OOC: Hello again friends, it's been a while. I wonder if anyone is still following this story, after my lengthy silence. I was very heartwarming to receive a couple of reviews from you, even though I did not deserve such. Here's a new chapter to continue the adventure of our amnesiac Knight. I will see this story to an end, eventually 3 Hope you will enjoy it.

Chapter 16 – Mantis Village

"This is dull…"

"Shut up."

"Nobody ever comes through here."

"Be quiet!"

"Why? We're in the middle of nowhere! It's not like anyone's gonna hear!"

"Because you annoy me. And if you don't stop, I will cut you in half."

Two voices bickered with one another from behind a small bush, which was on the road to one of the most inhospitable places in Hallownest – the Mantis village. It belonged to, unsurprisingly, two mantises, which guarded the road from the East. Their shells and their claws were shiny and new, not yet carrying the chips and scars of glorious battles in defense of the village. One of them sat on a rock, and sharpened one of the claws against the other, while another kept an eye on the road… sometimes. When not bickering with his partner.

"Being cut in half sounds more fun than being stuck around here… How come we're never the ones to guard the entrance to the Deepnest? Don't you want some glory and kills to your name Olrik?" – the impatient one pouted.

"Tch. Of course I do." – the other one groaned back. "Complaining about it to me for hours on end won't change the situation much. Face it Mekta, we're rookies. Nobody's gonna send rookies to guard the Deepnest route! All we can do is sit here and look busy. Should any surprise inspection come, they will see us dutifully alert, and not screwing around."

"What are we waiting for anyway?"

"The dark ones."

The two went quiet for a little while. Their village had been under siege for so long. First it was the ones with glowing eyes, they wandered about mindlessly and usually died at their claws. Then, they were replaced by the dark ones. Those were more … numerous. But still not a match for the mighty mantises, who were at war for who knows how long…

Shink. Shink. Shiiiiiiink.

The scraping sound of claw against claw. It made Mekta flinch every time.

"Would you stop doing that?"

"What, I'm sharpening my claws."

"You've been sharpening your claws for the past three hours. They're not gonna get sharper."

"Well you're complaining for 3 hours and your mouth isn't tired yet. Maybe you should do something more useful with it."

"Har har. Wait! Shhh… get down. I think I see someone!"

Suddenly, the two mantises became serious and hit the ground. Hiding in the bush, through which they had a nice view of the road. In the distance, appeared a figure. It grew and grew, until they could figure out its silhouette. It was a bug, it looked like. A tall one. A cloak draping in the wind, tattered, flapping with its cut bits. On its back – a nail. Large one. Olrik and Mekta looked at one another, gulping.

"Think it's a dark one?"

"Don't know, can't tell. They come in many shapes… Usually in numbers."

"Think we can take it?"

"You don't even know if it's friendly or not."

"Who cares, it's an outsider. Maybe if we kill it, we'll show our worth to the village!"

"I don't think we should…"

"C'mon, don't be a ladybug. There's two of us, one of him. I'll distract it, you hit it from behind with your sharp claws. Let's go let's go!"

With that, the brave mantis leaped up from the bush before his friend could pull him back. Appearing in front of the cloaked figure. Looking up, and pointing his claw at him. Up close, the stranger looked scary. That sword was as tall as he was! But, the cloak did not cover one of the shoulders, which featured a silken bandage in place of an arm.

Heh, he's a cripple! This should be easy!

"Halt stranger! You've stepped into the territory of Mantis village! If you are looking for swift death – congratulations! You have found it. Hayah!"

The Knight looked at the mantis with a mix of surprise and disbelief. Not because he was small, or used claws for the weapon. It was just … strange to be threatened by another bug. In three days of travel from the lake to here, it faced many shadows… But this was the first time in a while its life was assailed by a bug. Before it could attempt to negotiate, those claws already swung at it. He backed away, dodging to the left and to the right, just a fraction faster than the blows themselves. Drawing Mekta away with it. The mantis swung, exasperatedly, expecting an easy fight.

