Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

She would often come here, with no thought in mind, with no emotion to pass. Just simply, staring at the only gateway to her home - Hallownest. The wind carried a familiar sting as it tugged at her red cloak. Coarse sand struck against her pale mask, rattling softly

Hornet had long ago chosen to stay in a land she was forced in; to seek the true cause for her kidnapping and to know what kind of fate her kin has set up for her in their self-exile. Pharloom wasn't welcoming to a spider from the beginning. From cruel threads of Higher One that bound every poor bug she met, to harsh environment that took no mercy upon her. It was rare to find a bug who would be no hostile to her, Hornet was lucky to know those who offered companionship.

With each step, challenge and fight she could feel herself getting closer at finding cradle of the Pale Matriarch.

But when she finally will, what will she do?

That question haunted her.

Every time she met that pin wielding maniac, wandered abandoned nest of weavers or discovered fragment of The Citadel history, Hornet knew what needed to be done. She had to destroy that Pale Being. The only way to destroy Matriarch would be to bind her and take her power. Binding one for themselves would mean binding one's soul to new wielder, forever changing the personality of the latter. Hornet is afraid of it the most. She cherishes her freedom, her will to do what seems right. In her journey, the huntress would often find corpses of deceased creatures, filled with power and knowledge. Spider would bind them to herself gaining their power, but she would also suffer a change in her ways of befitting whatever crest she was possessing.

With the Pale Being though, it can have much more devastating effect on spider`s soul. In that case, Hornet will become a new dominator in this land, a new plague to befall upon those poor bugs. She will become a new ruler, and everything will come to the cycle.

Hornet managed to find all pieces of Threefold melody, from the sacred tune of Vaultkeepers and the once glorious tune of Conductors to the tribute for all bugs who built the magnificent Citadel that was recorded as Architectors melody. Her needolin could now summon the lift to the Citadel`s peak.

And she knew, once she ascended there would be no coming back.

It would be a lie to say she wasn`t ready, but it would be no truer to say that she was. Hornet knew she would manage to take the higher being down, but she wanted to avoid it. So, for those past days huntress had been searching for a way out of this cruel fate. In every place on this beautiful land she still hasn't visited, in every wish she didn't fulfil. She had hoped that one of them may spark a new idea, find a new loophole she may use.

None came.

It was during a supply run to Songclave, that she had to pass Blasted steps to reach Grand gates of Citadel, until the Pharloom`s gates picked her interest.

Hornet is still with no idea how to remove the Matriarch without binding her, but Pharloom can’t fester any longer. Maybe... maybe she can try to leave? No. That would mean to abandon those poor bugs to the wrath of awakening god. The huntress doesn't care if she will be forever chased by that said Matriarch. But the regret of giving up hope for a kingdom that still had so much will to live, it is what will hollow her from inside if she leaves now. Those bugs that showed her kindness, kinship and help do not deserve to die. That is why Hornet will find a way to make the best outcome possible; she is sure she will.

As red maiden turned to leave, she heard a distant sound of shuffle that was almost silenced by swelling sand and wind. Luckily for her, Hornet's hunter skills have never failed her. She turned with needle in her claw to wait for anyone who dares to come at her with harm. A bulky silhouette staggered toward her. At first glance, the bug appeared heavyset, wrapped in a dark cloak. A faint yellow glow pulsed beneath the fabric. Then the figure collapsed. The bug laid with its front buried by sand, unmoving.

Hornet relaxed a bit. Could it be another haunted by threads? Or just unfortunate soul that wandered so far it left its mind in wind and sand? She was ready to leave them but was stopped as she saw a previous light found its way out of cloak and began to nuzzle the mask of fallen bug.

Spider took a closer look, and she made a detail of the light. It was a little bug with four claws and wings, it was rounded, and the light came from tail presumably. She never saw a common bug to illuminate light literally. Hornet decided to take pity on those poor bugs and approached to help. The little light stopped nuzzling and positioned itself in a defence stance right before fallen bug. It likely wanted to protect its friend. Hornet kneeled on one knee before two strangers, trying to look less intimidating. She took a page from Shakra`s ways of greeting others.

