Archive of Our Own ^beta

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... wait, this isn't the woods, is this already the basement?

And why are you sitting chained... to the... wall...

• (Explore) I'm getting a terrible sense of deja vu.
• (Explore) Wait... hasn't this already happened?
• (Explore) Okay, no.
• (Explore) I died! What am I doing here again?
• (Explore) Oh, you bastard! You're in for it now. I'm wise to your tricks!
• [Wait.]

YOU – Oh, you bastard! You're in for it now. I'm wise to your tricks!

THE NARRATOR – My... tricks? What on earth are you talking about? We've just met for the first time, Princess.

Unless, we haven't...?

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – No. We've already met before.

THE NARRATOR – That's terrible... If I may ask, how did you die?

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – You killed us.

THE NARRATOR – Did I?

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – Yes, you did, you absolute villain! And you scarred our dear Hero too! But we've grown from the past and are not going to let such a thing happen again.

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – We were so close to leaving with him too.

THE NARRATOR – I'm sorry, you were just going to leave with the world-ending monster?!

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – Yeah, we... wait, world-ending?

THE NARRATOR – Okay, this is ridiculous. Let's get back on track for a second.

There's a Hero out there right now that's going to end the world. He will do anything to accomplish this goal.

If any past version of me didn't clarify such a thing, it must've been because He didn't want the task to seem impossible. But this is your second time, so there's no point in hiding it.

And now that you know, you need to leave this cabin right now and go into the woods to slay him. Got it?

• (Explore) Why should I even bother to help you?
• (Explore) Let's talk about this Hero...
• [Leave the basement.]

YOU – Why should I even bother to help you?

THE NARRATOR – Did you not hear the part where I said he's going to end the world?

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – Yeah, but like, how? He didn't seem like much of a threat last time. He's much more of a 'Hero' than what you're trying to describe.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – He would never harm anyone! We're going to walk up to those woods and leave together with our beloved, just like we wanted last time!

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – Our beloved?

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – Yes! Our beloved! Our romance book prince! Our other half. We're meant to be together.

THE NARRATOR – If you want to get anything done, Princess, just be sure to ignore her. It sounds like she's the sort who'd sacrifice the whole world for a kiss.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – What can I say? A world without love is simply not one worth saving.

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – Not sure I agree with that...

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – You'll know it when you see him again. I'm sure he's waiting for us!

(Explore) Let's talk about this Hero...

[Leave the basement.]

YOU – [Leave the basement.]

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – While chained to the wall?

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – Don't you remember from last time? We used the knife to carve our way to freedom! We won't need to do it again.

THE NARRATOR – You look to your right and realize no shackle is bound to your arm. In fact, there are no shackles to be bound to you in the entire basement.

With nothing left to slow you down, you stand up and leave your old home behind.

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – 'Home' is relative.

THE NARRATOR – The upper floor 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 get things right.

• (Explore) You forgot to narrate the mirror.
• [Take the blade.]
• [Approach the mirror.]
• [Leave the cabin.]

YOU – [Leave the cabin.]

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – No blade, huh? Probably for the best. We almost killed him last time with it.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – Even if we took it, I would never let Him take over our body like that again.

THE NARRATOR – If I took over control, it must have been for something truly reasonable.

You leave the cabin behind.

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – Finally, after so long...

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – I wonder what's out there?

THE NARRATOR – The woods outside are affluent and verdant. The many trees that line up the landscape are decorated with golden leaves and red flowers. The weak starlight emanating from above is accompanied by the swarm of fireflies, who give the scene a sense of magic and wonder. It looks like the kind of forest you'd see in a fairy tale, but it's here and real.
It sickens me.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – Because your soul is as rotten as your words!

THE NARRATOR – Regardless, it's still just a mess of a forest. If this is where the Hero came from, slaying him is probably an act of mercy.
The only way through is the path ahead. You'll find the Hero if you follow it.

• [Go down the path.]

YOU – [Go down the path.]

THE NARRATOR – You follow the bright trail of dirt until you find the descent into a large pond. The trees have become taller and their foliage above you covers the night sky.
You smell the air coming from the trees. It's rich and dewy, with the slight hint of sweet honey.

