sealed-family

[sealed-family]

Prompt:

"

The vessel had freed this odd woman from the depths of The wyrm's prison. Her carapace was black as night, and her eyes glowing an unnerving white

".....The time for waiting is over."

The woman whispered eerily before standing up and quickly walking towards the ghost.

"....I am your mother."

She whispered before suddenly disappearing into the shadows.

"

Shadow had fallen much farther, and much harder than its siblings the first time it had tried to leave the endless Abyss. Wherever it had fallen had left a permanent piece of its mask swallowed in Void, and one of its four arms severed.

It only remembers walking back into the main area of the Abyss, remembers suddenly being aware of the lifeless masks of Vessels more unlucky than it below its feet, remembers seeing the almost surprised look in its siblings eyes.

The second fall was better, it remembers landing where most of the other siblings had fallen, but there was then a moment of agony greater than it had ever felt before, and it awoke to another sibling missing, and two new siblings hatched from an egg long hidden.

The two new siblings took no note of the Vessel with half of its mask swallowed in darkness, and half of its eye no longer unseeing black but a near blinding white. They didn't seem bothered by the already hundreds of thousands of corpses surrounding them.

Instead, they seemed almost blank, painless, unburdened. They would race each other, try to get to different platforms faster than the other before climbing back down, and see how high they could jump.

The third fall left Shadow in a place it had never been before. It was so dark, so blindingly dark, and suffocatingly quiet. It couldn't move, one of its legs refused to heal. What is it supposed to do? What can it do?

There's a loud shriek, at least Shadow is pretty sure it's a shriek. It pierces through the shadow and silence, and suddenly Shadow can see things it never could before. There's the outlines of ledges and platforms, clear and distinct from the surrounding grey-black.

Next to it is the outline of something that's long and rigid and straight, just tall enough for it to use for its leg. Shadow crawls over to it, grabs the surprisingly cold thing, and stands up.

There's another shriek, to the left, and Shadow starts to make its way towards the sound. If another Vessel is down here, well, Shadow will protect its sibling.

It's hard to tell if its getting closer or not, since every single shriek is so loud, but they have to be getting close, right?

Its leg hurts.

Is it louder this time?

Where are you?

Shadow struggles up to another platform, and almost falls back off it when it sees the state of the figure at the top.

An almost wispy bug (they are called bugs, right?) lays atop multiple masks, their horns piercing through her carapace. There's a few thrown to the side, coated in black blood, probably the source of the screaming.

The bug doesn't seem to notice it, not that Shadow can see any eyes on her anyways. So Shadow shuffles closer, with the clunk clunk clunk of whatever is keeping it up not getting a response from her either.

Just as it gets within touching range, one of her many arms rips upwards, revealing a stained mask at the same time another terrifyingly loud shriek explodes out from her.

Shadow's legs collapse under it, and the pain from the hurt one almost blinds it. The shrieking ends, and Shadow looks back up to see the bug still again. It picks up its support, and moves over to better see the bug.

Most of the tips of the masks are in her thorax, with her abdomen mostly untouched. Shadow drops its support, leaning heavily on its working leg, and grabs the upper thorax of the bug.

She doesn't even flinch.

It throws its entire body weight backwards (she's so much lighter than it expected), and feels as the bug's body pops off the masks, causing the loudest shriek yet to come from her. Shadow blacks out.

"Wake."

Shadow opens its eyes to see a pair of blindingly white ones above it. Its leg doesn't hurt.

It shuffles backwards away from the eyes, and sees that they belong to the strange bug it saved.

She moves closer to it with strange, jerky movements, like she's not used to moving in her body. A few of her hands move up to caress the shadow-covered part of Shadow's shell, and makes multiple clicking noises.

There's a loud crashing noise from far above, and a sense of dread and finality fills Shadow. Her hands clench onto the Void horns protruding from the mask.

"The time for waiting is over."

Her voice is many, and it rings in Shadows head. Her hands retreat back to her side, and her eyes change places and shape. Shadow wants to know what she means so desperately.

She stands tall, taller than Shadow knew was possible. She blinks, eyes changing again. "I am your mother."

Her eyes close, and she disappears into the grey-black, and Shadow reaches up and touches the darkness of their mask. It's true, they know it. Something changed up there, and for the first time in their life, Shadow screams.