"You have none to fear little bright one. I come not to harm. I have supplies, I might be able to help them. Do you permit?" Hornet tried to communicate with little ball of light. Fortunately for them both, little one did understand her words. It nodded with it short neck.

"Good," she observed the fallen figure of a bug. They have a big baggage for their size. Spider looked back at path she came.

"There is cave with bench nearby. It will protect us from sand and possible foes. Can you help me move him?" Another nod from little one. "Then let's get going"

The bug wasn't that heavy. It their bag that mostly made it complicated but still was manageable for her kind. The path wasn't long; she didn't struggle much. The company of bright one was funny. It was flying around her, illuminating her path and helping to steady the bag and bug.

Hornet could finally see the bench. The climbing took a more challenge than she expected with her new passengers to keep safe. Luckily, they didn't stay at those spikes they met on their path hanging on them for eternity.

Spider laid the fallen bug to whole bench length and pushed bag beside. The bug's chest was rising and failing, they were breathing. A good sign indeed. The little bright one took an opportunity to lay down on bug's chest. This poor thing was exhausted; she could see it. Hornet guessed that this fallen bug must been its master

And now that she can take a closer, clearer look - this bug was certainly quite fancy clothed. They had black cloak and underneath it a white blouse. What's more interesting now is that she heard strange clocking sound. At first, she thought it was just bug's heart beating, but now it sounded more mechanically. Like the way she heard at the Clockwork Core. Hornet came closer to bug trying to figurate the source and that when--

"THE TIME IS UPON US!!!!!"

The sleeping bug suddenly turned up and shouted at the top of its lungs making Hornet flinch backwards. The poor little one that just settled down was now laying on the floor genuinely terrified of its master screaming.

"THE TIME FOR RENDEZVOUS IS NEAR" The bug had its claws pointed up as it continued to shout. Surprisingly, that tantrum ended soon and the bug was once again lying unconsciously on bench. Well, that was strange. The bright one flied to Hornet's horns and stayed in between them, trying to hide behind her.

"There is nothing to fear young one..." She tried to calm the little ball of light. Hornet came closer to sleeping bug and tried to push them awake. "Sir? Can you hear me? I'm afraid I must trouble your rest." She gently nudged bug claws until they shifted.

"Oh... what? Is this finally Pharloom?" The fallen bug put their own claw on head. They were observing cave where Hornet brought them.

"Indeed, you have reached Pharloom. I found you just at the gates, and your little companion helped me to bring you here," she pointed between her horns at little creature.

"Galileo!!!!" The bug suddenly exclaimed and brought its claws in embracing. The bright one immediately slipped and jumped in its master's embrace. "Oh, I'm so glad you're as bright as ever," from those nuzzles from its master the little bug's light shined radiantly. Hornet would lie that she wasn't happy about that tearful reunion, but she had to interrupt. Spider made a slight coughing sound just in manner to not look rude but to get some attention.

"Oh! My apologies. Thank you, kind one!" The earlier fallen bug immediately stood from bench and made a bowing gesture. The little one did the same. It was awkward for Hornet to accept that kind of thank you, but luckily the bug continued.

"Oh, where is our manners Galileo? My name is Sagan and this little cuddling one is Galileo. We came from a far land beyond wasteland to meet a fate sealed in an argument years ago with a native," as he was talking about the reason why Hornet had to carry him to the bench, he showed an intricate clock.

That was the same clock she looked at before Sagan suddenly began to shout. It was perfectly rounded with two arrows moving asynchronously. There was a giant pin that was marked on twenty, the arrows were close to meet the pin. She had never seen such device before. Hornet could see all the mathematics and engineering behind this mechanism; she wonders if even the Twelfth Architect would be impressed.

"What is this well-made device for?" Hornet's curiosity began to take her over.

