Interlude 3: Fears in the Night

MAX

Streching, as he stifled a yawn, the hornet followed Green and Smith back into Dirtmouth, the three having spent over half an hour dragging the many slain bugs (whose armor made them pretty heavy) and their nails out to the town's graveyard, where they'd then started digging the huge grave the General had ordered. The work hadn't been easy, owing to the rocky ground, as well as their lack of any tools other than nails and the sentry Captain's shell, causing it to drag on until the Sun had gone behind the mountains, at which point the soldiers had decided to call it a day and finish tomorrow lest they'd have to labor for the whole night, with Green sticking the lantern he'd gotten in the stagway into the ground to keep beasts away from the corpses before they went.

Max had mixed feelings about the whole thing. On one hand, it felt both nice and right to respect the dead, enemy or not, especially when he remembered the ditch in the mantises' village Hornet had told about. On the other, working on it had meant almost no contact with the female since the battle aside a few glances when collecting the bodies and that sucked, as she'd looked pretty sad then, which he maybe could've helped. Neatness aside, it also felt like Juss had partly called for the mass grave, so the townsbugs wouldn't have to see the dead sentries, as well as to make up for what'd happened with that clumsy-as-heck knight they'd fought.

Seriously, he had gone freaking ballistic on the big bug, beating him down so furiously even the young male had been disturbed, not to mention Hornet, who'd, in turn, yelled at the man and ultimately needed calming down as well. Honestly, her reaction reminded Max of the one she'd had when his instincts had first driven him into a rage, making him see the similarities between the happenings. Now a part of him even worried that it might've happened to him again today if the 'mighty Zote' had gone after him like he'd done to the General.

At least the latter was no longer angry, having currently climbed atop the stag station's entrance and looking down onto the townsbugs, both natives and the changed folk from Elsewhere (all of whose memories he and Hornet must've magicked back by now), gathered in front of it, with Kent and Lane leaning against the wall, the latter showing his laser-gun, which'd just exploded and stopped working during the battle, to the mind-restored doc Bright, who still seemed weirdly younger.

Getting closer, though, the hornet couldn't spot a certain halfling anywhere, not with them, nor the crowd, worrying him a bit, considering how down she had looked earlier. He kept after the soldiers, as they joined the rest of the humans (to the bugs' visible discomfort), intent on asking where she was, as well as something else, from the General, who'd unfortunately just started loudly speaking to the bugs below.

"Foremost, I thank you all for your peaceful cooperation; it's saved us a lot of time." His voice was firm, no longer nightmarishly garbled by his mask. Jeez, had that been freaky. "Now, my name is General Juss, a human, and I, along with the others of my kind you see, come from beyond what you call the Howling Cliffs. I am aware a good number of you are likely nervous and confused, but I assure we mean you bugs no harm. However, the same I cannot say for Hallownest or its monster of a ruler." This prompted shocked murmurs from the few locals.

"Quiet. Some among you already know his evil, personally even, but to those native to here, I'll do my best to explain." The human then launched into a fairly unlengthy, but not too vague summary of the Pale King's invasion of Elsewhere and what he'd done to the people captured there, bringing a noticeable amount of attention to just how much the constructs and 'masking' had hurt them. His words were followed by more whispers of disbelief, but also anger and not all of it towards the king.

Juss raised a hand, making them fall silent again. "I understand this may be hard to accept, but it is true. If you do not believe my word, simply ask your newer neighbors," he continued. "In regard to the Pale King, for his crimes against humanity, we are working to and will depose him. However, don't worry that you'll be left without a ruler afterwards. There's already a bug who will- do her best to take that place and ensure your livelihoods."

Max looked at the ground, sighing. Until the man's rant earlier, he had forgotten that Hornet would have to become ruler once this was over and now he kind of wished it'd stayed like that. T'wasn't fair. Still, like with everything else, he'd support her with it. First, though, he had to let the human finish.

"Finally, to those once my species. Even with your memories restored, I'm sure it's clear that your lives, well, they're going to be different from now. All I can ask you is, once the rest of the kingdom and your old townspeople are liberated, you live them as well as you can, nothing else. Now, all of you are permitted to move around the town if you wish to, but I must ask you do not leave it. Other than that, you are dismissed." There wasn't much of a response from the crowd, though it didn't seem the General had expected any, as he didn't wait to climb down from the roof. Back on the ground, he caught his breath against the station wall, before turning towards Max, Green and Smith.