His charming voice goes up the path.

Hello? Is someone there?

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – His voice...! It's somehow even more beautiful than last time. I can hear wedding bells already...

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – Okay, I think you might be taking this a little too far. We barely even know the Hero. We can still do right by him without all this... fawning.

THE NARRATOR – Yes. For everyone's sake, you're not in love. Just remember that his charms are all part of his trickery.

You go down the path until coming across the pond. It's clear and shimmering, and you can see the reflection of the Hero standing next to it.

He is a dark creature made of scales and feathers. However, they're tidy and organized, preened just in time for a meeting with a royal like you. Wings emerge from his back, which curl up at theirs ends, almost seeming to form the shape of a cartoonish heart. Tied to his neck is a long red cape, which flows in the weak wind.

His eyes brighten up as soon as you lock eyes.

It's you! My dashing princess. I was so worried that would be the end of you. I'm sorry you had to go through that! I thought that I... I...

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – My Hero! You have nothing to worry about. This has so far all been that Narrator's fault.

THE NARRATOR – You know he can't hear you, right?

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – I'm aware. But I'm sure he can hear my soul speaking to him!

THE NARRATOR – Oh, your soul is plenty loud alright.

Ah, let's not worry about that right now. We're out of the cabin finally, but it's still a long way to the great fields beyond.

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – The what now?

• (Explore) "What happened after I died?"
• (Explore) "The great fields beyond?"
• (Explore) "I'm sorry about what happened last time. The Narrator who sent me here to kill you took over my body. It was extremely unfair."
• [Walk the path.]

YOU – "I'm sorry about what happened last time. The Narrator who sent me here to kill you took over my body. It was extremely unfair."

Oh! Someone was controlling you, that's good to know. I was so worried I had done something wrong!

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – Listen to him! He wants nothing more than to make us happy.

I'm sure it won't happen again.

THE NARRATOR – At this rate, I wish it could.

• (Explore) "What happened after I died?"
• (Explore) "The great fields beyond?"
• [Walk the path.]

YOU – "What happened to you after I died?"

You died! And now we're talking.

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – That's it?

• (Explore) "But before we started talking, did the world end?"
• (Explore) "The great fields beyond?"
• [Walk the path.]

YOU – "But before we started talking, did the world end?"

What...?

N-No! The world didn't end. That narrator I told you about was wrong, remember?

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – Hm? Did he say Narrator?

• "Wait, did the Narrator tell you to kill me?"

YOU – "Wait, did the Narrator tell you to kill me?"

Yeah! The one that told me you were going to end the world and then left. I told you about Him last time.

He's talking to you too, right? I thought that was obvious.

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – Wait... Did you...

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – I see how it is now. The one that tasked him with killing us was the same one tasking us to kill him. Small world.

In any case, it's best to ignore someone like that. Nothing good will come out of Him.

THE NARRATOR – You little... Sigh.

Look, I made a mistake, you're not going to end the world. He is, if you let him escape unscathed.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – We've officially lost all our faith in you. Begone, fiend!

THE NARRATOR – I'm not going away. I can't. Not right now at least.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – Then we'll find a way to banish you. Later!

As per what happened after you died, I definitely didn't just lie there on the stone floor crying for you... Um, no no, that didn't happen. Um.

THE NARRATOR – The pathetic lovebird is clearly lying to you.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – My god, would you not use vile words like that, you fiend?

THE NARRATOR – I'm not a 'fiend'. And this Hero is the most annoying of any one you could have encountered. I want to rip my hair out already.

The cabin sort of pushed me out.

But hey! It's not all bad. Now, I'm different! Check this out!

THE NARRATOR – He flaunts his "new" cape.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – It suits him.

THE NARRATOR – Things don't just 'change', he probably just found that thing somewhere.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – I can't believe you're making me feel as distraught like this today! Shut up! Shut up! I'm going to repeat that until you do so!

THE NARRATOR – Ugh.

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – That is very weird. Maybe there's something more going on here.

• (Explore) "The great fields beyond?"
• [Walk the path.]

YOU – "The great fields beyond?"

