In this story the Knight uses they/them pronouns, because the vessels don't have a gender. Also there is a major canon divergence, especially considering the fact that in order to include all the characters we know and love, I have to mess with the timeline a bit. Hope you all enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Hollow Knight. This wonderful game is accredited to the one and only Team Cherry!

Chapter 1

A small white figure stood upon a cliff. The howling winds blew their ratty cloak aside, a worn-out nail strapped to their back. Far in the distance, glowing lumifly lights lined a stone path that led the way to a small and sparsely populated town. The Knight leapt, falling down into the abyss below.

With a loud thud, their small body landed in a crouch on the stone ground. Making their way forward, they swung their nail in an arc to smash the stone door ahead. Continuing forward, they smashed door after door until they encountered a strange bug. They stopped and peered at this form so unlike its own. The Knight once again drew their nail and slashed the crawling bug down its center. A handful of what seemed to be some sort of fossilized rock fell from its fallen body. Shrugging, the Knight collected them and continued forward. After hopping on a few platforms, another creature came flying at the wandering Knight. Its body soon hit the ground, cut open by the dull blade. Finally, the pale figure reached a towering imposing stone blockage with an alien crest upon it. Next to it was a tablet that seemed to be pulsating with a strange inner light. Peering over at the words inscribed upon it, the Knight read "Higher beings, these words are for you alone. Beyond this point you enter the land of King and Creator. Step across this threshold and obey our laws. Bear witness to the last and only civilization, the eternal Kingdom. Hallownest."

The Knight was unsure what to make of these words. What exactly was a higher being? If this was truly the last and only civilization, then where did they come from? And why were they drawn here, as if a beacon was pulling them home? The Knight knew that the answers lay behind that wall. Dashing forward will all their strength, they swung their nail at the barrier. Again and again they slashed at stone, until finally with a giant crack the wall crumbled into pieces. Elated, they ran forward and jumped down the cliff, and made their way towards the dim lights of the town before them.

When the Knight came to the edge of town, they saw an old bug standing next to a bench. Wandering up to the wrinkly bug, they stood silently in front of him, waiting for him to speak. Finally, the old bug looked down and noticed the small figure in front of him. At first a flash of fear ran through the old bug. For the pale figure in front of him was no typical bug and had eyes that made him feel as if he was staring down a dark impenetrable void. But the old bug shook off his uneasy feelings and chalked it up to being outside for too long.

"Ho there, traveler. My name is Elderbug, and I'm here to offer you welcome, for many of the other residents in our town of Dirtmouth are currently down below the well. One by one they headed down into the caverns below. They come back and tell stories of a great kingdom beneath our town. Its beautiful city draws many folks into its depths. Wealth, glory, enlightenment, that kingdom seems to promise all things. I'm sure you too seek your dreams down there. But watch out, for many travelers also come with tales of attacks from not so friendly bugs. Perhaps if I was a bit younger, I too could follow that dream of walking through that glorious kingdom."

It was with this final note that the now named Elderbug began to reminisce of when he first arrived at this small town. The Knight left while the old bug was trapped in his thoughts and took a quick rest on the bench nearby. With their energy regained, they set out to explore Dirtmouth. They entered into the small home to the right, and a tired looking female bug sat scribbling on sheets of old parchment. With a loud sigh, she said "Come to buy a map have you? I'm Iselda, but it's really my husband you should be dealing with. I wish he'd spend a little more time up here, but once Cornifer started exploring the lands below…. Well nevermind that. Unfortunately I have nothing to sell you as of now, but I expect to have something ready soon."

The Knight silently inclined his head and shuffled back outside.

I suppose it's time to descend down into Hallownest, they thought. With that, they ran over to the well and hopped inside. Down they fell, until they hit the ground with a thud. A shiny sign greeted them, with arrow pointing both to the left and right. "The Crossroads" they said, and nothing more. The Knight glanced to the right and left, unsure as to which way to go. On their left they saw a bug pacing back and forth muttering to themself. The Knight walked up them them and tapped on their shell. Startled from their muttering, the bug jumped back in surprise.

"You gave me quite a fright young traveler! What is it exactly that you need?" The Knight gestured to the sign post. "Ah I see, directions. Well unfortunately I can't help you there, for I haven't explored much of this place. I keep getting attacked by these small vengeflies, and it's getting quite tiresome. But I suggest continuing on to the left, for I hear a cheerful humming in that direction. Whatever the source, they are sure to be the friendly sort. If you see any other traveling bugs like myself, I'm sure they can help you too."

Nodding their head, the Knight continued walking to the left. Hopefully the bug behind the humming is willing to help me. Entering into the next room, they saw a bunch of bugs mindlessly flying around and bumping into what seemed to be a series of platforms attached in a ladder formation. I wonder if they were built by whoever rules this kingdom. The Knight leap over the gap to the first platform, and then onto a ledge nearby. Just as they were about to jump onto the platform below, they heard a crying sound. It certainly wasn't the pleasant humming they were told about. Curious, the Knight walked warily into the adjacent room. There they saw an old grandfatherly grub crying all alone in his cavern full of empty nests. Walking up to him, the Knight tried to get his attention, but the old grub didn't notice them for he was crying too much. Turning back around, the Knight exited the room and continued to follow the humming sound. Jumping down from platform to platform, eventually they reached the bottom. Jumping down into the next room, they saw a glasses clad bug that was scribbling on some parchment. The Knight silently walked up to the bug and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Ah, hello young traveler, my name is Cornifer. Have you come down to explore the beautiful structures of this beautiful city? Don't mind me… I've a fondness for exploring myself. I'm a cartographer by trade, and I'm working on mapping this area right now. Would you like to buy a copy of my work so far?" The Knight looked at Cornifer blankly, unsure of how to pay for the much-needed map.

"I see that you have some Geo with you. That's the currency used around here, although the rock itself is worthless. I'll give a discounted price of 20 geo since this is your first time purchasing from me, and I'll even throw in a quill to help your mapping needs for an extra 10 geo. If you are to continue on this path though, I should warn you there has been an infestation of aspids. Nasty bugs they are. The males spit corrosive liquid when they feel threatened. And the females, well, it's best to just avoid them." After handing Cornifer the geo, the Knight nodded their head in thanks and continued on their journey down into the depths of the stone caverns. As they fell, they quickly changed their trajectory towards the far right. Glad I managed to avoid those spikes. I wonder if the builders of this kingdom purposefully put them there, or if they occurred naturally. Either way, I'll come back here later.

With that, the Knight continued into the next room on the right. After collected Geo from a few deposits above, they stopped short before completely entering the next room. Inside they saw a bunch of flying bugs. Some of them small with an orange belly, others incredibly large with babies flying around them. These must be the aspids Cornifer warned me about. The Knight decided it would be best to take Cornifer's advice to avoid these hostile bugs, and searched for an alternate path. After following the path in a broken wall they found earlier, they eventually fell down onto a platform on the other side. A pleasant smell wafted from the room next door, and a peaceful aura seemed to be emitted by whatever was in there. Eagerly, the Knight walked into the room hoping for some good fortune in their journey. Inside was a beautifully glowing spa, with a bunch of bugs chattering away and basking in the healing waters. As soon as the Knight stepped into the waters of the hot spring, they could feel all their energy magically filling up in their body and shell. Laying back along on the edge of the spring, the Knight decided to stay in this brief respite for just a little longer.

It can't hurt to rest here for a bit. After all, there is a huge kingdom to explore, and I never know when I'll find a place like this in the future. And with that the Knight lay back and rested, the chattering of the other bugs lulling them into a deep sleep.