No Emotions to Feel

Ch 4 : The Great Five

The small vessel was sent to assist The Five Great Knights. Though most were skeptical of the vessel's ability, they welcomed it with open arms. It would be with them for years after all, so they might as well get to know it. They had only been informed that the vessel would follow any order it could, and nothing more. Not knowing what else to do, they took it on a standard patrol.

What was supposed to be a simple task for the first day, soon turned chaotic.

Dryya and Hegemol were walking with the vessel in The Pale City, passing an area blocked off for the construction of what looked to be a fountain.

They had just passed The Royal Waterways, when they saw infected citizens trying to attack a group of people. Rushing to help, Dryya sent a quick "help kill the infected" to the vessel before leaving.

The infected were easy enough to deal with, but when the two knights turned around the vessel wasn't there. Not a second later, they heard a crash from around a nearby corner. Rounding it as fast as they could, they saw something they would never forget.

The small vessel was standing in the middle of the street, surrounded by orange-splattered corpses.

A terrified family trembled against a nearby wall, the final infected guard limping towards them. Before the Great Knights could act, the small vessel moved.

Moved would be an understatement. Before the infected bug could finish its step the vessel had already placed itself between it and the family, slashing the bug's chest open. The guard fell into a heap, dead at the vessel's feet.

The scene itself was telling enough of the vessel's skill, but when they looked closer they saw something unbelievable. Although orange blood covered the vessel and corpses, there was not a drop on any of the walls or sidewalks. All the blood was pooling into a singular spot in the street too, slowly flowing down a drain. (The King was known to be a bit of a clean freak, so this was probably from his influence)The family got no gore on them either, and claimed that the vessel moved its cloak so they couldn't see it kill the bug.

Dryya and Hegemol were shocked to say the least, and soon realized that they completely underestimated the small vessel. Not only was the vessel skilled in combat, but it had taken the family's mental state into consideration.

So, after getting the vessel and street cleaned up, they told the others what had happened. It was safe to say that none of them wasted any time in taking the vessel under their non-exsistant wings. The vessel went from just assisting them, to also being trained by them. Over the next years, they would consider it a Great Knight as well.

Mighty Hegemol trained the vessel in increasing its physical strength. Although he could only help so much for its small form, the vessel could now properly wield a standard nail without struggling.

Fierce Dryya trained the vessel in increasing its speed and agility, specializing in dodging and quick rescues. The vessel's movement speed had nearly quadrupled, and it could now sometimes beat Dryya in their obstacle course races.

Loyal Ogrim helped the vessel increase its charm capacity, and taught the vessel of all the important figures in Hallownest. Telling not only stories and legends to vessel, he also taught it how to find weak spots in its enemies.

Kindly Isma taught the vessel everything she knew about each area in Hallownest, from the environment to the dangers inhabiting them. She also taught the vessel to read and write, seeing as it could only nod or shake its head as any response.

Mysterious Ze'mer taught the vessel how to better its gain, focus, and use of soul. Focusing mostly on healing and defensive spells, she also taught it how to create real objects out of soul. Starting out with a flower, the vessel could now replicate its daggers with enough soul.

The Great Five couldn't help but enjoy the vessels company, wishing it could stay with them forever.

But their time with the vessel was running out. The Pure Vessel would be sealed eventually, and The King would want its small vessel back.

So, after the vessel outdid all of their teachings, they decided to each give it a gift.

Hegemol and Ogrim gave the vessel a nail, fitting the vessel perfectly. Hegemol having commissioned the nail and found the pale ore for it, and Ogrim carving a mark of honor into the bottom of the blade.

Dryya gave the vessel a new cloak. Looking near identical to its original, it provided more mobility to match the vessel's speed.

Isma gave the vessel her blessing, allowing the vessel to traverse through most natural dangers. It also allowed the vessel to have a more acute awareness and connection with its surroundings.

Ze'mer gave the vessel a satchel to carry small items around, and a tiny seed in a jar. She told the vessel to plant it if it ever needed comfort.

They spent as much time as they could bringing the vessel on patrols and into meetings, while also encouraging it to take care of itself.

However the infection was become more of a threat than ever,

so The King decided to seal the Pure Vessel early.