According to the legend of creation, the woods surrounding the cabin at their center are also surrounded by lush fields.

And we're meant to reach them, with the power of love.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – Then we'll go out there and fulfill the prophecy!

THE NARRATOR – You're so gullible! He clearly just made that up.

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – And now he's mentioned the power of love too. I'm not sure how strong it would be if we just met...

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – Love transcends barriers! If only you believe it can. (Explore) "We've just met though. I still don't know how to feel towards you."

• [Walk the path.]

YOU – [Walk the path.]

Let's go!

THE NARRATOR – You take off with the Hero by your side. He's cheery and full of life.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – My love...

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – Maybe we can make this work in the end?

THE NARRATOR – Soon you come across an obstacle: a shallow creek. A fallen log acts as a bridge over it.

According to the legend, the lovebirds will need to face three challenges throughout the woods.

This is the first of the trials. We'll walk over that tree. Together!

THE NARRATOR – He extends his hand, expecting you to take it.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – Hold his hand! Feeling another person's touch is the first step to something great.

• "Do we need to walk across the log? The creek is rather shallow, I'm sure I could jump the distance."
• [Take his hand and walk across.]

YOU – [Take his hand and walk across.]

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – Of course! Oh, this is so romantic…!

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – …Are you sure? I feel like we’re about to fall into the creek.

The log is far too small for two.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – But our love will take us through! Isn’t that right, my dashing hero?

THE NARRATOR – I’ve already communicated clearly that he can’t hear you, right? Well, regardless. You take his hand and step onto the log. Together.

Oh! Your hand is really soft…

THE NARRATOR – He smiles at you. This is disgusting, you know that? You’re ending the world and couldn’t care less.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – If this will end the world, then the world isn’t worth living in!

Nothing is worth it without love!

THE NARRATOR – Urgh. Hand in hand, and you both slowly try to sidestep your way through the creek. Unfortunately, as you predicted, you do not make it all the way through without falling in. Your back lands against the rocks on the bottom of the river, hitting you with quite a shock that fades into just a bit of discomfort. The water is shallow enough where it barely makes a ripple upon your arrival. Looking up to the Hero, he seems to be having a similar experience. But with a smile on his face. …Why?

Oh! Sorry…

But wasn’t that fun? Sure, we fell, but it was so romantic!

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – It was! Oh, the feeling of falling along with a lover, simple mistakes turning to laughter.

THE NARRATOR – His eyes seem brighter now. Because you just fell into the water. What the hell do you two have going on that makes you excited to suffer? Whatever. You continue to walk through the path with the Hero next to you. His step has more of a bounce to it than before, excitement brimming as his claw itches for the touch of your hand.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – We should give it to him! I liked the feeling of his scaly claws in ours too y’know!

THE NARRATOR – You are describing possibly the least attractive creature known to humankind. And he’s going to end the world! Could you not have slightly better taste?

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – But we were meant to be together! Do you have something against love, Narrator?

THE NARRATOR – Against love? No, I don't have anything against the prospect of romantic, platonic, or any other kind of love. I am against whatever you're trying to do right now, because it will bring ruin to everything.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – But did someone break your heart once? What happened to make you so cold and closed off?

THE NARRATOR – What? That's none of your business.

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – I mean, you already know all of our secrets. You live in our head!

THE NARRATOR – Sigh. If it gets you all to shut up!

The truth is, I did meet someone once. Someone I could call my "love".

We met through my writing and they helped me improve a lot. We fell in love, and decided to stay together, to build a life. And it was good.

And then it ended.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – But if you’ve truly been in love before, why do hate us so much? Perhaps, along the way, you’ll learn to love again, just watching us together. A romance so moving it changes even the most scarred of hearts!

THE NARRATOR – What are you…? Ugh. I don’t need to ‘learn to love again’. I’m just fine the way I am, thank you.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – That can’t be true! Oh, if you think you’ve abandoned love, you have another thing coming! Just watch us!

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – I don’t think that’s how that works.

THE NARRATOR – It isn’t. And you’re making me more and more averse to the idea the more you talk, you know.

Its also making me more averse to the idea of being alive! Truly, your voice can do wonders.

