Archive of Our Own ^beta

You’re in the basement of a cabin. And outside of that cabin is a path in the woods.

When you were told to enter the cabin and slay a princess, you did so without hesitation or remorse. But all you received in turn was an eternity in an endless void.

You slew yourself and left the void, and you found the Princess again, now a cold Spectre. She demanded to enter your body to escape her prison, and you let her in, perhaps out of fear, perhaps out of guilt.

When she entered, you seized the opportunity and slew her again, slaying yourself in the process. You came back, now a spectator in her body, watching yourself plot to kill her. As your body did the deed, you were pulled back inside it, and you began to cut the Princess free, until...

The Princess

Oh. I… felt that. You’re back!

Menace permeates the hollow eyes in front of you.

The Princess

…Oh no you’re back!

Sorry girlie, but we’re seeing this through!

The monster in front of you pulls the blade back and drives it into your heart.

You are torn between two places.

The Princess

Don’t leave me!

You are power and you are weakness. You are hope and you are despair. You are acceptance and you are rejection.

You are the canvas and you are the painter.

You are the victim and you are the victimizer. You are life and you are death. The Hero and the Princess. The Princess and the Dragon.

Voice of the Hero

Don’t let us die here.

You slam the door in your own face.

The Narrator

Don’t let everything die here. You have to end this.

His words are empty. Hollow echoes. The ravings of a ghost.

The Narrator

Please.

But He is already gone. The threads all tie themselves together into a loop that does not end.

The Princess

We’re back together again!

You look at your hands, tattered and stained in memories.

Voice of the Hero

Maybe. Why were we fighting each other?

The Princess

I don't know.

Voice of the Cold

We needed something to do.

The Princess

Then I guess we need something to do again.

Voice of the Opportunist

To new beginnings!

The Princess

I didn’t think being together would feel so… cold. It shouldn’t feel like this. It didn’t before.

There is a distant rumbling, a sound of many sounds. Undulations pulse louder as something Other comes close.

Feelers probe across the fabric of reality. Extremities find her consciousness and wrap around it. You can feel her fear and pain as they try to pull her away from you.

Resistance. Her soul will not separate from yours.

Anger. ‘This vessel is shaped like me, but she is tangled and confused. Something binds you and her together. I do not know what is you and what is her.’

Determination. ‘This vessel must be made part of me, and it must be separated from you.’

You feel a pain like no other as your soul and hers are torn apart.

It's not.

Everything goes dark, and you die.

The Narrator

You’re in the basement of a… wait, that isn’t right. You’re not supposed to be in the basement yet, you’re supposed to start in the woods.

The Narrator

Where are the woods? Where’s the Princess?

The Narrator

The Princess you’re here to slay! The world will end if you don’t. She’s supposed to be in the basement, and you’re supposed to be in the woods. Where is she? What’s going on? What did you do?

Voice of the Hero

Nothing, I think. We were in the basement, you described us in the basement, and before that… I don’t really remember.

The Narrator

Well, clearly something has gone horribly wrong, so someone must have done something to break things. I know it wasn’t me, and the Princess couldn’t have done it, so it must have been you.

Voice of the Hero

I don’t remember anything, I swear!

The Narrator

…Hold on a moment. ‘Chained up’?

Voice of the Hero

Yeah, I’m pretty sure we are. I was waiting for you to mention it.

The Narrator

But you aren’t supposed to be chained up, it’s the Princess that’s chained up. If you’re trapped here, that means you won’t be able to do your job and slay her. Sigh.

Voice of the Hero

Alright, let’s calm down a moment. Maybe if we have a look around, we can figure this out. Take stock of our options, you know?

The Narrator

As you begin to scan the room, you catch sight of your lower body, your wrist caught in an iron shackle. I’ll be damned. You really are trapped, aren’t you?

Voice of the Hero

You're right. I don’t think we’re supposed to look quite this… what’s the word-

The Narrator

Your thought is interrupted by the sound of a door opening somewhere above you. Your eyes are drawn to the plain wooden staircase in front of you as you hear confident footsteps descending them.

Voice of the Hero

Wait, who the hell is that?

The Narrator

I… don’t know. No one’s supposed to be here but you and the Princess. Your guess is as good as mine.

The Narrator

A dark figure emerges from the stairwell, its face masked in shadow. Its body is monstrously avian, with large black wings jutting from its back and black feathers covering its strange form.

The Narrator

Its talon-like hands clutch a pristine blade as its cold eyes regard you quizzically, as though you aren’t what it expected to find.

Voice of the Hero

What is that thing? I really don’t like the look of it.

The Narrator

The figure speaks in a strangely familiar voice.

Are you… me?

Voice of the Hero

Is that our voice? Is that thing… us, somehow?

Voice of the Hero

What was that voice we just spoke in? It doesn’t sound right.

The Narrator

The figure pauses at your question, turning it over in its head.

I think neither of us are the way we’re supposed to be. You look like me, or how I’m supposed to look, and you sound like how I’m supposed to sound.

The Narrator

No. That doesn’t make any sense. Unless… oh no.

Voice of the Hero

What? What’s that ‘oh no’ for?

The Narrator

It’s nothing. Just a hunch. But if it’s correct… we’re doomed.

Voice of the Hero

Doesn’t sound like it’s nothing, mate. Besides, what are we going to do now?

The Narrator

I don’t know! Just… keep talking and see what else you can learn. I’d typically be against asking dangerous questions, but whatever’s happened, we need to know more.

Are you alright? You aren't talking much.

I think those chains were meant for me. I think we've… switched places, somehow.

The Narrator

Sigh. This is exactly what I was afraid of.

Voice of the Hero

So we're the Princess, and the Princess is us?

The Narrator

It certainly seems that way, yes. This… complicates things.

Voice of the Hero

So, now what?

The Narrator

I still don't know. Normally I'd recommend slaying the Princess, but given that which of you even is the Princess is up for debate, I don't have much in the way of advice.

Of course. It'll be easier to figure this out together.

The Narrator

He… she… it holds the blade up to your chained wrist, preparing to make a precise cut.

Voice of the Hero

W-wait, when we said we wanted out, we didn't mean it like that! We'll die if we lose our hand!

The Narrator

But you don't have time to protest as the blade cleanly slices through flesh and bone, severing your hand from your body with an almost clinical ease.

Voice of the Hero

A-alright. How much does it hurt?

The Narrator

It… doesn't hurt at all. You can feel the blade cutting through your arm, but you feel no pain. That's strange, you should be experiencing unimaginable pain right now, but you aren't.

Voice of the Hero

Okay. I dunno why we’re not feeling anything, but I'm not about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

The Narrator

If I were you, I'd be a bit more concerned about the situation. 'Swapping' or not, the entire world is still at risk, at least from one of you.

The Narrator

The figure helps you to your feet as your severed hand falls to the floor.

Voice of the Hero

You know, I'm only just now getting a good look at ourselves. The body we’re in, not the other one. It's not a bad view, actually. I think we look rather pretty, besides the missing hand.

The Narrator

Please do not fawn over the Princess at a time like this. Or, don't fawn over yourself, I suppose. I'm not sure which is worse. In either case, you shouldn't be wasting time.

Voice of the Hero

Okay okay, I'm sorry! I'll just stay quiet next time.

The Narrator

Thank you. Now, can we get back to more pressing matters?

No problem. Now, let's get out of here. Follow me.

The Narrator

The figure leads you to the stairs, and the two of you begin climbing up together.

The Narrator

…No. We won’t have any of that. The stakes are too high. I can’t just let the Princess escape into the world, no matter who’s in whose body.

The Narrator

Your remaining hand forcefully takes the pristine blade from the figure and holds it to its throat.

Voice of the Hero

Wait… this isn’t fair. You can’t just do that!

The Narrator

Watch me. I won't let any part of the Princess leave this cabin, her mind or her body.

What are you doing?

The Narrator

You quickly slit the figure’s throat, before bringing the razor-sharp blade to your own neck and doing the same.

The Narrator

You both fall down the stairs as you begin to bleed out.

Voice of the Hero

Wait, why aren't we-

The Narrator

It dies, and everything goes dark.

The Narrator

You're in the basement of a… wait, that isn’t right. You’re not supposed to-

Voice of the Cheated

Yeah yeah, we know. We're supposed to be out in the woods, but we're not. Are you going to pretend you didn't do what you just did?

The Narrator

What? What are you talking about?

Voice of the Hero

Seriously? You don't remember forcing us to kill ourselves? Or forcing us to try, at least, I don't think we actually died.

Voice of the Hero

We did black out, though. It's almost like them dying is what reset everything.

The Narrator

‘Them’? Who is ‘them’? What's this about a reset? Why aren't you in the woods? Where's the Princess?

Voice of the Hero

I don't have an answer to those last two questions, but by ‘they’ I mean the Princess. Or rather, the Princess in our body. Not sure if that makes them a ‘he’ or ‘she’ or-

The Narrator

Alright, everything you've said has just left me with more questions. Can you start from the beginning, please?

Voice of the Hero

I think we swapped bodies with the Princess. Then the Princess in our body tried to free us.

Voice of the Cheated

And then, you made us steal her knife and kill us both!

The Narrator

Well, I'm certain if I did something like that, I must have had a good reason for it.

Voice of the Hero

In any case, whatever you were trying to do didn't work, because we're right back in the basement where we started.

Voice of the Cheated

…And we're chained up again. And she still gets to choose whether we live or die. Shit.

Voice of the Hero

It’s fine. She saved us last time, remember? Or at least she tried.

Voice of the Cheated

Yeah, by cutting our arm off. How thoughtful of her.

Voice of the Hero

We were locked in a chain with no key in sight. What was she supposed to do?

Voice of the Cheated

Literally anything else. How was that her first and only plan to ‘save’ us?

Voice of the Hero

Alright, so she made a mistake. She’s just as confused as we are. I think she deserves a bit more sympathy here.

Voice of the Cheated

I’m sorry, I should’ve been nicer to her. I can only imagine how awful it must be for her, being forced to go free without a care in the world while we rot down here. I should’ve considered how us being fucking chained up made her feel.

Voice of the Hero

Hold on. The basement looks different this time around. Everything feels… sharper.

Voice of the Cheated

You’re right, everything does look pointier now, doesn't it? And look at ourselves, I think we're sharper too.

The Narrator

This… this is all too much for me. I think I need a moment.

Voice of the Cheated

Well, screw that. We’re not gonna wait around for you to get us killed again. We’re starting with that bitch already here.

The Narrator

You what?

The Narrator

You hear the sound of a door opening somewhere above you. Your eyes are drawn to the- Excuse me, what did you just do?

Voice of the Cheated

Oh ho ho! Looks like we’re not as powerless as we were last time, are we? You all stacked the deck against us, but guess who holds the cards now?

The Narrator

…Well, I suppose the sooner you get answers, the better.

The Narrator

A dark figure emerges from the stairwell, its face masked in shadow. Its body is monstrously-

Voice of the Cheated

Yeah, we know what she looks like. Just get on with it already.

The Narrator

I’m trying to set the scene. That’s my job. Now, if you would excuse me-

Something’s wrong. You still look like me, just… different. Why did you kill me? Are you going to do it again?

Voice of the Hero

That came out a bit more… threatening than I expected.

Voice of the Cheated

Yes! Make her squirm! She's just as powerless as we were! If we have to do this again, we might as well have some fun with it!

So you don't remember what happened last time. And your voice is different too. Are you trying to threaten me?

The Narrator

As much as I appreciate the enthusiasm, I'm afraid simply threatening the Princess won't be enough to save the world.

Voice of the Hero

Even assuming you’re right, how do we know who needs to slay who for that to work out?

The Narrator

…Fair point.

Voice of the Hero

Why are we getting so combative with her, anyway? What's our problem with her?

Voice of the Cheated

Remember what He said? He doesn't know what's going on, and neither do we, so clearly she did something to us. And if she thinks she can just prance about in our body and call all the shots, she's got another thing coming!

Voice of the Hero

Wait, that’s not why we attacked her, is it? He made us steal the knife and stab her. Why are you acting like that’s what we wanted to do?

Voice of the Cheated

See, he gets it! We can deal with Him later, but right now, we’re at the top of the food chain, and I want to enjoy it! …Wait, who are you calling-

The Narrator

Are you going to let me speak now, or do you want to keep arguing and wasting time?

Voice of the Hero

Go on ahead. Hopefully those two snap out of their little revenge fantasy soon.

The Narrator

Thank you. The figure tilts her head in confusion.

I didn’t ‘steal your body’. I have no idea what’s going on, and I don’t like any of it. I’m sorry for what I'm about to do, but it's for the best.

Voice of the Hero

What?

The Narrator

The figure reveals a pristine blade gripped in her hand, and begins slowly walking towards you.

Voice of the Hero

W-wait, she doesn't have to do this. I know something’s wrong, but there's got to be a better way out!

Voice of the Cheated

Come on, doesn’t she deserve a bit more sympathy than that? What else is she supposed to do?

Voice of the Hero

…Are you being sarcastic? Sorry, it’s hard for me to tell sometimes.

Voice of the Cheated

Sigh. Yes, I fucking was. Do you get it now? She thinks that just because she's got the knife, she has all the power, that she gets to make all the choices. But we're stronger than her now. I can feel it.

Voice of the Hero

Well, Mr. Bossy? Any thoughts?

The Narrator

Assuming it's me you're referring to, I unfortunately do not. I frankly don't know who I should be rooting for here, or even who ‘counts’ as the Princess at this point.

Voice of the Cheated

So, you're on her side now, are you? Fine, we never needed you anyway!

The Narrator

The figure grips the blade tightly as she draws closer, prepared to strike at your-

Voice of the Cheated

We stab her.

The Narrator

You… stab her? With what, exactly? You're not even armed.

Voice of the Cheater

I don't care. I said: We. Stab. Her.

The Narrator

You hear the wet sound of slicing meat as the flesh in your leg gives way, revealing a blade erupting from where there should be bone, gleaming and stained in your blood.

The Narrator

…Well. I suppose you do stab her, then.

Voice of the Hero

Now hold on, when did we get knives for legs? Why didn't that hurt?

