#((especially because i'd told you that i'd reply in may-ish and. it is now August.))

[abyssembraced]

Cutting through the fabric of the Dream Realm was a far more difficult task when one could not use their Dream Nail. Fortunately, however, dreams were not so different from nightmares, and once given enough time to better harness their growing power, Friend Grimmchild had been able to rescue Ghost from their accidentally-made prison. The escape also brought about a bittersweet parting, though; rather than follow Ghost back into the waking realm, the young nightmare god had decided that it was time to part ways and seek out the Troupe they had inherited from their father. Thus, when Ghost crossed between the two realms, they did so alone.

Upon returning to the physical world, Ghost had once again found themself within the interior of the Black Egg Temple. They weren't quite sure how long they had been trapped in the other realm, but considering the chamber's emptiness (Sister Hornet had already left, it seemed, but at least that likely meant she was okay), they could guess that a decent amount of time had already passed.

They had sacrificed much in order to defeat the forgotten light, the greatest of which being the shell that had contained the Void within their body up until now. In the past, such a thing would have spelled certain death, but their Heart of Void allowed them the control to manifest themself in their true form, without the need for their old vessel. …Though it was certainly still an inconvenience to be without it, they did have to admit.

Their first thought upon returning to Hallownest had been to visit Dirtmouth. The town was only a short walk away from the temple, after all, and was home to many of the bugs they considered friends. They were looking forward to seeing everyone again! That was the reason they'd wanted to come back, after all.

Unfortunately, however, it seemed that the townsfolk did not recognize them in their new form. Friend Elderbug, who had previously been so kind to them on their journey, cried out in terror upon seeing them, clutching his delicate flower close to his chest as if hoping it would protect him. Zote had lept toward them, pointing his useless 'Life Ender' at them and raving about slaying them like the mighty knight he supposedly was. ...Actually, perhaps Zote had not been any different from usual.

Regardless, that was why they now found themself wandering the winding tunnels of Deepnest. During their travels, they vaguely recalled encountering a Mask Maker who resided somewhere within the caverns. With any luck, that person would be able to craft a new vessel for them to channel their Void into, allowing them to once again take on their old appearance! Then they would be able to return to their friends, and all would be well.

The problem with that plan, though, was that Ghost could not remember exactly where the Mask Maker dwelled. They knew they were somewhere in Deepnest, but the region was one of the largest in the kingdom, and was full of twisting paths that made it incredibly easy to get lost. It also didn't help that they had no access to any of their maps at the moment. Yet another consequence of being in this Shade-like form.

At least with the Infection gone, Deepnest was a much safer place to be in. Of course, that wasn't to say it was harmless, nor anything of the sort. Surviving, hungry Dirtcarvers still lunged at them whenever they passed over where the creatures lay burrowed underground, and the parasitic Corpse Creepers took full advantage of the dead husks that had previously been infected. Still, compared to the other times they had ventured through the area, when the Infection was still rampant, the amount of times they were attacked by vicious creatures had certainly lessened this time around.

Sometime in the midst of their wandering, Ghost overheard footsteps that were unlike the usual scuttling of Deepnest's denizens. They turned around to face the source of the noise, only to come face-to-face with... Themself?

It was another Vessel. A sibling. Another who had managed to survive the Abyss and persist through the Infection. Through their Void Heart, Ghost could feel the flow of Void that composed the other, just as it did themself. They may be in Deepnest, but this was certainly no Nosk.

Yet, it was strange. This Vessel's shell looked identical to their discarded one, save for the large cracks running down the centre of it. Not only that, but within the Void they could detect an additional power thrumming through the other. Something similar, perhaps related, but different from any other Void creature they had encountered before. Something more. They weren't sure what it was, or why this particular sibling of theirs was unique in having it.

One curiosity could only be investigated at a time, however. And one question was easier to ask than others, as someone with no mouth nor voice to speak with.

So, as the other Vessel stepped toward them, Ghost lifted one of their primary tendrils to point at them. First they gestured to the other's mask, and then pointed at their own head. They then repeated the movements a couple more times, as if to ask, “Why do you have my face?”

starter for @scale-tippers

Ever since the defeat of that Old Light, the state of Hallownest has been… calm. Some strong creatures still roam the kingdom, but the level of danger is nothing compared to back when the Infection was running rampant. Thus far none of the new travelers passing through have caused issues, so things were overall uneventful.

So when rumors of a phantom reached them, Ghost's curiosity was immediately piqued. The people of Dirtmouth had seen something strange. As described by Elderbug, it was a "ghastly shadow." Frightening in the eyes of the townsfolk, apparently.

Seeing as they had nothing better to do, the little knight decided to venture into the kingdom, to find this so-called phantom. Is it a threat that needs to be removed? It would be unfortunate if their friends were harmed by it…

They carefully scoured Hallownest's regions as best they could, gradually working their way towards its depths. Nothing out of the ordinary had caught their attention yet, but they had a few ideas as to where something deemed "frightening" could have come from…

That train of thought eventually lead them into Deepnest. They crept onward through the vicious region, Pure Nail at the ready… Finally, something unusual came into view.

Before their eyes, hovering above the path, was a living blot of darkness. A head that was shaped much like their own, eyes that glowed a bright white, and a "cloak" of shadowy tendrils… It definitely could fit the bill of what Dirtmouth's residents saw.

A Shade. Why would one be in Deepnest -- or have gone to Dirtmouth, for that matter? The Abyss may be open now, but their siblings had mostly seemed content to rest there…

In any case, they doubt the other is a threat to them. Sheathing their nail, Ghost would curiously approach what they assumed to be a Sibling. What are they doing here…?