Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Adding newly made cover art
[[quoteright:1000:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pk_sad_shadow_non_watermarked_small.png]]
[[caption-width-right:1000:Art by [[https://tyrantchimeraart.tumblr.com/ TyrantChimera]].]]
[[caption-width-right:1000:Art by [[https://tyrantchimeraart.tumblr.com/ TyrantChimera]].]]
Deleted line(s) 25 (click to see context) :
Changed line(s) 191 (click to see context) from:
%%* OffingTheOffspring: [[spoiler:Gris shows he is perfectly willing to kill Jadia once he finds her during the revolt.]]
to:
Changed line(s) 195 (click to see context) from:
%%* SelfMadeOrphan: [[spoiler:Jadia is briefly killed by her father Gris, before being brought back by Alume's spilled void. Her response? Crush his body with tendrils, only giving him one last word: "'''Die.'''"]]
to:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
[[folder:Tropes for ''Dreams of the Father'']]
* AscendedExtra:
** Felnum, a wasp guard from ''Sins of the Father'' that only had a mention and later one or two appearances, now has a bigger role in ''Dreams'', allying himself with the rebellion and [[spoiler:eventually being personally chosen by the King to be a K.I.A. agent after the uprising ends.]]
** Xero, who when the player meets him in ''Hollow Knight'' isn't much more than a boss battle with a bit of lore, in the fic is the VoiceOfTheResistance, and later [[spoiler:becomes a K.I.A. agent as well.]]
* AssassinationAttempt: [[spoiler:Amongst the civil unrest in the City of Tears, Lurien is the target of an assassination plot, eventually carried out by [[BodyguardBetrayal his butler]]. Luckily, it fails.]]
* AssholeVictim: [[spoiler:Following the insurrection, Xillya and Emilitia are imprisoned, the latter sentenced to do clean-up work in the Royal Waterways and the Queen's Gardens.]]
* BreatherEpisode: After the rollercoaster that was the climax of ''Sins'', the first several chapters of ''Dreams'' focuses on some fluff and slice of life.
* BreakTheCutie: The Silver King notes that while [[spoiler:Wander didn't truly die at the hands of Gris,]] the experience must've been no less real, and after [[spoiler:the attack Ghost can sense them going through post-traumatic stress. It's also noted later on by Jadia that they've toned it down with their pranks.]]
* BodyguardBetrayal: [[spoiler:Soon as the rebellion's attack on the capital begins, Lurien has his life attempted on by Tetra, his butler, as part of a plot.]]
* CorruptCorporateExecutive: Duchess [[Characters/HollowKnightNPCs Emilitia]], the unsympathetic owner of a property company that's been contributing to the rebellion's reason for revolting.
* CruelAndUnusualDeath: [[spoiler:During the revolt at the capital, Gris dies brutally crushed by the void tendrils of [[SelfMadeOrphan a newly imbued Jadia]].]]
* CruelMercy: [[spoiler:Mantis Lord Xillya is incarcerated for her involvement in the creation of the mantis ChildSoldiers and the subsequent invasion on Hallownest, against her wishes to simply be executed, as was customary for her tribe.]]
* DefusingTheTykeBomb: [[spoiler:Following the mantis invasion, the White Lady adopts the surviving brainwashed mantis youths, giving them names and therapy. A scene in chapter 39 focuses on one of them, now named Sonna.]]
* DisownedParent: While played straight with how Silas feels toward Gris, it's averted toward his aunt Xillya, who [[spoiler:he visits regularly following her imprisonment. She doesn't really appreciate this though.]]
* FakeKillScare: At one point, Ghost finds the library burning and sees Wander falling into the fire... [[PrankGoneTooFar only for it all to turn out to be a prank by Wander with illusion magic.]]
* ForgotAboutTheMindReader: [[spoiler:During her interrogation, Emilitia and the Silver King chat about her company and business practices. When the conversation ends, he stops her from leaving and reveals that not only has her guilt on various crimes been discovered, but he had also been reading, quote, "her wicked thoughts" during their talk.]]
* GovernmentAgencyOfFiction: [[spoiler:King's Internal Agency, or K.I.A., founded by the Silver King following the uprising to investigate and help prevent incidents like that from happening again.]]
* HealingHands: By the third year, [[spoiler:Hallow is a physician-in-training using SOUL healing, learned from their father.]]
* KissingInATree: Upon returning to the palace, the first thing the Silver King and the White Lady do when reuniting is hug and give each other a passionate kiss, which prompts this trope from their children.
* LockedInTheDungeon: [[spoiler:Xillya and Emilitia are locked up in a dungeon under the White Palace after the attack on the capital.]]
* MeaningfulRename: After rising from the Abyss in his new form, the Pale King takes on the new name "the Silver King". Likewise, the Pale couple's charm, the Kingsoul[[note]](the King's half of which has transformed as well)[[/note]], is renamed to "the Silver Crux".
* MidSeasonUpgrade:
** [[spoiler:During the mantis invasion, the void spilled by Alume imbues itself into Jadia as Gris is killing her.]]
** [[spoiler:Sometime after year 3, Thistlewind has begun to ingest nightmare essence, allowing him to pick up a few tricks with nightmare flame.]]
* MurderInTheFamily: [[spoiler:Between Jadia and Gris. Both ways! During the uprising, Gris finds Jadia, Alume and Wander, and after dealing with the latter two, [[OffingTheOffspring skewers his daughter]]... who then is brought back by the void and [[SelfMadeOrphan crushes her father to death with void tendrils.]]]]
* NeverGivenAName: The mantis youths put through rebirth by blood weren't given names, being raised purely as tools for war.
* NoodleIncident: Alume mentions the "Knotty incident", which seems to have involved Knotty spreading Hornet's void silk all over the Queen's Gardens. The three perpetrators (likely Knotty, Hornet and Wander) got away scot-free.
* OCStandIn: Esmy, who in ''Hollow Knight'' is only mentioned by Sly, appears in the fic, working with the rebellion.
* OffWithHisHead: [[spoiler:Serris, a magistrate in the city guard, meets this fate by Esmy's hand during the revolt.]]
* OfficialCouple: [[spoiler:With some (unsolicited) help from Olga and Alume, Felnum is taken out to dinner with Arla, where he finally confesses his feelings for her, which are requited.]]
%%* OffingTheOffspring: [[spoiler:Gris shows he is perfectly willing to kill Jadia once he finds her during the revolt.]]
* RedEyesTakeWarning: Downplayed in the case of [[spoiler:Thistlewind; starting to eat nightmare essence didn't really make him evil. Only change is the new eye glow and the complete absence of [[SurpriseIncest his crush on Grimm]].]]
* RelatedInTheAdaptation: The Radiance is established to have been Grimm's sister. The two didn't get along very well though.
* LaResistance: A rebellion has been forming in the City of Tears due to the upper social castes economically preying on the lower ones, as well as corruption in the city guard. [[spoiler:Eventually it culminates into a violent uprising, costing the lives of many bugs.]]
%%* SelfMadeOrphan: [[spoiler:Jadia is briefly killed by her father Gris, before being brought back by Alume's spilled void. Her response? Crush his body with tendrils, only giving him one last word: "'''Die.'''"]]
* SparedByTheAdaptation: Rather than [[spoiler:be executed for turning against the King like in ''Hollow Knight'', Xero is personally approached by him after the insurrection, with plans for the newly founded K.I.A.]]
* TheSpeechless: [[spoiler:After Alume temporarily dies to Gris and becomes a shade, Ghost gets her a mask from the Mask Maker. However, since it's only a mask and not an actual body, she no longer has a voice to speak. From then on she communicates through writing.]]
* StopWorshippingMe: When [[spoiler:Xero and Ghost find a cult of void worshippers, Ghost expresses a dislike of the idea of being treated as a god rather than just a bug.]]
* SurpriseIncest: Downplayed, as [[spoiler:the most there was between Grimm and Thistlewind romantically was unrequited attraction from the latter's side, which died out after learning that Grimm is an ancestor of the moths.]]
