Redacted
A Realization
Sorry this is late. Been busy this week.
Updated and Edited: 4/15/2024
Knight couldn't understand how Hush had gotten over her fears so quickly. One moment, she was clinging onto his arm as though her life depended on it, and then the next, she was standing next to Odorata, squealing with delight as he hefted another one of his worm siblings out of their crib and into his arms. How the child Guardian found squirming worms interesting Knight will never understand, but he forced himself to stand idly by as the Hive hybrid lowered himself just enough to introduce the worm to Hush.
Knight had hoped that they would be able to avoid Odorata long enough to get Hush to eat but, they barely even made it to the Mess Hall when the Hive Hybrid spotted them. At first, Knight wanted to make an excuse, a way to get away from him, but Hush had beaten him to the punch first. He didn't know what happened for the child to change her mind but, she had jumped forward and latched herself onto Odorata's arm, her yellow eyes glittering with curiosity. It was then, Knight found that he had little choice but to follow Odorata so that the latter could introduce the rest of his siblings to the Guardian pair.
As he mentally sighed as his current predicament, Knight then turned his focus back to Odorata and Hush, only to let out a wheeze as he found the latter carrying one of the squirming worms in her hands. Her eyes were wide with fear and curiosity.
"What are you doing?" Knight managed to squeak out, optics wide as Odorata turned his glowing eyes towards him. His were wide as well, "Why are you handing a worm to a child?"
"Because she is fully capable of holding a larva on her own?" Odorata's answer was so innocent, so ignorant, that Knight is questioning his age. Then, he noticed the Hive hybrid's expression shift, brows furrowed, nose scrunched.
"I understand your concerns." Odorata started, "But I promise you, we are not like our brothers and sisters that worship the Hive Gods."
"And I am supposed to believe that?" Knight blurted out the question, subtly jerking back at his own words. He then paused when he noticed Odorata's eyes glow subtly, gleaming even under the dim lights.
"You act as though you had personally met my mother's family on the moon." Knight couldn't help but wring his hands together, "But, I do not see the scars, the fear that I usually see in others."
Knight blinked at him, "Others?"
There is a pause. And then, Odorata sighed.
"You think all Revenants here did not fear the Hive when they first joined?" Odorata subtly shook his head, "No, for those who experienced the malevolent side of my mother's race, we try our best to give them space, give them time to heal and get used to our presence before we even try to greet them." He then raised a hand and tapped the side of his eyes, "although most do their best to hide their fears, their scars, I have learned to read their eyes, for the eyes are the window to our emotions, to our true thoughts." Odorata then gestured at Knight, "You have the wariness, but not the fear that I normally see in the eyes of our Elder Revenants." Once again, Odorata's eyes furrowed, scanning him up and down, "So tell me, is it because you have heard stories? Or read of their violence in your libraries?"
Taking in a deep breath, Knight silently contemplated if he should tell Odorata the truth. To tell him about Nine's words of caution and the recount of his torture by the hands of the Hive on the moon. Or is it best to keep it to himself, claim that he only read of what he knew about the Hive to keep Nine's identity safe?
Grinding his jaw together, Knight's optics then lingered over Odorata's face, trying to find something, anything to give himself a reason to lie. But all he could see was worried, legitimate concern, and Knight barely suppressed a groan. His conscience won't let him lie, at least, not to a person who had been nothing but honest.
However, when Knight went to speak, he found his thoughts scrambled, guilt settling into his core, and thus, he said, "I have a brother who encountered the Hive. Let is just say that he relayed to me a part of what had happened to him."
Clamping his jaw shut, Knight found himself rocking on the back of his feet when Odorata's green eyes narrowed. He let the tension leave his shoulders when the Hive halfling nodded his head once.
"It is not uncommon for other Chosen to recount their experiences with others. You must be no exception." Odorata said, "Your brother, I can only imagine what my mother's family had done to him." There is a sigh from him, "If you find the time, tell your brother that my mother apologizes on the behalf of the Hive."
Knight paused and stared, "What?"
This earned him a wry smile from Odorata, "I can understand your disbelief. It is difficult to forgive the actions of my mother's kind however, as I said before, she and the others are not like them." Then, he shrugged, "They are called the Ostracized for a reason."
That is when curiosity settled into the back of Knight's mind, and he fought himself internally on asking questions. This sect of the Hive was different than what he had been told. And how often does one encounter a group of Chosen and Hive working together in harmony? Although, Knight still couldn't help but doubt the alliance between the two factions; it just seemed too good to be true.
Finally, after a brief internal battle, Knight then asked, "Are they called Ostracized for the reason that they work with Guardians?"
"Chosen." Knight couldn't help but jerk back at Odorata's correction, "And they are called the Ostracized for the reason that they hold the same beliefs as the Revenants."
"Same beliefs?" Knight repeated back.
That is when Odorata looked at him with a raised brow, "Is it not obvious?"
Optics flickering, Knight then heard Hush cooing, prompting him to look down. And his optics grew wide when he saw her rocking the worm in her arms.
