Hollow Knight Stairway To Heaven Chapter 4: Clash of Chivalry
By Bluestar076
Hello everyone! Bluestar is here with a new chapter! How's everyone? I'm quite fine, even though summer is ending. I've always liked this season, since it's the one where I feel more free and relaxed, but even so, I can consider myself quite chill. And since most of my stories are getting updated it was also this one's turn! Also, I've seen new things recently! I've finally finished Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood which it became one of my favorite series of all time and I've even read all the manga of Attack On Titan. It's just beautiful. Also, I've started to play Persona 5, which is really cool! Anyways, back with the chapter, in this one, we'll meet two characters belonging to two different groups that will have an important role in this story. Hope you enjoy!
Note: I do not own Hollow Knight. All rights and characters belong to Team Cherry.
Chapter 4: Clash of Chivalry
It was deep night. In the Castle of Farland, the capital of Duloc, everything was filled with calm. The only noise it could be heard was the one coming from the fire that illuminated the towers of the castle, where every guard was observing everything in case of an unfavorite event. Every little thing was as it should have been…at least at the moment. All the knights were more than cautious and determined to spy even the smallest spot in order to maintain order inside the castle. But there were some things that they couldn't notice despite all their attention. One of them was a fatal error caused by pure and casual carelessness. One of the prisoners…was managing to escape.
The sheik scorpion that was recently captured and tortured by Lord Farquaad was able to made a long rope by using an old tent that wasn't used anymore. "Aaaaah…finally…I've had enough of this stupid place." He said, happy to know that he was going to get out from that place before he was executed. "All I need to do is get out from this tower, get back my scimitars and run away from this fucking castle!"
Another bug that was in the cell alongside his, noticed him and came closer. "Hey, what are you doing?" He asked. "I'm getting out of here! I don't intend to lose my life in a way like this!" The scorpion answered. "Are you crazy!? It's full of guards out there! They'll crush you!" The bug tried to warn him, but that sheik didn't want to know other answers. "There's no way! They don't know who they're messing with!" He said. Then he clenched his fist and then…he gave a strong punch at the wall crushing it, making him see the outside. But at the same time, the noise caused by the crack made some guards on alert, as he could hear some voices.
[Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Stardust Crusaders OST – Danger Draws Near]
"What was that!?" "It came from the prison! Quick! Let's go!"
"Ah shit, they've heard me. I guess I'll just have to be fast as a lightning!" The scorpion said before throwing the rope, and using it to descend from the tower. Finally, he was outside the cell. "Finally! Now I have to find my weapons…" He said before starting to run around the castle. In the meantime, some guards arrived at the cells and noticed that the scorpion's cell was empty and had an opening on the wall. "Where did he go!?" "Dammit! He escaped! Alert all the guards! He must be captured!"
The scorpion was running as fast as he could, until he reached another tower. But he noticed that there were already some guards ready to take him down. "Look at all those guards…guess I'll have to use brute force!" He exclaimed before starting to run towards them. One guard tried to smash him down with a giant horn made of stone, but the sheik promptly grabbed the horn, revealing to have an immense strength, and hit him in the head, knocking him down. After that, he jumped and hit another guard on the head with a kick. Two knights tried to stab him from both left and the right, but he simply moved away and made them stab one against the other. Another giant guard tried to attack him with a spikeball, but the scorpion dodged it and grabbed the chain. After that, he pushed it towards himself to make the guard fall behind him. With that, the tower was free of guards. With a kick, the scorpion destroyed the door, and could see many weapons inside. But two caught his attention with a delighted smile. "Finally!" He could see two scimitars that immediately grabbed. "Daddy is back, my dears…now all I need to do is to get out of here!" He exclaimed.
"A PRISONER HAS ESCAPED! SURROUND ALL THE CASTLE!" In the meantime, the alarm reached all the knights in the castle at this point. By hearing that announcement, the scorpion understood that if he wanted his life safe, he had to use all the energy in his legs and make one final rush. Once he was close to the entrance of the castle, he could see tons of soldiers heavily armed. "Tch. Assholes…first they capture me for no reason and now they want me dead! I'm making sure that this is their punishment!" He said before running against them again. Now, armed with his scimitars, the sheik revealed to be stronger than expected. He was able to make smooth and quick swings and movements with his scimitars, that easily pierced through the body of the enemies, even the biggest one. And finally…after creating a mountain made with the bodies of the knight, the scorpion could finally see the exit and continued to run, excited like he had never been since a long time.
"QUICK! RAISE THE DRAWBRIDGE! HE MUST NOT ESCAPE!" The guards made one last attempt at blocking him the way, but the scorpion was just too annoyed to let that happen. "OH NO YOU WON'T!" He shouted before making a long jump and getting on the other side of the bridge before it was totally raised. In the end, the sheik was free and was now running away from the town. He was satisfied with the work he had done. Not only he escaped from the castle, but also offended that lord that tried to kill him. "AHAHAHAH! IN YOUR FACE! NEXT TIME YOU'LL BETTER THINK TWICE BEFORE TRYING TO MESS WITH SALUK THE BANDIT!" He shouted while he was already near the exit to the town.
In the meantime, Lord Farquaad could see him go away and pounded on the terrace with anger. "DAMMIT! HE ESCAPED!" He shouted before turning to some of his soldiers. "I give you a simple task like observing all the castle and yet you are able to make a prisoner escape!? YOU MISERABLE WORMS! HOW DARE YOU DEFY ME LIKE THIS!?" He exclaimed furious.
"W-We're sorry, your majesty! It won't happen again!" The soldiers replied. "Mere excuses won't be able to absolve you!" Farquaad continued, but in that moment, another voice, much older, intervened. "Please, my lord, there's no need to get angry like this."
[Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood OST – To Be King]
When they turned around, they could see a bumblebee wearing a blue armor. An interesting fact of him was that one of his eyes was actually of a glowing red color. As soon as they saw him, the soldiers immediately stood at attention. "S-Sir Hokma!"
"As I said, my liege, there's no need to get that worried for someone like him. I've already seen his future with my eye. He will return here someday. I'm sure of it." The knight said. After that, Lord Farquaad was somehow calmer. It seemed that he already knew the abilities of this elite warrior. "Ooooh, I see…very well Hokma. I shall rely on your information. Very well then! Let him stay in peace for the moment. If what Hokma said was true, he will return, and once he did so, we'll give him the treatment he deserves! You should thank this great knight if you are safe! Now go back to your positions!" He then said.