#hollow knight #sealed family writing #might start writing more shadow stuff if i find energy and time lol #i like this little guy....

[sealed-family]

Shaking Hands, Shaking Soul

Kin holds their sharp stone in their palm, and feels its edges try to cut into the thin layer of Void keeping them together. The dull ache that lives in all the places they move starts to fill into their fingertips as they reel their arm back, and it flows back through their arm as they swing forward and release the stone. It arcs up and forward, and pierces the lifeblood cocoon. It bursts, and the Lifeseeds run past their legs and off behind them.

Kin takes out a jar, and they start to fill it with the drops that fell out of the cocoon. The Lifeseeds run back and bump around the walls and off of Kin as they finish. They close the lid, and watch the Lifeseeds start to tire themselves out and slow down below the destroyed cocoon.

It'll be back tomorrow. They think. I can come back tomorrow.

Kin starts the long journey back to Dirtmouth from the Cliffs. There's a few moments where they need to sit down and rest, as the dull ache gathers in their legs and builds. Finally, finally they stand at the edge. They carefully put the jar into their Void body, and jumps down. The wind whistles past their mask, and the world starts to blur as the ground gets closer, closer, closer-

The pain sharpens and spins through their body, making them stumble forwards onto their hands and knees. Almost home. Just . .  get home.

They stagger upwards, and slowly shuffle closer to the silhouetted town they call home. If they remember correctly, Hornet and Hollow are in Deepnest working with Herrah on becoming the new leaders of their respective kingdoms, and Ghost left earlier that day on another adventure. Nobody will be home.

Kin stumbles through the door, and barely manages to close it before completely collapsing on the floor. They take the jar out of their body with trembling arms, and barely get the top off as pain slithers through their body into their fingertips. They reach a hand into the jar, and take some out and gently massage it into their legs. The gel-like liquid from the Lifeblood cocoon soaks into their legs, and the pain slowly ebbs away, but not enough to leave fully. They take more and lather it into their chest, their arms, and a lot on their arms and hands. Slowly, slowly, slowly, the pain goes away until it's a very small and dull ache in the back of their head.

Kin stands up, staggers to their room, puts the jar up on the counter, and goes to sleep.

-

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#the sealed family #the sealed family au #sealed family au #sealed family #sealed family writing #hollow knight #lost kin #hk lost kin #broken vessel

[sealed-family]

So, I'm going to be 100% transparent as to why I haven't updated in a while.

1. I just graduated high school, and am pretty busy between intense dnd and intense work

2. the more important part, I'm honestly a little scared to go on with the next set of arcs that delve very specifically into identity. I'm especially scared because of my plans with Kin and Hollow, and I don't know how they'll be received by the greater community. Not to mention my plans with Hornet that heavily involve aromanticism (I mean all of them do, but her more than the others), and the fact that doing that in of itself is going to be deeply personal to me and I don't want to deal with any sort of negativity with that.

So yeah, that's it. Uh, I am working, sorta, on the next chapter. Ish. I'm juggling a lot of projects at the moment, and I wasn't kidding with intense dnd (two 4-6+ hour sessions per week plus one 2 hour session, plus 16 hours of work each week, plus planning for college, plus smaller projects, equals stress ;-;)

If you guys are really desperate for that lovely lovely sealed fam content, I could do an AMA for both me and the characters, and I'll get around to that once I get enough questions :) thank yall for being patient with me!!

#sealed family #update #bug speaks

[sealed-family]

Are you okay? I get if you’re on hiatus but please tell us next time, we’re worried about you

sorry if I already sent this ask, can’t remember if I did or not

I am fine, I haven’t updated for three reasons

1. I am currently putting more energy in getting the second draft of an original work done, and that is a huge project

2. I’m figuring out where to go next. I left the last chapter off in a place where I could, theoretically, continue with that specific story involving Ghost, but I have a lot of other ideas I’m not sure how to put on paper

And 3. I have another huuuuge hollow knight related project, it’s a Dungeons and Dragons campaign that I’ve been working on for over year and have been running with a friend for a few months. That takes a lot of energy to do

So while not technically a hiatus, I’m both very tired most of the time and still planning the next section. Of course, prompts are always welcome

#bug speaks #asks

[sealed-family]

The Essence of Living

Where are we going? Hollow signs to Ghost as their siblings leads them through the various tunnels of Hallownest.

