The apocalypse has come and gone, and against all odds, Pharloom remains standing. The time has come for Hornet to return to Hallownest, accompanied by friends and allies: Shakra hopes to explore the mythical land beyond the wastes, and properly lay to rest a member of her own tribe; Lace fears unraveling without the aid of a Weaver, while contending with the immensity of a future free of her mother’s threads; and the Green Prince lives only only to spite the Citadel, passively seeking a more honorable end than might be found in the rubble of his homeland.
Meanwhile, Hornet returns from Pharloom with magic and knowledge that might aid in the slow recovery of Hallownest and Deepnest–and perhaps offer the chance to call home the sibling she once thought lost to her forever.
Chapter 7: The Shape of a Future You Can't Yet Grasp
[<<Prev] [Chapter 7] [Next>>]
It's been ten thousand years since we had a chapter properly focused on the green bean, but it looks like he's finally stopped dissociating long enough to participate in the plot. It's probably because of the Emotional Support Grubs, let's be honest.
At any rate, we're kicking off his plotline properly, with mantis politics and the introduction of the only major original character in this comic--Vise, a mantis who until recently existed in my notes exclusively as "Himbo Mantis."
Tip Jars: [Ko-Fi] [Patreon]
Hollow Knight Fanart Masterpost
Transcript:
Page 1
Vise: A challenge to the Lords?
Hornet: Yes. My companion seeks passage through mantis territories... however, we have been informed that travel through the wastes is restricted at present.
Vise: You have been told true.
Vise: The Second passed during your absence. The Last remains strong in mind, but increasingly frail in body. Until a new Lord is named, our borders remain closed.
Hornet: Frankly, I had expected you to be Shakra's opponent, Vise.
Vise: Alas, no. As bearer of the Mark, you know well the pride of my people--change does not come easy, and I will not prove the taint of my lineage by seizing power not freely given.
Page 2
Hornet: Regardless, I should like to meet with your Lord, if only to declare my return to Hallownest. I would have your Guard as escort to avoid any undue confusion.
Vise: An excellent suggestion! Your presence would be most welcome!
Vise: And your green friend's as well, should he wish to join us.
Lace: Wait! Why is he invited, but we are not!
Vise: ...
Vise: ...because he's a mantis?
Hornet: ....
Lace: ....
Hollow: ?
Vise: ...no?
The Green Prince: ....
Vise: ...Helter, he's a mantis.
Helter: As you say, sir.
The Green Prince: ....
Page 3
Vise: So, foreign bug... From where do you hail, if not a distant tribe?
The Green Prince: Ah... but by your own decree, am I not a mantis?
Vise: Ha! You speak well, fair kin! However. Were it not so, what might you be?
The Green Prince: ...I am a Verdanian.
Vise: Auntie, what is a Verdanian?
Hornet: Him. Clearly.
Vise: ....
The Green Prince: ....
The Green Prince: And you are the prince of these lands?
Vise: ...I beg pardon?
Page 4
The Green Prince: They treat you as an heir apparent... so I had assumed you of royal descent.
Vise: ???
Hornet: The mantises swear fealty to neither god nor queen.
Hornet: Their rulers are elected by council, often based on demonstrations of leadership and martial skill--both arenas in which Vise excels. But the Lords have not ceded power.
The Green Prince: What stays his claws?
Hornet: The current stewards have held jurisdiction since my youth--longer than memory for many a mortal bug. Under their guidance, the tribe maintained sovereignty despite the encroachment of the Pale.
Mantis Youth: Vise! You're back!
The Green Prince: So it is an issue of politic rather than strength-- To depose a leader so regarded would reflect poorly, even in tradition's name.
Vise: Denna! Mel! Claws! Claws! We've spoken about this!
Mantis Youth: But we missed you!
Page 5
The Green Prince: ...
Vise: ?
The Green Prince: ....
Vise: Hello Auntie!
Oh copy/paste and desktop Tumblr, how I've missed you so XDD
I'm still unable to sit at my desk for as long as I'd like to.. but I can sit long enough to draw some comics here and there at least! One of which being a (somewhat) angsty comic with Grim and V! Did you really think they escaped my angst curse?? It was only a matter of time before I cursed them as well! XDD
But for real, I've wanted to draw something angsty with Grim and V for a while now. And I'm glad I was finally able to! Even if its kind'aaa more of a goofy comic with angsty undertones rather than full on angst. XDD
The more I draw these two, the more lore I start to build in the background... I wonder if I should explore Grim's more serious angst sometime.. 😈😈
I still haven't developed this au much but here's my thoughts about the timeline:
- the siblings move in in june/july of the first year.
- hornet begins to get along with lace in october/november (they actually start talking woah).
- a christmas comic that I never drew where they Actually Become Friends.
- hornet sneaks into lace's room for the first time next summer, the beginning of hornet's second year in this neighborhood (this comic). by this point they're close friends and maybe lace is crushing on hornet
kianamaiart
theartofmadeline
turnnoffyourmind
