Summary
WhileHollow Knight: Silksongdefinitively takes place in the new, distant kingdom of Pharloom, there remainspotential for familiar locationsfrom the first game to return, though whether these revisits occur within the game’s established reality remains up for debate.
Between locations that are important to Hornet’s history, locations that suggest access to higher powers and greater threats, and locations that are central toHollow Knight’s identity, several iconic spots could easily reappear in some capacity in the sequel. Even with plenty of new places for Hornet to travel through, five key areas help define the lost land of Hallownest and deserve to cameo.
1Dream Realm
Awareness Of Higher Beings
A location that would nearly immediately establish Hornet’s magical abilities and a closer relation with what the Knight did during the events of the first game, returning and accessing the Dream Realm in general, would be fascinating from multiple potential angles.
A world of spirits and deities, all stemming from literal dreams and remaining hopes of those past, Hornet being able to enter the Dream Realm could present a clear supernatural and godly threat in the new region of Pharloom. Given that the Dream Realm isn’t tied solely to Hallownest, as proven in part bythe Grimm Troupe’s travels, and with the description of this new kingdom specifically mentioning how it is “haunted,” it wouldn’t be too far of a stretch for the influence of the Dream Realm to persist here.
2Cast-Off Shell
Hornet’s Last Fight
Directly guarded by Hornet’s difficult Sentinel fight, the Cast-Off Shell was integral to uncovering the true nature of the kingdom’s unending sleep inHollow Knight. As Hornet spent an unknown amount of time protectingthe King’s Brandhidden deep within the wyrm’s previous form, the importance of this seemingly chilly location could easily lend it to returning inSilksongas a flashback.
With the Abyss in the first game revealing critical information during a flashback detailing the Knight’s history, the idea of the Cast-Off Shell appearing during Hornet’s past would be fitting. Whether this would reveal her initial discovery of the king’s old body or her understanding of the importance of the Abyss, the presence of the wyrm shed is crucial considering the history of Hallownest’s royalty.
3City Of Tears
Capital City Lost To Time
The iconic capital city of the fallen kingdom, the so-called City of Tears, is another location protected by Hornet as the infection continues to revive Hallownest during this endless sleep. Featuring plenty of spots important to the ongoing story, Hornet’s lineage, and a potential foil to the looming Citadel in Pharloom, the City of Tears is more than deserving of reappearing.
Featuring a fountain with a tragic statue of the titular Hollow Knight surrounded by the three sacrificed Dreamers, the City of Tears appearing as aflashback duringSilksongcould further establish just how important and powerful Hornet is, given her status as the princess of Hallownest. As she would not have access to the dream of the White Palace within the Dream Realm, the capital city is the best way to communicate part of her heritage and status.
4Temple Of The Black Egg
The End Of Hollow Knight
The location that determines much of the kingdom’s fate, the Temple of the Black Egg would be a fitting location to reappear, even briefly, at any point in the sequel’s story. And unlike most other options, this destined spot could physically cameo withinSilksong, instead of purely being just a flashback.
With one ofSilksong’s trailers showcasing Hornet being led away to Pharloom, it is entirely likely that the very start of the game includes the very end ofHollow Knight, as this entirely sets up why Hornet would ever leave Hallownest, even by force. Additionally, players will learn to some extentwhich ending toHollow Knightis the “true” ending, as a few endings have already been ruled out by the existence ofSilksong. Regardless, the presence of the Temple of the Black Egg adds even more to Hornet’s ongoing story, the last place the princess of Hallownest stood to end the long-dead kingdom, now thrust into a new land.
5Distant Village Of Deepnest
Hornet’s Origins
The most crucial location for Hornet, and an area where she expresses herself and allows herself to be vulnerable to the Knight, the Distant Village practically has to appear inSilksong. Containing the last living trace of the Weavers and the grave of her mother, the Distant Village of Deepnest is acrucial aspect of Hornet’s story.
As the plot ofSilksongconcerns, in part, the power of the Weavers now remaining in Pharloom, returning to the Distant Village through memories of a younger Hornet or even an older Hornet learning where she comes from would further tie into the idea of Hornet being stolen to this new land in the sequel. Hornet’s mother, Herrah the Beast, who she never really interacted with due to the deal of the Dreamers, is now truly gone withinSilksong, alongside the entire kingdom of Hallownest, a reminder of everything Hornet has briefly had and concretely lost would be a perfect inclusion in revealingmore of what Hornet now fights forin the land of Pharloom, beyond her survival.
