Hollowed Panzer

**NOTE: This story is both the inspiration and continuation of Girls Und Panzer x Hollow Knight Crossover after the Interdimensional Travels and the post-events of Seraphina's Stories. It may relate to Hollowtale, or Hollow Knight's crossover with Undertale. Instead of Ghost appearing in Undertale, we have Hollow or the Hollow Knight appearing in Okarita City, or the city that is on Red Blossom's school ship. In Hollow Knight, this Hollow is the one from Endings 3 or 4, whichever one, where the Absolute Radiance is defeated, curing Hollow of his madness and letting him reunite with his half-sibling back the Temple of the Black Egg. Btw, Hollow sleeps in a secret guest room on the 1st floor. Go ahead, try and find it Phoenix. You never will, lol.**

# Full Story(So Far)

## **Chapter 1: Encounter**

A bell is heard in the distance. I'm walking out of a nearby grocery store with some food bags in my hands. With a chocolate bar in my mouth that I've recently opened. I begin to hear small voices to my right.

Sera: *"Hmm? What's that?"*

I notice to the right to find a tall, cloaked figure unconscious on some bags of garbage. Their head is odd-looking and tall, with two horns at the end. A crack is seen on it's left eye, and it's left arm seems to be missing. A long, cracked blade is seen near it.

Sera: *"Oh crap...!"*

I walk over to see if he... or she.... is alright.

Sera: *"Hey mister? You okay there? Excuse me?...Are you awake?"*

It quickly regains consciousness and in a flash, it swings it's long nail at me, and it gouges into the grocery bags. If they weren't there, that would've been the end of my very life. A stabbed box of brownies falls out of the large hole in the bag.

Sera: *"OH SHIT! Man.... not the brownies..."*

It points the nail at me, wanting to fight. I try to calm them down.

Sera: *"Woah, buddy... Slow down! I don't want to fight..."*

They quickly slashes but I quickly dodge behind them.

Sera: *"Let's see if we can talk about this?"*

It tries to get me again but misses and slashes a hole in one of the garbage bags.

Sera: *"You know, I can do this all day."*

It turns again and thrusts downward at me but misses again. I sit down on one of the bags.

Sera: *"Actually, that may attract some unwanted attention, so lets not."*

They turn their head to look at me and I see the blackness in their right eye seems to glow as they stare at me.. It's moss-green cloak flows lightly in the wind. They seem to tower over me. Possibly about 6 to 7 feet tall. They look like they don't even have feet, but more like little stubs. Their skin seems to be completely black as well, but I know very well that their "skin" is just an exoskeleton. It had no mouth, or even eyes, but it was more like staring into an empty skull.

Sera: *"Look buddy, I'm not going to attack or harm you. Why don't we just have a nice, friendly conversation, okay? I haven't seen someone like you before, but something tells me you're not from around here. Like REALLY not from around here. Hah... I guess I* **hit the nail on the head***. Get it?"*

It begins to chirp, like it's laughing at my little joke. I guess this is how Akira feels whenever he tells a joke.

Sera: *"Huh, I knew you had good taste."*

It puts away it's nail and I go ahead to pick up the bags.

Sera: *"Speaking of taste.... I guess these aren't gonna taste very good now. I guess I'll go get another box of them to go."*

They nervously walk behind me out of the alleyway and are a little scared. They look up to the sun with a worried expression.

Sera: *"Hmm..... I think I have an idea! You wait here for a minute, ok?"*

They nod and sit down. I hurry inside the store and get a cloak for them to wear. They puts the hood on and they seems to like it's softness. I still urge them to leave the alley, but they still don't budge.

Sera: *"Hey, it's okay. Nothing to be scared of. Come on buddy. We'll figure out your deal at my place. I'm Seraphina by the way. Seraphina Kurusu....guessing you don't talk much. Well I guess you can have this. You look like your starving to death."*

I give one to them, thinking they could eat it or not, but they just hold it in their hands, all confused about it. Guess they've never seen a store brownie before.

## Chapter 2: Heroic Odor

Akira's cleaning up the front yard of our house and hosing the flowers on our pave-way. He looks to my direction.

Sera: *"My home is just up ahead. I live with my twin brother Akira, the coolest guy you'll ever meet."*

Akira: **"Ah Seraphina! How was your time getting the grocer-Oh my...."**

He sees us walking by with a literal giant gas ball of trash lingering above us. It seems we smelled so bad that the odor lines were literally visible.

Sera: *"You'll like him a lot buddy. He's the best."*

When we get to our house, he points the hose at me with an angered expression.

