The closer their small party got to Dirtmouth, the more Hollow realized there was something different about themself now (and not merely because their sibling-turned-God was currently sharing a shell with them). Hollow felt it in each long stride, in the leagues that fled behind them. Their fatigue and exhaustion, which had been near-constant companions since they had been freed, no longer nipped at their heels. Magic sung in their blood as it had not since the Radiance had taken possession of them. Whatever sickness She had brought with Her was no longer there.
They were alive, they realized. Scarred and worn, but alive.
Is that your doing as well? Hollow had asked when that particular revelation dawned upon them.
Don't look at me, Ghost replied in the mental equivalent of a shrug. Fixing arms and legs and gluing shells together is about all I can do. A pulse of anger, though not directed at Hollow. Makes me wish I could kill Her all over again, though. She made you hurt like that, didn't She?
Yes, they replied, but I am not the only one with grievances against Her. More the point, I think you settled the score several times over in slaying her. Pardon the expression, but I believe you can give up the… ghost , on that matter.
That got an exasperated groan out of Ghost, as they had hoped. Grimmchild threw them a curious look when Hollow chuffed a quiet laugh. Hollow only shook their head and waved him off. Before their little sibling could properly disown them for the pun, Hollow rounded the final bend in the crossroads.
The old well shaft rose above them. An errant breeze lightly rattled the chain rope that led upward. Watery light from the surface filtered down in a halo. And there, sitting in the pool of light leaning against her needle, was Hornet.
Hornet! Ghost piped up, fairly thrumming within Hollow's shell.
They saw her first, but it was scarcely a heartbeat later that their sister saw them as well. Her head snapped up at their movement, disbelief and relief flashing in her eyes. Then she was up on her feet and sprinting towards them. She covered the short distance with alarming speed, and only Hollow's arms coming out to catch her kept her from bowling them both over.
Hornet had not even stopped skidding before her hands were on Hollow's face. She turned their head to one side and then the other, up and down. Her fingers moved deftly over the crack between their eyes, over the black-stained and tattered edges of the red cloak. After a few moments her shoulders relaxed and she sighed so quietly that Hollow thought they might have imagined it.
Then, fixing Hollow with a glare, she gave them a firm rap between the horns with her fist.
"What does a week mean to you, knight?" Hornet said, holding up her fingers. "Seven days - we agreed to meet back here seven days from the morning we set out. Could you not have at least sent Grimmchild if you knew you were going to be late? Or if your concept of time is that lacking, then I think an introduction to a clock and a calendar are in order!"
"Only gone… few days…" Hollow groused as they rubbed at their horns.
"A few days? You have been gone for nearly a fortnight!"
Hollow glanced up sharply. They knew the trip down to the Abyss had been significantly slower than the return journey, but had a fortnight truly passed in their absence?
Time is… funny down there , Ghost supplied, a little sheepishly. Sometimes it goes slower or faster. And sometimes it just… isn't. Doesn't exist, I mean.
We shall keep that in mind for future trips, then, Hollow sighed, turning a penitent look at Hornet.
"Sorry…" they apologized, somewhat lamely, to Hornet. "Made you… worry…"
"By our sire, if you were not my sibling…" She shook her head before reaching over to stroke gently between Hollow's eyes, and Hollow leaned into the touch with a pleased sigh. "It is over and done with, I suppose. I am glad for your safe return, knight."
Then, after a minute or two, she asked in a quieter voice, "Did you find what you were looking for? Did you find… them ?"
Hollow nodded, slowly. Pulling back slightly, they brought one hand up to their temple and the other to their chest. From deep within themselves came a low humming, a sound better felt in their carapace than heard with their ears. It was a thrum of such power, only a God could have been its source. Hollow and Hornet both shivered.
"Ghost… is here…" they explained at the alarmed question in their sister's face. "With us… Holding us… together…"
"Holding you together?" Hornet echoed. Her eyes narrowed as she re-examined their face, focusing on the crack down their face. "I see. I am under the impression you ran into far greater trouble than you are telling me." The look she gave them would have made a rabid mawlek run away whimpering. "And that you did not send Grimmchild to fetch us when you found yourself in said trouble as I instructed you. Am I correct?"
… Is it too late to turn back? Ghost asked, only half-joking. Ascending into godhood and devouring an all-powerful Goddess of light for the sake of kin and kingdom was one thing. Facing Hornet's righteous fury, on the other hand… Well, what was a God to an angry sister?
"Yes…" Hollow admitted, standing up again. They gestured at their person, emphasizing the two arms they now possessed. "But I… am fine… now?" They held their palms outward in a placating gesture. "Will explain… later…"
"Yes, you will," Hornet replied sternly before promptly taking their sibling's hand. "Come. The others will be anxious to see you as well."