* ATasteOfTheirOwnMedicine: The first few chapters see a payback prank being prepared for Wander, culminating in them being stuck to a door with honey and fed meat pie by Vera.
* TimeSkip: The fic does this again in chapter 37, now reaching year 3.
* TykeBomb: [[spoiler:Eventually, Mantis Lord Gris reinstates a forbidden fourth initiation rite, known as "rebirth by blood", resulting in the younglings becoming deadly, emotionless walking weapons with no sense of individuality or autonomy.]]
* WeddingEpisode: The first scene of chapter 37 sees the wedding of [[spoiler:Ogrim and Isma.]]
[[/folder]]
* AscendedExtra:
** Felnum, a wasp guard from ''Sins of the Father'' that only had a mention and later one or two appearances, now has a bigger role in ''Dreams'', allying himself with the rebellion and [[spoiler:eventually being personally chosen by the King to be a K.I.A. agent after the uprising ends.]]
** Xero, who when the player meets him in ''Hollow Knight'' isn't much more than a boss battle with a bit of lore, in the fic is the VoiceOfTheResistance, and later [[spoiler:becomes a K.I.A. agent as well.]]
* AssassinationAttempt: [[spoiler:Amongst the civil unrest in the City of Tears, Lurien is the target of an assassination plot, eventually carried out by [[BodyguardBetrayal his butler]]. Luckily, it fails.]]
* AssholeVictim: [[spoiler:Following the insurrection, Xillya and Emilitia are imprisoned, the latter sentenced to do clean-up work in the Royal Waterways and the Queen's Gardens.]]
* BreatherEpisode: After the rollercoaster that was the climax of ''Sins'', the first several chapters of ''Dreams'' focuses on some fluff and slice of life.
* BreakTheCutie: The Silver King notes that while [[spoiler:Wander didn't truly die at the hands of Gris,]] the experience must've been no less real, and after [[spoiler:the attack Ghost can sense them going through post-traumatic stress. It's also noted later on by Jadia that they've toned it down with their pranks.]]
* BodyguardBetrayal: [[spoiler:Soon as the rebellion's attack on the capital begins, Lurien has his life attempted on by Tetra, his butler, as part of a plot.]]
* CorruptCorporateExecutive: Duchess [[Characters/HollowKnightNPCs Emilitia]], the unsympathetic owner of a property company that's been contributing to the rebellion's reason for revolting.
* CruelAndUnusualDeath: [[spoiler:During the revolt at the capital, Gris dies brutally crushed by the void tendrils of [[SelfMadeOrphan a newly imbued Jadia]].]]
* CruelMercy: [[spoiler:Mantis Lord Xillya is incarcerated for her involvement in the creation of the mantis ChildSoldiers and the subsequent invasion on Hallownest, against her wishes to simply be executed, as was customary for her tribe.]]
* DefusingTheTykeBomb: [[spoiler:Following the mantis invasion, the White Lady adopts the surviving brainwashed mantis youths, giving them names and therapy. A scene in chapter 39 focuses on one of them, now named Sonna.]]
* DisownedParent: While played straight with how Silas feels toward Gris, it's averted toward his aunt Xillya, who [[spoiler:he visits regularly following her imprisonment. She doesn't really appreciate this though.]]
* FakeKillScare: At one point, Ghost finds the library burning and sees Wander falling into the fire... [[PrankGoneTooFar only for it all to turn out to be a prank by Wander with illusion magic.]]
* ForgotAboutTheMindReader: [[spoiler:During her interrogation, Emilitia and the Silver King chat about her company and business practices. When the conversation ends, he stops her from leaving and reveals that not only has her guilt on various crimes been discovered, but he had also been reading, quote, "her wicked thoughts" during their talk.]]
* GovernmentAgencyOfFiction: [[spoiler:King's Internal Agency, or K.I.A., founded by the Silver King following the uprising to investigate and help prevent incidents like that from happening again.]]
* HealingHands: By the third year, [[spoiler:Hallow is a physician-in-training using SOUL healing, learned from their father.]]
* KissingInATree: Upon returning to the palace, the first thing the Silver King and the White Lady do when reuniting is hug and give each other a passionate kiss, which prompts this trope from their children.
* LockedInTheDungeon: [[spoiler:Xillya and Emilitia are locked up in a dungeon under the White Palace after the attack on the capital.]]
* MeaningfulRename: After rising from the Abyss in his new form, the Pale King takes on the new name "the Silver King". Likewise, the Pale couple's charm, the Kingsoul[[note]](the King's half of which has transformed as well)[[/note]], is renamed to "the Silver Crux".
* MidSeasonUpgrade:
** [[spoiler:During the mantis invasion, the void spilled by Alume imbues itself into Jadia as Gris is killing her.]]
** [[spoiler:Sometime after year 3, Thistlewind has begun to ingest nightmare essence, allowing him to pick up a few tricks with nightmare flame.]]
* MurderInTheFamily: [[spoiler:Between Jadia and Gris. Both ways! During the uprising, Gris finds Jadia, Alume and Wander, and after dealing with the latter two, [[OffingTheOffspring skewers his daughter]]... who then is brought back by the void and [[SelfMadeOrphan crushes her father to death with void tendrils.]]]]
* NeverGivenAName: The mantis youths put through rebirth by blood weren't given names, being raised purely as tools for war.
* NoodleIncident: Alume mentions the "Knotty incident", which seems to have involved Knotty spreading Hornet's void silk all over the Queen's Gardens. The three perpetrators (likely Knotty, Hornet and Wander) got away scot-free.
* OCStandIn: Esmy, who in ''Hollow Knight'' is only mentioned by Sly, appears in the fic, working with the rebellion.
* OffWithHisHead: [[spoiler:Serris, a magistrate in the city guard, meets this fate by Esmy's hand during the revolt.]]
* OfficialCouple: [[spoiler:With some (unsolicited) help from Olga and Alume, Felnum is taken out to dinner with Arla, where he finally confesses his feelings for her, which are requited.]]
%%* OffingTheOffspring: [[spoiler:Gris shows he is perfectly willing to kill Jadia once he finds her during the revolt.]]
* RedEyesTakeWarning: Downplayed in the case of [[spoiler:Thistlewind; starting to eat nightmare essence didn't really make him evil. Only change is the new eye glow and the complete absence of [[SurpriseIncest his crush on Grimm]].]]
* RelatedInTheAdaptation: The Radiance is established to have been Grimm's sister. The two didn't get along very well though.
* LaResistance: A rebellion has been forming in the City of Tears due to the upper social castes economically preying on the lower ones, as well as corruption in the city guard. [[spoiler:Eventually it culminates into a violent uprising, costing the lives of many bugs.]]
%%* SelfMadeOrphan: [[spoiler:Jadia is briefly killed by her father Gris, before being brought back by Alume's spilled void. Her response? Crush his body with tendrils, only giving him one last word: "'''Die.'''"]]
* SparedByTheAdaptation: Rather than [[spoiler:be executed for turning against the King like in ''Hollow Knight'', Xero is personally approached by him after the insurrection, with plans for the newly founded K.I.A.]]
* TheSpeechless: [[spoiler:After Alume temporarily dies to Gris and becomes a shade, Ghost gets her a mask from the Mask Maker. However, since it's only a mask and not an actual body, she no longer has a voice to speak. From then on she communicates through writing.]]
* StopWorshippingMe: When [[spoiler:Xero and Ghost find a cult of void worshippers, Ghost expresses a dislike of the idea of being treated as a god rather than just a bug.]]
* SurpriseIncest: Downplayed, as [[spoiler:the most there was between Grimm and Thistlewind romantically was unrequited attraction from the latter's side, which died out after learning that Grimm is an ancestor of the moths.]]
* ATasteOfTheirOwnMedicine: The first few chapters see a payback prank being prepared for Wander, culminating in them being stuck to a door with honey and fed meat pie by Vera.
