Chapter Text
"Oh, hello there, you seem to be new around here" A bug greeted.
"Indeed I am" Hornet replied, "Where have you travelled from ?" The small bug asked, "Hallownest, a kindgom far away from this one, and the strange thing is...I recall no memory of why I left" Hornet said, confused and tired of her journey.
"Well, I like to meet new friends, my name is Sherma" The bug introduced. "My name is Hornet, and it's best to not rush before calling anyone 'friend', Sherma" Hornet said.
"Ah well, I am an optimistic one, so I see that everyone has a good side in them" Sherma said, tilting his head to the princess, "I would hardly agree with you, if you truly believe that, you would be a target to many evil bugs." She said, watching as Sherma frowned and looked down.
"Well er...I do lack any battling and combat skills...and acrobatic prowess..." Sherma slowly looked up at the princess, who sighed and leaned in to face him.
"Erm...I...I am not that weak, you know-" Sherma tried to explain and look strong in front of the princess.
"Don't worry, whenever you are in a position where you are in desperate need of aid, I will protect you, Little Ghos-"
"What ?" Sherma asked in confusion.
"Sh...Sherma".
---
"Well well well, it seems you don't learn from your mistakes" A voice spoke to Grimm...the Nightmare King.
"I will handle you later" Grimm said.
"Furious, aren't we ? it was quite entertaining, honestly *giggle* to play around with your belove-"
"I swear if you dare to say her name ONE MORE TIME...you have no idea what massacre I want to do to you" Grimm said firmly under his growls, seemingly holding back his burning fury.
"What? all I did was give her a bit of a scare, she did attack my precious puppet, didn't she ? after all..." The Nightmare King brought his face next to Grimm's from behind.
"What happened in the Cliffs...if only you did not take back control of your body and leave her all alone, which I believe was agonizing for your...breaking heart" The King said in a sarcastic tone, gesturing in a mocking way until the last two words, sounding sinister and threatening, "I might've had more fun with her delicious body"
Grimm let out a shriek of rage as he turned back and shouted, with his clawed hand flying to attack...only to cease it when he eyed Brumm walking behind him, stunned at the sudden scream. Panting and shaking, Grimm locked his eyes on Brumm's, who took a step back in fear, "M...Master ?" Brumm called, watching his Master groaning before lowering his hand on Brumm's shoulder.
"Like I'd ever hurt you"
Grimm cooed with a smile, giving Brumm a pat on his shoulder before heading to his chamber, Brumm sighed in relief and followed his Master. "Mrmm...Master, I-"
"Brumm" Grimm said.
"Mrmm, yes?" Brumm replied.
"...If things escalate badly...don't hesitate..." Grimm paused before turning to Brumm, "...Don't hesitate to pull me out...of the chamber" Grimm said with a faint smile before heading to the chamber, not waiting for a reply from his musician.
"...Yes, Master".
Every step closer to Grimm's chamber felt like travelling through a kingdom, Grimm's chest burning with anxiety and eagerness to meet his Hornet, hoping she does not panic for it might worsen her health. The Master's mind recalled this day he just spent with her, what he told her and promised her...memories of them...before being banished...
Grimm clenched on his fists in attempt to empty his rage on the Pale King, for separating him from his beloved Hornet, living without any knowing about her wellbeing or what happened to her after that day...living in the endless darkness of the unknown was the absolute worst...
"I am coming, my love...no matter what".
Upon entering the chamber with a pounding heart, Grimm's eyes fell first on Divine attending to the spider lying in bed, covered in light weighted bed sheets instead of the heavy one he had on his bed, with her red dress being handled by the grimmkins...then hearing the sound of the spider coughing and panting.
Holding his breath, he took few steps closer...
"...Hornet..." Grimm whispered her name as his eyes finally met her, lying on the bed with her teary eyes closed, her breathing pace quicker than normal, her face all flushed. "Aaaah Master, you decided to arrive" Divine turned to him, "She is not well, Master...The Nightmare Heart-"
"I will take it from here" Grimm said, stopping everyone from what they're doing, "But Master..." Divine said, "What if she..." Divine decided to cease her words as her Master locked his eyes on his beloved spider, apparently not listening, she turned to Brumm who nodded as in telling her it was alright to step down.
Grimm took a seat next to the spider, slowly placing a hand on her forehead and the other on her chest, waiting for a reaction from the Master and his subordinates, tension rises as they wait...thankfully, there was none. Looking down at his beloved Hornet, he couldn't help but smile, staring genially at her.
"She came down with a fever, Master, and some of her wounds have yet to heal...aaaaaaahhh and her leg..." Divine informed her Master of Hornet's condition, with Brumm by her side.
"Poor princess, the pain she suffers now must be overwhelming...to catch a fever all of a sudden...after such horrid events" Brumm said in a sad tone, sympathizing with Hornet. Brumm looked at his Master, concerned about what thoughts must be haunting him.
Grimm remained silent, gently stroking her little forehead with his claw, watching his beloved Hornet lying in bed, so vulnerable and fallen ill, but now she is finally...under his care, so she will be alright...just like before.
"Bring me some water and a piece of cloth, also a jug filled with water and echinacea petals" Grimm commanded, one of the grimmkins bowed and poofed in a scarlet smoke. "Master...she will be okay...right ?" Brumm asked with concern, worried about his Master.
"Hornet is the princess and the sentinel of this kingdom, a warrior and the daughter of the Pale King and Herrah the beast, such illness is no appropriate opponent to take so much of her wellbeing" Grimm said as he gently stroked her chest.
