The Radiance

==Summary==
The Radiance is the forgotten goddess of Light of the Moth Tribe and source of the Infection plaguing Hollownest. She is the final boss of both the main game and the Godhome DLC. When the Pale King took over the lands of Hollownest, he attempted to destroy her by erasing all evidence of her existence and allowing her to fade out of memory.
==Powers and Stats==
Tier: based on hosts infected | At least , possibly far higher | At least , likely far higher
Key: Waking World | Dream Realm | Absolute Radiance
Name: The Radiance, Absolute Radiance, The Infection
Origin: Hollow Knight
Gender: Female
Age: Unknown
Classification: Forgotten Goddess of Light, Higher Being, Mother of the Moth Tribe
Powers and Abilities:
<tabber>
|-|Infection=
Corruption (Type 2. The Infection can spread through the air), Biological Manipulation (The Infection is capable of deforming and bloating individuals stricken with it), Morality Manipulation and Statistics Amplification (Those inflicted with the infection have enhanced strength and courageFurious Vengefly Hunter's Journal Entry: "Vengefly whose body has been distorted by continued infection. The infection that passes from creature to creature grants strength and courage, but it also seems to enslave the will. Would you make such a bargain?"), Body Puppetry (The Infection can reanimate dead bugs by controlling them, a good example being the watcher knightsWatcher Knight Hunter's Journal entry: "Discarded shell of a Watcher Knight, re-animated by a swarm of infected flies."), Corrosion Inducement (Infection Projectiles have been said to be corrosiveAspid Hunter Journal Entry: "Bests its prey by spitting corrosive liquid. Often hunts in packs."), likely Accelerated Development (The Infection in the air seemingly rapidly evolved into living organismsLightseed Journal Entry: "Strange air has been seeping down from above for years. Some of the air became liquid, and some of that liquid became flesh, and some of that flesh came to life. I don't know what to make of it"), Power Bestowal (Infected beings gain the ability to use the infection offensively in the form of projectiles and Self-Destruction)
|-|The Radiance=
Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Mind Manipulation and Madness Manipulation (Type 2, likely 3. those who are infected wake up with broken mindsViolent Husk Hunter's Journal entry: "The bugs of Hallownest were twisted out of shape by that ancient sickness. First they fell into deep slumber, then they awoke with broken minds,"), Dimensional Travel and Dream Manipulation (Appeared in the dreams of bugs to corrupt themSeer: "And so this kingdom was born from that betrayal. But the memories of that ancient light still lingered, hush whispers of faith... Until all of Hallownest began to dream of that forgotten light."), likely SOUL Manipulation and Absorption (All higher beings are seemingly capable of focusing to some degree), Abstract Existence (Type 1), Immaterial Intangibilty, Immortality (Type 1), Light Manipulation, and Incorporeality (Exists in Godhome as the ruler of its pantheon, a place made of essence that makes up dreams, memories and thoughts"Sometimes dreams take the shape of those who have passed away."- Seer), Flight, Social Influencing (Even if resisted, the Infection displays some level of persuasion, tempting those it affects to give into it's influenceHunter: "I have felt that desire. The desire to take the infection into myself. To become stronger, more powerful... these thoughts haunt my dreams during the darkest times. A false hope, but it can burn so brilliantly in one's mind."Soul Master: "In my dreams I could see it. The Kingdom's salvation, the cure for the plague... the answer was in the soul that animates our bodies."), Danmaku, Teleportation (Regularly teleports herself in battleRadiance Boss Fight), Homing Attack (Can create multiple homing orbs), Energy Projection (Capable of shooting large beams of light in a multitude of directions), Weapon Creation and Weapon Control (Capable of creating a multitude of spikes and flying swords at will), likely Creation (Created the Moth Tribe out of her light Seer: "The folk of my tribe were born from a light. Light similar to Essence, similar to that powerful blade, though much brighter still. They were content to bask in that light and honoured it... for a time."), likely Resistance to Biological Manipulation and Mind Manipulation (Due to her nature as a higher being, should be far superior to Soul Master)
</tabber>
Attack Potency: Varies based on hosts infected, Ignores conventional durability via corruption | At least Wall level+, possibly far higher (Is a higher beingAMA Answer, bugs of which exist above all others, is the ancient enemy of the voidRadiance Dream Nail dialogue: "...ANCIENT ENEMY... and can contend with Voidheart Knight while still being superior to it. Was able to infiltrate and manipulate the dreams of the bugs of hallownest. Dreams are incredibly large compared to The Knight, with the Dream Realm itself being beyond the physical planeHollow Knight Manual p. 11, although how large the realm is, and the dreams that reside in it, are currently left unknown. Superior to other bosses who can deal two massk of damage) | At least Wall level+, likely far higher (Is the Radiance at the peak of her strength and sits above all other gods in godhome, including Nightmare King Grimm and the Pure VesselGodseeker: "But couldst thou ever hope to overcome that mighty God tuned at the core of dream and mind, when met in perfect state, at peak of all others?")