Ghost pauses, tilting their head slightly, then turns around to face Hollow. To the  place that means the most to me. They say before spinning around again and moving forwards into the next room. Hollow follows, wondering why Ghost is showing them this place now. 

They enter the next room, and are met with large cavern holding a brilliantly blue lake. Ghost is standing at the edge of the bank, staring across the lake, trembling.

Hollow takes a hand and gently presses it against the top of Ghost’s shell. They make a curious clicking sound, hoping everything is alright.

Ghost, in response, makes a low humming noise, then point across the lake. It’s over there. They sign, still shaking. I’m scared.

Why? Hollow asks, moving to be in front of Ghost. What happened?

You’ll see. They shake themselves out of whatever emotion had taken hold, and jump into the lake to start swimming.

Hollow watches their smaller sibling move across the water, wondering what exactly it is that’s on the other shore to give them such a reaction. Then they, too, enter the water.

About halfway across the lake is when they appear, the flowers. Thin vines sprawling across the rock walls and ceiling, glowing softly with white flowers blossoming. At first, the flowers are farther apart, but as the shore comes closer, so do the flowers.

Once Hollow’s legs hit sand, that’s when they see just how much the flowers have spread. The entirety of the sandy bank is covered in the white, luminescent flowers, spreading out and crawling up the walls. And in the center of the growth is a vine and flower covered sword, a very familiar sword.

Ghost is standing in front of the sword, staring at it and making low clicking and humming noises. Streams of black void trail down their shell and fall to the ground, disappearing into it. Hollow sits next to them.

He was one of the few good things I had experienced back then. Ghost signs, wiping away their void tears. The closest thing I had to family.

Hollow stares at the sword. How did he die?

I don’t know. Ghost admits, clenching their hands. Monomon was the first Dreamer I encountered, but I didn’t meet him here until after Lurien. They make another low clicking noise. I wish I hadn’t left him.

They sit in front of the nail in silence. Ghost, in mourning, remembering who they had lost. Hollow, with respect, knowing what he meant to Ghost. When Ghost starts to leave, Hollow kneels in front of the grave.

Thank you for looking out for them when no one else could. They sign. For showing them what it means to be family.

And the Vessels leave, not seeing the lingering particles of Essence floating out of the flowers.

-

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A/N: Hey, author here! It’s been 3 months since I last updated, and while I’m not super proud of this chapter, I needed to write it before being able to continue farther. I would like to say a few things. One, a big part of the reason I stopped writing this for months was because nobody reblogs this. This series is over a year old and it has very little support in the way of reblogs and interaction, but a fair amount in likes. So please, if you enjoy, reblog. Two, this series is over a year old now!! So to those who have supported me, thank you so much! Three, I have a Hollow Knight D&D Campaign going on!! You can follow the tumblr @hallownest-without-time if you’re interested :)

#the sealed family #sealed family au #sealed family #sealed family writing #hollow knight #the hollow knight #thk #hollow knight thk #little ghost #ghost #ghost hollow knight

[sealed-family]

I forgot to add: I painted a figurine with them

Do you have a drawing of Silks?

@nonbinary-ghost drew them for me (go follow them pls)

[sealed-family]

Do you have a drawing of Silks?

@nonbinary-ghost drew them for me (go follow them pls)

#silks #bug speaks #asks

[sealed-family]

So since this is such a big hit in the hollow knight community, hi! I’m Bug! I write fic about hollow knight centering around an au called the sealed family! All of the writing is found right here! Somewhere the ao3 link is floating around, too. It would mean a lot to me for all of you to check it out! If you don’t like it, that’s fine! If you do, please reblog it! Thank you!

I’m showing my grandfather genders he’s never even heard of before

[sealed-family]

Looking Into the Past and Walking Into the Present

Hollow stands before the Mantis Lords once again, having just agreed to their terms for trading. They feel good, they feel great. Look how far they’ve come in rebuilding everything. The Mantis Tribe is finally recognized as its own people, as its own culture, and has severed the ties it held with Fungal Wastes, and, by extension, Hallownest. Deepnest has become its own land, too. Discussions with Hornet and Herrah went much smoother than they did with the Mantis Lords, although that’s because Hornet is their little sister.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we figured this all out. Hollow signs to them, and Dreja nods.

