Hollow Knight: Hallownest

The strong wind blew the brambles against the stones, and carried the sand and gravel past continuously, as if trying to smooth out the hill that blocked their progress. However, it was a pity for the travelers, who were slowly crossing the hill.

The wind gradually weakened, and two figures, one big and one small, slowly became clear in the blur on the mountain path. The former had a broad and round body, and was carrying a huge backpack that could almost fit him entirely. The backpack was now bulging, and had bent his back a little.

The latter looked much thinner in comparison, with an inconspicuous cloth bag slung over his shoulder and bone nails slung across his back. He was dressed like a common ranger, and apart from the white mask on his head that was not stained by any dust, there was nothing else noteworthy about him.

"Uh uh..."

Suddenly, the thin ranger let out a painful groan, covered the mask on his head with his hands, and hunched over.

The backpacker walking beside him stopped moving forward upon seeing this and stood there silently waiting, without any unnecessary movements. Apart from a hint of worry in his eyes, he looked mostly used to it.

During their journey together, this kind of headache has occurred many times, but the frequency of sudden attacks has increased a lot recently. In the past, it might only occur once a day, but now it is roughly estimated that it occurs at least four or five times a day.

"Mask, how are you feeling?"

The ranger called 'Mask' still held his head, sweat dripping down his face. After a while, his heavy breathing finally calmed down, and he spoke incoherently:

"No...it's okay. Sorry for making you worry, Boone."

"Would you like to rest here for a while? Boone will make something to eat."

"Didn't we just eat not long ago..."

The Mask took a deep breath, adjusted the mask on his head, and exposed his face to the air again.

He has a handsome face and looks like a young man.

"Oh, Boone thinks eating should help relieve the pain." Boone nodded in agreement.

As long as I can eat something, the cramping pain in my abdomen that always occurred in the past will gradually disappear, and my mood will improve a lot.

The Mask's gaze shifted towards Boone, looking at his face which was half covered by the tattered cloak, and he smiled and nodded.

"Then let's set up camp on the leeward slope ahead."

......

Boone put the backpack aside, took out various ingredients and the hanging pot from it, and took out some dry firewood and put it on the ground to start a fire.

In the dark sky with howling winds, a cluster of light was particularly eye-catching.

"It's hard not to be surprised every time I see you take so much out of your backpack."

“The meaning of travel…”

Boone grunted and began to process the ingredients with quick and clean movements.

In fact, his backpack was not that big at the beginning, but the more he walked and the more scenery he saw, the bigger it became.

Like a curled branch, or a strangely shaped stone, or a peeled shell that has never been seen before, the things in the backpack are strange and bizarre, but each one represents the meaning of one's journey.

There is also a scrap of the cloak of the 'mask' inside.

There was no other way. Mask was the plainest ranger he had ever seen. He hardly ate anything on a regular basis, so he naturally didn't have the heart to ask him for souvenirs. He could only pick up a piece of cloth that Mask had accidentally torn during the battle.

In addition, 'Mask' was the strongest ranger he had ever seen. Compared to his thin body, the power of the bone nail he swung was extremely powerful. If it hit him, he would probably be broken in half in an instant.

Come to think of it, it seems that since I started traveling with him, I have never encountered any danger, which really makes me feel at ease~

"Mask, here's something delicious for you."

"Well, thank you, Boone."

Boone scooped a spoonful of soup from the pot and put it into the stone bowl, handed it over, and began to eat it with relish.

They didn't speak while eating, just enjoying the broth quietly.

In fact, the broth was not delicious. The meat was not fishy and had a peculiar sour smell, but "Mask" did not find it unpalatable.

He had never eaten much before he met Boone, so he naturally got used to it after eating a lot.

"Boone, I'm not far from there."

The Mask spoke abruptly, causing Boone to pause in his soup drinking.

"I have a feeling that this headache is a sign, like something is calling me and pulling at my soul."

The Mask put down the bowl, stared at the floating minced meat and said blankly, his eyes were confused, and then he took off the mask on his head, held it in his arms and murmured:

"No, it's not so much calling me as calling it. But in my few memories and recurring dreams, I know it is very important to me. I can't give it up..."

"It is my destiny to follow it."

Boone remained silent, and looked at the mask with the same gaze. It was still the same, as white and dust-free as when he first saw the 'mask'.

That was no ordinary stuff—it was his experience as a traveler and scavenger.

"Let's go, and hit the road."

“Only seeing the scenery can be considered a journey. Hearsay is not what a traveler should do.”

The 'Mask' raised his head and met Boone's exposed eye with a sincere look.

Then, a cluster of light flickered, and soon it was completely extinguished on the mountainside.

......

"After this meal, let's go our separate ways, Boone."

Under the tent, there was still that familiar flame, but Boone knew that this might be the last time it burned for the 'mask'.

"Ah."

Although his tone did not change, there was obvious reluctance in Boone's eyes.

He had never met such a gentle and powerful partner. If it weren't for the scavenger's warning telling him that there was no place for him on the road that "Mask" was going to take, he might have changed his itinerary and waited for him to embark on the journey again.

The fire gradually died down, and 'Mask' walked forward with Boone until they came to a fork in the road.

Boone encountered countless forks in the road during his journey, but this one was the most memorable for him.

The 'Mask' looked at him deeply, smiled and bowed slightly to him.

"Thank you for your care along the way, Boone."

"I should be the one thanking you. Good luck, Mask."

"I wish you a safe journey too."

After saying this, Mask walked into the cave on the right. Boone watched his back until he was about to be swallowed by the darkness in front of him. Suddenly, he shouted:

"'Mask'! Can you tell me your name?!"

He realized that he had never known the real name of the 'Mask'.

"..."

The Mask continued to walk straight into the darkness.

Not hearing the response he was hoping for, Boone lowered his head in disappointment and prepared to take a step in another direction, but as soon as he raised his leg, he suddenly stopped where he was.

A faint but clear voice came from the cave where the Mask left.

It lasts for a long time and lingers in my ears.

"Quiruo, my name is Quiruo."