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Soft footsteps and wingbeats accompanied by the splattering of raindrops filled the air as a tireless explorer wandered about the carcass of a once thriving city. Day and night they journeyed, undaunted, throughout the depths of Hallownest. Upon being met with an all too familiar sight, however, this avid traveler—known only as the Knight—stood as still as the statue before them. The small bat-like creature hovering beside them, noticing their sudden stillness, rested atop the Knight’s head.
Having found their trusty map amongst their throughly soaked belongings, the Knight unrolled it. Within less than half a second, plump droplets fell onto the otherwise pristine parchment and smudged the delicate ink. Pale light emanated from a street lamp above them, illuminating the Knight’s mistake. Seeing this, the Knight sprinted inside the nearest building. Violently ripped from its resting place, the mysterious creature called Grimmchild huffed and rapidly flapped its wings so as to follow the Knight.
Despite their efforts, the map had been reduced to little more than a clump of damp scribbles. The Knight promptly flung it aside. Grimmchild, the Knight’s faithful companion, barreled into them in its haste to ensure the Knight’s safety. A hollow thud resounded throughout the large, decadent room.
Face down on the ground, the Knight briefly reconsidered the importance of their mission. A flurry of distressed squawks soon dragged the Knight upright. Its worries abated, Grimmchild was silent once more—save for the sound of its pitch black wings fighting to stay aloft.
Searching for anything of value, the stalwart explorer rummaged between seat cushions, lifted tattered banners off the carpeted ground, and struck everything in sight with their nail. Only one object, standing in the center of a raised platform, was spared from the carnage. The piano’s void-like surface, smooth and all-consuming, was much akin to the Knight’s vacant eyes. The lone instrument’s weathered keys, meanwhile, longed for a steady hand to breathe life into it once again.
Answering its solemn call, the Knight brushed away a centuries’ worth of dust and played a single discordant note. Grimmchild, who had been staring at its own murky reflection captured by the piano, trilled with delight upon hearing the sound.
Note after note, the curious creature expressed its joy or displeasure at the Knight’s choices. Subsequently, patterns began to form into motifs which led to phrases and, finally, a song.
Letting out a tiny yawn, strands of smoke escaped from Grimmchild’s jaws. The gentle caress of the Knight’s song carried a drowsy Grimmchild to sleep as it lay curled up atop the piano. Vibrations from each carefully considered note embraced Grimmchild, its heart beating in tandem with the music.