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The newest vessel appears to enjoy the company of other bugs.
I caught it spending a quiet moment with one of the old nail masters after being taught a new nail art by him. The ghost did not need to linger after learning from the teacher. Any practical use of the bond between teacher and student was exhausted, the master having shown the ghost all that he could. And yet…
Yet, the little ghost stayed a while, sitting beside its master in peaceful silence before eventually moving on.
Then, again, I saw the ghost bringing gifts to the other bugs. The elderbug in the topside town of Dirtmouth brandished a soft, delicate flower against his cloak and claimed the odd little bug brought it to him. A present. What use was this? There was no real reason. No real purpose, for this act. Still, the ghost did it anyway.
It lingers, at gravesites, as if to give a moment of silent peace.
It all frightens me.
The ghost is strong. I am hesitant to admit it, but I fear it is stronger than even I. I cannot begin to fathom where the ghost draws its strength, but I fear that if I were to attempt and challenge it to fight again, I would lose.
During our first duel, the ghost was bumbling and clumsy. It showed promise, but it was clearly weak still, with much to learn. Now, I see it fell great foes with ease. It clambers through the kingdom gracefully, flying past with a swiftness that rivaled myself.
None of the other vessels had ever been so strong. If they showed weakness, or any sign of not being hollow, I could dispel them quickly. There was no real fear of an unprepared vessel facing our sealed sibling and failing, not when I stood in the way.
If this little ghost is not hollow… I have no guarantee I would be able to stop it from attempting to free our sibling.
I hope, for its sake, that it is hollow.
I know the little creature is older than I… older than most anything, in this kingdom. Yet, when it looks up at me, it is oddly reminiscent of a child. It moves with a bounce and innocence I have not had since my youth. What is a child, if not an innocent being that looks up for protection and guidance.
I cannot protect it. It has been created for slaughter and all I can do is guide it the best I am capable.
I beg that it shall end well.