“It was nice for the Leader of Hallownest to listen to us, for once.” She tells them. “We recognize that you are young when compared to us, or The Beast, or even The King. Please, do not be afraid to come to us for advice.”

I will, thank you, again. And thank you for telling me what you know of my sibling during their time here during the Infection. Hollow thanks them again. I will take my leave. We shall be in touch?

”That we shall.” Xenia agrees, and Hollow leaves the Mantis Tribe.

They wander through the Fungal Wastes, nodding and waving to the different fungal creatures as they pass. It still feels strange, being able to walk around and explore their Kingdom. So much of their childhood was spent inside the Palace or with one of the Knights, they never had the ability to see and meet the people that they were being raised to save.

It’s almost sad, how desperate their father was. Now that their anger at him, at their mother, at everything surrounding their escape from the Abyss and Void they were born into, has simmered and reduced, they feel differently. The vehement hatred for their parents is replaced with distant apathy and some level of understanding for the Pale King.

Was everything that happened horrible and unfair? Yes, undoubtedly. They still struggle with emotional repression and not talking about anything and just . . . everything. But, looking back at the few moments the Pale King and Hollow had together? They treasure those. Every glance down at them, with a look of pride. Every time his claws ghosted over their shell. The nights when Hollow would pass by his office and see his head buried in his hands, covered in ink. They get it, desperate times call for desperate measures. Those desperate measures still hurt, no matter the intentions.

Hollow pets the Uoma and Ooma as they pass through Fog Canyon. The Archives have been overgrown for years, but the creatures that came from it live and thrive here. It’s beautiful in an ethereal sort of way.

Monomon and her research partner Quirrel. Hollow met them once, in one of the rare instances that the Pale King took them on trips outside the Palace.

They never talked to Monomon, she was too busy talking to their father about Dreamer things to really have much of a discussion. Quirrel talked to them a little, mostly just inane ramblings about the latest research project he had. They wonder what happened to him after they were sealed in the Temple. They hope he’s doing okay.

Greenpath. The place that Hornet made her home when Deepnest fell to the Infection. The greenery is bright and lively now that Unn’s influence is growing again. The mosskin are growing back to their former glory, or, at least, the one that Hollow read about. Everything is doing so much better now. It feels good to finally do good to the people they were created to protect.

. . .

They’re going to come back to that thought later, when they have time to consider the implications of that.

The Croasroads are busy with travelers and merchants moving around. They remember walking past the crowds of people on their sealing day, all the bugs looking up at them with so much hope and fear and loss and longing. This is what they’re here to protect and grow. This livelihood and noise that fills the tunnels and streets, this is what they live for.

Hollow gets up to Dirtmouth, the place they call home. Elderbug is over in the cemetery, probably talking to the grave of his friend. They can hear someone in Cornifer and Iselda’s store, and the mumbling of Zote in Bretta’s home. And there, on the iron bench in the middle of the slowly growing town, is Ghost.

Hollow sits down next to them, looking out at the endless grey that surrounds Dirtmouth.

I . . . I want to show you something. Ghost signs. Tomorrow, if you can.

Hollow moves their arm around their sibling, pulling them close. Of course, Ghost. They sign back. Ghost leans their shell onto Hollow, letting their eyes fall shut, and Hollow keeps them close.

#sealed family #sealed family au #sealed fam #sealed family writings #hollow knight #the hollow knight #little ghost #the mantis lords #monomon the teacher #quirrel #ghost hollow knight #fungal wastes #fog canyon #greenpath #dirtmouth

[sealed-family]

Ghost never wanted to grow. Being small and fast and agile, that’s what they feel most comfortable being. So their first molt was more disgust and pain. 

They remember looking down and seeing claws made of void as for once they existed without their mask. They had tried to unite the void back to what it once was, but it wouldn’t. They remember, once their mask started to grow back, seeing the joints in their limbs and wanting to cry. The natural bend of them, the pain when they were straightened out, it was like this body wasn’t even theirs anymore.

After some time, they got used to it. They weren’t as fast as before, but they could sprint farther and jump higher. They no longer had to use their moth wings to get to certain platforms and didn’t have to jump to get off benches.

Their second molt wasn’t as bad as the first. Unlike the first, there was no massive change. Their limbs got slightly longer and their horns changed ever so slightly, so it was more bearable. 