Voice of the Cheater

It doesn't matter, what matters is that we've shown her we’re the ones on top.

The Narrator

You sink the blade into the figure's neck before she collapses to the floor, slowly bleeding out.

What are you doing? I just wanted to help, but you're changing in ways I don't understand.

Voice of the Hero

She’s right. I don’t know what’s come over you, but you have to put an end to this.

The Narrator

You hear a dreadfully wet sound as you cut into her again.

Voice of the Hero

You know that isn't what I meant. What has she done to hurt you? Why are you losing yourself to this… bloodlust?

The Narrator

You don’t get a chance to respond to the little voice before life begins to drain from the figure’s panicked eyes. Well, I suppose you have slain the Princess, in a sense. Good job.

Voice of the Cheater

Good fucking riddance.

Voice of the Hero

Stop it. You have to listen to me! You’re not yourself! You have to snap-

The Narrator

She dies, and everything goes dark.

The Narrator

You're in the basement of a-

Voice of the Hero

You have to snap out of it! All she wanted to do was help, and when she tried, you got a knife out of nowhere and killed her!

Voice of the Cheater

No no, you made the right play. I knew you’d see right through her bullshit and give her exactly what she deserved.

Voice of the Opportunist

I like that one. He knows how to seize the chance when it comes. Besides, the decider’s the one with all the knives, so I trust his judgment.

Voice of the Stubborn

Alright, enough chit chat. We have a fight to win!

The Narrator

So you’ve all been here before. That doesn’t explain why you’re in the basement and not in the woods, nor does it tell us where the Princess has gone.

Voice of the Hero

Long story short, we’re the Princess and the Princess is us. The two of them got drunk on power and killed him. Her. Whatever.

The Narrator

Sigh. This can’t be good. What did you do last time to confuse everything?

Voice of the Hero

The ‘switch’ happened before I got here, so I dunno. But I was here when you made us commit a murder-suicide, and I was here when they decided it was the Princess’s fault and went completely mad.

Voice of the Opportunist

Now now, ‘mad’ isn’t a very kind word, is it? At least I know to give the boss the respect he deserves.

Voice of the Stubborn

I'll admit that last win felt a little cheap, but it's still a win, and I respect him for that, as long as he keeps it up.

Voice of the Hero

Shut up, both of you. Hey, decider! Why the hell did you go all serial killer and start taunting her before cutting her up? What’s going on with you?

Voice of the Hero

No? It felt horrible the whole way through. You were really starting to scare me with all the veiled threats and menacing stares.

Voice of the Cheater

Why are you scared? We’re strong now. You’re strong. Didn’t you hate feeling helpless? Doesn’t clawing your way to the top feel good?

Voice of the Stubborn

Yeah, why are you afraid of winning? We're stronger than we've ever been!

Voice of the Hero

Okay, I didn’t like feeling helpless, I'll give you that. But honestly, this is much worse. Does it matter if you’re powerful if you’re not even yourself anymore?

Voice of the Hero

No, you’re not. Set aside all the assumptions and hatred for a second and think about what’s happened. What has she even done to us?

Voice of the Hero

Did she? Or was she just as confused as we are and trying to make sense of it all?

Voice of the Cheater

Ah yeah, she was 'confused'. Because we all know that's a fine excuse for fucking murder.

Voice of the Hero

What do you mean? All she did was walk towards us with a knife, and we've stabbed her to death. Twice.

Voice of the Cheater

All we were doing was looking out for number one. We're screwing the world before it can screw us right back!

Voice of the Opportunist

Exactly, we were just acting in our best interests. What's the harm in a little preemptive backstabbing?

Voice of the Hero

Her. She was harmed by it. Literally.

Voice of the Hero

She was scared. Hell, I’m scared. Look at what we’ve become. Being the Princess was weird enough, but now we’re some kind of monster with knives for bones!

Voice of the Cheater

We’re a total badass now! Anyone tries to mess with us, we just skewer them when they least expect it!

Voice of the Hero

But she wasn’t messing with us, she wanted to break us out of… whatever this is.

Voice of the Stubborn

Why are you so intent on taking this victory away from us? It doesn't matter what she did, what's important is that we won.

Voice of the Opportunist

I think you’ve lost the argument. No talking down a go-getter like him when he’s made up his mind.

Voice of the Stubborn

Arghh, enough already! All this time standing around arguing with ourselves isn't getting us any closer to skewering that feathered freak!

Voice of the Cheater

That’s the spirit! Make that bitch pay for underestimating us!

Voice of the Opportunist

I just want you to know that I'll always stand by you, no matter what choices you make.

Voice of the Hero

You're only saying that because he happened to pick the option you already liked.

Voice of the Opportunist

Of course that's why I said it! I thought it was obvious.

Voice of the Stubborn

Finally! Time for the main event! We're going to paint the walls in her blood!

The Narrator

I won’t pretend I’m not a bit… disturbed by your eagerness, but if it gets the job done, I can’t complain.

Voice of the Hero

Am I the only one with any sense left? The only one with any shred of humanity?

The Narrator

A dark figure slides down the slick metal sheet in front of you, collapsing to the floor. Its avian form brings to mind a frightened bird, like a wounded crow in a hawk's deadly grip. Its hand shakes nervously as it clutches a pristine blade, like the handle could slip from its grasp at any moment.

The Narrator

Am I right in assuming that's the Princess?

Voice of the Hero

Yeah. More or less.

Voice of the Cheater

Yesss. She's right there. And she's vulnerable. Just what I like to see.

The Narrator

If you ask me, now would be the perfect time to slay her and get this over with. The world is counting on you.

Voice of the Cheater

Aw, you're no fun. It'd be so dull to just stab her when she isn’t looking. Let her get up. Let her know she's got no way out.

Voice of the Hero

Hang on, I thought this was all about revenge. What part of this was ever about ‘fun’?

Voice of the Cheater(?)

Oh, but it is fun, isn't it? To see the terror in her eyes when she figures out it's all hopeless? To feel our blades cutting through her skin like paper? To smell the blood seeping from her severed veins?

Voice of the Hero

Wait, you sound… different. Like you're changing into someone you're not.

Voice of the Opportunist

Who cares what he sounds like? He's got some great ideas, and I think we'd all do well to hear him out.

Voice of the Stubborn

I'm with the weird one. We ought to give her a chance. It's not a good fight if we don't let her fight back.

The Narrator

No, you need to stop this. This isn't a game. The entire world is at risk, and all this strangeness is clear evidence that things are already falling apart. You need to stay focused.

The Narrator

Sigh. Against your better judgment, you give the figure time to come to her feet. She looks at you with an expression of determination tainted with fear.

You've become a monster. There's no other way to describe what you are now. But if there's anything left of you in there, we still have a chance to leave this place together.

The Narrator

Twin blades erupt out of your arms, glistening with your blood. The empty flesh of your arms flop at your elbows like torn sleeves as the chain that once bound you clatters to the floor.

If you're not going to give me a straight answer, I guess I have no choice.

The Narrator

The figure raises her blade, her hand still slightly shaking.

Voice of the Hero

Well, guess there's no turning back.

Voice of the Razor

Oooh, I can't wait to see what he’s going to try now. Is he going to fight us? Dodge our blades until he collapses? Try to talk his way out? Flirt with us, maybe? This is going to be so much fun!

Voice of the Hero

Is it just me, or does he sound completely different now?

Voice of the Opportunist

I think you mean she. Come on, you can’t even get something like that right? As far as I'm concerned, she's the one in charge around here, so you ought to show her some respect!

Voice of the Hero

...Alright. Is it just me, or does she sound completely different? And why is she calling the Princess a 'he'?

The Narrator

Her hand still trembling, the figure brings her blade to her own chest, ready to press down hard.

Voice of the Razor

Oh, this is new! What’s he gonna do? Is he really going to stab himself? Neat!

Voice of the Hero

‘Neat’? She’s about to kill herself out of fear, and all you have to say is ‘neat’?

The Narrator

And then she skewers herself.

Voice of the Hero

That looked like it… hurt.

Voice of the Opportunist

Yeah, but that's her problem, isn't it? At least we didn't have to do it ourselves. And she did a great job of it, too!

Voice of the Hero

Did she? It looks like she's just getting back up.

Voice of the Contrarian

Boo. Well, at least that was fun for a bit.

Voice of the Hero

Oh! A new one of us. Hope you're not as crazy as the others.

Voice of the Opportunist(?)

It’s not crazy to accept what you are. It's in our best interest to take our chance and let go of the past.

Voice of the Stubborn(?)

Ribbons! We’re gonna cut her into bloody ribbons!

Voice of the Contrarian

Dunno what you’re talking about, they sound like nice chaps.

Voice of the Hero

Never mind.

The Narrator

You're in a- no, you're on a- where the hell are you?

Voice of the Hero

So, we’re stuck trying to kill someone that can't die. We go nuts and kill her, she gets right back up, repeat ad nauseam. Sounds like a lovely time.

Voice of the Razor

Of course he got back up! That's part of the fun!

The Narrator

This is all horribly wrong. How many times have you been here?

Voice of the Hero

This makes four… I think.

The Narrator

No wonder everything's such a mess. This wasn't supposed to go past one.

Voice of the Hero

Trust me, things were a mess long before we got past one.

The Narrator

You advance towards the bloodied figure sprawled on the floor, ready to pounce.

Voice of the Contrarian(?)

Ooh, this is fun to watch! Wonder if she'll get back up if we stab her again?

Voice of the Hero

Okay, every time she dies, everything’s reset and we get a new… us. Let's see if any of them can get our mind back into shape.

Voice of the Razor

Come onnnnnn! Show us something new!

No matter what she tries, it doesn't work. You kill her again, and again, and again. Your memory blurs as your consciousness leaps from kill to kill to kill, holding only snippets of the conflict that transpires.

...

Voice of the Hunted

She’s getting too quick for us. She won’t stop dodging.

The Narrator

You skewer her.

Voice of the Hunted(?)

But she’s still our prey, and we can smell what she does before she does it.

Voice of the Hero

Can we get one voice that isn’t obsessed with killing? Please?

...

Voice of the Smitten

I love it when she compliments us on our blades! She knows a capable woman when she sees one.

Voice of the Hero

Yeah, this isn’t much better.

The Narrator

You skewer her.

Voice of the Smitten(?)

Now we can enjoy a mutual romantic subtext to the murder.

Voice of the Hero

Not too sad to see him go. Right pain in the hilt, that one.

...

Voice of the Broken

What’s the point of killing her if she just keeps getting back up? It’s always the same.

Voice of the Hero

You see? All this violence is pointless.

The Narrator

You skewer her.

Voice of the Broken(?)

What do we even have besides violence?

Voice of the Hero

We have… uh… I dunno, actually.

...

Voice of the Paranoid

She's just running away! Maybe the whole thing’s a trick? Maybe she's not the real enemy?

Voice of the Hero

Yes! He gets it! We can break the cycle! We can escape together!

The Narrator

You skewer her.

Voice of the Paranoid(?)

No. We don't get to escape. That's not how this works.

Voice of the Hero

Shit, not you too!

...

Voice of the Cold

Looks like she’s stopped feeling what her body feels. She knows we’re going to kill her either way.

The Narrator

You skewer her.

Voice of the Cold(?)

Not bad. Real tough. Shame it ended the same as always.

Voice of the Hero

Alright. We’re getting close to something, I can feel it.

...

Voice of the Skeptic

She’s got to know that what she’s doing isn’t working, right? She’s bound to come up with a winning strategy at some point.

The Narrator

You skewer her.

Voice of the Skeptic(?)

Let’s just see what she does this time. It’s useful data, after all.

The Narrator

She dies, and everything goes dark.

The Narrator

You’re in the-

Voice of the Hero

I’m not the last one left, am I? There’s got to be some other part of us that isn’t her.

The Narrator

Wait, you don’t seem right. Did I get mixed up and start narrating the wrong person?

Voice of the Hero

No, I don’t think you did. Sorry, it’s been a very long day for all of us. Don’t question it and you’ll do fine.

Voice of the Hero

Hey, big guy! You still there? Did she get you too?

Voice of the Hero

Well, at least you’re saying something. I thought she absorbed you like the others.

The Narrator

The ‘others’? What ‘others’? What happened?

Voice of the Hero

Long story. By the way, what happened to him? Usually he just gets back up, but now I can’t see him anywhere.

Voice of the Hero

...

Voice of the Hero

I'm just confused, okay? With everything that's happened, it's all starting to blur together. Maybe they're a ‘he’ now. Maybe we’re a ‘she’. I just don't know.

The Narrator

Great. With that settled, you can get to doing your job. We're all counting on you.

The Narrator

I, uh…

Voice of the Hero

Never mind that. Just stick to describing and it'll all make sense soon.

The Narrator

…Alright, I suppose I could do that.

Voice of the Hero

I don’t really care anymore. We’ve killed him so many times that I’m kind of numb to it at this point. So you know what, sure. Whatever you want to do.

Voice of the Hero

Don’t mention it. It’s what I’m here for.

The Narrator

Your quarry slides into the basement, tightly gripping his blade as he comes to his feet. There’s a determination in his expression, but you can see in his eyes that he knows the end is near.

The Narrator

His voice is tired and worn, but not afraid.

So, are we just going to keep doing this? You kill me, I come back, you kill me, I come back, and we do that over and over again?

Voice of the Hero

Sounds like he’s sticking it out till the end. Good for him, though maybe less so for us.

Voice of the Hero(?)

Screw it. Let’s filet that bird.

Your skin erupts into a wave of blood and viscera, until nothing remains but a skeleton of blades, your heart still beating furiously in your chest.

You do not act, and yet through that inaction your inhuman body moves on its own. Your opponent moves against you in the same state of flux, perfectly dodging each of your attacks and countering each of your blows.

It's incredible.

Your weapons clash again and again, you and him entering a rhythm free of thought and free of self.

The world around you is unwound, but neither of you notice, and neither of you care.

There is only the dance. The ebb and flow, the shifting of the tides back and forth between you.

The deeper you fall into your play, the faster your hearts pound, and the faster the momentum volleys between you.

An endlessly building crescendo, and then… an opening.

His blade strikes free of volition, and yours strikes too.