"Y-Yes sir! Thank you, Sir Hokma…" The soldiers said before going away. After that, the wyrm turned on his knight. "Your ability is sure something splendid. But tell me…when you said that prediction about me…were you serious?" He then asked. "Unfortunately yes. But remember that mine are only predictions, and they could be both the truth or a lie. All we can do for now is to make our best to prevent that prediction and ensure victory." Hokma answered.
"Well said, Hokma…Very well…I'll go to rest at the moment." Farquaad ended the conversation before going inside the castle, while Hokma remained there and looked at the horizon. "Yes…he will come back one day…and everything will go…just as planned." He said while his red eye glowed even more.
[Seven Deadly Sins – Netsujou No Spectrum]
*On a night sky, many shooting stars fall down, while some pieces of papers representing Pure Vessel, Amabe, Lybelt, Tecumpsa, Saluk and Jubei.*
(Of love i will scream, echoing eternally! I hold everything i can, and it's slipping through my hands, but at last we found a light to guide us!)
*The screen zooms at high speed towards Pure Vessel and Amabe, who are leaned on each other's back*
(Never wavering, our emotions flying free! Living on the edge of hope, toward your light 'll always go, cause the dream we've always shared...)
*The Pure Vessel and Amabe now are holding each other's hands, looking at the sun rising, as the title appears*
(LEADS TO YOU!)
*The devasted land of Zarudia is seen from high*
(One day soon with you, i know that we will bring to life a new beginning warm and bright...)
*The Pure Vessel and Amabe are layed on the ground. While Amabe is sleeping, Pure Vessel is awake and makes a jump to rise up*
(Cause your gentle voice could change the world and i know it would only take a single word...)
*The Pure Vessel and Amabe are seen walking through many dangerous zones of Zarudia*
(No one can do everything alone, not a single soul can do it on their own)
*Tecumpsa is seen waking up in a foggy enviroment, Saluk is seen standing up inside a prison with his body full of blood and Lybelt is seen flying above a road full of crystals*
(But together as one i know we can!)
*After a thunder, Achilles is seen making his lance rotate and attack, while Pure vessel is seen behind a rock with the shadow of the void king on the rock and then a giant explosion*
(We can fly, come on let's try, just take my hand!)
*Pure Vessel is running along with Amabe, Lybelt, Tecumpsa, Jubei and Saluk*
(Of love i will scream, echoing eternally! )
*The group is sitting near a fire while drinking beverages and laughing*
(No one knows more you than i, like two planets we collide, and the light that shines within will guide us)
*In a rainy battlefield destroyed, Frodus is holding his nail tight, while the Pure Vessel is approaching him*
(Never wavering, our emotions set us free!)
*The Pure Vessel and Amabe are seeing watching the land of Zarudia while standing with the others on a giant trail insect*
(Living on the edge of hope, towards your light i'll always go, cause the dream we've always shared...LEADS TO YOU!)
*The opening ends*
The night was still deep…the sky was dark blue…and full of stars. The moon illuminated a zone full of sorrow…and loneliness.
After leaving Seadus, the palace of the sea, the trio of travelers made a long walk to proceed during their travel. Since they had to abandon the palace, their main priority was now to find a new spot where to pass the night. Luckily they were able to rest for a while back to the palace, so they regained some of their strength in case they had to fight (Which was very probable). While travelling, the trio could notice that as they proceed, the environment was slowly becoming more barren. When they left the palace of the sea, there was a tall and clean vegetation, but now there were less and less plans. This reminded the Pure Vessel of the environment they had seen when they entered to the land of Zarudia for the first time.
"Hmmmm…the scenario really did changed, didn't it? As if we're about to enter in a scene full of…suspense…" Lyebet commented.
"Suspense?" Amabe asked. "Yes. It's an emotion that is generated by fear and anxiety…It comes where everything is so calm…all that calm makes you actually scared…until you feel that something is wrong…and your breath starts to get faster…and then that thing you feel wrong suddenly SCARES YOU! That is suspense…the cultists of the Nightmare Heart are…quite familiar with that." The bat explained. "I…actually know what suspense is but…thank you for the explanation." The witch replied.
In the meantime, the Pure Vessel was looking ahead. They could notice that they were going to get closer to a place where vegetations was practically non-existent. But that wasn't the thing that worried them. Instead…they could feel that there was something odd…in that empty forest, where the sky could be seen…they felt…a presence? They couldn't know what it was, but they had a feeling that something didn't belong to that place. This raised their curiosity and they decided to proceed towards that direction before their two friends.
Amabe and Lyebet looked at each other, wondering what made the Hollow Knight so curious. "They seem attracted by this place…" The bat said. "Maybe there's something particular in there…I mean, we've already seen enough weird stuff, so something else wouldn't surprise me." The white witch replied. "Well, there's only one way to find out…" Lyebet concluded before following the vessel with Amabe.
And so they've entered inside the Beheaded Logs, a zone that Carpedour mentioned to them. It was a zone that they should have gone through if they wanted to reach the SEED city.
[Metroid Prime 2 Echoes OST – Torvus Bog Subterrean]
The zone looked exactly as the first impression it gave. An empty, bare and lonely forest. Just like the name said, the logs were all broken and without leaves. The ground was made of broken branches and mud, and a cold air was passing through that desolated forest, especially now that it was deep night. Also, they could see various corpses of other insects on the ground. But there weren't signs of injuries on their bodies, which meant that they weren't killed.
"I…wonder what happened to them…" Amabe asked. The Pure Vessel decided to give a better look to one of them. The body seemed to be fine, but that bug was clearly dead. When they touched it with their hand, they could sense that the body was cold. They then stood up. Lyebet touched them as well and he felt the same cold. "I see…this must be a place where it's easy to get lost. So they probably starved to death or freeze-dead. Since this is an empty place, the wind passes through much easily…and for someone like them, this cold can be mortal…that is the reason they didn't make it…" He explained
"We're lucky that we have heavy clothing with us…so we are able to resist. But I still feel sorry for them…" Amabe said. "We should hurry then…it's already late, and we need to find a place where to rest…it's already late, and things could get worse." Lyebet suggested. The Pure Vessel nodded and the group proceeded.
The walk continued peacefully, without interruptions. A strange particular was that…no enemy appeared yet, which was new for the travelers. It's true that the journey had barely started for them, but in all the places they've visited, they had been attacked by dangerous insects that wanted to defend their territory or simply kill them. But none of this happened. At least…not for now. All that they could see…were logs…logs…and logs.