* TimeSkip: The fic does this again in chapter 37, now reaching year 3.
* TykeBomb: [[spoiler:Eventually, Mantis Lord Gris reinstates a forbidden fourth initiation rite, known as "rebirth by blood", resulting in the younglings becoming deadly, emotionless walking weapons with no sense of individuality or autonomy.]]
* WeddingEpisode: The first scene of chapter 37 sees the wedding of [[spoiler:Ogrim and Isma.]]
[[/folder]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 50,51 (click to see context) from:
* CameBackStrong: [[spoiler:After killing the Radiance and falling into the void, the Pale King fuses with it even more and is reborn as a mightier, [[LargeAndInCharge larger]], [[ChromeChampion more silvery]] being.]]
* CameBackWrong: Dryya is just barely saved by Ghost from her demise in the Abyss, at the cost of now being made of void. She is devastated by this at first, [[IAmAMonster believing herself to have become a monster]].
* CameBackWrong: Dryya is just barely saved by Ghost from her demise in the Abyss, at the cost of now being made of void. She is devastated by this at first, [[IAmAMonster believing herself to have become a monster]].
to:
* CameBackStrong: [[spoiler:After killing the Radiance CameBackStrong:
** Being revived as a void being, Dryya has control over it andfalling into the void, can communicate telepathically with other void beings such as Ghost, the Pale King fuses with it even more and is reborn as a mightier, [[LargeAndInCharge larger]], [[ChromeChampion more silvery]] being.his children. [[spoiler:This also applies to everyone else resurrected or saved from death thanks to the void.]]
** [[spoiler:After killing the Radiance and falling into the void, the Pale King fuses with it even more and is reborn as a mightier, [[LargeAndInCharge larger]], [[ChromeChampion more silvery]] being.]]
* CameBackWrong: Dryya isjust barely saved by Ghost from her demise in the Abyss, at the cost of now being made of void. She is first devastated by this at first, having been turned into a void being by Ghost, [[IAmAMonster believing herself to have become a monster]].
** Being revived as a void being, Dryya has control over it and
** [[spoiler:After killing the Radiance and falling into the void, the Pale King fuses with it even more and is reborn as a mightier, [[LargeAndInCharge larger]], [[ChromeChampion more silvery]] being.]]
* CameBackWrong: Dryya is
Added DiffLines:
** Dryya plummets to her death in the Abyss thanks to an ElevatorFailure, but is soon after resurrected by Ghost as a void being.
** [[spoiler:A heavily wounded Alume is imbued with the void by Dryya during the White Palace massacre.]]
** [[spoiler:After [[AnArmAndALeg losing an arm]] during their fight against the Radiance, Isma is imbued by Dr. Binwinn with void from a vial. He suffers fatal injuries as well and is himself imbued by Dryya once she finds him.]]
** [[spoiler:A heavily wounded Alume is imbued with the void by Dryya during the White Palace massacre.]]
** [[spoiler:After [[AnArmAndALeg losing an arm]] during their fight against the Radiance, Isma is imbued by Dr. Binwinn with void from a vial. He suffers fatal injuries as well and is himself imbued by Dryya once she finds him.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 11,12 (click to see context) from:
''[[https://archiveofourown.org/series/2473468 To Reclaim a Dream]]'' is a ''VideoGame/HollowKnight'' AlternateUniverseFic series by [=ReverseInverse=], weirdpianist and [=TyrantChimera=], hosted on Website/ArchiveOfOurOwn.
to:
''[[https://archiveofourown.org/series/2473468 To Reclaim a Dream]]'' is a ''VideoGame/HollowKnight'' AlternateUniverseFic series by [=ReverseInverse=], weirdpianist (a.k.a. Nike) and [=TyrantChimera=], hosted on Website/ArchiveOfOurOwn.
Changed line(s) 30,31 (click to see context) from:
%% After so long of Hornet not being in the new timeline, the Pale King finally brings up the idea of siring Herrah's child, as a show of the alliance between Hallownest and Deepnest. Eventually, Hornet is born.
to:
Changed line(s) 33 (click to see context) from:
* AdaptationalSympathy: The fic portrays the Pale King as being [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone genuinely repentant of the actions that led to his kingdom's downfall,]] as well as (through Ghost) [[GoAndSinNoMore gives him the chance to redeem himself]].
to:
* AdaptationalSympathy: The fic portrays the Pale King as being [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone genuinely repentant of the actions that led to his kingdom's downfall,]] downfall]], as well as (through Ghost) [[GoAndSinNoMore gives him the chance to redeem himself]].
* DiesDifferentlyInAdaptation: Sadly, a few characters that die or are found dead in ''VideoGame/HollowKnight'' still die in this new timeline.
** [[spoiler:Markoth, [[OffWithHisHead decapitated by Dryya]] during the attack on the palace.]]
** Likewise, [[spoiler:most of the Moth Tribe die off as well, killed in the Radiance's attack on the White Palace rather than however they may have died in the game.]]
** [[spoiler:The Soul Master. After being possessed by the Radiance and fleeing the Sanctum, his infection-ridden body is found during the climax, [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness no longer useful as a host to the goddess]].]]
** [[spoiler:Markoth, [[OffWithHisHead decapitated by Dryya]] during the attack on the palace.]]
** Likewise, [[spoiler:most of the Moth Tribe die off as well, killed in the Radiance's attack on the White Palace rather than however they may have died in the game.]]
** [[spoiler:The Soul Master. After being possessed by the Radiance and fleeing the Sanctum, his infection-ridden body is found during the climax, [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness no longer useful as a host to the goddess]].]]
Changed line(s) 103 (click to see context) from:
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: The Pale King is extremely regretful of his actions, deeming what he thought was going to be his death at the hands of the Shade Lord a fitting and fully deserved end.
to:
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: The Pale King is extremely regretful of his actions, deeming and deemed what he thought was going to be his death at the hands of the Shade Lord a fitting and fully deserved end.
Added DiffLines:
* SparedByTheAdaptation:
** Whether or not the Pale King is truly dead when found by the player in the game, he is 100% alive in the fic.
** The Dreamers don't go into eternal sleep thanks to the Pale King cancelling the Hollow Knight plan.
** [[spoiler:Thistlewind, having long left the Moth Tribe, indirectly survives the massacre at the White Palace; contrary to the game where he's met as a ghost.]]
** Whether or not the Pale King is truly dead when found by the player in the game, he is 100% alive in the fic.
** The Dreamers don't go into eternal sleep thanks to the Pale King cancelling the Hollow Knight plan.
** [[spoiler:Thistlewind, having long left the Moth Tribe, indirectly survives the massacre at the White Palace; contrary to the game where he's met as a ghost.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* BattleInTheCenterOfTheMind: [[spoiler:Ghost and the Pale King enter the dream realm through the Radiance[[note]](Ghost by [[OrificeInvasion literally going inside her]], and the Pale King by using the Dream Nail)[[/note]] and put an end to her for good.]]
Added DiffLines:
* GhostAmnesia: [[spoiler:Upon dying and becoming an incorporeal mind in the Abyss, the Pale King struggles to remember who he was.]]
Added DiffLines:
* OrificeInvasion: [[spoiler:In the final confrontation, the Radiance's body is unexpectedly entered into through every orifice by an enraged Ghost.]]
Added DiffLines:
* ThePowerOfLove: [[spoiler:After dying and ending up bodyless in the Abyss, the Pale King senses the White Lady praying for him through his half of the Kingsoul, allowing him to remember who he is and [[BackFromTheDead be reborn]].]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 17 (click to see context) from:
* ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/31624934 Imaginary Friend]]'': An {{Interquel}} set between the first TimeSkip in ''Sins'', written by [=TyrantChimera=].
to:
* ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/31624934 Imaginary Friend]]'': An {{Interquel}} set between within the first TimeSkip in ''Sins'', written by [=TyrantChimera=].[=TyrantChimera=]. (May 30 - Oct 16, 2021)
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 1 (click to see context) from:
->'''A cost too great.\\
to:
Changed line(s) 8 (click to see context) from:
You are the Pale King.'''\\
to:
You are the Pale King.'''\\'''"''\\
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
->'''A cost too great.\\
A mind plagued by regret.\\
A will left broken.\\
A voice that cried suffering.\\
Born a god, and now marked by the void.\\
You shall overcome your failure against the blinding light.\\
You are the ruler of Hallownest once more.\\
You are the Pale King.'''\\
--Ghost to the Pale King, in a dream.