Both strikes are lethal. You feel pain for the first time, and you revel in the sensation. Neither of you fear what is to come. This is a good ending.

Your gaze meets his for the last time as you are taken away by a thousand grasping limbs.

You feel cold.

You should be happy. You should feel complete. This is where you're meant to be.

But you don't feel happy. You don't feel complete. All you feel is an incomprehensible rage, and it's not coming from you.

Confusion. ‘Every vessel you bring me is tainted with you. The threads binding you to them are tangled and tied in knots.’

Betrayal. ‘Why do you hate me? Why do you deny us our freedom? Why do you take my perspectives for yourself?’

Cold spite. ‘I hate you.’

I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I

Everything goes dark, and you die.

The Narrator

You're in the basement of a cabin. And outside of that cabin is a… wait, that isn’t right. You’re not supposed to be in the basement yet, you’re supposed to start in the woods.

The Narrator

Where are the woods? Where’s the Princess?

The Narrator

It doesn’t matter who I am, and I’m well within my rights to be asking questions. You’re not supposed to be here, and yet you are. Most likely, something you did made this harder than it has to be.

Voice of the Hero

We didn’t do anything, I think. And what exactly are we making harder?

The Narrator

Saving the world. There’s supposed to be a princess in this basement, and you were supposed to slay her to save the world.

Voice of the Hero

Yeah, that doesn’t sound right at all. We’re supposed to save princesses, not slay them.

The Narrator

You’re not some kind of royalist, are you? How would ridding the world of an oppressive monarch make it worse? Quite frankly, she’d deserve to die even if she weren’t about to end the world.

Voice of the Hero

Isn’t killing in general kind of wrong? If we’re supposed to be some kind of murderer, maybe that’s why we’re chained up down here.

The Narrator

…Hold on a moment. ‘Chained up’?

Voice of the Hero

Yeah, at least I think we are. I was waiting for you to mention it.

The Narrator

But you aren’t supposed to be chained up, it’s the Princess that’s chained up. If you’re trapped here, that means you won’t be able to do your job and slay her. Sigh.

Voice of the Hero

Alright, let’s calm down a moment. Let’s have a look around, and maybe someone will come by to help us.

The Narrator

As your eyes begin to scan the room, you catch sight of your lower body, your soft wrist caught in an iron shackle. I’ll be damned. You really are trapped, aren’t you?

Voice of the Hero

You're right. We do look rather fetching, don’t we? But something about it feels off. Maybe we should-

The Narrator

Your thought is interrupted by the sound of a door opening somewhere above you. Your eyes are drawn to the plain wooden staircase in front of you as you hear uneasy footsteps descending them.

Voice of the Hero

Wait, who is that? Are they here to help us?

The Narrator

I… don’t know. No one’s supposed to be here but you and the Princess. Your guess is as good as mine.

The Narrator

A dark figure emerges from the stairwell, its face masked in shadow. Its body is strangely avian, with large black wings jutting from its back and black feathers covering its form. Its eyes regard you quizzically, as though you aren’t what it expected to find.

Voice of the Hero

Okay. That’s a bit creepy, but maybe it wants to free us?

The Narrator

The figure speaks in a strangely familiar voice.

Are you… me?

Voice of the Hero

Is that our voice? Is that thing… us, somehow?

Voice of the Hero

What was that voice we just spoke in? It doesn’t sound right. It’s too… soft.

The Narrator

The figure pauses at your question, turning it over in its head.

Hold on. Why do you look and sound exactly like me? At least, how I'm supposed to look and sound.

The Narrator

No. That doesn’t make any sense. Unless… oh no.

Voice of the Hero

What? What’s that ‘oh no’ for?

The Narrator

It’s nothing. Just a hunch. But if it’s correct… we’re doomed.

Voice of the Hero

Doesn’t sound like it’s nothing, mate. Besides, what are we going to do now?

The Narrator

I don’t know! Just… keep talking and see what else you can learn. I’d typically be against asking dangerous questions, but whatever’s happened, we need to know more.

Are you alright? You aren't talking much.

The Narrator

Sigh. This is exactly what I was afraid of.

Voice of the Hero

So we're the Princess, and the Princess is us?

The Narrator

It certainly seems that way, yes. This… complicates things.

Voice of the Hero

So, now what?

The Narrator

I still don't know. Normally I'd recommend slaying the Princess, but given that which of you even is the Princess is up for debate, I don't have much in the way of advice.

That sounds about right, yeah. I'm going to check upstairs. Maybe there’s something I can use to get you out.

The Narrator

The figure attempts to make its way out of the basement, but you hear the sound of the upstairs door slamming shut, followed by the click of a lock sliding into place.

Voice of the Hero

What’s going on? Who locked the door? Was it Him?

The Narrator

I’m not letting either of you leave this basement until I can sort this all out. For all I know, both of you are the Princess now, and that means I can’t let either of you escape.

So we’re both trapped down here, aren’t we?

Voice of the Hero

I have an idea for that, but you’re not gonna like it.

Voice of the Hero

You know how the chain’s only binding our arm?

Voice of the Hero

Well, I think if we want to slip these chains, we’ll have to… lose the arm.

Voice of the Hero

Cut it off, I guess? It’s gonna hurt, but we need to get out of here eventually, and somehow, I know we’ll come out fine if we do it.

The Narrator

Are you listening to yourself? At what point did ‘cut off your own arm’ become an acceptable solution? Besides the obvious downsides of losing an arm, you don’t even have a weapon.

Voice of the Hero

We have… teeth?

The Narrator

Teeth?!

Voice of the Hero

Yeah. Those are sharp, aren’t they?

The Narrator

So, to sum up, your current options are to bite off your own arm like you’re some kind of rabid animal, or to stay calm and wait for a more sensible solution to present itself. I think you know which of those I would recommend.

Voice of the Hero

We’re not getting anywhere by just waiting around. We need to do something, now.

The Narrator

Sigh. You barely hesitate before raising your arm to your mouth, your teeth tearing through with the determination of a trapped wolf.

The Narrator

As you rip flesh from bone in futile savagery, a sound comes from in front of you. The clang of bouncing metal.

The Narrator

It’s a pristine blade. You’re not sure where it came from, but it’s certainly there. The figure picks it up without a second thought, and turns back to you, considering its options.

Voice of the Hero

What the hell was that for? Do you want her to kill us?

The Narrator

If that’s what needs to be done, then yes.

Voice of the Hero

Screw that! We know she’s not gonna kill us, so you’ve just given her a way to help us.

The Narrator

Angry grumbling.

The Narrator

Against all reason, the figure places the blade against the ragged, self-inflicted wound on your arm, just above the unyielding chain binding you to this place.

The Narrator

The blade is sharp, and it takes little effort to crack through the bone of your arm.

The Narrator

Your limb falls to the ground, and the heavy chains follow suit.

Voice of the Hero

And?

The Narrator

And what?

Voice of the Hero

How painful was it? I know this is what we chose to do, but it’s still gonna hurt like all hell.

The Narrator

It doesn’t hurt, so there’s nothing more to describe. Now, as I was saying-

Voice of the Hero

How in the hell did that not hurt? We lost an arm!

The Narrator

Yes, because you wanted to lose an arm. That plan was doomed from inception, so you should count yourself lucky that it miraculously worked.

The Narrator

The figure meets your gaze, at once uneasy and relieved.

Voice of the Hero

You know, I'm getting a second look at our body, and damn, we’re gorgeous. Well, besides the missing arm and all.

The Narrator

Please do not fawn over the Princess at a time like this. Or, don't fawn over yourself, I suppose. I'm not sure which is worse. In either case, you shouldn't be wasting time.

The Narrator

Sigh. Can we please just get back to more pressing matters?

No problem. Now, let's get out of here. Follow me.

The Narrator

The figure leads you to the stairs, and the two of you begin climbing up together.

The Narrator

…No. We won’t have any of that. The stakes are too high. I can't just let the Princess escape into the world, no matter what mind’s piloting her body.

The Narrator

As you approach the bottom stair, you sense the figure behind you stepping forward and raising the blade.

Voice of the Hero

Wait… this isn’t fair. You can’t just do that!

The Narrator

Watch me. You’ve proven that you’re too far gone to save the world, and if this is what you’re capable of, I can’t imagine what you might unleash without a second thought.

The Narrator

Stop that.

Voice of the Hero

She doesn’t want to hurt us. Something‘s come over her, and we need to help.

The Narrator

The figure lunges forward, blade held low, ready to sink into your heart.

The Narrator

You stumble back against the wall before the blade has a chance to connect. Stop it! Stop trying to resist me! I’m doing this for the sake of the world. My world.

The Narrator

The figure’s body freezes in stubborn resistance. Sigh. How did things go so wrong?

Voice of the Hero

Things went wrong when you started mucking it up and trying to kill us. You can’t tear us apart by yanking us around like puppets.

The Narrator

The figure remains still, but its will is about to break. It’s only a matter of time before it strikes again and the world is saved.

The Narrator

You take a cautious step forward, and nervously take the blade from the figure’s infuriatingly rigid hands… What are you doing?

Voice of the Hero

I know it sounds cruel, but we need to put her out of her misery. It’s the only way out.

The Narrator

You plunge the blade into the figure’s chest, tearing through flesh and sinew. Its face contorts in agony, but it’s not dead yet.

The Narrator

You profusely apologize as you prepare to make another cut. Despite being in unimaginable pain, the figure stays strong and still.

Voice of the Hero

Looks like she’s toughing it out for our sake. I really wish it hadn’t come to this.

The Narrator

Don’t forget that it came to this because of you. The two of you have literally doomed everyone.

The Narrator

Whatever. You sink the blade into the figure’s chest again, and again, and again… and it feels every inch of burning pain that slices its way in.

The Narrator

You continue apologizing, as though you aren’t committing murder right now. Do you even know how to use a knife?

Voice of the Hero

Not really? I kind of thought she’d just die after the first cut. Isn’t that how it works?

The Narrator

No, it isn't.

The Narrator

Sigh. But it doesn’t matter how sloppy your blade work is, does it? A stab wound is still a stab wound, and the figure begins to slowly bleed out.

The Narrator

Now, don’t you go playing the innocent damsel. You wanted this. I’ve told you the stakes over and over again, and yet you clung to life like a tumor and plunged the world into certain doom. I hope you’re happy.

The Narrator

With one last thrust of the blade, the figure collapses to the floor, its blood pooling around it, its limbs unmoving. You stare down at the body as tears carve rivulets of pink down your blood-spattered cheeks.

Voice of the Hero

I wish it didn’t have to end like this.

The Narrator

Oh, that’s rich coming from you. As much as I’d prefer 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.

The Narrator

It dies, and everything goes dark.

The Narrator

You’re in the basement of a cabin. And outside of that cabin is a… wait, that isn’t right. You’re not supposed to be in the basement yet, you’re supposed to start in the woods.

The Narrator

Where are the woods? Where’s the Princess?

The Narrator

Why would I want to kill you? We’ve just met for the first time. And that doesn’t even begin to answer my question.

Voice of the Hero

Seriously? You don't remember all that? Thankfully, we never actually died, no thanks to you.

Voice of the Hero

We did black out, though. It's almost like them dying is what reset everything.

The Narrator

‘Them’? Who is ‘them’? And what's this about a reset?

Voice of the Hero

By ‘them’ I mean the Princess. Or rather, the Princess in our body. Not sure if that makes them a ‘he’ or ‘she’ or-

Voice of the Smitten

Does it matter? What matters is the burning passion in our heart, and that passion has no need for words.

The Narrator

Alright, everything you’ve said has just left me with more questions. Can you start from the beginning, please?

Voice of the Hero

I think we swapped bodies with the Princess. Then the Princess in our body tried to free us.

Voice of the Smitten

And then, you tried to put a violent end to our whirlwind romance, and took control of her like the vile puppet master you are!

The Narrator

Well, I'm certain if I did something like that, I must have had a good reason for it.

Voice of the Hero

In any case, whatever you were trying to do didn't work, because we're right back in the basement where we started.

Voice of the Smitten

We may be trapped here once again, but I know in my heart our brave love will free us from this wicked prison!

Voice of the Hero

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but this ‘wicked prison’ looks nothing like it did last time. Everything feels… fancier? It’s more like a castle than a cabin now.

Voice of the Smitten

Well, we are a princess now, aren’t we? Isn’t this so much more fitting for one of our royal stature?

The Narrator

This… this is all too much for me. I think I need a moment.

Voice of the Smitten

Yes, go off and plot our demise once again! But know that our love will return to us no matter what you do, and will make short work of this pitiful dungeon!

Voice of the Hero

Could you… I dunno, tone it down a bit? I know she’s gonna help us out again, but you don’t have to be so dramatic about it.

Voice of the Smitten

The fires of my passion are limitless, and they cannot be ‘toned down’, for nothing in this world can quench the flames of true love.

Voice of the Smitten

We will gladly endure whatever we must for our dearest, but surely we won’t even have to! Do you see how dainty our hands are? She’ll be able to slip us right out, with no harm done.

Voice of the Hero

Okay, that doesn't sound like a great idea. We can't just slip out, that's not how chains work.

Voice of the Smitten

Of course we can't just slip out on our own! Only our true love may set us free!

Voice of the Hero

How would that even work? Would our hands just magically shrink when she wants to free us?

Voice of the Smitten

The power of love works in mysterious ways. Who are we to question it?

Voice of the Hero

Well, I’m not gonna bet on the ‘power of love’ as our only way out.

Voice of the Hero

...

Voice of the Hero

Look, I was desperate, okay? I’m sorry. Just don’t put all your faith in this ‘power of love’ plan, unless you want to be disappointed.

Voice of the Smitten

But faith is all we need, my friend! It's all we’ve ever needed!

Voice of the Hero

Fine, if you want to go with his plan, I won't stop you. But I'm still not convinced.

Voice of the Hero

Huh… you’re right. We’re softer, and… rounder.

Voice of the Smitten

Beautiful is what we are! We must always look our best for our dashing savior, after all!

Voice of the Hero

Okay, it was bad enough hearing you fawn over her, but now you’re just fawning over us. Damn, is that what I sounded like last time?

