Sherma

Now, isn’t this a wondrous place! Golden bells, for weary shells! Ha ha ha!

Hornet

This settlement offers safety now, little pilgrim. Perhaps you should make a home here?

Hornet

You’ve done well to make it this far, and the roads ahead will only be more dangerous.

Oh, dangerous they surely are! But I will gladly tread any path that holds wonders as magnificent as this, red maiden!

To our safe haven? Our home... This is what’s left of it after the great breaking began.

There was that terrible noise from above. Everything shook and fell apart, and the black threads sprung up from beneath. Many a poor pilgrim has already been lost to the destruction.

You might have been too, if not for some fleeing pilgrims who found you fallen and carried you back to us.

Hornet

The black threads... I may understand their source.

Hornet

I must speak with the old Caretaker. Do you know what has become of him? I see he has left you his garb.

Oh, yes. He charged me with looking after those remaining here, said he had to confer with his family down below.

Hornet

Down below... Then they have slunk away to hide in their ruined chapel.

Hornet

I must pay them a visit. Thank you, Sherma. Stay safe, and take care of your fellow pilgrims.

Hornet

Little pilgrim, these baths provide some respite from the dangers without, but even so you should not let down your guard.

Hornet

You must have seen now that the bugs of this Citadel are long fallen to the Haunting.

Ahh... some of my brothers and sisters have seemed... lost somehow, yes. But to be lost is to be sometime found, is it not sung?

Yes... The Citadel will provide for them. It is a holy place indeed, that holds wonders such as this lovely warm bath!

You see this idol before us, red maiden? I have passed its like before. They mark our pilgrimage well.

If we sing to it, a miraculous shrine will rise from the ground, and we will have a place to rest! Such a wonder!

Hornet

It is not song that rouses this shrine, but payment in rosaries.

Hornet

Without rosaries, the shrine remains hidden. I have encountered similar constructs on Pharloom’s paths. This kingdom does not grant rest lightly.

All of these marvellous healing supplies... Surely they, at least, are some proof of the Citadel’s holy nature?

H-hoy red m-maiden! Have no f-fear, ‘tis only I, Sherma!

I found healing supplies, b-but then the way back collapsed... and I heard moaning from the dark... oh, how thankful I am to see you!

The great Citadel is so close, I can hear the voices of our brother and sister pilgrims calling out to us!

Welcome back red maiden, and thank you again for coming to my aid.

I’m no healer, but with the supplies we found in the ward below even my unlearned claws can ease the suffering of our brothers and sisters.

That such darkness could creep into this most holy of places, even though we pilgrims kept our promise to ascend...

I confess, I wonder at the meaning of it all. But enlightenment does not come easily, or all at once... I should just continue my task in the meantime.

Hrm...? Oh, hoy there! I was hoping we would meet here, red maiden.

Rising at last to the heights of the Citadel and being amongst so many of my brothers and sisters... it is a blessing indeed. Yes, a blessing.

Hornet

Your voice belies some hesitation in that belief, little pilgrim. You have seen now the reality of this broken place. What do you make of it, truly?

Holy water, nice and hot, Makes a perfect swimming spot, Heals your worries in a flash, So jump on in... splash splash splash! Ha ha ha!

Hoy! Did you see it, red maiden? The great gate heard my song and, in its infinite and ancient kindness, has opened the way forward for us!

Hornet

Why do you sing, little one? This bony gate seems like a poor audience.

Hornet

Can you safely make your way back to the settlement, little one? I could escort you if need be.

Oh no, I’ll lay no more of my troubles upon you, red maiden. With the way cleared I can return under my own guidance.

After all, what’s another pilgrimage, eh? Ha ha!

Oh! And I have something for you as well. I found it buried amongst the broken relics down here in the darkness, glowing with a pale light.

’Tis an odd-looking thing... not exactly holy-seeming... but I would be honoured if you accepted it all the same!

Hoy, red maiden. ‘Tis a prayer answered to see you safely wake.

Hornet

Little Sherma? What has happened here?

Sister, sister, tired and glum, We will sing, and you can hum, Together we shall overcome!

Hornet

Sherma, I bring supplies from the town of bells below. Since you are now caretaker here, I entrust them to you.

Oh, what a blessing! This will surely raise the hopes of our poor brothers and sisters.

Red maiden, you have some great task ahead of you, do you not? If so, then I fear the time of our final parting draws near.

Hornet

You sense it true, Sherma. I shall soon descend to the darkness below the kingdom and quell the source of Pharloom’s rending.

Hornet

If that task is achieved, my future may take me far from Pharloom, but know I have faith that you will hold these bugs together, and see them prosper.

Ah! In truth, I’m still only a fool, but I’ll hold dearly to your faith in me. That warmth will help me to endure whatever challenges lie ahead!

