YOU WANT TO TALK?
"Yes," Louise nodded at her Familiar's question. She turned her head to the other Void Vessel sitting on her bed, and held out her other hand towards it.
It looked at her hand for a moment, only grabbing it when she coughed and jerked her head towards it.
She nodded again, and then turned her attention back to her Familiar "I realise that, after about a week, I don't really know anything about you." She admitted "Despite the fact that we're supposed to be partners for life as Familiar and Mage, I don't even know what you were until today."
She shook her head "Well not anymore, starting today I want to understand you." She paused and would've scratched the back of her neck if her hands were free "Well as much as I can understand. This way I can at least know who my Familiar is," she turned to the other Void Vessel "And its new friend."
It tilted its head.
You Wish To Understand Us?
A 'new' voice rang in her head, at first she simply assumed that it was Bug. It sounded the same, in the sense that it had no actual voice and it felt as if the words themselves were imprinted in her head to understand them. But even though the soundless sound was the same, she couldn't help but feel that this new voice was just… lesser than her Familiar's.
"Was that you?" She asked the other occupant in her room.
It straightened its head, and then nodded.
She smiled "Glad to know that you can talk as well."
To Understand Our Words. You Are A Creature Of The Void.
Once more Louise nodded her head "I suppose I am."
Giving less focus to the other Void Vessels, she looked at the two.
Bug met her gaze and asked.
WHAT DO YOU WISH TO KNOW?
[Scene]
"Well for starters, what are you?"
We Are Vessels
The Lumafly flew around mindlessly within its lantern. The glow from its body illuminated a good portion of the room, which included the pages of the many books strewn about on the table and the balding man.
Jean Colbert was looking over a couple of books, his eyes moving from one book to another as his eyebrows furrowed further as he read both of the books.
On his left was the Elven Bestiary book that he had read up when the young Louise had summoned her Familiar.
On his right was another book, The Legend of The Void. Details on what they knew about the Founder Brimir and his own Familiars.
The latter had nothing new to his knowledge. Brimir had four Familiars, each one enhanced by the Runes that granted them power.
Gandalfr, The Left Hand of God. Said to be able to master any weapons that they could get their hands on, and would protect their Master as they casted their spells.
Windalfr, The Right Hand of God. A Familiar that could bend the will of any creature to their whim, so long as they were not humans or any race of similar.
Myoznitnirn, The Mind of God. Said to be able to use any kind of magical artefacts, a counter to the Gandalfr some would say.
And lastly the Lifdrasil, the Heart of God. A Familiar with almost no knowledge of their abilities.
Because he couldn't get anything new from his books, he had to resort to the former as he had done before.
At first it was curiosity that had driven him to look up the creature, but after he had revealed the nature of the creature to the Principal he assumed that he could just put it behind him.
Unfortunately, today's events had proven him wrong and made him rethink of his initial assessment of the Familiar.
It was a much bigger threat than he had assume. Yes, he figured that a creature that was the same as the one that killed a Dragon would be dangerous. But it one thing to simply hear a recounting from a friend.
It was another thing to see the aftermath of its magical prowess directly.
So he was back in the library. Looking over any book that could tell either about these Void Vessels, or give him more insight about the Familiars of a Void Mage.
The only problem, was that what he was getting from the books didn't make any sort of sense.
"No, that's what Principal Osmond said what you were. Last time I just listened to others, they said that you were a Water Spirit. I'm asking you, what are you?"
WE ARE VESSELS
From the start, reading a book written by a race that hated yours was… an unpleasant experience for the Fire Mage. Even if it didn't directly mention anything about them, it was just uncomfortable to hold a book that was written by group that could, and have, slaughtered his kind by the hundreds.
Despite that, the books themselves had valuable insight on the Familiar.
It was just hard to swallow to be honest.
"Wait, so you are actually called Vessels? It's not another label that we got wrong? You really are supposed to be Vessels for the Void?"