''[[https://archiveofourown.org/series/2473468 To Reclaim a Dream]]'' is a ''VideoGame/HollowKnight'' AlternateUniverseFic series by [=ReverseInverse=], weirdpianist and [=TyrantChimera=], hosted on Website/ArchiveOfOurOwn.
After ascending to godhood and becoming the Shade Lord, the Knight ([[FanNickname called Ghost in the fic]]) returns to the White Palace and drags the Pale King[[note]](who in the fic [[SparedByTheAdaptation is still alive]], including when Ghost smacked his half of the Kingsoul off of him)[[/note]] with them back in time, with the goal of [[SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong preventing the atrocities done by the King to deal with the Infection]].
The installments are as follows:
* ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/30520647 Sins of the Father]]'' (Apr 7 - Aug 15, 2021)
* ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/31624934 Imaginary Friend]]'': An {{Interquel}} set between the first TimeSkip in ''Sins'', written by [=TyrantChimera=].
* ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/33340345 Dreams of the Father]]'': The ImmediateSequel to ''Sins''. (Aug 18, 2021 - ongoing)
* ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/38152480 Screams of the Father]]'': A one-shot CrackFic written together by all three authors. (Apr 4, 2022)
* ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/46156213 Sins of the Father in a Nutshell]]'': An "abridged" version of ''Sins'' in AllLowercaseLetters, written for AprilFoolsDay. (Apr 1, 2023 - ongoing)
!!Tropes of the Father:
[[folder:Tropes for ''Sins of the Father'']]
%% Tropes I've yet to find:
%% ''They desperately wanted to go out and meet people, but that desire brought upon a problem: they needed a mask. The last time they had been seen in public (which was just after they had ascended). Elderbug had fainted at the sight of them, and Bretta had run out of Dirtmouth screaming bloody murder.''
%% Dryya goes to steal the Dream Nail from the moths.
%% ''“Remind me to fire whoever constructed this one.” The Pale King said as he gazed downward into the Abyss.''
%% After so long of Hornet not being in the new timeline, the Pale King finally brings up the idea of siring Herrah's child, as a show of the alliance between Hallownest and Deepnest. Eventually, Hornet is born.
* ActionDad: The Pale King (who soon enough becomes a dad) is himself capable of some badassery, such as taking on the four Mantis Lords without breaking a sweat.
* AdaptationalSympathy: The fic portrays the Pale King as being [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone genuinely repentant of the actions that led to his kingdom's downfall,]] as well as (through Ghost) [[GoAndSinNoMore gives him the chance to redeem himself]].
* AlienBlood: Those made of void, naturally, bleed black. And also [[TearsOfBlood cry it]]. And puke it.
* AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs: [[spoiler:Upon [[DealWithTheDevil possessing the Seer]] and infecting the Moth Tribe, the Radiance uses them to launch an attack on the White Palace, resulting in a massacre on both sides.]]
* AlternateSelf:
** In this new timeline, the vessels, while still being void, were never thrown into the Abyss, and live in the White Palace as the Pale King and White Lady's children.
** [[spoiler:Herrah eventually has a dalliance with the Pale King to have Hornet, like in the game's story. Fortunately though, Herrah doesn't go into an eternal slumber. Hornet is also void now![[note]]([[https://youtu.be/0JKUolxcH10 sorry, mossbag]])[[/note]]]]
* TheAtoner:
** Guilty over what he did to preserve Hallownest, the Pale King takes the opportunity given to him by Ghost and elects to right his wrongs before they happen, starting by leaving the Abyss alone as well as scrapping the Hollow Knight plan before his and the White Lady's eggs can be tossed in.
** [[spoiler:The day after the Radiance's attack, the Seer pledges allegiance to the Pale King in repentance for causing it and is let into his inner circle.]]
* BigBad: The Radiance, [[TrueFinalBoss just like in the game]].
* BigDamnReunion:
** [[spoiler:During the palace massacre, Ghost finally shows themselves (as the Shade Lord), and once they've exorcised the Radiance out of the Seer, they finally talk with the Pale King after spending so long not approaching him, and pull him into a hug.]]
** [[spoiler:After the massacre, Lurien brings Thistlewind to the Pale King, who lets him know that the Seer's alive, leading to a tearful reunion.]]
* BigNo: [[spoiler:The Radiance's last word before being snuffed by the Shade Lord.]]
* BookDumb: Despite not being one for school and learning, Wander has shown to put together some rather good plans for eluding palace guards.
* BreakTheCutie: [[spoiler:A few Pale children are broken by the loss of bugs they'd formed a bond with in the Radiance's attack on the White Palace.]]
* CallingTheOldManOut: While the Pale King is heading to the Mantis Tribe to teach Lord Gris a lesson, the latter's daughter Jadia just about has it with him about how he's always seen her as "improper" no matter how hard she tried to please him.
* CameBackStrong: [[spoiler:After killing the Radiance and falling into the void, the Pale King fuses with it even more and is reborn as a mightier, [[LargeAndInCharge larger]], [[ChromeChampion more silvery]] being.]]
* CameBackWrong: Dryya is just barely saved by Ghost from her demise in the Abyss, at the cost of now being made of void. She is devastated by this at first, [[IAmAMonster believing herself to have become a monster]].
* ChekhovsGun: After being resurrected, Dryya snuck into the Moth Tribe and took the Dream Nail as per Ghost's request, but it wasn't much use in the end. But later, [[spoiler:when the Pale King discusses the dream realm and ways to enter it, Dryya remembers she still has the Dream Nail and shows him it.]]
* ChekhovsSkill: By the time the first year passes, Dryya has learnt the Nail Arts from Ghost. [[spoiler:She uses one of them to strike Markoth down during the Radiance's attack on the palace.]]
* ChromeChampion: [[spoiler:As a result of merging with the void, the reborn Pale King has gone from pure white to a more silvery hue.]]
* CurbStompBattle: Upon receiving a letter from Mantis Lord Gris insulting his choice to ally with Deepnest, the Pale King visits the Mantis Village and challenges Gris to a fight. He proceeds to spend a few moments having him miss each hit, to then beat him with a single blow. Gris' sisters join in and get the same result.
* DadsCantCook: Inverted in the case of Alume's dad. The man[[note]](well, bug)[[/note]] bakes some fine bread! Owns a bakery too.
* DealWithTheDevil: It's revealed that following the theft of the Dream Nail, [[spoiler:the Seer had performed a ritual to allow the Radiance into her body, but was betrayed by the goddess, who [[DemonicPossession completely took over her body]] and infected the rest of the tribe (minus Thistlewind, [[TheRunaway who'd left them beforehand]]).]]
* DefectorFromDecadence: After a year, [[spoiler:Quinn just about has it with the Soul Sanctum's practices and sends a letter to the Pale King warning about them and pleading to shut the place down. Unfortunately he's found out by the Soul Master and, [[RedemptionEqualsDeath it doesn't end well for him...]]]]
* DisneyDeath:
** During the evacuation of the Abyss, on the final lift ride out, the lift gives out and plummets down into the void, [[DisneyVillainDeath as does Dryya, despite the Pale King's efforts to fly her back to the top.]] Believed dead, a funeral for her is held. Eventually though, Ghost manages to resurrect her, albeit as a void being.
** [[spoiler:The Pale King appears to die along with the Radiance, both outside[[note]](his head breaks in half along with hers)[[/note]] and inside her dream world.[[note]](as it implodes, he falls down to the sea of void below before he can take Ghost's hand)[[/note]] [[CameBackStrong He gets better though.]]]]
