Chapter Text
Chapter I – The Hero and The Princess
The Narrator
You're on a path in the woods. And at the end of that path is a cabin. And in the basement of that cabin is a princess.
You're here to slay her. If you don't, it will be the end of the world.
The Narrator
She's not dangerous. She's just a princess. The danger comes if she gets out. Which she will. Unless you do something about it.
The Narrator
The more specifics you have, the harder it will be for you to do this very important job. She's a princess. People will listen to her, because listening to her is in their nature. And when they do, everything will come crashing down.
The Narrator
Are you serious? No, you have to do it.
The Narrator
Good. As long as you remain focused on your goal, it should all be smooth sailing.
You make your way up the short path to the cabin. You'll find the Princess within.
A warning, before you go any further...
She will lie, she will cheat, and she will do everything in her power to stop you from slaying her. Don't believe a word she says.
Voice of the Hero
We're not going to go through with this, right? She's a princess. We're supposed to save princesses, not slay them.
The Narrator
Ignore him. He doesn't know what he's talking about.
The Narrator
The interior of the cabin is almost entirely bare. The air is stale and musty and the floor and walls are painted in a fine layer of dust. The only furniture of note is a plain wooden table. Perched on that table is a pristine blade.
The blade is your implement. You'll need it if you want to do this right.
The Narrator
The door to the basement creaks open, revealing a staircase faintly illuminated by an unseen light in the room below. This is an oppressive place. The air feels heavy and damp, a hint of rot filtering from the ancient wood. If the Princess really lives here, slaying her is probably doing her a favor.
Her voice softly carries up the stairs.
H-hello? Is someone there?
Voice of the Hero
It's hypnotizing. It's the kind of voice you only have to hear once to remember it for the rest of your life.
The Narrator
Don't let it fool you. It's all part of the manipulation. You're playing a dangerous game by coming here unarmed.
The Narrator
How many times do I have to tell you how dangerous letting her out of here would be before it finally sinks in?
Wait, really?! You're here to rescue me? I was starting to think I'd be stuck down here forever!
Come downstairs! I want to see the face of my rescuer.
The Narrator
You walk down the stairs and lock eyes with the Princess. There's a heavy chain around her wrist, binding her to the far wall of the basement.
Voice of the Hero
She's beautiful. How could someone like this be a threat to anyone?
The Narrator
I am begging you to stay focused. There's a lot riding on you here.
Hi! I can't believe you're here, I've been waiting for something like this to happen forever.
I hope you brought something to deal with these chains.
The Narrator
Don't do it. If she gets out of those chains we're all one step closer to The End.
The Narrator
You walk up to the chains binding the Princess to the wall and give them a tug.
They're large and heavy, far too solid for you to even imagine trying to break them apart.
I'm guessing you don't have the key.
Voice of the Hero
Maybe it's somewhere upstairs.
The Narrator
Doubtful. Whoever locked the Princess away down here intended for her to never see the light of day. They wouldn't have just left the key to her chains somewhere in the cabin.
Okay. I'll be here. Good luck.
The Narrator
You attempt to make your way out of the basement, but the door at the top of the stairs slams shut. You hear the click of a lock sliding into place.
Voice of the Hero
Is someone else here?
The Narrator
You try the door, but it's locked from the outside.
The Narrator
Your shouts and pleas are met with silence.
You're here to slay the Princess, and you won't leave until the task is done.
The Narrator
You make your way to the bottom of the stairs. This would have been so much easier if you'd just taken the blade like you were supposed to.
Voice of the Hero
Easier for whom?
The Narrator
Easier for everyone. Look at the mess you're in.
I heard the door slam... they locked you down here too, didn't they?
The Narrator
There's a slight panic rising in the Princess' voice.
If I could just get out of these chains I know we could force our way out of here together.
The Narrator
She barely hesitates before raising her arm to her mouth, her teeth tearing through her limb with the determination of a trapped wolf.
As she rips her flesh from her bone, a sound comes from behind you. The clang of bouncing metal.
It's the blade from upstairs. You're not sure how it made its way down here, but if there's a time to strike, it's now.
Voice of the Hero
Or we could use it to free her.
The Narrator
You won't like what happens if you do that.
The Narrator
Ugh. Fine.
Against your better judgment, you place the blade against the ragged, self-inflicted wound on the Princess' arm, just above the unyielding chain binding her to this place.