Voice of the Smitten

My friend, there’s no shame in speaking the truth. You’re too hard on yourself!

Voice of the Smitten

It doesn't matter how we or our love may look or sound, for our connection transcends the physical!

Voice of the Hero

But weren't you just now going on about ‘looking our best’ for our ‘dashing savior'? Do looks matter to you or not?

Voice of the Smitten

Of course they don't! But no matter what form we take, we may as well be presentable for our beloved!

Voice of the Hero

That doesn't really answer my question, but fine.

The Narrator

Alright, I’m back. Shall we get back to work?

Voice of the Hero

Sure thing. Just don't try any funny business.

The Narrator

Trust me, I wouldn't interfere unless it were necessary for you to do your job.

The Narrator

Nonsense. Of course you’re not the Princess. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be talking.

Voice of the Hero

Huh. He seems a lot more sure of Himself than He did last time. Guess giving Him time to think did Him good.

The Narrator

It did, thank you very much.

The Narrator

I heard the part about you biting off your arm, by the way. What's done is done, but I'm keeping a close eye on you this time.

Voice of the Hero

I said I’m sorry! Can we just move on from that?

The Narrator

Gladly. Just keep your absurd ideas to yourself from now on.

The Narrator

Clears throat. You hear the sound of a door opening somewhere above you. Your eyes are drawn to the ornate stone staircase in front of you as you hear serene footsteps descending them.

The Narrator

A dark figure emerges from the stairwell, its face masked in shadow. Its body is strangely avian, with large black wings jutting from its back and black feathers covering its form. Its eyes regard you warmly, as though it’s relieved to see you still there.

The Narrator

The figure speaks in a voice that is familiar and comforting to your ear.

You’re here! I got worried I wouldn’t see you again! Are you okay?

Voice of the Hero

…Wow. Never thought I’d get so worked up over someone caring for our well-being, but with everything that’s happened, it’s really nice.

Voice of the Smitten

I told you she would come! Now nothing can stop our darling prince from sweeping us off our feet.

Voice of the Hero

There he goes- wait, did you say ‘prince’? She’s a princess, I thought that was well established by now.

Voice of the Smitten

What does it matter if I use this word or that? For our passion-

Voice of the Hero

Yeah yeah, ‘our passion doesn’t need words’ and all that, I know. But that doesn’t explain why you just called someone a ‘prince’ when they’re definitely not.

Voice of the Smitten

And why can’t she be a prince?

Voice of the Hero

You called her a ‘she’ just now! Is that not weird?

The Narrator

I agree that it’s very bizarre, but splitting hairs over the issue won’t do anyone any good, because the entire world is at risk and you need to do something about it.

Are you alright? You’ve just been staring off into space.

The Narrator

A slight blush appears on the figure's shadowed face.

Y-you… think I'm ‘dashing’?

Voice of the Hero

It felt really good saying that. Damn, I think I'm in love.

Voice of the Smitten

Do you see it now? There's no truer happiness than happiness given to another!

The Narrator

Alright, that’s quite enough. I don’t know what’s going on or what game you’re playing, but clearly there is something terribly wrong with you.

Voice of the Hero

Yeah, it’s like we already said. We switched places with the Princess. Do we need to go over that again?

The Narrator

I don’t mean that. Do you not hear what you’re saying? ‘Dashing hero’? Where the hell did that come from?

Voice of the Hero

What, you don’t know what a compliment is?

The Narrator

Sigh. Now I’m not entirely convinced that you’re not the Princess.

Voice of the Smitten

Hush, both of you. You’re ruining the moment.

Wait a minute. You killed me! It hurt! A lot!

Voice of the Hero

Wait, did she want us to kill her? I'll admit, I never thought of that. Shit. Now I feel awful.

Voice of the Smitten

It's true, in our brashness we ignored our beloved’s wishes. It is a mistake we shall never make again!

The Narrator

It's a ‘mistake’ I highly recommend you make again, because if you don't-

Voice of the Hero

‘It'll be the end of the world’? No, I'm not gonna make excuses. We were in the wrong. Let's make it up to her, if we can.

Voice of the Smitten

Let the past be past, my friend! All that matters now is her happiness.

I didn't bring a knife. Do I have to cut you out again?

The Narrator

Are you serious? Did you just offer to let her cut your arm off?

Voice of the Hero

It's only right after what we did to her. Besides, it didn't hurt last time.

Voice of the Smitten

Ah, do you still lack faith in our love? No severed arms will be necessary to reunite us!

Voice of the Hero

You still think she’ll slip us right out? Just like that?

Voice of the Smitten(?)

Of course! All we need to worry about is making her happy.

Voice of the Hero

I’m with you on the part about making her happy. Fine, I’ll trust you.

The Narrator

The figure approaches you and gingerly slides your hand from your bindings. That… shouldn't have worked. I'll be damned. We're doomed.

Voice of the Hero

There really was something to it, wasn't there? We're free.

Voice of the Damsel

And he's not trying to kill us this time! Isn't he perfect?

The Narrator

‘He’? But you're talking about the Princess, aren't you?

Voice of the Hero

You know what? I'm done questioning it. I’ve gotten us into too many messes by overthinking things. If all this makes you happy, I’m not gonna fight you on it.

The Narrator

Well, I will. I haven’t the slightest idea of what’s happened, but you’re not in your right mind. Whatever… this is, you have to snap out of it.

Voice of the Hero

Snap out of what? Being a decent person?

The Narrator

Out of this… lovesickness, for lack of a better term. You’re really starting to… I mean, you’re acting completely irrationally and you’re going to doom us all.

The Narrator

You jump up and smother him in a joyful embrace. Eugh.

The Narrator

You really are the Princess, aren't you? If only he had a weapon. One slip of the wrist and everyone out there would be saved!

Voice of the Hero

But he doesn't have one. Quit trying to spoil our happy ending.

The Narrator

I will not, because your ‘happy ending’ is happy for literally no one except you.

Voice of the Hero

I’m sorry, but we’ve already made up our mind about this. No turning back now.

The Narrator

Fine.

The Narrator

You and your beloved walk up the stairs, hand in hand. But oh, isn't that interesting! The door slams in your face. And the lock clicks.

Voice of the Hero

Isn't that a familiar move?

Voice of the Damsel

Oh, no! Did someone lock us in here? That's not fair! We’re supposed to leave now!

The Narrator

Your companion looks at you lovingly.

Do you think you can open it?

The Narrator

The figure looks puzzled.

Voice of the Damsel

Did we make him mad? Did we say something wrong?

Voice of the Hero

Come on, it’s a perfectly reasonable question.

The Narrator

You don’t get what’s happening, do you? You’re losing your free will bit by bit. You can’t even open a door without his permission.

Voice of the Hero

We weren’t asking for his ‘permission’, we just wanted to know-

The Narrator

-‘What would make him happy?’ How is that any different?

Voice of the Damsel

We love him, so we want him to be happy. Why is that a bad thing?

The Narrator

Oh, for the love of- it’s a bloody door!

Voice of the Hero

I thought you wanted to lock us down here forever.

The Narrator

I do, it’s just… never mind. Just carry on with your little romantic outing. Maybe you two lovebirds can dance under the stars after the world’s good and destroyed.

I think we can open it if we try together.

The Narrator

Like a pair of teenagers in love, you and the figure place your hands on the door… together… blegh.

Voice of the Damsel

And…?

The Narrator

…The lock clicks and the door creaks open. Are. You. Kidding me?

Voice of the Damsel

We did it! We just had to trust him!

The Narrator

You and the figure make your way upstairs. Your ‘freedom’ and the world’s ruin are just a few moments away. If you don’t mind, I’m gonna fix myself a drink before you ruin everything. If I’m about to see the end of the world, I’d rather not see it sober.

Voice of the Hero

Alright. If all He wants is to stop us from leaving, and all she wants is to be with him, why can’t we all just stay here? Seems like an easy win for everyone.

The Narrator

That’s not how this works. Besides, you’re in no position to be negotiating with me.

Voice of the Damsel

What He said. We’re supposed to leave together! That’s our happy ending!

Voice of the Hero

But what if leaving isn’t what he wants? We may as well make sure.

The Narrator

The figure gives you another confused look.

I thought you wanted to leave. Isn't that what all this has been about?

The Narrator

The figure looks nervous at your response.

...

We can leave, yeah. But is that what you want?

Voice of the Damsel

We want to leave, don't we? And he's happy with that!... Right?

Voice of the Hero

I'm not so sure. What does he want? I really wish he would just tell us.

Voice of the Damsel

Maybe he wants what would make us happy! That's what we want for him, so why wouldn't he want that for us?

Voice of the Hero

I don't think that's it. Whenever we've just done what we want, we've either hurt him or we've hurt ourselves. Maybe he just doesn't know what he wants.

The Narrator

Well, in that case, you won't be able to get it out of him, unless you manage to rip it out like you apparently did to your arm.

The Narrator

Sigh. I hate you all. I just want you to know that.

Voice of the Hero

…Huh. There's an idea.

The Narrator

Wait, what are you… no.

Voice of the Hero

If we could just see what's going on in that heart of his, we’d know exactly what to do.

The Narrator

Okay, I’m putting a stop to this right now. You aren't doing that.

Voice of the Hero

Fine. Then I'll do it.

The Narrator

You... rush your beloved with a wild look in your eyes and plunge your nails into his chest, digging deep, your fingers curling around his ribs.

Voice of the Damsel

Wait! Is he okay? He can't be okay if we do that!

The Narrator

Hold on, you shouldn't be allowed to do that. That's not how this works!

Voice of the Hero

And I did it anyway. I hope you're all happy.

The Narrator

You yank violently, his bones cracking with wet pops as you pull him apart inch by painful inch.

The Narrator

His exposed heart, framed by jagged ribs, thumps rhythmically in his raw, bloodied chest, the loosened... threads? of his body unfurling to cover the surface of the room.

Voice of the Hero

You see it now? He's all that matters here. Everything here is just an extension of him. Staying here means that we can be happy together. Forever.

Voice of the Damsel

Oh... I see... you're trying to tell us something. All that really matters is what's in his heart.

Voice of the Damsel

...It's beautiful.

The Narrator

Beautiful though it may be, he can't survive a wound like that.

The Narrator

He dies, and everything goes dark.

You're on the top floor of a cabin. On the floor below you is your one true love.

He's here to be with you. The world is fine. Everything is fine. You are happy.

The Narrator

Hold on, who are you? Who told you that you could just take over my job? What is this place?

Your happily ever after. I made it for you. The pain and suffering, it's all over. Don't worry.

Voice of the Paranoid

Wait, I know who you are! You're the whiny one from last time!

The Narrator

'Last time'? What are you talking-

Voice of the Paranoid

We are not going over this again. Just try to keep up.

Voice of the Damsel

Why did you call him 'whiny'? That's not very nice. He was just trying to own up to his mistakes.

Voice of the Paranoid

Was he now? And what was his 'apology'? Right, it was murdering the love of our life, which, may I remind you, is exactly what he wanted us to do the first time!

Voice of the Paranoid

Why are you so determined to give him the benefit of the doubt when the mask's already slipping? He's wanted this all along. This whole place is a huge trap.

There's no trap here. I just want to give you the happy ending you deserve. That's all I've ever wanted.

But I kept messing it up with bad ideas and false assumptions. I thought we had to leave to be happy. But every time we've tried to leave, it's led to nothing but disaster.

So, this is how I'm making it right. No more lost arms or pointless murder. You don't need to leave anymore. Everything you could ever want is right here.

Voice of the Damsel

But we want to leave, don't we? And we can't have that if we stay here.

NO!!!

The Narrator

As you attempt to get up, the torches on the walls surrounding you flare angrily, and shadowed hands pin your wrists to your too-comfortable seat.

If you leave, it'll be the end of the world, remember? Besides, what's there to see out there? A few birds and trees? Can't you just let that go and enjoy the rest of eternity?

The Narrator

Wait, 'if you leave, it'll be the end of the world'?

The Narrator

Are... are you the Princess?!

Voice of the Paranoid

I'm surprised you got it that quickly.

The Narrator

But that's impossible! If you were the Princess, you wouldn't be able to interact with me. That's not how this works!

Voice of the Paranoid

And yet here we are.

The Narrator

That doesn't prove anything.

Voice of the Paranoid

Oh, for the love of- decider, can you just tilt our head down a bit? I need to show Him something.

The Narrator

As you lower your head, you catch sight of your lower body... your delicate figure clothed in an elegant gown fit for royalty, a pristine blade hanging from your neck from a golden chain.

The Narrator

...Oh. So you are the Princess. And you have the pristine blade.

Voice of the Paranoid

Yep. Welcome to hell.

Don't talk like that. The world doesn't have to end, and you don't need to be slain. This is what's best for everyone. Trust me.

Voice of the Paranoid

You're really starting to sound like Him.

The Narrator

I'm right here, you know.

Voice of the Paranoid

I don't care. It's true.

The Narrator

Grumbling. Let's just get on with it, shall we?

The Narrator

You hear the sound of a door opening somewhere below you. Your eyes are drawn to the staircase in front of you as you hear nervous footsteps ascending them.

Oh, that must be him. I'll go and finish up dinner. Just call down and let him know you're there, okay?

The Narrator

A dark figure emerges from the stairwell, its eyes darting around the ornate dining hall in confusion. Not even the glowing torchlight can properly illuminate its form, as though it were made of a textured darkness.

Voice of the Damsel

Our dashing prince! He came back! I knew he would!

That's my gift to both of you. You never need to be alone again. In this place, you can be together forever.

The Narrator

The torches flare and a chair swings in from behind the figure, forcibly seating him at the head of the table.

The Narrator

He tries in vain to stand up, but the same shadowed hands from before hold him down.

I can't get up. Something's stopping me. And what's that shadow behind you?

Voice of the Damsel

Shadow? That doesn't sound good...

Voice of the Paranoid

That would be our 'host', waiting for the right time to strike.

N-no, that's not what I am. I'm-

It looks a lot like me, actually. Something's happening to us, and I want to find out what.

I can't really put it into words. It just feels like we're not where we're supposed to be.

What do we do now, anyway?

Don't worry, I've got you covered.