Now let me pray for you, dear friend, and may my hopes follow you into the deepest darkness and beyond!

Oh, hoy there! Why, I must have dropped off to sleep as soon as I arrived!

Certainly, the pilgrim’s way is exhausting, but a good rest is a reward unto itself!

Red maiden! Dear sister! At last, our great pilgrimage is at its end!

Our faith never wavered, and now here awaits our glorious reward, the shining Citadel! Where all sing as one!

Hornet

I will not tell you to turn back, for I know you will not, but I urge you at least to be cautious. Terrible things lurk within this Citadel, little pilgrim.

Oh, sister! There is no need for caution, and no need for fear. Let us step forward under guidance of our faith!

I’ll be off soon, once I’m good and rested. Beyond the wood lies the final climb, and then at last we shall reach the Citadel!

Which of us will reach the Grand Gate first? If it’s me, I shall wait for you so we can enter together!

You see this idol before us, red maiden? I have passed its like before, they mark our pilgrimage well.

If we sing to it, a miraculous shrine will rise from the ground, and we will have a place to rest! Such a wonder!

Hornet

I suspect it is not song that rouses this shrine, but payment in rosaries.

Hornet

I have encountered similar constructs on Pharloom’s paths. It seems this kingdom does not grant rest lightly.

Fear not, red maiden! This shrine will surely rise for us, we only need to patiently wish for it!

But look here! As soon as our sacred journey begins, we are tested. This huge gate stands between us and the way forward.

Only holy prayer and song will open the way! In this kingdom, even mighty bone is moved by music!

Hornet

Little pilgrim, these baths provide some respite from the dangers without, but there is a still safer place high on the other side of the Citadel.

Hornet

A settlement has formed around the old shrine there. The bell housed within seems to provide some sanctuary from the dangers of the Haunting.

Hornet

Your brother and sister pilgrims who now huddle around it would be glad of your company, I am sure.

Oh, how wonderful! Yes, I will make my way over there with haste... after I have bathed a little longer. I want to arrive fresh and clean to such a holy place!

Aren’t those solemn judge-bugs nice? They do not speak or sing, but I sense great wisdom behind their gleaming gazes!

Hornet

Beware them, little one. Wise or not, their judgements are often followed by violence. Many of your fellow pilgrims have fallen to them on these great steps.

Oh...? But even the fallen will sometimes stand again, and all pilgrimages will be completed, yes? That’s how I’ve heard it!

Hornet

Hold your gratitude, little one. The dead are stirring.

Come now beast, let us hear your voice! Sing with me, sing with me, sing sing sing! Make caverns echo and great roads ring!

Let us head on, sister! Together we shall step forward under guidance of our faith!

I’m Sherma, by the way. Just another humble pilgrim like yourself. If you ever need assistance on the road ahead, sing out my name and I’ll be sure to find you. Me and my lucky chime are at your service!

Please take some rosaries in exchange, red maiden!

Though in these dark times their promise of holy reward may never be met, still they carry with them our fondest well-wishes.

Gate, gate, gate! Nicest gate I’ve met! Gate, gate, gate! Greatest miracle yet! Ha ha ha!

Hrm...? Oh, hoy there! ‘Tis a pleasure to meet you here at the end of our long journey, sister.

I am Sherma, a simple pilgrim like yourself. What a wonder to find ourselves finally here, eh?

Rising at last to the heights of the Citadel and being amongst so many of our brothers and sisters... it is a blessing indeed. Yes, a blessing.

Hornet

Your voice belies some hesitation in that belief, little pilgrim. To have travelled this far is to have seen the reality of this broken place. What do you make of it, truly?

I’ll bring the healing supplies to the settlement with all haste, red maiden.

Fear not on my behalf. My fellow pilgrims are all praying for me, and thereby no harm will befall me!

‘Tis now my charge to care for those who stay here, including yourself. If I can aid you in any way, please let me know!

Ahh, the shining bench has risen for us! Pharloom’s kindness to we pilgrims is inexhaustible!

Please rest, red maiden, and fear not. Our kingdom watches over us all!

Join your voice with mine, red maiden! You, me, and my lucky chime will sing together until the great gate opens!

Hrm? Hoy there! I was looking for somewhere to rest my weary shell and found this cosy station!

Hornet

These lands are dangerous. I had thought perhaps some harm had come to you.

Harm? O red maiden, have faith! No harm can come to us on this holy ascent! We only need to keep our gaze upwards.

Isn’t this all so terribly grand? The great stone steps, the winds lifting us up like the voices of a choir, and just beyond it all is our pilgrimage’s end. The great Citadel at last!

Hornet

Little pilgrim, do you sleep?