"This, my kind saviour, is Mazzo clock," Sagan pointed at the centre of this mechanism and tapped slightly

"It's construct secrets were given to me by past generations of my fellow colleagues in sky gazing. They were using them to navigate in time itself," such mystery behind such a small device. It intrigued Hornet even more. Navigating in time itself was an interesting concept. Back in Hallownest past, bugs tried to use everything as indicators to time. Fall of sand, water. But she herself never needed to count her time, nor rely on devices. Hornet's lifespan is far greater than any other bug, she is used to doing things now or never. Perhaps, for her, the time truly started to move forward only after infection was finally defeated at its source.

"And now, the time is upon us. Time for Rendezvous is near. So, we must hurry" Sagan pointed at the pin that set on twenty eagerly. He turned towards his large bag and began to check on his supplies.

"May I know what Rendezvous you wait?" Hornet asked. That all sounded interesting and new for her. The bug hadn't turned to her and just continued to bury himself in bag; his little companion was helping him by providing a light source.

"The time for me and my old friend to finally meet and make an academic exchange. We made a bet twenty cycles of wind passing ago." So many new terms Hornet cannot say that she is familiar with.

"A bet? What were you even betting that made you wait for it for so much time?" Gamble is universal thing for all kingdoms it appears. Or just bugs who would do anything to prove that they are right.

"Oh, that’s an old tale to tell," he took from a bag a strange device, it was an elongated pipe that had a lot of prolonged sections. Sagan made it stand on its three legs. He began to clear this device from sand and dust.

"Once I met a local and we had a pretty good time together observing Pharloom's beauty. But then we got to talk about the outside world, and I was kind to him to share my work with him. And then he dared to call it a work of FICTION!! Sagan dropped to his knees before the device and hugged it. Galileo came to nuzzle him from behind. A sad scene.

Hornet cleared her throat and spoke. "It is hard for simple bugs to comprehend what can possibly be outside their land of birth. I myself looked down upon other travellers who simply passed my Kingdom, never believing that somewhere could be a land with a landscape that could rival my own home beauty. Yet here I am. Maybe for them too it was hard to understand?" she tried to consolidate Sagan for him not to harshly judge others. Some bugs could live in one place their entire life never believing that their world is much bigger. She once too was bound to one place. Yet never had she thought about leaving it. After a moment of silence, Sagan turned around to face Hornet.

"Fair enough. Besides, my friend must return soon. I cannot wait to see his face when he finally returns from other side of Pharloom. In accordance with the terms of my bet, he was supposed to leave here with me and then continue his way along the main road until he came across Pharloom again."

The genuine confusion on Hornet's face was thankfully not visible behind her mask. If by from other side of Pharloom he meant that the awaited bug would come from a Bilewater but he started his way here, how can he come there if he left Pharloom? What in her father’s name...

"Forgive me, but aren't you said that they went from here, and go straight forward. There is no way the bug you wait for would come from Bilewater. Could your assumptions be false?" She voiced her question doubting everything that the strange bug said. It only made Sagan snap at her with that kind of expression like she just insulted all his family personally.

"That’s because our world is round!!! This knowledge I am trying to pass on to everyone yet always go with that reaction. Very well, then tell me what you believed our world structure looks like??" he retorted. This time Hornet began to feel a little offended.

"Certainly, that it is not round. If the world was round, wouldn't we just... fall?" She never ever had thought about it. Mostly because outside world is still a mystery to her. But if she would describe it, it was just a wasteland desert that was straight forward until she could see no more because of howling wind. Never would she think that the world is round. It makes no sense.

"Every intelligent bug must know that the world is round! Me and my fellow truth seekers are wandering the world, carefully sharing our work with everyone yet still it is not enough!" Sagan exclaimed with his claws crossed. He positioned his head high, trying to show his excellence over any other bug. Hornet desired to have none of it. Luckily, she still had magnetite dices with her under cloak. Maybe she can use her next argument successfully.

"The king of my land, The Pale Wyrm, once came from a surface to establish his kingdom. And I certainly remember him drawing maps, and none of them mentioned our world to be round. Quite the opposite actually"

"Then your king is a fool"

Sagan made it sound so casually as if he hadn't just insulted the Pale Being right now. Maybe, on other occasions she would even agree with this brave bug internally, while she herself could not allow any other bug to desecrate her family members, no matter what they did.