"Hm, you three are back. What's the matter? Didn't want to dig in the dark? No way that you finished it this quickly."

"Actually, Sir, yes. If you order it, we can head back and-," one of the soldiers started, only for the man to show his palm again, quieting him.

"No, it's alright. You can finish it tomorrow," he spoke. "We've to discuss your nightly posts anyway. He might still try something." As he neared the two and Lane, Max saw his (maybe only) chance.

"Sorry, General, before you start, can I ask something," he asked up, thankfully getting an allowing handwave. He decided to start off with the other thing. "Well, Hornet's amazing with the needle and I'm already a pretty good nailfighter too, but we're both only good on our own. So I was wondering if you could teach us how to fight together better?"

The human hummed, his hand going under his chin. "While I mostly go solo with my sword as well, I can teach you two some cooperative moves, though I think Oro could've shown you even more, if he was here, that is," he said, glancing towards the station entrance. "We'll see what we can do come tomorrow, alright?"

"Coo-, uh, good," the hornet stammered out of his growing tiredness, which went noticed.

"It's been a long day, kid. Find a hut and get some rest. I won't have you at a post. Though do make sure the house isn't occupied."

"About that," Max replied, tackling his main concern, "where did Hornet go? She's nowhere around here and she looked real down earlier. I just wanna make sure she's okay before going to sleep."

Juss frowned. "Hm. She did look tired, yes, so I let her walk off, between the buildings. Couldn't see which one she went to," he responded, momentarily saddening the young male. "But I think we can find out." The man looked over to the one townsbug that hadn't gone inside by now (other than the chubby beetle girl, who was quietly sobbing by the tied-up, somehow-still-alive Zote) and waved at them. "Citizen, could you come here please."

The four-legged bug hastily approached, clearly nervous. Having reached Max and Juss, he asked with a deep voice: "What happens to be the matter, human lord? H- have I done something wrong? You let know that we were permitted about the town."

"Worry not," the human calmed him. "We are just looking for our female friend and were wondering if you knew which of these houses she stayed at the day she was here about a week ago."

"Oh, that I most certainly do know," the elderly bug replied. "Why, I myself carried her and her weapon over there when she collapsed having come out the well." He motioned to the cottages behind the stag station. "Over there, it was. Just between the station and the huts bordering our town. It's a smaller one, without even a wood door. I had figured she wouldn't wish for anything bigger." He cautiously turned back to the two fighters, the older of whom looked at the younger.

"Well, you heard him. She should be there."

"Uh-huh," Max nodded, before gratefully adding to the helpful bug: "Thank you, er-"

"Elderbug and- and you're welcome," 'Elderbug' replied, seeming taken aback at the thank. He then started walking back to where he'd come from, as the hornet caught him mutter: "Oh, how'd a fine young lass like you get entangled in such a crowd?"

He glanced back at the human, the remark having actually hurt a bit. "He still sees us as invaders. It's just something you have to live with," the adult said not-very-comfortingly. "Now, he told you which house. Go ahead. And take good care of her, okay." Max nodded, the wording making him blush slightly, to which the man scoffed. "Not like that. Just go. I have to get to the soldiers."

Embarrassed, the hornet gave another nod and started around the station. By now, the whole town was only lit by the lamp posts and houses' windows, all that was left of the sunlight being the grey sky. Now wonder, then, why the air had been getting a lot colder. Though what was weird was that even during the battle, it'd been rather cool, at least for the desert. Did the Pale King have something to do with that? Could he, even? Either way, the chilliness made Max hasten his pace a bit, as he spotted the smaller hut Elderbug had described, staggering towards it. Dang, he was spent.

Pushing aside the cloth covering it, he stepped through the doorway, spotting a familiar cloak and by it its wearer in the small room's bed. "You mind if I sleep here too," he asked on a tired whim, immediately regretting it. Why'd he done that? He'd just come to check up on her, not to sleep here (though a part of him wanted to). She probably wouldn't allow it either right now. Cringing, he prepared for the annoyed response.

"Not at all, Max," Hornet however warmly said, scooting to make space on the bed, much to Max's happiness. He hastily pulled off his nailholder, before stumbling to the bed and laying down beside the female, the two of them still having to be quite close, not that he minded, or she.

"How went work on that grave," she quietly asked him.