They pretend that exiting their room and seeing that Kin hadn’t been there since it started didn’t fill them with sadness.

Their third molt made them want to throw up. Before they got their (now much bigger mothwing cloak thanks to Kin), they saw a small pair of wings in their peripheral vision. A pair of wings of their own. Wings that meant that their cloak of three molts, the cloak that they’ve held on to since they could remember, was useless.

Hornet came in to see them trying to cut off their wings.

They hate how gangly everything is. How they have to duck to get into any house. They guess that they should be grateful that Iselda offered to help teach them how to fight with the extra height. Although the tall bug somehow manages to dwarf Hollow (how did she get into the shop in the first place?). They still want to be small again. They want to go back to before, where they didn’t know anything about what they where. It’s selfish, but they hate living like this.

By that time, Ghost was as tall as Hollow. They hoped and prayed to gods that do not care that this will be the last time. Hollow is the eldest, and hadn’t molted since before they had been sealed away. 

It happened when Kin is patching a pattern onto Ghost’s cloak. They never got rid of it, they couldn’t. They never used their wings either, the six blades kept folded across their back. But Kin still wanted to see them, and so was sewing a visage of them onto the back of the cloak.

And then their shell cracked. Kin froze, and Ghost could feel the sadness wash off of them in waves. They could feel the pain start inside their head, the pressure. So they hid inside their room until it was over. 

They couldn’t bare to look at Hollow when they exited, they didn’t want to look down upon their sibling. They never wanted to look down upon any of them, and yet-

They find themselves running. Long legs taking long strides, hiding up high when they need to keep themselves hidden from any waking person. Down, down, down. They find themselves at the bottom of the Ancient Basin, in the Abyss. Standing by the fountain that they got the shade cloak from.

They scream. They scream and cry and collapse upon the ground. They don’t want to be this.

They don’t know how long they were there when it found them. A creature made of void, the one who rose up from their sleep to help them defeat the Radiance. It did not speak, Ghost guesses that’s a trait for all void creatures. It reaches out and touches the top of their mask with a single claw. 

Child. Ghost does not hear the voice, but knows it. Feels it. They know this is the void creature. They can feel it’s intentions deep within their core. Why do you hurt when your god enemy has been killed?

Ghost feels the shame and disgust at their body rise up, and they want to curl up again. They want to hide, hide from the world, hide from themselves. They don’t want to be this. 

You wish to be a hatchling. A hatchling’s body is to fragile to handle much anything, child.

Gods, Ghost just wants to be small again. They don’t want to be so big. They hate their wings, they hate their arms and legs. They hate how their mask has warped so far from what it once started with. They just want to be small gods damn it. 

The void being gently takes Ghost up into another clawed hand, its many eyes blinking. It seems to think for a moment, and places a claw back upon their mask.

I can help you child, if you permit. If you so wish to be small, and to stay small. It can be done.

Ghost nods faintly, and there’s a bright light, and then an unending darkness.

-

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[sealed-family]

Lost Kin

Lost Kin thinks about their life in the past and present. What they’ve seen. What they’ve felt. What they want. Sealed Family au.

Keep reading

[sealed-family]

Dress Up

Kin had never been more excited to interact with bugs. Every once in a while, Hollow would set up these large social gatherings to help strengthen the bonds between the different areas in Hallownest, and while Kin usually didn’t go, today was different. Today, Hollow would be wearing something Kin made.

So would Ghost and Hornet, but they were out often enough that it wasn’t anything new to see a new outfit on them. Hollow stayed much more private. They tried to interact with their people, but the guilt that they still held would start to rise up. Not many saw the clothing Kin made for Hollow, so yeah. Today was different. 

Hornet is wearing a green suit that her mother had made, with small, silver detail-work that Kin would never achieve flowing through it. At one point, they had been jealous of the Beast, and how their hands would never be able to make something so beautiful. Now they know that they can make art as beautiful as the Beast, their art is just broader. 

(They remember Ghost telling them that they should meet somebug named Sheo)

Ghost has the cloak that Kin first made for them. It’s ripped and patched from the length of use, but seeing it makes Kin’s soul fill with joy. Ghost told them that the cloak was their favorite, and to see them wearing it now is exciting. 

The three of them are milling about, interacting with different bugs for a long while before Hollow makes their appearance.