CORRECT. OUT BODIES ARE MADE OF THE VOID ITSELF
While Our Shells Are Given By The Higher Beings
The Void was a Holy Element, throughout all of Human History only one Mage could actually utilise the Void. Brimir himself.
It was powerful, an element that could trump all of the others.
Fire would be snuffed out by Void Spells, Water would become still, the Air would turn stagnant, and the Earth barren.
It was why some called him the prophet of magic, why he was considered a mandate of the gods.
"Higher Beings? You mean like the 'Born of God' that you said before?"
YES
Yet the Elves themselves seem to treat the Vessels as a creation made to tame the element as if it were any other element.
An attribute that the Void Vessels had was an Indomitable Will, A Malleable Shell, and the Connection to the Void even when separated from the source.
And most importantly, total loyalty to their creator.
"The Vessels aren't born," Jean muttered "They're created."
A maddening thought, that a Golem or a Magical Shell that could hold the Fifth Element could be created.
OUR BODY IS BYPRODUCT OF TWO HIGHER BEINGS
'The Shells of the Vessels are formed by the power of two Spirits, both thought to have been lost to this world.'
That dissuade his fear a bit, knowing that what there less chance for more of these to be made in the future.
But then there was another word that intrigued him, that the shells were made by two Spirits, children made by the Spirits themselves instead of users was a… new concept to him.
The White Lady
Jean continued reading.
'The Shell's malleability was given by the White Root, a Spirit that could change shape and merge with whatever magic they could come across. This malleability is what allows the Vessels to withstand the Void, to not be overwhelmed by the twisted magic that rest within this element.
To be able to change shape and use abilities not of their own, this allows Vessels to utilise magic if presented the knowledge so long as it does not oppose the current element of their bodies.
It's what allows them to switch Medallions with no ill change, whereas switching even the weakest of Medallions would harm one to their very being.'
Well, that was worrying.
And The Pale King
'The Shell's indomitable will, one that allows it to keep acting even in pain and distress, is given by another Spirit. The Pale Wyrm, a spirit that could gift foresight if contacted and allowed one to remove and resist magic that would alter one's mind.
This allows the Void Vessels to withstand the mental effects of the Void, which would compel them to hunt down and kill anything that wasn't its own. While at the same time the Void Vessels would not be deterred by repeated failure and hardship.
The indomitable will gifted to them by the Pale Wyrm means that the Void Vessels are not afraid of injury and death. If it sees another being slain, it wouldn't falter and it would not be affected. Combined with the Void's uncaring nature for everything else not its own, this makes it so that the Vessels cannot be beaten through psychological moments.'
Jean's eyebrow raised "Pale Wyrm?"
These Two Higher Beings Are What Spawned Us Vessels
'The Pale Wyrm and the White Root, these two Spirits once lived within the earth. But have since vanished 6000 years ago.
Another casualty that Brimir and the Void brought to this land.'
[Scene]
"Hang on," Louise interrupted their explanation. She looked at the two incredulously "Did you just say Pale King?" She asked, putting emphasis on the last word.
Both of the Vessels nodded.
Louise blinked "As in, ruler of a kingdom King?" She asked again, her eyes widening.
They nodded.
She leaned forward, her voice raising higher in pitch "As in married to a Queen, King?"
Bug tilted its head, while its Sibling nodded.
Her desperation peaked "As in produces Prince and Princess, King?!"
IS THERE ANOTHER MEANING FOR THE WORD KING?
Louise turned to her Familiar with a glare, she opened her mouth to retort but found nothing. She sighed "Good point."
"But still," an uneasy smile stretched over her face as she looked at the two "You didn't tell me that you two were royalty." She laughed, one that sounded awkward and nervous even to her, "I summoned a prince of a Kingdom."
Her forehead immediately became damp with sweat "Oh Founder, I stole a prince!"
The two Void Vessels looked at each other, and then faced her.
We Are Not Royalty
"Huh?" She looked at the two.
Bug and its Sibling shook their heads.
