In the resplendent golden world, at some unknown point, an impenetrable darkness surged forth, the ocean of shadows rose, and the platform square was gradually swallowed by the Void.
The Radiance flapped Its wings, brilliant light shooting into the darkness, but not even a ripple was stirred.
Ghosts floated up from the dark seabed, like drowned spirits reaching out their claws to the world of the living.
Amidst continuous waves, the Little Knight leaped out from the highest crest, his injuries completely healed.
Witnessed by countless Void beings, this was a battle between gods.
Light pierced the darkness, and ghosts devoured the sparks.
The Little Knight's Pure Nail was covered with a thin black film; the Nail, imbued with the Void, could now harm The Radiance.
He used Shade Cloak an infinite number of times, without interruption, transforming into a meteor shower in the clear night, thrusting black sword energy into The Radiance's body.
He struck The Radiance, siphoned Soul from It to fill his Vessel, and then released it with an Abyssal Shriek.
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
"Kill It!"
Shattered dream whispers merged into a single roar, the Void's killing intent surged, like an invisible radiation, enveloping everything, nowhere to escape.
After enduring multiple fierce strikes, The Radiance fell dejectedly, Its divine body plummeting, pushing aside the surrounding darkness, until It landed on the submerged platform square.
Void tendrils, baring fangs and claws, bound The Radiance, intending to drag It into the abyss.
But The Radiance's eyes blazed with light, and Its body transformed into light, breaking free from the restraints and flying into the high sky.
One by one, floating platforms rose, extending towards The Radiance's position. The Little Knight leaped up, level by level, in hot pursuit. With each ascent he made, the ocean of the Void rose a little. Amidst a continuous series of platforms, The Radiance appeared. It flapped Its wings, and the boundless bright light formed a spherical cover, enclosing It and the Little Knight, blocking the rising Void.
This time, The Radiance became cautious, appearing far away in the corners of these floating platforms, unleashing sword strikes, beams of light, summoning light walls, and a type of auto-tracking dark-golden energy orb at the Little Knight. Attacks filled the sky, with extremely small gaps, but the Little Knight repeatedly used Shade Cloak, parrying and leveraging the incoming sword strikes, rapidly advancing to The Radiance's side, and striking It with a few slashes before It teleported away.
Although the battle was in a stalemate, victory was undoubtedly beckoning the Little Knight.
He gathered energy again and again, releasing Dash Slash. This was taught to him by Sly's apprentice. Now, the Little Knight, who had integrated the peak techniques of all Nailmasters, was also a true Nailmaster, comparable to Sly himself.
The outer Void continuously eroded, and the golden seal shattered bit by bit. The Radiance, unable to withstand such continuous heavy blows, finally let out a long cry, unsealed Its shield, and flew into the higher reaches of the sky.
The Little Knight pursued closely.
Ascend!
Ascend!
The Abyss surged.
Rise!
Rise!
The floating platforms were short and narrow.
Laser beams blocked all directions.
But none of this could stop his steps.
Continue!
Countless ghosts rose from the horizon, like black stars, radiating a mad and terrifying will.
Continue!
At the apex of the sky, The Radiance spread Its wings, transforming into a golden sun, emitting scorching rays.
The Little Knight dodged left and right in front of the sunlight, unable to advance even an inch for a time!
How to continue?
How to break this deadlock?
Just as the situation reached a stalemate.
From the darkness, a brilliant white light shot out, enveloped the Little Knight's body, and directly crashed into that blazing sun.
"Boom!"
After a tremendous sound.
Everything suddenly fell silent.
Dead silence!
The sun still floated, but without light. The Void seemed to congeal, motionless.
"Thump!"
A heartbeat sounded.
"Thump!"
A black dot appeared from the center of the sun, then rapidly expanded.
"Bang!"
The sun shattered!
The Radiance's body was exposed.
The Little Knight was completely unharmed.
Simon was also completely unharmed!
Summoned by the Void, he came to assist in the battle!
It was he who, at a critical moment, brought the Little Knight crashing into the golden sun!
The Pure Vessel, condensed from shadow, appeared in the sky, stepping forward to bind The Radiance, and this time, It was powerless to struggle!
The Little Knight's mask shattered, his ghost emerged, a complete condensation of the Void, breaking the White King's prison of will. At this moment, though the Little Knight was still so small, he had a tempest for wings and the Abyss as his companion!
The Little Knight coiled the Void substance into a pair of long whips and lashed The Radiance fiercely!
One strike!
Ten strikes!
Hundreds of thousands of lashes, The Radiance's divine body shattered!
"Hiss!!!!"
It let out one last long cry.
Countless Dream Essence sprayed from Its body, scattering into the vast and boundless Dream World.
Countless free wills in Hallownest, once controlled by the plague, were now reborn!
That blinding light shattered with a crash!
...
Outside the Black Egg, Hornet saw the Little Knight strike the Hollow Knight with the Dream Nail, after which the three Vessels all fell to the ground in slumber.
Not long after, a dense black light erupted, and a powerful airflow blew Hornet far away. In mid-air, with her back to the gale, she clutched the two small flowers to her chest, fearing they would be destroyed.
The entire enormous Black Egg dissolved into nothingness within the black light.
The surging Void obscured all light.
...
In the Abyss, countless ghosts looked up, eager to seek revenge on the living, but then, seemingly hearing an irresistible will, they all curled up and sank back into their bones.
...
The Void receded.
Drops of black liquid flowed from the bottom of the lightfly lantern.
Inside the Black Egg Temple, there was no longer a Black Egg, only a giant, cracked pit.
Hornet stood up and peered over the edge of the pit.
At the bottom, there was the Little Knight's shattered mask, and Simon lay beside him, motionless.
...
Simon's Dream World.
On the dark earth, a Black Egg pulsed vigorously.
The consciousness gestating within was about to awaken, but it still lacked a tiny catalyst.
...
Hornet came to the bottom of the pit, collected the Little Knight's mask, then tied Simon with silk threads and dragged him out.
She left the temple, her footsteps landing on the ground of the Crossroads.
The ubiquitous light mist was gone, those disgusting pustules had completely disappeared, plants returned to their natural colors, the air was fresh and clear, and a gentle breeze made one feel refreshed.
At times like these, one always yearns to return home.
Hornet, carrying the Little Knight's remains and with Simon on her back, rode a Stag Beetle to Deepnest.
This was her home, but not where she grew up.
She felt little connection to this place; every plant and tree in Deepnest hardly offered a warm experience.
However, Hornet knew she needed to return here, because of Simon.
His consciousness was nowhere to be found, but his body was perfectly intact.
In this situation, a way to treat him had to be found.
She worried that Simon would never wake up.
Fortunately, there was one thing that should work.
That was Hornet's cradle.
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