The Forgotten Kingdom

Chapter 4

It was dark, the air was warm, and he was troubled. He paced silently around his quarters, thinking. He had just awoken from an odd dream. He had been chasing someone. A girl. Through the ever silent ruin of Hallownest. He had never seen this girl before. Who was she? And why would she suddenly appear in his dreams? Why would he even dream in the first place?

A knock on the door shook him from his thoughts. "Enter." He narrowed his eyes, watching the door open, shoulders relaxing slightly as his longest known friend entered the room. "Ah. Brumm. It's you. What is it my friend?" He watched as the musician shuffled his feet, looking at him, seeming nervous. 

"Master... I was wondering... If you were alright..?" He blinked, confused. Had Brumm suddenly gained the ability to read minds? "Yes Brumm, i am alright. Why do you ask?" More nervous shuffling. He was starting to lose his patience. "Well... Master... I heard you crying out in your sleep. You were mumbling, and growling, and shouting... I didn't dare enter to wake you... But I've never heard you shout like that when you were sleeping... I was worried."

He stood rooted to the spot, suddenly unable to speak, his mind reeling. He had been shouting in his sleep? Why would he be shouting in hi sleep? Muttering, growling? Growling he could understand, he had been in a rather heated chase after that girl... But he did not remember shouting at her... "I was... Thinking of the ritual, Brumm. I am fine. Your concern is appreciated, but unnecessary." 

The musician relaxed a little, no longer nervous, instead now seeming more worried than anything. He knew Brumm hated the ritual. He was not fond of it either, but the dull thudding in the air that echoed throughout the realm reminded him that it was a necessity. The Nightmare Heart had to persist. The ritual ensured that it did. "Master... It has been a while since the last ritual... We... We will have to do it again soon, won't we?" 

He looked at brumm. "Yes Brumm. The Nightmare Heart's beat is slowing. It will need to be fed the flames of the nightmare king again soon." Brumm shuffled his feet. "Master... Grimm..." Grimm frowned. Brumm rarely used his name to address him. He sighed, relaxing more, he cared for Brumm, the musician had been his friend for a very long time, of many reincarnations. And he would be there for longer still. Brumm was one of the few he actually spoke casually with, but only in private. He didn't dare think what the grimmkin would think if they saw him having an idle chat instead of giving orders to prepare for the next ritual. 

"Brumm. I know you dislike the specifics of the ritual. Most of the troupe does. But we know it is a necessity. To keep the heart alive and to ensure our realms persistence. I am reborn through the grimmchild, my memories restored in fire and nightmare. I remember all." He smiled as Brumm nods. "I know Grimm... But I still dread it. I always fear something may go wrong, and that you will not return, or retain your memories..." 

Grimm blinked. Of all the things Brumm could have worried about. He was worried that he would lose his friend. "Brumm. Come here." He watched as he approached, then drew him into a rather awkward hug. He had never been good at comforting others. "I know, regardless of what happens. Even if I do not return or retain my memories, you will bring me back. Somehow. It's what you do." He released the musician, clearing his throat. "Now, enough of this nonsensical worry. There has never been a ritual to fail, and there won't be any time soon." 

Brumm nods, comforted by his masters words. He knew that if Grimm said it, it was true. "I made breakfast master. Would you like some?" He asked as he heads to the door to leave. "Yes Brumm. I'll be along shortly." The musician nods, leaving the room, the door shutting behind him, leaving Grimm to sigh deeply. He had lied so blatantly to his friend. There had been times when the ritual had failed. And he had lost his memories, or not even been reincarnated in flames. This usually happened when the troupe was summoned, and the summoner died before the rituals completion,  or if the grimmchild was killed or injured. He thinks back to the previous ritual. 

Hallownest. There was still much anguish and sorrow in that forgotten place. The Shade Lord having sealed it off from outside forces after devouring The Radiance and destroying the infection that plagued it. The sickly sweet smell of it still clung to his senses, and he had lost his taste for sweets. He knew it would pass. But he found himself often returning to that place, wandering, catching glimpses of any remaining bugs still clinging to life, Hornet. 

The Hollow Knight. He frowned. Ghost. The little vessel had given his life and body to give new life to The Shade Lord. The massive entity of pure void that he did his best to avoid whenever he found himself in Hallownest. He shook his head. He had to forget that place. Its memories. He put on his cloak, and left his room to go get whatever breakfast Brumm had made.