* DisownedParent: Silas is shown to not consider Gris his father.
* DoNotTauntCthulhu: Pissed at the Pale King's alliance with Deepnest, Mantis Lord Gris gives him a piece of his mind through a letter... which prompts the King to give the tribe a visit and [[CurbStompBattle put him in his place through a duel]].
* DreamWeaver: Being a god, Ghost is able to manipulate dreams.
** In a dream, they give a speech to the Pale King mirroring the one he gave to the Hollow Knight. Dr. Binwinn has a similar dream, but Ghost remains quiet this time.
** They construct a dream world at one point to have a spar match with Dryya in.
* EvilAllAlong: Upon sneaking into the Soul Master's office and looking around, Quinn discovers his goal of "pure focus" became only a front for him simply being DrunkWithPower.
* ElevatorFailure: Just as the evacuation of the Abyss is finished and the Pale King and Dryya are leaving, the elevator breaks and starts falling with the two inside.
* EurekaMoment:
** [[spoiler:When Herrah brings up the Mantis Tribe's alliance with him, she and the Pale King come to the conclusion that a grand gesture should be done in order to prevent relations with Deepnest from straining. It's here when the King remembers Hornet and proposes to give Herrah a child.]]
** [[spoiler:When Ghost and Dryya walk in on a discussion between the Pale King and Dr. Binwinn regarding the Radiance and the fact her weakness is the void, the King thinks to involve Ghost in his idea to use void to scare the Radiance away from the populace.]]
* ExplosiveBreeder: The eggs the White Lady has laid amount to 71.
* FaceDeathWithDignity: [[spoiler:Despite being at death's door, Quinn is satisfied that he was able to warn the King of the Soul Sanctum's misdeeds, and hopes that the Soul Master will get what's coming to him.]]
* TheForceIsStrongWithThisOne: Being a god, Ghost can be sensed strongly by those connected to the void.
* ForcedTransformation: Downplayed, as despite now being full of void, the Pale King remains the same on the outside; the only clue that something was wrong being that his bodily fluids were pure black.
* FromHeroToMentor: After seeing Ghost's fighting prowess in the dream realm and losing to them, Dryya asks them to teach her. She learns the Nail Arts as a result.
* GoAndSinNoMore: A more forceful instance; Ghost warps the Pale King to the past so that he can right his wrongs before he does them.
* GodInHumanForm:
** After resurrecting Dryya, Ghost decides to commission a mask from the Mask Maker in order to have a less terrifying form.
** [[spoiler:In Kingdom's Edge, Dr. Binwinn and his expedition find a large infection egg that then hatches, and the Radiance comes forth in her new physical form.]]
* GoshDarnItToHeck: Downplayed. The word "shit" is replaced with "dung", but the rest of cuss words are still used.
* HealingFactor:
** Thanks to now being void, Dryya's wound from being stabbed by Markoth quickly heals shortly after she flees the tribe. The same happens to the Pale King when stabbing himself to confirm he'd become void too.
** [[spoiler:The Radiance's [[GodInHumanForm physical form]] can easily heal wounds as well.]]
* HealingHands: The Pale King can focus SOUL to heal wounds.
* HeelRaceTurn: [[spoiler:After the Radiance's attack, Arla, Vera and half the Mantis Tribe come to the Pale King and pledge allegiance, explaining that they've gotten sick and tired of Gris, Xillya and the other half being extremely hateful of the King and wanting to strike back.]]
* HelicopterParents: Mantis Lord Gris has been this to Jadia, constantly trying to get her to be what he considers "proper" and never being quite satisfied, much less accepting her relationship with Ze'mer.
* HeroicSelfDeprecation: The Pale King still has some moments of self-loathing from his actions in the old timeline.
* IAmAMonster: Early on, Dryya is mortified by her new void form, believing she can't go back to her old life as she's no longer the same as the other bugs, but a monster. And this belief is strengthened by the moths' reaction to her [[LodgedBladeRemoval removing Markoth's nail from herself like it's nothing]].
* IAmWhatIAm: [[spoiler:An exchange between Dryya and the Pale King reveals that in a year, she eventually accepted her status as a void being and no longer sees herself as a monster; especially not after seeing how much more of a monster the Radiance was by sending her own tribe on a massacre.]]
* IdenticalStranger: Dr. Binwinn resembles Quirrel so much despite not being related, it's a running joke among his peers that they're brothers. To Binwinn's chagrin (and despite the fact he already has a brother, Renem).
* ImmuneToMindControl: [[spoiler:The Pale King has Monomon create a way to prevent the Radiance from invading bugs' minds. Eventually she presents a mind seal that keeps the user safe from all mental influence (including [[PsychicBlockDefense telepathy]]).]]
* ItsAllMyFault: [[spoiler:Part of the reason Ghost is upset the day of the final plan against the Radiance is because of [[PrankGoneTooFar a prank by Wander]]. After the Radiance dies and Ghost goes missing, Wander blames themselves and tries to swear off pranks before being reassured otherwise by Champ and Hallow. The latter does admit they should tone it down a bit though.]]
* LargeAndInCharge: [[spoiler:The Pale King's new form, in addition to being silver, is now larger.]]
* LodgedBladeRemoval: During Dryya's scuffle with Markoth while stealing the Dream Nail, he manages to pierce her with a soul nail, only for her to easily pull it out of herself.
* ManlyTears:
** When the White Lady's eggs hatch, the Pale King stands there watching their offspring emerge. Until one of them comes up to him... the Pure Vessel. The King breaks down and hugs them.
** [[spoiler:When learning from Lurien about the Radiance's attack and the death of his people, Thistlewind doesn't cry at first. Not until the Pale King has him reunite with the Seer.]]
* MemorialStatue: Following Dryya's "death", the palace is full of small statues made by Ogrim in her honor.
* MindOverManners: Ghost obliges Dryya's request to not read her mind. Though there's a few times when they can't help but do it anyway.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: The Pale King is extremely regretful of his actions, deeming what he thought was going to be his death at the hands of the Shade Lord a fitting and fully deserved end.
* MySignificanceSenseIsTingling: [[spoiler:At some point after the Pale King's "death", Dryya and a few of his children suddenly start uncontrollably laughing. When Dryya asks what's happening, Ghost chimes in and answers: ''"[[BackFromTheDead Father is alive!]]"'']]
* NakedOnRevival: [[spoiler:When the Pale King is reborn and emerges from the void lake in the Abyss, Ghost notes that they'd never seen him robeless.]]
* NamedByTheAdaptation:
** The vessels, being raised as children in the new timeline, have all been named. Including: Wander (Ghost), Hallow (the Hollow Knight), Atlas (the Greenpath vessel), Kindred (Broken Vessel[=/=]Lost Kin), Champ, Whisper...
** The Mantis Lord family are given names for the fic: Arla (eldest), Vera (middle), Xillya (youngest), Gris (Traitor Lord), and Jadia (Traitor's Child).
* NewBabyEpisode:
** Chapter 15 focuses on the Pale Couple's eggs hatching and the palace dwellers meeting the offspring.
** [[spoiler:Chapter 37 sees the hatching of [[AlternateSelf the new timeline's Hornet]].]]
* NoNudityTaboo: Implied. [[spoiler:When Ghost points out the Pale King is NakedOnRevival,]] the narration then states that "nudity isn't awkward per se."
* OffWithHisHead: [[spoiler:Merimm's demise at the hands of Markoth during the Radiance's raid on the palace. Soon after Markoth shares this fate by Dryya's hand.]]
* OfferingAHand: When it's revealed to Dryya that the Pale King is void just like her, he reassures her that void or not, she's still a Great Knight, and offers his hand asking her to come back. She accepts.
%% ** [[spoiler:After the Pale King's "death", Hallow offers Wander a hand when comforting them.]]
%% ->''Their twin sibling took it, and an unspoken bond formed between them as they went to bed that night.''
