Whoo boy… kinda feels like an eternity, doesn't it? Personal problems and life shenanigans aside, I'm very sorry this was delayed as long as it was. Though, now, things are going to get crazy. I mean really really crazy.

Please don't kill me over this...

It felt as if eternity flowed within a second. My life flashed before my very eyes, accompanying me in my senseless slaughter and defense. The Legendary Shield was more than just a slab of hammered ore… it was a weapon far beyond any Nail, Needle or Shell my father's Nail Smiths could ever hope to forge.

Ethereal winds, ensnaring chains, debilitating and caustic gasses… and its ability to harness the strength of Hallownest's greatest bugs. What fools these children were. What fools who have dared shun such a gift to their realm.

And what a fool am I, to have forcibly bound its power, adding it to my own. Yet what choice was there? Many had been lost, many more could have been lost… and I had succeeded had I not? The many wraiths were felled by my hands! Was that not what we wished? To protect what remained of the village and its people?

If so, why was I reliving the event? I understood that what I had done was unforgivable and tantamount to suicide. I do… yet as I rushed forth, slaughtering countless void kin, it always ended the same. Naofumi's griffon chick runs forth, bathed in radiant light as she grows and grows until I am struck. Rendered unconscious before once more resuming the slaughter in its entirety.

What… what have I done?

/- - -/

"L-Lord Shield Hero!" The mouse and wolf Beast-Men declared as they bowed before the still recovering Naofumi, "It is an honor to meet you face to face," The wolf added.

"Can we skip the whole 'Shield God' situation?" Naofumi asked, exasperated and fatigued, "I just woke up from the worst nap in existence and the last thing I want is for people to be worshipping me like I'm a god."

"Such pious humility, Lord Shield Hero!" The mouse declared, head still on the floor, "Truly we are unworthy to be in your presence!"

"Naofumi-Sama has given you an order!" Raphtalia shouted as the two Beast-Men flinched and looked at the raccoon girl, "Now, why have Siltvelt envoys come in search of Naofumi again?"

Cursing, the wolf growled before answering, "You are lucky that you are Lord Shield Hero's personal guard… No, we did not come here seeking our Lord. We have come here for the Sword Hero, Sir… Hollow his name is?"

"Then why are you still here?" Naofumi asked calmly, his hands now resting upon the head of his now much larger griffon, "Shouldn't you be in his room making sure he's okay?"

"You are absolutely right!" The mouse replied, "Our main concern however was your well being, but as you are in no need of assistance we shall make our way to the Sword Hero's side."

"Then hurry up already! You're in the way," Naofumi shouted. The two Beast-Men looked at him in confusion until they were unceremoniously thrown out by an overly cheerful Firo and Uru. As his party of girls crowded around him and held him close, he couldn't help but smile as he placed a kiss upon Raphtalia's cheek and whispered a thank you into her ear. This caused Raphtalia to blush and stutter out her own thanks.

/- - -/

How long… how long has it since been as I have been made to face my punishment?

How was I meant to count the recurring moment? In bodies? In swings of my blade? In the time of impact? A lesser bug would have gone insane, surrounded by so much void blood and wraith skulls. I was no ordinary bug. I am the Hollow Knight! Unfeeling, unwanting. Careless… selfish… foolish, broken, failed Vessel of Hallownest.

I could no longer swing my blade, the Shield upon my arm grew heavy. I was… I am nothing but a long expired failure, and as the wraiths surrounded me, I awaited my long overdue rest…

/- - -/

"Hey! HEY! I think he's coming to!" I heard the excited and happy voice of my loyal Filorial, River, call out.

Hah… I believe I recall one of my father's knights speak of this phenomenon as seeing their life flash before their eyes.

"Ya sure, Lass? Can't really notice much when his face is covered by a mask," Bargram mused.

The giant of man… I had maybe hoped to dine within his tavern once more and bask in it's revelries.

Master. You aren't dead yet.

F-Fera? No… it couldn't be.

"Get up, sleepy head!" River shouted as she pulled me up, my daze slowly fading, "You've got a lot of explaining to do!"

"Like how were you able to use the Legendary Shield?" Wyndia asked curiously.

"That is something we'd like to know as well."

The Demi-Humans from Siltvelt. "I shall tell you all you wish to know."

"Of course, Sir Sword Hero," The mouse responded before both he and his companion bowed, "But first and foremost, we must thank you for saving both ourselves and ensuring the safety of our Shield God."

"In the end, it was Naofumi who saved myself," I replied as I raised my arm, the Shield's weight still heavy upon my mind and body, "I… Like a coward, I looked upon the facsimile of my kin and I ran."

"But you came back," River argued. I could already tell she knew what I was about to say, but… "So, tell us how you ran back out with the Shield."

The two Demi-Humans perked up at this and looked up at me expectantly.

No doubt wishing to know if the process could be replicated. Hah… yes I believe this is true.

