Chapter Text
The rain falls in a gentle, steady motion over the City of Tears. New faces and few old clambering in excitement throughout the streets. Bugs dressed in their finest, hiding underneath any place to keep them dry enough until the moment arrives. Above them all, the Watcher's Spire's new clock chimes in the hour, the brass bell, a gift from the neighboring kingdom of Pharloom, ringing throughout the expanse cavern.
The crowds begin to gather towards the city square. Excitement amongst the people grow, and young bugs run about, playing in the puddles before their parents pull them aside to keep from being dirty. In the city's center, the fountain that once beheld the image of the Hollow Knight was covered in a large brown fabric tarp, awaiting the arrival of a new ceremony.
In the years that followed after their new monarch took the throne, the kingdom of Hallownest seem to surge with new bugs to help repair and revive the lands. Survivors were few amongst the old population, but under the new ruler ship and guidance, very few lives were lost. The kingdom welcomed its new age, like the shedding of old shell, removing the scars of the past to make way for a grander appearance.
The Pale King would of been proud.
The bugs came in swarms now, some sitting in the dampen rooftops or simply flying overhead if they couldn't get a good view from the ground. A small child climbs up one of the lamp posts, gazing with a small toy telescope towards one of the streets. There, in the distance they could make out the crimson shade glowing from the blue hue of rain.
"It's coming! The royal carriage is coming!" He shouts, bouncing in place as the light grows brighter.
The crowd watches in awe as the royal carriage, guarded on both sides by fierce and young brave sentries march towards the ceremonial stage before the covered fountain. The carriage shimmers in shades of ruby and silver, pulled by a pair of very familiar looking Grimmsteeds. The sentries parade first, forming a pathway for the passengers inside, lining the path as the crowd separates. Standing in the crowd with his umbrella, stood Lemm. Stroking his beard, the relic seeker eager to remember this day. To think the mere idol he traded off years ago would lead to this moment and silently was content at having the 'short end' of the trade made so long ago.
The door to the carriage opens, and the hushed excitement grows within the crowd, all eager to see their monarch.
Out steps first, the Hollow Knight. They stand tall and proud, drawing their long nail to hold to attention before stepping aside. Their armor shimmers like white mirrors, cloak a fiery red as they step aside to the right. Next, Ghost, all grown up. Their horns nearly as tall as Hollow, though they'd never reach as tall as their sibling which was fine by them. They, too, wore a matching set of armor and red cloak, brandishing their nail before stepping to the left, just like they rehearsed. The crowd releases a wave of awe at seeing the two knights and how proudly they stood. After the two vessel knights stand side by side, holding to attention, out from the carriage is Quirrel, also in knightly attire.
"Presenting to the people of Hallownest, the Patron of Courage, Protector of the realm, Sentinel over all, Daughter of Wyrm and Beast, her majesty The Crimson Light, Queen Hornet of Hallownest!" He praises, before stepping forward and turns around to bow.
The audience was welcomed in warm crimson light as their queen appears.
There, stands Hornet, the Queen. Older now, her height now stands tall, having taken on what could of been her father's true height, able to if she wanted to, rest her chin comfortably on Hollow's bare shoulder with little effort in tilting her head. Her horns had grown sharp, narrower as if imitating the length of her elder sibling. Eyes now slimmer, yet still filled with love and dedication for her people of both kingdoms. Having long outgrown her beloved cloak, Hornet now wears a new modified cloak with sleeves that break away at the elbows allowing her more arm movement with trailings of red fabric to serve as decoration. Over her cloak, ruby dyed armor fit for a warrior queen. Her needle shines brightly against her back, the handle decorated for this occasion in white silk strips. Finally, resting between her horns, a small miniature crown covered in tiny white crystals, a mimicry of the Pale King's crown and edges in spiderweb patterns.
The crowd cheer, erupting in applause, some shouting 'Long live the Queen!' as Hornet takes a few steps towards the statue. Yet, she pauses, before turning around and stares back at the carriage's still open door.