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – And you said it ended? What happened?

THE NARRATOR – I… Lets get back on track. You walk until finding your next 'trial': a deep cliff. You stare below but cannot see the ground, only the leafy tops of trees. If you fall, it's game over for you.

Luckily for you, and unluckily for the world, there's various vines you could grab on to swing over the distance.

Aha! This is the second of the ordeals. A steep cliff separating the earth in two.

According to the legend, the lovebirds will need to swing on a rope together to reach the other side.

But do you say?

• (Explore) "Please stop calling me a lovebird."
• (Explore) "I'm scared to swing."
• (Explore) "Can't we just... go another way?"
• [Take his hand and swing.]

YOU – "I’m scared to swing."

I'm scared too, but we can get rid of that fear together!

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – Overcoming one's fears together is so romantic! You should do it. Just imagine it, changing your lives together, fixing things that you could’ve never fixed all alone! Isn’t it perfect?

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – I’d rather not have to die, though.

THE NARRATOR – Perhaps it would be, were you not dooming the world. But there’s nothing I can say to convince you now, is there?

• (Explore) "Please stop calling me a lovebird."
• (Explore) "Can't we just... go another way?"
• [Take his hand and swing.]

YOU – [Take his hand and swing.]

THE NARRATOR – His claw wraps around your hand, warmth meeting coldness, your love bonding you together as you… I can’t believe you’re making me narrate this.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – Do you hold such a hatred that you cannot speak of our love anymore? But you’re such an incredible writer! You simply have to narrate it!

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – Please, it can’t be that ea-

THE NARRATOR – -I am, that is true. Thank you for noticing.

Your hands are like light and darkness, they cannot exist without each other.

And together, bonded, a perfect balance, you grip onto the rope, turning to each other for one last conformation of what you’re going to do.

Wordlessly, you jump. For a moment, you begin to fly. Though it is not a flight where you carry yourself with your own feathered wings, but as though you are being carried by another. But you are both being carried by each other.

It could not be compared to a nightmare, where you are on the verge of your death, but perhaps a dream of walking on clouds.

You do not look down, for there is no reason to fear. You are in balance.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – So you are still a romantic! I knew it!

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – Seriously? Flattery goes really far with you, you know.

Oh, this is… this is beautiful! We’re flying, we’re flying!

I’ve never flown before!

I’m so glad my first time doing it was with you.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – We could’ve never done it any other way.

THE NARRATOR – Far too soon, you land on the other side, grounded. But you are still together, holding hands, for some reason. Eugh.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – So we haven’t quite moved you yet… that’s alright. You’ll get there one day.

THE NARRATOR – …I don’t have to respond to that.

We… we did it! We really did it!

Together!

And it wasn’t even that scary! I thought it would be terrifying, but…

It wasn’t. Not with you.

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – …

THE NARRATOR – You come across a wooden door.

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – A door? Like straight up a door? What the hell is it doing here in the middle of the woods?

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – It's the last obstacle in order to reach our happy ending! And there it is. Our final trial!

According to the legend, the lovebirds would open it together, holding hands!

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – With the power of love.

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – It's just a door right? What would love even do to make it open?

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – With that attitude, our love won't be strong enough to even make it ajar. So start believing, little voice!

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – Sure.

Are you ready to see what’s on the other side?

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – I suppose this is trivial compared to the other stuff. We can take his hand.

THE NARRATOR – You both take the other's hands. Which are then placed on the handle.

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – And then, we open it! Together!

THE NARRATOR – …It does. Wow. What the hell do you…

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – Narrator? Where did you go? Did you disappear?

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – …

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – Don’t tell me you’re gone too!

VOICE OF THE DAMSEL – I’m… I’m not, but this is too beautiful to look away.

VOICE OF THE PRINCESS – Wha- oh. Oh.

Its beautiful.

But… it shouldn’t be this cold, should it?

Shouldn’t our love make it warm?

Its so cold out here.

…Will you help me get through it?

You don't get the chance to answer, nor will you ever.

A mound of dark hands and feathers constricts him.

His body goes limp, embraced.

The limbs collapse in on themselves.

He's gone once again.

Memory returns.