The Red Knight

Drawing and Character by ArchAngel217

In the game Hollow Knight: The Red Glare, the Red Knight is featured as the main playable character. The game is set in an almost infected Hallownest that is slowly succumbing to the Infection. The areas are seen as they are long before the events of Hollow Knight. The Fungal Wastes are now seen as the Mantis Kingdom, as they have not yet been infected and turned into a wasteland. Many other lands are seen differently, as shown down below.

## History

As the Radiance' Infection seeped into Hallownest, the Pale King searched for a way to seal her. First, he tried crafting a "Vessel," designed to seal Infection and the Radiance. He found that shaping them was not enough and "the Red Knight" was incapable of sealing the Radiance, only holding Infection, so he cast it aside. Unbeknownst to him, the Red Knight, without memory, and only knowing himself as "Red," still lived. His only instinct was to absorb the infection. Soon, he found himself in the Howling Cliffs. He met the Nailmaster Mato and devoted himself to the way of the nail, even crafting his own spear-like nail, that was designed like a pen, and able to spray ink-like Infection that he purified. He trained on many creatures, dotting the area with corpses. Finally, he was ready to fight Mato. Proud of his student, Mato challenged Red to seek out his brethren, the Nailmasters, and the legendary Shatterer of Nails and challenge them to learn their techniques. Red thanked him for his teachings and departed, landing in the Forgotten Crossroads...
Right after landing he meets the Shatterer of Nails. This powerful Higher Being introduces himself, and bows. He warns Red not to follow him, or there will be combat. Red defiantly draws his nail and stares down this great foe. The Shatterer of Nails laughs, stating from this point on they would be rivals. He dashes away, leaving Red in the Crossroads.

### Abilities

Though incapable of sealing the Radiance, the Red Knight can absorb bits of Infection and store it behind his mask - hence the red eyes. Instead of using SOUL, the Red Knight expends Infection that he collected to heal and use abilities. His Nail is filled with ink created using Infection that he purified.

## In-game description

### Bosses Fought

* Nailmaster Mato
* Hornet(young)
* Mantis Lords
* Nailmaster Sheo
* "Mighty" Hegemol
* "Kindly" Isma
* "Fierce" Dryya
* Nailmaster Oro
* "Mysterious" Ze'mer
* "Loyal" Ogrim
* Shatterer of Nails
* Nailsage Sly
* The Hive Queen
* Black Beast
* Shatterer of Nails (Infected)
* The Nail Father - Final Boss

### Attacks

* Nail Slash - (X) or ()
* Jump - (A) or (X)
* Ink Spray - (B) or (o)
* Nail Slam (Obtained after defeating Hegemol) - (Y) or (Δ)
* Focus - (Hold + B) or (Hold + o)
* Dash (Obtained after defeating Young Hornet for the first time) - (RT)
* Cyclone Slash (Obtained after defeating Mato) - (Hold + X) or (Hold + )
* Great Slash (Obtained after defeating Sheo) - (Hold + Y) or (Hold + Δ)
* Dash Slash (Obtained after defeating Oro) - (RT + X) or (RT + )
* Crystal Dash (Obtained from Crystal Caverns) - (Hold + RT)
* Rampage (Obtained after defeating the Shatterer of Nails) - (Spam + X) or (Spam + )
* Shockwave (Obtained after defeating Nailsage Sly) (Red plunges his nail into the ground, sending shockwaves in each direction) - (Hold + X + Down) or (Hold +  + Down)
* Spin Jump (Obtained after defeating the Hive Queen) - Press JUMP twice

### Goal

Defeat the Nail Father, to prove his skill with the nail. Though, unbeknownst to him, ultimately spreading the Infection.