Repentance

Too Kind A Fate

Deep breath in, deep breath out. The constant drone of the rain did nothing to soothe the pit forming in your stomach. The armor covering your shell felt too cold making you shiver. You tried to steady yourself; what kind of soldier quivers before their king? You were supposed to be a fearless protector of Hallownest, not some noble snob who quakes at the mention of- You shook your head then clapped your cheeks lightly. Deep breath in, deep breath out.

You were doing your morning rounds when two bugs approached you. They were poised and well-groomed, shell smooth and shiny. They held no weapons, showed no animosity; the white drapes adorning them were enough a warning to any bug foolish enough to stand in their way. They were servants of the White Palace, you realized, face paling. They live to serve the king, die to serve the king, and they would only ever leave the palace to serve the king. You hoped they were seeking someone else, but it was clear once they closed in on you that your presence is requested at the palace.

You served with undying loyalty, did your duty flawlessly. There was no reason for you to be scared, yet you couldn't silence your beating heart or stop the sweat from beading on your brow.

The same servants from before came into the waiting hall, urging you forward with a flick of the wrist. You wasted no time getting up and heading into the throne room.

Despite everything in the palace being a stark, empty white, your Pale King overshadowed it all. You couldn't take your eyes off him. He loomed over you despite his height being less than conventional. Bathed in the light of his presence, you almost forgot to kneel. The Wyrm looked at you with scrutiny, looking for something. You didn't know what it was, but you felt compelled to put forth your best qualities, hoping to be found worthy. You brushed your fears aside, straightening your posture and putting one hand upon your heart. You dipped your head a little lower, but lifted your gaze upwards looking him in the eye. Moments felt like hours, as he stared deep into your very soul. You hoped he saw your adoration, your devotion, all for him and him alone.

The Wyrm finally snapped out of his statuesque state, extending his hand and motioning for you to stand. You did so maintaining eye-contact.

"As you know, a plague has broke out recently." He paused as if waiting for you to answer. You nodded on instinct, even though everyone knew about the plague even if they didn't see its effects firsthand. "I have been working on a solution, one to end this curse for good and bring peace back to Hallownest."

You tilted your head ever so slightly. What did you have to do with all of that?

"To carry out my plans, I need your aid." For a second you wandered if you were dreaming, but you weren't. Your dreams had become obscure and hard to remember recently.

"How so, my King? How can I serve you?" You wanted to strangle yourself at the hint of desperation in your voice. But who could blame you? After all, many would kill to be in your place. While the mere fact that you were needed by The Wyrm was a great honor, directly helping to end the plague would guarantee you become part of the kingdom's history; everlasting as Hallownest.

The king walked down the rungs leading to his throne then stopped before you. He was so close you feared he could hear your heart hammering in your chest. You tried to breathe, but his presence was too suffocating.

"Shall you disclose any of what I'm about to tell you, you will be executed." His tone was sharp and low, a sudden change from his previous composed speech.

You nodded profusely before vocalizing "I would never betray your trust, my King."

He nodded once, satisfied with your answer. "Then follow me, solider."

At first you thought you were going to take an important job, a special one only for you. But you weren't the first, and should you prove inefficient, you wouldn't be the last. Vessels, he called them. Empty beings of void with no will of their own, no mind to think, no voice to cry out. Not like they needed to. Not the ones you had to look after, at least. The king didn't tell you where they came from, and although curiosity was eating at your brain, you knew you were in no place to ask. Good soldiers carry out orders silently, efficiently and without hesitation. That's what you were looking for, as rows and rows of vessels stood before you.