You cut into her flesh.
The blade is sharp, and it takes little effort to crack through the bone of her arm.
Her limb falls to the ground, and the heavy chains follow suit.
Voice of the Hero
She didn't so much as utter a sound through the whole ordeal.
The Narrator
No. She didn't.
She smiles softly as her gaze meets yours, blood from her wounded arm dripping rhythmically to the ground.
Voice of the Hero
How is she still smiling after everything? It's like she isn't even bothered by what just happened.
Thank you. Now let's get out of here.
The Narrator
No. We won't have any of that. The stakes are too high. You can't just let her escape into the world. ... no. I can't just let her escape into the world.
As the Princess approaches the bottom stair, your body steps forward and raises the blade.
Voice of the Hero
Wait... this isn't fair. You can't just do that!
The Narrator
Watch me.
Wh-what are you doing?
The Narrator
Stop that.
Something's come over you, hasn't it? Y-you know you don't have to do this, right?
The Narrator
Your body lunges forward, the blade held low, ready to sink into her heart.
But the Princess dodges, stumbling back against the wall before the blade has a chance to connect.
Stop it! Stop trying to resist me! I'm trying to get you out of here alive.
The Narrator
The blade! Move. The. Blade!
As your body remains frozen in stubborn resistance, the Princess takes a cautious step forward.
We both know this isn't you...
The Narrator
She nervously reaches towards you and takes the blade from your infuriatingly rigid hands... What are you doing?
I'm sorry... I'll try to be quick.
The Narrator
She plunges it into your chest, tearing through flesh and sinew. It is agony. But you aren't dead yet.
Oh no, I'm so sorry!
Voice of the Hero
Stay strong. We can tough it out until it's done. For her sake.
The Narrator
For her sake? Don't you start pretending that dying a painful death is some sort of heroic gesture. The two of you have literally doomed everyone.
Whatever. She sinks the blade into your chest again, and again, and again... and you feel every inch of burning pain that slices its way into your body.
I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry!
Voice of the Hero
She doesn't know how to use a knife, does she?
The Narrator
Apparently not, though it doesn't matter how sloppy her blade work is, does it? A stab wound is still a stab wound, and it won't be long before you bleed out.
I'm so sorry!
The Narrator
With one last thrust of the knife, your legs give out beneath you. You collapse to the floor, your blood pooling around you, your limbs unresponsive. The Princess stares down at your ruined chest as tears carve rivulets of pink down her blood-spattered cheeks.
Voice of the Hero
It can't just end like this, right?
The Narrator
Oh, that's rich coming from you. As much as I'd prefer for things to have gone differently, I can't deny the reality of what's happened. The two of you made your choice. It's over.
Everything goes dark, and you die.
Chapter II – The Damsel
She's no threat to anyone. The only reason she could even kill you was because you actively let her, and the only reason she would was because her hand was forced. If anything, He's the malicious one.
Your mind is set. You have no doubts now: you have to save her.
For her sake, you'd gladly give your life. She deserves so much more.
A Princess as elegant and refined as her deserves plush carpets and fine lighting. It's ghastly, the conditions she's been living in. A domestic setting would suit her gentle nature far better.
Perhaps, if you are lucky, you might even be blessed enough to share in that quiet peace with her when all is said and done.
The Narrator
You're on a path in the woods. And at the end of that path is a cabin. And in the basement of that cabin is a princess.
You're here to slay her. If you don't, it will be the end of the world.
The Narrator
A terrible sense of deja vu? No, you don't have that. This is the first time either of us have been here.
Voice of the Hero
If He doesn't remember what happened, then maybe it's best to keep it that way.
Voice of the Smitten
Yes, He didn't approve of us last time, did He? If we're going to save our beloved, we'll have to be sneaky about it.
Voice of the Hero
Our... 'beloved?'
The Narrator
Yes, you'll have to be very sneaky about your intentions if you're going to try and save the Princess.
Voice of the Smitten
Ah, so all of the cards are on the table. Then you should know that we and the Princess are in love and the four of us will be foiling any and all assassination attempts you've got in the works.
The Narrator
We'll see about that. Whatever you do, just be sure to ignore him, specifically. It sounds like he's the sort who'd sacrifice the whole world for a peck on the cheek.