"Didn't finish it," he sighed back, before telling the female about the digging, as well as his subsequent conversation with the General. She praised him for asking about training together, while, like the adult had, also voicing her concern over where Oro was. Max was worried too. The big bug had helped both of them. He'd better be okay.

Staring at the ceiling, he finished recounting with a light chuckle: "And before I went, he told me to 'take care of you'."

"What is so funny about that," Hornet asked, her tone confused. She didn't get it. Dang, now it was awkward.

"Well," Max began, his mask warm again, "for humans, that sometimes means, well, uh, to mate."

This time, she did react as he expected, glaring and pulling herself further against the wall. "And you immediately took it as such," she accused. "I expect better of you, Max."

"I know, I know. It was stupid 'f me," he said.

"Indeed it was," the warrior agreed. "We know not yet how things shall go, how long they'll take. Having me be gravid would be a great drawback." She looked up, sighing. "Not to mention I am far from prepared for eggs, for hatchlings."

"Yeah, you're right. Sorry," the male uttered. They both were nowhere near ready for that. Heck, by human standards, neither of them were even legal adults yet.

The halfling turned back towards him, smiling. "You know I've to forgive you," she whispered kindly. "And aside that, this war shan't last forever. We'll have to mate one day." Now happily blushing, Max nodded. The future as a whole was still scary and uncertain, but at least that was something he could expect. Regarding that, however, a thought suddenly appeared in his mind and not a very comforting one. As much as he tried to, he couldn't stop thinking about it. The worry ate at him for a bit, until he couldn't take it anymore, needing assurance.

"Hornet," he asked, getting an asking hum. "When we do eventually mate, you aren't going to eat me, are you?"

In response, the female sat up, staring at him in horror. "Max, why would I ever do so? Why'd you even think so?"

"Sorry," Max said, yet again feeling dumb. "Just that there are a fair few kinds of spiders in the world whose females do that. They're mere beasts, remember?"

"Even if so, I find it utterly barbaric," Hornet huffed, arms crossed, "and something I wouldn't ever do, Max. I'll never hurt you, outside perhaps training." She yawned and laid back down. "We'd best get to sleeping. Wakeup tomorrow'll likely be early."

No longer worried, the hornet hummed in agreement, snuggling up better against her and the mattress. About halfway asleep, he realized he hadn't at all comforted Hornet about the things the General had done and brought up. There was no way he'd bother her with that now though. There'd be other times he could help her feel better, like the probably-early tomorrow morning.

Yeah, mornings sucked. He'd do it then. That decided, he was asleep.

THE PALE KING

Back and forth the Pale King paced in front of His throne, taking even breaths as His wordly form required. Himself was the one thing He could not lose control over now, even if He was utterly horrified.

Unlike how He'd hoped, sending His Grey Knight up to Dirtmouth hadn't saved the sentries defending there, for by the time He'd felt the blessed bug reach the surface town, none of them were alive anymore, their contribution to His power gone. Instead, shortly after, the higher being had begun registering the empowered warrior taking several hits and not from the intruding humans' firearms He had proofed him against, but at least three different blades, one of which had held a shape and another an energy that, unlike the shot that'd felled His Kingsmould, had both been unmistakable.

Still, at first, the god had remained in denial. It couldn't have been them! They were swallowed by the Void to be forgotten. He'd tried to convince himself of this, until all of a sudden, the 'mighty' Zote's strength swiftly faltered, its causer being fully revealed. Moments later, he had heard the powerful human, who, in a monstrous voice befitting his evil, had declared his and Hornet's survival, before presaging how they would bring His reign to ruin, replace it with their own.

But the worst had been yet to come, as a little after that, He had felt the seal placed on one of the local enlightened humans' memories be undone, instantly ending their worship towards him. This was followed by another's recorruption, with a third's soon following. By evening on the surface, He could merely blindly feel around the town, as the natural born bugs living there since before His return hadn't shown much devotion and were now likely also swayed by the human's and Hornet's words. Even His survived, 'loyal' knight's connection to him was weakening.

In short, He had wholly lost this battle. That could happen no more.