But the problem in this right moment was that Hornet never actually saw her father drawing any maps of outside world beyond Hallownest. In fact, he never mentioned the surface at all, claiming that Hallownest was the last alive piece of land and all those who will try to leave would be lost forever. He lied of course, but the wind indeed possessed an ability to erase bugs identities. Hornet managed to feel how winds affect bugs on herself, as she was being dragged here. Everything she told Sagan just a moment ago was a lie she came up with in hopes that the Pale Being status would make him doubt himself. So, he hasn't insulted the Wyrm, he insulted her.

"You are one brave bug I must admit. To be not afraid to talk about higher beings in such way, especially in a den of soon to be awakening one. You must possess proof that you can swear your life on its truthiness, are you not?" Hornet challenged mortal bug.

"And I do!" Sagan exclaimed.

"Then show me and I will believe you." This is where conversation came to a stop. Poor bright one was watching back and forth all this time. Sagan came back to his bag tremendously searching for something.

"Oh, I will, let's see... no that won't do" He pulled a book from his bag and threw it a bit away from him.

"That won't do too..." he threw some blankets out.

Hornet was watching the scene for a time now. Bag was becoming thinner with each object he pulled out. She is surprised just how many objects managed to be put there. Then Sagan stopped.

"It appears my proof is in hands of bug who I await," he stood from his position and looked at Hornet with his claws closed.

"So, it means you do not possess proof, right?" Hornet said it with a bit of laughter. Looks like she did win this argument in the end.

"Nnnnno" It was the longest "no" ever spelled by a bug through Hornet's life. Sagan really did not want to accept his defeat.

"Then I'm afraid I must go. I did all I wanted here and it seems you do not require my help anymore. Safe travels Bug and you too, little one."

"Wait!! I still need your help!!" Sagan called after her.

Hornet turned around. "What is it?"

He ran closer to huntress. "My eyepiece is broken; I cannot gaze without it. Maybe you know who can help restore it?"

Hornet observed broken parts. "Hmm, I know some engineers and smiths. Perhaps you need to visit them. Twelfth Architect is in underworks under Citadel of song and Forge Daughter is in Deep Docks which are at Pharloom's base."

"Maybe you can lend them the eyepiece yourself, kind one? Sagan pleaded.

"I'm afraid I shall refuse. I still have my own unfinished business I need to return for. Goodb-"

"I can pay you rosaries!"

Hornet immediately half turned to him.

"How much?" she asked.

"How about 700?"

"Make 1000," Hornet challenged.

"750?" Sagan made his turn. The little ball of light found its way on a bench and began to watch back and forth auction.

"950" the little one turned towards red maiden.

"800?" It turned to face its master.

"900" the bright creature looked how intense Huntress hold her needle.

"How about 850?" The last offer of its master.

"Deal," Hornet took the eyepiece and drafts for it. "I will try to show it to others, perhaps they might know something."

"Thank you, Kind one! We will await your return!" He bowed to Spider. Huntress returned the gesture and left. She still needs to return supplies to Songclave.

Hornet continues to ascend Blasted steps. Her mind is filled with terms and words what that strange bug said. Strange clock, strange devices, strange terms, strange world and a marvellous little bright one. She managed to reach a road towards gates, behind spider was the Bell Station. How tempting it is to just ride to Grand station with her loyal companion Bell Beast, but supplies would definitively not survive such ride. She must deliver it by herself without being hit, as she already gave parts of these supplies to Sagan. Not that Hornet regrets it, his bag was filled with objects rather than food. She wouldn't want little one to starve.

She passes the road; she used to cross to reach the Last Judge. It was once a battle area for her, to crush the holy trial, but now it is a welcoming stop by Flea caravan. As she enters a makeshift paradise of fluffiest creatures ever exist, Hornet meets with main caravan members

The sweet smell of Grishkin flea brew is tempting, it greets her kindly. While her sense of smell celebrates delicious air, her eyes are hurt, because the first flea she sees in this calm place is Kratt.