Fera, River, Talon, and Wyndia all gave me strange, surprised looks as I continued, "What I did can not be replicated," My words had the expected result as both wolf and mouse slumped, "I subjugated the Shield through the Void."

"The… Void?" The mouse asked, "You mean like those… wraiths?"

"Yes, exactly like those wraiths," I replied as I raised my Nail and willed it change into its haze of Void… only, what was once a formless haze had solidified into a proper Nail. It looked very much like a Pure Nail colored a black as cold as the Deep Nest, yet its indents and grooves shined with the same holy thrum of Pale Ore.

"What… what in the name of the gods is that?" The wolf asked in fear and awe.

"Thaaat, is not supposed to look like how it does," River quickly spoke, "Did… did that thing change when you struck the Shield?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," I replied as the door opened, Naofumi standing by, flanked by his party. There was… a difference to his eyes. The rage he held within them was gone.

"Hollow," He spoke as he held up the Wyrm's open maw, "I… we need to talk later," He began as he looked away and rubbed the back of his head, an apologetic look about him, "Just. Not now I guess. There are things I need to work out, especially since the next Wave is closing in on us."

"Ah fer the love of-" Bargram gasped as his face twisted, "I can't believe I forgot about all that!"

"Well, we were really preoccupied with everything going on here," Wyndia offered.

"Then shouldn't we prepare together?" Raphtalia offered as she poked her head in before looking at Naofumi with a bright smile and blush, "Right?"

Naofumi abashedly looked away from her as he smiled and scratched his chin, "Ah… I guess it wouldn't hurt?"

"Does this mean Filo can go play with Eustice?" The blonde haired Filorial child asked excitedly before receiving nods of confirmation from both Naofumi and Bargram.

"Ah, but Sir Hollow!" The mouse shouted, "I almost forgot our mission here!"

"Mission?"

"We were sent by our king in the guise of recruiting you to our cause," The wolf answered, "However, we believe you to be a close ally of Luge of Faubley."

"Who?" Naofumi asked curiously.

"Ah, think he means king Aultcray," Bargram replied as Fera nodded, "He hasn't gone by that name since he married her highness, Mirelia."

"I believe myself to be an ally of Aultcray, yes," I stated calmly, much to the disgust of the Demi-Humans and discomfort of Naofumi, "I am not ignorant to his crimes however, many as they are."

"Then why?" The wolf asked.

"For there is a greater evil plaguing this world. One that has followed me from my own," As those gathered eyed me critically, River drew close and held my arm as I noticed Naofumi's griffon hide behind his leg, "A Void Beast has come to claim that which it has lost, and guilty or not, Aultcray has proven himself a worthy defender against it."

"Then… if what you say is true," The mouse whispered, "Then a war between our kingdoms is the least of all our worries."

Naofumi sighed at this as he looked at his Shield and paled, "Looks like we have even less time than we thought. The wave starts tomorrow!"

"Oh for the love of-" River slammed a palm upon her face and groaned, "Do we have a plan?"

"We have three Filorials with our combined forces," Naofumi offered, "Your giant dragon, your smaller dragon, my new griffon, and enough ground forces to fight back and defend any town from the Wave. Do we even need a plan?" He asked curiously as the room echoed with a resounding 'YES!'

Abruptly, a grey door appeared before us, silencing the room as a gentle dread began to settle.

"What… what is that?" Wyndia asked as she took hold of her whip, as well did most everyone find their hands upon their weapons.

You don't think…

"Everyone… please keep your distance," I urged as I finally left the confines of my bed, "Prepare for contact."

Contact from what, exactly? My thoughts ran rampant with endless possibilities of any one or many creatures that could burst from this lapse in the realms. A beast of the Deep? A battalion of mindless warrior bugs from the Nest's capitol? A different void being?

"It's not moving," River pointed out, the many of us gasping at the sudden noise, "Oh come on! There's like… ten of us and Shield Boy can probably tear through the castle now!"

"Lass, I ain't one to tell you how to live your life," Bargram spoke, "But after everything we just went through, you want to invite more trouble?"

"The giant is right!" The mouse spoke as he and his wolfish companion rose, "Lord Naofumi, it was good to see you in higher spirits, but this is where we part ways!"

With a bow, the two said in unison, "Please forgive us!" Before leaving immediately.

"Buncha cowards!" River shouted at the escaping pair before locking eyes with the door, "Alright! I'm opening the damn thing!"

As River opened the door by an inch, something rushed out quickly. The being held half purple, half dark blue pupils. Their head nothing but a skull, a strange dark blue energy facsimile of hair adorning it with purple and light blue tips. The being wore a black robe of sorts as well as some form of brown boots. There were holes in their hands as well, currently filled with a black substance.

Bargram had been the first to speak as he lowered his guard "So… is it going to atta-"

"SHIELD PRISON!" Naofumi shouted as the ethereal green sphere of shields appeared around the strange visitor, "Okay, that should buy us some time! What the hell are we going to do!?"

"Calming down is a start!" River shouted, "He didn't even attack any of us!"

Yet.