Kin’s first thought is that their sibling looks beautiful. A long, flowing gown that allows for Hollow’s legs their usual maneuverability with a low cut in the back to show off their wings. The Lifeblood blue fabric that slowly darkens to black looks wonderful on them, and Kin couldn’t be more happy that their sibling is wearing it.

They start to jump up and down in pure, unadulterated joy at the sight of Hollow.

Pretty Pretty Pretty They project, rushing to their older sibling to ask them how it feels.

Hollow spins around, head back as if they’re laughing. They take Kin’s hands and start to dance, a band starting shortly afterwards. Kin doesn’t think they could be happier than this.

.

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[sealed-family]

Sounds We Make in the Night

Ghost is sitting on a chair, waiting for Hornet and Kin to come back from Deepnest, when there’s a high pitched whistle that shakes throughout Dirtmouth. Ghost grabs their nail and their charm sash, and runs out to the source of the sound.

They fall quickly through the well and dash towards Greenpath. The shriek sounds again, and Ghost runs even faster. They know that sound almost as well as they know the void within themselves.

Ghost jumps over acid pools and up ledges to an open room. They stop in shock as a bug, one they don’t care to recognize, is holding a nail that’s slick with void. Kneeled before them is Hollow, their metal arm fallen behind them.

The bug doesn’t seem to have noticed Ghost. “You’re why the Infection came back!” They yell, shoulders quivering. “If you had just stayed fucking hollow like you were supposed to-” they raise their nail, “then none of this would have happened!”

The bug tries to lower their nail, but Ghost is faster. They jump above them and swiftly cut off their arm. Unlike their siblings, they have no trouble harming any bug that threatens them.

The mass amount of Void, the little bit of the Lord of Shades within their shell, is twisting and writhing, whispering they hurt sibling hurt them back. It almost hurts to say no because Ghost is not a forgiving vessel.

Instead, they use the Void to try and push ‘leave’ towards this bug. They killed a god to save Hollow, they would kill a bug to do so too.

The bug takes a step back as Ghost continues to try and tell this bug to leave. Instead, their eyes narrow and they reach towards their nail. Their claws never reach the hilt.

Ghost turns to Hollow, who is shaking. They quickly go to Hollow’s side, ripping off some of their cloak to wrap around the dripping wound. I’m here They sign I’m here, sibling.

Should have let them go. Hollow signs weakly, and Ghost shakes their head.

I am not so forgiving.

Hollow nods, pulling Ghost down to get closer. They make a series of soft sounds, high to low in quick succession. Ghost holds them closer, making sure to use low noises to help calm them down.

Hollow presses their mask against Ghost’s, their own method of self-soothing, and matches Ghost’s pitch.

Hornet and Kin find them like that hours later.

-

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[sealed-family]

Kin always knew they would never grow. After the amount of physical trauma they endured, it simply couldn’t happen. Still, the slight aching of want filled their chest when Ghost went into their first molting. 

They remember how Hollow described it. Your shade growing too big for your mask, and breaking it. Making a new one is slow and painful. Kin should be happy to never have to go through it, but still. They will never be taller than a husk. 

They tend to leave the home in Dirtmouth and go down to Deepnest when Ghost is molting. The Weavers don’t ask why, they let Kin into their homes to work and sleep, and occasionally cook. They like Kin’s cooking. They like their sewing.

It’s not home, but is still a close second.

Hollow thought they had stopped growing. The Pale King always told them that they would be sealed when they were grown, and they had been rather tall when they were sealed.

It hurt when Ghost went through another molting after they grew to the size of Hollow. They weren’t angry at Ghost, oh they could never be angry at their sibling. They were angry at what had been taken. Molting was a very special thing to Hollow.

It was an escape of sorts. Where they didn’t have to try to not think, only focus on the unending pain and get through the next day. It was a time when no one would bother them or come close to their quarters. It was a time where they could scream, just a little.

That’s gone now. They can never have it back.

They don’t need it, that they know. But they want it. An escape from the endless nightmares and ghost pains. A reprieve from their own mind.

Ghost goes off after that molting. Three days they’re gone, and Hornet goes to find them. Of the three of them, she’s the one who knows Hallownest better than anyone. So it only makes sense for her to go.

Hollow takes Kin to the Resting Grounds. They go through the graves of the dead, listening to the spirits. The glade is quiet at the water’s edge, though, and there the pair sit. 