"Well? Come on. It can't be a King's Brand ceremony without their future king, Halo." She speaks, and smiles when she's greeted with a pale white light.
"Coming sister!"
Out from the carriage, steps out a child surrounded in pale light, Pale Prince Halo.
The child stood to Hornet's old height years ago, when he was but an egg. A parting gift from the Pale King and White Lady, so an heir would take the throne should Hornet ever step down in favor of ruling her mother's kingdom instead. A near image to his late father, his own growing crown appearing like a crown of thorns with hints of the various horns would eventually turn upwards into a proper spire someday. His robes shimmered in cool white, just like his eyes. He gained his mother's eyes, shimmering blinking dark blue eyes. Behind him, two sets of wings still learning to fly properly apart from hovering, a mimicry of dragonfly wings.
Halo rushes up to his older sister, taking her waiting hand with his free hand. Clutched against his chest in his left arm, the old King's idol still produces a glimmering white glow of Soul, the prince's most cherished item. He looks up to her, smiling widely with excitement in his heart. Behind them, the vessel knights proceed to follow behind, one closing the carriage door.
At the reveal of the royal family, the crowd slowly bow as they approach the platform, Quirrel leading the way. They rise back up soon as the two vessel knights stand behind Hornet and Halo, her placing her hands on her half-brother's shoulders.
"Today marks the anniversary of the kingdom's beloved Pale King's passing. A day in which he pours his trust and faith into each of us, that his dream, his Hallownest, continues to thrive in his absence. Though some who remember him may look upon him with dismay, I look upon my father differently. Once I thought the same, shunned away to find my own purpose in a kingdom on the brink of death. Instead, I was given the chance to see a new light, a new higher purpose.
Through courage, love overcame regret, through love, bonds form. Friendships blossom and life once again returns back into the kingdom that once knew it's embrace. I ask you, my people of Hallownest, those who survived the infection, who lived through hardships in and from outside to dwell in these lands, to draw up your own courage, as today we welcome a new future." The Queen starts in her speech, standing tall and proud, offering an encouraging squeeze to her little half-brother's shoulder.
"May the past not be forgotten, the present hopeful and the future brightly basked in pale light. Grimm?"
In a plume of red smoke, appears a now teen Grimmchild who bows before Hornet and the others with a smile. He looks up, seeing how proud Ghost looks upon their adopted child, only to get a quick nudge from Hollow to not move out of formation.
"My Lady!" The young Grimm bows again, excitement in his voice not yet gravely like his predecessor's. "Shall I raise the currents then!?"
Hornet offers a nod. "You may, and please don't go crazy with th-"
"Nyahahaha!" The young Grimm laughs, tiny remains of his tail wagging in place as he claps his hands. In a plume of red smoke, he disappears only to reappear above the covered fountain.
"-flames.."
With a quick flutter of wings and a spit of flame, the cloth despite being wet and soaked, ignites in scarlet flame, burning away to reveal the statue underneath. In response, the crowd goes in awe at the modifications.
In the middle, stands the Hollow Knight, untouched say for a chiseled crack to reflect the current state of their mask. On each side of the imposing figure, however, stands copies of Ghost and Hornet in their younger days during the height of the infection and the days in which it was vanquished. Each one brandishing their weapons in a defensive pose, protecting not just the Hollow Knight, but towards the kingdom as well.
Finally, standing below the Hollow Knight, as if protecting him even after all these years, a statue of the Pale King. The statue was modestly built, designed to reflect the king's true image, not over exaggerated features or designs. His stone figure carved from white marble, reflecting against the gray stone used on the siblings. His gaze not so much distant, but focused, as if from the afterlife he still watches over his beloved kingdom he worked so hard to build upon.