Voice of the Smitten
What can I say? A world without love is a world that isn't worth saving.
The Narrator
We could go back and forth on this forever, and it won't get you any closer to doing your job and saving the world. So let's just agree to disagree.
Voice of the Hero
That's right. You can't stop all of us.
Voice of the Smitten
We're going to sweep her off her feet if it's the last thing anyone does.
The Narrator
Are these really the sorts of people you'd like to align yourself with? Sigh. You're not at the cabin yet. You still have plenty of time to reflect on the situation. I just hope for all our sakes that you make the right call.
The Narrator
A warning, before you go any further...
She will lie, she will cheat, and she will do everything in her power to stop you from slaying her. Don't believe a word she says.
Voice of the Smitten
We already told you we're not playing along with your little game, it's your lies that can't be trusted. Her beauty is the only thing in the world we can believe in!
Voice of the Hero
I think we've already been over this. I'm pretty sure he just likes the sound of his own voice.
Voice of the Smitten
I do, but I also speak from the heart. My passions are too great to be stifled, they must be expressed!
Voice of the Hero
Sure, yeah, your passions are strong and all, but not everyone needs to hear them. Some things are better kept quiet.
The Narrator
Don't pay their bickering any mind. Focus on the task ahead.
The Narrator
The interior of the cabin is clean and elegant, its stone walls draped in fine-threaded tapestries, a prison befitting a royal prisoner. The only furniture of note is an ornate wooden table with a pristine blade perched on its edge.
The blade is your implement. You'll need it if you want to do this right.
The Narrator
That's because there isn't a mirror. There's a table, the blade sitting on the table, and the door to the basement. There's nothing else in here.
Voice of the Hero
There's definitely a mirror.
The Narrator
There isn't.
Voice of the Smitten
I'm sure the Princess would tell us there was a mirror if she were up here.
The Narrator
In which case she'd be lying to you, because again, there isn't a mirror.
Voice of the Smitten
That's a great idea. We have to make sure we're looking our best before we save her.
Voice of the Hero
We shouldn't waste time preening, but if He is lying about the mirror, it must be important.
The Narrator
I'm not lying to you. Use your eyes, there is no mirror. Why would I lie about something so meaningless? What good would it even do?
Voice of the Hero
Very different.
Voice of the Smitten
Is it? I can't say I was paying much attention to the scenery last time around.
The Narrator
Maybe that's because you haven't actually been here. I hope this means you'll finally drop that ridiculous past-life nonsense. You haven't died, and you certainly haven't been killed by the Princess.
So focus up. A lot's riding on this.
The Narrator
You walk up to the wall next to the empty basement doorframe. It's a wall. There isn't much to see here.
Voice of the Hero
This really isn't funny.
The Narrator
You reach forward and rub your hand against the cabin wall. I hope you know how ridiculous you look right now.
Voice of the Hero
But it was there a second ago!
Voice of the Smitten
And now it's gone. Pity. We could have a feather out of place and now we'll never know. We can't gallantly sweep her off her feet if we have a feather out of place.
The Narrator
The door to the basement creaks open, revealing an intricate stairwell. Gold-trimmed carpet glimmers in the light of the torches positioned along the walls. The basement almost seems welcoming in the dim firelight.
But it's still a stone basement. If the Princess lives here, slaying her is probably doing her a favor.
A soft voice carries up the stairs.
H-hello? Is someone there?
Voice of the Smitten
Her voice... it's somehow even more beautiful than last time. I can hear wedding bells already...
Voice of the Hero
I've held my tongue 'til now, but you're taking this a little too far. We barely even know the Princess. We can still do right by her without all this over-the-top fawning.
The Narrator
Yes. For everyone's sake, you're not in love. Sigh. Just remember that her charms are all part of the manipulation.
The Narrator
You walk down the stairs and lock eyes with the Princess. There's a heavy chain around her wrist, binding her to the far wall.
Voice of the Smitten
My love! We're here to rescue you from your unjust and foul imprisonment!
The Narrator
You know she can't hear you, right?
Voice of the Smitten
She may not be able to hear my words, but surely, she can hear my spirit.
The Narrator
Oh, your spirit's plenty loud, alright.
It's you! My dashing hero. I was so worried you wouldn't come back.
Voice of the Smitten
Did you hear that? She said we're dashing!
Voice of the Hero
And she called us a hero!