Akira: **"Stop right there, criminal scum!"**

Sera: *"Hey Aki-"*

Akira: **"Don't 'Hey' me! You and your.... um... extremely tall friend... reek of nasty garbage stank, and I just cleaned the entirety of the house! You are not stepping one foot inside smelling like that!"**

Sera: *"Well* **chute** *bro, I thought I had a good joke for you, but it turns out it was* **garbage***."*

Akira: **"Why you mother-!"**

Sera: *"(I'd duck if I were you buddy.)"*

He looks at me with a confused expression and Akira accidentally sprays the hose at them. They get staggered and fall on their legs. I'm standing by their left now completely dry.

Akira: **"TANK THAT!"**

Sera: *"Hah. I warned you."*

He sprays me without my notice. Now both of us are both wet.

Sera: *"Hrk!"*

Akira: **"Hah! There. That's more tolerable. You can now come inside the house for a more suitable wash, since a hose-wash isn't really gonna do."**

He nods as I look down upon my perfectly ruined and drowned brownies.

Sera: *"\*sigh\* You had a good run, my delicious brown friends. At least you got a water burial."*

Akira: **"Meh don't worry Seraphina! I'll prepare us an amazing dinner and then we can have some proper introductions."**

Sera: *"Sounds good, bro... but maybe something a little low-key. They can get a bit... jumpy."*

Akira: **"Of course Seraphina! In the heat of anything, I am always calm, cool, and collected."**

We stop to turn around and see that they're not following us. They seem nervous of our home.

Sera: *"Well, are you just gonna stand there, or are you coming buddy?"*

They look down in thought for a couple seconds, and then look up and follow us inside. Just after we get inside, we look to see that they somehow managed to duck under the front door.

## Chapter 3: Heart of Infection

Me and Akira's shoes and their nail is seen near the door. Sera leans on the living room couch while the other being is having trouble getting themselves comfortable inside their couch, given their tall stature.

Sera: *"And that's the first floor tour. Upstairs has all the best things, but let's wait for my brother."*

They look at a table that has a small rock and confetti on it.

Sera: *"Oh. That's my pet rock. Wanna feed it? Don't worry, he doesn't bite."*

Akira: **"Hey sis. I have prepared the bath for our guest!"**

He gives me a washcloth.

Akira: **"Here, you may use this for now. Please get changed into clean clothes. I'll wash those later."**

Sera: *"Thank you Akira."*

Akira: **"May I? I'll wash your cloak too while you're in the bath my tall friend."**

As Akira extends his hand out to get their cloak, they back-step and summon a Void Tentacle out of their left arm. As both are in shock of what the guest just did, they scramble behind the couch to try and hide. It doesn't work very well because their large horns stick out.

Akira: **"Oh man? Did I offend them Seraphina?"**

Sera: *"...Aki, I don't think they're wearing anything under their cloak."*

Akira: **"So that's their "skin"? Which means... THEY'RE NAKED!!"**

They appear from behind the couch.

Akira: **"Oh my god! I'm so sorry! How rude of me!"**

Sera: *"Hahah... Seems like our friend here is a little* **clothes-minded*.****"*

Akira: **"OF ALL TIMES SERPAHINA!!! Ugh! Let me see.... AH!"**

He takes out a very long sleeved red jacket for them.

Akira: **"Here you are. They may be a bit big, but they are still clean. Seraphina can you please show them upstairs? I'll start on dinner."**

Sera: *"Sure thing Akira. This way buddy."*

They bow to both of them as a sort of affection and gratitude.

Akira: **"OH MY GOSH SERAPHINA- THEY'RE BOWING. Seraphina, they are bowing to us!"**

After a hard time for the guest to get up the stairs behind me, they eventually got up.

Sera: *"Here we are. The bath's all set. I hope my bro didn't freak you out down there. He didn't mean it, he's just stubborn when it comes to cleanliness. You'll feel better with a soak and some grub. Towels are over there and we'll be downstairs if you need anything."*

A large splash is heard. It seems they just got in with their cloak on. Their bathtub is large, so he's fine with it.

Sera: *"Um.... Well that's one way to get clean. Cloak and all hmm? It's efficient I'll give you that. Just come down when you're done. Take your time, buddy."*

She closes the door and her face immediately turns from happy to serious. She comes down the stairs to smell Akira's cooking.