WE ARE NOT PRINCES. VESSELS WERE NOT MADE TO BE THE HEIR OF THE KINGDOM
"They aren't?" She asked. Her nervousness turned to confusion "But your dad is the Pale King isn't it?"
They nodded.
"So if he wasn't making an heir to his throne, why did he have more than one child?" She questioned.
To Create The Perfect Knight, To Fight An Ancient Enemy
[Scene]
VESSELS WERE MADE FOR A SINGLE PURPOSE. OUR SHELLS AND BODIES CREATED TO BE THE PERFECT ENEMY FOR WHAT THE PALE KING WANTED TO FIGHT.
The messenger gripped the reins of his horse as its ran.
His eyes focused on the estate in the distance. The messenger bag in slung around his waist was held tight by a belt, the contents within kept safe from the elements.
But The Pale King Required A Vessel That Was Pure.
When he reached the gates, he pulled his horse to stop. The guards by the gates gripped their weapons tight as he approached.
He dismounted his horse, holding onto the reins as he approached them. When he was stopped, he dug through the pouch by his side, and took out a scroll.
"I come with a message from the Princess." He informed them, showing the seal on the scroll.
Both of their eyes widened, they looked at each other and with a nod, one of them head towards the manner.
AND ONE WAS CHOSEN, A VESSEL THAT WAS PURE WHICH WAS WHY IT WAS SELECTED TO BE THE ONE TO FIGHT FOR THE SAKE OF THE KINGDOM
Count Mott was a well-dressed man, as should be expected from not only a Noble but one employed by the Palace itself. He carried himself in a confident manner, he made sure that his appearance was immaculate.
In a way, some people might even call him arrogant.
Count Mott watched as the young boy stepped into his estate. Once he was close he fell to his knees in a bow, and then held out two objects towards him.
One was a scroll that bore the Palace's seal, the other was an envelope.
"I bring a message from the Princess," the messenger told him "To be delivered to the Palace Messenger at post haste."
Mott grabbed the two and nodded his head at the messenger.
"What was his name?"
In his study Mott finished reading the message in the scroll, and looked at the envelope in his other hand.
His eyebrows furrowed as he waved his wand. Immediately a whole stack of paper flew to his desk, and with another wave his quill and inkwell put beside it.
He glanced at the scroll again as if to make sure that he had read it right. When the contents didn't change, all he could do was shrug.
Supplies that he needed for the trip was written, as well the amount of gold for any expenses. Preparations for the carriage was next, no reason to show up to send a message in a filthy carriage. Next were the horses, the guards to be brought.
The messenger wrote down all of the preparations he could think of for a trip such as this.
When he was done he called for a maid.
He smiled as the meek maid stepped into his study, in any other day he might've had some fun before he sent her off for her duties.
But unfortunately today wasn't any other day. He gathered the stack of papers and handed it to her.
"Here," the maid looked more than a little surprised. When she didn't leave Count Mott crossed his arms "Well hurry up, go out and hand these out. And make sure you give these to the right people."
She looked down at the stack of papers and then looked up "A-Are you going on a trip?"
The Noble nodded "Duty calls unfortunately, so I may be gone from the estate for a while." He stepped away from his desk and headed to the book shelf by the side of the room "I hope you and the others can handle taking care of this place alone."
"Of course, Count Mott!" He smiled contently as he heard the enthusiastic response. It always made him happy to hear them be so excited to work "Where will you be going?"
He plucked the book from the book shelf, even if he was going tomorrow he could read up on the customs less he make a fool of himself and Tristam. He turned to her and smiled "Romalia."
THE HOLLOW KNIGHT
[Scene]
Louise let out an 'Ohhhhh', she nodded her head "So your father, this Pale King, he wasn't looking for any heirs to his kingdom with the Vessels?"
Both of them shook their heads.
"A Warrior King," Louise muttered under her breath. Okay, maybe she wasn't in too much trouble.