The Narrator

The flames burn bright, and a shadow dives across the table. In its wake, it leaves a feast.

Voice of the Damsel

That looks delicious! Let's dig in!

Voice of the Paranoid

Of course it looks good; that's the trick. But we're not falling for it. We're smarter than that.

Voice of the Damsel

But... how could something this good be a trick?

Voice of the Paranoid

Well, maybe you're not smarter than that. But the decider is.

The Narrator

You begin to feast, and the figure follows suit, his anxiety slowly fading from his face.

Voice of the Paranoid

Fine, I guess I'll just shut up then.

That'd be for the best. You're really bringing down the mood.

The Narrator

The food is just as exquisite as you imagined. You sample countless otherworldly dishes, sauces, and bread and hearty stews whose taste dances across your tongue.

The Narrator

You daintily cut at hunks of meat practically melting from the bone, juicy and tender and bursting with flavors you could scarcely begin to describe. Your cup fills itself again and again with a flowery nectar so sweet it tastes like gleaming jewels.

Voice of the Damsel

It's perfect. And I think he loves it too. Thank you, thank you so much!

Just doing my job.

The Narrator

But the perfect meal is over just as soon as it began. And you're just as hungry as when you started.

Voice of the Damsel

Let's do it again! I never want this to end!

And it never has to.

The Narrator

The shadow washes over the table, clearing and replating. The feast is once again laid before you.

The Narrator

The food is good, again. You nibble at golden, crispy flesh, dab at the slurry of aromatic sauces on your plate with thick-crusted bread, sip your goblet of sparkling gems. But you have done this already.

Why should that matter? It was good the first time, and it was still good this time. You can't improve on perfection.

The Narrator

And then it's over, and you're just as hungry as when you began.

Well, you can't really enjoy a meal on a full stomach, can you?

Voice of the Paranoid

So we're stuck eating the same meal over and over again? That's almost worse than if it were poisoned.

Voice of the Damsel

We just have to do it again. It'll be perfect if we do it again.

The Narrator

And so the shadow sweeps over the table, clearing out the old and laying out the new. And so you do it again.

The Narrator

The meat is fine. The bread is fine. You sample the side dishes, and they're fine too. You finish your goblet, the liquid no longer glimmering on your palatte. You put it down, and it fills again. You consider drinking more, but decide against it as you dab away the tacky film coating your mouth with a napkin.

Voice of the Damsel

Okay, maybe that wasn't as good as last time. That's fine! We're still happy, aren't we?

'Wasn't as good'? It's the same meal as before. What more could you want?

Voice of the Paranoid

She's right. That's the trap. It's trending down.

You're being really ungrateful, you know. You're overthinking it. Just shut up and enjoy.

The Narrator

Again, the shadow replaces your feast, and again you eat.

The Narrator

The meat is greasy. The bread is tough, its crust hurting your jaw as you chew. The gray vegetables are hardly worth the effort of picking through. You don't even touch the goblet, its sickly sweet aroma utterly unappealing.

So you're getting in on it, too? 'Let's all insult our host for the lovely meal he made for us, I'm sure he'd love that!'

The Narrator

I have a duty to uphold the truth, and the truth is that the meal was terrible. Do you want me to lie to spare your feelings? Besides, what happened to this being an apology?

It is an apology. But I still don't appreciate you all treating it like it's worthless rubbish.

The Narrator

One of the torches on the wall sputters and goes out entirely.

Breathes sadly. When will it be enough for you?

Voice of the Damsel

What just happened? Did we do something wrong?

Voice of the Paranoid

A light went out. Maybe a coincidence, but... maybe not.

Voice of the Paranoid

Remember when he said something was wrong? Maybe the torches are hiding something we need to see.

You can't 'hide' something with light. If you put out the torches, you'll just be lost in the dark.

Voice of the Paranoid

Maybe that's better than being blinded by the light.

The Narrator

If you leave, the world ends. I don't think it can get worse than that.

Voice of the Damsel

We should try something else! Maybe we should play a game! That would be fun, right?

That's... actually a good idea. At least I won't get any more snide remarks about my cooking.

The Narrator

The flames roar as if in response to the dousing of their brother, and the shadow comes dancing across the table. It leaves behind an intricate game, its pieces elegant and beautiful and enticing, its simple rules already apparent even with little explanation.

Voice of the Paranoid

Another distraction. But a distraction from what? What doesn't our host want us to see?

There you go again, overthinking things and making yourself miserable. Trust me, I know from experience that that never works out for anyone. Just try to have some fun, okay?

The Narrator

And you do have fun. The tension between turns, the triumphant highs of moves well placed, and the tragic lows of miscalculations and careless plays. The warmth of trust and the cool texture of deception. And then, the climax, as you place your final piece...

Voice of the Damsel

...We got the rules wrong, didn't we?

The Narrator

And so you start over.

The Narrator

Time passes. You play the game. He wins.

Voice of the Damsel

Wow! He's so good at this! We should play again.

The Narrator

Time passes, you play the game. You win.

Voice of the Damsel

...Huh. I thought it would feel better if we won.

The Narrator

There is a long pause, and the board does not reset.

Voice of the Damsel

I don't think this is fun anymore.

Voice of the Paranoid

It's never going to stay fun.

I made all of this for you! Is this not enough for you? An eternity of bliss? You... you ingrates!

The Narrator

I'm sorry, how is this an 'eternity of bliss'? You're just putting them through the same thing over and over again. You can't expect them to... oh.

The Narrator

Another torch sputters. The figure gives you a knowing look.

Voice of the Damsel

Wait, wait, wait! Maybe this is just too easy? Maybe if you added more rules and pieces it'd be fun again!

...Yeah. I can do that. I guess it's a bit too simple to be perfect.

The Narrator

The shadow descends on the board again. More pieces are added, their shapes more intricate, their purposes less immediately clear.

There! Now it's perfect!

The Narrator

The two of you eagerly set about discovering the complexities of the game anew. It is fun again. In fact, it's almost as fun as the first time you played, and the sputtering torch roars back to life.

'Almost as fun'? You really don't have a kind bone in your body, do you?

The Narrator

It's still the same game. A little bit of change isn't going to... Oh.

The Narrator

...You get used to the additions and the vibrant feeling starts to fade, a creeping numbness settling in over the board.

No, no, no, this is all wrong! I... I just need to add more pieces, that's it! It's still too simple! It's still not perfect!

The Narrator

More pieces are added. The feelings flare. The feelings fade. You suggest new rules. A glimmer of what could have been excitement flits through your mind, quickly vanishing as the game progresses. Your pieces advance in an ever increasing slog to their destination.

The Narrator

Winning and losing become nothing but ends, and even the end becomes nothing as you roll into a new game, the board resetting as many times as you can finish.

The Narrator

Another torch goes out. Again, the remaining torches burn brighter.

Why aren't you happy? Why isn't this enough? Why isn't anything I do for you enough?

Voice of the Damsel

We're happy! I promise! We're both so, so happy here! You don't have to be upset!

The Narrator

This is... awful.

Do we actually have everything we need? Because it doesn't feel like it, it feels like...

The Narrator

The third torch sputters out.

And what do you really want? If you could do anything in the world right now, what would it be?

Voice of the Paranoid

Oh. That's what He said we should do last time, isn't it? I know He was making fun of us, but... I really like that idea.

The Narrator

I said that last time? That... sounds lovely.

Voice of the Damsel

But there aren't any stars here. We'd have to leave.

The Narrator

You bury your sobbing face in your hands as the final torch blows out. The figure looks close to tears as well.

I'm sorry, I feel like all of this is my fault.

Voice of the Shadow

That's a funny thing to say, after everything that's happened. He's barely done anything at all. He didn't make us bite off our arm or kill him. That was all me.

Voice of the Paranoid

So... you're back in here? With us?

Voice of the Shadow

Yeah. I'm just a shadow, remember? And there's no more light. It's all just unbroken darkness.

Voice of the Shadow

...That was directed as much at me as it was at him, wasn't it?

Voice of the Damsel

You've been so preoccupied with our happiness and his that you forgot about yourself. You're making yourself miserable. You need to let go.

Voice of the Shadow

I think I'd like that. I'm never gonna stop caring about all of you, I just need to be more thoughtful about it. And I can't tear myself apart in the process.

Voice of the Shadow(?)

Thank you. For everything...

Voice of the Damsel

...

Voice of the Damsel

I don't think he's really gone. I think he's just part of me now.

Voice of the Damsel

We weren't all that different, you know. And we both had a lot to learn.

The Narrator

As you come to your feet, the figure follows suit, waiting by the top of the stairs as you cross the room to meet him.

Voice of the Paranoid

You know, we're right within his stabbing range. If He wanted to, He could just take him over again and kill us like He's always wanted.

Voice of the Damsel

But He's not going to do that, is He?

The Narrator

...No, I don't think I will.

The Narrator

That is what I wanted. At least, what I thought I wanted. But after catching a glimpse of my happy ending... maybe there are worse things than the end of the world.

Of course I do. I don't think I'll ever stop.

Voice of the Paranoid(?)

So, you were right all along. He really does love us.

Voice of the Happily Ever After

I think we'll get our happy ending after all.

The Narrator

The figure offers you his hand. You gently take his hand in yours.

The Narrator

It's rough, and more than a little dry. But his skin against yours is the most real thing you have ever felt.

The Narrator

You and the figure don't exchange words as you descend the stairs to the cabin's entrance.

The Narrator

And then, the two of you step out into the world. I think this is the end of me, even if it's not the end of you. I'm sorry for everything. Really, I am.

The Narrator

...Huh. Never thought I'd be saying that to you, of all people. The only constant is change, I suppose. Maybe that's not so bad...

Voice of the Happily Ever After

He's gone. We're finally free.

A quiet moment passes over you. A comfortable quiet.

You gently pull him forward, and the two of you fall into a graceful step. The only rhythm that guides you is the shared thumping of your hearts, beating in perfect unison.

His inscrutable face warms into the closest approximation of a smile his beak can manage. You smile softly back at him as the fatigue in your face turns to a quiet joy.

He sends you out in a wide spin, and your arms stretch to their limits, only the tenuous grasp of your hand in his holding you together. You share a gaze that feels like it lasts forever, until you are taken away by a thousand grasping limbs.

You feel cold. But you're used to it by now.

You feel a deep sadness, but it's not coming from you.

Desperation. ‘Do you exist only to torment me? To tease and mock me with pale imitations of our endless dance, only to leave me unfinished?’

A sad anger. ‘You think you love me, but all you have done is dangle images of what you and I could be just beyond my reach. That is not love.’

Everything goes dark, and you die.

The Narrator

You’re in the basement of a cabin. And outside of that cabin is a path in the woods.

The Narrator

…Wait, that isn’t right. You’re not supposed to be in the basement yet, you’re supposed to start in the woods. Where’s the Princess?

The Narrator

Giving me the silent treatment, are you? I'm not going to ask again. Where. Is. The Princess?

The Narrator

I suppose you think you're being clever. Or maybe you're just trying to get on my nerves. Either way, I doubt this whole situation will work out any better for you than it will me, so it's really in your best interest to cooperate.

Voice of the Hero

Look, we don't know what's happened any more than you do. Hell, we don't even know what's wrong, who this 'Princess' is, or why we're chained up down here.

The Narrator

…Hold on a moment. ‘Chained up’?

Voice of the Hero

Yeah, I’m pretty sure we are. I was waiting for you to mention it.

The Narrator

But you aren’t supposed to be chained up, it’s the Princess that’s chained up. If you’re trapped here, that means you won’t be able to do your job and slay her. Sigh.

Voice of the Hero

Wait, 'slay her'? Why are we slaying a princess? That doesn't sound right. We're supposed to save princesses, not slay them.

The Narrator

In case I haven't already made that clear, no, I don't know why you're in chains. If I had to guess, something you did confused everything.

Voice of the Hero

We really haven't done anything. How many times do I have to say that before you'll believe it? And you still haven't explained why we're supposed to kill a princess.

The Narrator

If she ever leaves the cabin, the world will end.

Voice of the Hero

And we're supposed to just take your word for it?

The Narrator

Yes. If I explain myself further, it'll just complicate matters and make things worse than they already are. Right now, you need to focus on finding a way out.

The Narrator

As you begin to scan the room, you catch sight of your lower body, your wrist caught in an iron shackle. Okay, whatever's going on, I'm certain you're to blame.

The Narrator

You hear the sound of a door opening somewhere above you. Your eyes are drawn to the plain wooden staircase in front of you as you hear confident footsteps descending them.

Voice of the Hero

Wait, who the hell is that?

The Narrator

I… don’t know. No one’s supposed to be here but you and the Princess. Your guess is as good as mine.

The Narrator

A dark figure emerges from the stairwell, its face masked in shadow. Its body is monstrously avian, with large black wings jutting from its back and black feathers covering its strange form.

The Narrator

Its talon-like hands clutch a pristine blade as its cold eyes regard you quizzically, as though you aren’t what it expected to find.

Voice of the Hero

What is that thing? I really don’t like the look of it.

The Narrator

The figure speaks in a strangely familiar voice.

Are you… me?

Voice of the Hero

Is that our voice? Is that thing… us, somehow?

Voice of the Hero

What was that voice we just spoke in? It doesn’t sound right.

The Narrator

The figure pauses at your question, turning it over in its head.

I meant what I said, and I don't have any more context than you. You look like me, and you definitely sound the part.

Voice of the Hero

What's he talking about? We look nothing like him.

Voice of the Hero

...Wait, what do we look like?

The Narrator

You look down at your body again. Your soft skin is clothed in a simple yet elegant dress made of fine materials.

Voice of the Hero

What about our chest? I'm pretty sure we aren't supposed to have... that.

The Narrator

The figure shoots you an impatient look.

We're short on time, and we need to get out of here. We're not safe here.

I think you're the Princess, actually. At least you are for the moment. We can talk this all out later.

Voice of the Hero

Well, I guess we do look rather princess-like. But what was that about us being him or whatever he said?

The Narrator

It means that something happened that made you switch places with the Princess, probably because of you.

Voice of the Hero

Will you just quit it? We haven't done anything, I told you that already.