"Gosh…you were right, Lyebet…this place really gives me chills…" Amabe commented. "It may be weird but…me too. I didn't think desolated place could make me feel so nervous…" Lyebet answered. "I know right? I mean…the worst thing is that I think we're the only ones here…the thing that really makes me afraid is the loneliness that surrounds this forest…and we've been walking for already a couple of minutes…but the environment remains the same. I…I really fear that we'll get lost at this rate…" The white witch said. "We really need a compass here…" Lyebet added.
But the Pure Vessel continued to go straight. Unlike their friends, they didn't seem to be afraid or anxious, but curious. They could still feel that presence they've felt when they entered there. They really wanted to know that truth. What was that presence they were feeling? Why was it so strong? Could it be that…they were about to encounter someone or something dangerous and really strong? The only desires of answer was what made the vessel proceed.
"H-Hey, Pure Vessel…could you slow down?" Lyebet asked. "I don't think they'll hear you. I wonder why they're acting like this…they look like a moth towards a light…" Amabe said. "…I wouldn't say that in front of a moth." The bat said as he followed the vessel. "What? What did I say?" The witch asked.
And they kept on walking, on what seemed an endless journey. Surely, it was relaxing for them to move without getting attacked by someone…but the zone seemed to have no end. What was the truth for that place? This sensation made Lyebet's words even more truthful. The Beheaded Logs were like a labyrinth, where it was easy to get lost. Those insects they saw before didn't probably know where to go…and after losing the sense of direction, they died. Even the Pure Vessel was starting to have their doubts. They could feel the strong presence inside that forest, but it has been really long since they've first entered in that forest…and they still didn't see nothing. They couldn't imagine that this place was just as dangerous as the others they had been. Sure, they were born in Hallownest, a place full of dangers, but even Zarudia could show its mortal side.
And then, during the walk, they could hear something trembling. "What's happening?" Amabe asked. The group looked around, but they didn't see nothing until they've looked up, and saw a giant log that was about to fall. "LOOK OUT!" Lyebet advised the others, who jumped away when the log fell and hit the ground. The group took a deep breath to recover from that sudden danger. The forest seemed quiet until that moment, and then an obstacle.
"That was close…if we hadn't looked up, at this point we would've been crushed…" Amabe said. "So…some of the logs are about to fall…this could be a serious problem…now we must be more careful…" Lyebet added.
And the walk continued…the travelers saw other logs falling down, but now that they knew it, it was easier to dodge them. But…those weren't the real problem, but another one. A problem that could be extremely dangerous if it was serious: tiredness.
At one point…Amabe felt extremely tired and fell on the ground. Both the Pure Vessel and Lyebet heard her and turned around alarmed. "Amabe!" The bat exclaimed. "Are you alright?" He asked. "I…I'm sorry…I can't continue at this point…I'm…too tired…" The white witch answered with little voice. The other two were worried of what to do now. The Pure Vessel thought of it and they decided to do only one thing at this rate. They looked at Lyebet and pointed at the ground. "You…think it's better to rest for now?" The bat tried to guess. The Hollow Knight nodded.
"…I guess that's the only way…" Lyebet said. And with that, the two of them brought Amabe to a log that wasn't going to fall from one moment to another. The three travelers were now there, laying down around a flame that Lyebet generated, using it as a bonfire. "With this we should have some heat at least…" The bat commented while the vessel put their hand close to the fire while watching at the white witch with a worried stare. Usually Amabe was energetic and always ready to fight, so seeing her in this state wasn't reassuring for them. The witch opened her eyes and could see them with that sad expression, so to made them feel better, she made a smile (?). "Hey…don't worry…I'm fine…just a little bit tired…in a matter of minutes I'll be fine again." She said.
"To think that one of us would have gotten tired eventually…it's almost like as these logs had a will and they tried to make everyone who passes lose their sense of direction…" Lyebet commented, as he looked up. "Yeah…we've been walking for…something like two hours at least…we need to find the exit quickly…" Amabe added. Even the Pure Vessel was looking up at the sky.
Everything they had seen up until now was quite normal compared to the other places they've had been, but at the same time…it was as terrifying as all the troubles they had been through. The Beheaded Logs, an empty forest where get lost was assured. They surely didn't think to end up in this situation. They even thought about Campedour. The shrimp told them that in order to reach the SEED city, they had to pass through that forest and then through a Foggy Swamp that was past the forest, which meant that after a dangerous place, immediately came another. The Pure Vessel knew that the journey to reach the Lich and discover the origins of Zarudia's war wasn't going to be easy, but this still remained something unpredictable. But still…they felt that they needed…they wanted to move on…and discover the truth. Those first emotions that they were feeling were the motivation that made that vessel move on.
And then…something flew over them. It seemed like…a small blue light. The Pure Vessel was confused. They didn't remember to see someone else apart from them and their friends. So…what was it? They stood up and came closer to the light.
"Uh? Did you find something?" Lyebet asked. Luckily, the little blue light stopped on a broken leaf, so the vessel could see them better, and they were surprised to discover what was it.
That blue light…was actually a firefly. The vessel then called the others to see her as well, and even them were surprised to see it. "A…firefly? So there was actually someone here!" Amabe said. "What a plotwist! How bizarre to see one of them in a place like this…" Lyebet added. In that moment, the firefly flew towards a direction. They didn't know why, but the vessel saw the firefly as a key. So they decided to follow it. "Not again…hey wait!" Lyebet started to follow them alongside Amabe, who was now feeling better after a moment of rest.
In the end, the travelers started from wandering around the forest to follow a simple firefly. The vessel continued, since it was the first and only sparkle of life they had seen in that desolated place, so they kept on thinking it…as some sort of key. Maybe that tiny insect was going to take them out of there.
And in the end…that thought turned out to be right.
The firefly brought the three travelers…to an opening between the logs and then flew away. "This…is the opening!" Lyebet said surprised. "We made it! We've finally passed the Beheaded Logs!" Amabe added. The Pure Vessel looked up at the firefly…and shook their hand, like they wanted to say goodbye to her. "To think that we would have been able to get out of here thanks to that firefly…" The future Troupe Master noticed. The Pure Vessel then wanted to tell the others what was the solution, so they took a paper, write on it, and then gave it to Amabe, who read it.
"I thought that…since the firefly was the only other insect we had seen in the forest, maybe following her...would have done something, maybe she would have brought her somewhere. Maybe…the firefly is an insect that helps those who enter the forest to pass it."
"And you were right…nice thinking, partner." Lyebet said, making a small bow. "So the exit is there…and from what Carpedour told us, the Foggy Swamp is next. I think it's a nice idea to find a place where to rest once we're out of here, so that tomorrow morning we'll have the right amount of strength that we need to face the swamp." Amabe spoke.