There, cradled in the statue's hands, rests a new Kingsoul charm. Teardrop in shape, it symbolizes the renewed reunion from the old royal couple, now passed down as a symbol for their people to look upon. Halo stares upon the charm placed in the statue's hands, before gazing back up at Hornet, blue eyes blinking in anticipation.
"My citizens of Hallownest, now starts a new age. Upon receiving the King's Brand, Prince Halo will become the next successor to the throne, our future King. This mark not only signifies the importance of a dynasty, but also in remembrance to the higher being who gave us all clearer thoughts and greater purpose. May this ceremony bring together a brighter future for us all." Hornet continues in her speech before she turns Halo to face her as she kneels down.
"Now remember what I taught you. It's going to burn, but I know you're very brave. Once the brand is done, it's with you for life." She whispers, taking the idol from Halo's grasp.
"I know. I can do it! I'll be just as courageous as you Sis!" The young prince smiles, giving her a quick hug around her neck and turns back to face the fountain, starring at the charm.
Flexing his wings, the prince takes off, circling once around the fountain to test his wings against the rain before hovering in front of the Kingsoul charm. He reaches out, hesitant at first as he stares into the statue of the old King's eyes. His Father, a being he'd sadly will never get to meet, but even now it felt like he was proud of his child. So the prince reaches out, wrapping his hand around the glimmering charm.
At once he feels a sharp pain coursing through his body and he could help but release a tiny yelp, fighting back tears, yet his claws hold true, fighting against the burning pain as it works on his chest, feeling the sensation groove and cut till at last the burning stops and his hand lets go. The charm seems to produce a haunting ring, its magic causes the charm to glow that bright white light. Halo flutters back a few feet, watching as the magic in the charm allows the fountain to spring forth water, glistening white, infused with Soul now. Now, this place would be known as a statue of healing, a place of refuge, Hallownest's symbol of hope.
The newly branded prince-turned-future king lands back beside Hornet, standing proud he was able to take the mark, even so much as to push down his robes, revealing the fresh mark upon his chest. At once the crowd explodes in applause, cheering for the success of the branding ceremony. The kingdom's future was secure, the Pale King's legacy will live on.
Teleporting in a plume of red smoke, young Grimm stands next to Ghost, offering an applause of his own, and even so much as bows with a wink when Halo glances over his shoulder, returning the bow with a smile and nod. With his attention back to the crowd, he feels that new wave of strength, and approaches the end of the platform, standing before his subjects.
"Long live the Queen! Love live the future King!" The crowd chants.
As Hornet watches on, she feels a warm sensation come over her, proud of her little half-brother, proud for her sibling knights, and even a little proud for herself for coming this far in life. She takes in a deep breath, bowing her head every so slightly and focuses. As she stares before Halo, she instantly watches as his form gains height, wings getting stronger, more vibrant, his thorny crown shoots upwards, and as he turns around, he appears strong and majestic into his adulthood, eyes narrowed like his vessel siblings, but still containing eyes like his mother, shimmering dark blue among the pale light. A proper king, one who would no doubt lead his people just as proudly as his father once did.
The gift of foresight from the Pale King reverts back in Hornet's vision and as she blinks she sees Halo back to the present. A beacon of hope. She offers a warm smile and freeing her right hand, holds it up ever so slightly, examining her palm. The old Kingsoul chip still brighter than ever embedded in her hand. As she closes her fingers to lightly touch the chip, she feels a presence whisper to her, feeling that air of happiness wrap around in a loving embrace.
Well done my daughter... I am so proud of you all.
As the crowd continues to cheer, the vessels Hollow, Ghost, their friends Quirrel and young Grimm gather around to support the prince in the next step of his royal life. Hornet rests her hands on Halo's shoulders, the two looking into one another's eyes, as she recites a new poem for the young monarch to hear.
"A mind to create and love,
A will to serve and protect,
A voice to inspire and guide,
Born of Pale Wyrm and Root,
You shall be the one to light the way to their hopes. You are Halo, the future king. This little Light of ours."
~ End ~