Sera: *"How's it coming bro?"*

Akira: **"I think this is my best yet! I'm trying chili paste in the pizza this time."**

Sera: *"...Sounds great."*

Akira: **"...Hey Sera, what they did before. That power was very similar to...."**

Sera: *"....Yeah. And not just that either. They don't even feel like other people. Or even other abilitators."*

Akira: **"You mean their AURA?"**

Sera: *"I can't see into their aura Akira. No vitals, no pulse, nothing. It's like staring into a vortex of nothing and blackness. Like into the...."*

Akira: **"Abyss.... Sera, do you think it has something to do with.... him?"**

Sera: *"\*sigh\* I'd be more surprised if it didn't. It's been eerily quiet underside since he left our "old home"....I think I can sense something from them, but it's like it's separate from them. It feels powerful. Old... Ancient even. And when I first saw them I could hear something.... like voices. I could only make out a bit of it. IT mostly sounded sad and scared, but some voices.... didn't sound so nice."*

Deep inside their mind, you can see blurred words saying broken, vessel, and burn kill or die. The Radiance stands behind a wailing Infected variant of the Hollow Knight as a small knight stood to them, with it's own nail readied out. Multiple voices are heard whispering loudly and angrily, but one voice is very clear. It seems to be from the Hollow Knight as it says *"...Father? Siblings? I have failed you..."*, then it cuts to the Hollow getting out of the bath.

## Chapter 4: Welcome Aboard

The tall guest is seen getting out and drying themselves off as Seraphina and Akira were talking.

Sera: *"It's like staring into a vortex of blackness. Like into the..."*

Akira: **"Oh dear. Do you think they are...dangerous?"**

Sera: *"I'm not sure, but I say we not tell Phoenix and Alice about it or they will flip about it."*

Akira: **"I agree with that. You haven't answered my question fully though."**

They look at the toilet and sit down with the lid closed.

Sera: *"Like I said, I'm not sure, but they clearly aren't from around these parts and could probably use all the help they can get."*

They open a large completed map of Hallownest.

Sera: *"I couldn't just leave them there."*

Four charms and ten charm notches are shown on the display. Defender's Crest, Mark of Pride, Quick Slash, and Unbreaking Strength. They are seen switching out Defender's Crest for Nailmaster's Glory. They get off and put their hand towards their heart. Immediately after, a white light glows and shows to them their MASK COUNTER. It seems only eight are available, while the other seven are locked by bronze chains. His Soul Vessel is full at least, so no loose Shade.

Sera: *"Besides, we gave Phoenix and Alice the benefit of the doubt. This guy deserves that too at least."*

Akira: **"I couldn't agree more, sister! And who better to take them under our wing than myself? Oh! Could they like puzzles? We could conjure up so many challenges!"**

Sera: *"I'm sure they love challenges Aki, but remember, Baby steps."*

I go into a small library in the living room and pick out a medium-sized red book titled "**Hu**man **S**ign **L**anguage."

Sera: *"It seems they can understand us but I don't think they talk like us. So.... What do you think?"*

Akira: **"Oh that's perfect sister!"**

He comes down the stairs wearing the very long red jacket Akira gave them. It really oversizes their arms, but not enough for their whole legs.

Sera: *"And speak of the devil..."*

He waves to us. The rest of the sleeve becomes droopy and stays low.

Akira: **"Wowie. I didn't think it would be that big.... Hmm... maybe if I can \*sniff\*"**

A small bell is heard from the kitchen.

Akira: **"OH NO MY PERFECTLY SEASONED CHEESE PIZZA!!!"**

Sera: *"Here buddy, take a seat. Don't worry, it's big enough.."*

They sit on the long, black couch near me. When they sit, she feel shaken for a second.

Sera: *"So, where are you from?"*

They take out a large, tattered map with several labyrinths and incredibly detailed rooms. From Deepnest to the Crystal Peaks. And from the Howling Cliffs to Kingdom's Edge. It has a lot of stamps and marks, indicating certain locations spread across the map. The top of the map says "Hallownest." A small note in the back says 'Property of Hornet'.

Sera: *"Um... who's 'Hornet'? Are they a friend of yours?"*

They nod as an answer.

Sera: *"And Hallownest huh? Never heard of it. Do you know how to get back there?"*

They shake their head as indicating a no.

Sera: *"Do you know where here is?"*

They shake their head again.

Sera: *"Hmm.... do you at least know how you got here?"*

They are silent for a moment as they stare off, and then they just look at me and quickly wobble their head around.

Sera: *"Uhm.... not sure what that really means man. Well if you don't have any other plans, you can stay with Aki and me until you get sorted out. We've got plenty of room and can show you around the town once in a while."*

They look at me again and point to them.

Sera: *"Oh yeah.... Well you can get used to wearing a disguise while I can show you around town, right?"*

They think for a moment and nod.

Sera: *"Well that's great! Um, so.... what do you say about that?"*

They nod again.