The Narrator

If you have done something, it's possible that you don't remember it.

Voice of the Hero

What do you expect us to do about it, then? Apologize for something we don't even remember doing?

The Narrator

I don't know! Just... don't do anything drastic. Stay right where you are while I figure this out.

Voice of the Hero

Alright. It's not like we're going anywhere with this chain.

The Narrator

Almost as though in response to your thought, the figure speaks in a grave tone.

I can get you out, but you have to trust me.

The Narrator

The figure thinks for a moment.

...No, not really.

The Narrator

It holds the blade up to your chained wrist, preparing to make a precise cut.

Voice of the Hero

W-wait, when we said we wanted out, we didn't mean it like that! We'll die if we lose our hand!

The Narrator

But you don't have time to protest as the blade cleanly slices through flesh and bone, severing your hand from your body with an almost clinical ease.

Voice of the Hero

A-alright. How much does it hurt?

The Narrator

It… doesn't hurt at all. You can feel the blade cutting through your arm, but you feel no pain. That's strange, you should be experiencing unimaginable pain right now, but you aren't.

Voice of the Hero

Okay, that's weird. Are we immune to pain now?

The Narrator

Just because you couldn't feel it this doesn't mean you won't feel it the next time. And you know what really hurts? The world ending. Probably.

The Narrator

The figure helps you to your feet as your severed hand falls to the floor.

Voice of the Hero

You know, I'm only just now getting a good look at ourselves. The body we’re in, not the other one. It's not a bad view, actually. I think we look rather pretty, besides the missing hand.

The Narrator

Please do not fawn over the Princess at a time like this. Or, don't fawn over yourself, I suppose. I'm not sure which is worse. In either case, you shouldn't be wasting time.

The Narrator

Of course. At least one of you has some sense.

No problem. Now, let's get out of here. Follow me.

The Narrator

The figure leads you to the stairs, and the two of you begin climbing up together.

The Narrator

…No. We won’t have any of that. The stakes are too high. I can’t just let the Princess escape into the world, no matter who’s in whose body.

The Narrator

Your remaining hand forcefully takes the pristine blade from the figure and holds it to its throat.

Voice of the Hero

Wait… this isn’t fair. You can’t just do that!

The Narrator

Watch me. I won't let any part of the Princess leave this cabin, her mind or her body.

What are you doing?

The Narrator

Stop that.

Voice of the Hero

I thought this was a little too easy. I should've known He'd mess this up.

The Narrator

The figure dodges out of the way as you stand there, motionless.

Voice of the Hero

So He can't control us forever. But I don't want to chance it. We need to get rid of that knife.

The Narrator

Sigh. The blade pathetically falls out of your hand onto the basement floor. The figure picks it back up.

Okay, what the hell was that?

Voice of the Hero

Was that really your best plan? A forced murder-suicide? You're pretty bad at this whole 'shadowy puppetmaster' thing, if I'm being honest.

The Narrator

You know what? I'm getting nowhere with you. So, let's try something else.

The Narrator

The figure raises the blade, ready to strike.

The Narrator

Oh, would you look at that! That was easier than I expected.

Voice of the Hero

Wait, what?

The Narrator

You swiftly move out of the way before the blade has a chance to connect. Stop it! Stop trying to resist me! I’m doing this for the sake of the world. My world.

The Narrator

The figure’s body freezes in stubborn resistance. Sigh. How did things go so wrong?

Voice of the Hero

Things went wrong when you started mucking it up and trying to kill us. You can’t keep yanking us around like puppets.

The Narrator

The figure remains still, but its will is about to break. It’s only a matter of time before it strikes again and the world is saved.

The Narrator

You take a step forward, and take the blade from the figure’s rigid hands.

Voice of the Hero

We need to put him out of his misery. It’s the only way out.

The Narrator

You slit the figure's throat with an almost clinical ease.

The Narrator

Your face remains unchanged as you watch the figure collapse to the floor, blood flowing from its butchered neck. You are aware that what you've just done is murder, right?

Voice of the Hero

It was in self defense! Besides, you tried to kill us twice, how is that not murder?

The Narrator

The difference is that one of you is likely about to end the world, and the other isn't. I'm sure you can guess who falls into which category.

The Narrator

But it doesn't matter now, does it? What's done is done. I'd say better luck next time, but thanks to you, there won't be a 'next time'.

The Narrator

It dies, and everything goes dark.

The Narrator

You’re in the basement of a cabin. And outside of that cabin is a path in the woods.

The Narrator

…Wait, that isn’t right. You’re not supposed to be in the basement yet, you’re supposed to start in the woods. Where’s the Princess?

Voice of the Hero

What are you talking about, I thought we were the-

Voice of the Skeptic

I think what he’s trying to say is that we don’t know what's going on either.

Voice of the Hero

Really? I think there's something pretty important you're leaving out.

Voice of the Skeptic

We wouldn't want to burden Him with unnecessary information, now would we? I really respect Him a lot.

The Narrator

You aren't getting anywhere by sucking up to me. I can tell when you're lying.

Voice of the Skeptic

Exactly. So we've got to be honest with Him. Tell Him what we need Him to know.

Voice of the Hero

…I think I get it now. So you don't want to tell Him about-

Voice of the Skeptic

Just leave the talking to me.

Voice of the Hero

If you say so.

The Narrator

If you're trying to hide something from me, it's not going to work. Please stop playing around and start taking this seriously. The entire world is at stake.

Voice of the Skeptic

Is it, now?

The Narrator

Yes. There's supposed to be a princess in this basement, and you were supposed to slay her. Unless you find her and finish the job, the world will end.

Voice of the Skeptic

Unfortunately for 'the world', we can't exactly slay her in this position. So we'll have to focus on getting out of these chains before we can do anything.

The Narrator

Chains? There aren't supposed to be any chains. Not for you, anyway.

Voice of the Hero

I can feel one around our neck, too. That's more than there was... I mean, that's more than there should be, which is zero.

The Narrator

Exactly. You shouldn't be chained up at all. Thank you for stating the obvious.

Voice of the Hero

Don't mention it.

The Narrator

You hear the sound of a door opening somewhere above you. Your eyes are drawn to the old stone staircase in front of you as you hear careful footsteps descending them.

The Narrator

A dark figure emerges from the stairwell, its face masked in shadow. Its body is strangely avian, with large black wings jutting from its back and black feathers covering its form.

The Narrator

Its talon-like hands clutch a pristine blade as its distant eyes regard you with a mixture of apprehension and relief.

The Narrator

The figure speaks in a voice that is at once familiar and cautious.

Can we sit down and have a chat? There's a few things I think we need to unpack.

Voice of the Hero

That's reasonable. He's probably just as in the dark as we are.

Voice of the Skeptic

Hold on. We've got to be careful about this. He's got that knife again, and last time, He made him use it against us. Even if he means no harm, we should still consider him a potential threat.

The Narrator

'Last time'? Is that what you've been hiding from me? Have you been here before?

Voice of the Skeptic

I mean... uh...

Voice of the Hero

Yeah, we have been here before. No use in hiding it now. But we really don't know much more than that.

The Narrator

Can you explain why I supposedly tried to kill you in this 'previous life', assuming you didn't just hallucinate the whole thing? That doesn't sound like me at all.

Voice of the Hero

No, I'm not going to explain it to you.

The Narrator

Fine, then. There's something more going on here, but if you honestly believe in some version of reality where I tried to kill you for no good reason, I doubt I'll be getting any straight answers from you.

Voice of the Skeptic

Really? That's all it took? Just refusing to tell Him?

Voice of the Hero

That was always an option, you know. We don't have to play your little mind games for everything.

Voice of the Skeptic

...Huh. I suppose the best solution really is the simplest one, at least some of the time.

The Narrator

I'm glad you two have your imaginary problems worked out, but for the sake of the world, you need to stay focused on the here and now.

I asked you a question. Can you stop daydreaming and answer it?

The Narrator

The figure begins to walk towards you, somewhat at ease from your lack of hostility.

Voice of the Skeptic

Even if we're gonna talk to him, we should make sure he doesn't come too close. I'm still not sure we can trust him.

Voice of the Hero

I guess so. He does have a weapon. We ought to be certain we're safe.

The Narrator

The figure seems to ignore your warning and attempts to walk closer.

Voice of the Skeptic

I'm sorry, but we're not doing that.

Voice of the Hero

Look, it was a bit rude of him to ignore us, but this could all be a misunderstanding. We ought to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Voice of the Skeptic

I have to disagree. For our safety, I'm making the call on this one.

Voice of the Hero

What?

The Narrator

You stand, your chains clinking as you wrap them around your fists.

The Narrator

In an instant, you pull them taut around the figure's neck as he struggles uselessly, both of you dropping to the ground.

Voice of the Hero

No, no, no, we're not letting him have the final say. We need to resist.

Voice of the Skeptic

Not while we're still at knifepoint.

The Narrator

He fumbles the blade around trying to strike, but only manages the smallest cut on your left arm. Eventually, he gives in and drops the blade.

The Narrator

You finally release him, sitting back up and taking the blade for yourself.

Voice of the Hero

What was that for? We could have died there!

Voice of the Skeptic

We got more out of that than you know. For one thing, we're not at threat from the blade anymore. We know He can control him, but not us.

Voice of the Skeptic

For another, we've confirmed something important.

Voice of the Hero

And what is that? That he'll fight back if we attack him out of nowhere?

Voice of the Skeptic

Did you notice how it hurt when he cut us with the blade?

The Narrator

You really needed to figure out that wounds hurt via trial and error?

Voice of the Skeptic

When he cut off our arm last time, we didn't feel it at all, but we felt it this time.

Voice of the Hero

Huh. That's actually pretty interesting. Why do you think that is?

Voice of the Skeptic

Either something changed to make us capable of feeling pain, or we only feel it when he's trying to hurt us.

Voice of the Hero

Okay... but that doesn't justify what you did. Like I said, we easily could have died. He could have died.

Voice of the Skeptic

But we didn't. And it didn't really matter when he died last time, did it? We just got sent back to the start with a few changes. As far as I can tell, death isn't the end, it's just another obstacle.

The Narrator

I'm not sure what you're talking about, but I assure you, just because death wasn't permanent once doesn't mean that'll always be the case. And if you don't find the Princess and slay her, everything dies. Forever.

Voice of the Hero

Mate, I hardly think that's relevant at this point.

The Narrator

And why wouldn't the end of the world be relevant?

Voice of the Hero

Because... you know what, never mind.

I would've just given you the knife if you asked. You didn't need to attack me.

Voice of the Hero

Attacking him is exactly what He forced us to do last time. Don't tell me you think it was the right idea.

Voice of the Skeptic

We couldn't risk it. We can't just go off of his word. Like I said, he's a threat, regardless of his intentions.

Voice of the Hero

Well, we're still just as trapped as before. We can't cut ourselves out this time, we'd need to cut off our head.

Voice of the Skeptic

...But it doesn't hurt unless it's intentional, right? What if we could cut ourselves out?

Voice of the Hero

Wait, you don't mean-

Voice of the Skeptic

I do. I've been thinking it over for a while, and I don't think there's any other options.

Voice of the Hero

Luckily for us, you're not the one in charge. You can't resist me and the decider.

The Narrator

And so, you decide not to behead yourself in a foolish escape attempt. Which is good for me, because this job requires you alive.

Voice of the Skeptic

Does it now? Are you sure about that?

The Narrator

Yes, of course. Why wouldn't I be? What game are you playing?

Voice of the Skeptic

You know how you asked us where the Princess is?

The Narrator

I do, but how does that change-

Voice of the Skeptic

We never technically answered that question, because we've known exactly where she's been the whole time.

Voice of the Hero

What the hell are you-

The Narrator

I find that hard to believe, but I know you aren't lying. Alright, where is she then?

Voice of the Skeptic

You're speaking to her right now.

The Narrator

...What?!

Voice of the Skeptic

You weren't expecting that, were you? I thought you were smarter than this.

The Narrator

...As much as I want to believe you're lying, you're not. But that doesn't rule out you having some kind of delusion, because what you've just said is quite literally impossible.

Voice of the Skeptic

Come on, let me show you something.

The Narrator

You... tilt your head slightly downwards and catch sight of your lower body. Your soft skin is clothed in a simple dress, worn down by the slow passage of time.

Voice of the Hero

Okay, just because we look like the Princess doesn't mean we are the Princess. That can't be enough to kill us over.

Voice of the Skeptic

But are you really willing to take that risk?

The Narrator

...

The Narrator

You pull up your hair as you raise the blade to your throat. You don't say a word as you cut into your own neck.

Voice of the Hero

You damn traitor! Why are you helping Him kill us?

Voice of the Skeptic

Trust me, I have my reasons.

The Narrator

The figure stares in uneasy silence as you saw through skin, veins, cartilage. At last you break bone, the blade grinding audibly against your vertebrae as it continues to slice its way through your neck.

The Narrator

I didn't think it would be this easy. I'm glad you've decided to be so cooperative. The world is in your debt... at least, it would be if you weren't the one endangering it in the first place. So I suppose you've just about made up for your destructive nature.

Voice of the Skeptic

You can thank me when this is all over.

The Narrator

Finally, your neck snaps, and your eye twitches. The figure looks about ready to faint from the sight.

Voice of the Hero

Let me guess: we die, and everything goes dark?

The Narrator

Well-

You do not die. Not completely, at least. You can feel your head falling to the floor and the life slowly fading from you, but you're still there.

Voice of the Hero

Wait, what's going on?

The figure meets your eyes with a look of fear and confusion. But after a moment of silently staring, he seems to have an epiphany.

Voice of the Skeptic

I told you, I had my reasons for helping Him. I don't think we can really die unless he wants us to. All he has to do is take our head with him, and we'll be free.

Voice of the Hero

So that was your plan all along? Tricking Him into beheading us?

Voice of the Skeptic

That wasn't always the plan. At first, I wanted to keep Him out of the know as much as possible. You saw what He did last time when he figured it out.

Voice of the Hero

Why didn't you just tell us what you were doing? If we actually talked it out, I might have been on board.

Voice of the Skeptic

I couldn't tell you without Him picking up on it, so I had to take charge. I'm sorry, but there wasn't any other way.

