TUM... TUM... TUM... TUM...

A strange sound begins to rumble in Hornet's mind. Sounds similar to footsteps echoing in a large underground chamber. His head hurts like never before, and he feels terribly dizzy. His vision is blurry, though it's all too dark to see anything. Only some patterns and luminescent seals made with weaver's thread could be defined. Where was it?

She could barely look up, and saw a strange figure above her face, but it seemed not to be looking at her. She could feel his hands holding her back and legs. How strange. The last thing he remembered was that he had fallen unconscious in the dream world. Then, a light began to radiate on his face, a blinding light, eventually revealing a very moving sight to him.

Hornet was on the outskirts of the Black Egg temple, carried on the knight's arms, who maintained an appearance similar to that of the dream world. However, she had recovered her original form. What happened to the emptiness inside? Did you manage to get rid of your possession? He wasn't able to answer her questions, when he heard the cheers of hundreds, if not thousands of insects calling his name.

¡HORNET! ¡HORNET! ¡HORNET!

Hornet turned his head towards the crowd, his eyes still blurry, which little by little allowed him to see what was happening. He was able to see all his acquaintances and friends. There's Ogrim, right in the middle with Iselda and Cornifer right next to him. On his other side were Sheo, Oro and Matto along with their teacher Bly, somewhat injured but still in one piece. There was also Quirrel, and next to him was Mina, who held each other's hands very discreetly. And behind them, all the survivors who defended Hallownest. Everyone equally. Beetles, mantises, spiders, bees, moths, all united in the great victory celebration. And far in the background, the enormous Matrone giving him a genuine smile with her true and terrifying face. And next to him, the one they called the hunter, who fought with all his fierceness to keep the city safe.

Hornet: - What's going on? - He asked quietly.

Knight: - You did. You rid Hallownest of the infection. -

Hornet looked up, only to see his brother's face, who was showing a sincere smile after so long. She was still holding it in her hands, and that made her a little embarrassed, but she was so exhausted she didn't think she could fend for herself.

Hornet: - What happened to the vac...? -

Knight: - Shhhh. - He silenced her in a low voice. - That's our secret. -

After the victory, a feast was celebrated in style in Hallownest. All the inhabitants united for the first time in history. Spiders, bees, and mantises shared a table and drank of the tastiest mead that bees could make, and the delicious tastings that were grown on the Green Path. The White Lady eagerly awaited the return of her son and stepdaughter to the castle, unable to hold back her tears of emotion. Giving them a big hug as soon as they were close enough.

The White Lady was never able to regain her power again. The fight with the void lord had worn her down too much, and she was incapable of being what she once was before. Even so, he was very happy to be able to have a son with whom to share the time he had left with life. Unfortunately, there comes a time when everyone has to go their own way.

It was a morning like any other in King's Pass, and a heavy rain rumbled just outside the cavern. A very singular group of bugs had gathered in that place to say goodbye to someone very important. Hornet, along with Iselda, Cornifer, and the Hunter, planned to leave Hallonest, perhaps forever.

At the farewell, all his acquaintances attended. The brothers Matto, Oro and Sheo could not miss, who was accompanied by the blacksmith after so long. There was also the White Lady, and the Matron. And of course, Quirrel and Mina, who had decided to get married just a few days ago. Even the mantis ladies went to send off, along with a small delegation of bees. And of course, the knight and Bretta, who were now the king and queen of Hallownest.

Hornet: - I hope you don't make a mess in my absence, little brother. -

King Hollow: - Ha. Very funny. -

Hornet: -Bretta. Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. -

Bretta: - You can count on me. -

King Hollow: - Eh... You know I'm here... right? - The comment provoked laughter from everyone.

Quirrel: - We are going to miss them. -

Iselda: - Don't worry friends. The future has uncertain paths, I know we will meet again. -

Mina: - I have faith that they will find very good adventures wherever they go. -

Cornifer: - That's for sure. The path of an explorer and cartographer never ends. -

King Hollow: - And luck for you too, old friend. I hope you find what you are looking for sooner or later. -

Hunter: - The life of a hunter is unpredictable. That only fate can know. -

The farewell came to an end, and the four set out on their journeys to places so far away that no one in Hallownest knew they existed. Some wandered aimlessly, simply waiting for adventure to come their way. Others if he had a goal in mind. After several days of walking, the path they were following came to a fork, where everyone's fate would be divided.

Cornifer: - Good. I think this is goodbye. -

Iselda: - We are going to miss you a lot. Old friend. -

Hornet: - I will still miss them. But I trust that our paths will cross again. -

Hunter: - Where does your path lead? -

Hornet: - To Pharloom. I still have debts to settle. -

------------------------------------------------------------O----------------------------------------------------------

?????: - And that's the end of the story. -

A motherly voice was heard in a hall of Hallownest Palace. A room where there were two small beds, where two very young enthusiastic beetles listened to their mother's stories with great interest. A girl and a boy, both white as snow, yet plump and graceful. An ideal mix of their parents.

Hollow King: - I still can't understand how they can have fun listening to the same story so many times. -

Queen Bretta: - Just like you, honey. -

Child: - Dad. Aunt Hornet will be back... right? -

King Hollow: - Of course, sweetheart. -

Girl: - Yippee! I want you to teach me to fight with the sword. -

Queen Bretta: - Hmm. As bellicose as always. Who will you have dated? - The king laughed slightly.

Boy: - And when are we going to visit grandma? -

King Hollow: - In the next few days. She eagerly awaits them in her garden. -

The king and queen took each of the little ones in their hands, and arranged them in their beds, covered them with their blankets, and kissed them goodbye.

Child: - Mommy. Can you tell us again about how daddy defeated all those bad guys and contained the Shining? -

Queen Bretta: - Sir. It's too late. And you must sleep. -

Girl: - Yes mommy. Please. Tell us. - Bretta just looked at her husband.

King Hollow: - Don't be hard on them. Or else they will never go to sleep. Bretta sighed.

Queen Bretta: - Very good. But one last time. Listen very carefully:

https://youtu.be/gL6ryKNcsOg

And with this we come to the end of this small but very exciting story. A story that I hope will not affect the lore of Silksong in the future, but that is very interesting. As you can see I left out things like Hegemol and the last surviving weaver because I have the faith that in the new game they will have their appearance. If you liked this story do not forget to leave your star or any comments. I invite you to read the rest of my story, which I assure you will like. Thank you very much for reading.