Sera: *"Well that settles it then! Akira is definitely going to be thrilled to have someone besides my lazy butt around the house. I'm thinking we first work out a way to communicate easier, here. It's called **HuSL**, **Hu**man **S**ign **L**anguage. You don't have to read the first part, but you can if your curious. Akira and I already both know it. Most of our friends know the basics too."*

She gives them the book and they look at the title.

Akira: **"Don't worry guys! The pizza was NOT damaged this time. Dinner is served!"**

Sera: *"We can check out the book after dinner dude. Welcome aboard the Kurusu tram, where it's destination leads to the unknown."*

All three are eating at the table. Hollow is having trouble with the utensils. Sera chuckles a little as she watches them fumble.

Akira takes a bite of his pizza and notices something is off.

Akira: **"Wait a minute...."**

Hollow picks up a piece of pizza with his fork. He lifts his head/skull up and reveals black bug-like mandibles that eats both the large piece AND the fork.

He glances to Sera and sees her get a piece of her pizza and eat it.

Akira: **"Am I the only one who has.... ANY MANNERS AT ALL??! GET YOUR GODDAMN ELBOWS OFF MY TABLE!!"**

Hollow quickly puts their elbows off as Sera laughs lightly.

After dinner, Akira carries a sleeping Seraphina on his back. It seems her tiredness is getting worse. He sees Hollow looking around their guest room.

Akira: **"Sleep well tall knight! We're gonna turn in for the evening. Sera here is just beat."**

As he and Sera both go up the stairs into their rooms, Hollow takes off their jacket. They grab their nail and go outside into a small side clearing near the house. They hold out their nail until a sort-of dreamweaver symbol is summoned from the center. Then they point their sword up as it glows light purple, but nothing happened. They focus more and an even bigger Dreamnail summons on them. They do the same movement again and a small, yellow Dreamgate shows where they sliced. It glows dimly in the nightly setting. Then they walk a little to the right of it. They do the same thing and in just an instant, they teleport back to where they first made the warp point. As they look at it a little more, they walk back inside to turn in for the night. They see Seraphina and Akira spread out on the couch, asleep quietly. They enter and see them there. Just as he looks at them, quick flashes of Hornet and Ghost take their places. He forms a worried expression. He sticks his out to them and clenches it to their heart. They lean down on the floor near them and sleep soundly. Just as they do, a certain figure watches from afar.

???: "Hmm.... Interesting.... Very, very interesting.... What do you think, doctor?"

Just then, a familiar voice answers.

Vermillion: *"Keep watching from afar and see what they do next. This new ally of Seraphina's seems to be full of tricks."*

## Chapter 5: Proper Introductions

Me and Akira sit down near our favorite spot and watch the horizon as Hollow practices slashing with their nail.

Sera: *"You've gotten a good* **handle** *on signing since you came here man. I've been thinking. How about we take a break and do a re-introduction."*

Akira stands up at the thought as Hollow stops swinging. He sheathes his nail and walks up to them.

Akira: **"That's a wonderful idea, Seraphina! At least this idea didn't actually blow up in our faces."**

Sera: *"Gee.... thanks for the compliment bro.... Anyways, you got a name buddy?"*

He makes a couple of signs to us.

Sera: *"Spotless Container?"*

Akira: **"Clean Box?"**

Sera: *"Pure Vessel?"*

They point to me, indicating that I got it right.

Sera: *"Uss!"*

Akira: **"Pure Vessel? That's, uhm...."**

Sera: *"Do you have anything more personable? Like a nickname?"*

They think for a moment. And then they make a few different signs.

Sera: *"...THK? Hmm, ok not that bad..."*

Akira: **"Is that what you want to be called?"**

They make some more signs.

Both: ***"Hollow Knight?"***

Sera: *"That sounds like a perfect nickname for you. How about it, Hollow?"*

Hollow: *"YeS.... i... LiKe It...."*

Their voice sounded hoarse and unclear. Like someone's throat being scraped and now it sounds all raspy. The siblings become both confused and scared in a mere second. They clear their throat and they say.

Hollow: *\*I was trying to say that I love it.\**

Sera: *"Um.... alright...."*

We both look at each other worryingly. Hollow signs again.

Hollow: *\*What?\**

## Chapter 6: A Knightly Spar

Akira stands up again.

Akira: **\*ahem\* "Would you care to test your skills against someone like me? How about a friendly spar?"**

Their eyes sparkle for a moment, but then they look down as if they're thinking about something.

I stand up as well.

Sera: *"Relax Hollow, my brother's pretty tough."*

Akira: **"Hah! Pretty tough indeed! Why I would've been in the fencing club at school, but I was disqualified for besting the coach and making him cry."**

They nod and Akira takes them off their feet and stands them up.

