I stood before all as if a statue. Some would draw near and gaze upon my form, others would scoff before raising their pointed faces into the air as if they caught wind of a stench most foul… but among these were the handmaidens and pages. Some were meek and frightened easily, these held such plain features hidden behind robes and leathers. Then… then there were those estranged creatures.

Their heads were topped with fur-covered, curved, and hollowed horns that twitched at the slightest of sounds as well as tails ranging from small to massive in shape and volume.

"May I offer you a refreshment, Sword Hero?" One such odd handmaiden asked. Her eyes looked empty and lifeless. I fathomed that were I to strike her, her body would produce no Soul to fuel my magic.

"I have no need for such things," I replied as politely as was able as I returned to my vigil.

"You should at least eat," She argued, "If only to maintain airs…" She had thusly presented me with a small, scaled, and finned creature, "Is fish to your liking, Sir Sword Hero?"

Fish? Was this fish? I grasped the slimy, cooked fish by its tail end and examined it closely. Lifting it aloft, I slowly lowered it down my neck, relishing the strange sensations that began to invade my form. I felt the Void within shudder and settle as if pleased.

"You certainly don't waste time, Sir Hero," The handmaiden commented as I placed the tail fin remains upon the platter she still carried, "May I offer you another?"

Another? I did so wish for another, but something within told me that should I consume again I would likely never cease. Thankfully, the 'Arc' Bearer had shaken me from my turmoil.

"Hollow-San!" He shouted as he ran forward, "Ready? I think everyone's waiting to see what we can do."

Thankful for the distraction, I gave a bow to the emotionless handmaiden as she made way for Itsuki and I to begin… although Itsuki had decided to put some distance between us. Did he intend to strike from afar? Was there magic within him?

I had found out soon enough the true power his Arc held as several bolts of gathered light flew from the weapon. He sought a war of attrition… he would not be disappointed. I met each bolt with the flat of my Nail, shortening our distance quickly with each passing projectile. Even as he stepped further back, I doubled my pace until I was finally upon him.

I struck his face with the pommel of my Nail, watching as he staggered onto his back and clutched his head in pain. Query, The Shell Bearer took much abuse, but a slight tap against the Arc Bearer had even drawn what I believed to be blood.

"Did you have to hit me so hard!?" Itsuki shouted as a handmaiden rushed to his side and began to apply magic to his wound.

"Yours is an underdeveloped body unused to pain, we shall remedy that."

Itsuki's eyes immediately widened with fear… this too would be remedied…

"Sir Sword Hero!" After appeasing a squire who chose now to call our attention, or at least my own attention, "Wait! You… sorry… let me catch my… Sir! I apologize for the inconvenience, but are you aware of the differences between Heroes?" He asked curiously as he gave a salute.

"Differences? What meaning would differences have in situations of victory or death?" And so the squire explained of our conundrum, The Sword Hero had the highest attack stat with rather low defense but slightly better than average speed of the Four Cardinal Heroes, followed by the Spear who's stats had been the most balanced between speed, strength, and defense. The Bow Hero, though the fastest of the Four, had a damage output near identical to the Spear, but with a fatally lower defensive stat. Finally, there was the Shield Hero. Though lacking both strength and speed, held the most longevity and natural defense as opposed to all.

And yet it made no sense…

"They must be trained as Heroes, not pampered to be idols," I argued.

"Hollow-San?" Itsuki spoke up, the bruise upon his crown now much less visible, "I'm sorry for shouting… but… what kind of training did you actually go through?" It had seemed as he was not the only one curious to this as the nobles, knights, as well as the king himself had gathered close.

"I was trained not to fear my death. I was molded, shaped into a perfect Vessel by the Nest's Nailmasters, Shamans, as well as an obstacle course built by my father's hands," I explained calmly, "My kin, had they been allowed to continue their existence, would have been tempered much the same," The crowd gasped and began gossiping amongst themselves, faces aghast at my words.

"You had brothers and sisters?" Noafumi asked worriedly.

"And the hell do you mean by, allowed to exist?" Motoyasu questioned, mirroring his fellow hero's worry.

"My kin were cast away, left to rot within the Abyss that hollowed us."

"How many…" Itsuki shook as he feared the answer to his question.

"Many. They had been... a necessary sacrifice," Were they, however?" Would the Nest not have prospered longer with so many to uphold it? What of the Void King? Had he not vanquished the Radiance through sheer force? Was I… Was my father… Were we wrong?

"Hollow-San?" Itsuki must have taken my silence for turmoil, I was above such emotions.

"Wait wait wait!" Motoyasu unceremoniously shouted as he closed the gap between us, "You said your family was just… thrown away?" I gave a nod, many in the crowd forming spiteful glares, "Your dad did that?" Another nod, "Was your mom okay with that!?"

