugs moving frantically as if something is going on. I’ve never seen anything like this happen before in all the years I have grown up in the city. Has the city really opened up to this many people in such a short time? Perhaps the Council finally convinced the majority of Hallownest that the capital is now a haven for all? No, it couldn’t be any of that, just a few days ago, the city wasn’t getting flooded with bugs.
He climbs down the Old Stag, who also seemed confused, and everyone who was on board did not know exactly why there were people coming through the gate to get into the city. I went over to see one of the Mantis Guards who is trying to keep the flow of bugs from growing too out of hand. However, upon seeing him, the Mantis Guard simply bowed, having recognized me as one of the “Council Members,” as he puts it. Another idea from the other members of the council option to see me as one of them when I really am not. I tried asking what was happening, yet he couldn’t tell me as he was far too busy containing the influx of pilgrims from different parts of the Kingdom. Realizing I won’t learn much from simply staying where I was, I decided to move with the crowd. That was when I heard one of the pilgrims speak about “his return”. I was unsure of what that meant, but I quickly realized what they might have meant.
Using my powers, I start travelling up through the skies, using my new nightmarish powers to start travelling through the rooftops, much to the scare of those below me. I didn’t even stop to think whether or not what I think is true, my legs move on their own, moving towards the centre. I see more bugs travelling towards the centre, and they could see me jumping from rooftop to rooftop, passing them like a red, blazing blur. I was using more of my power than I thought. Why am I even acting like this? It felt unnatural for me to suddenly feel in such a way, or react in such a way; it is unbecoming of a Troupe Master such as I. Yet it has been far too long since I have seen him. Is he even the same? How much has he changed? Did he even change at all? That was when I saw them all crowded up in one spot, and the council members were all there, including Ogrim and the Nail masters. However, they all had their weapons drawn, surrounding a single bug that was looking towards the shrine of the Hollow Knight and the Knight himself, its back turned towards the Council Members. He wore similar garments to those of the Vessels, that familiar ivory white masks that they all wore.
“Vessel, state your intentions. If you are who we think you are, turn around slowly.” Says the Relic Seeker, raising his voice so much so that the whole murmuring crowd around them could hear it.
I thought to myself, “What are they even doing? Do they even know who they are dealing with?”
Using my gifts, I teleported myself between the council and this so-called Knight, my blazing entrance taking the centre stage as I appear in front of everyone, much to their shock. It felt a little too overdramatic, showing myself in front of the crowd like that; a simple jump could do just fine. Though, as a Troupe Master, it felt fitting, I suppose the previous Grimm would do the same as I just did. The council members looked surprised to even see me there, except for Ogrim, who always had known that if the Knight would ever return, I’d be there first thing. He isn’t wrong, of course; he knew me just well enough from the short few interactions we had with each other.
“Troupe Master Grimm. It is good to see you here,” said Ogrim, his chest still puffed up in that heroic pose he seems to always be in.
I turn towards Ogrim just slightly before speaking, “Of course, I heard the commotion; I had to see for myself.”
That was when the Knight started turning around, prompting the council members to tense up. Though it seems a little harsh, I couldn’t blame them after what Hornet told them about what happened inside the cradle. About the dangerous power of the Void and what it can do, while she wasn’t inside the mind of the Hollow Knight, she was there in the aftermath. The giant crater it had made from pure void powers alone, they had every right to be wary, after all, this might not actually be the Knight, but another God-like being in front of them. Except, we do not know the Void’s intentions, which makes the thing even more dangerous than we would ever know. Though as he turned around, I couldn’t help but be given pause, my heart raced, eagerly waiting on who this might be. My breath wavered as my heart skipped a beat. I know that gaze from anywhere, it was just as empty as that day, yet it permeates resolve and determination.
I spoke his name, the name that Hornet gave him all those years ago, hoping to get a reaction, “Ghost?”
At first, nothing, I thought that maybe this isn’t Ghost anymore. However, that was when he bowed, my chest flutters as he did, and I merely bowed back to him. He has returned, and I couldn’t have been happier.