Akira: **"Splendid! Follow me, will you?"**

They nod again and slowly walk after him.

Akira: **"And to ensure the lawn doesn't get damaged, we'll use the training room in my house!"**

Sera: *"Um, Akira.... Hollow still needs their nail."*

After a couple minutes of preparing, I lead Hollow with their nail on their back to their colossal training room. As I open the two large doors, Hollow looks around to see the large array of firearms and ammunition on the left, item holds stacked with weapons of different types on the right, and Akira cleaning up from the last training session. He disables the holo-dummies and sets the ring up for their spar.

Hollow: \*It's bigger on the inside.\*

Sera: *"Yeah, we both don't know why. So we don't complain about it though."*

Akira: **"Ah! A true marvel for all things ME!"**

I go to the corner to lay down on one of the bean bags at the corner. Hollow goes to me and makes a sign.

Sera: *"Me? No thank you, I'm not as much as a fighter. Not exactly my topic. All that training.... I'm exhausted just thinking about it. You go have fun Hollow."*

Akira: **"Haha! I haven't had a good spar in ages. My sparring friends are so busy during these times and Seraphina over there is too lazy."**

Sera: *"I AM NOT! I just don't like to spar and you know it!"*

Both get in the positions. Large blue walls go over them. They make a simulation of the location for the Hornet Fight in Greenpath.

Akira: **"Wow Seraphina, this is beautiful! You did great with the simulation this time."**

Sera: *"Uh..... I didn't do an- You know what, nnevermind."*

Sera: *"Alrighty then guys! The rules are simple! No dying, no guns, the last to surrender wins!"*

Akira: **"Now then...."**

Two flare daggers summon in his hands. He holds them up into a defensive position, holding them in front of his chest.

Akira: **"I hope you're ready to admire my true battle prowess! Prepare for your biggest fight, Hollow Knight!"**

Hollow takes out their large nail and wields it in their right arm.

Akira: **"Alrighty then, gimme your best shot!"**

They Shadow Dash and strike at Akira. When their blades collide, Akira's knives crack and begin to shatter. Hollow breaks his defense. Akira quickly dodges him before Hollow can strike him again. He forms two new daggers in his hands. Hollow tries to strike again, but Akira parries his strike, but that knife breaks.

Akira: **"Hehe! You're certainly eager! But you won't best me!"**

His knife hits Hollow in the head and one of his masks goes down to 7. They stagger back, putting their hand on where he struck them.

Akira: **"Let's see if you can handle my fabled Flare Attack!"**

He snaps his fingers and small orange flames strike at him but eventually fade with nothing happening. He looks at him with a confused face.

Akira: **"Uh..... What the heck? That should have put a burning effect on your AURA. Oh well, guess I'll have to use a different one!"**

He stabs his knife into the ground and Hollow leaps into the air. Giant knife spikes of all sizes appear out of the ground. He uses the Monarch Wings to get a higher height, but one of the spikes hits them, taking them down to 6 masks.

Akira: **"Are you alright, Hollow!?"**

They then use the Desolate Dive to smash all the knife shards into different directions. Some even hit the barriers, but they only bounce off since they are impenetrable. Akira coughs and covers his face so he doesn't get smoke in his eye. Smoke scatters around the area and Hollow immediately dashes out of the smoke cloud and knocks Akira to the wall. He staggers to get up and he has a smile on his face. He adjusts his glasses and looks at Hollow.

Akira: **"Now THIS just got a lot more interesting!!"**

Small voices telling him to break go off in his head as Akira speaks. **"I guess they're fine now."**

They use a Vengeful Spirit to blast Akira. He throws a knife at the spirit but it fazes through and hits him before he can finish his sentence. The knife hits Hollow and deals another mask, leading down to 6. They Shadow Dash to Akira, but he dodges in time. Before Hollow could strike again, Akira takes the lead and strikes them again, going down to 5. I look at Hollow when he got hit by Akira's blade.

Sera: *"Huh? What the...."*

Akira: **"Barrier means stop Hollow Knight!"**

He tries to hit Hollow again but they jump out of the way. Akira creates another Knife Spike wave towards Hollow, but they use their left stub to summon Void Tendrils that leak into the ground and counter his attack. Although, Akira leaps up from blade to blade by knife-pogoing before they shatter and he heel-kicks Hollow to the ground. The force of the attack was so large, it took him down to 3 masks. He stands back up and shatters one of Akira's knives and makes an opening to his right arm. He tries to stop it with his knife, but Hollow is too quick and strikes his arm down to the bone. He counters by using a baseball maneuver and bats him, taking him down to 2 masks. He skits all the way to the barrier wall behind him. Akira doesn't look too good as he clings to his arm with his eyes wide open with orange flashing in it.