But ensuring it didn't was far from easy, even for Him. For one, He'd not a clue what those He had thought dead had been doing for the last day and a half, aside obviously coming upon the other humans and raiding the Archives for their equipment, making it impossible to counteract it. How He now acted was based entirely on how they had up there. Already He'd ordered a large number of sentries from both the border and Queen's Station back to His capital to guard and sent a few more Kingsmoulds up to aid with that, as well as strengthened the seals in the changed inhabitants' minds, so they'd not be so easily undone.

This was because the Pale King bore no doubt the human would soon set his sights on the great city, so as to stunt His powers', before trying his and Hornet's strength in the White Palace. Their sole hindrance was their thankfully small numbers, but that could have easily been voided by strategy and their superior weapons. While He could've simply bolstered His defenses, the god didn't want to. He was above that. He wished, nay, needed to strike back, gain back some of his lost power. Yet how? How?

Since draining the White Lady, He had plotted to do the same to Unn, who, like the former, was laying dormant, with the aim, aside adding to His power, to use the connection to nature within hers to possibly make all of Hallownest lush like Greenpath. However, the latter, where she resided, was right below the surface, near Dirtmouth. And since the General had so brazenly kept his energy revealed, even if He concealed His, the mortal may've felt it, leading to a confrontation that'd likely kill more sentries and force him to retreat. No, He couldn't do it. Because of him, he couldn't do it.

That human, that thrice damned human!

If only the swayed soldiers in Elsewhere would start coming to him already. But they were yet kept, kept by those two strong-willed leaders somehow not at all touched by His Call. If only there was a way to be rid of them, so the other humans could finally come to be enlightened.

And there was. And He would use it, for He was a god, one that wouldn't be denied. Properly reaching back out to the desert town, He 'looked' over the minds of the humans more greatly influenced by Him, eventually choosing one, who, before, had wandered the closest to the mountains.

Focusing all mindly power on him, the Pale King commanded: "Kill them!"

ALLEN

"Kill them! Care not for the consequences," ordered the white light's voice from the distant mountains.

With that, the soldier jolted awake in the dark tent. Looking around, his colleagues were all still asleep, some of them snoring. His mind quickly drowned it out, as he got up and automatically started pulling on his jacket and pants like he was used to. He didn't put on anything else, though, instead shakily reaching for his sidearm, making sure with cramped hands that it was loaded. He needed at least two rounds.

"Good. Now make haste!"

Listening to the ghostly words, Joseph started for the tent's exit, stumbling over a few of the others' equipment, which thankfully didn't wake them. Stepping outside, he was met with the refreshingly cool night air. For some reason, for a moment, it made him doubt what he was doing. However, that quickly passed and he saw sense again. Those foreigners needed to go. The two were actively keeping the batallion from advancing to the mountains, when that was what they had to do. It almost seemed like they were working against the operation. Scratch that, it was crystal clear.

"Indeed, they are your true enemies."

Yes. And Allen was going to take care of them before they stalled the force any longer. It didn't matter to him one bit if it got him court marshalled, since at least the others could finally complete the mission of getting to the Light. Pistol in hand, he reached the town's road. It didn't matter either that his vision was hazy and his legs felt unusually heavy, even for when he was tired (which he wasn't), as there was a clear line of pale leading towards the town's center, where the town hall was. However, what did concern the soldier was being spotted the night watchmen on the rooftops, who obviously weren't going to understand the good he planned to do for them all.

"Fear not. Their sights are clouded, so that you may pass."

The man mentally thanked his Light. That helped a lot. Still, despite his weird uncoordination tonight, he stayed on the shaded sidewalk, soon stumbling up to the blocky building where the traitorous officers had their base and were staying. Tightening his grip on the gun, he pulled on the front door, finding it was open. Through it was a dark entrance room, which lead to a couple others, as well as the stairs ahead. With his guiding Light suddenly gone and the inability to just turn on the lights, Allen wasn't sure how to proceed. Then, he heard a snore come from upstairs, prompting him to start towards it. Up the stairs, there was a bunch of tables with radio equipment and open tablets that hummed and gave a little glow, though most were probably useless. Didn't stop him from stumbling across them

For a second, the PFC worried it'd made too much noise, but thankfully didn't hear anything other than another snore through a windowed side room's open door. Taking a deep breath and readying his pistol, he stepped in. The street lamps outside lit two set-up military beds, one of them empty and the other with a sleeping Lt Steve on it. Disregarding the other's absence, Allen aimed and moved his finger triggerwards.