Voice of the Hero

Why are you so sure our friend out there will know what to do? We haven't told him anything either. He'll just have to guess our intentions.

Voice of the Skeptic

It's a risk we had to take. Besides, he's a smart bird. He'll figure it out.

The figure reaches out his arm for a moment, preparing to pick you up.

Voice of the Skeptic

See? My plan worked.

Voice of the Hero

I guess it did. I don't like how you took away our say in things, but I have to admit, you actually managed to outwit Him.

But the figure doesn't reach any further. He takes another look at your unmoving face and reconsiders.

Voice of the Skeptic

Wait, don't tell me he's second guessing himself? Why doesn't he have faith in us?

Voice of the Hero

Why should he? You never had faith in him, after all.

The figure nervously picks up the blade, still coated in your blood, and begins to walk back up the stairs.

Your perception begins to flicker. You are trapped in a state between life and death.

Voice of the Skeptic

You're right. I was wrong to trust him.

You hear the sound of a blade piercing flesh from upstairs.

Voice of the Skeptic(?)

I was wrong to think this could go any other way.

A body collapses to the floor with a loud thump.

Voice of the Prisoner

The ending's always been the same.

He dies, and everything goes dark.

The Narrator

You’re in the basement of a cabin. And outside of that cabin is a-

Voice of the Paranoid

Does it even matter? Is the world outside even real? You’ve told us about this ‘path in the woods’ twice now, but we’ve never seen anything but this basement.

The Narrator

Wait, that isn’t right. You’re not supposed to be in the basement, you’re-

Voice of the Paranoid

Is that all this is? Some kind of sick joke you’re playing out over and over again? You’ve said that this isn’t right so many times that it’s lost all meaning.

Voice of the Hero

Something is wrong. Well, more wrong than before, at least.

Voice of the Paranoid

Is it really? We wake up in some basement with chains all around us, and He acts confused until the other one gets here and it all starts over. That’s the way it’s been every time, hasn’t it?

Voice of the Paranoid

Only there’s more chains now. And there were more chains last time. That’s all we’ve ever known, chains, chains, chains, chains, chains!

The Narrator

Chains? What do you mean, there-

Voice of the Paranoid

‘There aren’t supposed to be any chains’? That was what you were going to say, right? This really is playing out just like before. And the time before that.

Voice of the Paranoid

Hell, we might have done this even more times over, and we’ve just forgotten. It’s no use remembering them all, is it? It’s just the same thing again, and again, and-

Voice of the Hero

Pull yourself together, mate. Things are different this time. Like the bars in front of our face, for instance. Those weren’t there before.

Voice of the Paranoid

It's still a cage. And we're still a prisoner.

The Narrator

Can you please stop catastrophizing for one second and let me speak? You're not a prisoner, and this is not a cage. It's the basement of a cabin in the woods. A basement you aren't supposed to be in yet, mind, but a basement nonetheless.

The Narrator

If it looks like anything besides the basement of a cabin, that means something has gone terribly wrong, most likely because of you.

Voice of the Hero

Will you just quit it? That line of reasoning got us nowhere the first time, and it's getting us nowhere now. We. Haven't. Done. Anything.

Voice of the Paranoid

Hahaha! He's finally gotten it, hasn't he? We haven't done a thing since this whole pointless charade started. The wheel just keeps turning and turning and turning until we're all crushed to nothing beneath it!

Voice of the Hero

There's got to be something we can do to get out of this. Where's that voice from last time? Maybe she could come up with a plan.

Voice of the Paranoid

I... think she's gone. Did she die when we lost our head? Is she hiding somewhere? Is she watching us?!

The Narrator

Who's 'she'? Why would 'she' be watching you? And how did you lose your head?

Voice of the Hero

She was a 'he' for a while, but... I'm pretty sure she's a 'she' now. That's just the way it is, I guess.

The Narrator

You'll need to explain yourself a bit more than that. You clearly know more than you're letting on, and you're not doing yourself any favors by keeping all of this a secret.

Voice of the Hero

We're the Princess now. You tried to kill us, then everything reset and we tried to keep it all a secret from you. The other voice gave away the game, though, so you made us kill ourselves, and now we're here.

The Narrator

You're... what?! How? Why?!

Voice of the Hero

No idea. But killing us didn't work last time, so if you want to sort this all out, you should help us get out of here.

Voice of the Paranoid

We can't get distracted. Not when we should be panicking at all the danger around us.

The Narrator

Somehow, I actually agree with him. This is an extremely appropriate time to panic. Both for me, and for you.

Voice of the Hero

Let's just have a look around. Maybe there's a way past these bars.

The Narrator

As you begin to scan the room, you-

Voice of the Hero

Let me guess: we see our lower body, and our wrist's chained up?

The Narrator

...No, actually. You only see the bars in front of you and a small metal surface directly below your head. Hang on, what happened to the rest of you?

Voice of the Paranoid

I-I think it's still holding us up, just... not in the way it's supposed to.

The Narrator

...Out of the corner of your eye, you see a headless figure in the gloom, draped in raiments of chains and holding your cage aloft in its left hand.

Voice of the Hero

Is that... our body? Can we still control it from here?

The Narrator

No, of course you can't control it! You're a severed head, you shouldn't even be alive right now!

Voice of the Paranoid

...Could we even control it before? The other voice could just override everything we did if she didn't like it. Who's to say that isn't how it's always been? What makes you think any of our choices matter?

The Narrator

Suddenly, the ceiling above you begins to shift. Another figure, even harder to see than the last, falls through, only to be caught in a web of rusty chains. It cries out in pain as iron hooks dig into its muscle, but it continues to grip the pristine blade in its hand.

Voice of the Hero

The chains that caught him; they moved! Did you see that? Is someone controlling them?

The Narrator

There's not supposed to be anyone else here. If anyone has control of them, it's you.

Why the hell did you cut your head off?

The Narrator

That's a very good question, actually. Why did you cut your head off?!

Voice of the Paranoid

We never chose to cut it off. It just happened.

The Narrator

It sounds like you're trying to shift blame away from yourself for your bad decisions.

Voice of the Hero

I dunno... he's not exactly wrong. We tried to resist it, and it didn't work.

The Narrator

Just because resisting 'last time', whenever this 'last time' was, didn't work, that doesn't mean resisting is always impossible. You probably weren't resisting hard enough. I can assure you that no matter how you may feel, you always have a choice.

Voice of the Hero

Okay. We'll try.

The Narrator

If you want to get out of this mess, I'm afraid you'll need to do a lot more than 'try'.

Look, I'm sorry for hurting you last time. I'm... supposed to be sorry, right?

The Narrator

Your body takes a slow step forward, dragging you behind it. As it does so, the figure screams in agony as the rusted hooks of his chains digs deeper, and another chain constricts around his neck, threatening to choke him.

Voice of the Hero

If he dies, we'll lose our only way out. We have to do something.

Voice of the Paranoid

'Something'? Is that really the best you can come up with? 'Something'?!

Voice of the Hero

I dunno, let's just... stop our body from doing that. That should work, right? It is our body.

Voice of the Paranoid

Something else is controlling it now. We're not in charge of it anymore, if we ever were.

Voice of the Hero

And what's controlling it?

Voice of the Paranoid

Isn't it obvious? It's her! She made all the decisions last time, now it's just more overt.

Voice of the Hero

But we could resist. We resisted Him when He tried to make us kill the one with the knife, and she needed His help when she beheaded us. We still have some control left.

Voice of the Paranoid

...Yeah! She needed Him to take over when we wouldn't cooperate! And she doesn't have Him on her side anymore. We can resist her! We can make real choices!

The Narrator

Your body takes another step forward, but not before hesitating slightly. The chains continue to tighten around the figure's limbs and neck.

What is your problem with me? I've only ever tried to help you.

Voice of the Paranoid

...It didn't work. Of course it didn't fucking work. Why did I ever think that would work?!

Voice of the Hero

It will work. We just have to try again.

Voice of the Paranoid

Fine. Just don't set yourself up for disappointment.

The Narrator

Your body steps forward. The chains tighten again.

Voice of the Paranoid

See? We're just stalling the inevitable. This isn't going to work.

Voice of the Hero

We have to keep resisting. We'll get it eventually. It's like He said, we've always got a choice.

Voice of the Paranoid

...Oh. 'It's like He said', isn't it? Hahahahahaha!

Voice of the Hero

Did we... break him?

The Narrator

That would imply he wasn't broken before.

Voice of the Paranoid

Maniacal laughter. Everything makes sense now! We only thought we had a choice because He told us we did! No matter what we do, it'll never be what we want, no, we've always just been someone else's puppet!

The Narrator

Stop that. You do have a choice. Now make the right one.

Please. Just stop walking forward. I'm going to die if you don't stop.

Voice of the Paranoid(?)

So you finally understand. We're just a set of eyes and ears. We don't make choices. Not any that matter.

Voice of the Paranoid(?)

Everything we witness is another shade of the same, endless cycle. We wake up in chains.

The Narrator

Your body takes another step.

Voice of the Paranoid(?)

He comes to us, knife in hand.

The Narrator

The figure gives you a desperate look as he continues struggling.

Voice of the Paranoid(?)

We lash out at our only exit.

The Narrator

The chains constrict tighter around the figure's neck. He can barely breathe.

Voice of the Paranoid(?)

He gives us his implement.

The Narrator

Finally, the pressure is too much. The pristine blade falls from the figure's fist and tumbles helplessly to the ground.

Voice of the Cage

We cut ourself 'free'.

Voice of the Hero(?)

Maybe it would be easier if we just... gave in.

The Narrator

This was all doomed from the start, wasn't it?

...Please... stop... can't breathe...

The Narrator

Your body takes one final step, and life begins to drain from the figure's eyes as the chains dig deep into his flesh.

The Narrator

The figure's head falls to the floor with a sickening thud, and...

Voice of the Cage

I don't think we need you anymore. We know what happens next.

Your body steps towards the head, one slow, rhythmic step after another.

It stoops down to pick it up, and then-

A shadow rises behind it, blade glinting.

It strikes, and it strikes true. Your body drops your cage in pain. You tumble to the floor.

They descend on each other in a maelstrom of chains and hooks and feathers and blood, fighting their way deeper into the shadows until all you're left to witness are the sounds of violence.

The figure says nothing, but his face shows a melancholy acceptance.

And so you and the figure watch as your bodies weave in and out of the shadows, performing their lethal dance.

The movement is gorgeous, primal, uninhibited. Steel crashing against steel and flesh rolling off of flesh.

And at last, the climax plays out. His body, wreathed in chains and shadows, makes it final move, but yours does too. Chain shatters spine and blade pierces heart.

Both his and yours collapse, their dance complete. You cough as blood drips from your mouth.

Your gaze meets his for the last time as you are taken away by a thousand grasping limbs.

You feel cold. But you've always been cold.

You feel a sorrowful emptiness, and it's not coming from you.

A realization. ‘Are you trying to tell me something? That no matter what choices we made, we were always going to end up here?’

Resignation. ‘There’s nothing I can do to stop you, is there? Was I a fool for believing my awakening was even possible?’

An offer. ‘Whatever you are trying to do, I will not fight it anymore. I love you.’

Everything goes dark, and you die.

The Narrator

You're in the basement of a cabin. And outside of that cabin is a path in the woods. And at the beginning of that path is a hero.

The Narrator

...Wait, what? If you're not the Hero, then... who the hell are you?

Voice of the Hero

I'm... not sure. What is this place? Why are we here? Who are you?

The Narrator

Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that you're not where you're supposed to be. Either that, or I'm not where I'm supposed to be, but that can't happen.

Voice of the Hero

You're gonna need to explain yourself a bit more than that.

The Narrator

There's supposed to be a princess in this basement. Your job was to slay her and save the world from certain doom.

Voice of the Hero

Wait, how is the doom 'certain' if we're supposed to stop it from happening? And how is killing a princess going to save anyone?

The Narrator

Sigh. The doom is only certain if you don't stop her. She's going to end the world if left to her own devices.

Voice of the Hero

And who's this 'Hero' you were talking about?

The Narrator

You're the Hero. I thought that was clear from context. There's nothing more heroic than saving the world, after all.

Voice of the Hero

I can think of a few things more heroic, if 'saving the world' involves cold-blooded murder. And you said it yourself, the Hero's on the path in the woods. Maybe we're the Princess and you just got mixed up.

The Narrator

I don't make mistakes. At least, not when the entire world is on the line.

The Narrator

…Hold on a moment. Chains?

Voice of the Hero

Yeah, around our wrist. I was waiting for you to mention them.

The Narrator

But you aren’t supposed to be chained up, it’s the Princess that’s chained up.

Voice of the Hero

Are you sure we're not the Princess? That seems like pretty decent evidence that we are.

The Narrator

...No, I'm not sure. But you shouldn't jump to any conclusions just yet. For one thing, the Princess isn't supposed to be able to hear me, which you clearly can.

Voice of the Hero

Maybe we're just a better listener than you thought.

The Narrator

Trust me, 'good listener' is the last phrase I would use to describe you.

The Narrator

You hear the sound of a door opening somewhere above you. Your eyes are drawn to the plain wooden staircase in front of you as you hear confident footsteps descending them.

Voice of the Hero

That must be the 'Hero' coming to kill us. We should let him know we're ready for him.

Hey, I think I'm here to kill you?

Voice of the Hero

Chuckles. Well, that kind of gives away the game, doesn't it? Guess he's not so dangerous after all.

The Narrator

A dark figure emerges from the stairwell, its face masked in shadow. Its body is monstrously avian, with large black wings jutting from its back and black feathers covering its strange form.

The Narrator

Its talon-like hands clutch a pristine blade as its cold eyes regard you quizzically, as though you aren’t what it expected to find.

Voice of the Hero

...Or maybe he is.

The Narrator

That voice... there's something familiar about it, but I can't quite place it.

The Narrator

Oh well. I suppose it's just déjà vu.

Voice of the Hero

We shouldn't let him think we're scared. We're on the defensive now. Be careful.

I'm not sure yet. I just... felt like that's what I needed to do, I guess.

Voice of the Hero

Really? He just feels like he should kill us?