Akira: **"H-Huh.... That's weird."**

Multiple voices yell and become louder in Hollow's head, yelling at them to "Shatter", "Break", and "Fall". They kneel down with their nail shaking in their right arm. As it shakes even more, I stop their arm from shaking and grab them before anything else happens.

Seraphina: *"Hey. It doesn't look like you should take another hit. Let's call it a draw for today."*

## Chapter 7: Post-Fight Shenanigans

They sheath their nail.

Akira: **"Oh no! Are you hurt? We should have stopped Hollow Knight!"**

Sera: *"Ngh.... my head...."*

They sign again to Akira.

Akira: **"Why? Sparing is just for fun! Neither of us should be actually battling. Although, it was impressive of you to get me to use my full potential."**

He stretches his good arm out and de-spells the knives.

Akira: **"I haven't gotten that much of an intense workout in forev-"**

Yuri: "THAT WAS SO COOL!!"

A small kid runs up to them and looks with sparkling eyes. She wears an orange and brown striped sweater.

Yuri: "I can't believe you were able to spar with Akira like that! He's super tough! I'm Yuri!"

He makes a sign, and she looks at them confused.

Akira: **"You really should be paying more attention in school. This is the Knight!"**

Yuri: "Wow! That's SOO cool!! Hey, do you wanna hang out? Akira, Seraphina, can I hang out with them?"

Sera: *"That's up to them Yuri. What do you think, Hollow?"*

They think for a moment and nod. They nod at her request.

Yuri: "Awesome!"

They walk away as she talks to him.

Akira: **"And remember to please take off your shoes! I just got the house clean!"**

Sera: *"Hey, you okay bro? Let me heal that."*

Akira: **"Hm? Oh yeah! Hollow is actually quite strong. I shouldn't have held back so much. That must have taken more out of me than I thought."**

Sera: *"Just try and be more careful, ok Aki? No more second chances, remember?"*

Akira: **"I am aware, sister. I... I remember the last ones...."**

Their memories flash back to Mecha-Akira pinning down Seraphina into the wall. Her face is bruised and battered, wih his metal claw choking her neck as the metal chains he wears are bright red as a Mechagodzilla-style helmet covers his face, as the red visors shine bright with rage. He roars to her as he says, ***"I will... avenge... my dear sister!!! For all of the pain.... for all of the suffering.... DIE VERMILLION!!! ROAAAAARR!!!"*** She looks up to him and weakly says *"My god.... A-Akira? Is that you? What have.... they done to you.... brother...?"* The memories then flash to when Seraphina looks at a scared Akira with blood-red eyes as the storm occurs, with her on top of a bruised Phoenix, and her Ancient Flintlock at his forehead. **"Sister, please!! Stop this now!!"** She looks at Phoenix while saying, *"Never!! He'll pay for what he has said to you. I won't let anyone hurt you again!!!"* The memories fade back to them as Seraphina finishes healing Akira's arm.

Seraphina: *"...They were using Void again. Either controlling it or..."*

Akira: **"My Flare didn't affect them at all. What do you think it means Sera? Seraphina?"**

I blankly look at his arm for a minute as he calls my name.

Seraphina: *"The arm's looking better already Akira."*

As Hollow introduces the inside of the house to Yuri.

Akira: **"Are you sure they're hurt? They don't seem to be very concerned."**

They look at their finger.

Seraphina: *"I thought I saw..."*

A small, orange drop of blood shows up.

Seraphina: *".... Eh. Maybe it's nothing."*

## Chapter 8: Thing

As a memory appears of Hollow looking at their MASK COUNTER with 8 of their masks, and the other 7 locked by bronze chains from Chapter 4, they then appear sitting on the couch, with an emotionless face. Akira goes down to see them.

Akira: **"Oh! I see you're still awake. Would you mind if we talked?"**

They nod so Akira sits on the couch next to them.

Akira: **"You certainly had us worried today. How are you feeling?"**

Hollow: \*I feel alright.\*

Akira: **"Oh! Good! If you are doing better, perhaps there is no need but...."**

He sticks his hand out to Hollow.

Akira: **"Would you allow me to heal you? Just in case?"**

He hesitates for a bit, and then give his hand to Akira.

Akira: **"Thank you. It will put Seraphina and I at ease. That was very reckless today! I can't believe you would endanger yourself so thoughtlessly! What if you were seriously hurt? Or worse!"**

He looks at Akira while remembering all the times he was struck by him.