"Well, this means that there's nothing more to add. Let's go." Lyebet answered while the Pure Vessel nodded. Finally…the three travelers were out of the Beheaded Logs, a place that gave more trouble than expected.
Once they finally came out from the Beheaded Logs, the travelers ended up in a more normal environment. They were on a prairie with green grass and some parts of sand, and they could also see a river in the distance and a bridge that connected two separated of the road. On the other side, they could see that the road would have led to east, but they couldn't see what was after that, since the sight was blocked by two large rocks.
It was in that moment that Amabe noticed something different. "How curious…the vegetation here is more healthier than that in the forest..." She said. "Yes…even back when we were about to enter in there, we could notice the same thing…I'm starting to have a feeling that forest is really cursed…" Lyebet added. But the Pure Vessel didn't mind. There was now but one question in them. They were able to get out of the forest, but there was still no sign of the strong presence they've felt before. Did they imagined? Or was it an hallucination? They didn't know, but they were still disappointed, since they were curious to see what that presence could have possibly been. The vessel looked straight and saw the other side of the road. That was their next step.
"I think we are much closer to the Foggy Swamp now. I suggest to pass that bridge and then find a place where to rest…" Amabe said. The vessel nodded, but then…they looked at the sky and could see…something.
Since it was distant, it looked like a small dot at first, but then it became bigger. There was no doubt. That was someone or something coming. Even the witch and the future Troupe Master noticed it and were curious. "Am I the only one seeing it?" Lyebet asked. "No…I can see it as well…" Amabe answered. "Is that…a flying insect?"
The Hollow Knight tried to look better at it, and then…when the dot came close enough to recognize it, it turned out that Amabe's thought was right. It was indeed an insect with two large and white wings. "Yes…it's a bug…I wonder if they had seen us…which makes me thing…why didn't I used my wings to pass through the forest? Oh darn…" Lyebet commented.
The figure came closer…and closer…until it was right above the travelers. The Hollow Knight thought that they were going to land from one moment or another. But the vessel then noticed something…something that didn't please them. The figure had their hand wide open…and some electric waves could be seen on it. This made the vessel open their eyes wide. It was clear that the insect was about to attack them, but before the Hollow Knight could alert their friends, it was already too late.
The figure dived on the ground, and with their hand, they generated a powerful shockwave that hit the three travelers, making them yell out with pain. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Soon, The Pure Vessel, Amabe and Lyebet were sent away and slammed to the ground, with still some electric waves around their body for the attack. "D-Dammit…it was too fast to be seen…" Lyebet said as he tried to stand up. "B-But…who is him…?" Amabe added.
The vessel looked up at the figure and felt it…a strong power coming from them. There was no doubt at this point, that was the presence they felt back in the forest. And they were surprised to see better the appearance of this insect, since it was…similar to them.
[Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood OST – Clash of the Alchemists]
It was a tall and slim insect, and judging from the appearance, it was male. His face was actually similar to the Pure Vessel one, with the exception that he had four horns. His body was covered in a shining armor with a cobalt color. The armor had large wraps and golden leaves drawn on the chest. On his back, two white large wings could be seen, alongside with a long, blue flowing cape. He was surely a majestic figure for other insects. The Pure Vessel was certain that this insect could have been only a Great Knight, like the five ones that protected their father's kingdom. Despite the similarity, they also noticed that he wasn't a vessel like them, since there was no presence of the void on his souls.
The knight looked at the group with a suspicious stare. It was clear that he had seen them as enemies. But why?
"T-That armor…he must be a knight…" Amabe said. "Yeah…and a pretty strong one…judging from that attack…" Lyebet added. "To think that you would have been able to find the firefly that guided those who had lost in the Beheaded Logs and actually get out of there…to be a group of strangers you must be pretty lucky." The knight commented with a young, yet serious voice.
"Who are you!? And why did you attack us!?" Amabe exclaimed. "My name is Frodus! I'm one of the Great Knights that serve and protect the Kingdom of Nepherius!" The insect then presented himself, surprising the group. This was the first time they had seen a Great Knight belonging to one of the two kingdoms at war. For them, it could have been a great chance to ask more about what really happened to this land and to ask information about the Lich.
"You're a Great Knight of Nepherius!? If that's so, then please, listen to us! We're not-" Amabe tried to talk with him, but the knight wasn't going to let her speak. "Do not waste your word, stranger. We, Knights of Nepherius, cannot waste any time with strangers. This is a dark situation for our kingdom and for the entire land of Zarudia. For over five years we had been fighting this war with Duloc without any result. The damages and the despair among our people are too much. As warriors chosen by our king, it is our duty to take care of any insect that can be considered a menace for our people. And this…includes you." Frodus said, pointing at the three travelers with his nail.
"W-What!?" Lyebet exclaimed. "You consider us a threat!? Why!?" Amabe asked. "I can sense a strong energy coming from your bodies. It seems that there is more than meets the eye in bugs like you. But still! You are strangers that don't belong in this land! And we don't have time for people like you. I'm sorry fate has set you such a cruel end, but you will perish here, under the blows of my nail!" The Great Knight exclaimed.
The three travelers stood up again and looked at him, panting. "Well guys…it appears that he won't listen to us…at this point there's only one way to get out of here alive…take him down." Lyebet said. "I'm afraid it will be quite hard…he sent us to the ground with a single blow…" Amabe said.
Even the Pure Vessel knew well that their possibilities for victory were lower than the usual…but Lyebet was right. There was no other choice at this point. The only way out was to defeat Frodus. The Hollow Knight grabbed his nail and stood on guard, looking at the other knight with a look of challenge.
"I see…so you intend to fight back. Remarkable…but it won't be enough." Frodus stated while standing on guard as well.
The vessel had to defeat him…to survive…to know the truth…
Some moments of silence before the clash… and then…after a single drop of water…fell down to the river nearby…it started.
[Hollow Knight OST – Gods & Glory]
The three travelers jumped towards Frodus, who blocked their attacks by simply using his nail. Since the direct approach failed, the three of them jumped back and decided for a distant attack. The Pure Vessel shot several nails made of light, Amabe shot spheres of energy and Lyebet threw bats made of fire. All these attacks were directed to the same target, who jumped high to dodge them, but he didn't realize that Lyebet's bats were actually following him. In the end, the Great Knight got it, but the damage was nothing more that some burn in his armor.