At first, instinct told Knight to lean over and smack the worm out of her hands, his mind screaming that the larva was a danger for the child Guardian. However, as he forced himself to stop, pinning his arms to his side, he kept his optics upon Hush's face, and he couldn't help but pause at her broad smile. Her eyes were practically beaming at the worm as the latter let out soft squeaks, wiggling its little legs.
Taking it in, that is when Knight finally understood what Odorata meant.
"You truly believe that Darkness and Light can coexist?" He asked.
The look that Odorata gave him, Knight can only describe it as disappointment. This was further proven when the hybrid sighed. Guilt settled into Knight's' chest.
"You see that the Revenants are fine, correct?" Knight opted to remain quiet at Odorata's question, "You saw for yourself how the Ostracized and the Revenants live together in peace. And I have also heard that it had saved the life of your friend, despite the treatment being incomplete."
This prompted a flinch from Knight and again, he was unable to answer. Instead, he kept his white optics upon Odorata's glowing eyes, fumbling over his own thoughts.
That is when Knight felt a familiar hand tug at his fingertips.
So engrossed in his thoughts that Knight jumped, feeling the heat of his core rise as he looked down. His optics locked onto Hush's glowing yellow. Letting out a soft breath, Knight went to ask what she had wanted. Only to take a huge step back with a yelp when Hush promptly held up the Worm.
"Knight." He looked up to see Crystalline, her violet shifting shell obvious in the dim room, the Ghost hovering just near her Guardian's shoulder, "That was rude."
Knight gave her a blank look, "I'm sorry, I was not expecting a worm to be shoved into my face."
"Knight." Crystalline chastised again. Then, she sighed, "Just this one a chance, alright? Just one little itty baby to carry?"
Knight wheezed as his jaw dropped, "B-baby!? Did you just call that worm a baby!?"
"That is practically what they are." Knight tried his best to suppress his disdain for Crystalline's statement. Judging from the narrowed look she gave him, he failed, "Knight, just give it a try?"
"But…" Knight started, turning his optics back to Hush, only to freeze when he saw her beaming at him; her yellow eyes were hopeful as she held the worm up to him again. He crumbled at the look.
Heaving out a groan, Knight reluctantly held out his arms, hearing Hush let out an excited noise followed by her walking closer – Knight forced himself to stand still at the sight of the squirming worm – before he felt a weight being placed into his hands.
Tensing as he felt the wetness, the slime against his palms, Knight could not bring himself to look down. His disgust and discomfort wouldn't allow it.
That is when he heard Day take a deep breath, just behind his shoulders.
"Alright, we can do this." He heard them murmur, "Just ease your optics downward – "
"Where were you when I needed you?" Knight hissed out.
From the corner of his optics, he saw his Ghost blanche.
"I was panicking, okay." He heard Day whisper back, "When I saw Hush carrying that worm around, I was scrambling to find something to say, especially when they insisted on you carrying it."
Giving his Ghost a blank look, Knight then quickly realized the reasoning behind Day's panic; his Ghost was there on the Moon, back when Nine was a captive of the Hive. It would make sense as to why Day is so uneasy, especially with the little light they have and the sound of the Hive offspring reverberating around them. His core felt heavy in his chest; he would have to apologize later. For now, he must get over his fears.
Taking in another deep breath, Knight looked over at Hush and Odorata, and after spotting the expecting look upon their faces, finally looked down.
Immediately, his optics were met with folded jaws of the larva, its spindly legs consistently moving as it subtly wiggled in his arms. As it let out a particularly loud squeak, Knight forced his panic down, and shoved the urge to toss the worm across the room. Instead, he gulped, arms trembling as he kept his optics focused upon the worm.
At first, in the dark of the room, Knight had thought they were smooth, soft, and vulnerable. However, upon closer inspection, he realized that, although they were indeed soft, their back and sides were lined with spikes. They were mostly cartilage however, Knight feeling them bend against his palms. He cannot say the same for the pincers at the end of its tail; likely used for defense if any of their caretakers are to be absent during a threat. In other words, they were less cute and more frightening than what Knight had initially thought.
That is when the panic set in.
Feeling the heat of his core rise in his chest, Knight looked towards Hush only to see the expectant look has never left her face. It was as though she hopes that Knight will admit that the worm he holds in his arms is indeed a baby (Knight still cannot see it.) Although knowing fully well that handing the worm back would greatly disappoint Hush (something that Knight always hurts him to see), he turned, holding out his arms to give the worm back.
That is when the worm suddenly lurched.
In any other situation, Knight would have let out an undignified scream and tossed the Hive spawn across the room. However, Hush and Odorata were standing by both looking on with wide eyes. Thus, Knight couldn't bring himself to enact such violence and instead, he curled in, pulling the worm close against his chest.
He felt the claws of the worm graze against his chest – warm and unsettling against his senses – and again, Knight barely suppressed the urge to toss the larva across the room.
"Help me." He hissed out to Day, looking up at his Ghost.
