Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Specter knight was walking down the halls with the rest of the order. After everyone had been defeated by Shovel knight they saw no point in remaining there at the ruined dining area. Specter looked back at his fellow knights, he counted their helmets as a way to pass the time as they walked down long hallways and never-ending staircases. two, four, six… wait six? This can't be right. Specter checked who was there. King and Treasure were chatting about gold and their lavish lifestyles by his left, Mole and Propeller were behind him deep in conversation about juices and bread, and Polar was at his right with a very tired Tinker on his shoulder. Where was plague knight? Had he slipped away from the group when no one was looking? Specter looked around once, twice, still no sign of the small snickering alchemist.

Specter decided to speak up, “Hey guys.. Where's plague knight-” Specter was suddenly cut off by an enormous boom that came from above. Everyone looked up at the ceiling and poor Tinker fell off of Polars shoulder. Tiny pieces of debris fell to the ground.

“I think plague could be at fault for all that noise.” Tinker wheezed from the floor.
Mole nodded and said “what's he doing up there?” At this point the ground was covered with dust and debris. The walls were shaking and bigger pieces of the ceiling slammed onto the floor, breaking on impact.

“It doesn't matter what he's doing we need to get out of here, my lovely cape is getting all dusty and gross!” King knight whined, a sound that might as well have been nails on a chalkboard, it hurt Specter’s ears all the same. But he wasn't wrong, the tower was collapsing and if they didnt get out of there in time they would all perish. Memories of when he was alive pelted him like stones. Images of that horrible amulet room and Luans shouting, the stones and dust, he was so close. He could have grabbed it, the memories stopped at the floor collapsing and him falling under rubble. But he wouldn't be dying this time, no he would leave this tower.

Specter knight bolted down the hallway along with the other knights. Tinker had been picked up by Propeller, unfortunately he couldn't fly, Shovel knight had broken his propeller blades and Tinker couldn't fix it in their current situation. Mole knight was in front breaking through walls if needed. Small insects and creatures were scuttling around trying to exit this treacherous tower. Specter could have sworn that a few liquid samurai were slipping by and soaking through whatever crevasses and holes they could find to escape.

They must be getting close to the ground. The hallways got longer, and the stairs shortened. Mole knight burst through the deep purple wall that blocked their freedom. And there it was, the exit. Everyone rushed outside, some pushing other knights in the process. They kept on running until they were a safe distance away from the tower and the numerous glass shards and rubble that would crash down and go flying. The order of no quarter was left panting as they watched as dark purple walls and spires came crashing down. Specter could have sworn that he saw a figure clad in armor as dark as the night sky, with crimson horns and outlines on their armor. In their arms was cerulean armor, their horns a bit wider. But they weren't on the ground, were they… flying? But before Specter could get a better look, they vanished behind a collapsing wall and into the forest.

The tower had fully collapsed now, there was no sign of the enchantress. Was this it? Was he finally free? Specter's thoughts were interrupted by the cheering of the former order. It took him a while until he too celebrated the enchantress's defeat. Freedom, something Specter thought he would never be able to have. He was free and he sure was celebrating. At the lich yard, plague knight and a woman named Mona who was plagues new love had set up a game. Plague explained to Specter that all he had to do was hit the potion bottle onto platforms to earn points. Specter had competed with various invisishades and boneclangs and was enjoying himself for the first time in months!

When Specter knight had tuckered himself out, he had gone to a passage that his eyes only should see. Hoping to see his beloved locket once again. But unfortunately, someone else had laid eyes upon the chest that was just down the hallway. Specter knight beheld the open chest in horror. No, no, this couldn't have happened. Surely whoever peeked inside the chest wouldn't have touched his beloved locket, right? Wrong, he was so, so, wrong. Who could have done this? Why would they do this? That was Luans locket. He was given that locket because he was family. How could he lose it? How could he have been so foolish enough to leave it in this place. He thought it was hidden well, he was a stupid fool. He should have kept it in the folds of his scarf. He slammed his fist on the chest. He barely registered the sharp pain in his hand as he lifted the chest up and slashed it to pieces with his scythe. He stormed out seething with rage and grief.

This was supposed to be a happy ending. It wasn't supposed to end like this! Specter knight lay in his hammock at the old hideout in the lich yard. He’d have to try his best to sleep tonight. He didn't need to sleep, and often stayed up awake. But tonight he decided that it would be best if he did. Eventually after hours of tossing and turning, he got into a comfortable position and drifted off to sleep.

Little did Specter knight know, this was not the end of his story. He will get his happy ending, And a certain stubborn knight wearing dark armor, with a voice no lower than a bird's chirp will make sure of that.