If a king would be willing to have children and not let them have any kind of inheritance of their bloodline, only gaining them through rigorous efforts they wouldn't mind if two out of three of his children was missing.
Hopefully.
After that a thought came to her mind. Turning back to Bug she asked "Are any of you the Hollow Knight?"
The Sibling shook its head, while Bug didn't seem to react.
We Weren't Chosen To Be The Hollow Knight.
She let out a sigh of relief "Thank goodness."
She leaned back in her bed, still holding onto her Familiar and its Sibling. Neither of them said anything.
At least until Louise sat up again "But are you sure?"
Both of them looked at her.
"I mean," her face flushed slightly in embarrassment "Do you have any other siblings? Like anyone that's royalty?"
That way, if she did run into more of them she wouldn't accidentally offend them.
No
YES
The two Vessels looked at each other at their simultaneous reply. After a moment the Sibling bowed its head, and turned away from Bug.
Bug followed.
THERE IS ANOTHER SIBLING THAT WOULD BE ROYALTY.
"Oh?" Louise raised an eyebrow. "Are there more Vessels?"
Bug shook its head.
SHE IS NOT A VESSEL
"What do you mean?" Louise asked.
HER FATHER IS THE PALE KING, BUT SHE HAS A DIFFERENT MOTHER. SHE WAS BORN OF GOD AND BEAST, AND HOLDS NO VOID WITHIN HER.
At that Louise couldn't help but chuckle. It seemed that even Warrior Kings or just regular Kings, they all shared the same libido of men.
"I should've expected that," she shook her head "You said that she was born of God and Beast?"
Bug nodded its head
THE PALE KING OF HOLLOWNEST AND HERRAH THE BEAST OF DEEPNEST ENTERED AN ALLIANCE. ON THE CONDITION THAT THE PALE KING PROVIDE A HEIR TO DEEPNEST.
"Huh." Louise was surprised at the explanation, it was rare that the male was used as a bargaining chip to gain alliance. But considering how weird Bug and its Sibling was, maybe the kingdom was just different?
"So what's her name?" Louise asked.
For a while Bug seemed silent. It looked at the bed sheets for a while, not 'saying' a word.
HORNET. THE PRINCESS OF DEEPNEST. HALF SIBLING SHE MAY BE, BUT SHE IS A SIBLING NONTHELESS.
Once more the Sibling turned to Bug, only to turn away once more when Bug met its gaze.
Louise shuddered at the name, knowing how dangerous those evil insects were. A fitting name for a child of someone that had the epithet of 'Beast'.
She shook her head, clearing it of the thoughts of insects. Her focused returned to her Familiar and for a moment, she felt a pang of guilt.
Bug rarely showed any kind of emotion, besides curiosity. So the pause before it said its half-sister's tell was the only tell that it wasn't just an emotionless shell.
"Hey," Louise called out to the both of them "What're your names?"
Bug looked at her.
MY NAME IS BUG, ISN'T IT?
"No," she paused to look away "I mean technically." She shook her head "That's not what I meant! Bug was the name that I gave you after I summoned you, and I only gave you that name because you wouldn't help with picking one for yourself."
Bug tilted its head.
"But that was the name I gave you." She smiled "What was the name your father gave you?"
Vessels Discarded Bear No Name
The Sibling replied instead of Bug.
"Huh?" She turned towards it "What do you mean?"
It stared at her.
We Have No Name, As Does Every Other Vessel That Wasn't Chosen To Be The Hollow Knight.
Louise found herself at a loss for words.
They weren't given names?!
Bug nodded.
THE PALE KING ONLY WANTED ONE VESSEL TO BE THE HOLLOW KNIGHT.
Her eyes widened at the words.
Bug continued
THE OTHERS THAT COULD NOT FIT THE CRITERIA OF A PURE EMPTY VESSEL, WERE LEFT BEHIND.
It looked at her.
US INCLUDED.
It took a moment for the words to sink in, and if her communications with her Familiar didn't involve direct contact, she would've let go.