He signs to Akira saying he is a \*Thing.\*

Akira: **"You are NOT a thing! I don't who, or what, gave you such a stupid idea in your head but I will give them a word or several about that! I hope you know that Seraphina and I do not see you in that way. We'd be very distressed if you were ever hurt."**

He lets go of Hollow's hand.

Akira: **"There you go! Though I'm not sure if the healing helped."**

They look at their finger and there's no orange blood on it. They give a thumbs up.

Akira: **"Um, yes."**

He looks to a different direction. Hollow sees him clenching his fist and silently breathing nervously. He can sense that he wants to say something, but he doesn't want to.

Akira: **"Do you.... happen to know someone named Ver-"**

A loud BANG is heard across the house. Both jump and become surprised. Hollow the most.

Akira: **".... That's probably Seraphina. I better check on her. She gets restless in her sleep."**

He adjusts his glasses and stands up from the couch.

Hollow: \*Is she OK Akira?\*

Akira: **"Nah, don't worry Hollow Knight! This happens from time to time. It's nothing that I can't handle! You are much more than you give yourself credit. You are an outstanding person and one day, you will see it too. Good night, Hollow Knight."**

As he leaves, Hollow looks down with a worried face. They put their hand on their left eye that has a large crack on it. He continues to speak distortedly.

Hollow: "Good night..... Akira....."

He lays down, and begins to have nightmares.

The memories then flash to an Infected Hollow Knight locked in chains in the Black Egg temple, as they roar inside the room, with their mandibles fully out as they struggle in their chains, suffering of the Radiance's grasp. The memories then flash to the Pale King scolding at young Hollow as he says, "You are a thing! You are not supposed to feel ANYTHING!" He slaps him to the floor so hard, it cracks his left eye. "You are the Pure Vessel. You are supposed to seal the Radiance. Now act like it and get back up!" He tries to stop himself from crying, and gets back up. He nods and puts up his nail. The next memory is of the adult version of himself being chained up in the Temple of the Black Egg, as the Pale King watches over them. Hollow: "Father. You are a fool for doing this. Your kingdom will fall because of your cowardly deeds!" Pale King: "Silence. It will be done now. But do not worry. Through your sacrifice, Hallownest shall remain eternal." As he closes the door to the Temple, he says "Good night..... Hollow Knight..." The memories then flash to see a Young Hollow Knight look at the edge of the Abyss, where the skulls of the thousands of his Vessel Siblings lay motionless. As he turns to the light behind him, it closes to black. He becomes shocked and turns to see a hand grab the edge of the dock. He crawls back away from the edge of the dock as the King's Door quickly closed shut behind him. He jumps back and takes out a small nail to the monster. It comes up to be Ghost, but his skull is in multiple cracks and it seems to be dead. It comes close and mutters to Hollow saying, "Family shattered..... Siblings dead.... Your fault....." Hollow: "I'm sorry! I couldn't do anything!" Ghost: "You could have..... stopped him.... from hurting... us..... but YOU. DID. NOTHING!" The skull finally shatters, and Void pours out of the skull until it fills the room until Hollow only sees the Shade Lord towering over him. The eldritch beast leans over and consumes him whole. Hollow begins to drift around inside the empty black space. As he crouches down to hide his eyes, he looks up to see an Infected version of himself with a blade of light pierced inside the middle of their chest. When they look up higher, they see a large moth-like goddess looking down at them like a puny being. She continues to say "Burn", "You failed.", and "Too weak." As she laughs evily, a massive holed hand grabs her and lifts her up, as the Infected Hollow Knight's corpse falls into the Void beneath. A large creature with a bright eye looks down at Hollow as he holds his nail up to the figure. In the thing's giant where the Radiance is held, he destroys it as Hollow hears a large crack from it as the Radiance becomes motionless and melts into Dream dust particles. The thing leans down to him, staring at him with it's 0-shaped pupil. It distortedly speaks to him, "a PiEcE oF mE..... fOr A pIeCe Of YoU...." Hollow then gets swarmed by hands of Void as the door to the Black Egg closes, with the Pale King saying, "Good night, HOLLOW KNIGHT."

He gasps as he wakes up. He looks at his black hands in the dark, and begins to cry void as he crawls on the couch and sleeps in a fetal position while still crying. He begins to mutter himself asleep.

Hollow: "Not.... Hollow...." "Ghost, Kin, Moss, I'm sorry." "Couldn't... protect...."

# Shorts

## Short #1: Bad Influence

Seraphina sits down on the couch while Hollow leans near her on the floor as she watches a tankwondo tournament round.

Sera: *"So how's the book coming Hollow?"*

Hollow: *\*I LIKE IT\**

Sera: *"Hey not bad buddy. How about I show you a couple more 'advanced' signs that aren't in the book? They are good ones too. If you sign them to Akira, he'll be incredibly impressed."*

* 20 seconds later.

