False Knight (film)

False Knight is an animated film by ThatIsAPirate, serving as the fifth production of the Hollow Knight Cinematic Universe with ties to Seasons 1 and 2 of Vessel of Blood. The movie features False Knight as the main character, developing his backstory as well as his encounter with Blood Wasp.

Plot
The story begins as a group of maggots are shamed and bullied by the upper-classed citizens of the City of Tears, eventually worsening into brutal murduring the innocent maggots. The maggots are treated as slaves, and forced to do the hard labor of the citizens of Hallownest. Helpless and defenseless, the maggots try their best to run away and leave the city. Unfortunately, few make it out alive, as the strong sentries of the City of Tears begin to kill or capture any escaping maggots they find. This escalated into a large war between the maggot supporters, known as the “Protecalists,” and the maggot abusers, the “Anti-Protecalists.” The war is eventually put to an end by the mighty Hegemol, one of the Great Knights and protector of the City. He allows the maggots to leave, and abolishes the Anti-Protecalists. The maggots move into Dirtmouth and the Kingdom’s Crossroads, where they look up to Hegemol as a mighty hero.

The story is told by two parents to their youngling maggot in a house in the Forgotten Crossroads. The maggot admired the hero Hegemol and wanted to be just like him. A training scene takes place where the young maggot is shown practicing his fighting skills and training with a special weapons master known as Yivel in the Crossroads. One day, however, he is decides to take Hegemol’s armor and take his place to be the hero himself. He wants to rid the world of people like the Anti-Protecalists, but is unfortunately unable to do so, as soon after, the maggot has been Infected by the Radiance. Infected, he wanted to show the world that everyone, including his maggot brothers, were equal. Eventually, this will became so strong that upon being completely Infected and losing his mind, he had kept this thought and went on with finding Hegemol’s whereabouts. Filled with revenge for the long gone Anti-Protecalists, the Infection took over and the maggot discovered Hegemol sleeping in a cage next to the King’s Pass. The maggot creeped up on the Great Knight with nothing but a small dagger and shield. Trained to use both items, he is ready for anything that happens. However, he is interrupted by his master Yivel, and the two fight. Disappointed by what his former apprentice has become, Yivel takes the lead and nearly defeats his the maggot. The fighting and ruckus causes the mighty Hegemol to awake from his slumber. Hegemol grabs Yivel, thinking he was hurting the young maggot. He throws Yivel onto the King’s Pass and is about to destroy him. The maggot seizes this as an opportunity and stabs Hegemol in the neck, causing him to stumble over and fall unconscious. Yivel gets back up and attacks his former friend once more, but having been weakened by the massive Hegemol, Yivel is unable to stand his ground and is killed by the maggot. The maggot moves onto Hegemol and, filled with rage, readies his Nail to slice into Hegemol’s body. Hegemol gets back up, however, and kicks the maggot backwards, into the other end of the bridge. The maggot draws his nail and swings underneath Hegemol, who slams his fist into the ground. The maggot dodges and slices Hegemol’s leg, who collapses. As a last attempt to stay alive, Hegemol smashes his fist into the bridge, causing the entirety of the King’s Pass to collapse. A few minutes later, the maggot crawls out of the rubble and picks up his nail. He walks over to the injured Hegemol and with one last breath, slices his Nail and kills the glorious knight.

This maggot goes on to be the False Knight, who now protects his fellow maggots from intruders. He attacks Wasp upon his first visit to the Forgotten Crossroads, and battles hard with the small creature. Unfortunately, he is defeated and killed by the vessel. As his maggot friends and family mourn his death, his legacy has not been forgotten. Fortunately, the fierce Warrior still lives... within the Dream Realm. Now known as the Failed Champion, the maggot trains to be stronger and defeat the vessel who killed him when the time comes. Fortunately for him, the time comes soon. This time, he is able to severely damage his opponent, before Wasp pulls a surprise attack and damages Failed Champion. After an intense battle, a wounded Wasp apologizes to the Failed Champion for ending his life. He promises Failed Champion to free him from the Dream Realm, and in doing so, they are accidentally brought to another part of the realm: the Radiance’s domain. After a long and intense battle with the light itself, the Radiance is defeated and the Failed Champion is able to escape the Dream Realm and relive his life once more.

Upon his return home, however, he discovers that his brothers are in danger: an evil group of Dream insects known as Grimmkin threaten the lives of the maggots. Failed Champion seeks down Grimmknight, the leader of the Grimmkin and servant of the Nightmare King. Failed Champion is able to defeat Grimmknight and saves his brothers from their doom.