Chapter Text
"...ost..."
"...Little Ghost...! Ple...ake up..."
The small vessel suddenly awoke with a jolt, causing Hornet to leap to her feet with a start. When she realized that the child had fully awoken, however, she immediately calmed and moved closer to his side.
The battle between them and the Pure Vessel - the Hollow Knight - had been a long, arduous one. The air of the Temple was still heavy and carried the stench of the infection despite the fact the Radiance had finally been vanquished. The toxic air had started to disperse after a while, but it would still be some time before it would be completely clear of the infection.
"Are you unharmed?" She asked whilst assisting Ghost to their feet. They wobbled at first, even lurching forward as if they were about to fall over...but soon straightened their posture and gave a short nod to their half-sister. "That's a relief. I feared the worst when you entered Her realm. I thought..." She trailed off before releasing her hold, seeing Ghost being able to stand on their own. They looked around the chamber before spotting the Pure Vessel just several meters across from them. Ghost quickly limped towards them, Hornet reaching out to stop them, but decided against it.
The Pure Vessel managed to readjust themselves into a proper sitting position, scooting back and huddling themselves into the nearest corner as they clutched their arms and trembled. The orange secretions that once occupied their eyes had receded along with the former goddess of light, leaving the signature hollow and empty sockets in their shell. A sign that the infection - and the Radiance - were gone for good. Where were they? Inside the Temple? Why weren't they restrained? Had they failed? They weren't fighting anymore...they didn't feel possessed by the infection, they didn't feel the feral rage associated with it...
It was then they heard the gentle taps of someone approaching, causing the vessel's head to snap up. They immediately attempted to flee, but they were weakened from the previous battle and currently already backed up against the wall. Their nail was nowhere in sight, and the failed vessel only walked closer...and closer...and closer. They didn't want to fight anymore. They didn't want to hurt their sibling anymore. They were tired, so very tired. Why was this happening, were they so intent on destroying the Pure Vessel, what had they done wrong, they were only doing what they thought was right, they only wanted their Father to be proud of them-
What Hollow failed to realize, however, was that Ghost had not brandished their nail at all. In fact, it was still sheathed on their back. But they did see how frightened the Knight was, and slowed their pace until they came to a complete stop just some feet in front of them.
Ghost could see droplets of void seeping through the cracks of their shell where Hornet's needle had penetrated. A very concerning sign, as it meant the Knight was suffering from fatal injuries and would very likely die if their Soul wasn't replenished. And soon.
Fortunately there was a hot springs not too far from the Temple that would fix them up rather quickly. The real issue was actually getting the Knight down there. Especially seeing that they were so traumatized from their long ordeal of acting as the seal for the Radiance, fighting their sibling and conquering the unruly moth in the dream realm...it was really no surprised that they couldn't exactly comprehend what was happening.
Seeing this, Ghost went back to Hornet, who tilted her head inquisitively as the vessel returned. "Hm? What is it, Ghost?" Said vessel then tried their best to sign that they needed help getting their large sibling down to the hot springs to heal their wounds. It took a moment, but soon Hornet understood what Ghost was requesting. "...oh. I see. Hm...They have been through a lot, haven't they? It may take a lot of coaxing to get them to follow."
Ghost nodded in understanding, but was also persistent. They knew - and felt - how much the Knight had suffered during their time sealed within the Temple. The pain they endured from the Radiance, their regrets, their sorrow...Ghost felt it all. Which only steeled their resolve to give them the life without pain they so richly deserved. One way, or another.
Even Hornet could see the determination deep within the vessel's hollowed eyes, and in a way, she also wanted to do the same. While they were not really allowed to interact during their youth, Hornet had been around as she and the Knight grew up back before the infection completely took over. They were still siblings, after all, and she felt - as their sister - that she owed them this at the very least. After all, they all had suffered one way or another through the turmoils of the kingdom's downfall...Perhaps this was their way of mending what had been damaged. By rebuilding a sibling bond they were unable to form so many years ago.
"...I understand. Yes. I will assist in any way I can." She decided with a firm nod, her gaze falling to the cowering Knight before them. "Perhaps I could talk to them?"
Ghost nodded as they extended their hand, Hornet gazing at them for a moment before she embraced it into hers. The pair then approached Hollow - slowly this time - and stopped then they saw them flinch as they drew closer. "Pure Vessel...no...Sibling. Please hear me...hear us. We're not here to hurt you. It's over...everything. You will suffer no more."
- - -
It took a little over an hour of gentle coaxing and reassuring before Hollow finally understood that their siblings were not there to hurt them, or vice versa. Ghost held their hand as they and Hornet guided them towards the hot springs, but kept their nail close just in case. The infection that once overtook the Forgotten Crossroads had begun to dissipate at last, which was a relieving sight to the trio of siblings. There were still some lingering husks and feral bugs sauntering about, however, although they were quickly disposed of by Hornet as they ventured deeper.
