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The Knight hurriedly headed into the home that was in front of it. There was no time to waste, it had to be there. Stepping into the foyer, it could hear the commotion coming from within the home’s bedroom, and made its way in that direction. Hobbling down the hallway, it came to the door the commotion was coming from, and reached up to open the door.
As the door creaked open, the Knight saw many figures huddled around a bed, conversing with each other illuminated by a lumafly chandelier above. It could see many familiar people: Hornet, the Hollow Knight, Cornifer, Iselda, Sly, Quirrel, Bretta, Nymm, and even Menderbug were present. Aside from Zote (who wasn’t invited nor notified, not that he would attend if he was), everyone from Dirtmouth seemed to be here. Except for one.
The Knight stepped forward and the group that was present noticed it. Hornet regarded it solemnly, the Hollow Knight simply stared at it, Cornifer and Iselda gave awkward waves, Sly didn’t even turn his head, Quirrel gave a small smile, Bretta glared it down, and Nymm & Menderbug gave cheery waves. The crowd dispersed to let the Knight walk forward, and as it stepped up to the side of the bed, its hollow eyes gazed down at the one lying in the bed, the one who at first seemed to be not present.
Elderbug laid in the bed, his energy long gone. He looked as though to be in quite a bit of discomfort, however in spite of that he seemed relatively content. He leaned his head to the side, eyes widening seeing the Knight standing there.
“A-ah, it’s you, small traveller. I- hack- am glad to see you. You didn’t have t-to come visit me…” Elderbug said slowly.
The Knight feverishly shook its head. Elderbug slowly laughed, coughing a few times.
“I’m on my way out… it’s been a joy to have met you, little traveller. Spending time in your company, speaking with- er, well, at you… I’ve truly been blessed. And don’t think I forgot your show of kindness.”
The Knight tilted its head, and Elderbug reached into his cloak, pulling out a brilliant white flower that it recognized all too well.
“I always held on to it. It was the kindest thing anyone had ever done for me. A gift I’ll absolutely never forget.” Elderbug spoke quietly.
Tears made of void spilled out of the Knight’s hollow eyes as it embraced the old bug as best it could. They hugged for a long moment, before the Knight cautiously leaned back, still holding onto Elderbug’s shoulders. Tears continued to flow, but Elderbug mustered his strength to reach out and pat the Knight on the head reassuringly, causing him to wince from over-exertion. Hornet stepped forward, seeing Elderbug in pain.
“Please, don’t push yourself! You are very vulnerable right now.” she reprimanded. Elderbug simply chuckled lightly in response.
“I’ll be fine. Not like it matters too much anyway.”
The Knight continued to stare at him, and sensing his time was up, Elderbug began speaking again and grasped the Knight’s claw close to himself.
“Thank you all for coming to visit me, it means so much that you would take time to see me out. And little traveler, I want to thank you, for proving to me the kindness of strangers. Whatever comes after, I’ll never forget you. Goodbye.” he said, before closing his eyes.
As he closed his eyes, he leaned back into the bed, and his grip on the Knight’s claw began to fade until his own claw slipped and gently lowered down. Letting out one last breath, his consciousness faded away. He had died.
Hornet put her claw on the Knight’s shoulder and let out a long sigh. Everyone else in the room was looking down, all beginning to mourn the loss of the bug who was such a pivotal part of Dirtmouth’s community. The Knight’s tears only began to flow faster, and Hornet attempted to comfort it, holding back her own tears.
“He lived a full and happy life. He’s in a better place now.”
Elderbug’s grave would be put in the center of Dirtmouth’s cemetery, a horned headstone with a single white flower sticking out of the ground in front of it that would later grow into a full patch of similar flowers. He would never be forgotten.