Ah… quite so.

"It is not a foolish thing to proceed once more with caution, River," I stated softly, grip slack, yet hand still upon my Nail.

"That was a bit out of nowhere." A voice said from behind the group. Turning, we were met face to face with the strange individual who, much to everyone's surprise, was fully capable of speech.

Screams and shouts of hysterical fear soon erupted as Raphtalia, Naofumi, Uru and even Bargram found themselves rushing behind myself as River rolled her eyes, Wyndia looked confused, Talon seemed uninterested, and Fera…

Show off.

Fera seemed unbothered, "You have intelligence," I stated more than asked, "What are you?"

"I am… I don't know…" The being replied, one hand clutching at their skull, the bone somehow moving in a grimace. "Who… where am I…?" He questioned, looking around.

"Currently, a room within Mirso Village's inn," I replied as I relaxed myself further, "That is all I am able to tell you."

"Hey, isn't king asshole in this inn?" Naofumi asked as he gained a grin, "We could let these two talk it out, you know?"

"Please do not listen to my Master," Raphtalia spoke up, "He is quite vindictive and bitter towards Melromarc's king."

"Hey, you should be mad at him too," Naofumi argued.

"Maybe this isn't the time, lad," Bargram offered as he looked at the strange individual, "Now I'll be trustin ya not to bring harm to these folks. Things have been strange enough…"

"Regardless, there are things we all must discuss if we are to prepare for tomorrow's Wave," I interjected and walked up to the skeletal being and held out my hand, "I am Hollow, a knight not of this world."

"Wave?" Our guest questioned as he looked upwards to my visage.

"Of course, this world and it's troubles are new to you," I stated solemnly.

"Hey, do you have things covered?" Naofumi asked, "I haven't eaten yet and I need to go make sure Filo hasn't eaten Eustice."

"Go, Naofumi. I shall… handle this, I believe the saying goes." With a nod, Naofumi and co were gone, Bargram following as he paled at the mention of his surrogate son being devoured.

"So the waves are kinda like this," River began once the room had a bit more open space, "Big. Giiiaaant rifts open up in the sky while monsters of all shapes and sizes drop down and start killing and or eating people."

That is a gross oversimplification, I heard Fera's voice mutter within my mind, her facial expressions clearly wishing to say the same.

"What are these monsters like?" The skeleton questioned, curious.

"Well the last wave was filled with skeletons, giant wasps, zombies…" River trailed off, "Nothing all that world shattering if I'm being honest. I think the boss monster was a chimera. You know what those are right?"

"Isn't this his first time here?" Wyndia asked, "I don't think he'd know about monsters like that."

Frowning, he pressed further, "How did they act?" He asked more specifically.

"Mindless," I replied quickly, "No forethought, no sense of reason. Their only goal was slaughter of any and all around them."

"Alright," The skeleton said after a moment, "I know what stereotypes to watch for, now."

He is searching for someone.

He expects to find them here?

I gave partner mine a quizzical expression as she looked away from me and pouted.

"Regardless of such things, would you be willing to aid us in ensuring no harm comes to those innocent victims of the next Wave?" I asked of the Skeleton.

"... I don't know what I can do," The skeleton replied after a few moments. "I… Don't remember a lot."

"Well he did dodge Naofumi's Shield Prison," River pointed out, "That spell is pretty instantaneous isn't it?" She asked as she looked at me knowingly.

"Yes… yes it is."

"So all we really have to do is see what else he can do!" The Filorial girl cheered victoriously, "How about it? Feel like a bit of exercise?" She asked the Skeleton.

"...very well." The skeleton relented, "Should I disguise myself? From what you said, monsters of my appearance may not be quite… Welcome."

"But Hollow's kind of like a monster too," Wyndia pointed out.

"One that has proven themself relatively safe, no doubt ," Our skeletal guest added.

"I do have the luxury of having been chosen as a Cardinal Hero," I replied, "For now," I reached into my boundless inventory and found beast hides and insect carapaces not touched by my golden blade and brought them out, "Beast and insect hides to fashion into inconspicuous armor for the time being. Ah, but does Mirso have a blacksmith within its border?"

"And on such short notice too," Wyndia mused, "I could probably work the hides into gloves though."

"Perhaps a hood as well?" Suggested the skeleton.

"Master?" Wyndia seemed to ask as she looked to me. Nodding, I reached into my inventory once more and found the hide of a fairly large horned rabbit, "That'll do! Hope you don't mind, mister Skeleton."

"I do not." He said.

"I'll go get these ready!" Wyndia exclaimed before rushing away… and returning immediately, "Um… I don't have your measurements."

"Hey, isn't Naofumi a craftsman?" River inquired, "Why don't we get him to help?"

"Go, I must speak with Aultcray of what we shall do in the case of tomorrow's Wave."

River sighed before hooking an arm around my own and huffed, "Not alone you're not. Come on, Wyndia will be fine with Skull Face over there."

Ah, there are times I wish I shared her enthusiasm.