When they had both stopped weeping at last, neither was yet willing to let the other go. So Hollow held Ghost's smaller hand in their own large one. A part of them still could not believe that they had found Ghost, that their shade still walked beside them.
They stood together over the broken halves of Hollow's shell. Ooze still creeped around the edges where it had been ripped apart and stained the bits of fabric that lay in tatters around it. Hollow still could not dredge up any particular feeling as they stared at what was, to all intents and purposes, their own corpse on the ground. Grief, pain, anger - what were such things before the joy of finding his siblings again?
Even so, they could feel Ghost trembling slightly beside them. Hollow squeezed their hand gently in reassurance.
I'm sorry , Ghost said quietly, scrubbing at their tears with their free hand. I couldn't… I couldn't see you underneath the shell. None of us could. We… We were scared someone had come to hurt us again.
You have nothing to sorry for, little one, Hollow reassured them. You did not know. There was no way that could have known. I did not even recognize you at first. They huffed, a light and humorless laugh. And, in all fairness, I did not deserve any kinder treatment.
Now it was Ghost's turn to look up at them.
Why do you keep talking like that?
When their little sibling spoke again there was some of the old power back in their voice, and their smaller size did nothing to diminish its effect. Hollow shivered slightly and glanced away, only to look at Ghost again when their hand was given a firm tug.
Hey. Answer me.
Ghost's tone was stern and uncompromising, but they could hear the love underneath it as well. So much like Hornet, like their sire.
Because… is that not the truth? Hollow replied haltingly unconvincing even to their own ears. When our sire and dame conceived us, I left the rest of you to suffer here with scarcely a backward glance. When I trained, I could not purge myself of those things that made me impure. When I faced the Radiance, I could not contain Her. When this kingdom had greatest need of me, I could not save it. When you came to my aid, I could do nothing to help you, and you could have very well died in the process. Nearly did on more than one occasion.
They sighed and bowed their head slightly, closing their eyes. They did not wish to see Ghost pass judgement upon them, though their sibling surely would.
So much has been lost, and I could have prevented it had I only been strong enough. Should I not be punished for all that I failed to do?
Silence filled the space between them. Hollow's shoulders hunched closer together, and they began to fear the worst.
Then, a firm poke between their eyes, right along the glowing scar that even Hollow's shade would never be free of. Hollow winced slightly but did not pull back. When they looked at Ghost again, it was to see their sibling leveling them with a slightly exasperated expression.
You're really silly sometimes, you know that? Kind and brave and good, but silly, too.
…What? Hollow tilted their head at their sibling, decidedly nonplussed.
The way you keep trying to make everything bad that's ever happened your fault, Ghost clarified, laughing. I think you'd try to take the blame for the rain in the City of Tears if you could .
Hollow sighed, shaking their head. Ghost, I am being serious…
So am I, they countered, sobering a little. If I don't have anything to apologize for, then you don't either.
Ghost gently patted Hollow's cheek, and the sound was like a breeze buffeting a shadow.
Want to know how I see it? When our fath- Ghost faltered a moment before continuing. When the Pale King made us, he took you away when you were barely able to walk, barely able to understand anything. When you trained, you worked harder than any person should ever have to. When you faced Her, you took all Her anger and power inside you and lived. When Hallownest needed you, you sacrificed everything - your dreams, your future, and your life - to try and save it. And the only reason you couldn't help me was because you had already given everything you had.
Hollow stared at their sibling for a long moment, dumbstruck. They should have been countering every argument, denying every scrap of understanding they did not deserve. Yet to do so would have been spit in the face of everything Ghost had done, and so they remained silent.
Hollow , Ghost continued, why did you come back for me? When you were released from the temple, you could've gone anywhere and done anything you wanted. But you came back for me. Why?
Again, they were at a loss as to how to respond. It was a minute or two before they found their voice again.
So many reasons came to mind, most concerning debts owed and sins to be atoned for. Yet they all lacked that certain ring of truth, and Hollow knew it was not the answer Ghost was looking for.
I came back because, they replied haltingly, because I had to. Because anywhere worth going or anything worth doing… is worth nothing unless you are with me. With all of us. They squeezed Ghost's hand again. But mostly, I think, because I love you.
Good. Ghost's eyes narrowed slightly, and Hollow had the distinct impression that they were smiling. Their smaller sibling bumped their head against them. Because that's also why I came back, too.
And, in spite of themself, Hollow smiled, too.
The two of them stood there for a while longer and talked at length. Mainly about how the both of them were going to make the climb back up. For shades were not made for traveling without shells, and yet shades without shells they were. As baffling (and more than a little terrifying) as Ghost's powers still were to Hollow, they were soon forced to acknowledge the benefits of godhood.
You sure it won't hurt you? Ghost asked, not for the first time.
One of the few benefits of having a vengeful Goddess in your head for an age , Hollow laughed, a little wearily, is that you learn to take such pain in stride. Moreover, I doubt you intend to try and tear me apart from the inside and take your vengeance upon every innocent bug within a few dozen leagues.
It was somewhat more difficult to slip back into their shell than it was to slip out. It was not unlike trying to step into clothing one had outgrown, and it surprised Hollow how stifled they suddenly felt to be housed within a physical body again.
I am only concerned you will find the sensation of sharing a body... strange. With a shiver, Hollow was finally back inside. It is only a temporary discomfort, I know, but I would spare you any pain, however slight, if I were to have my way.
