Since opportunity didn't come knocking, Simon had no choice but to seek it out himself. He left the cave, passed through the tunnel, and entered The Core area of the Resting Grounds.
This place was different. Many coffins were arranged on the ground, all facing the same direction, hinting at a certain view of life and death.
The cave was like a well, with the main structures located above. Looking up, there were many stair-like platforms extending from the cave walls, one after another. The architectural platforms were on either side of the front, while a central axis featured dedicated stair platforms. All architectural platforms were on the same horizontal plane, with stair platforms nestled in the gaps between two layers of architectural platforms, extending upwards in an alternating pattern.
Simon jumped up step by step. These platforms were surrounded by metal carved railings to prevent falls. There were slightly more platforms than in the game, but still limited. Midway, he saw a peculiar sapling, dark and reddish in color, with gnarled branches like an old pine, and curled tender shoots like wheels. This was a Dream Tree, which collected stray dreams. With the Dream Nail, one could gain insight from it.
Behind the architectural platforms on both sides were doors. Moths should have lived there once, but now it was uncertain if any bugs still resided there. Seeing the tightly shut doors, it was likely not.
With the Gruz Charm, Simon's jumps were easy, quick, and high. In a short while, he reached an architectural platform with a sign. It was a Stag Station, which was not unexpected.
Arriving at the topmost level of the Resting Grounds, on the highest architectural platform, the ceiling was arched and smooth, not a rough cave ceiling.
The door to the room behind this architectural platform was open. Simon peered in. There was light in the deep darkness, not just lamp light, but also many floating specks of light. From time to time, a ghost would float up, mouth agape in a silent wail. A hunched figure sat between red velvet curtains, its face unclear.
Simon shouted, "Are you the Seer?"
An old, kind voice spoke from within the room, "Ah, an unexpected visitor. Please come in."
Simon entered the small room as instructed. The air here was heavy and murky. Several lanterns on the ceiling failed to completely illuminate the darkness on the room's walls, as if he were in a gloomy plain, with only one spot of light and everything else dangerous shadows.
In such a dangerous and terrifying atmosphere, the Moth Seer was like an eternal lighthouse, a warm bonfire.
She was truly an old grandmother, the heavy vicissitudes of time piled up to form her body, yet she had no dying twilight aura. What emanated from her cloudy eyes was only a yearning for the future. Such a moon-like figure was absolutely unforgettable.
Simon bowed solemnly, "Great Seer, this junior has come seeking a way to defeat The Radiance."
This was a very inappropriate question, because the Moth tribe once worshipped The Radiance. They were created by The Radiance, her kin, but later, for some unknown reason, they betrayed her and forgot her. Yet The Radiance still existed, spreading whispers of faith, which was the Infection. One day The Radiance would return, and these traitors who remembered The Radiance were also experiencing the pain of regret.
Now, Simon's question undoubtedly reopened this wound that would never heal.
The Seer remained silent for a long time. Such an old bug could easily get lost in memories of the past. Simon waited in silence.
"Ah, I apologize, I was distracted." The Seer spoke softly, "I understand your purpose. The seal is indeed broken and must now be shattered. It is good that you have this idea, but you are not born with the qualification. You cannot even enter the Black Egg. The terrifying power will drain your life. Give up this idea."
Simon said, "I know that only a Vessel can defeat The Radiance, because they are inherently the Abyss of the Void and will not have their life force drained by the power of the Black Egg. But is it possible that an ordinary bug can also wield the power of the Void, just like the White King? I want to try to integrate the power of the Void into my body."
The Seer gasped at Simon's boldness, "Ah! What an imaginative proposal! Yes, yes, the power of the Void can be wielded, but it is full of danger. Even with thorough preparation, it is hard to guarantee that one won't be swallowed by the Abyss. Even with the powerful White King only chose to utilize the Void by creating Vessels, and you are bolder than him!"
Simon was overjoyed; his idea was indeed feasible!
"Then, what constitutes complete preparation?"
The Seer sighed, "You absolutely don't need to take such a risk. The banished Vessels have been returning one after another. Not long ago, a Hollow Knight obtained the Dream Nail and embarked on that difficult path."
"Dream Nail?"
"The Dream Nail is a divine artifact that can pierce through reality and dreams. With it, one can sense the thoughts of bugs; with it, one can see the lingering dreams of dead bugs; with it, one can enter the dreams of the Dreamers, defeat them, and break the seal of the Black Egg Temple."
Simon, of course, knew what the Dream Nail was, and also knew that collecting Dream Essence could gradually awaken the Dream Nail until it was fully awakened, at which point it could break all seals, leading to the game's hidden true ending—killing The Radiance!
The Seer murmured, "That wielder failed, I know. The Dream Nail has returned to the dream, until the next Vessel takes it."
This news was also like a thunderclap to Simon.
"Excuse me, Seer, the wielder you mentioned, the Hollow Knight who obtained the Dream Nail, did he have three horns?"
"Yes, do you know him?"
"In a way." Simon still suspected that this deceased Hollow Knight was the Broken Vessel from the game, but with so many Vessels, it was hard to say if there were similar-looking ones.
Another important piece of information Simon got from the Seer was that after the owner of the Dream Nail died, the Dream Nail would return to the dream. It seemed the Dream Nail was unique. Unfortunately, Simon had previously thought it was a mass-produced artifact and had considered getting one himself if conditions allowed.
Without the Dream Nail, he couldn't fight The Radiance, so it seemed Simon's plan had completely fallen apart.
"Is there anything else you wish to know?" The Seer was not impatient.
"I still want to know how to wield the Void!"
"Alright, I only know a few steps; the specifics you'll need to figure out yourself. First, you must possess a strong will to prevent being swallowed by the Void. This doesn't seem difficult for you.
Most importantly, you must have a protective shield that cannot be corroded by the Void, which is a Mask. This was a tool designed by the White King to restrain the Void, made from the roots of the Hallownest Queen, the White Lady, and then crafted into Masks by the Weavers living in Deepnest.
Once you obtain these, you will almost be qualified to go to the Abyss deep within the Ancient Basin. Whether you can ultimately wield the Void depends on whether you can defeat its will." The Seer sighed, "To be honest, I don't know if the Void truly has a will. Perhaps what defeats you then won't be a formidable enemy, but the torment of long, dark solitude."
Simon nodded, "Unless absolutely necessary, I don't want to take such a risk. If the Hollow Knights cannot kill The Radiance, then I will come to inherit the Dream Nail, and the Vessel's mission will be completed by me. My heart yearns for the great feat of god-slaying; this will be my eternal glory!"
At this moment, the words he spoke revealed pure killing intent, untainted by hesitation or retreat, with only desire constantly fueling the flames of killing intent to burn brighter.
"So that's it, you are a true warrior. Such bugs are rare now. In the prosperous era of Hallownest, your path would be difficult, but in this ruined world, your future is bright!" The Seer praised Simon's courage.