"It would nice if you told why the shitly-timed visit, private," said a voice from a dark corner of the room, from which a stocky blonde figure then stepped into view, "Also, why you are aiming your weapon at your Commanding Officer."

Reprioritizing, Allen turned towards the Senior Lieutenant, everything else going even hazier. He was a bigger threat, he would die first. "To kill you both, evil one," he spoke, as did the pale Light through him, breathing rapidly, as he aimed.

"No mine persse*," uttered L. Then, in an unbelievably quick motion, he snatched onto the pistol, using the other hand to painfully hit the American before he could pull the trigger. There was a soft *click*, followed by the mag dropping out. The Lt punched again, then slammed the slide forward, ejecting the chambered round. Not letting the PFC fight back, he yanked the whole gun away and whipped him with it, making everything go dark.

'Opening' his eyes, Allen saw the shadowy mountains on the horizon again. Differently, though the speck of light was flashing.

"You and your fellow godless won't get a feel of my light before those two are dead! Wake up, wake up, wake up," roared the Light's voice, compelling him to obey.

Coming to, he first saw a yellowish light shining right at him, worsening how much his head already hurt. Trying to shield his face, he found his hands tied to whatever he was laying on, wherever that was. Everything was so damn blurry. But that didn't matter, as the officers couldn't have been far. He tried to struggle free of the bindings, but was unable to, only rattling them.

"Steve, tule. Ta 'n ärkvel*," spoke a familiar voice from the side, as a clearly visible Lt L entered his view, looking down at him. "Jessas, your eyes are white. Basically glowing. You're completely under his control, aren't you?"

With no idea what he was talking about, Allen kept trying to break his hands free. He no longer had his pistol, but that wouldn't stop him from strangling the other man. He was a soldier, he knew how to fight. He had to get them somehow.

"Those are metal cuffs, idiot," spoke the officer. He'd have shouted something back, weren't his mouth covered too. The Junior Lieutenant, his other target, then also entered his vision, completely in focus like the other, who then said something else to him in their weird gibberish.

"I should be able to. Let me take a look," Steve replied, leaning closer to Allen and running his fingers across his chest, the PFC still desperately trying to pull the cuffs broken and just get him already. "Damn, he's right. You're far gone." He stood back. "Won't be easy, but I think I can break the connection."

The stockier man nodded. "Well, good news, private," he then spoke to Allen. "Your mind's so fucked you get a free pass at getting it unfucked." He leaned down himself and grabbed him by the jacket's collar, staring. "As for you, and I mean you who've wormed your way in there, with this big plan 'f yours, I seriously can't understand why'd you try something this fucking stupid." He paused, then let out a chuckle. "He did something, didn't he? Got you scared? Know that he's a far greater being than whatever you are will ever be." He let the soldier fall back down and said something to his fellow officer, who moved closer again.

"Alright, I'll do it," he said, as Joseph started trashing again, trying to at least headbutt him for his Light. "Don't worry, private Allen, this'll only hurt a lot." He brought up his hand, which started emitting multicolored sparkles, causing the American to recoil out of a sudden fear, before being stopped by the surface he was on. The hand came down on his forehead, filling with a searing pain that made him let out a muffled scream, as his vision filled with a rainbow of colors, then black. The latter quickly morphed into the familiar view of the mountains. However, the sky was now also filled with colors, while the spot of his Light on the cliffs flared brightly.

"No! I shall not be cut off! You will sto-" And like that, it suddenly vanished from Allen's sight, the light that'd told him and the squad to stop after they'd fended off its golems at base camp, that'd baited him to come to the mountains and now had almost made him kill his COs.

Holy shit, it really had fucked with his head.

With that thought, Allen woke up to see Lt Steve stumble back and out of sight, while L stared at him, arms crossed. He then reached down to painfully swipe the , a piece of tape, off the private's mouth.

"You with us, soldier, properly," he asked, getting a nod.

"One hundred percent, Sir," Allen said, nudging his head towards one of his cuffed hands. The officer quickly unlocked them, before offering his own, which he pulled the soldier up with, letting him see they were in the town hall second floor's equipment room, onto one of which the Junior Lt was leaning, breathing heavily.

"How- How can he do it so easily," the man uttered with a cough, looking at the other soldiers. "I- am going to vomit." He rushed to the stairs and started down.

Allen turned to face the remaining Lieutenant, prepared for what'd happen next. "Sir, I apologize for my actions," he firmly spoke up, "and I am prepared to face any and all punishment for them."

