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Unveiling the Void: A Deep Dive into Hollow Knight’s True Ending

The “true ending” of Hollow Knight, often referred to as “Embrace the Void,” isn’t just about defeating the final boss; it’s about achieving a specific set of conditions that culminate in a powerful and lore-rich conclusion. To achieve it, you must defeat Absolute Radiance at the top of Pantheon of Hallownest and also, crucial to understanding this ending, the Godseeker must have been given the Delicate Flower. This ending showcases the Knight’s ultimate power and the complete eradication of the Infection plaguing Hallownest. Instead of simply sealing the Radiance or becoming its new vessel, the Knight, empowered by the Void within, obliterates the Radiance, bringing lasting peace. This ending is considered by many to be the most satisfying and complete resolution to the game’s narrative.

Understanding the Endings of Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight, developed by Team Cherry, offers multiple endings, each with its own implications for the world of Hallownest and its characters. These endings range from bittersweet to outright tragic, highlighting the game’s complex narrative and themes of sacrifice, infection, and the struggle for freedom. To fully appreciate the true ending, it’s essential to understand the context of the other possible outcomes.

The Basic Endings: Sealing the Radiance

The first two endings, achievable by defeating the Hollow Knight boss, are variations of the same theme: sealing the Radiance within the Black Egg.

Ending 1: The Hollow Knight: In this ending, the Knight takes the place of the Hollow Knight, becoming the new vessel to contain the Radiance. The Infection is temporarily suppressed, but the Knight is now trapped within the Black Egg, perpetuating the cycle.
Ending 2: Sealed Siblings: To achieve this ending, you must acquire the Void Heart charm and face the Hollow Knight with Hornet’s assistance. Hornet will restrain the Hollow Knight, allowing the player to use the Dream Nail. The Knight still seals the Radiance, but Hornet is trapped within the Black Egg alongside the Knight, acting as a second seal, similar to the Dreamers.

These endings, while providing a sense of completion, are generally considered less desirable due to their cyclical nature and the sacrifices they entail.

The True Ending: Embrace the Void

The “true ending” requires more extensive preparation and a deeper understanding of the game’s lore. This involves completing the Godmaster DLC content and facing the Absolute Radiance in the Pantheon of Hallownest. You must also give the Delicate Flower to the Godseeker. In this ending, the Knight, now empowered by the Void and having proven its strength, is able to completely destroy the Radiance, freeing Hallownest from the Infection. The Godseeker, having witnessed the Knight’s power, transcends to a higher plane. This is considered the most positive ending, as it brings a permanent resolution to the conflict and suggests a hopeful future for Hallownest.

The Godhome Ending: A Different Kind of Ascencion

The final ending, which also comes via the Godmaster DLC, involves achieving godhood in the world of Godhome. Defeating Absolute Radiance in Godhome after completing all other pantheons unlocks an ending sequence where the Godseeker leaves the world after recognizing your power. While not considered “true” in the narrative sense, it is another ending nonetheless.

Achieving the True Ending: Step-by-Step

Acquire the Void Heart Charm: This is the most crucial step. The Void Heart is obtained by completing the Ancient Basin area, exploring the Abyss, and mastering the platforming challenges within the White Palace. This unlocks the true potential of the Knight.
Complete the Godmaster DLC: This involves accessing Godhome through the Junk Pit in the Royal Waterways and completing the Pantheons.
The Delicate Flower Quest This involves going to the resting grounds, getting the delicate flower and taking it to the Godseeker.
Defeat Absolute Radiance: This is the ultimate test. Absolute Radiance is located at the top of the Pantheon of Hallownest. This battle requires mastery of the Knight’s abilities and a deep understanding of the boss’s attack patterns.
Witness the Embrace the Void Ending: Upon defeating Absolute Radiance after meeting the above requirements, the Knight will transform and obliterate the Radiance, bringing about the “true ending.”

Why is Embrace the Void Considered the True Ending?

Several factors contribute to the widespread belief that “Embrace the Void” is the true ending of Hollow Knight:

Narrative Completeness: This ending provides the most conclusive resolution to the game’s central conflict, the Infection caused by the Radiance.
Character Development: The Knight’s journey culminates in achieving its full potential, embracing the Void and becoming a powerful force for good.
Hopeful Tone: Unlike the other endings, “Embrace the Void” offers a sense of hope for the future of Hallownest, free from the threat of the Infection.

