Void and Flames(Ghost X Grimmchild)

Chapter Three: The Grimm Troupe

I was the one who had to climb up the well, and thanks to Ghost's mantis claw, he could just use it to climb on the wells walls. I wondered what the Mantis Village was like. Maybe he could take me there!

Once in Dirtmouth, many residents came from their businesses to see that Ghost had returned. "Oh my goodness....it's Ghost! He's alive!" Sly cheered as soon as he came from his store. Ghost, who was getting embarrassed, waved slyly to the residents. "And you thought I was dead? Grimmchild thought so too!" Ghost shouted to Sly. "Well, everyone though you were dead at first," he continued. "Oh...." I heard Ghost say trailing off his words.

We eventually made it to my father's tent. "What I'm the name of Radiance are the Grimm Troupe doing here?!" Ghost said in surprise. I laughed. "They came here for vacation and for taking a break from work at the nightmare realm," I explained. "I mean, I can go there yeah, but I prefer to be here in Hallownest, and my dad doesn't mind. I cannot wait to tell them that you're not dead!"

Ghost laughed. It had been awhile since he saw the troupe, and he was even more excited to see them again. We both entered the tent. The first thing that greeted us were the Grimmkins. They were playing with fire above our heads, tossing the flame to each other. At the center of the tent, I spotted my father, but he was with Brumm and Devine.

"Ugh, when is she? I thought I told her to be back before supper!" Grimm said. He head his hands to his face. "Now, now Master," Brumm said trying to keep him calm. "She's probably exploring one part of Hallownest. Just give her some time." That was when Devine spotted me as I came up to them. "Oh! Master Grimm! Brumm! Grimmchild is back!" she exclaimed. I waved to everyone as Grimm hugged me. "My child! Where were you?" he asked. Good thing he wasn't angry at me, and I was happy that he wasn't.

"I was exploring the Crystal Peaks, and I happened to go to Hallownest's Crown just so I could see the view. It's very pretty up there," I explained. I couldn't forget about Ghost. "Oh, and guess who I saw today?" I added. "Ghost!" All three of them gasped. "You're saying that....Ghost is alive?" Brumm asked. I nodded. "That's impossible! A month ago you told us that he was dead!" screeched Devine. My father placed his hand on Devine's shoulder. "She has a point Devine," he told her. "Is Ghost here with you?"

I nodded. Then they all gasped in surprise when they saw Ghost come from behind the curtain. "Hey Grimm, Brumm, and Devine. It's me," Ghost said. Devine was speechless, while Brumm and my father became very happy to see him. "Ghost, I'm very happy to see you again. It has been a moth since our ritual hasn't it?" he asked Ghost. I looked at my vessel friend. Yeah I bet he did remember the ritual, I thought. "I do. Even though I didn't like it when I got beat up by Grimmkin flames," he explained. Everyone, including myself, laughed.

Some Grimmkin overheard this speech, and some laughed while others got a bit upset. "So my dear vessel," my father asked Ghost. "Where have you been all this time?" I elbowed Ghost, telling him to tell what he told to me. "Alright...but it is kinda long so brace yourselves," he said.

Ghost then told his story to the troupe, like how he told his story to me at the crown. "Incredible...." Brumm said. "The Lord of Shades...you met him?" Devine asked. "Yes, everything I tell you is the truth," Ghost said. My father was surprised himself. "Maybe we could meet him if that is ok with you?" he ended up saying. "It would be an honor for the Shade Lord to meet all of you," Ghost said. "I happen to be the second generation Shade Lord."

My father felt like his brain could explode at any moment now. The Grimmkins stared at him, and Brumm and Devine exchanged looks. "Ok so we now have an ancient dragon as a friend now," Brumm ended up saying. I watched the Grimmkins slowly leave the main part of the tent. "The Shade Lord.... I've read about the ancient creature from books back in the nightmare realm.....and now....to see the new one up close in person....is an honor," my father said taking Ghost's hand. "Hey, I'm still me you know," the vessel replied.

That was when I had an idea, he could stay for dinner! I tugged on my father's cloak. "Can Ghost stay for dinner tonight please?" I asked him. My father looked back at Ghost and said, "Alright, it would be wonderful to have your vessel friend have dinner with us Grimmchild," he said. "Thank you!" I said.

My father winked at me, and he had the table already sat up. So it was the five of us: me, Ghost, Devine, Brumm, and my father, all enjoying a wonderful dinner at the Grimm Troupe tent. This was my first happy moment with Ghost ever since he came back to Hallownest and found me.

He then grabbed a piece of chicken from the chicken leg that was on his plate and shoved it in his eye socket. I'm guessing that that was how he ate, and that the shade took the food for him. "This is delicious!" Ghost said happily. "Then help yourself!" Devine said laughing. We all then began to enjoy a wonderful meal inside the Grimm Troupe tent. This really is good! I thought as I began eating to my fill.