"No need, soldier, you weren't in your right mind," L replied, much to his relief. "Though you do remember what you did, right?"

"Yes, Sir," the private affirmed. He did and regretted them, a lot. "Am I not supposed to?"

"You are, don't worry. Deal with it too," the officer replied, "because we can't afford you a shoulder to cry into. I think you understand that things have gotten very serious."

Joseph nodded. "That much is clear, Sir, yes. Not a lot else, though," he said, rubbing his wrists, which he only now could register the pain of from all the struggling before. "That Light, er, voice, what is it? I understand it's controllin' those golems and probably made that barrier. But why's it suddenly want us to go to it?"

"I'm not certain what it is, but chances are it's some kind of weaker god," explained the Lt, as if that was something completely normal, telling Allen to just go with it. "We also don't know what it wants with us, but it can't be good. It's why I am keeping the company here, though considering how quickly you fell to that Light, that's only going to get harder."

Allen's eyes widened in terror. "Seems more like impossible. Look at how I bad got." If he'd been that far gone, then the others couldn't've been much different.

"Not just yet, don't worry," the CO spoke. "You got so bad, since for one reason or another, that 'Light' focused all its influence onto you to gain control quicker. With the whole batallion, I'm pretty sure it has to divide and spread it over everyone, so the overall effect's slower." He sighed. "Look, I'm not the expert on these things. Just be aware that we should get at least another full day before any others start going off the deep end. When they do, though, Steve 'n I are going to need any and all help with keeping them away from those mountains. Right now, that means you and no one else. You saw what getting you back to normal did to Steve."

Allen nodded seriously. "I'm guessing this's not something I can opt out of," he stated.

"No, it's an order," confirmed L. "Fate of the world could be at stake here, not just America's. A Ranger like yourself's got to protect both 'f those, doesn't he?" The soldier hummed in agreement, prompting the officer to pick his pistol off a table on the side, handing it to him. "Make sure you do, then. We, and that includes you now, are authorized to kill if needed." The PFC nodded again. The idea of actual friendly fire was a bit disconcerting, but if it was necessary, he'd do it. Though, a glance at the gun he had almost shot the officers with raised a different concern.

"Sir, What if that Lighttries to take control of me again?"

"The link's broken, so it'd have to start all over, but you have a point," the Lieutenant said, taking something else from the metal table, which happened to be a small gold cross necklace. "Found it in that trashed hardware shop. Owner was a Christian, so it should keep your head safe from it."

"Should," repeated the American skeptically. Was he implying God, the actual one, was real just like that?

"Yes, should. As I said, I'm not the expert," the foreigner said. "If it doesn't, then hopefully things are over before you fully succumb again." Wondering what that end would be, but not bothering to ask, Allen accepted the necklace and put it on aside his dog tags. He'd never been that religious, but if it protected him from this 'weaker god', that might've just changed.

"Anything else you want to ask, soldier," the Lt spoke.

"Yes, actually. How did you know to wait for me, Sir," he asked, "when I got here before?

"That? To be honest, that Light's fucking with you Yanks' heads has lost me two nights' sleep now," L replied, "and even if it hadn't, the racket you made would've woken me anyway. I'm sure Steve was awake and just faking sleep. Anything else?" Out of questions to ask right now, Allen shook his head. "In that case, get moving. Maybe you'll even get a little rest tonight?"

"Wait, you want me to get back to the tents, Sir?" The private sent a wary glance out a window.

"Well, where else," the other man asked back. "What, you think we're gonna house you here? This isn't a fucking hotel, private. Get going."

Knowing he had to comply, Allen gave a salute and started for the stairs, on which he met the returning Steve, who wished him a good night, in return getting a proper thanks for saving him from the white Light. Honestly, the Jr Lt's apparent magic powers were pretty low on his list of shit he still had to fully register.

After that, the soldier made his way through the first floor and finally out the administrative building. On the street, he continued heading back to the tents, keeping to the buildings' shadows like when he was under control to not get spotted by the lookouts, who were what he'd worried about, as he doubted their 'sights were clouded' anymore. Fortunately, he still wasn't spotted and soon got off the road, to the tents, quietly slipping into his squad's. Having made it across the other's things, this time carefully, he sat down on his bed, quickly putting the pistol in its holster, before noticing Bill turning his head towards him.

