Debateable

The AU is based on what would happen if Ghost “survived”. It starts of with them getting on the platform, and following after the pale king and their sibling. They hide away from them, fearing that their father would throw them into the void if found.

They make it to the white palace, before being scooped up into the arms of their mother, the root. They were afraid at first, but she comforted them, treating them as her child.

She knew that the vessel would be emotionless, void of both thoughts and feelings. Yet, as she hugged them close, she couldn’t help but feel attached to her offspring. She was confident and proud of it, they must be perfect if her king had picked it.

Que the confusion they felt when her wyrm came in with a another vessel, almost identical to the one she was embracing. They argued; the pale king wanted to cast them away, seeing no need for an impure vessel. Yet, the white lady talked back; stating that when the pure one is sacrificed, who would be the next to take over their recovering kingdom.

In the end, he could not defy the wishes of his queen.

“Very well, my dear. You may keep it.” He bowed, receiving a kiss from his lady. They took their separate ways, both siblings giving each other one last glance, before scurrying off to their chosen caretaker.

From there, both siblings were raised, differently.

The selected vessel was trained up to fulfill its purpose, to be a proper seal for the infections origin. To be emotionless, and empty.

They were brought up by the the king, and his five knights. Trained to know how to fight vigorously. Learning how to better maneuver itself by jumping over saws. And taught how to hold the infection, prisoner.

Although, the training was brutal and they hardly had any time to rest. It was determined to do whatever It takes for the kingdom, and for its father. To be able to protect their family was all it desired.

They were proud of its role, and wished to fulfill it.

Ghost was brought up to be prim and proper. A perfect heir.

In the beginning, they were taught simple things; like how to read and write. But as they grew, there was a much more stricter schedule assigned to them. Suddenly, they were being taught how to dress, how to behave, how to dance, and even some fencing lessons from Dyyra.

They were told to be clever and confident, so that they may be the one that the kingdom can depend on.

But Ghost was not interested in that, nor proud of their role. They felt only guilt.

In the beginning, they were envious of their sibling. They wanted to be appreciated by their father, just like them. They hated being “impure”.

It wasn’t until later, that they finally saw how blessed they were to have that title. They finally opened their eyes, when they laid witness to what the infection truly was.

It dawn on them, the severity of their siblings role, what they had to do. And how utterly blind their father was.

The pure one wasn’t hollow. Anyone with a functioning pair of eyes could see that! They will admit, it did a good job hiding it in public, and their lack of expressions and voice made it easier. But their body language screamed to anyone who payed attention. It wasn’t that hard! They managed to notice this the first time they met.

Granted, Ghost was able to hear them unlike most, making them more able to know what they were thinking. How they could do this, is unclear to them. Probably something to do with their connection to the void.

As grubs, they both expressed openly to one another.

While the grownups went to talk, they would run around and play. Acting like kids, until their feet grew too tired. Then they’d run off to the castle's library, where Ghost would read their favorite stories to them, while they rested on each other.

Those were the days.

They still bond together, be it rarely. The constant demand for the pure one, made it harder and harder to find free time. And when they had, they were usually too tired to do anything, so they only read stories to them until they fell asleep.

It made them sad, knowing that all of their efforts would be in vain, and the kingdom would fall with them.

But there was still hope.

They were both not yet at their prime, there was still time. And Ghost had decided that they would do anything in their power to save them. They won’t let their sibling die. Not under their watch.

(Update here: https://www.tumblr.com/backbreak/802414408187985920/somewhere-between-work-and-playing-silksong-i)