"Hmph. I didn't expect that. But now it's my turn. Fly over them, my blade!" Frodus exclaimed. Once the command was given, his nail automatically detached from the hilt and flew high, surprising the vessel and the others. The blade then generated several filaments of light that covered all the area and hit all three travelers, who shouted in pain and fell down on their knees. "GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"W-What the hell happened!?" Lyebet asked before trying to fly towards Frodus, but before he could reach him, the blade made more filaments of light that attacked him and made him fall. "ACK!"
The blade continued and forced Amabe to defend herself and the Pure Vessel with a magical barrier. "All of your strategies are worthless! This nail can make thousands of attacks per second that generate these filaments of light. Dodging something that can't be seen is nothing more than pure insanity!" Frodus told them.
The Pure Vessel was starting to find the situation annoying. This knight seemed to be untouchable, but they couldn't just accept it and they came out of Amabe's barrier. "No, Pure Vessel! Wait!" The White Witch tried to call them back, but the vessel was already focused on the enemy.
They tried to use their shadow shade technique to go pass those filaments of light, but it wasn't enough long and as such, they got hit and sent a few meters away.
"Do you intend to try as well, witch?" Frodus asked to Amabe, who gulped. The Pure Vessel took their nail and stood up again. They did a second try, but it was worthless as well, as they got hit again. But the vessel kept on standing up and observed those filaments.
To think that those were caused by attacks thrown at the speed of light was unimaginable. It seemed that Frodus was right at first. But the vessel thought…was the insanity impossible.
They tried to look at them in the best way they could…and in the end…they realized something…a possibility. The Hollow Knight discovered that…there were actually some open spots in the middle of those filaments. With the knowledge of this…a break was possible. So…they ran a third time.
"You're more stubborn than I thought, foreign knight. Do you really wish to die so badly?" Frodus commented, but then…he had his eyes wide open in bewilderment. "What!?" He exclaimed.
The vessel was jumping from one point to another in the filaments range, managing to avoid them. "Pure Vessel is…jumping through them!" Amabe commented. "That's absurd! Does that mean that they managed to see an opening through my attack!?" Frodus added. Once they were close enough, the Pure Vessel jumped high and gave the Great Knight a dive kick in his face.
"GH!" Frodus got hit and fell to the ground, along with his nail, making the filaments disappear. "Yes! Good job, Pure Vessel!" Amabe said. The vessel kept their guard high, as they knew that the battle was just getting started.
Frodus stood up and spit some blood before looking at his foe. "Ok…perhaps I've underestimated you. It appears that I was not wrong when I sensed a strong energy inside of you. I congratulate with you for hitting me. But as a Knight of Nepherius, it is my duty to protect this land from intruders. Therefore, it's time for me to get serious!" He proclaimed while the blade of his nail returned to his hand. "En guarde, knight!" Frodus then threw himself against the Pure Vessel, and the two of them clashed their weapons, generating a strong silver noise. The Great Knight of Nepherius then attacked repeatedly with his nail, but the Pure Vessel was fast enough to dodge all the cuts. Frodus then tried to make a direct stab, and as an answer, the vessel put the nail in front of themselves to make a parry and counterattack with an horizontal cut.
"Gah!" Frodus had to make a few stepbacks for the damage, and then he threw the blade of his nail against the Pure Vessel, who got hit and recoiled before the blade turned back to his owner. Frodus ran quickly to take advantage of the damage he just gave to the other knight, but the Pure Vessel moved on the right to reveal that Amabe was charging a magical of beam. "Take this!" The witch exclaimed.
It was too late for Frodus to move away and he got hit by the beam. Amabe was not done yet, and summoned some magical chains that threw against the knight. Frodus saw that coming and ran to the right in order to avoid them. Then, he threw his blade once again that flew against the chains, shattering them in tiny pieces before turning back. The Knight of Nepherius then ran towards the witch, but the Pure Vessel was ready for this and tried to attack him from behind. Frodus didn't forget about him and elbowed them, making them fall to the ground.
Once he got rid of that trouble, Frodus attacked Amabe with his nail, but the witch promptly activated her barrier to defend herself. The Knight continued to struggle despite the high defense of his opponent while Amabe concentrated her magical energy to power up the barrier. But then…to her surprise…Frodus was able to destroy it. "W-What!?" The witch exclaimed.
"Take this!" Frodus shouted before attacking Amabe with the sword and making her slam against a tree. "AAACK!"
Now, both the Pure Vessel and Amabe were on the ground. "Anf…anf…to think that you'd be able to keep up with me…I have to admit…you strangers have a great potential. It is a shame that I have to finish you off, but my lord's orders are clear." Frodus said as he raised up his blade. "This is goodbye."
The blade got separated from the hilt and generated tons of light filaments that hit the two travelers. "GHHHHH!" Amabe yelled out with pain. The Pure Vessel would probably have done the same if they could talk.
But then…suddenly…the pain stopped.
The filaments of light got destroyed by what seemed to be fire balls. "What!?" Frodus exclaimed. He then turned around…and saw him.
[Hollow Knight OST – Nightmare King]
Lyebet was standing up and glanced at the knight with his two red glowing eyes. "You know…I hate to be seen as a secondary character in such an important scene as this…I think you have forgotten…WHO IS THE STAR HERE!" He shouted before turning of an intense red color.
Frodus stood on guard until he started to feel hot on his feet. When he looked down, he could see some flames that were growing taller and taller before forming a pillar that burned his whole body. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" The knight fell down to the ground, and when he raised his head up, he could see that Lyebet was already flying against him, ready to stab him with his wing. Scared, Frodus quickly grabbed his nail and clashed against him.
They continued for some seconds, then Lyebet used the other hand to generate a fire ball and used it to blind Frodus. "ACK!"
Still filled with rage, Lyebet grabbed Frodus, flew high and threw him away. The knight was starting to get tired, as he had to make more deep breathes to recover, but he didn't have the time to do it.
Lyebet was already diving towards him. Frodus was forced to attack him repeatedly with his nail in order to stop him and making him fall to the ground. "GRAAH!"
Frodus thought that this time he had won…but he was wrong. Suddenly, the Pure Vessel grabbed him from behind and started to concentrate the souls inside their body and generate a circular barrier. "I-Impossible! You were knocked out!" The knight of Nepherius said.
The Hollow Knight released the energy and caused a small explosion.
Once the smoke was out…Frodus had a devastated expression on his face…and fell to the ground. "ANF…ANF…ANF…" Lyebet started to calm down and turn back to his original color. Even Amabe stood up and reached the other two.