Chapter Text

Specter knight had awoken from his slumber, he decided that he should sleep more often.
He sat up, stretched his legs and climbed out of his dirty blue hammock. He swiftly tugged on his boots and He was halfway into putting on his gauntlets when he heard two knocks on the hideout's door.

“Hey um boss… are you awake yet?” Ah, it was the super skeleton outside. But why was he still here? The Enchantress’s tyrannical reign was over, he didn’t need to answer to him anymore. He wasn’t the boss of the Lich yard.

“Yes I am, I’ll come out in a second.” Specter replied. After all his armor was on and secured he climbed up the hideout's red ladder and into the open hallway where the door stood. He opened the door and was greeted by his former minion.

“Greggory.” Specter nodded. He had to look up, Greggory was taller than him, way taller. He was wearing a torn crimson cloak similar to Specters. He had a lantern in his bony hand, that was dim and seemed as if it would go out at any second.

“Hey boss! How’s your freedom?” Greggory asked enthusiastically.

“It’s alright, at least I don’t have to deal with the enchantress anymore. But you… why are you still here?” Specter answered.
Greggory tilted his head in confusion “what do you mean by that?”

“I shouldn’t be your boss anymore. The enchantress is gone, my power should be revoked.” Specter was confused, they both were. He was just a regular ghost now wasn’t he?

“Oh! About that, everyone just decided that you should lead the dead part of the Lich yard.” Greggory shrugged. “Both the living and the dead. With the exception of Phantom Striker of course…”
Specter blinked, he was taken aback. They did what?

“What.” Was it THAT easy to just decide who takes charge?

“Can you… not do it?” Greggory asked. Specter probably could manage the lich yard. He was just surprised, he didn’t think people would actually like his leadership.

“No, no, I can do it, I just wish I was properly informed of this discussion beforehand.” Specter leaned on a nearby wall. “It's just… it's only been one day and everyone has already decided?”

Greggory chuckled “of course! We definitely don't want Phantom Striker back. And well, you were the only other person we actually thought of. And you're a ghost, you’ve… watched over the Lich yard before. It's better than him!”
Maybe they didn't like his leading methods, that was fine. It seemed that he had room for multiple improvements.

“Alright I can do this.” Specter sighed.

“Great! Because the human lords want to speak to you.” Greggory exclaimed. “Follow me!” Greggory started to walk ahead of Specter.

“What? Now?” Specter couldn't object to this as it was too late, Greggory was far ahead. With a sigh he followed him.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The human lords wanted to speak to him? Last time he checked the living feared the dead. This was either going to go really well, or really, really bad.

“Hey, what is this meeting about?” Specter inquired.

“Oh! It’s about setting boundaries for where the more rowdy ghosts should live, and where the living live!” Greggory chuckled a bit at that.

“I see then…” Specter could understand why they would want boundaries up, some souls couldn’t remember who they once were, and would terrorize anyone who came close to them in a panic. Some would attack anything! Even a pile of rocks!

“Do you know who exactly will be there?” Specter knight asked, he didn’t care to memorize the local politicians. He didn’t even know any either.

“Oh yeah! Don't worry, only the two lords that ran this place previously. The only ones that are undead are us.”
Specter nodded, he was satisfied with that.

They were nearing the village, Specter was very nervous. The lords were important people and he had their attention. He hated attention, Nothing good ever comes of it.

Eventually they had reached the village filled with more living than dead. Cruising through the red and black colored houses, Specter saw the looks they had gotten and started walking a bit faster.

As they walked they noticed a man dressed in a navy blue coat with golden whorls embroidered into his cuffs, He had short black hair and pale skin. He walked up to them and bowed.
“Greetings milord, right this way” he gestured to a path and led the way.

“Milord?” Specter whispered to Greggory. The only person who had called him that was the Acolyte in the tower.

“Well you are the leader of the liches.” Greggory chuckled at the title. “From the looks of it, he must have been a servant. Servants will usually call you by a fancy title.” Specter knight inwardly sighed. He had a lot of adjusting to do.

They approached the manor, the shingles on the roof were gilded and the walls were white.
The servant opened the door for them, Specter nodded his thanks to the servant and walked in. The floors were made out of marble and the walls were a nice cream color. The space was massive with stairs on either side of the wall connecting to the second floor. Servants were scurrying up and down the stairs and into hallways and doors, They were all wearing lavish clothing. Specter knight felt very out of place here.

“The meeting room is right up these stairs, and it's straight down the hallway.” the servant bowed once more, before vanishing into another hallway. Specter and Greggory exchanged glances and continued on to the meeting room.

They walked in and Specter immediately noticed the large wooden dining table. It was similar to the one at the tower of fate except It had a red and black table cloth. A luxurious chandelier with purple candles hung from the ceiling above it.