The Narrator
Flattery really goes a long way with the two of you, doesn't it?
'Waiting for you to come back?' I didn't want to believe your ravings back in the woods, but this is next to incontrovertible evidence. You've been here before.
Voice of the Smitten
That's right, villain. And you killed us.
Voice of the Hero
Well... she killed us.
Voice of the Smitten
Only because he made us try and kill her! It was self-defense. Our beloved's hands remain unstained by cruelty.
The Narrator
And you've died before. So an entire world has been damned to oblivion. I'd really hoped I'd be the first... but what's done is done. What matters is you have a chance to do it right this time.
Voice of the Hero
We... damned a whole world? But everything reset.
The Narrator
Nothing 'resets.' You're just somewhere else, and you can't keep hopping between worlds forever. Especially not without leaving a trail of incomprehensible devastation behind you. Sigh. This is horrible.
You died! And now we're talking.
I don't know. Was I supposed to have ended the world? Would that have made you happy?
Voice of the Smitten
Isn't that just like our darling Princess? She wants to make us happy! My heart melts further with every word that passes through her beautiful lips.
The Narrator
Are you listening to her? That's a confession.
Then I didn't end the world!
Voice of the Hero
I'm... not so sure.
The Narrator
If another version of me was pushed to such drastic action, it was for a good reason!
That's okay! You were just doing your best, and that's all that matters.
Voice of the Hero
She took that in stride. To a surprising extent. An almost unsettling extent, actually.
Voice of the Smitten
That's because she's perfect!
Voice of the Hero
Do you think she has someone like Him telling her what to do?
The Narrator
She doesn't. There's no one else like me.
Voice of the Smitten
I think he's right. Because I like it better if she doesn't have some horrid little voice like Him always trying to drive her to violence.
I'm sorry! Didn't you want me to?
Voice of the Hero
... Did we?
Voice of the Smitten
We warned her of the cruel forces seizing our body. That's practically telling her to kill us. She is our beloved, and she made the choice to free us of our misery, to show us mercy and make the best decision for everyone.
The Narrator
She made the best decision for her. Don't be so quick to assign kindness, you're just opening yourself up to manipulation.
The Narrator
Rescue her? What are you talking about? Did you forget that she's a world-ending monstrosity? And even if you wanted to unleash her onto the world, despite the complete moral disaster that would be, you'd have to get her out of those chains. Good luck with that!
Voice of the Smitten
Don't you see how dainty her hands are? We'll be able to slip her out with ease.
The Narrator
No! She's a prisoner here. You can't just slip her hand through the chains!
Voice of the Hero
If her hands could just slip out of the chains, why hasn't she done it already?
Voice of the Smitten
Because we've yet to present her with her freedom.
Voice of the Hero
I'm not sure I follow.
Voice of the Smitten
Would you rather believe me, a passionate heart guided by love and my own good nature, or would you rather believe the devil on your shoulder who tells you what you can and cannot do?
Voice of the Hero
I think I'd rather believe in facts.
Voice of the Smitten
Ah, so you're one of those empiricists.
Voice of the Hero
One of us has to be.
Voice of the Smitten
Then let me show you a brand new truth. Narrator! We courageously step forward and free our beloved from her bindings.
The Narrator
No. I can't let you do that. If you take another step towards the Princess, I'll—
Voice of the Hero
You'll what? Take over our body and force us to try and kill her?
The Narrator
I would if you had a weapon.
Voice of the Smitten
Not on my watch, villain! My passions contain titanic depths, and if you try anything that might harm our dearest I will end our life without a second thought.
The Narrator
You wouldn't.
Voice of the Smitten
I would!
Voice of the Hero
I'd listen to him if I were you. He has a lot of strong feelings. And doesn't the world end if we don't stop her?
The Narrator
Sigh. You approach the Princess and gingerly slide her hand from her bindings. That... shouldn't have worked. I'll be damned. We're doomed.
Voice of the Hero
I can't believe it. But I guess I have to.
Voice of the Smitten
I told you! There's no life more worth living than that of a true believer.
I'm free! And you're not trying to kill me this time! Thank you, thank you so much!
The Narrator
The Princess jumps up and smothers you in a joyful embrace. Eugh.
If only you had a weapon. One slip of the wrist and your pristine blade would be buried in her back, and everyone out there would be saved.