Speed: Varies depending on hosts infected, The Infection spreads at an Unknown rate | High Hypersonic (Can fight The Knight), Higher via Light Beams
Lifting Strength: Varies depending on hosts infected | Likely Below Average Human
Striking Strength: Varies depending on hosts infected | At least Wall level, possibly far higher | At least Wall level, likely far higher
Durability: Varies depending on hosts infected, the Infection will persist so long as the Radiance exists | At least Wall level, possibly far higher | At least Wall level, likely far higher
Stamina: Infected beings are seemingly tireless and possess no self-preservation instinct, attacking non-infected even at their own detriment. While the Radiance can be staggered, it takes repeated, direct attacks to tire her out. Her own attacks are projectiles and beams made of light and don't seem to take any effort on her part.
Range: Varies based on host infected | A few inches physically, Standard Melee Range with Light Beams, Interdimensional via The Infection (Can infect bugs in hallownest from the dream realm)
Standard Equipment: None Notable
Intelligence: At least Above Average. The Radiance is a powerful and ancient higher being who is the ancient enemy of the void. Incredibly persuasive and allured the city of hallownest to embrace the infectionBardoon: "I resist the light's allure. Union it may offer, but also a mind bereft of thought... To instinct alone a bug is reduced..." and succeeded in this process. Infected Beings usually are around Animalistic, with their intelligence reduced to mere instinct alone.
Weaknesses: Beings without a mind or will are immune to the Radiance's mind control. Can be entrapped in completely empty voids. Most of her light attacks are preceded by non-damaging tracer beams.
Notable Attacks/Techniques:
Screenshot HK Radiance 03.webp|Beam Burst
Screenshot HK Radiance 04.webp|Sword Rain
Screenshot HK Radiance 05.webp|Wall of Light
Screenshot HK Radiance 07.webp|Big Beam
*Beam Burst: The Radiance fires a radial pattern of light beams from her face in three volleys.
*Sword Burst: The Radiance fires swords of light in a radial pattern from her face.
*Sword Rain: The Radiance creates many swords of light which then rain down on her opponent from above.
*Sword Wall: The Radiance creates many swords of light which then fly towards her opponent horizontally.
*Wall of Light: The Radiance creates a large, vertical beam of light that will then move towards her opponent, burning them on contact.
*Orb: The Radiance summons up to 3 orbs of light that home in on her opponent.
*Spike Floor: The Radiance will summon many spikes of light out of the floor.
*Big Beam: The Radiance fires a single, large beam of light.
Feats:
*Main Story Radiance Boss Fight
*Godhome Absolute Radiance Boss Fight
==Gallery==
==Notable Matchups==
Victories:
The Nightmare (Dead by Daylight) The Nightmare's Profile (Dream realm Radiance used, starting distance was 32 meters without line of sight, and speed was equalized)
Losses:
Inconclusive:
==References==
Category:Characters
Category:Hollow Knight
Category:Abstract Entities
Category:Antagonists
Category:Biology Users
Category:Body Puppetry Users
Category:Corrosion Users
Category:Corruption Users
Category:Danmaku Users
Category:Dream Users
Category:Eldritch Horrors
Category:Empowerment Users
Category:Female Characters
Category:Final Bosses
Category:Flight Users
Category:Game Bosses
Category:Game Characters
Category:Gods
Category:Homing Attack Users
Category:Immortals
Category:Incorporeal Characters
Category:Indie Game Characters
Category:Insects
Category:Intangibility Users
Category:Leaders
Category:Life Users
Category:Light Users
Category:Madness Users
Category:Mind Users
Category:Morality Users
Category:Necromancers
Category:Power Bestowal Users
Category:Small Sized Characters
Category:Social Influencers
Category:Teleportation Users
Category:Video Game Characters
Category:Weapon Creation Users