"Dodeshna! He he, nice to see-"

"Greetings," Hornet quickly went past him, not having a second of him finishing his sentence. Not finishing his life would be probably more accurate. She hears him sighing saddened. Did he really think she would fall for his pervent trap again? Before she could venture deeper into her thoughts, the voice of Fleamaster is like light in dark.

"Oh! Miss Hornet, welcome to our rest!" The Fleamaster Mooshka excitedly waved for her.

"Greetings, Fleamaster. May I rest with your caravan?" Hornet returned greetings.

"You always are our most welcome guest!"

Huntress sat on bench and watched the mundane chaos of fleas. One flea flied to her and tucked under her claws. So cute. Hornet began to pet its fluffy fur. A relaxing procedure for her mind. "Fleamaster, may I ask you something?" She turned to Mooshka.

"Of course, what's picked you interested our guest?

"You came from beyond Pharloom, right?"

"That's right!" He nodded. "This Kingdom is not familiar with our Kind nor we with it"

"Then, what is the world outside like? Is it... round?" Hornet tilted her head unbelieving her own words.

After a moment of pause he laughed. The whole caravan laughed. It woken the sleeping fleas scattered all around.

"Oh. Oho! Miss Hornet, what a fun joke, it truly took me a moment! I thought you were serious." Fleamaster laughed with claws on stomach. So, Hornet just publicly made herself laughable. Damn that strange bug.

"That... was a serious question..." Hornet mumbled.

The laughing stopped and everyone turned to look at her. She heard a distant cough from Varga. Rather awkward scene it is. Then everyone turned to do what they were doing, only Fleamaster came close to her and sat at bench beside her.

"The world outside... is dangerous and cruel... the wind, sand, some hungry wild beasts, it's all what remains there. That why we chase for a safe haven for us on this island full of life although it is not welcoming to us as well." She could hear sorrow coming from his words. Pharloom may be a beautiful place, suited for living but it is full of dangers that rival those on surface. There is no place for a bug to be safe in this world. It's cruel.

"But there are stories passed on and on by past generations of Fleamasters, I used to hear when I was just a grub. Those stories would tell how ancient Fleas traveled on surface, gazing at something called sky... they could navigate in the world by simply watching up. Those were times when surface was green like in Moss Grotto that welcomed us first in this kingdom. And this "sky" was blueish like finest cloaks, and there were white fleas floating across it" He looked up to meet the ceiling of cavern, he could only imagine what his ancestors saw.

"As for your question... that sounds most laughable... the world cannot be round," he began to lightly laugh again.

"That is what I been trying to say to that strange bug I've met at gates of Pharloom, but he is past beyond saving," Hornet said with despair in her words as she leaned her spine on the bench.

"Poor bug... his mind was lost in sand," he looked down, saddened by fates bugs have to live.

"Thank you for sharing your story, Fleamaster. I promise, I will find safe haven for your caravan in this turbulent land" Hornet stood from her place.

"That's what we are hoping for, Miss Hornet" he stood as well

"Safe travels!" Fleamaster waved Hornet goodbye, as she went all fleas made a loud awoo. So so cute.

She went past The Citadel gates and went through Choral Chambers. There she tried to avoid fighting the haunted. The somewhat broken parts and unimaginably sharp spikes almost made her mission be for nothing, but then was the last hallway to Songclave, the last challenge as it was filled with tall Reeds. Huntress tried to go past though them faster than they would react on her. And successfully she did as she was already running past the lift to the cradle, but in the last room just before her destination one had ambushed her.

The Grand Reed was flying in Hornet making aerial dive. There was little maneuver to be made. Thankfully a bright blue light appeared before her eyes. The enemy missed just in few inches from her, and she was sent flying little backwards. The magnetic dices saved her. Good luck. Hornet took its moment and tried to flee, but there was another one awakening right before her. The previous Reed scuttled closer to her. So, she was caught between them both. Bad luck. There is no other choice but to fight. No hit, no damage, there was also no silk in her spool. Great. So, she stood and braced herself for a moment she could strike. The right one scuttled at her as the other one took a fly to crash into her. She ran underneath the flying one to try escape the hit, but it only delayed its dive.