"Neither saw choice in their actions."

"So how many are we talking about?" He obnoxiously continued to question, "Fifty?" I slowly shook my head at this, the crowd becoming horrified in their anger, "Eighty?" The fear soon took the anger as I repeated my action, "A hundred!?" He pressed on.

"Countless…"

Motoyasu gave a nod in understanding, "That is fucked up…" He muttered.

"I'm just as worried about this obstacle course," Naofumi commented, "When you say you were trained not to fear death, was the course a factor?"

"It was," I replied calmly, "My father's genius advanced the Nest. Transportation, economy, utilities. There was always one singular invention he favored above all however."

"I'm almost afraid to ask…" Noafumi commented as he gulped.

"My father had long since mastered the automatic spinning discus."

"Wait, no. No. Stop!" Motoyasu shouted, "Are you telling me… YOUR DAD BUILT AN OBSTACLE COURSE FILLED WITH BUZZSAWS AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT A COMPUTER IS!?"

"I'm pretty sure that's not the takeaway here…" Noafumi offered while Itsuki addressed the crowd.

"Um, please don't make any loud shouts or start a commotion, but to those of you unfamiliar with the terminology, a buzzsaw is a thin, sharpened metal disc that's allowed to spin rapidly without the use of human interaction," The Arc Bearer explained much to everyone's growing dread. Some patrons had even fainted at the thought.

"As it stands!" The king exclaimed, "The night has grown old and we are all quite exhausted. Esteemed guests, allow us all to excuse ourselves so that our heroes may rest for their coming trials!"

Rest? These hatchlings could not afford rest, "We have yet to begin-"

"Hollow-San!" Itsuki shouted, "It's okay, we aren't… well, we aren't vessels like you, and as far as I'm concerned, you aren't a vessel anymore either."

No longer a Vessel? Preposterous. What more is left of me but myself? What… who am I who no longer holds the Radiance?

The crowd had shuffled away, those who looked upon me with scorn now only looked upon me with pity. I neither deserved, nor desired such a thing. I desired nothing… I turned to follow my fellow Shell Bearer as he shakily made his way to the others, only to be stopped by the king himself.

"Your Highness," I 'spoke', watching as his somber yet enraged eyes fell upon me.

"Please, my boy, call me Aultcray," He replied softly, "Come, let us converse on the way to your quarters."

I agreed to this arrangement as it would be unbecoming of me to deny a king their request, "My boy," He muttered as we walked through the castle proper, "Your father, what was he in your kingdom?" His question carried with it an unprovoked venomous tone.

"My father was the Nest's Pale King. The saviour of the bugs of Hallownest," I replied readily. He had stopped abruptly at the mention of king, schooling his features as he once more walked alongside me.

"King… then I do not speak merely to a knight of your realm, but it's prince?" He asks expectantly.

"I do not hold that title," I replied easily, "I am my kingdom's Hollow Knight. A mere Vessel forged to contain infection."

"It is sickening, is it not?" He stated coldly, "That a father and king would condemn not but one… many of his own offspring to contain a disease," He looked repentant of these words as he looked towards me with sorrowful eyes, "Apologies, Sir Hollow, I have children of my own you see. When I think of what I would do were I in your father's place… I would sooner die finding another way then allow harm to my little girls…"

We spent the rest of our short walk in silence, the king leaving me in a different room then the space I shared with my fellow Bearers.

"Hollow, my boy. In the case of which I have either offended yourself or your family, I do so humbly apologize. From king, to prince, I thank you for your willingness to aid my kingdom in its time of need… and should you so wish it, Melromarc shall forever hold a place for you."

With a low bow, Aultcray had walked away, the shadows surrounding the halls shuddering slightly as he passed.

This new resting place was no different than the last save for its smaller size. It's single, large bed was covered in red cloth and felt soft to touch. I remembered Motoyasu had lain himself upon it… was I to do the same?

I had lain myself down for what seemed an eternity… time having long since lost its effect upon me. Yet… I had felt my mind drift away… as if a stone upon a sea. My vision soon blurred as a familiar voice shouted into my mind. As the voice grew louder, the vision had become clearer… I was soon surrounded by the lush vegetation of Greenpath, and with me… sister mine, shouting war cries at the Void King.

Was this a mirror to my home? Could they see me as I did they? As the Void King struck our sister, she soon chose to flee, my brother only watching as she fled… before turning to look at me.

A knock at my door had taken me from this vision, the room door opening to the sight of the soulless handmaiden from before.

"His majesty, King Aultcray Melromarc the Thirty Second has requested the presence of all four Cardinal Heroes," She stated with emotionless care. Nodding, I motioned for her to lead the way.