"Y-Yo-Your F-" She gritted her teeth as she tried to force out the words "Your F-Father just, abandoned you?" She leaned in closer "J-Just because you weren't b-born pure and empty?"
The Sibling nodded.
After Numerous Attempts, Only The Hollow Knight Had The Emptiness The Pale King Wanted. A Perfect Combination Of God And Void.
…
"Bug," she turned to her Familiar "I didn't let you finish, but you told me that yours 'Shells' are made of this Pale King and White Lady, right?"
It nodded.
Louise gulped and asked her question "So, how did you get your body of Void?"
THE SPAWNSs OF THE PALE KING AND THE WHITE LADY ARE DROPPED INTO THE ABYSS. THERE THEY ARE BORN, THEY DIE, AND THEN REMADE INTO VESSELS THAT CAN HOLD THE VOID WITHIN THEM.
Her breathing doubled "Bug," her grip on her Familiar's hand tightened "H-How many?"
It tilted its head.
"How many of your Siblings were dropped into the Abyss?"
TOO MANY TO COUNT. THE SHELLS OF THOSE THAT COULD NOT BECOME VESSELS ARE MIXED WITH THOSE THAT DIED TRYING TO ESCAPE.
"Just, guess!"
Bug looked at her, then looked at the bed sheets. And then shook its head.
DON'T KNOW, TOO MANY TO COUNT.
She whirled to the Sibling "You have to know!"
It shook its head.
Too Many Too Count. But There Were Many.
Louise gulped "Ten?"
Bug shook its head.
MORE.
"A hundred?"
More
"Hundreds?"
MORE.
"Thousands?"
Neither of them spoke.
They nodded.
Louise heart hammered in her chest. "How?" She asked "How could have your father kill so many of his children?"
Bug looked her in the eye.
NO COST TOO GREAT.
"But they were his children!" Louise shouted at them "Your Siblings, your Brothers and Sisters!"
Both of them looked at their hands as he grip almost crushed the hands in her grip.
"Ho-How could your father just," her voice trailed off "How could your father do such a thing to his children?"
The Sibling answered.
The Pale King Wanted a Vessel To Fight An Ancient Enemy.
Louise shut her eyes "That doesn't mean he should have done such a thing."
Bug continued their answer, heedless of her words.
A VESSEL WITH NO MIND TO THINK
NO WILL TO BREAK
NO VOICE TO CALL OUT SUFFERING
Louise was silent.
ONLY THE HOLLOW KNIGHT HAD THOSE QUALITIES. AND IT WAS THE ONLY VESSEL TO BE NAMED, AND ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE ABYSS.
AND THE VESSELS THAT WEREN'T, WERE DISCARDED AND FORGOT-
The words were cut short as she pulled them into a hug, she didn't care about the horns that were poking her shoulder or the hard texture of their skulls.
She pulled them closer to her, holding them tight to her body.
"No more," she whispered "You don't have to say it anymore."
Time passed as she hugged her Familiar and Sibling, none of them saying a word.
"Neither of you are lesser because you weren't chosen," she mumbled out "You both deserve to live, as much as that Hollow Knight Sibling of yours." Her hug grew tighter "You both, and any other Vessel deserve to live, no matter what your Pale King desires."
She pulled away from her hug and looked at Bug "You are Bug." She stated firmly "You are the Familiar of Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere," her voice shook "My map making, water splashing Familiar."
She turned to the Sibling "And you," she paused, just now realising that it didn't have a name. It waited for her words. "You are Sib," she told it "You are the companion to my Familiar."
"From now on, neither of you are the discarded Vessels of a Pale King." She told them both "From now on, you are both the Vessels of Louise Francoise."
Her gaze turned intense as she held the two in front of her "And I swear on my name as a Valliere, I will not abandon you or any other Vessel that I find in the future."
"Is that clear?"
Bug and Sib both looked at each other and nodded.
"Good," she smiled and pulled them into another hug.