But then she heard behind her one guard fallen, and his silk spool was flying straight at the one Reed in air. It hit him and he fell. She was saved by golden knight, Second Sentinel. The remaining Reed stood between Hornet and Sentinel. How tablets turned. The Reed scuttled in Hornet's direction. She used silk from previously granted silk spoon and used cross stitch to block its bow attack. From above Second Sentinel used it to charge cross attack and sliced the Grand Reed. Finally, it fell dead, and the pathway was clear.

"Thank you Glided one. Without you those pilgrims would face starvation" Second Sentinel bowed to her.

"D-d-delighted to help, this s-s-sentinel is. May we meet again, f-f-friend." Second Sentinel leaped and disappeared from the view. There might be pilgrims who still need their help in Citadel.

Hornet reached the destination of her mission Songclave. There are more pilgrims than they were at its start. She walks past them, some of them resting, some singing.

"O, Red maiden! Nice to meet you here, did you bring another supply?" The familiar voice belonged to Sherma. He was sitting, trying to patch poor pilgrim beside him.

"Oi, you sure love making mortal bugs wait for you an eternity, bellringer. At least now with supplies." Said the caretaker of Songclave with his unimpressed voice.

"Greetings to you both" Hornet nodded to both bugs. She handed supplies to caretaker for him to examinate. "I was caught up in some business and there was-"

"Where is the rest of it?" Interrupted Caretaker.

"I met strange bug and his little companion in Blasted steps; they would have been lost to wind and sand if I hadn't helped him. I gave him a few of those I carried," Hornet tried to explain the missing parts of supplies.

"Hm, kind act for a being like you. But I can't pay you full price for that delivery. You get only 180 rosaries from me," Caretaker closed his arms.

"Forgive me, but I haven't given much to him, most of supplies are still intact, and for delivery… how about 260 rosaries at least?" Hornet hoped to negotiate.

"HA, no... you can go complain to your bosses, but my stake still stands 180 no more no less. This will make you think twice before helping strangers"

"Who I help is not your concern, Caretaker" She was irritated by Caretakers words. "I will take it then"

Hornet takes her rosaries rather bitterly, contemplating how she will raise price for wish strange bug asked of her. This economy doesn't let her rest. She parts goodbye with Caretaker and Sherma. Her next stop is twelfth Architect in underworks. She chooses the fast travel option by ventrica.

The path to the last living Architect is not long, go by bridge, go up. This way is surely familiar to Hornet because of how much she seeks Architector's services in her travels. A few clawline grips and she stands before Twelfth's workshop.

"Bug-Red, do you ask-need our service?" The Twelfth Architect acknowledged Hornet's presence first. Cogwork maker stopped in her constructing and turned her attention to huntress.

"Indeed, Master. I met a strange bug in Blasted steps. They carried devices, engineering, which even impressed me. But I am here on the wish. Could you fix this?" Hornet took out the eyepiece from her cloak pocket. She carefully gave it to Architect, and Maker was inspecting it.

"This tool-d-d-device is of ancient making. The technology of its construction-creation is beyond my possession. However, I may give y-y-you a clue-guess. It is made of steel, I r-r-recall of masters-forgers in Deep docks. If one exists-s-s-still they might help you, Bug Red," The Twelfth returned the eyepiece and draft.

"I know one who still is, The Forge Daughter. I'm grateful for your insight, Maker," Hornet packed the belongings back.

With that she returned to ventrica station. Her next stop was the Grand Bellway. With swift whoosh Hornet reached the center of all Bellways.

"Eiraaaaa!"she called for her loyal travel companion.

Silence.

Huntress waited. Then, bells began to shake creating a cacophony of hollow sounds. In all its glory a majestic Bell beast appeared, running circles after its own tail. It always made Hornet laugh, how sweet that majestic creature is, these thoughts never came to her mind when she was fighting with this beast at their first meeting. Bell Beast purred at Hornet. Huntress came close and rubbed creature's mask, soft spot.

"On it my friend. Can you help me reach Deep Docks?" The creature growled as an answer. It always mesmerized Hornet how intelligent some of those creatures that bugs call beasts could be. Some of them are even smarter than those who were granted higher thought.

