Hornet is the Pale King’s daughter with Herrah the Beast. The Hollow Knight and the Knight are the Pale King’s children with the White Lady, so Hornet is their paternal half-sister. “Hollow Knight” can mean either the game or the character; the family relationship is with the character.
How Hornet is related to the Hollow Knight and the Knight
Hornet and the Hollow Knight share a father, the Pale King, but have different mothers. Hornet’s mother is Herrah, queen of Deepnest; the Hollow Knight’s mother is the White Lady. The same parentage applies to the Knight, making Hornet the paternal half-sister of both characters. The Hornet reference and GDC’s Hollow Knight narrative review support this family connection.
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Why Herrah’s agreement matters
Herrah agreed to become one of Hallownest’s Dreamers in exchange for the Pale King fathering a child with her. That child was Hornet. Her birth is therefore connected to the political and magical crisis surrounding the Hollow Knight’s sealing, rather than being a separate detail in the kingdom’s history. The Herrah reference describes the agreement.
Hornet in Hollow Knight and Silksong
Hornet is a major character in the first Hollow Knight game, where she can act as an opponent and ally to the Knight. In Hollow Knight: Silksong, she is the playable lead, and her journey takes place in Pharloom. Team Cherry announced Silksong as the second game, while its official site frames Hornet’s story through her lineage and past. Team Cherry’s announcement is available at HOLLOW KNIGHT: SILKSONG REVEALED!
#1 Best Overall
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
- Leap into minds with the Dream Nail. Uncover a whole other side to the characters you meet and the enemies you face.
Quick family tree
- Hornet: Pale King and Herrah the Beast.
- The Hollow Knight: Pale King and the White Lady.
- The Knight: Pale King and the White Lady.
That shared father makes Hornet the Hollow Knight’s and the Knight’s paternal half-sister. The available references establish the parentage, but do not settle finer questions about Hornet’s childhood or how much the Pale King raised her.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
![HOLLOW KNIGHT [E10]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51gHoLA9kNL._SL160_.jpg)
- Includes four giant bonus content packs: Hidden Dreams, The Grimm Troupe, Lifeblood, and Godmaster
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all modern trimmings
- Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash, and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries
- Explore a vast interconnected world of forgotten highways, overgrown wilds, and ruined cities
- Forge your own path. The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face, and find your own way forward
Rank #3
![Hollow Knight: Silksong Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51mOgOC8xEL._SL160_.jpg)
- Discover the fallen insect kingdom of Pharloom! Explore mossy grottos, gilded cities and misted moors as you ascend to the shining citadel at the top of the world.
- Engage in lethal acrobatic action! Wield a huge suite of deadly moves as you dance between foes in swift, beautiful combat.
- Craft powerful tools! Master an ever-expanding arsenal of weapons, traps, and mechanisms to vanquish your enemies and explore new heights.
- Solve shocking quests! Hunt down rare beasts and solve ancient mysteries to grant the wishes of the downtrodden and restore the kingdom’s hope.
- Face over 200 ferocious foes! Beasts and hunters, monsters and knights. Defeat them all with bravery and skill!
Rank #2
![Hollow Knight - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51nXCF+sf5L._SL160_.jpg)
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!
- Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favorites and make your journey unique!
- An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
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