* OnlyMostlyDead: [[spoiler:A few characters reach the brink of death but are brought back as void beings. The fic doesn't have the tag "Major Character Undeath" for nothing!]]
* PersonOfHolding: A benefit of being made of void is being able to store objects inside you! [[note]]The Pale King briefly notes his kids using this ability has been rather troublesome.[[/note]]
* PolarOppositeTwins: Hallow and Wander. Hallow is [[FoolishSiblingResponsibleSibling more responsible]] and prefers to focus on learning, while Wander likes to run around, spar and [[ThePrankster pull pranks]], and can't stand lessons.
* ThePrankster: Wander eventually picks up pranks as a hobby. [[spoiler:It gets worse when Hornet teams up with them.]]
* ProtectiveCharm: [[spoiler:In order keep the Radiance at bay, the Pale King, Dr. Binwinn, Alume and Ghost carry out the creation of blackstones, small stones [[PhlebotinumHandlingEquipment with a vial of void inside them]], given to citizens of Hallownest.]]
* RankUp: During the one year skipped in the story, Alume has gone from Prefect to Commander. [[spoiler:After the Radiance's raid, the Pale King promotes her to Magistrate, as well as bring her into his inner circle.]]
* TheRunaway:
** Fed up with her father's mistreatment of her, Jadia runs away from the Mantis Tribe. Eventually she's found by Ze'mer, Isma and the Pale King, who accepts the two's relationship.
** It's revealed that Silas is Jadia's brother and he, too, had exiled himself from the tribe, before becoming a scholar in the Pale Court.
** Ever since the theft of the Dream Nail, [[spoiler:Seer and Markoth have been getting more irritable, culminating in Thistlewind leaving the Moth Tribe.]]
* SequelHook: [[spoiler:Once the reborn Pale King has gotten out of the void, he and Ghost head up to the Abyss entrance to return to their family.]]
->''[[spoiler:"My loyal servants… my dearest Root… my children… I am coming home."]]''
* SideBet: While discussing the Pale King's summons for a meeting, Monomon playfully suggests that Binwinn bet 500 geo on himself getting somehow wrapped into the King's business. Fast forward to a one-on-one chat with him after the meeting, the King lets Binwinn know he now considers him a confidant, prompting him to briefly lament not taking the bet.
* SoleSurvivor: [[spoiler:After the Radiance's attack on the White Palace, Seer and Thistlewind are the only moths that remain alive.]]
* SorryThatImDying: [[spoiler:As he is about to be [[OffWithHisHead decapitated]] by Markoth, Merimm apologizes in his mind to Atlas, the Pale child he'd grown close with, for no longer being there for them.]]
* StormingTheCastle:
** [[spoiler:In response to Quinn's letter about the Soul Sanctum, Alume, the two Mantis Lords, three Great Knights and some {{Red Shirt}}s storm the Sanctum and encounter retaliation from just about everyone.]]
** [[spoiler:Dr. Binwinn is sent along with Isma, Ogrim and Ze'mer to the Radiance's final hideout in Kingdom's Edge to carry out their final plan and finish her off.]]
* TimeSkip:
** After the Pale King hands the Mantis Lords their asses and Jadia reunites with Silas, Chapter 22 skips to 1 year after the children's hatching.
** Chapter 41 skips to year 2.
* TouchTelepathy: After reviving Dryya, through taking their hand, Ghost shows her their memories of their doomed timeline.
* VillainExitStageLeft: Upon being defeated [[spoiler:in the Soul Sanctum, the Radiance (in control of the Soul Master's body)]] flees through a window.
* VillainousBreakdown: [[spoiler:The Radiance spends her last moments in sheer terror in the presence of an enraged Shade Lord.]]
* VomitIndiscretionShot: When waking up in the new timeline, the first thing the Pale King does is barf up some void.
* WhamEpisode: Chapter 26, "...Until the Sun Goes Supernova". [[spoiler:The Radiance [[AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs sends the infected moth tribe to attack the White Palace]], massacring guards and retainers alike, [[BreakTheCutie some who the Pale King's children had grown attached to]].]]
[[/folder]]
----
A mind plagued by regret.\\
A will left broken.\\
A voice that cried suffering.\\
Born a god, and now marked by the void.\\
You shall overcome your failure against the blinding light.\\
You are the ruler of Hallownest once more.\\
You are the Pale King.'''\\
--Ghost to the Pale King, in a dream.
''[[https://archiveofourown.org/series/2473468 To Reclaim a Dream]]'' is a ''VideoGame/HollowKnight'' AlternateUniverseFic series by [=ReverseInverse=], weirdpianist and [=TyrantChimera=], hosted on Website/ArchiveOfOurOwn.
After ascending to godhood and becoming the Shade Lord, the Knight ([[FanNickname called Ghost in the fic]]) returns to the White Palace and drags the Pale King[[note]](who in the fic [[SparedByTheAdaptation is still alive]], including when Ghost smacked his half of the Kingsoul off of him)[[/note]] with them back in time, with the goal of [[SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong preventing the atrocities done by the King to deal with the Infection]].
The installments are as follows:
* ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/30520647 Sins of the Father]]'' (Apr 7 - Aug 15, 2021)
* ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/31624934 Imaginary Friend]]'': An {{Interquel}} set between the first TimeSkip in ''Sins'', written by [=TyrantChimera=].
* ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/33340345 Dreams of the Father]]'': The ImmediateSequel to ''Sins''. (Aug 18, 2021 - ongoing)
* ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/38152480 Screams of the Father]]'': A one-shot CrackFic written together by all three authors. (Apr 4, 2022)
* ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/46156213 Sins of the Father in a Nutshell]]'': An "abridged" version of ''Sins'' in AllLowercaseLetters, written for AprilFoolsDay. (Apr 1, 2023 - ongoing)
!!Tropes of the Father:
[[folder:Tropes for ''Sins of the Father'']]
%% Tropes I've yet to find:
%% ''They desperately wanted to go out and meet people, but that desire brought upon a problem: they needed a mask. The last time they had been seen in public (which was just after they had ascended). Elderbug had fainted at the sight of them, and Bretta had run out of Dirtmouth screaming bloody murder.''
%% Dryya goes to steal the Dream Nail from the moths.
%% ''“Remind me to fire whoever constructed this one.” The Pale King said as he gazed downward into the Abyss.''
%% After so long of Hornet not being in the new timeline, the Pale King finally brings up the idea of siring Herrah's child, as a show of the alliance between Hallownest and Deepnest. Eventually, Hornet is born.
* ActionDad: The Pale King (who soon enough becomes a dad) is himself capable of some badassery, such as taking on the four Mantis Lords without breaking a sweat.
* AdaptationalSympathy: The fic portrays the Pale King as being [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone genuinely repentant of the actions that led to his kingdom's downfall,]] as well as (through Ghost) [[GoAndSinNoMore gives him the chance to redeem himself]].
* AlienBlood: Those made of void, naturally, bleed black. And also [[TearsOfBlood cry it]]. And puke it.
* AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs: [[spoiler:Upon [[DealWithTheDevil possessing the Seer]] and infecting the Moth Tribe, the Radiance uses them to launch an attack on the White Palace, resulting in a massacre on both sides.]]
* AlternateSelf:
** In this new timeline, the vessels, while still being void, were never thrown into the Abyss, and live in the White Palace as the Pale King and White Lady's children.
** [[spoiler:Herrah eventually has a dalliance with the Pale King to have Hornet, like in the game's story. Fortunately though, Herrah doesn't go into an eternal slumber. Hornet is also void now![[note]]([[https://youtu.be/0JKUolxcH10 sorry, mossbag]])[[/note]]]]
* TheAtoner:
** Guilty over what he did to preserve Hallownest, the Pale King takes the opportunity given to him by Ghost and elects to right his wrongs before they happen, starting by leaving the Abyss alone as well as scrapping the Hollow Knight plan before his and the White Lady's eggs can be tossed in.