Voice of the Hero
Luckily for mister romance, we don't have a weapon.
Voice of the Smitten
Who needs a weapon when we have the power of love on our side?
... What do we do now?
The Narrator
Let me guess. 'End the world?'
Voice of the Smitten
Spoken with the rank cynicism of someone who has never felt love in His heart.
I... don't actually know. Nobody's ever asked me what I've wanted before.
Voice of the Hero
She doesn't even know what she wants. You may have had her all wrong. What if this whole thing is just a misunderstanding? What if she doesn't want to end the world?
The Narrator
You're so gullible. Is the only thing you've ever doubted the actual truth?
I think I want to leave? And I think...
The Narrator
The Princess closes her eyes in deep reflection.
And then she shrugs.
I dunno. What do you want to do?
That sounds perfect.
The Narrator
The Princess takes your hand, the last hopes of the entire world slipping through your fingers as they intertwine with hers.
Voice of the Smitten
We have each other. We don't need the world for our happy ending.
The Narrator
I like to think that you do, actually.
Voice of the Hero
Look, I had my doubts, but the choice has been made, and this is happening. You don't have to mope about it.
The Narrator
I will mope about it, because moping is the only recourse you loveblind fools have left me with.
You and the Princess walk up the stairs, hand in hand. Ugh. Look at the way she's smiling at you. She doesn't have to be so happy about this.
Voice of the Hero
And what happens after we walk up the stairs?
The Narrator
Let's see. Oh, isn't that interesting? The door slams in your face. And the lock clicks.
Voice of the Hero
That's a familiar move.
The Narrator
Did I do that last time? Then you should know that you won't be able to leave.
Oh, no! Did someone lock us in here? That's not fair! We're supposed to leave now.
Voice of the Smitten
She's right. It isn't fair. But the unfairnesses of the world are no match for the strength of true love.
The Narrator
Enough with this true love nonsense. You just met her!
Voice of the Smitten
Of course you wouldn't understand, our passions run deeper than anything you have ever known.
The Narrator
Are you listening to this? You don't have to go along with the every whim of that delusional voice.
Voice of the Hero
I'm just along for the ride at this point.
I don't know. Do you think I can?
Voice of the Smitten
Of course she can! You believe in her, right?
The Narrator
Nobody is leaving this basement.
Okay. Let me try.
The Narrator
The Princess tries the handle...
Voice of the Smitten
And...?
The Narrator
... The lock clicks and the door creaks open. Are. You. Kidding me?
Voice of the Smitten
I told you she could do it!
The Narrator
You and the Princess make your way upstairs and—
The blade, that's right! There's still a chance for you to do the right thing. Take the blade from the table and slay her before it's too late!
The Narrator
You're enjoying this, aren't you? You're taking every opportunity you can to draw out the end of the world and make me suffer. I hate you.
Voice of the Hero
You know, if her walking out that door is really gonna end the world... Can't we all just stay here? Seems like an easy win for everyone.
The Narrator
That's not how this works!
Voice of the Smitten
Yes, what he said. That's not how this works! Obviously we have to leave with her! It's our happy ending.
That's the way out. We're going to leave together, just like you wanted!
The Narrator
Yes, I suppose you are going to do that, aren't you? You cross the room, opening the door to the cabin.
And then you step outside.
We did it! What should we do now?
Voice of the Hero
... Where did everything go?
... Where did He go?
Voice of the Smitten
Oh, is he gone? I hadn't noticed. I was too busy staring deep into our beloved's eyes.
I'm cold. Is being happy supposed to be so cold?
Voice of the Smitten
She's cold? Quick, our feathers! Pluck them all and weave her a coat worthy of a Princess!
But you don't get the chance to make that jacket. Something has taken her away, and it's left something else in her place.
Voice of the Hero
She's gone. Where did she go? Should we try and find her?
And there's that mirror again. Why is it here? Why now?!
Voice of the Hero
There's something dreadful about it. I don't think you should.
Voice of the Smitten
Yes, I fear that we won't like what we'll see. What if we just sit here and preen for a while? That can't hurt, right?
Voice of the Hero
I'm begging you, don't do this.
You approach the mirror.
Silence as you reach forward. They're gone, but the mirror remains. It's time for you to see what's in it.
It's you.
You are alone in a place that is empty. It is quiet here.
You are at the cabin.