"Hey! Just… stand… still… will … you. ACK!"

Bonk. The Knight's heavy fist landed on top of the mantis's head. Its force was sufficient enough to drop the smaller bug on his rear, pushing its head and neck into shoulders, mandibles twitching in different directions. Mekta flinched, and rubbed its head with its claws. Before it could recuperate, another hit caught him square in the face, leaving a fist-sized imprint and knocking him a few feet away, landing on his back. Eyes rolling in different directions, as suddenly the entire world spun around the mantis.

"Nerhhhhh… wha… where am I? Who am I? Who are you…" – he muttered in confusion, and the Knight looked at his 'challenger,' looking equally confused. Soon, he noticed another mantis running from the same bush. Warily, the tall bug reached for its sword. It did not want to harm these people, but if they were to continue assaulting, the Knight would have no choice. Why are they attacking? – it wondered. But then remembered his talk with Quirrel, the ferrybug. He mentioned the Mantis village was aggressive…

He did not mention them being … inept.

If only the Knight could speak, those words would've stung. But the other mantis that appeared seemed less eager for battle. Waving its claws in different directions, and trying to make a cross sign for stopping. Indeed, soon the yelling reached the tall bug's ears.

"Stop the fighting! Stop the fighting!"

"Fighting…? Huuhhh…? Did I win…"

"No, you didn't, you moron. You got beaten by a one-armed bug. Erm… no offense." – Olrik looked up at the Knight, who looked back, waiting for an explanation to this encounter. He coughed a little, and nodded towards the mantis sprawled on the ground.

"I'm Olrik, this here is Mekta. We're Mantis village patrol sent to guard this road. My friend thought you were a Dark One and…"

"Actually… I thought it'd be an easy kill and I… OW!"

"Shut up Mek… Anyway… On behalf of my friend here, I humbly apologize for the assault. But… who are you? What is your business in the Mantis Village? You look like a Nest bug, but not a City bug… None of them are this … tall."

"None of them fight well either… Ugh… my face…"

The Knight looked at the smart talking one, then at the stupid one on the ground, thinking a little, before extending his hand for the fallen, picking him up by the scruff of his neck and putting him back on his feet. Brushing off dust in a few swift strokes against the shell, embarrassing and flustering Mekta to no end.

"H-hey! No need for your help, mom! I can stand for myself…"

Having done then, and looking at Olrik, the Knight reached into his bag, and pulled out the same sheet of paper it showed everyone on the way. One with all the people of Dirtmouth together like on a collective photo. A circle was drawn around Iselda and Cornifer, too. Olrik squinted a little, looking at the two.

"Huh… don't think I've ever seen those two before. Are you looking for them? Maybe someone in the village seen them! You should… probably come with us. There's a few patrols further down the road, just as opportunistic as we are. And we cannot afford to lose 20 people like last time, attacking the wrong kind of guy."

"Oh, you're talking about the Tiny Terror?" – Mekta asked, as he finally got his bearings together.

"Yes, that. And if he tore us a new rearhole, imagine what this dude can do to us?"

"Yeah, no kidding… Say… mind if you keep this a secret, big guy? Would be a bad start for our careers for everyone to know we got our ass kicked…"

"Speak for yourself, my fight history remains pristine."

"Mhm, with a grand total of 0 confirmed kills. Anyway, what's your name? You never said … anything, actually."

The knight looked at the two, and let out an inaudible sigh, its chest rising and falling. Then, it tapped at its mouth. The two mantises' eyes widened, and they nodded in understanding.

"Oooh… a cripple and a mute! That's harsh, bug…"

"Mek, you're being disrespectful. Still… the village's right over there, across the mound. Follow us and uhh… don't pull your nail out just yet. We'll get you through."

With that, escorted by the Mantis village's finest warriors, the Knight made its way towards the famed place. Quietly wondering if all mantises were like this. Though, the heads on pikes flanking the road ever since he got here seemed to suggest otherwise…