Two men sat on one side of the table. One of them had tanned skin and a matching suit with the servant from earlier, He deduced that the servant must be working for him. The other man was old and had a gray suit with a black undershirt, he also wore a feathered cap on his head.

“Greetings Sir Specter, I am Sigmund. And this—” Sigmund gestured to the man in the gray suit “—is Thorley.” Thorley nodded, looking disinterested.

“It is a pleasure to meet you.” Specter replied. Beside him, Greggory bowed.
“It is an honor to be in the presence of two lords.” Greggory said, lifting his bow.
The two of them slid into the chairs across from Sigmund and Thorley, which left a comically large space between them.

Specter did his best not to shrink back into his seat from Thorleys piercing stare. Back in the tower with the order, Specter couldn’t see his cohort's eyes when they were unhappy. So this was very different.

“I’m sure you have heard what this meeting is about Sir Specter?” Sigmund asked.

“Of course, the boundaries between the living and the dead.” Specter answered and
Thorley nodded. “That, and we all must agree on a place for displaced families to go for the time being due to someone's actions” Thorley glared at Specter.
Specter glanced at Greggory, had he known about these details?

He felt a prickle of guilt in his chest. When he was in the order, it had all happened so fast. He hadn’t had time to think about the consequences of his actions, he was too busy pitying himself. Specter mentally cursed himself for letting himself forget, and for partying when he should have been begging for forgiveness from the villagers.

Greggory shouldered Specter knight and he quickly came to. He realized that no one had been talking and shifted in his seat.

Sigmund coughed uncomfortably “alright maybe it's time we get started.”
Sigmund had stood up, grabbed a map and unrolled it across the table. It was a big map of the lich yard, mapping all of the forests, ponds, and buildings.
“Now let us begin, anyone have any ideas? And ones that are fair to both sides?”

They all studied the map for a moment before Sigmund pointed to a patch of graves and said “this should be the point where we all start. It's high enough on the map to be a suitable location.” Thorley nodded and traced his finger in a downward curve to a larger grave, then upwards to a building with multiple graves and tapped his finger.
“There, that should be good.” Thorley said.

“No no, that’s unbalanced. The living side is much larger than the dead’s!” Sigmund shook his head and put his finger back onto the starting graves and traced downwards, slightly above Thorleys line and had curved more upwards then back down again until it finally came back up to the end building.

Specter pondered the placement of the lines for a moment, Thorley’s was obviously in favor of the living while Sigmund’s seemed equal but the line was shaped oddly. Eventually he formulated a border. a curve downwards like both of their lines, then it rose upwards until it reached the end point. He was about to explain his plans when greggory pointed to the starting point.

“I’ve got one, how about…” Greggorys finger curved down but not nearly as deep as the other lines, then went straight across a symbol of a bridge over a river and up towards a building then to the end point. Specter shook his head and Thorley made a quiet sound that specter interpreted as a sigh. The dead part of the lich yard was way bigger than the living side.

“That won’t work, it’s not equal.” Specter said, arms crossed.

“Oh.” Greggory sighed, shoulders dropped.

“Well,” Sigmund stood up and walked towards the map. “I think we know whose line we’re using.”

“Wait!” Everybody looked at Specter and he sat up straight. “Uh, I had an idea for the boundary lines…” under the table Specter had clamped his hands together. Sigmund had set the map where it once was again.
“Your line seemed… odd to me, So I thought that maybe…” Specter had demonstrated the line he had thought up, which earned a nod from Sigmund and Thorley.

“I guess that isn’t a bad border line.” Thorley folded his hands on his lap. “Can everyone agree on this line?” Greggory gave a thumbs up and Sigmund hummed in agreement.

“Ok then, it’s settled.” Thorley grabbed the map and replaced it with a more detailed map of the lich yard, with labeled villages and already existing border lines.
“I’ll have to ask someone to remake this map after this…” Thorley muttered.

Specter knight surveyed the map before him. There were three villages, Gloomsville; a fog covered village, Maidenville; an old abandoned village, It was very dirty. And Curiak; a village known for its shops (which he and Luan never frequented due to lack of funds). Red had told him about his “adventures” there in a rant about curios.

Next to Maidenville was the rickety forest. When he was alive, Luan had made him go alone as he had won a bet. He remembered it being dark and foggy, not a comfortable place to be.

“I wouldn’t suggest Curiak,” Sigmund started, “the market place is in no condition to house anyone and its current housing is completely full.” Specter nodded in agreement.

“Do you think we could make space in the forest to set up camp?” Greggory asked.