"...but the defeats and the losses she suffered, watching her efforts go in vain...the Nightmare..." Grimm said in a low voice before he leans in closer to Hornet. "Our little princess's soul and spirit are the wounded ones here...reflecting on her little body" Grimm's voice was deep and grieving, he leaned in as he cupped her cheeks, only for the spider to whimper from strange pain, but too weak to move.
"What is it, my love ?" Grimm whispered as he got up to scan her source of pain or discomfort...then he saw it...
The scratch he cut on her other cheek.
Grimm looked away, leaning his head on her shoulder, hiding his guilt and biting on his fangs, overwhelmed at the idea that she is in pain...because of him.
"...My love...my little one..." Grimm whispered to the exhausted spider, who whimpered in pain and attempting to move, but unable to...
The grimmkin appeared along with what the Master requested, the bowl of water and a cloth dipped in it and the jug with the petals, placing them on the dark scarlet counter next to the bed, taking a bow before disappearing in scarlet smoke.
"Master, we shall take our leave now" Brumm said before Grimm approved with a nod, "Aaaah Master, this day felt like a millennia, we all could use some rest" Divine said before turning to leave.
"Divine" Grimm called.
"Yes, Master ?" Divine answered.
"...The Nightmare King...possessed you today, am I correct ?" Grimm's words sent shivers through both Divine and Brumm's bodies, feeling the King's sinister lingering presence. "Aaah...y yes Master, he..." Divine turned to Brumm, silently asking him to take over the conversation.
"What did he say ?" Grimm asked, the air felt heavy in the chamber as they held their breath. Brumm was quaking from fear as he recalled the King's words.
"Oh, you shall tell him nothing...for I am your true Master, my dear musician"
"Remember, you are ALL my vessels, my puppets, and that little princess...is mine!"
"M...Master...I...uhh" Brumm couldn't speak, he looked down in refusal to meet his Master's eyes.
"...I see...so Hornet remains his purpose"
"Wha...Master...how-"
"He mentioned it...when..." Grimm paused as he grabbed the cloth, soaking it with water and slightly squeezing it before putting it gently on Hornet's forehead, watching the spider letting out a sigh as she felt her heat finally being cooled.
"...When he sent the White Palace to ashes".
The silence was insufferable...no one dared to speak or even breathe, with eyes widened and jaw dropped, Brumm shared glances with Divine before speaking.
"Master...this means..."
"Yes Brumm" Grimm said. "He is now the king of this doomed kingdom since he usurped the throne...he broke my spell on Hollow and used It to break the seals of binding that kept him away from the Palace's precise whereabouts...The Scarlet Song shall take place if we don't put an end to it" Grimm said, leaning his head on Hornet's shoulder, seemingly seeking shelter in his beloved spider's embrace, Brumm walked towards him slowly as he noticed his Master slightly shivering.
"...Master..." Brumm called gently.
"...I..." Grimm said in a low tone, "...I'm scared...".
Grimm's words felt like a thunder striking both Brumm and Divine, for their Master to be this frightened...to see him in such state again...
"...You are not alone, Master..." Brumm said calmly as he placed his hands on Grimm's shoulders. "I told you this morning, the children of the Pale King are here, and I am sure they have the power to help you...to end this song once and for all" Brumm said.
"So you will be alright, Master..." Brumm said with a smile as Grimm lifted his head up to face him, not saying a word before seeing his Master smile back, then turned to Divine.
"Aaaaahhh don't worry, Master...as long as we are together...all will be well" Divine said in a cheerful tone as she placed her claws on her colleagues' shoulders.
Grimm couldn't help but smile, feeling reassured by his comrades, giving them a slow nod before turning back to his sleeping princess. "All will be well" Grimm whispered before kissing Hornet's cheek. Brumm and Divine bowed one last time before leaving them alone. The Master looked down on his sleeping princess, exhaustion wearing him down slowly, feeling the weight of the events that occurred today, all the emotions he felt today, his time with Hornet, Hollow and the journey to find It, the mantis tribe...The Nightmare King.
Grimm let out a frustrated growl at the thought of the demon within him, rubbing his forehead as he sank in his thoughts, resting the weight of his head on his hand as he leaned his elbow on the bed, feeling lost and worn out of the Nightmare within...but as soon as his opened at the sight of his beloved Hornet, all he could do was smile, safety and peace felt like light brushing on his heart, so warm and gentle, so he leaned in to whisper to her.
"Do you remember, Hornet ? When you were little, you fell ill and I took care of you ? You...were holding onto my hand, resting your little head on the palm of my hand..." Grimm said as he caressed her cheek, "You were so small, my love...so small that your little head fit in my hand" The Master giggled at the soft memory, rubbing her cheek with his thumb. "All our days together are carved in my memory, and I would give anything to live more with you" Grimm said before kissing her forehead, feeling her hot temperature with his lips.
"Uhhhhh...haaaah" Hornet whimpered, Grimm jolted upright as he watched Hornet slowly move her head left and right, seemingly struggle to wake up. "There there, my love" Grimm cooed to Hornet as he gently patted the wet cloth on her forehead, before sliding it to her cheeks and her neck. "You will be alright my love...I am here" Grimm whispered as he attended to his beloved spider, spending some time to cool her down, exhaustion wearing him down slowly but not giving in.
---
As silence fell in Dirtmouth, sending it back to its natural and peaceful ambience, inside the tents...the princess struggles in her sleep, feeling the aches of her injuries, her wounds and her fractured leg, the heat of the fever...all of it were nothing to what was haunting her mind...her thoughts and feelings of it all...Pharloom, Hallownest, the Grimm troupe...
The spider jolted upright from the bed...panting as she was...alone in the chamber, shaking and quivering, unaware of the Master sleeping on the chair beside the bed.
"...Wh...who's here ?"