The Pale King sealed the Radiance to halt the spread of the Infection, a devastating plague that stripped bugs of their minds and individuality, threatening to consume his kingdom of Hallownest.
The Threat: The Radiance's Infection
Before the Pale King's arrival and the establishment of his kingdom, the Radiance was an ancient deity worshipped by the bugs of Hallownest. Its influence brought a form of unity, but at a terrible cost: it offered a collective consciousness that effectively erased individual thought and will. When the Pale King emerged and offered sapience and purpose, many bugs turned away from the Radiance, leading to her fading from memory.
However, the Radiance's essence lingered, manifesting as the Infection. This virulent disease began to spread throughout Hallownest, infecting bugs and reducing them to mindless, aggressive husks. The Infection was characterized by:
- Mindless Unity: Bugs under the Radiance's influence lost their capacity for independent thought.
- Loss of Will: Infected creatures became slaves to a singular, all-consuming instinct.
- Rapid Spread: The disease quickly overwhelmed the kingdom's inhabitants.
The Pale King's Solution: Sealing the Threat
Witnessing the destruction wrought by the Infection, the Pale King devised a plan to contain and neutralize the Radiance's power. His goal was to protect his kingdom and preserve the minds of its inhabitants.
His primary solution involved:
- The Creation of Vessels: These unique beings were crafted to be empty, devoid of mind, emotion, and will. They were infused with the Void, a primordial substance that made them immune to the Radiance's influence.
- The Hollow Knight: One Vessel, specifically chosen and trained, was intended to be the perfect receptacle for the Radiance's essence—a "pure vessel" meant to contain the plague indefinitely.
- The Black Egg Temple: This structure was built as the ultimate prison, where the chosen Vessel would seal the Radiance away, containing the Infection within.
Comparison of Radiance's Influence vs. Pale King's Counter-Measure:
| Feature | The Radiance's Infection | The Pale King's Vessels (Solution) |
|---|---|---|
| Effect on Mind | Erases individual thought, creates unity | Devoid of mind, thought, and will |
| Control | Imposes collective consciousness | Incapable of having a will to break |
| Vulnerability | Affects all sentient beings | Infused with Void, immune to influence |
| Goal | Reclaim worship, spread influence | Contain the Radiance, save Hallownest |
By sealing the Radiance within a Vessel, the Pale King aimed to permanently stop the Infection and safeguard Hallownest from spiritual and physical annihilation.
