Blood Wasp

**Blood Wasp**, commonly referred to as **Wasp**, is the main protagonist of Hollow Knight: Deathzone, as well as the main protagonist of the film of the same name. He is the only gendered child born under the Pale King the White Lady.

Wasp was a vessel who lived amongst his siblings prior to the fall of Hallownest. As a child, he was sent away to a distant land known as the “Deathzone” by his parents. During the search for the Pure Vessel, the Pale King had killed millions of vessels and left there shades in the Abyss. To protect his gendered child, he had sent Wasp away so he wouldn’t end up with his dead siblings.

He had returned to Hallownest and eventually, his memory had faded and he had forgotten about his past. Wasp became a member of a traveling circus known as the Grimm Troupe, taking part in it’s ritual to feed the Nightmare's Heart. After his services in the Troupe throughout the kingdom, he had returned home to find his siblings gone. Unable to find them, he left, seeking answers in his old home, the Deathzone.

## Lore

### Background

Wasp was born as a gendered child under the Pale King and White Lady. He shares a similar body to his other vessel siblings such as The Knight, though he has four horns. Not much is known about Blood Wasp's childhood, as his father sent him away during the search for the Pure Vessel and the purge of his siblings. He ends up in a distant land known as the Deathzone, which is far more dangerous than Hallownest. Due to this harsh environment, Blood Wasp became well-suited and tougher as he grew.

Sometime in-between being sent away and returning to Hallownest, he joins the Grimm Troupe, a travelling circus that secretly runs an ancient, nightmarish ritual. Blood Wasp serves the circus and unknowingly helps fuel the Nightmare's Heart, a Higher Being responsible for corrupting the dreams of several insects. Blood Wasp gains a red cloak and forges dual-nails, unlike other vessels, which only use one.

### Exploring Hallownest

Eventually, Wasp is called back to Hallownest, though his memory is foggy and he forgets his true home. The kingdom of Hallownest itself has fallen, and Wasp decides to explore it. He first meets Elderbug, an old insect that stands alone in the fading town of Dirtmouth. He explored the Forgotten Crossroads, a system of crossroads beneath Dirtmouth, and encounters the False Knight, a large, intimidating foe. After defeating his enemy, he is led into Greenpath, where he battles the Vengefly King, and saves a gentleman known as Zote, who had accidentally stumbled into the Vengefly nest. Wasp then follows a young insect known as Hornet, who is revealed to be his half-sister. Wasp then explores the Fungal Wastes, a fungal jungle underneath the Forgotten Crossroads and Greenpath. He explores the Mantis Village, and eventually makes his way into the City of Tears. There, he is ambushed by the Scholars, a social tribe living within a section of the City known as the Soul Sanctum.

Soon, he makes his way into the Royal Waterways, where he battles the Dung Defender, a large, jolly dung beetle. Next, Wasp finds the Resting Grounds, where he finds the true purpose of his Journey: he was called into Hallownest to defeat an ancient monster that is cause of the kingdom's downfall: the Radiance. Wasp explores the grounds, as well as the Crystal Peaks and Howling Cliffs. He soon stumbles upon the Grimm Troupe, and is attacked by the Grimmkin, the henchmen army of the troupe. Fortunately, he is saved my Nailmaster Mato, who defeats some of the Grimmkin and brings Wasp into Greenpath. Wasp explores Fog Canyon next, and returns to the Fungal Wastes afterwards. Wasp eventually finds himself dueling the Mantis Lords, the leaders of the Mantis Tribe. He proves himself to be a true warrior by defeating them and is granted access to a locked, deadly cave sysem known as Deepnest. He battles Nosk, a large beast hidden in Deepnest. Wasp continues into the Ancient Basin, a basin underneath the City of Tears' sewers. He battles against one of his fallen siblings and obtains the Monarch Wings, which helps him reach the Kingdom's Edge. Wasp eventually takes over his father's title as the King of Hallownest after being marked with the King's Brand.

### The Grimm Troupe

He returns to Dirtmouth, which is now run by the Grimm Troupe. He is eventually hired by the troupe's master, Troupe Master Grimm, and now works for the Troupe. He is set out on a journey to find and collect flames for Grimm, which is used for the Nightmare's Heart's ritual.

Wasp explores the White Palace and the Abyss next, and upon his return, realizes that the Radiance has infected the entirety of the Forgotten Crossroads. Angered, Wasp sets out to defeat the Radiance. He must defeat three Dreamers, mystical insects locked away in different parts of the kingdom. He eventually destroys all of them known, with two he had defeated previously back in Fog Canyon and Deepnest. Wasp makes his way down into the Queens' Gardens, home to the White Lady, his long lost mother.

### Encounter With Scorpion

While returning to the Grimm Troupe, Wasp encounters Scorpion, a child of the Pale King like himself. Scorpion and their companion, Drak, initiates combat Wasp, as the both of them see each other as threats. Their fight is interrupted by Grimm and Alphite, another member of the Troupe. Alphite attempts to kill Drak, and Scorpion defends it. Seeing all this happen, Wasp realizes this is the perfect chance to defeat the Troupe and end the ritual. He joins in with Scorpion and the two decide to work together, with both of them battling Alphite. Alphite is eventually beat. As a last resort, Alphite sends the three to the Nightmare Realm, where they must battle against a monstrous demon known as "The Crimson Beast."

Wasp and Scorpion work together to fight the Crimson Beast, and eventually overpower it and defeat it. They are unable to slay it, however, as Grimm interrupts once again. Angered and trying to end the ritual so that he doesn't need to continue, Wasp tries to attack Grimm. Unfortunately, he is blocked and betrayed by his new ally Scorpion, who is trying to seal the Nightmare's Heart as opposed to destroying it. Wasp pulls out his other nail and the two battle once more. Wasp is eventually wounded by Scorpion, and with help from Drak, the latter manages to knock Wasp to the ground. Wasp stands back up, but instead of accepting defeat, stabs the unconscious Crimson Beast, killing it and sending the two back to the real world.

Wasp manages to flee before Scorpion awakes, and failing to kill Grimm once again, must continue the ritual and his search for the flames.

### The Nightmare King

Wasp eventually decides to challenge the Radiance herself, but not everything goes as planned. Wasp has to fight the Hollow Knight, the vessel chosen by the Pale King to seal the Radiance. Unfortunately, the Hollow Knight failed, which led to the infection spreading through the kingdom. As they fight, Hornet joins Wasp, and the two battle the Hollow Knight together. Eventually, the Hollow Knight falls, but doesn't stay down. The infected vessel slashes at the walls and cuts one of the columns of the temple, causing it to collapse. Wasp and Hornet barely make it out, but they are now unable to reach the Radiance.

Wasp doesn't give up yet, however. Another threat still looms - that being the Nightmare's Heart. Wasp continues to collect flames and eventually battles with Grimm once more, this time in a sector of the Dream Realm known as the "Nightmare Realm." The Nightmare's Heart beats in the background, and several Grimmkin watch as Wasp duels Nightmare King Grimm: a much more powerful form of Grimm.

Wasp eventually stabs Grimm one final time and finally defeats him, putting a cease to the ritual and ridding Dirtmouth of the Grimm Troupe.

## Inventory

Unlike the Knight, the Blood Wasp fights with two nails instead of one. He can obtain Nail Arts throughout his journey, which require Flame to be used.

Wasp will also learn different nail tricks and combos on his journey, and successfully performing them on enemies rewards him with Metallic scraps, which converts into Flame. He can also collect other scraps which he can use to make purchases on his journey.

## Behavior and Tactics

These are Blood Wasp’s behavior and tactics he uses during his boss fight.