** [[spoiler:The day after the Radiance's attack, the Seer pledges allegiance to the Pale King in repentance for causing it and is let into his inner circle.]]
* BigBad: The Radiance, [[TrueFinalBoss just like in the game]].
* BigDamnReunion:
** [[spoiler:During the palace massacre, Ghost finally shows themselves (as the Shade Lord), and once they've exorcised the Radiance out of the Seer, they finally talk with the Pale King after spending so long not approaching him, and pull him into a hug.]]
** [[spoiler:After the massacre, Lurien brings Thistlewind to the Pale King, who lets him know that the Seer's alive, leading to a tearful reunion.]]
* BigNo: [[spoiler:The Radiance's last word before being snuffed by the Shade Lord.]]
* BookDumb: Despite not being one for school and learning, Wander has shown to put together some rather good plans for eluding palace guards.
* BreakTheCutie: [[spoiler:A few Pale children are broken by the loss of bugs they'd formed a bond with in the Radiance's attack on the White Palace.]]
* CallingTheOldManOut: While the Pale King is heading to the Mantis Tribe to teach Lord Gris a lesson, the latter's daughter Jadia just about has it with him about how he's always seen her as "improper" no matter how hard she tried to please him.
* CameBackStrong: [[spoiler:After killing the Radiance and falling into the void, the Pale King fuses with it even more and is reborn as a mightier, [[LargeAndInCharge larger]], [[ChromeChampion more silvery]] being.]]
* CameBackWrong: Dryya is just barely saved by Ghost from her demise in the Abyss, at the cost of now being made of void. She is devastated by this at first, [[IAmAMonster believing herself to have become a monster]].
* ChekhovsGun: After being resurrected, Dryya snuck into the Moth Tribe and took the Dream Nail as per Ghost's request, but it wasn't much use in the end. But later, [[spoiler:when the Pale King discusses the dream realm and ways to enter it, Dryya remembers she still has the Dream Nail and shows him it.]]
* ChekhovsSkill: By the time the first year passes, Dryya has learnt the Nail Arts from Ghost. [[spoiler:She uses one of them to strike Markoth down during the Radiance's attack on the palace.]]
* ChromeChampion: [[spoiler:As a result of merging with the void, the reborn Pale King has gone from pure white to a more silvery hue.]]
* CurbStompBattle: Upon receiving a letter from Mantis Lord Gris insulting his choice to ally with Deepnest, the Pale King visits the Mantis Village and challenges Gris to a fight. He proceeds to spend a few moments having him miss each hit, to then beat him with a single blow. Gris' sisters join in and get the same result.
* DadsCantCook: Inverted in the case of Alume's dad. The man[[note]](well, bug)[[/note]] bakes some fine bread! Owns a bakery too.
* DealWithTheDevil: It's revealed that following the theft of the Dream Nail, [[spoiler:the Seer had performed a ritual to allow the Radiance into her body, but was betrayed by the goddess, who [[DemonicPossession completely took over her body]] and infected the rest of the tribe (minus Thistlewind, [[TheRunaway who'd left them beforehand]]).]]
* DefectorFromDecadence: After a year, [[spoiler:Quinn just about has it with the Soul Sanctum's practices and sends a letter to the Pale King warning about them and pleading to shut the place down. Unfortunately he's found out by the Soul Master and, [[RedemptionEqualsDeath it doesn't end well for him...]]]]
* DisneyDeath:
** During the evacuation of the Abyss, on the final lift ride out, the lift gives out and plummets down into the void, [[DisneyVillainDeath as does Dryya, despite the Pale King's efforts to fly her back to the top.]] Believed dead, a funeral for her is held. Eventually though, Ghost manages to resurrect her, albeit as a void being.
** [[spoiler:The Pale King appears to die along with the Radiance, both outside[[note]](his head breaks in half along with hers)[[/note]] and inside her dream world.[[note]](as it implodes, he falls down to the sea of void below before he can take Ghost's hand)[[/note]] [[CameBackStrong He gets better though.]]]]
* DisownedParent: Silas is shown to not consider Gris his father.
* DoNotTauntCthulhu: Pissed at the Pale King's alliance with Deepnest, Mantis Lord Gris gives him a piece of his mind through a letter... which prompts the King to give the tribe a visit and [[CurbStompBattle put him in his place through a duel]].
* DreamWeaver: Being a god, Ghost is able to manipulate dreams.
** In a dream, they give a speech to the Pale King mirroring the one he gave to the Hollow Knight. Dr. Binwinn has a similar dream, but Ghost remains quiet this time.
** They construct a dream world at one point to have a spar match with Dryya in.
* EvilAllAlong: Upon sneaking into the Soul Master's office and looking around, Quinn discovers his goal of "pure focus" became only a front for him simply being DrunkWithPower.
* ElevatorFailure: Just as the evacuation of the Abyss is finished and the Pale King and Dryya are leaving, the elevator breaks and starts falling with the two inside.
* EurekaMoment:
** [[spoiler:When Herrah brings up the Mantis Tribe's alliance with him, she and the Pale King come to the conclusion that a grand gesture should be done in order to prevent relations with Deepnest from straining. It's here when the King remembers Hornet and proposes to give Herrah a child.]]
** [[spoiler:When Ghost and Dryya walk in on a discussion between the Pale King and Dr. Binwinn regarding the Radiance and the fact her weakness is the void, the King thinks to involve Ghost in his idea to use void to scare the Radiance away from the populace.]]
* ExplosiveBreeder: The eggs the White Lady has laid amount to 71.
* FaceDeathWithDignity: [[spoiler:Despite being at death's door, Quinn is satisfied that he was able to warn the King of the Soul Sanctum's misdeeds, and hopes that the Soul Master will get what's coming to him.]]
* TheForceIsStrongWithThisOne: Being a god, Ghost can be sensed strongly by those connected to the void.
* ForcedTransformation: Downplayed, as despite now being full of void, the Pale King remains the same on the outside; the only clue that something was wrong being that his bodily fluids were pure black.
* FromHeroToMentor: After seeing Ghost's fighting prowess in the dream realm and losing to them, Dryya asks them to teach her. She learns the Nail Arts as a result.
* GoAndSinNoMore: A more forceful instance; Ghost warps the Pale King to the past so that he can right his wrongs before he does them.
* GodInHumanForm:
** After resurrecting Dryya, Ghost decides to commission a mask from the Mask Maker in order to have a less terrifying form.
** [[spoiler:In Kingdom's Edge, Dr. Binwinn and his expedition find a large infection egg that then hatches, and the Radiance comes forth in her new physical form.]]
* GoshDarnItToHeck: Downplayed. The word "shit" is replaced with "dung", but the rest of cuss words are still used.
* HealingFactor:
** Thanks to now being void, Dryya's wound from being stabbed by Markoth quickly heals shortly after she flees the tribe. The same happens to the Pale King when stabbing himself to confirm he'd become void too.
** [[spoiler:The Radiance's [[GodInHumanForm physical form]] can easily heal wounds as well.]]
* HealingHands: The Pale King can focus SOUL to heal wounds.
* HeelRaceTurn: [[spoiler:After the Radiance's attack, Arla, Vera and half the Mantis Tribe come to the Pale King and pledge allegiance, explaining that they've gotten sick and tired of Gris, Xillya and the other half being extremely hateful of the King and wanting to strike back.]]
* HelicopterParents: Mantis Lord Gris has been this to Jadia, constantly trying to get her to be what he considers "proper" and never being quite satisfied, much less accepting her relationship with Ze'mer.
* HeroicSelfDeprecation: The Pale King still has some moments of self-loathing from his actions in the old timeline.
* IAmAMonster: Early on, Dryya is mortified by her new void form, believing she can't go back to her old life as she's no longer the same as the other bugs, but a monster. And this belief is strengthened by the moths' reaction to her [[LodgedBladeRemoval removing Markoth's nail from herself like it's nothing]].