The husks and bugs weren't the only thing that made traversing through the Crossroads a bit challenging; It had been so long since Hollow had been in the outside world proper, and a lot of things had changed since they last ventured through there. They jumped at every movement in their peripheral vision, froze at every sound, and would sometimes attempt to divert from the path for reasons unknown. Despite it all, Hornet and Ghost were patient and helped Hollow along accordingly.
They did eventually reach the hot spring, much to the siblings' relief. The damp and warm air was incredibly welcome, and even Hollow could feel the Soul-infused water vapor as they entered the chamber.
Hornet went and took a seat on the bench whilst Ghost gently guided their tall sibling into the spring; it was very clear they were unsure, even as Ghost walked into the waters unhindered. It only took them dipping their foot into the spring and feeling a gentle surge of Soul course through their body and ease the pain that they understood, and followed the smaller vessel into the water as well. Ghost settled and watched as Hollow did the same, albeit awkwardly given their taller stature as they had to figure out how to position their limbs for them to be comfortable. Soon the pair would feel their Soul replenish, and the void seeping through Hollow's shell ceased as their posture notably perked up as well.
The siblings took this moment of rest and respite to collect themselves, involuntarily reflecting on...well, everything. The threat of the Radiance and the infection were gone now, but what did that mean for them? Their purpose had been fulfilled, had it not? Were they simply supposed to move on? Live their lives? If so, how were they supposed to do so? Go home? Where was home? What were they supposed to do there if they had one?
Hornet, however, came to realize that there was still something she needed to do. With Herrah - her mother - gone, that meant no one was left to watch over Deepnest. She may not have known her mother well, but she knew that she was a great queen, and could have been an even better mother if she was allowed to be. And as her daughter, the princess, it would be a dishonor to leave Deepnest unattended and without a proper monarch. Young Hornet had not fulfilled her purpose just yet, and she knew what she needed to do next. For now, however, she had to take care of her siblings first and foremost.
It was unknown how much time had passed, but eventually Hornet hopped off the bench and approached the two soaking vessels (or in Hollow's case who only had about a third of their body submerged). "I believe it's time for us to go." She spoke, before looking to the larger Knight. "Are you well, sibling? Have your wounds healed?"
Hollow looked and felt themselves all over, noting that the aching pain had left their body and joints. Now that they thought about it, the pounding headache was gone as well; this was the first time in a very, very long time where they actually felt well. They nodded in response, and Hornet would have smiled if she could have. "Good...at least now you will survive the trip home."
"Speaking of," Hornet continued, her gaze going to Ghost now "where is your home, little Ghost?"
Said vessel paused as their gaze fell, a look of contemplation formed on their features. Truth to be told, they didn't exactly have a home...unless the bench in Dirtmouth qualified as such. They really didn't "live" anywhere, only taking power naps on the next bench they happened to find during their long journey. Although they always found themselves back in Dirtmouth when they needed to rest proper, and Elderbug was always happy to see them whenever they returned.
"You...don't have a home, do you?" Hornet eventually deduced, earning a rather reluctant nod from the small knight. "You always went back to that little town, I noticed. Dirtmouth, I believe." Ghost nodded again. "I understand there isn't a lot of bugs living there...perhaps you could move into one of the vacant houses?"
It wasn't a bad idea. Dirtmouth's population was only that of Bretta, Cornifer, Elderbug, Iselda, Jiji, Sly and - unfortunately - Zote. There were many unoccupied houses within the small town, and Ghost was certain the original occupants have long passed ages ago and certainly wouldn't be returning to reclaim it anytime soon. Ghost climbed out of the hot spring and signed that they wanted to return to Dirtmouth and move in proper. Their attention then went to Hollow, who was watching the exchange curiously before Ghost did their best to explain that they were going to the small town. Hollow didn't understand at first, but they didn't want to leave their siblings's side either. They felt...safer with them, admittedly. And they weren't sure what would happen to them now if they separated.
"Good. Then it's decided." Hornet declared as Hollow slowly rose from the spring water. "I will see that you make it there safely, but I must depart afterwards. There is still much I must do..." Ghost only nodded in understanding. They already knew what it was she needed to leave for, but didn't inquire further.
Dirtmouth was a rather short walk back; Admittedly using the Stag Station would have been quicker, but Hollow had some apprehension about doing so, and neither Hornet nor Ghost wanted to force them to ride the stag beetle. Soon they had climbed out of the well and were gazing at the distant silhouette of the small but cozy town. A chapter of their lives had concluded upon leaving the Temple of the Black Egg...
And another was beginning as Elderbug saw the three siblings enter Dirtmouth for the final time.