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Now, in Ghost's humble opinion, as someone who'd seen every nook and cranny this kingdom has to offer, there's not too many places for someone to hide in.
Sure, there used to be a bunch, but they're either gone now (via various Infection related shenanigans), or have been taken up by survivors.
You might be wondering, why would they be bringing up Hallownest's lack of hiding spots? Well, let's rewind time a little, shall we?
– –
Ghost stood in front a grave covered in pale, delicate flowers. The room was bathed in a soft light, light balls floating about.
Ghost always liked Queen's Gardens. Even during the Infection, when this place was littered with mantises, it was one of their favourite places to relax in, third to City of Tears and Dirtmouth. Something about the soft green colours of each room, the chittering of some sort of creature in the background and the occasionally room free of any enemies that
However, there's a few rooms that doesn't them the same peace that the others does. This is one such room. But, unlike the room that houses the cocoon where the Great Mother lies, the reason for their dislike isn't due to the contents in the room, but the journey taken to get said contents in here.
They shudder, remembering try after try of them getting that flower in here.
But enough about that. Ghost is here on a mission! They already gave one to Elderbug and 1 to Oro. They tried to give one to both Emilitia and the Mother, but they declined it. Well, sucks to be them!
With the infection gone, now is their chance! The road's should be much clearer now, with most of the enemies dead. They have so many new friends now, Ghost has to gift them this! Rebuilding the kingdom can't be easy work, they'll feel so much better after seeing such a pretty flower!
Time to set the plan into motion! Ghost gathered up as many flowers they can hold, which just so happens to be the exact number they needed, and took two steps to their left.
And then stared at the thorns covering both the ceiling and the floors ahead of them.
Well. That's a problem.
– –
First up, Quirrel! A fellow wanderer, and one of their closest friends! He was looked so sad that time at the lake, Ghost hoped this would cheer him up!
If they remembered correctly, he should be in Teacher's Archives! He had mentioned something about preserving his teacher's teachings before departing Dirtmouth earlier today. He should still be there, there's so many tubes in that place.
And Oomas. So many Oomas. So much death.
They sit down at a bench for a moment, the one below the entrance to Fog Canyon. Wisely, they remove Grimmchild's charm, and replace it with their handy Wayward Compass. They might have memorised the entire kingdom by now, but nothing beats the compass.
Lots of hopping around the Oomas, swimming through the acid, and dashing through charged lumaflies later, they eventually found Quirrel, who had tucked himself in a little nook, too busy reading the tubes around him to notice their presence.
A knock on the wall, and Quirrel jumped up, brandishing his nail at them in a panic, before recognising the figure in front of them.
"My friend! Apologies, I didn't notice your arrival."
He sheathed his nail, motioning for Ghost to come closer. "What is it do you require from me?"
Ghost reached into their skull, digging around the void there to find the flower (Quirrel is too used to them doing this). Once they found it, they took it out with a flourish, holding it out to him.
"Oh! Is this for me? How peculiar," He took the offered flower and examined it, taking note of the glow that surrounds it. "I've never seen this species before, I wonder…"
Ghost waved their arms, drawing his attention back to them, before bringing out it's notebook. They quickly scribbled something in it, passing it to him once done.
"From the Great Knight Z– Ze'mer?!" He cried out, dropping the notebook to take a closer look at the flower. After a few moments of him mumbling and writing, he seemed to remember having an audience and turned back to Ghost, rubbing his head sheepishly.
"Apologies, my short friend. I got a bit too excited to see something that reminded me of my past that I forgot to thank you. Do you, do you happen to gift me this?"
They nodded, picking their notebook up to scribble something again.
"Yes yes yours to keep you look sad at lake give you flower make you happy"
He laughed, passing the book back and rubbing at their shell, laughing again as they push themselves into the touch. "How thoughtful of you, little friend. I will do my best to keep this flower safe."
They nod even harder at this, scribbling more words in their book.
"Yes yes keep safe dont get hurt flower die you die don't want you die"
He laughed once more, pinning the flower on his head scarf.
"Don't worry, I'm not planning to die anytime soon."
– –
Next stop is Dirtmouth, where the rest of their friends are at (hopefully, it'll be annoying if one of them weren't there).
They had 5 flowers left, 5 friends to gift.
Their first stop happen to live near the well leading deeper into the kingdom. Hopping up the well, they crystal dashed the few steps to the small stone building. They knocked on the door, and after hearing a "Come in!", barged right in.
In the house sat 2 insects, only one is the one they're looking for.
"Tiny one! What brings you to my abode?"
"Pale one."
They paused. Stare at Cloth. Points at Tiso.
"Ah, this brave warrior? I saw him loitering outside Sly's shop earlier. I brought him here so we can exchange stories!"
…yea no Tiso isn't worth going back to Queen's Garden for.
With that thought, they plunged their hand into their skull, digging around for another flower. Once found, they grabbed it, walk the few steps to the table the two were sitting around, pushed it into Cloth's hand and stepped back, unwilling to stay any longer than 5 seconds near Tiso.