They don’t do anything, just watch the reflection of the water ripples and get lost in the movement. For once, they feel at peace. That the demons within their minds left there by an unending light were far away.

I love you. Kin signs.

I love you too. Hollow replies.

And they sit there for a long time, enjoying the company of the other. At peace. Content.

-

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[sealed-family]

Ghost walks into the large red tent, past the Vessel with the hole in their shell. They know that this must be a sibling of theirs, and a part of them yearns to help them. To fix them. But they refuse to do that; the Vessel seems to be fine and healthy. That’s all that’s important.

They pass a bug playing an accordian, ignoring him and walking to the main part of the tent. It’s surprisingly empty inside. Ghost starts to look around when there’s a flash, and a tall and vampiric looking bug stands in front of them. The bug looks at Ghost with piercing eyes.

“So, it was you who called us.” He says. “Well met, my friend. Well met. I am Grimm, master of this troupe. The lantern has been lit, and your summons heeded. A fine stage you choose, this kingdom fallowed by worm and root, perfect earth upon which our Ritual shall take place.” He looks Ghost up and down, almost judgingly.

“And you, my friend. Your own part is far from over. As the lantern flared your role was cast, our compact written in scarlet fire. Eager we are to see you commence, but first, some illumination is required.” He waves a clawed hand, and red particles not unlike those from the White Palace or the Dream Realm flare up.

“Across these lands my kin now spread, harvesting that essence peculiar to my… breed, the flame in dream. Seek my kin; claim their flame and return it to me. Together, marvels shall be achieved.” He ends the speech with bravado, and Ghost almost applauds him, if it weren’t for how disturbing it sounds.

As if sensing Ghost’s worries, Grimm bends down towards them. “But don’t fret small one. For this task you won’t travel alone. My child shall guide you to the flame and gather within itself that burning essence.” He holds out a hand, and in his palm lays a charm with a likeness of his face. Ghost takes it carefully, sensing that Grimm holds great attachment to this charm. “Like you, the child plays a key role in this task. Only with it by your side will the flame, and my kin, reveal themselves to you.”

Curious, Ghost places the charm on their cloak, and a small flying bat-like creature appears over them. It chirps and circles around Ghost’s head before resting at their feet. Ghost looks up at Grimm questioningly.

“That is Grimmchild, my own flame and blood. I expect you to take good care of it.” Grimm narrows his eyes at Ghost. “Unless, of course, you would like to prove that you are capable of the task.”

Ghost puts away the charm, Grimmchild vanishing. It’s been a long time since they have been able to battle. At least, battle with the threat of losing all their masks. It’s exciting. They nod.

Grimm hums. “Are you decently prepared to battle, or do you need a place to gather yourself, small one?”

I am ready now. Ghost signs as they place charms upon their cloak. Their hand grasps their nail, and Grimm smiles demonically.

“So be it.” And the battle begins.

-

Hornet enters the tent to see that Hollow is outside a translucent red film blocking them from the main tent. Looking past the film, she sees what must be the Troupe Master and Ghost locked into the heat of battle. The Troupe Master is deadly fast, causing Ghost to use their Shadow Cloak numerous times. That’s not to mention the sheer amount of fire that the Troupe Master is using for battle.

She knows Ghost can handle themselves in battle perfectly fine. They beat a Pale Being for Wyrm sake! So instead her thoughts wander to the Vessel outside. The one with the great crack in their shell and a mask much like the other Troupe Members have. Why are they here?

When she was young, she heard the Pale King speak of the Troupe, a people led by a demon to places that are dead or dying. Where those who join lose themselves for an eternity and more; their souls taken by the Master. Is that what happened to their sibling? Is that what the Troupe Master did?

The film disappears. Ghost comes out and Focuses, the cracks in their shell sealing up. The Troupe Master exits after them. Ghost shows Hollow a new charm given to them by the Troupe Master and puts it on, a smaller, flying version of the Troupe Master appearing above them.

She walks to the Troupe Master. “That Vessel out there, that sibling of mine, what did you do to them?” She asks, trying to keep her slowly boiling anger from arising.

The Troupe Master tilts his head. “Well, dear Gendered One, I do believe the question should be: ‘What did your world do to them?’. Wouldn’t you think?”