I think I'll be okay. It's just until we can put me back in my shell, right? G host said, their shade zipping in circles around the newly be-shelled Hollow. And maybe when they fix mine, they can fix yours, too. So long as we're sharing a shell, I think I can hold us together. But after…
We will worry about that once we return, Hollow reassured their sibling. But for now we must go. We have lingered too long, and I fear that Hornet and Quirrel will begin to worry for us.
Ghost nodded. With an exhale like the wind upon the blasted plains above, their shade warped and expanded until they had the shape of the God once again. Carefully they hovered over Hollow's shell, holding the two pieces fast together with their fingertips. Ghost's claws pricked the porcelain-white material as they began to mutter a wordless spell.
Oily tendrils slipped along Hollow's shell, black fibers sprouting within the crack and pulling the shell taut. It was an itchy, tingling sensation that they could only describe as being knit back together. Cold air rushed back in their lungs as the black carapace of their body reformed, and once more they felt the stones beneath them.
When Hollow felt the tendrils of the Void dig in further, they braced themself. Their claws dug into the ground and they inhaled sharply as they felt Ghost's power flow into them. The pressure built within Hollow, and they briefly feared they would burst apart again.
Yet their shell held, and in moments Ghost's shade had disappeared within. Hollow simply lay there for a moment, trying to reorient themself within their body. They listened to the shaky rhythm of their heart, took one shaky breath and then another. Beneath their own frantic pulse they could feel a second one, thrumming and full of power and concern - Ghost.
Hollow? they called quietly from a space at the back of Hollow's mind.
I am fine. Hollow projected more confidence and ease than they felt, and on some level they knew Ghost was not fooled. Even so, it was up to them to carry them out of the Abyss. The worst was over now, and Hollow took heart from that. It was time to go home.
Moving their reanimated body proved to be another hurdle. Standing came with a shaky effort, and walking only after a hobbling fashion. But with each step Hollow became a little more familiar with their legs once more, and they began to stride more than they limped. They carefully flexed their arms and hands as they walked, faintly surprised to find they had two of each once more.
I can't really fix shells , Ghost said at Hollow's confusion, but anything made of Void is fair game!
Thank you, Hollow replied warmly, chuckling at the note of gleeful pride they sensed from Ghost. Your work would put the greatest master prosthetist to shame.
Before Hollow had gone very far, they stopped and turned. They felt rather than heard the shades of their other siblings clambering behind them. Hollow was not sure if it was Ghost's power that allowed them to hear the voices of the shades now. Perhaps Hollow had simply learned how to listen for their whispering, as they had learned how to see Hollow beneath the shell. Their calls came quiet and mournful, and it made Hollow's chest ache.
Miss you miss you miss you...
Don't go don't go don't go…
Can't follow can't follow can't follow…
Scared without you lonely without you lost without you…
Don't go don't go don't go…
Reaching out, Hollow brushed their fingers over the nearest shades. The little floating silhouettes pushed against them, quivering in the wan light from above.
We will return for you, little ones, they said. We will return and mend your shells and take you to see the world above. For this kingdom is still great and beautiful even in its ruin, and it is yours to inherit.
We'll come back, Ghost chimed in. Go back to sleep. We'll be here when you wake up.
Once, twice, three times the host of shades circled and bumped against Hollow. A farewell, a promise to wait, a plea to return soon, all in a single gesture. Each dark silhouette curled in upon itself in turn, becoming little more pinpricks of darkness as they sank into the scattered shells that surrounded them. With a collective sigh, the shades disappeared and Hollow and Ghost were alone in the dark.
Though they did not remain alone or in the dark for very long. Far above them, a red light flared to life. Hollow flinched at the sudden illumination after the long dusk of the pit. They had no respite even after that, for almost as soon as their eyes adjusted a small dark shape came streaking out of the darkness. It struck Hollow square in the chest and fell, winded and arms flailing, on their back.
"Grimm… child…" they wheezed dazedly, bringing a shaky hand to pet the little face pushing itself against their own.
"Found you!" the child squeaked. He looked a little ruffled (and covered in no small amount of ooze) but thankfully none the worse for wear for his brush with their siblings. Then, sniffing closer at Hollow, he looked questioningly at the vessel. "Found… friend?"
Nodding slowly, Hollow brought a finger up to tap at their temple. "Friend… here…"
Grimmchild cried out in delight, nuzzling against them in earnest and wiggling like an overexcited little grub. Though they were not sure the child could sense it, Hollow felt a shock of joy in answer from Ghost. And as Ghost could not do so themself, they held Grimmchld in a fond embrace, scratching under his chin and nuzzling back.
A few minutes later saw three of them climbing the long way up together. Ghost fairly thrumming with excitement in Hollow's shell, Grimmchild seated between Hollow's horns, and Hollow carrying them all. Somewhere along the way they found Quirrel's nail again. Hornet's cloak was miraculously still in one piece around Hollow's shoulders, albeit now covered in a spattering of black stains.
When they approached the door, Hollow paused to catch their breath. They stood in the little island of light cast upon the walkway. They stood and waited for… what exactly, they did not know.
What's wrong? Ghost asked, nudging at Hollow's mind. We're going home, aren't we?
"Home now?" Grimmchild piped up, batting his wings against Hollow's head.
"... Yes." Once more they began to walk forward, more assured of themself this time, and into the light. "Home… we go…"