"Oh! Is this for me?"
They pushed their notebook into her other hand, words already written.
"Yours yours keep safe no danger no dying"
She took a moment to read through their writing before huffing out a laugh, getting up and walking closer to give their head a pat.
"Don't worry tiny one, I'll make sure to keep this safe."
"Hey, where's my gift?"
Ghost runs.
– –
After passing the flower to Cornifer and Sly (both giving them a head pat and a promise to keep it safe in reply), Ghost started their trek to their home, which was a little away from the main portion of the town. A few crystal dashes later, they rushed through the doors of their home, spotting their sibling at the table.
Without hesitation, they ran over to Hollow and started climbed their cloak, aiming to reach their head.
Used to Ghost's nonsense, Hollow paused in whatever they were doing to pry the smaller vessel off of them, lifting them up to their head.
Hello Ghost. Came an amused voice through the void.
Sibling sibling look look I got gifts!! They called back, reaching up to pull out a flower, waving it around excitedly.
Hollow carefully set Ghost onto the table to take the flower that was harshly shoved at their face. Happy to have accomplished their mission, they sat down, swinging their legs as they watched their sibling examining the flower, bringing it closer to the light to see properly.
Sibling… Is this, from Ze'mer?
Yes yes! She wanted to plant these flowers at a grave, so I did! She disappeared into light after I did though, shame.
Clearly, that last word wasn't the right thing to say, as they could feel Hollow's disappointment seep through their bond. They nudged their head into their sibling's arm, the one that they just got back. The disappointment changed to fondness, as they reached a hand up to rub at their head. Ghost felt a purr come up, pushing up at the hand.
Thank you, little sibling. At least I have another piece of my old friends with me.
Sadly, the petting ended way too soon, as Hollow got up to search for a vase to place the flower in. Ghost took this time to look around the room, realising they haven't seen their red clothed sister anywhere.
Big sibling? They called out, getting a hum of acknowledgment in return, where's red sister?
Hornet said she was going out, but she never mentioned where. They came back to the table, vase in hand, flower already placed safely inside. Why?
Ghost felt their hopes for a peaceful end to their adventure shatter. Hornet isn't at home? Oh no, big trouble. Hallownest is huge, she could be anywhere!
I want to pass her a flower too… They slumped over, kicking their feet in the air in protest. They could feel amusement passing through their bond again.
Don't worry, we can find her. Hallownest is only so big after all.
Ghost mimes a sigh, getting up and hopping off the table. You're right! Now, let's go find our sister!
They take a few steps to the door before realising they couldn't hear any footsteps behind them. They stopped and turned around to see Hollow standing there.
They stare at each other for a moment, before Ghost marched right back, grabbed Hollow's hand, and dragged them out of the house, ignoring their cries of letting them go.
If one of them have to suffer, both of them will suffer.
– –
They then spend the next few hours searching through Hallownest. Seeing how Ghost had already passed through Queen's Garden, that's already one annoying area ticked off. 1 down, many more to go.
The two vessels went through the list of places Hornet could be, starting with the City of Tears. There, a series of events where Ghost had to narrowly dodge dive-bombing Belflies, hop over many corpses and in at one point, hold Hollow back from slicing Lemm's head off.
After calming Lemm down, they learnt that he hadn't seen the princess for the whole day, meaning their entire time here was a waste. Disappointed, they bid him farewell and headed off to their next destination.
They crossed off various locations, like the Peak, the Cliff and a few other places. They did think of the Hive, but Ghost pointed out that she would have no reason to go there anymore.
After a short debate, they eventually ended up with the worst possible place to go with a very fragile flower.
Deepnest.
– –
Remind me to never do that again, Ghost cried, lying face down on the ground.
Hollow, sitting in a fetal position next to them, sent a hum of agreement.
Do you know how painful it is to crawl through Deepnest's hell of spiders? No? Well, don't! It's bad enough without the flower, with it makes Ghost wished the Infection took them too. Even without the evil orange goo, the inhabitants here are more than willing to crack open their shell and send them back to Queen's Garden one flower short.
Not to mention how many pitfalls there are. Ghost swear someone has to be resetting these every time they come by, there's no way there's still this many after this long. Thank…Unn, for the Mornach Wings, or else they would've given up long ago without them.
But finally, finally! They've arrived at the Distant Village, having made the climb up to where the Beast's Den lies. After catching their breath, the two vessels walked in.
And there, where Herrah used to lie, deep in eternal sleep, now holds nothing but the figure of the Gendered Child. Silent, the two walked closer to their sister, settling down at her sides.
The child didn't adknowlege them, but let them crowd closer, letting her know that she isn't alone.
Ghost didn't do their usual song and dance, simply pulling out the flower from their void.
And place it gently, on the bed.
No words were exchanged, but the room felt lighter. Hornet didn't speak, but she pulled the two into a hug, using her actions speak louder once more. The siblings spent the rest of the day in this room, letting the youngest mourn, and finally, let go of the past.
And while this isn't what Ghost had originally set out to do, they're glad that this is, for now, enough.