Specter thought back to his time at the forest, it was cold and the ground was damp with patches of freezing mud sprinkling the ground. Everywhere he went he could hear howls or some kind of animal communication. Eventually he had been attacked by a pack of wolves forcing him up a tree, where he was pecked by owls… not a very fun memory, Luan had laughed so hard during the retelling he was coughing.

“I’ve never been in the forest before, so of course I don't know its conditions.” Greggory mentioned.

“Ah I’ve had my fair share of encounters, it was… rather unpleasant.” Specter tapped his visor in thought. Where could people go without getting hurt?
“Is Gloomsville able to house people?” Specter asked.

“The space is very limited but it could work. However, we have an abundance of people so we’d have to find a second place to put them. And Maidenville to my knowledge has been in ruins for years.” Thorley replied.

“But where else could they go?” Greggory leaned in to study the map.

“Perhaps we should postpone this meeting until the proper opportunities arise. Thorley, how about you and I get to work on repairing the damages to our villages? Specter, can you scout Maidenville and see if anything can be done to make it more hospitable?” Sigmund said, rolling up the map and putting it with the other now outdated map. “Heard there was an abundance of dust from the abandoned houses. So much it could suffocate you.”

Specter nodded “of course, after this I’ll go immediately.”

“Great! I’ll make an announcement about the new borders. Greggory, can I trust you to play messenger whenever I need to reach Specter about the second meeting?”

Greggory gave an enthusiastic thumbs up, “you bet!” After this confirmation he had slipped out of the room. Specter looked towards where Thorley sat only to find him gone. Specter knight decided it was his turn to leave and turned to exit.

“Wait.” Sigmund had stepped in front of him, blocking the door. “I would like to apologize if Thorley made you uncomfortable earlier. You see, he’s been quite upset about the Order of No Quarter’s attacks. especially since Curiak was attacked first, a village he governs.”

Specter looked away, “I can understand. I would be upset too, it was a completely unexpected attack.”

Sigmund gave him a curt nod before leaving. What that meant, Specter did not know. Shortly after, Specter knight followed.

—————————————————————————————————————-

Specter knight was clutching an old map of his, treading wherever the markings told him the fastest way to his destination was. It wasn’t long before he noticed things had gone quiet. He looked up from his worn map and saw large red boulders in his path.

His surroundings were covered in red dust and the air was thick with the stuff. Specter didn’t need to breathe but that didn’t stop the clouded air reaching his decaying lungs and starting a long coughing fit.

He had reached the strange boulders only to find out they weren’t boulders at all, they were the remains of a house. Specter touched the dust covered door, it had orange mold growing on it and almost broke with one touch.

“Well, here I am… Maidenville.” Specter coughed.

He spied more houses and shifted closer to them. The first house was buried in dust, its door missing, leaving a hole too small for him to get through.

The second house wasn’t as dust covered but was still worn. Its door was missing as well and specter was able to crawl into it. The interior wasn’t much, there were a few broken chairs and crooked shelves with half shattered pots hidden in dust.

Specter knight threw off his cloak leaving behind his long black shirt and armor, he then quickly hung it over the door. This stopped some of the dust from coming in, however his lungs were still irritated. He sat on the dusty floor and pondered for a moment. The houses were in ruin and if the dust could irritate him then how would it feel to breathe it in? If only there was a way to get rid of all that dust…

Specter pulled out a newspaper cut, it was about Sigmund and Thorleys process rebuilding the damaged buildings scattered around the living portion of the Lich yard. It was a slow progression but it was progress nonetheless. And here Specter was, in a ruined house with no idea how to stuff people in here without them dying. He felt useless but he couldn’t just stop now, if he stopped where would those without a home go?

Specter rested for a couple of minutes before grabbing his cloak and squeezing back out of the old house. He spied a crooked brick on the side of the house and planted his foot on it. He lifted himself up and his hand found a large groove, his other hand found the roof and he climbed on top of it.

From atop the roof he had a somewhat clear view of the cliff edge and cluster of houses below him. They were either in neat rows or in messy piles on the floor. Specter had realized that the air was clearer down there and descended the house walls.

The cliff was steep and was a faint red. Small plants and roots poked out of its side and Specter opted to use his scythe as makeshift snowboard despite it being more dusty than snowy. Sliding down the cliff (and doing a couple tricks on the way down), Specter thought of ways to set up a camp in this place. Perhaps tents outside and some living quarters inside the houses. Of course, this place would have to be cleaned up, if only he could just suck up all of this dust…

Specter had a clear image of what could happen and decided his scouting was done. He’d return here once more when he had the proper tools to put his plan to action.

But for now, he needed some time to… figure stuff out as the discovery of the empty chest was still stuck in his mind. So he’d head towards his hidden home in the backstreets of Gloomsville and fade into what was left of his memories.