"Others…?" Hollow asked, tilting their head as they were dragged along. (Grimmhild, having wisely chosen to stay out of the way of their sister's scolding, fluttered ahead of them.)
"Our own journey - mine and Quirrel's - ended up taking us farther afield than we anticipated," Hornet explained as they walked up to the chain rope. "Suffice to say, that Ghost made a number of friends in their quest, and we met many of them along the way. When we told them of Ghost's plight, they were moved themselves to assist us in whatever way that they could."
Another frisson of excitement from Ghost. Their memories of sibling's journey and the farflung souls they had met came to mind, and it was easy to understand their happy anticipation.
They will be happy to see you as well, I am sure , Hollow teased.
She jerked her head upward as she took hold of the rope. "They have gathered in Dirtmouth, awaiting your return."
She ascended quickly then, and Hollow followed suit. With both their arms intact, they now moved almost as swiftly as she did. What had once taken several minutes of slowly worming their way upward and left them exhausted afterward, they could accomplish in scarce seconds.
Distantly, it crossed their mind that they might even be able to spar with their sister. Old habits died hard. They itched to fight as they once had with nail and magic, and their father had required them both to train in the same brutal regime. If there was one common love Hollow and Hornet had (aside from Ghost), it was the challenge that only a worthy opponent could bring.
Dirtmouth's cool, dusty wind buffeted against them when they emerged above the well. Curious, how familiar and welcoming that breeze was becoming to Hollow. Then again, perhaps it was the family and friends that awaited them that made it so.
True to Hornet's word, there were many bugs awaiting them in the square, far more than they could recall seeing during their last visit. They spotted a number of beetles, including a great old stag muttering and glancing about (Hollow wondered if he might be blind). The fly shopkeeper was perched atop a comically large nail, occasionally offering a word to a look-alike trio of even larger warriors. Even Jiji had ventured out of her sanctuary, talking animatedly with a portly and jewel bedecked slug.
They're here. Ghost's tone was awed, almost disbelieving, but happy as well. They're all really here...
At the edge of the group closest to the well, they found Quirrel. He was seated next to Lemm, holding the old relic seeker's hand in his own as Lemm leaned against his shoulder. Elderbug sat across from them, still holding that delicate flower and wearing a pensive expression.
"I know I'm only an old fool given to worrying," Elderbug sighed, "but I can't help feeling something must have happened to them. If the little traveler of all bugs has fallen down there, how can we expect that poor, sickly elder sibling of theirs to fare any better?"
"Have some faith, my friend," Quirrel soothed, calm and unflappable as ever. "While they might not look it, Hollow is as much a fighter as Ghost. They are made of the same stuff, so to speak, and I have every confidence they'll find each other." At a screech from Grimmchild, Quirrel started and glanced up.
"Speak of the devil!" the pillbug cried happily. "Hollow! Grimmchild!"
Quirrel run at and hugged them as Hornet had, although he at least had the good grace not to nearly bowl them over. Looking up at Hollow, there was that same question in his eyes as well.
"It is good to see you again, my friend," he greeted before stepping back. "How was the journey? Did you find them?"
"Fine…" Hollow said, nodding. "Found them… You… repair shell…?"
"Yes, and not a moment too soon, I think," Quirrel said, glancing up and down and getting a better look at Hollow. "Though judging by the state of you, you've had quite an adventure, too!"
"Which they will tell us about at length at a later date, I am sure," Hornet said as she walked up beside them.
Hollow stiffened a little where they stood, glancing up and off to the side… Only to see the rest of the gathered bugs staring at the new arrivals. Canting their gaze down again, they saw Hornet walking towards the crowd.
"Now that they have arrived, there is no reason to delay a moment more," Hornet said, glancing over her shoulder. "I will see to the final preparations. Quirrel, tell them-"
She stopped herself suddenly. "That is, if you would be so kind as to inform Hollow of what we have learned in brief, that would be… appreciated." Their sister ground out those last words as if she were attempting to swallow glass. Shaking her head, she set off at a brisk pace towards the square.
"She is… trying," Quirrel supplied at Hollow's nonplussed expression. "To be a little more friendly, I mean. Surprised the trying hasn't actually killed her yet, but try she does. I suppose it's what you would call an adjustment period for her. We're all having one lately, I think.
"But I'm getting off topic. After we parted ways with you and Grimmchild at the crossroads, we made our way to my mistress's archives. We found quite a bit of material on vessels and the making of their shells, but nothing on the repairing of said shells.
"So, lacking any other firm leads, we decided to go to the source, so to speak. Vessels, as I'm sure I don't need to tell you, are the children of the former rulers of Hallownest. Their shades may be of Void, but their shells are quite Pale."