She let Huntress on her and with that they departed. In those bell wormholes were nothing to sightsee. But countless bells combined with shining rays of light did create a beautiful golden path.

They arrived. Hornet carefully leapt out from Bell beast's spine.

"It will be just a moment. I need to ask a favor from Forge Daughter. I will be back soon." Eira only growled in return for her companion. Creature began to settle for well-deserved rest.

Hornet went deeper in Deep Docks. The path to Forge Daughter wasn't too long, a few minutes of running from bellstation and a few seconds of battling with haunted. Deep in structure spider approached workshop of the Forge Daughter and her assistant Ballow.

"Greetings, Forge Daughter," Hornet came closer to last remaining Dock workers.

"Pointy bug, here to use our talents, no doubt?" Returned the Forge Daughter.

"You are correct. But this time I have far more intriguing tool for you. Perhaps it will be a fine challenge for your skill," Spider tried to make Forge Daughter more engaged in helping her.

She pulled out from her cloak pocket the eyepiece and drafts for Forge Daughter to examinate. She heard shovelling and remembered that there was assistant.

"Greetings Ballow," Hornet greeted Ballow, he returned to her with simple, yet polite "miss".

"Hmph, such vicious construct. Ours line of experience has never seen such devices. But drafts gave us enough to look through. Ballow, we require you for assistance." Her assistant abandoned his previous work and went to Forge Daughter for new command.

"Find us a suitable lightweight metal and equipment to cut and form. Some black paint will also be needed," she handled draft to her assistant and with that he was gone.

The Forge Daughter turned to speak to Hornet. "We are glad to see more complex tools for you to ask, and not just tools for your killing spree." This surprised Huntress.

"I mainly use my tools for defence or hunt. Unreasonable killing was never my choice, be sure in it Forge Daughter," Hornet defended herself. "Is there something I can aid you in your crafts?" she asked.

"A compensation for our time and resources would been welcomed. We would take 600 rosaries"

"Pardon me?" Hornet shook her mask.

"Ours time is precious, and that tool is foreign for our craft."

Is everyone today made a pact to take every single rosary from her? Now Hornet knows she will ask for a higher price for the completed wish. For that transaction she must break rosary string she was saving for desperate times. It looks like now it's time. She pays for Forge Daughter's work, and with Ballow’s return the smith began to fix the device. Huntress waited almost an hour, this little time of waiting she spend outside of workshop, exploring.

"It is done. Our pride indeed. Now, pointy bug, you have seen proof of our skills," Forge Daughter gave a completed piece with drafts to Hornet.

"Your work is fine indeed. You have my outmost gratitude." She bowed to Forge Daughter and her assistant.

"Then our crafts will continue." The Forge Daughter continued with her work. Ballow waived a small goodbye, spider did the same.

After this goodbye Hornet's mood even improved. She finally fulfilled that wish, now the only thing that remains is to how exactly explain to that strange bug she will not take small payment.

Huntress and her travel companion emerged from bells in Blasted steps. Bell beast made a growl before beginning to shake the ground. Hornet turned to her friend and saw broken parts scattered on the ground beside a way up on her left. She came closer to inspect it. They look familiar, they remind her of tools in Sagan bag. She takes the scent and begins her search.

The possible traces lead up. Spider carefully ascends, jumping from one wall to another. Her grip is tight. She passes a Snitchbugs hideout, the cave of bugs who would desecrate any corpse for a few shiny things. In few words - simple most annoying creatures in Pharloom. But their service sometimes does proof useful as she made acquaintance with one of their members named Grindle.

Up this gorge, Huntress hears strange shouting, the voice of bug rings familiar. This makes her uneasy. She quickens her pace and finally reaches the cavern where the fight is in.

The snitchbugs smelled rosaries on poor Sagan and Galileo and came to take it all. No wonder, there's literally snitchbugs hideout in neighbour cavern. She sees how three snitchflys are trying to rip the bag out, Sagan is using some kind of stick to beat them out while Galileo is using his light to blind thieves. How did they ever survive to this point of their life? Hornet positioned herself in fight stance.

