Chapter Text
Hornet's journey in Pharloom has not been an easy one, but she prevailed. From Bone Bottom all the way to the Blasted steps, she's met many bugs, fought many enemies, to be honest she was tired, but she was oh so close to the Citadel. Just a bit more.
Then she heard singing, familiar singing.
"Shakra."
She breathed, feeling a bit of relief. She felt familiarity of hearing the cartographer's song, having grown used to hearing it in many different areas.
She continues onward, quickly killing a Driznit that got in her way. Soon she was face to face with Shakra, who paused her singing to look down upon her before settling in a crouch.
"Poshanka! Child Wielding Needle, have you seen trace of my master nearby? I feel she was here only recently!"
Hornet shook her head.
"I cannot say for certain, Shakra, though if she travels seeking skilled opponents, these steps would serve her well. The warriors watching over them are formidable."
Shakra gave a huff of laughter.
"True! Impressive guardians they are, fighting defensively and loath to leave their stations. They swing their weapons with a cold brutality that should not be underestimated."
Shakra paused for a moment to look over the weaver.
"I have a new map of this area up to trade if you need?"
Hornet nods. Of course she'd need a map... Well, she didn't need a map, but it would surely be useful.
"How many rosaries?"
"70."
The taller bug held a closed map in her hand.
Luckily Hornet had enough and Hornet obtained a new map.
After saying a farewell to Shakra Hornet was off, however shortly after she caught onto a familiar scent far back from where she came. It was faint, but recognizable. Immediately she turned, rushing down where she just came from, her motherly instincts kicking in.
"Of course, I should have seen this coming."
She muttered to herself. It was obvious, she should have anticipated this, but she was so preoccupied with her own journey she failed to even think that her child could also be a target of those veiled bugs.
It didn't take long to find it. Those bugs were taking the same path they were with her, though this time they had gotten further. She stood in the shadows, observing. There were more there than when they captured her. Did they catch Vale of guard? Or did they merely sent more this time as a precaution since Hornet herself escaped their grasp? Whatever the case she couldn't allow them to take her child.
She could see her in the cage, similar to the one that she was brought in. Vale was undoubtedly weakened, even from here she could sense it, see it in her body language.
Without wasting a second she threw her needle forward, it lodging into the back of one of the bugs. She followed closely, jerking her needle out of their shell before quickly lodging it into the head of the bug next to her. The cage was dropped as the other bugs readied to fight her.
They were no match against her though.
She expertly dodged their attacks, the sound of shells cracking, blood spilling and yells filled the otherwise silent space.
Eventually the last bug dropped dead at her feet, their weapon clattering to the ground. She looked over at the cage her daughter was stuck in, taking in her unconscious form.
"Hm...now to get you out of that cage..."
She mumbled to herself. Was there a key?
She searched around the cage, even searched the corpses of the bugs. Eventually, she found what was needed, an unusual key tied around what she assumed was the leader here.
She used said key to unlock the cage, carefully picking up her daughter in her arms. Another quick glance confirmed that Vale's weapon was nowhere in sight.
Hornet sighs, at least her daughter is safe. Question was, what to do now?
She couldn't just continue through the Blasted Steps like this...
"I'll return to Bellhart, I guess it was a good thing I accepted the offer of a bellhome."
As quickly as she could with a body in her arms she goes back to Shellwood, going to the Bellways because she definitely wasn't going through the whole of Shellwood either.
The Bell Beast greeted her with a purr as always, before noticing the other bug in her arms. The beast's head tilted, letting out a noise of curiosity before stomping on the ground excitedly. The sight made Hornet's usually stoic face softened. She patted the beast on the head before getting on her back, adjusting her grip on Vale.
"Take me back to Bellhart."
The beast roared and without wasting a second dove into the bells beneath.
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Sorry in advance if any characters aren't written in character, I try my best but sometimes I may make mistakes.
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