Hollow Knight: Silksong has casually revealed that its protagonist, Hornet, had an active love life in the past. But that’s not the only intriguing discovery about her. Hollow Knight: Silksong fans have uncovered even more curious aspects of this beloved heroine’s backstory.
Hornet’s lore was central to the storytelling in Hollow Knight, Team Cherry’s first entry in the franchise. Yet the game revealed almost no concrete backstory about her, even though it made clear that Hallownest’s princess-protector has always been a key figure in its mysterious history. Now, with the release of the long-awaited sequel, Silksong, fans are finally learning more fascinating details about Hornet’s personality and her past.
As several fans have pointed out online, Hunter’s Journal in Hollow Knight: Silksong includes an entry revealing that Hornet has fallen in love at least twice in the past. What’s even more interesting is that she explains that none of her mates are still in her life because they could not match her lifespan, and as a result, she no longer seeks to pair with another. The former detail might be a nod to the fact that, in real life, female spiders typically outlive their mates.
Given that Hornet’s mother, Herrah, was a spider, she may have inherited the long lifespan that is common among female spiders. Her father, The Pale King, is also no ordinary bug, which could have contributed to Hornet living much longer than those around her. Of course, this is all speculation and can’t be confirmed without more concrete evidence. What does seem certain is that Hollow Knight: Silksong‘s protagonist has lived long enough to experience more than one relationship and might not be as young as previously thought.
Beyond the heartfelt reflections in Hornet’s journal, fans are also enjoying her likable personality in other entries. One detail that has caught many fans’ attention is how she describes her feelings toward hostile bugs, even expressing a desire to touch their fur or admire their round, soft bodies.
For those wondering how to view Hornet’s journal about her mates, they’ll need to complete the requirements of the Great Conchfly entry. This insect is believed to pair with only one mate for life and never leave them. Reflecting on this behavior, Hornet recalls her own lovers, saying she once desired similar unions. But because none of her mates matched her lifespan, she seems to have become disillusioned with love. It remains to be seen whether more exciting details about her past will emerge as players dig up more of the Hollow Knight universe’s secrets in Silksong.
September 4, 2025
Team Cherry
Team Cherry
Unity
Hollow Knight
Single-player