Akira is seen walking through the 2nd floor hallway carrying a basket of fresh laundry. Hollow walks up to them.

Akira: **"Oh. Hello Hollow! Is there something you need?"**

He sticks up the middle finger to Akira.

Akira: **"OH MY GOD! HOW RUDE! WHERE DID YOU EVEN LEARN THAT?!"**

Sera is seen laughing unintelligibly on the couch as Akira screams her name in the distance.

Akira: **"SERA!!!"**

A little after, Sera is seen sitting on the porch, drinking from a root beer can. Hollow goes to her, asking what she has.

Sera: *"Oh, my drink? I mostly drink these to calm me down. Wanna try it?"*

* 2 minutes later

Akira comes back, seeing Hollow drinking from the can and liking it. Sera drinks from a fresh new one.

Akira: **"Sera! Why the hell does he have those!?"**

Sera: *"I wasn't expecting them to actually like it, I swear!"*

They are now in the kitchen, where Hollow is holding a box of Sera's store brownies with some brownie pieces in their..... (Mouth? Mandibles? Jesus, Hollow Knight anatomy is so confusing!). Anyways, Akira complains to her about them.

Akira: **"Seraphina! Brownies are not food!"**

Sera: *"No way Aki, it's got all the basic food groups."*

Akira: **"That's the last straw, Sera! You are being a VERY terrible influence on them!"**

Sera: *"Oh come on Akira. IT's not THAT bad."*

Hollow taps their shoulder. Akira turns up to look at them.

Akira: **"Yes Hollow Knight? Don't worry, I'm not upset with you."**

Hollow: *"What's (THIS) mean?" He makes a certain sign. (THIS = Asshole)*

Akira's eyes brighten widely. A lens from his glasses cracks a little from the stress.

Sera: *"Eh tu, man?"*

Akira slowly turns his neck with one glowing orange eye looking over his shoulder at Seraphina, who is sweating nervously.

* 15 seconds later

Seraphina is seen in a corner of the house sitting down with a cone on her head saying 'Bad Influence'. The corner is protected with Caution tape. Hollow is seen looking over her.

Sera: "Alright, I get it bro. Can I take the cone off now?"

## Short #2: Befriending Nature

A white moth is seen on a flower. In an instant, Hollow strikes his nail and barely misses the moth, destroying the flower. As it's nail strikes through the air and the ground, the moth keeps dodging it. It shadow dashes towards it and just as it is about to deal the blow, Sera stops him.

Sera: *"NOOOO!"*

Akira is seen behind the Hollow Knight shelled inside his jacket with the moth on his head.

Sera: *"We DO NOT attack innocent insects!"*

He sheathes his nail. He's wearing a moss green sweater with loose jeans and a long, red scarf.

Sera: *"What the hell possessed you to attack?"*

He signs that they are enemies.

Sera: *"They are not enemies!"*

Akira is seen asleep while standing in the same position with the moth on his head.

Sera: *"Insects are perfectly friendly and harmless! You have nothing to fear of them! Why they be future friends!"*

A meme of him shows up signing *\*Visible Confusion\**

He points at a group of birds.

Sera: *"Those are birds Hollow. They aren't dangerous."*

He then points to a sleeping black dog.

Sera: *"A dog. He can be friendly too."*

He then points to a green bird with two hands.

Silence comes from her. And then her expression turns grim.

Her voice turns distorted as she speaks.

Sera: *"Hollow.... give me your nail..... NOW...."*

Hollow: *\*I thought all animals were friendl-\**

Her eyes immediately turn bloodshot red as she takes out her gun.

Sera: *"I said.... GIVE ME THE FUCKING NAIL HOLLOW!!"*

* 3 hours later....

{Akira: **'Eventually, me and Hollow were able to calm down Seraphina. By having to pin her down and sedate her. I still don't get why or how that one bird makes her so angry. I guess it's just another mystery to add up onto this strange city she likes to call home.'**}

## Bonus: Ballad of the Hollow Knight

No cost to great.

No mind to think.

No will to break.

No voice to cry suffering.

Born of God and Void.

Under lock and key of the Dreamers three.

Monomon The Teacher, deep within the Teacher's Archives.

Lucien the Watcher, resting in Watcher's Spire.

Herrah the Beast, hidden inside the webs of the Beast's Den.

With their dying wish, Hallownest lasts eternal.

Hidden in the Temple of the Black Egg.

As they await death, it only grows stronger inside you.

You shall seal the blinding light that plagues their dreams.

You are the Vessel.

You are the Hollow Knight.

-Hollow