"GARAMA," she shouted her battle cry.

Everyone stilled and looked at her. The snitchbugs abandoned Sagan's bag. Then all three of them charged her. She gets a curveclaw from her pocket and throws it into first snitchfly knocking him in flying. The second one leaps right into her, and she blocks the attack with cross-stich. She wonders where the third is as she put down second one.

Her spider sense was ringing alarmingly indicating a danger from her back, as she turns to meet the third one leaping at her. Spider backward dashes to escape attack but gets into trap as the one who she first knocked out came back with revenge.

The snitchfly managed to get her rummaged from her last rosaries. That act made huntress boil with anger. Hornet leaps in air and gets first one down with her needle. The last two remaining fall to ground gathering loose rosaries. She uses their greed to her advantage to charge needle strike. Her blow sends them flying to the entrance of cavern right where the first snithfly is laying. The three of them recover from their wounds slowly as they stand to their feet. Hornet gets her needle and threefold pins ready, standing in defence of Sagan and Galileo. The three are leaping again and she--

"WOAH WOAH WOAH"

Right before her emerges Grindle with his claws in position to tame his fellow snitches. The three of them are surrounding Grindle but he doesn't push down his eye contact with three of them. He looks like he is trainer to tame three feral muckroaches with his widened claws.

"This fancy missy is poor ol' Grindle's most precious customer. You can't just screw her, who's gonna bring you clicky-clackies if you screw her?" The three snitchflys shared a look between each other, they then began to shake their heads.

"That's right, now shoo shoo, go snitchin' on some other bugs, lads." The thieves turned and disappeared in wind outside the cavern. "That's right, now shoo shoo, go snitchin' on some other bugs, lads." The thieves turned and disappeared in wind outside the cavern.

"Never thought you would come to my rescue, little thief," Hornet was surprised that usually worried for himself Grindle would risk his life to help her. For all her encounters with this bug, she was the one carrying his shell through hardships.

"Don’t go blabbin' about that, you still have goody-goods waitin' to purchase from us," he stole a glance through cave.

"Blimey, and after this junk those snitches were after? It's hardly worth anything!" He knocked some pieces of devices into wall with his leg.

""My devices!!!" Sagan screams echoed the cave. Little thief watched blankly as foreign bug ran after broken debris

"Well, my job here is done," Grindle put his claw to Hornet in awaiting manner.

"If you wish payment for the rescue, I'm afraid I don't have anything to give you"

Thief returned his claw and brushed it against his cloak, cleaning it as if it was dirty.

"Uh, never mind then, poor brave Grindle's leavin'." As he leaves, he picks a few loose rosaries lying all around, and a few shiny objects.

Little Galileo immediately flies to Hornet, nuzzling her mask.

"Tell me bug, what did you seek here? Why ascended Blasted steps?"

"This is our mission, to us continue working we must find a suitable cavern at least before we will find a way to the surface, Red Saviour," Sagan gathered scattered pieces of his belongings.

"You may call me Hornet, sir," she came to help him gather. "As for your wish," Huntress took the completed eyepiece from her cloak. "Here it is," she gave the eyepiece to Sagan.

"Oh, thank you miss Hornet! What a fine work," he began to carefully expect his device.

"As for the payment, I'm afraid I have to ask you to raise your earlier proposal"

Sagan looked at her with that guilty expression.

"As for that..." he stood among his scattered cave devices, tools and rosaries.

"We have nothing to give you, Miss Hornet, right now..." Sagan's claws dropped in defeat.

She looked at him with mixed expression. All of that for nothing but a financial loss.

"Well... granting wishes not always must be paid. Sometimes we should do the right thing even if it may bring temporary discomfort." Sagan visibly lit by her words.

"Truly?" he asked.

"Truly," she answered kindly.

"May I ask you for another wish?" Hornet expression sharpened hearing his request.

"This one better be rewarding," she demanded.

"Of course, of course!!" Sagan nodded eagerly. "Can you meet the awaited bug in Bilewater?"