The Vessel walks past Hornet and the Troupe Master further into the tent, Kin following them. Grimm watches them pass by before swiveling his head back to Hornet. “I believe Silks has made an acquaintance with your true sibling. After all, here, family is chosen. Not born. Good day, Gendered One. Small one, do take care of them.”

And the Troupe Master disappears.

-

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[sealed-family]

Hornet is worried. So, so very worried. She’s scoured the entirety of Hallownest, even Deepnest, to find her sibling. They’re nowhere to be seen. No one has seen them in the past four days.

She hopes they’re okay. Last she saw of them, they looked so uncomfortable. And after a molting, where one is supposed to feel better.

Where are they? Are they okay?

Hornet fidgets with her two extra hands from her own molting. She can’t help worrying, Ghost has a habit of getting into dangerous situations when they aren’t thinking straight. 

Finally, she stands at the edge of the entrance to the Abyss. If Ghost is nowhere, then they could only be here. Unless … no she will not think of that. She refuses to believe that Ghost would just leave.

So here she is, standing before the prison of her siblings. Afraid. 

She steps in.

It’s like the last time she was here, cold and dead. A feeling of dread fills her as she stands at the edge of the metal platform, looking down into the darkness. She doesn’t want to go, but this is her sibling. She loves them.

So she jumps.

And feels something grab her and put her back onto the platform.

Ejp str upi Something rings out inside her head, and she almost falls down. Ejsy fp upi esmy

“What are you saying?” She asks, trying to find the strength to look up at the thing.

She feels the air around her shift, and she looks up to see a large, black creature with many eyes of white staring at her. It’s body is tense, two arms slowly rising to her eye level.

Who are you? It slowly signs. Hornet tilts her head. What are you doing here?

“I am Hornet, the Princess of Hallownest.” She answers formally. “Who might you be?”

Void It says.

They stand there in silence, Hornet watching as the void creature, and the void creature watching back.

“Where,” Hornet starts. “Where is Ghost? They just. They just molted and disappeared and we’re really worried.”

The creature blinks, body tilting. Ghost? The Child?

Does this creature think of Ghost as a child? Well, they are. They are seen as the youngest of them all, it would make sense. So Hornet nods.

The creature turns to the Abyss, and a shade rises from the void beneath. It looks like a Vessel after its first molting, and its horns …

“Ghost?”

-

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[sealed-family]

Forgive Me Sister

Ghost had woken up as a Shade. The void creature is staring at them, eyes blinking.

Are you feeling better, child? It asks, and Ghost nods. This size, although not the one that they had loved the most, was still very comfortable to them. Still them.

Ghost feels the creature laugh within their mind, and a claw comes up and gently runs along the top of their head. You are an interesting one, child. You were the one who left, weren’t you?

Ghost thinks. The only time they had been near a void creature of this magnitude was … the final fight against Her. This was the one who helped them save their siblings? Save their home?

Ghost nods again. They had left, they had to make sure Kin was healing alright, and that Hollow got out okay, and that Hornet was unharmed. The void creature nods. I am glad that at least one of the children got away from all the pain.

Ghost holds up three claws. Kin and Hollow got away too. We got away together.

If the creature could smile, it would be. Ghost can sense it. You have a family together, then. Ghost nods.

That’s when the void creature looks upwards towards the opening of the Abyss. Someone was here. It moves upwards to see it, Ghost staying behind.

Who are you? Ghost hears. What do you want?

After a few moments, the creature gently picks up Ghost, who moves in a circle at the funny sensation of being lifted. They come face to face with Hornet, who looks surprised to see them.

She says something, but they don’t hear her over their excitement of seeing her. They’re moving around and signing rapidly. They want to tell her about how they found a way to be small again and met the one who helped destroy the Radiance.

Hornet falls to the ground, weeping. Ghost stops moving, looking at their sister in worry.

“Ghost, oh Wyrm.” She chokes out, looking up at her sibling. “You’re okay.”

Ghost stands on the edge of the platform, not touching their sister. They know that their void uncontained will hurt her.

Your shell will grow back once you rest, child. The creature’s voice whispers. And everything that was on your body is still there, just hidden inside the void.

Ghost nods at the creature, who descends back into the void. They turn back to Hornet.

It said I will be fine after some rest. They sign, and Hornet nods.

“Let’s get you home.” She says, standing up, and Ghost can’t help but agree.

-

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