Frodus was defeated, but still alive. But the three travelers didn't seem to have any intention to finish him off. "Gh…anf…anf…anf…incredible…you…were able to defeat me…one of the Great Knights of Nepherius…I never thought that you could be…this powerful…" The knight said. "But…I can't die here…my king needs me…"
"And who said we were going to kill you?" Amabe answered, surprising the knight. "W…what?"
"We never had the intention to kill you…it was you who attacked us first. Do you of Nepherius always treat tourists like this?" Lyebet said. Thanks to their mercy, Frodus was able to get up despite the wounds. "We…we have to…we have no other choice…" He replied.
"But why?" Amabe asked. "The king of Nepherius is desperate…it has already been five years since this war had begun…and our kingdom continues to cry for all the suffering they are having. We have to…find a solution to win this war…we can't lose time with people like you…" Frodus answered.
"There's no way I would believe this! We heard from a crustacean we met that the king of Nepherius is a noble insect! There's no way he would ignore someone who is in need and order to kill strangers just because they're strangers!" Amabe protested, making Frodus grit his teeth (?).
"Could it be that…this is a vision…you have of foreigners?" Lyebet asked. This time the knight didn't answer, making Lyebet hold a smug smile. "I think I got it right…isn't it?"
"…Listen…I can feel that you are not an evil insect but…I don't think that is how a knight operates." Amabe told Frodus.
The knight looked at the group as a whole. Sure they were powerful…but at the same time…they didn't seem to have a menacing air. Perhaps…Amabe was right. This time it was him who made the error. What would his king have told him if he saw him acting like that?
"…Yes. I'm sorry…forgive me for my behavior…my pride had taken over me." Frodus said, making a little bow. This reassured the three travelers. "Don't worry…as long as you don't try to kill us anymore." Lyebet jokingly said.
Even the Pure Vessel was feeling better. They could understand why he was acting this way, since they were in a similar situation.
"So…what's the reason that leads you here to Zarudia, travelers?" Frodus then asked. "We are traveling to reach the Pointed Mountain, where the Lich lives." Amabe answered, surprising the Great Knight of Nepherius. "The Pointed Mountain? I see…so you're some of those who want to try the hard quest. Even other travelers are trying to go there in this exact moment, even if it's a dangerous journey. We don't even know if he exists or not actually but…I guess…it's worth a try?" He said.
"Do you have any tips to give us?" Lyebet asked. "Well…not many just that-" Frodus wanted to answer but…
"NOW!" Someone shouted out, and in that moment, a spear suddenly stabbed Frodus on his belly, making him spit blood. "BLARGH!"
"FRODUS!" Amabe shouted, worried. The Pure Vessel looked around to see who attacked him. "NGH! W-What happened!?" Frodus wondered while seeing the lance that pierced through his body. "It seems that you've got slower, Frodus!" The voice said again.
Somehow…hearing this voice alarmed Frodus. "T-This voice!" He exclaimed before turning around. When everyone else looked at his direction, the could see another insect jumping near them.
It was a young cricket that had a much lighter armor than Frodus, since it had smaller wrap and a smaller bust. It was built in order to make him be more fast and agile. All of his limbs were exposed and he was holding a long spear.
[Kill la Kill OST – Satsuki Kiryuin Theme]
"If you act like this, you'll make my work easy! Where's the fun in that?" The other knight said with a smirk. "Y-You…Achilles!" Frodus answered back while holding his belly.
"Achilles?" Lyebet asked. "He's one of the Great Knights belonging to the kingdom of Duloc…one of my enemies…" The Great Knight of Nepherius explained. "Another Great Knight!?" Amabe exclaimed. The Pure Vessel looked at him and could feel the same amount of power that Frodus had, showing that even he wasn't someone to mess around with.
"And who are you, strangers? It's the first time I see bugs like you around these parts. Oh, well. I don't have anything against you, but my duty is to take down that knight over there, and if you get in the way then I'll be forced to eliminate you as well!" Achilles proclaimed before making his spear spin and a fight pose. "So then! What do you decide?"
It was clear that this knight wasn't going to let them go until he had done his duty. This was a clear sign of the strong competition between Nepherius and Duloc, but…the Pure Vessel thought that…this wasn't right. It was true that Frodus tried to kill them, but they could see that he still had his motivation to do so, even if wrong. They just couldn't accept the idea that Frodus would have been killed in that state.
They had to do something. And as such…they started to move towards Achilles. "Pure Vessel? What are you doing?" Amabe asked. But the intention was clear. The vessel swung their nail and pointed at the knight of Duloc.
"Huh? You want to challenge me, unknown knight? How strange, do you really intend to defend that guy over there even if nothing about this is related to you? You sure are strange…" Achilles commented before making a large smile. "But I like the strange ones! Very well then! I accept your challenge!" He exclaimed.
"N-No! Stop it! You don't have to do this! I-I can fight him on my own!" Frodus tried to intervene by standing up, but he soon fell down. "I don't think that you can do much with a wound like that…" Lyebet told him. In that moment, the Hollow Knight turned around the others and pointed the bridge behind Achilles, telling them to go.
"I see…you want to keep him here while we bring Frodus to a more secure place…got it! Leave it to us. Lyebet, let's go." Amabe said, understanding their message. With that, both the witch and Lyebet started to lift Frodus and move. "Good luck, partner!" Lyebet said. Before going away, Frodus looked at the Pure Vessel one last time. He couldn't say to trust them fully…but at least, his respect towards them increased a bit after this. "Even if I was your opponent, you decided to stand up for me…i…I'll remember this act. I'll make sure I pay off the debt one day…" He thought.
Once the three of them went on the other side, the only ones left there were the Pure Vessel and Achilles, who looked deeply at each other, as if they were trying to understand better the other one.
"It seems that you have a strong sense of sacrifice for the others! That's a neat thing to see, unknown knight! It's a shame that you decided to stand up against me, I really want to know you better! But the rules are the rules. As a Great Knight, I must accomplish the orders given by my king, which means that tonight I'll bring four heads instead of ones back at Farland! So…how about you show me some of your skills?" Achilles said, showing clear excitement for the battle. He expected an answer from the other knight, but he couldn't know that they couldn't talk. So all that he could see was the Hollow Knight simply standing on guard.
"…Well…silence means yes. In that case, prepare yourself! LET'S GO!" The Great Knight then started to run towards the Pure Vessel, who did the same, starting the battle.