However, as his white optics settled over Day's lone one, he saw that his Ghost had gone stiff, optic wide. This prompted Knight to grit his jaw; he was on his own.
Sucking in a deep breath, Knight straightened out his posture, slowly leaning back until he was standing straight. Then, he slowly lowered his arms. Knight let out a breath of relief when he finally felt the claws legs leave his chest.
That is when he heard crying.
At first, Knight turned his attention to Hush, flashbacks of the child Guardian's tears ingrained into his mind. However, to his surprise, her eyes were dry, and the latter was staring at him with a wide and curious look. Raising his brows, Knight then slowly looked over to Odorata, only to see that the hybrid's eyes were also absent of tears. Blinking rapidly, it took Knight a moment more to realize that the cries were coming from his arms, and he felt his core pause at the comprehension.
Although his mind screamed at him not to do so, Knight slowly looked down, only to go rigid at the sight of the worm's jaws being wide open, spindly legs flailing as they cried. Knight had to stop himself from tightening his fingers around the worm's body.
How?
How was a creature that embodied pain and darkness sounded so defenseless? Infantile? Fragile?
Knight shouldn't be feeling any empathy for this worm, this monster that would eventually grow and pose a possible threat, he shouldn't be…he shouldn't be…
But the need to protect grew within his chest and Knight couldn't help but bring the worm close, cradling it against his shoulder, and patting his hand against its back. Conflicting emotions erupted within his head.
He shouldn't be doing this, sympathizing with something that had done serious harm to his Ghost and the older Exo inhabiting his mind. But as he listened to the worm's cries settle – small squeaks turning to chirps – Knight couldn't stop the warmth settling into his senses and he found himself turning his optics towards Hush and her Ghost. The child was grinning at him, and he could sense a smug look from Crystalline.
"You see, no different from a child." Crystalline practically chirped and in turn, Knight gave her a blank stare, "just one with a lot of legs and squeaks."
"Ha. Ha."
Hearing both Hush and Crystalline giggle at his sarcasm, Knight then decided to turn his attention to Odorata and immediately, he saw the softness around the hybrid's eyes, tension from his shoulders easing, and his arms settling near his sides.
Odorata didn't say anything, didn't comment, and Knight did the same, deciding to check on his Ghost instead. As he turned his attention to Day, he saw that the Ghost had glided closer, inch by inch, their white optic scanning over the now sleeping worm in his arms.
"Well." He heard Day let out a cough, "When you actually look, it's a little, cute?"
Knight raised a brow at this; he wonders if Day was serious, considering their concerns moments before. However, as he watched his Ghost glide closer, hovering just above the worm, he realized that Day was serious. Although their shell trembles subtly, they indeed mean their words. Thus, Knight decided to give his Ghost a nod, signifying his agreement, and he couldn't help smiling at the way his Ghost's optic lit up.
Feeling small hands linger around his arms, Knight then glanced down and looked into Hush's familiar yellow eyes, the child looking up at him with a gleam. At first, confused by her gesture, Knight then understood when she held up her arms, motioning with her fingers towards the slumbering figure of the worm. Leaning forward, Knight lowered his arms, to allow Hush to take the worm from him when a fog settled over his mind. He stumbled, optics wide as the quiet in his head started to fill.
"Nine?"
He felt all eyes towards him, but Knight opted to ignore it. Instead, he reached out to the other consciousness, gently tugging at their bond as he giddily waited for a response. Almost instantly, a groggy but clear pull answered, and Knight couldn't help but brighten, perking up as he said aloud, "You're finally awake."
A hum that sounded strangely like a groan ran through Knight's head. How long was I unconscious for?
That is when Knight narrowed his optics in thought, calculating the days.
"Not a hundred percent certain, but I do know that you were unconscious for twenty days." He answered.
Waiting momentarily, Knight then couldn't help but shift nervously on the back of his feet at the silence, although it was short lived, as Nine finally responded.
I must have consumed more energy than estimated. A soft sound then reverberated through Knight's senses, one that he recognizes as a yawn, and it seems I have yet to reach full capacity.
"Just glad to have you back."
Smiling as he felt Nine give a soft hum, Knight then turned his optics downward, grin broadening as he saw the brightness in Hush's eyes. That is, until a cough permeated from the background, prompting him to look up.
It was Odorata, and the look upon his face was confused but amused. Optics widening, Knight then went to explain when he suddenly felt his arms go stiff, fingers curling as he suddenly felt Nine grow alert.
"Nine?"
Knight called out, growing confused until he heard a squeal of pain coming from his arms.
That is when he remembered the Hive Worm.
Looking down, he saw the worm in question now awake however, was now squeaking, squirming in discomfort. He found that his fingers were digging into its sides. This soon was followed by an emotion, an emotion that was not his and one that he hardly senses from Nine: Fear.
As he realized this, Knight quickly shoved the worm into Hush's chest, hearing the latter let out a grunt of pain and surprise as he took steps back. Then, taking a deep breath, Knight prepared to fight.
Then, he felt the light burn in his hands.