At this, Quirrel cast a wary, searching look up at Hollow.
"It was… Hornet's idea that we go to Queen's Gardens. It was the Pale King's power that allowed pieces of the Void to be grafted to shells, but it was the White Lady that made them and gave them substance. We had hoped to find some means of mending Ghost's shell through her, or that she might have the power to mend the shell herself, but…
"She refused." His brows furrowed as he glanced away. "Or I think she did. Her sight had apparently gone some time ago, and I think her mind must have followed not long after. We could barely make sense of her ramblings. Something about one old enemy gone only to be usurped by another, that this kingdom was well and truly doomed, her Wyrm was gone and their mission had failed. She did not even recognize Hornet in her state."
Swallowing hard, Hollow tried in vain to stifle the sudden throbbing in their chest. They too glanced away. Their body was strong and hale again, but… Well, some wounds not even a God could heal.
There had been some hope in the back of their mind - distant and faint but still there - that they might see their mother again. That the two of them might walk in her gardens together as they once had, that she might look at Hollow and speak those rare, sweet words of praise. That she might look at them that she was proud, that they had done enough, that she loved-
Hollow, don't , Ghost cut in before their thoughts could devolve any further. Don't. She isn't worth you tearing yourself over her.
You cannot tell me you do not feel something, Hollow countered, a little hotly. For good or ill, she birthed us.
Maybe, but… A moment of silence. Look, I don't really know how to say how I feel about her or the Pale King. Only that it isn't a good feeling, like I ate something bad. So I try to think about the people I care about instead, and the people who care about me. I think that's what you should do, too, at least right now.
Hollow sighed lightly. Ghost was right, of course. Now was not the time to pick at that particular wound. Too much had already happened in such a short time, and any more might well drive them mad.
They had Ghost and Hornet and Quirrel and Grimmchild and the rest of their siblings in their life now. Hollow would count their blessings in the family they had, both that which they possessed by blood and that which they had found. For now, they would find their happiness in that family and be content.
"Are you all right?" Quirrel asked, pulling them from their thoughts and eyes full of concern.
Hollow nodded slowly, indicating for him to continue.
"Anyway," he said, picking up again, "having hit a dead end with that lead, the two of us knew we'd simply have to find a solution for ourselves. We made our way back out of the gardens, and somehow managed to get turned around altogether in Greenpath."
He jerked a thumb in the direction of one of the warriors, who Hollow noticed upon closer inspection was wearing an apron generously spattered with old paint stains. Next to him stood a rhinoceros beetle, the pair of them watching the other two beetle warriors engaging in a rather heated discussion.
"Luckily, we ran into that lovely couple over there - Sheo and Nailsmith, they call themselves. They were kind enough to give us a place by their hearth to rest for a while. Had a lovely chat, which of course had them asking what we were doing out there in the first place. We told them our story and what we were trying to accomplish, and wouldn't you know that the Nailsmith had actually done some work in repairing shells and missing limbs with metal prosthetics once upon a time?
"He had never done work with a vessel, but we let him take a look at Ghost's shell. He seemed to think he could at least mend the two halves back together. Only he lacked the material he needed for the task: pale ore.
"It was hunting for the ore that took us on our whirlwind tour of the rest of the Hallownest. And, well, that's how we ended up meeting the rest of this crowd. Ultimately it was Hornet who thought to look out at Kingdom's Edge. Turns out the resting places of wyrms are absolutely teeming with pale ore veins!
"We brought all we could carry to the Nailsmith, and he was as good as his word. He might even be able to do something for your shell, if you're in a mind to let him." Quirrel turned his head to look in the direction of the square again. "Ah, it looks like they're ready."
In the center of the plaza, Jiji was hard at work, bent over and putting the finishing touches on a large seal. Circular and intricate, it bore some resemblance to the summoning circle in her sanctuary. It was a seal of binding, but it was of the sort Hollow was unfamiliar with.
Upon closer inspection, they noticed smaller circles in the center and edges of the seal. They recognized these circles as conduit lines, and further that the number of circles was equal to the number of bugs present in Dirtmouth. She clearly intended for them to play a part in the ritual to rebind Ghost's shade to their shell, but what that part might be Hollow was uncertain of.
"The Shaman's work, not mine," Jiji said when Hollow walked up to her, once again making use of that uncanny ability to understand the vessel without words. "I am merely a copyist today. Once again he has outdone himself." She scrawled one last line with her brush and stood.
"And the leylines are down! All we need now is a catalyst and a power source. The latter is where you lovely lot come in." She clicked her claws together rapidly to get everyone's attention. "Places, bugs, places! Now you-" Jiji grabbed Hollow's arm, all but dragging them to the center of the seal. "-stand right here. The rest will be providing a bit of their energy to facilitate the spellwork, but the hard part - giving our shade a reason to come and stay in their shell again and helping them to stay there - is still ours to bear."
