Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

[The Knight would first find Skerr in a secluded corner of the Fungal Wastes, not far from the Mantis Village entrance.]

"Ah. A wanderer. Strange to see one so small venture this deep."

"I am Skerr, of the Mantis Tribe. Or... I was. I've left the village."
[Pause]

"The tribe is noble. Strong. Our traditions have kept us sharp for generations. But..."

[He touches his head briefly]

"...they can also keep us caged. Every movement prescribed. Every thought measured against honor. I felt myself becoming just another blade in the wall."

"There's a whole kingdom out here, crumbling and strange as it is. I want to see it. Understand it. Not just guard against it."

[Another pause, he seems momentarily distracted]

"Forgive me. These headaches... they've been persistent lately. Started just before I left."

"The elders would call this weakness. Abandonment. But I need to know what lies beyond our territories. I feel... drawn. Called, even."

[He looks down at the knight]

"You won't speak of this to the tribe, will you? I don't wish to bring them shame. Let them think I died honorably if they think of me at all."

"I'm heading away from this place now. I hear there are ancient passages there. Secrets. Perhaps I'll finally understand this... this feeling."

[If you interact with him again, exhausting all his dialogue]

"Still here? Don't let me keep you, little ghost. We each have our paths to walk."

[If you dreamnail him]

...my sisters... forgive this... cowardice...

Chapter Text

[Skerr sits at the seat walls of the Hollow Knight statue, face turned upward to the rain. His posture is less controlled than before, almost slouched]

"You again. The little wanderer."

[He doesn't look at you, still staring up at the falling rain]

"I never knew... in the village, we avoided water. Stayed in the dry places. Mantis carapace and moisture don't mix well, they said. Keep your blade dry. Keep yourself dry."

[He holds out a claw, watching droplets collect on it]

"But this... this rain. It feels... it feels...right. Each drop like a whisper. Like something I've been missing my entire life."

[He finally looks down at the knight as he remembers something]

Did you tell them? My sisters? No? ...Good."

[He suddenly grips his head with both claws]

"The headaches are worse. Constant now. But when the rain touches me, there's a moment, just a moment, where it all quiets."

[He stands abruptly, movements slightly jerky, uncoordinated]

"If these droplets feel this good, imagine... imagine a whole body of water. A lake. A pool. Complete submersion."

[His voice takes on an almost dreamy quality]

"There are waters below. Deep waters. I don't know why I know. But I can feel them. I need—"

[He catches himself, shakes his head as if clearing it]

"Listen to me. Rambling like a fool. The tribe would be disgusted. I should... I should find shelter. Get out of this rain."

[But he doesn't move from the spot]

"But I don't want to. Isn't that strange?"

[He finally looks at you, and his eyes seem slightly unfocused]

"Have you been to the sewers yet, little one? Is there... is there deep water there? Pools you can sink into?"

"Never mind. Foolish questions. I just need rest. The headache will pass."

[He sits back down in the rain]

"You should keep moving. Don't linger on my account."

[If you return after talking to him]

[He's tracing patterns in the puddles with his claw, seemingly mesmerized]

"The patterns the water makes... have you noticed? Like they're trying to tell me something..."

[He doesn't seem to fully register your presence]

Chapter Text

[If the Knight encounters Skerr near the locked sewer gate, the mantis's impatience and his internal struggle would be at their peak. He would be fixated on the water, unable to open the gate but desperate to reach it.

Location: Skerr is pacing anxiously next to the locked sewer grate, his back to the Knight. He keeps pawing at the keyhole with one claw, his movements jerky and uncontrolled]

"I.need to be down there. The... water. So much water."

"No... no use. I lack the simple key. Why did I not bring one? A mantis is meant to be prepared..."

[He looks at the Knight, a hint of his former mantis pride returning.]

"Do not think this is weakness. I am... exploring. Hallownest is a world beyond our traditions."

"I just need. To get this... Gate open.."

Dreamnail: ...I cannot... hold out..

______________________________________________________________

[Skerr stands at the very edge of a deep, dark pool. He sways slightly, as if buffeted by an invisible wind.]

"...finally... finally here..."

"The water. It's... calling. Can you hear it? No. No, you wouldn't. This is... this is for me."

[He turns to look at you, but his eyes don't quite focus properly]

"Little ghost. When did you... I was just... the tribe. Did I tell you about the tribe? I left. No. No, I'm here now. The water."

"I must admit, It hurts. Everything hurts. But the water will... it'll make it stop. I know it will. If the rain felt good, then this... this will be..."

[His voice becomes almost rapturous]

"...perfect."

"The tribe would say this isn't honorable. But they don't understand. They never felt this. This... pull."

"I'm going in now. Don't... don't try to stop me. This is right. This is what I'm supposed to do."

Dreamnail: GO...TO....WATER

[if you leave then return back]

[Skerr's body floats face-down in the dark water, gently drifting. From the back of his head and thorax, a long, pale, writhing horsehair worm extends grotesquely outward, several feet long, coiled and waving slowly in the water like some obscene plant sprouting from his corpse. The worm is ivory-white, segmented, and far too large to have fit inside him. Multiple smaller worms drift nearby in the water, thread-like and searching]

Dreamnail: BREED