"Hey, the hell were you doing?"

"Sorry, had to take a leak."

"That was a helluva long leak." There was a worrying amount of suspicion in his tone.

"Well, it happens sometimes," Allen hastily whispered back, unclothing and laying back down. "Look, I'm here now. Just go back to sleep." To his relief, his squadmate indeed didn't say anything else, letting him focus on drifting off himself. Though, that wasn't easy with the knowledge he was one of seemingly only three people free from the white Light's influence. Bill had still come across normal enough now, but that could've changed soon. He hoped however this blew over, as the Lieutenant had hinted, it'd be before that.

With that thought, he fell into a peaceful enough sleep.

THE KIDS

Mason and Mike were confused, but mostly scared. The younglings were so scared of the tall creatures that'd showed up in their hometown making loud bangs, forcing all the sentries here to go away. The soldierbugs had never been too nice and the two had stayed away from them because of that, but these were much worse. Their scent was bad and some of their talking didn't make any sense.

All that made the young bugs confused why mother and father were saying that they were good and had come to fight against the Pale King, who they now told was really bad, among other things, which was weird, since every day before, they had explained how important and great he was and why everyone had to serve him.

The little pill bugs didn't know what to believe. On one hand, younglings their age were supposed to listen to their parents, they wanted to too. But on the other, they had only started saying these new things once the creatures' black-garbed leader, the scariest of them, and the cloaked bug who was with the monsters for some reason had done something to them that had made them cry and hug. This was right after the scary-masked male had hurt the now-big Sir Zote so bad he didn't get back up anymore, all while yelling bad things at him.

And to think the boys had snuck out the back door just to watch the mighty knight beat the invaders out of the town. It was terrorifying.

To make things worse, the creatures, hoo-mans, had tied up his hands and legs so he couldn't even get back up. Bretta had been so sad she'd cried at him even after the black leader was finished with his loud talk to everyone in the town. The twins had watched from the window and felt sad themselves that they couldn't do anything about it.

Or could they?

Mother and father were asleep when they, like before, snuck out of the house. The sky was dark, but Dirtmouth had a lot of lamps, so it wasn't scary. It was also less scary, since they couldn't see any of the humans, or anyone, really. Still, they hurried over to Zote, who'd been dragged over to the next house's wall. They were going to set him free. Even if he was too weak to fight the invaders, he could at least escape down the well and get okay. The little bugs got to work on his tied limbs. However, it didn't matter how hard they tried, the knots didn't even budge.

They were about to give up and sadly go back inside, when they heard the mighty bug start mumbling.

"Ugh, this is what I get for heeding, pale cur? I serve you no longer." As he said that, still asleep, thin white smoke started coming out his body, which itself shrunk, until it was back to the size it'd been before, the now too-large bindings simply laying beside it. Then, groaning, Zote pushed himself up, the twins barely able to contain their happiness.

"Ah, an audience for my true self's return," he said, turning towards them. "Listen, younglings, I've changed my smart mind. Don't trust that Pale King or his empty promises. I did and see what befell me? That body may have been great and handsome, but it was only half as strong as I truly am and got me beaten by those fleshy curs. True strength is always hidden in small ones like me." The pill bugs nodded in awe, as he walked to his broken Life Ender that hadn't shrunk, picking up the longest piece. "Still, those warriors felled me fairly, so I will let them have this town for now. I require a rest at a Hot Spring anyway." He looked back. "But make no mistake, my students. Soon I will return and then these curs and that blasted king will pay for these humiliations or I am not Zote the Mighty. Farewell."

With that, the awesome knight took off towards the well into Hallownest, the younglings looking after him happily, both 'cause their hero was free to fight beasts and evil again and 'cause now they could agree with their parents. If a smart bug like Zote didn't like the king, they couldn't either. They were also starting to feel the cold's bite, sleepiness too, and turned around to sneak back home.

So here it is, another 'interlude', though this one is less that and more a short chapter, cause some of the plot development is pretty big. The end part with the kids might feel a little rushed though IDK

It also has that Max part that probably should've been in the last one. Hope you liked it.

Also, translation for the marked Estonian phrases are as follows:

No mine persse - Oh, fuck off (roughly)

Tule, ta on ärkvel - Come, he's awake

There, now we're all a bit smarter. For context, text is in English when the POV character understands it.

R&R and take care.