Chapter Text
The tunnels here are more constricting, but they’re used to the darkness. Strange sounds litter the landscape, crawling and scraping. They are lucky they haven’t yet run into anything. If there is anything. Maybe the Light? The Light came from Above, and they are certainly higher than they were before. Maybe the whole world is dark, save for that Light.
There’s nothing to do but to keep going, so forwards they must go.
Odd things stick to the ground and glitter in the air, though. Shining strands, sticky. They’ll have to avoid getting caught in those. They do not know where they are going, or if there is any place to even wind up at, but the thought of being trapped in one of the sticky traps is alarming. There is a faint rumbling coming from somewhere. It’s only mildly disconcerting seeing as they find no danger in their direct vicinity. For now, they attempt to climb higher, climb out.
Then something skitters in front of them with the dim light flashing against its shell. They leap out of the way and a few more follow it. Strangely, none of them seem to have noticed them. Their soft wonder at the odd skittering things is interrupted by a loud yell, a flash of metal, and something slamming into them.
“Holly!”
The thing is about their size and red with claws clinging to them. They struggle, kicking and punching, to escape its grasp. The thing snaps back and gives them an angry look.
“Holly, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be back at the palace?”
They do not know what Holly or a palace is, nor why they should be at such a place. But the little creature does not seem hostile and so they stop struggling.
“Fine! I will have to escort you home, then! Mother will be mad at us both! For me failing my first hunt, and you for endangering yourself!”
Little Red does not make any sense, but they don’t have anything better to do. They also have a feeling she would not let them leave anyhow. The trek, however, is marginally better than it was before. Little Red talks a lot and it covers up the unsettling noises of the caverns. She is also skilled with her blade, skewering the creeping things with ease. The most useful part of her guidance is the fact that she points out where traps are laid and they avoid brushing against any more hidden spikes.
Where they arrive is a large vertical cavity with suspended nests of silk. Spiders of all sorts glide on the strands, dozens of black dots tracing the lines. It is a little overwhelming to look at. But she takes their hand and says, “Come on, Holly.”
So she guides them here as well. The inhabitants of the village give them curious, many-eyed stares, but none comment. Together they dash through the throng and deeper into the nest. There the diversity fades and the spiders all share common features with six-eyed masks.
Looms are situated about the room, a few harps, and spinning wheels. The air hums with a force that feels familiar. Little Red doesn’t seem to notice, or is simply used to the odd sensation. She approaches one spider, larger than the rest and draped in a familiar red.
“Mother. I have returned not with a beast slain, but with my sibling. The Hollow Knight has come to visit us!”
The larger bug – Mother? – looks up at them and the room feels colder. Her gaze is stony, but not dangerous. Potential, maybe, but whatever claws and fangs she has remain concealed.
“... So they have. How thoughtful of them. Would you begrudge me a minute alone with their company?”
Little Red shakes her head.
“No, you can entertain them! I have to go clean my room so they can stay with me!” She turns to them and says, “Please stay put, Holly. Mother will keep you safe.”
Then, she’s off, sprinting through the webbing as if it isn’t even there.
Mother leans down once she is gone and murmurs, “I know you are not the Hollow Knight. The Wyrm would sooner cede Hallownest to his enemies than allow it escape.”
She brings a claw to their horns.
“And, despite the overwhelming similarity, there is a scant difference. Who might you be, Second Vessel, and how did you arrive in this den of beasts? The Wyrm did not say there were other… attempts, though with the method used I should have known there would be.”
They have no mouth with which to answer her. Their blank gaze solidly meets her own, and a grim smile sets itself on her face.
“Another similarity then, steadfast silence. Your presence complicates things, but not by much. The Hollow Knight was selected for a reason, and I remain bound to it. Still, I find it terribly unpalatable to hand you over to the Wyrm.”
She sighs and lifts them onto her lap. Her red silks are soft and slippery. One set of her arms are firmly wrapped around them. They could not escape if they tried.
“I suppose I did ask for a child. Far be it from me to complain when he so faithfully delivered.”