[Fate/Apocrypha OST – Grand War]
The match started with the two of them clashing their weapons, trying to prevail on the other. Some sparks were released from those objects made of solid iron. Achilles then rotated his spear and tried to make an horizontal cut against the Pure Vessel, trying to cut their head. The knight made of void as an answer, jumped away and shot many arrows of light while they still were in mid-air. Achilles quickly ran to the right in order to avoid them. The vessel could notice that this knight seemed to be extremely fast and agile with the movements, so they thought that an idea was to limit his movements. They then held tight their nail and dived to the ground, but not towards Achilles.
"Hm? What he's planning?" The Great Knight of Duloc thought. Once the vessel planted the nail to the ground, the other knight could see some spots of the ground shining. With that, Achilles already knew that he had to move in time, so he made a large jump. In an instant, four giant nails appeared. "Crap! That was close!" the knight thought.
Achilles then landed on one of the giant nails and jumped on their tips before attacking the Pure Vessel with a diving kick, sending them to the ground. "Nice moves you have there, but you have to know that it will take more than that to take down someone fast as me!" The knight said. But the Pure Vessel knew it well, and that was why they instantly grabbed him. "Ngh! What!?" Achilles exclaimed. The Hollow Knight didn't lose any seconds and started to concentrate the souls inside their body until they were able to materialize a barrier that surrounded both of them and converged in an explosion. The damage was enough to make Achilles recoil. "Agh! What was that!? Did they use some sort of spiritual energy!?" He said surprised. But the attack wasn't done there, as five smaller balls appeared around him, and he was inside one. The balls exploded, giving an extra damage to the Great Knight of Duloc. "GAH!"
The damage was heavy, but Achilles still had energies to answer. He quickly stood up and attacked the vessel repeatedly with his spear. The Pure Vessel couldn't stand up with the speed and got hit repeatedly. "TSEAH!" Achilles then gave an heavy blow with the spear, like a baseball player that made an home run, sending the vessel miles away and making them clash against a tree.
The vessel slowly stood up and tried to catch their breath. This was probably the fastest enemy they had ever seen, but they could see that he wasn't invulnerable. They just needed the perfect timing to block his attack and answer. The vessel could then see that Achilles was already running towards them at high speed while rotating his lance. The vessel widened their eyes and put their nail in front of them.
"THAT'S RIGHT! STAY THERE!" Achilles shouted before attacking, but they couldn't know what the vessel's real intention was. Once the lance clashed with the nail, the Great Knight of Duloc lost balance, bewildered. "W-What!?" He exclaimed. The vessel actually put their nail in front of them to parry Achilles's attack and answer with a powerful counter attack. This time, it was the other knight that was sent miles away and fell down to the river. "AAAH!"
The river wasn't that deep, so the water only reached half of his head. When he stood up, he could see that the Hollow Knight was already shooting several arrows of light towards him. "Dammit!" In order to avoid them, Achilles made a few back flips. Once he avoided all the arrows, he made a jump followed by a flip and landed on his two feet. The vessel simply glared at him while holding their nail tight. "Anf…anf…anf…I have to admit it…you are much stronger than expected. Who knows? Maybe I could end up getting killed if I make a wrong step. But you know what?" The Great Knight of Duloc started to speak. He had his head to the ground…and when he raised it up, he made a large satisfied smile. "THAT EXCITES ME! AHAHAH! Oooh it's been a really long time since I had to fight against an opponent like you! Someone who would have been able to push me at the limit and force me to use the best of my skills! I admire you, unknown knight! What is your name?" He then asked.
…Silence.
"…COME ON! Say something!" Achilles insisted. In that moment, the vessel threw him a small card. When the knight grabbed it, he could see that there was something written on it. " 'I don't have the gift of the word'? Really? You're a mute being? Strange…but whatever! All that I want now is to enjoy every bit of this battle! So you better get ready…" the knight continued. The Pure Vessel started to notice something that alarmed them.
Achilles's body was starting to get surrounded by clear green lightnings. That could have meant only one thing. That knight was about to go full power, like he said. "Because now you'll see the real strength of Achilles! One of the Great Knights of the kingdom of Duloc!" He shouted before throwing himself against the vessel.
It was a matter of one second…before Achilles already punched the Pure Vessel at the belly. They widened their eyes in bewilderment. Such speed was impossible for them. It seemed that by unleashing his full potential, Achilles became faster than he already was. If they could hardly see him before, now he was basically invisible. It was like…he reached the speed of light or even became pure light.
"Hope you're ready for some quick attack!" Achilles exclaimed in happiness before throwing the vessel away once more. The knight made of void didn't even have a moment for standing up that his enemy already started to attack him with a barrage of blows with his spear. They couldn't resist, react or attack with that monstrous speed of his. The vessel could feel all the attacks in every single part of their body, before getting sent away.
But Achilles wasn't done there. He was enjoying this too much to make it end. The excitement of a good fight was something he missed for quite a while now. For him, there was no reason to stop or to go easy. So, as he saw the vessel fly away, he instantly reached him and grabbed their face with his arm, before smashing them to the ground and push them with a kick. The vessel felt their whole body rub on the sandy floor before getting crashed against a log.
At this point…the Vessel couldn't even breathe. They were getting too many blows and they were already tired for the previous battle against Frodus. But they couldn't die there…there had to be some way to react. They tried to do the parry technique…and surprisingly…it worked. In the moment the vessel put the nail in front of them, Achilles arrived and tried to attack them, so they were able to make their counterattack and at least, push him away.
Even Achilles was surprised to see that their move worked. "Ahah! Wow! You never cease to surprise me, unknown knight! Despite my speed, you were able to deliver a single attack! I don't know if it was luck or anything else, but we'll see if it will happen again!" He said before starting to attack again. But now that they saw that something was possible, the vessel wouldn't have let him attack them as they pleased. And so…they started to answer.
The vessel used the Shadow Dash technique to pass through one of the opponent's attacks and took the opportunity left by that by using a combo with their nail, managing to attack him a couple of times and forcing him to recoil. "Impressive! BUT THAT IS NOT ENOUGH!" Achilles shouted before stabbing the Pure Vessel at the belly with the spear and throw them away. For a while…the vessel didn't answer…they just stood there on the ground, not showing any signs of resistance.
"Hmmm…they must be exhausted. Well, they surely put up a good fight!" Achilles commented. He then rotated the spear once again. "I'm sorry it must end up like this, but it's time to end this battle. Then…Frodus will be next." For him, it was time to deliver the coup de grace. So he jumped against them and tried to stab them at the chest. But…
Suddenly a thorn appeared from the Hollow Knight's back and attacked Achilles. "WHAT!? GAH!" The Great Knight of Duloc was sent to the ground in a matter of seconds. "W-What just happened!?" He exclaimed. Still…the vessel remained there…still. "I…I'm not imagining things, right? I…saw something attacking me…"
Meanwhile…the vessel was still exhausted…but they could feel something…like some sort of strange force taking over their body…but unlike the Radiance…it wasn't negative…rather something that filled them with energy…and made them stand up. It was…something familiar. Something that told them…a simple thing.