FAQs: Delving Deeper into Hollow Knight Endings

Here are some frequently asked questions about the endings of Hollow Knight, providing further clarity and insight into the game’s complex narrative:

1. What are the requirements for the “Hollow Knight” ending?

Simply defeat the Hollow Knight in the Black Egg without acquiring the Void Heart charm.

2. How do I get the “Sealed Siblings” ending?

Acquire the Void Heart charm and then defeat the Hollow Knight. Hornet will assist you, allowing you to use the Dream Nail and seal the Radiance with her aid.

3. Is the Path of Pain required for the true ending?

No, the Path of Pain is entirely optional and not required for any of the game’s endings. It’s a challenging platforming section that rewards players with lore and bragging rights.

4. Can I fight the Radiance after killing the Hollow Knight?

Yes, after getting one of the initial two endings, your save file will revert to before the final boss fight, allowing you to continue exploring and acquiring the Void Heart, which then unlocks the Radiance fight.

5. What happens if I give the Delicate Flower to the Godseeker and defeat Absolute Radiance?

If you give the delicate flower to the Godseeker and defeat Absolute Radiance, you get the Embrace The Void Ending. This is generally considered a “true ending” by many fans, and it has a unique cutscene that changes based on whether you’ve completed all the pantheons.

6. What does the Void Heart charm do?

The Void Heart charm is essential for unlocking the Radiance fight and achieving the true ending. It transforms the Knight, grants immunity to the Infection, and unlocks new dialogue and interactions with certain NPCs.

7. Is there an ending where the Knight dies?

While the Knight’s fate after “Embrace the Void” is open to interpretation, it’s implied that the Knight achieves a higher state of being, possibly transcending physical existence. In the other endings, the Knight is either trapped or implied to die.

8. What is the saddest ending in Hollow Knight?

The “Sealed Siblings” ending is arguably the saddest, as it involves both the Knight and Hornet being trapped within the Black Egg for eternity, sacrificing themselves to contain the Radiance.

9. Are the Knight and Hornet siblings?

Yes, the Knight and Hornet are siblings. They share the Pale King as their father, although Hornet’s mother is Herrah the Beast, while the Knight is a vessel created in the Abyss with the White Lady.

10. What is the Radiance’s motivation?

The Radiance is an ancient higher being who was forgotten by the bugs of Hallownest after the Pale King rose to power. Driven by a desire for worship and control, the Radiance unleashed the Infection to reclaim its dominance.

11. Why did the Hollow Knight stab itself during the fight?

The Hollow Knight, despite being chosen as a vessel, was not truly hollow. The Pale King’s “idea instilled” within it allowed for thoughts and feelings, which were exploited by the Radiance. The Hollow Knight stabs itself in a desperate attempt to resist the Radiance’s control and allow the Knight a chance to defeat it.

12. What is Godhome?

Godhome is a location accessible through the Godmaster DLC. It serves as a hub for challenging boss fights and allows players to test their skills against increasingly difficult enemies.

13. What is the hardest boss in Hollow Knight?

The Absolute Radiance is widely considered the hardest boss in Hollow Knight, requiring exceptional skill and knowledge of the game’s mechanics.

14. What are the different Pantheons in Hollow Knight?

The Pantheons are a series of boss rushes in Godhome. Each Pantheon contains a selection of bosses, culminating in a challenging final encounter. Completing all the Pantheons is necessary to fully experience the Godmaster DLC.

15. What’s the deal with Silksong?

Silksong is the highly anticipated sequel to Hollow Knight, featuring Hornet as the main protagonist. As of late 2023, the game is still in development, with fans eagerly awaiting its release. Many gamers are excited to see if the sequel contains as many complex and compelling lore elements as the original. The nuances of gaming and how they affect learning, cognition, and problem-solving skills, and the Games Learning Society helps researchers and educators to harness these insights. To learn more, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.

Hollow Knight’s true ending, “Embrace the Void,” is a testament to the game’s intricate world-building, compelling characters, and challenging gameplay. It’s a reward for players who delve deep into the game’s lore, master its mechanics, and prove their worth as the ultimate vessel.

What is the true ending to Hollow Knight?