* IAmWhatIAm: [[spoiler:An exchange between Dryya and the Pale King reveals that in a year, she eventually accepted her status as a void being and no longer sees herself as a monster; especially not after seeing how much more of a monster the Radiance was by sending her own tribe on a massacre.]]
* IdenticalStranger: Dr. Binwinn resembles Quirrel so much despite not being related, it's a running joke among his peers that they're brothers. To Binwinn's chagrin (and despite the fact he already has a brother, Renem).
* ImmuneToMindControl: [[spoiler:The Pale King has Monomon create a way to prevent the Radiance from invading bugs' minds. Eventually she presents a mind seal that keeps the user safe from all mental influence (including [[PsychicBlockDefense telepathy]]).]]
* ItsAllMyFault: [[spoiler:Part of the reason Ghost is upset the day of the final plan against the Radiance is because of [[PrankGoneTooFar a prank by Wander]]. After the Radiance dies and Ghost goes missing, Wander blames themselves and tries to swear off pranks before being reassured otherwise by Champ and Hallow. The latter does admit they should tone it down a bit though.]]
* LargeAndInCharge: [[spoiler:The Pale King's new form, in addition to being silver, is now larger.]]
* LodgedBladeRemoval: During Dryya's scuffle with Markoth while stealing the Dream Nail, he manages to pierce her with a soul nail, only for her to easily pull it out of herself.
* ManlyTears:
** When the White Lady's eggs hatch, the Pale King stands there watching their offspring emerge. Until one of them comes up to him... the Pure Vessel. The King breaks down and hugs them.
** [[spoiler:When learning from Lurien about the Radiance's attack and the death of his people, Thistlewind doesn't cry at first. Not until the Pale King has him reunite with the Seer.]]
* MemorialStatue: Following Dryya's "death", the palace is full of small statues made by Ogrim in her honor.
* MindOverManners: Ghost obliges Dryya's request to not read her mind. Though there's a few times when they can't help but do it anyway.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: The Pale King is extremely regretful of his actions, deeming what he thought was going to be his death at the hands of the Shade Lord a fitting and fully deserved end.
* MySignificanceSenseIsTingling: [[spoiler:At some point after the Pale King's "death", Dryya and a few of his children suddenly start uncontrollably laughing. When Dryya asks what's happening, Ghost chimes in and answers: ''"[[BackFromTheDead Father is alive!]]"'']]
* NakedOnRevival: [[spoiler:When the Pale King is reborn and emerges from the void lake in the Abyss, Ghost notes that they'd never seen him robeless.]]
* NamedByTheAdaptation:
** The vessels, being raised as children in the new timeline, have all been named. Including: Wander (Ghost), Hallow (the Hollow Knight), Atlas (the Greenpath vessel), Kindred (Broken Vessel[=/=]Lost Kin), Champ, Whisper...
** The Mantis Lord family are given names for the fic: Arla (eldest), Vera (middle), Xillya (youngest), Gris (Traitor Lord), and Jadia (Traitor's Child).
* NewBabyEpisode:
** Chapter 15 focuses on the Pale Couple's eggs hatching and the palace dwellers meeting the offspring.
** [[spoiler:Chapter 37 sees the hatching of [[AlternateSelf the new timeline's Hornet]].]]
* NoNudityTaboo: Implied. [[spoiler:When Ghost points out the Pale King is NakedOnRevival,]] the narration then states that "nudity isn't awkward per se."
* OffWithHisHead: [[spoiler:Merimm's demise at the hands of Markoth during the Radiance's raid on the palace. Soon after Markoth shares this fate by Dryya's hand.]]
* OfferingAHand: When it's revealed to Dryya that the Pale King is void just like her, he reassures her that void or not, she's still a Great Knight, and offers his hand asking her to come back. She accepts.
%% ** [[spoiler:After the Pale King's "death", Hallow offers Wander a hand when comforting them.]]
%% ->''Their twin sibling took it, and an unspoken bond formed between them as they went to bed that night.''
* OnlyMostlyDead: [[spoiler:A few characters reach the brink of death but are brought back as void beings. The fic doesn't have the tag "Major Character Undeath" for nothing!]]
* PersonOfHolding: A benefit of being made of void is being able to store objects inside you! [[note]]The Pale King briefly notes his kids using this ability has been rather troublesome.[[/note]]
* PolarOppositeTwins: Hallow and Wander. Hallow is [[FoolishSiblingResponsibleSibling more responsible]] and prefers to focus on learning, while Wander likes to run around, spar and [[ThePrankster pull pranks]], and can't stand lessons.
* ThePrankster: Wander eventually picks up pranks as a hobby. [[spoiler:It gets worse when Hornet teams up with them.]]
* ProtectiveCharm: [[spoiler:In order keep the Radiance at bay, the Pale King, Dr. Binwinn, Alume and Ghost carry out the creation of blackstones, small stones [[PhlebotinumHandlingEquipment with a vial of void inside them]], given to citizens of Hallownest.]]
* RankUp: During the one year skipped in the story, Alume has gone from Prefect to Commander. [[spoiler:After the Radiance's raid, the Pale King promotes her to Magistrate, as well as bring her into his inner circle.]]
* TheRunaway:
** Fed up with her father's mistreatment of her, Jadia runs away from the Mantis Tribe. Eventually she's found by Ze'mer, Isma and the Pale King, who accepts the two's relationship.
** It's revealed that Silas is Jadia's brother and he, too, had exiled himself from the tribe, before becoming a scholar in the Pale Court.
** Ever since the theft of the Dream Nail, [[spoiler:Seer and Markoth have been getting more irritable, culminating in Thistlewind leaving the Moth Tribe.]]
* SequelHook: [[spoiler:Once the reborn Pale King has gotten out of the void, he and Ghost head up to the Abyss entrance to return to their family.]]
->''[[spoiler:"My loyal servants… my dearest Root… my children… I am coming home."]]''
* SideBet: While discussing the Pale King's summons for a meeting, Monomon playfully suggests that Binwinn bet 500 geo on himself getting somehow wrapped into the King's business. Fast forward to a one-on-one chat with him after the meeting, the King lets Binwinn know he now considers him a confidant, prompting him to briefly lament not taking the bet.
* SoleSurvivor: [[spoiler:After the Radiance's attack on the White Palace, Seer and Thistlewind are the only moths that remain alive.]]
* SorryThatImDying: [[spoiler:As he is about to be [[OffWithHisHead decapitated]] by Markoth, Merimm apologizes in his mind to Atlas, the Pale child he'd grown close with, for no longer being there for them.]]
* StormingTheCastle:
** [[spoiler:In response to Quinn's letter about the Soul Sanctum, Alume, the two Mantis Lords, three Great Knights and some {{Red Shirt}}s storm the Sanctum and encounter retaliation from just about everyone.]]
** [[spoiler:Dr. Binwinn is sent along with Isma, Ogrim and Ze'mer to the Radiance's final hideout in Kingdom's Edge to carry out their final plan and finish her off.]]
* TimeSkip:
** After the Pale King hands the Mantis Lords their asses and Jadia reunites with Silas, Chapter 22 skips to 1 year after the children's hatching.
** Chapter 41 skips to year 2.
* TouchTelepathy: After reviving Dryya, through taking their hand, Ghost shows her their memories of their doomed timeline.
* VillainExitStageLeft: Upon being defeated [[spoiler:in the Soul Sanctum, the Radiance (in control of the Soul Master's body)]] flees through a window.
* VillainousBreakdown: [[spoiler:The Radiance spends her last moments in sheer terror in the presence of an enraged Shade Lord.]]
* VomitIndiscretionShot: When waking up in the new timeline, the first thing the Pale King does is barf up some void.
* WhamEpisode: Chapter 26, "...Until the Sun Goes Supernova". [[spoiler:The Radiance [[AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs sends the infected moth tribe to attack the White Palace]], massacring guards and retainers alike, [[BreakTheCutie some who the Pale King's children had grown attached to]].]]
[[/folder]]
----