Our passage to the throne room was made in silence, the echo of our steps forming their own conversation. With a gracious bow, the handmaiden had left me before the massive wooden doors of the throne room.

"Hollow-San!" Naofumi had called out as he raced to my side, Itsuki and Motoyasu following closely, "How'd you sleep?"

"Because let me tell you!" Motoyasu interrupted as he pushed down on Naofumi, "I haven't slept so well in ages!"

Ignoring the now bickering bearers, the four guards on watch had taken the doors and dragged them open. Within had been a collective swarm of the featureless creatures, some wearing robes, others donned in armor. Stepping within, the king began to speak as we each stopped at a small table holding a bag.

"Summoned Heroes! The time is now upon you to venture into the world! I have seen for to gather as many willing adventurers to aid you in your coming journey," The adventurers had perked up, for what I knew not. They did not concern me, instead, I felt more concern for what our pouches contained. Lifting the pouch had caused the sound of clattering metal. Was this geo? Would geo provide a new Nail?

"I see that our Sword Hero has taken his monthly stipend of silver," The king called out, "As per request, my kingdom shall bestow upon you four a monthly stipend of eight hundred silvers, so as to ensure that each of you may pay for any and all expenses along your travels."

Silvers he called them. I had taken one such Silvers, eyeing the currency curiously. Immediately, I placed the coin upon my Nail's gem, watching as a new shape took form.

[Royal Silver Sword unlocked]

It was a strange design, no doubt native to this world. Long, broad and thick body with sharpened edges. Exagerated and bulbed crossguard, etched handle and rounded pommel. It's most striking feature was it's pale shine… was this 'Silvers' linked in anyway to Pale Metal?

"My king," I interrupted as he had changed subjects from our monetary aid to our physical aid, "Have you anymore metals so we may empower our Weapons?"

Those within the room had looked scandalized, one female of their species seemed disgusted at my interruption. They were further gobsmacked as the king gave a solemn nod, "Of course, Sir Hollow, guards! Bring us as many metals and armaments as you can!"

"Hollow-San!" The Arc Bearer shouted as if to chastise me, "Now I admit that every little bit helps, but you can't just interrupt dialogue!"

"Our needs out way your misguided 'rules'," I replied, causing the child to pout. Motoyasu and Noafumi however seemed thankful for the extra aid.

It was not long before several chests and tables were set before us, various metals of different coloration and size as well as several Nails, Arcs, and Needles. There was however a distinct lack of Shells.

"May these materials further aid you in your endeavors!" The king exclaimed as he once more began to speak to us of the company we would keep. A king's word was his bond… but these companions… he could not speak for all of them. Most had chosen to side with the Bearers of the Arc and Needle, I took note that others scoffed at the Bearer of the Shell… and the rest had leveled fearful gazes upon me.

I could not train a company of greenhorn squires, not with so little time… not with how I myself had been trained… and so it would be that I would speak my thoughts once more to our proxy king.

"Your highness, I can not in good faith, force your hand upon unwilling participants," I 'spoke' up.

"Nonsense, my boy!" He shouted back, "Any of these budding adventurers would do well by you!"

With a shake of my head, I continued, "There is one within these halls to which my standards have been met. I wish for the company of the horned handmaiden," My words had drawn confusion as murmurs exploded within the throne room.

"My castle holds no such maid," The king replied with curious disgust.

"Hey wait a minute…" Motoyasu had spoken up, "Da- I mean, Hollow! Do you know what a 'cat-girl' is?" His question immediately gained the attention of the crowd. He must have taken my silence as answer enough it seemed as he crossed his arms in mock triumph, "Okay, see, the maid he was talking to last night. That's who he means!"

"Wait, the really creepy woman with the monotone?" Naofumi asked, "Actually… now that I think about it, the two seem perfect for each other."

"Absolutely not!" The King had shouted as he stood, shocking most everyone in the room, "Sir Hollow, a knight as esteemed as yourself would surely desire better than a demi-human?"

Demi-human… Demi. Half-Human? Was this species, Human?

"Subhuman refuse, my king. A necessary sacrifice," My cold words tempered his outrage, whilst implanting budding rage within my fellow Bearers, "This castle would not miss one such as her."

With a reluctant sigh, the king waved his arm to one of his guards, "Please take Sir Hollow to the mages quarters and find the maid of which he speaks. Hollow, my boy, I can only hope you do not regret your choice."

With a humble bow, I took my leave along with my allotted currency, thankful that my Nail had been able to hold such an amount.

[Copper Saber Unlocked]

[Brass Blade unlocked]

[Gambler's Gold Sword Unlocked]

[Bronze Blade Unlocked]

[Iron Sword Unlocked]

[Steel Blade Unlocked]

[Damascus Blade Unlocked]

[Bastard Sword Unlocked]