Sturdy gaaaaa-aaate, I don’t ask you break or beee-eeend, Just open a little for me, and my tall maiden frieeee-eeend!

Oh red maiden, sorry to have lured you into such danger!

And those poor bugs, bewitched by the thread. No sin could possibly warrant such a fate...

Hornet

Your pity is not misplaced, but better suited for another time. For now, you should look to your own care.

Ah... yes. I should get these healing supplies back to the pilgrims’ settlement above. My brothers and sisters have waited long enough.

Ahh, the caress of this warm water on my weary limbs is welcome indeed. As soothing as a psalm, haha!

Will you splishy-splash in the holy bath with me, red maiden? We can sing together to aid in our rejuvenation!

D-do not judge me a doubter! The Citadel is a holy place indeed, resplendent and vast beyond my wildest hopes!

But yet... the grand halls ache with silence, and I see suffering in the shadows wherever I peer too deeply.

Fear, and pain... why were these things allowed into our paradise? Have my brothers and sisters not yet earned their holy reward?

Beasty, beastly, big fat beast! Strong as a boulder, or a rock at least! Let’s sing together ‘til you’re released!

Oh! Look here red maiden, this poor creature is all tangled up in white bindings! Surely you know a song for unsticking such stickiness?

Hornet

It will take a power greater than song to break these bindings, little one. In my current diminished state even I can not cut through them.

Well, worry not! If something is needed, the road will bring it to us!

My hopes go with you, red maiden. They will follow you into the deepest darkness, and beyond!

Don’t despair, pilgrim frieeeee-eeend, Lift your sight and raise your voice! Have no fear, pilgrim truuuuu-uuuuue, Believing is a happy choice!

Hoy there! Aren’t these fields marvellous? And above us are the bountiful moors, where every pilgrim can fill their belly!

Hornet

These hot fields are a wonder indeed, but hunters prowl the long grass. Playing your instrument will only alert them to your presence.

Well then, alert them I shall! For where many gather, great songs are sung!

Maiden, strong, wreathed in red, Shield her shell, bless her thread! She fights for us until the end, Please protect my dearest friee-end!

Oh, but of course I sing! I am Sherma, a pilgrim just like you. I hear the call of the great Citadel just like every other devout soul.

Our great Citadel has lost its voice, and now the black threads rise up to tear its shell apart. I fear holy Pharloom is truly dying...

But I still have hope, red maiden! Though kingdoms may fall, life endures still, and we bugs can build our lands anew!

Hornet

I share your hope, Sherma. Remember though that whatever is built next belongs not to the past, but to you.

Hornet

Your instincts are strong. Let it be those that guide you, rather than any reverence toward a kingdom’s corpse.

Oho, you flatter me so! But it is my fellows who shall guide me, those whose voices sing out still, even in these ruined times...

Hoy! Did you see it, red maiden? The great gate heard my song and, in its infinite and ancient kindness, opened the way forward for us!

What luck for us to meet at this moment! We can set off on the great road together!

Or p’raps I’ll tarry here just a little longer. I want to sing a song of gratitude to this noble gate!

This place is holy, yes... but I worry at the suffering of our fellow pilgrims. So many are hurt or exhausted!

Hornet

Your doubts and worries will not heal them, little one.

Hornet

If you would aid your fellows, you can start by dressing their wounds. The simple rags found around the settlement will do for bandages.

Oh, that’s an excellent idea, red maiden! Normally I’d think a song would suffice, but... yes, more direct action is certainly needed.

And the Citadel itself shall provide the materials! Praise be to this holiest of holy places!

Fear not, brothers and sisters! If we work hard and keep our faith, the Citadel will provide for us... I have no doubt!

Mm, mrm? Oh, hoy again!

I hadn’t meant to drop off like that. It’s hard to stay awake in such a cosy place, isn’t it?

Oh hear me pray, please hear me sing, My path’s ahead, but here’s the thing, I can’t squeeze past, o gate of bone, So please wake up, and help...oh?

This poor traveller finds her resolve waning. When I first greeted her, her voice was so hoarse I scarcely heard it!

’Tis no cause for worry, though. My song will lift her from her torpor! Join your voice with mine, red maiden, and together we shall rouse our fellow pilgrim!

To the world’s shining peak!

We pilgrims, blessed...

Together we climb...

Am I not holy enough?

Brothers... sisters...

Brothers... sisters...

Together we pray!

We find our way!

Our strength is shared...

I know it! I swear it!

You shall have your reward...

This place... hidden from holy light...

All this suffering...

Huddle together...

Let’s keep our spirits strong...

We still have our voices!

Our bond is unbroken...

Let us keep our faith!

How did it escape the Citadel’s sight?

In song’s embrace...