Staying where they were bid, silent as the bugs bustled to and fro and were herded into their assigned spots about the circle. The ritual had not properly begun, but already they could feel a buzzing on the air. Like the water in a levee, awaiting the floodgates to open so that it might flow again.
Are you ready? Hollow asked.
Yes , Ghost said, hesitatingly, but…
But?
What if it doesn't work?
It will, they replied, sending a pulse of reassurance in their direction. Even if it does not, we will find some other way. I promised you that I would bring you home, and I will not fail in this. I simply will not allow it. Believe in our strength and our love for you, little Ghost. Believe that we can help you now, as you have helped us.
Okay , Ghost said, attempting to sound braver than they likely felt. I'll try.
A few minutes later, Hornet and Elderbug approached them. Carefully wrapped and cushioned by spidersilk, Hornet held up Ghost's shell. Hollow saw that it had been cleaned and polished with great care, shining like new. Or perhaps that was simply the bright and silvery seam of pale ore that now bridged the gap where the shell had broken.
"Here, knight," she said, somber as they took the shell. "You will need to be the one to hold the shell throughout the transfer and the binding that follows. Moreover... I simply think it is fitting, all things considered."
Hollow delicately ran a fingertip down the vein as they took the shell from their sister. They tapped the metal lightly and a bell-like note rang through the air. Pale ore made for strong yet light and flexible weaponry, and that was no less true for Ghost's now-repaired shell.
"I'm told you're to have this, too," Elderbug murmured, carefully laying the white-petalled flower on top of Ghost's shell. Its faint glow only made the pale ore shine all the brighter. He smiled slightly up at Hollow. "Much as it saddens me to part with such a treasure, I think our little traveller needs it more."
At last everyone came to stand in their proper place in the circle. Hollow at the center with Ghost's shade and shell, Hornet and Quirrel standing to either side of them. Grimmchild flew down silently and perched on Hollow's shoulder. Everyone else stood upon the edge of the circle, Jiji standing opposite from Hollow. Raising a claw to the sky, she began to chant the spell.
The air at first remained stagnant as the eternal breeze suddenly ceased. Then, a humming followed. Static danced along Hollow's carapace, arcing to prickle at those beside them and back again. Power, sure and steady, began to build from where the soles of their feet met the ground, up their spine.
Instinct guided Hollow to slowly, slowly kneel upon the ground. Eyes open, they tipped their head back to the sky. A silent prayer to any higher being or power that might be listening. To grant them success and relief, to give them an end and beginning to all that had brought them to this moment.
Everything seemed to fade away in that moment. Their doubts, their grief. Their hurt, their anger. All thoughts of the past and future fled from their mind. The only things that remained were the present, the combined strength of those that loved and surrounded them now.
Hollow looked down one more, the magic about them spiking with a feverish intensity. The flower's glow flared once, twice, three times. Then in a flash it was gone, its light now haloing Ghost's shell. Leaning forward and bringing their arms up in the same motion, Hollow pressed the temples of their shells together. They closed their eyes and exhaled in a long sigh.
Then, in a voice as clear and sure as if they had been born with it, Hollow whispered, "Come back to us, little one. Come home."
Deep within themself, Hollow felt something taken from them then. A piece of themself that they realized was Ghost, pulling away and flowing out. Tears flowed cold and unbidden down their face, but there was no sorrow in the parting. They were still weeping when they opened their eyes.
There, lying in Hollow's arms, was a little vessel. Their little head entirely too big for their child's body, as round and pudgy as any grub. Eyes stared droopy and unfocused out at the world, as if they had just woken from sleep. Their tiny hands reached up to scrub at their face. They paused in the motion to stare cross-eyed at their own fingers before looking beyond to focus at the sibling who held them.
Hollow? Ghost said, their voice coming from without rather than within now. Did it work? Am I really here?
Yes, little one, Hollow replied, breath hitching in their throat. They nuzzled against Ghost's face, the seam of pale ore catching lightly on the crack in Hollow's shell. Once they started, Hollow could not seem to stop as they hugged Ghost tightly to them. They realized joyfully that Ghost was nuzzling back. You are here, and I am here. We are all here with you.
"Ghost," came Hornet's voice, faintly at first. "Ghost!"
Holding to no sense of dignity or restraint now, their sister flung herself at the two of them. She really did knock them to the ground this time, hugging them tight and muttering half-threats and endearments all in the same breath. Grimmchild followed suit with a scree! that split the ear with Quirrel on his heels. Then it seemed as if everyone had followed suit. They might have well smothered under all the attention, but Hollow did not care.
Because was Ghost was here with them, and they would never be parted again.