Fight. Keep on fighting.
[Bungou Stray Dogs OST – Rashomon]
The Pure Vessel then stood up…but they were keeping the back bent, like something was going to come out from it, and they were even trembling…even they didn't know why. "What are you doing?" Achille asked. He didn't like what was going on…and what happened next…left him speechless.
The vessel's whole body started to get surrounded by a strange energy…and their whole body started to change color. From a white and silver skin…it became pitch black…with two white glowing eyes…and a ton of thorns coming out from their back. It was like the Pure Vessel turned into a complete different creature.
"Oh my god…what is that? It's the first time I've seen a metamorphosis like that…" Achilles commented. As always, the vessel didn't say anything. They just…attacked. The thorns immediately went against Achilles and pushed him. "Gh!" Then, they started to attack him repeatedly, not leaving an instant to recover, just like the Great Knight of Duloc did to the vessel just a few seconds earlier.
"GRAAH!" Achilles soon crashed against the ground and stood up. "Their power completely changed, it's nothing like before!" He said. The Pure Vessel simply looked at him, with the head slightly bent on the left. "So! You've finally decided to use your full power, huh? Fine! It's time we settle this then!"" Achilles then proclaimed as he got surrounded by clear green lightnings. He was about to attack a full speed. But now, even the vessel could reach that unimaginable speed and power. So…what would have happened?
"TSEAAAAAH!" Both him and the Hollow Knight ran against each other and started to attack with a barrage of blows. While the vessel attacked with those strange thorns, Achilles used his spear. Both of them were at the same level, and the impact caused by those attacks released even some shockwaves that cracked the ground or took down some log.
Achilles thought for an instant that despite this weird powerup, he could have been able to keep up with them. But…he didn't take count of one simple thing. The thorns were many…too many for him…and eventually…they surpassed him.
Soon…Achilles got hit repeatedly by all those thorns before getting grabbed by them and thrown to the ground. "GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
After that…the Pure Vessel stopped moving alongside those thorns…and then…that strange energy started to leave them. They returned to their original color and the thorns came back inside their back. It seemed that strange power was only temporary and lasted only for a couple of minutes before the vessel turned back to normal.
Since they were now out of energy, the vessel felt on their knees and took some time to rest. Achilles stood up on the meantime, showing that he was still alive…but at this point, he was too damaged to continue the battle, like the vessel. "It only lasted for a moment…but…that power was tremendous…this isn't like any regular bug…Lord Farquaad's gonna hate this…but I have no choice…" He said before taking his spear. "I shall leave you now. It was fun to fight with you…but next time…I fear that things are will be different…" He said before leaving.
The Hollow Knight remained on their knees for a couple of minutes. They…couldn't explain what just happened. What was that power that led them to fight? Why was it so familiar? Why…did they turned like that thing?
They wanted so badly to know the answer…but they couldn't. Maybe…it wasn't the time to know what happened. For now…it happened. The Hollow Knight was too tired to try and reason. For now…they were relieved to see that they made it somehow. So…with the forces he had left…he surpassed the bridge…and reached their friends.
But they didn't know…that there was actually someone who observed the whole scene from afar…
Malkuth was standing on the top of a log…looking as the Pure Vessel was going away. "What an interesting power that being has…maybe Lord Keter will be pleased about this…" She said before opening her wings and flying away.
[Hollow Knight OST – Resting Grounds]
Once they went on the other side of the bridge, the vessel could see Amabe and Lyebet sitting near a bonfire inside a small cave. They already noticed that there was someone missing. "Frodus left, if you're wondering." Lyebet told them. "Once I've healed his wounds, he started to go back to the capital of his kingdom. He said that…he would have paid his debt someday." Amabe added. The vessel understood…and sat down like the others. There were three of them…once again.
"Man…these knights are really strange insects. But there can be even some appeal in them. By the way…you seem pretty messed up." Lyebet then said, looking at the wounds the vessel had all over their body. "I assume that Achilles guy was really tough."
"Here. Let me heal you." Amabe said as she gently placed her hands on their body. A small white energy was generated, starting the treatment. Finally…after so long…peace and quiet. The three travelers finally had a break and looked up at the stars. "This was really a long day…" Lyebet commented.
"Yeah…first we enter in a tunnel full of monsters…then we face amalgamates and get lost in a forest…and in the end we fight against two powerful knights…and to think that the journey began only yesterday…this is only the beginning and there is a lot to do…" Amabe added. "And to think that we're going to sleep only now…if it wasn't for the discovery we made back at Seadus…maybe we could have taken a break much earlier…"
The vessel couldn't speak, but they would have probably agreed with her. It was incredible on how much stuff happened in one single day…how much stuff they have discovered about the conditions of this ruined land. How much they have learned of the despair of its inhabitants. And to think that this was only the beginning…it was surprising. They moved very little by now…and the Pointed Mountain was still really far. How many things would they have discovered during the journey? What kind of bugs would they have met? What enemies would they have faced? What…emotions…would they have felt? The Pure Vessel…couldn't hide the fact that they were actually curious…to discover the secrets of that world so different but at the same time so similar to Hallownest, the land they left at least a month earlier.
"Hmmm…well…at least we have made some steps forward! Eheh…well…I guess there isn't anything to add. It's better if we go to sleep now. Tomorrow we must be prepared. Once we have passed through the Foggy Swamp, we'll reach our first important stop, the SEED city." Amabe then told. "Yeah…I'm actually getting sleepy." Lyebet replied before hanging on the ceiling upside down. Even the Pure Vessel was tired…they still thought about that strange power they used…but there was no need now. Maybe the answer would have come to the future.
"Well…good night group! Sweet dreams!" Amabe said before blowing out the flame on the bonfire. She then laid down and closed her eyes. "Good night." Lyebet answered before closing his eyes as well.
The vessel had their eyes opened for a couple of seconds. They wanted to give one last look at the stars in the sky. But then the tiredness prevailed and they laid down closed their eyes as well. There were many questions, but they were sure they would have found answers for that. This was only the beginning of their journey to discover the truth of the war of Zarudia…and if there was a way to put an end to it. But for now...it was bedtime.