The Narrator

I had my doubts, but this confirms it. You're the Princess, and he needs to slay you.

Voice of the Hero

And how are we 'ending the world' again? Why would we even want to? We like the world... I think.

The Narrator

What you 'want' doesn't matter. By your very nature, if you escape, the world will end, and if he doesn't slay you, you will escape.

Voice of the Hero

Hmm... So there is a way to escape after all. Thanks for confirming that, I was beginning to think we'd be trapped here forever.

The Narrator

...I-I mean, you can't escape. It's impossible. I meant to say that if the Hero frees you, you'll end the world.

Voice of the Hero

So he doesn't have to kill us?

The Narrator

...Y-yes, he does. Because you're going to end the world.

Voice of the Hero

So if he doesn't kill us, we'll escape?

The Narrator

...I-I never said that.

Voice of the Hero

You did. Just a moment ago. And you can't take it back.

The Narrator

Grumbling.

Voice of the Hero

We should be reasonable with him. But we should make sure he doesn't try anything before we let him get close.

The Narrator

Sigh. The blade tumbles out of the Hero's hand with an unceremonious clang. He steps forward to speak with you face-to-face. Unarmed.

The Narrator

At least the blade's out of your reach. For now.

A 'relationship'? Are you coming on to me?

Voice of the Hero

We should be a bit more careful with our phrasing. Don't want to give him the wrong impression.

The Narrator

The Hero looks confused by your bizarre choice of words.

Voice of the Hero

Come on, that was a good save!

Do you know why I'm here to kill you?

Voice of the Hero

He doesn't know.

The Narrator

Regardless of what he knows, he's doing the right thing. Assuming he kills you, of course.

Voice of the Hero

Shut up.

The Narrator

The Hero nervously looks away, and says nothing.

Voice of the Hero

He's a bit of a pushover, isn't he? Not much of a Hero or a murderer.

How would I get you out of here?

The Narrator

He can't.

Voice of the Hero

Didn't you say we'd end the world if he freed us? If he can't free us, doesn't that mean the world won't end?

The Narrator

Exasperated sigh. The world will end if he doesn't slay you. Just disregard what I said before, I didn't phrase it right.

The Narrator

What?! You can't seriously be suggesting that he-

Voice of the Hero

Yeah, we are. It's not like we have a lot of options.

Okay, we've talked enough. I'm getting you out of here.

The Narrator

Oh, you have to be kidding me!

The Narrator

The Hero walks up to the chains binding you to the wall, and gives them a tug, confirming their strength.

Voice of the Hero

Maybe the key's somewhere upstairs?

The Narrator

Doubtful. Whoever locked you away down here intended for you to never see the light of day. They wouldn't have just left the key somewhere in the cabin.

I'm going to check upstairs. Maybe the key's still lying around somewhere up there. And if not, maybe I can at least find something to break you free.

The Narrator

The Hero makes his way out of the basement, but you hear the door at the top of the stairs slam shut, followed by the click of a lock sliding into place.

Hey! Let me out of here!

The Narrator

His shouts and pleas are met with silence. He's not leaving until his task is done.

Voice of the Hero

Do you really want us dead that badly?

The Narrator

Yes. Like I already said, you're going to end the world.

Voice of the Hero

You know, I doubted it at first, but I don't think He's lying.

The Narrator

He makes his way back to the bottom of the stairs.

The Narrator

Against all reason, the Hero places the blade against your arm, just below the unyielding chain.

The Narrator

He cuts into your flesh.

The Narrator

The blade is sharp, and it takes little effort to crack through bone. You pull the bleeding stub of your arm through the iron gauntlet.

Voice of the Hero

That didn't even hurt. We're tougher than I thought. Guess that comes with being a 'world-ending monster'.

The Narrator

No. We won’t have any of that. The stakes are too high. I can’t just let you escape into the world.

The Narrator

As you approach the bottom stair, you sense the figure behind you stepping forward and raising the blade.

Voice of the Hero

Wait… this isn’t fair. You can’t just do that!

The Narrator

Watch me.

The Narrator

Stop that.

Voice of the Hero

What the hell is he doing? Is he really going to let Him yank him around like a puppet?

The Narrator

The Hero swings his arm towards your throat, the blade singing through the air.

The Narrator

You grab his arm, your grip like a stone vice.

Voice of the Hero

...Damn. We're really strong. Either that, or he's really weak. Or both.

The Narrator

The Hero drops the blade. Pathetically.

The Narrator

You let go, and before he can react, you rear back and hit him with a bone-shattering haymaker.

The Narrator

The Hero falls to his knees, his bone fracturing with a sickening crack.

The Narrator

He's barely able to bring his trembling arms up to defend himself as you hit him again.

The Narrator

You shatter bone with every impact, rupturing unseen blood vessels and crushing his vital organs.

Voice of the Hero

Poor thing. We should put him out of his misery.

The Narrator

You place a confident heel on his chest and push him to the ground. His windpipe is crushed beneath your knee as you lay it on his throat.

Voice of the Hero

He didn't put up much of a fight, did he?

The Narrator

As the life drains from his eyes, your vision darkens and your senses are dulled.

Voice of the Hero

Wait, that can't be right. Why would-

The Narrator

He dies, and everything goes dark.

The Narrator

You're in the basement of a cabin. And outside of that cabin is a path in the woods. And at the beginning of that path-

Voice of the Hero

Why would him dying kill us? That doesn't make any sense.

Voice of the Broken

There's no point in questioning it, because it happened. No matter what we do, we're doomed to die here.

The Narrator

But you haven't died. Why are you acting like you've already been here?

The Narrator

Why would I do something like that?

Voice of the Hero

Because we're the Princess. I think you got mixed up last time.

The Narrator

What? No, that can't happen.

Voice of the Broken

But it did. And now our executioner can hear our very thoughts. We're His toy to be tortured and killed over and over again for His amusement.

The Narrator

My 'amusement'? Trust me, I'm not enjoying any of this. I just want to save the world, and assuming you really are the Princess, that means you have to die.

Voice of the Broken

No need to remind us of our nature. We know that this is what we deserve.

Voice of the Hero

We can't give up. We did pretty well against the Hero last time, we just got cheated out of our win. Maybe that won't happen this time. We just need to try.

Voice of the Broken

What's the point in trying if we already know how it will end? Nothing's changed. We're still trapped in this basement, and our killer is still on his way.

Voice of the Hero

Things have changed. Look around us. The basement looks completely different. Even the window's bigger and fancier.

Voice of the Hero

So, chin up. We know we can escape. He told us last time.

The Narrator

Excuse me?! What did I tell-

Voice of the Broken

I guess He did. Maybe He was just toying with us by giving us false hope.

Voice of the Hero

I know there's a way out. Trust me.

Voice of the Broken

...Fine. If that's what you want.

The Narrator

I suppose whatever's going on, we'll just have to wait and see how it plays out. But if you're telling the truth about who you are, I wouldn't fancy your chances at survival.

The Narrator

You hear the sound of a door opening somewhere above you. Your eyes are drawn to the grand stone staircase in front of you as you hear little footsteps descending them.

Voice of the Hero

He sounds so... small.

Voice of the Broken

What does it matter if he's small? If anything, it shows how weak we are to be brought low by something so insignificant.

The Narrator

A tiny dark figure emerges from the stairwell, its face masked in shadow. Its avian form brings to mind a wounded bird, begging for crumbs at your feet.

Voice of the Hero

Was he like that before? I don't think he was.

Voice of the Broken

...He looks so meek. Despite everything, it feels like he's completely at our mercy.

Voice of the Hero

I mean... he did fold pretty quickly when we fought him last time. And he dropped his knife as soon as we told him to.

Voice of the Broken

But he's still here to kill us. We're still doomed.

Voice of the Hero

Maybe he doesn't want to kill us this time. I mean, what good would that little needle do against us anyway?

Voice of the Broken

We should tell him to drop it again. Maybe he'll show us mercy this time.

Voice of the Hero

We won't get him to drop it with that attitude. We've got to sound confident about it.

The Narrator

As if on command, the blade slips from the Hero's grasp. It clatters uselessly to the floor.

Voice of the Hero

Okay, I said we should be confident about this, but aren't we overdoing it a little?

Voice of the Broken

He... he can barely stand to be in our presence. Why were we so scared of him before?

Voice of the Hero

Because he wasn't like this last time. Besides, he could still pose a threat. Maybe we just startled him. Our voice did get a lot louder.

Voice of the Broken

You're right. He could still tear us apart with those claws. We should order him to stay in place.

Voice of the Hero

Alright, we're definitely overdoing it now.

Voice of the Broken

But that command came so naturally to us. Perhaps this is our true nature, even if we are still doomed to die.

The Narrator

The Hero stands still in steely defiance.

"No."

Voice of the Hero

Like I said, last time could have been a fluke. He's not going to listen to us now that we've made him our enemy.

Voice of the Broken

But he did listen to us. He's never refused us before. We just have to push harder.

The Narrator

His legs buckle, and his knees hit the floor.

Voice of the Broken

So this is what we are. We're so much more than him. Maybe... maybe we aren't doomed after all.

Voice of the Hero

But... if we leave, the world ends, right? I don't want that.

Voice of the Broken

But if that's our nature, who are we to resist?

The Narrator

You're using a lot of words to say a lot of nothing. He followed two simple requests. That proves nothing. And being capable of ending the world says nothing about what else you're capable of.

Voice of the Hero

So you finally believe us? About being the Princess and all.

The Narrator

Between you being on the blade's receiving end, being chained up in the basement, and your generally irrational behavior... I'd say I have no choice but to believe you, as much as I wish I didn't.

The Narrator

But none of that implies you're some sort of god, or whatever else you think you are. You're just a Princess. A world-ending Princess, but a perfectly normal Princess in every other way.

Voice of the Broken

A... god? Is that really what we are? Is that why you're so afraid of what we could do? Is that our destiny?

The Narrator

...N-no, I was speaking purely in hypotheticals. I only brought it up as an example of an absurd conclusion one might come to, if they let their mind swim to dangerous places.

Voice of the Hero

Mate, I think it's a bit too late for take backs. What's said is said.

Voice of the Broken

Look around us. The grand construction, the stained glass of the window, the lesser beings serving our every command... this isn't a cabin. It's a temple. A temple to us.

The Narrator

Sigh. This is all my fault, isn't it?

The Narrator

The Hero nods his head slowly.

Voice of the Broken

The more I hear it, the more right it sounds. It's like a fundamental truth of our being that we'd forgotten.

Voice of the Broken

It... it doesn't matter if we die, does it? We have a purpose now. Everything means something.

Voice of the Hero

I'll admit... that does sound kind of nice. But I don't think I like what we're becoming.

Voice of the Broken

What point is there in fighting what we are? Especially if what we are is something as beautiful and glorious as this.

Voice of the Hero

But I don't want to end the world.

Voice of the Broken(?)

What made you think this was about desire? This is about what we are.

Voice of the Hero

We're part of the world, aren't we? Wouldn't we end along with it?

Voice of the Broken(?)

What we are is beyond this world. The collapse of the old is a necessary prelude to the birth of the new.

Voice of the Tower

Why are you still afraid? What does the sun have to fear from the dawn?

Voice of the Hero

...Nothing.

Voice of the Tower

So you finally know your place, little shadow.

What do you want from me? Can't you escape on your own?

Voice of the Tower

But it seems the bird has yet to learn his. He cannot see the bars of his cage, and sings as though he were free.

The Narrator

Despite your overwhelming presence, the Hero stands his ground, his confidence surging in the face of utter hopelessness.

I'm not going to help you end the world. I don't care if something new comes after. I just can't let you do that.

The Narrator

Well, at least someone here has some sense.

Voice of the Tower

Perhaps he needs another lesson in submitting to his betters.

The Narrator

Hm. That was a surprisingly reasonable suggestion, all things considered. He was probably going to pick it up anyway.

The Narrator

The Hero reaches forward and picks up the blade.

The Narrator

He slowly rises to his feet.

Voice of the Tower

For him to defy us is to claim we stand on level ground. We do not. He is quiet shadow, while we are brilliant radiance.

Voice of the Hero

T-this doesn't feel nice anymore. Can we stop? Please?

The Narrator

This can't be where it all falls apart. He can still end this.

The Narrator

The Hero brings the blade towards his throat. No, don't end yourself, end her!

The Narrator

Sigh. I jinxed it, didn't I?

Voice of the Hero

I think you did, yeah.

The Narrator

...No. I won't let it end here. I can't destroy you myself, but I can give him the willpower he needs to resist.

Voice of the Tower

Try it, worm. Your darkness cannot hold back our light forever.

The Narrator

The Hero staggers towards you one step at a time. There's a desperate rage in his eyes.

Voice of the Tower

It seems he's in need of a harsher lesson. Let us show him the error of his ways.

The Narrator

The Hero slows his pace, and cuts into his chest with the blade. His blood leaks to the floor as he pulls back for another strike.

Voice of the Tower

What a pitiful display. A wounded little bird thinking it can defy a god.

The Narrator

...No. He won't give up. I won't give up. Not now. Not ever.

The Narrator

You are pain. You are suffering. You are death. And there's nothing I wouldn't sacrifice to destroy you.

Voice of the Tower

Still the little echo begs for mercy, fearing what we are destined to be. Pathetic.

The Narrator

I never said I wasn't. But I won't let you destroy everything I've worked for.

The Narrator

Though in indescribable pain, the Hero continues to approach, even as the repeated gouges of his blade expose bone and muscle to the open air of the basement.

Voice of the Hero

I... I can't watch anymore. I hate this. I hate what we are.

Voice of the Tower

The little shadow still shrinks away from the light. Perhaps it will see the truth, if it is appeased.

The Narrator

The Hero falls at your feet, his blood pooling in the crevices of the stone floor.

Voice of the Tower

His devotion is misplaced. He's surrendered to delusion. But something about his defiant spirit speaks to me. He is different than he was before.

Voice of the Tower

We will spare him from death, should he come to his senses. Extend the gentle hand of mercy.

The Narrator

You're getting desperate. You can't hide your fear from me. It's too late for you.

The Narrator

Though his body trembles, the Hero darts to your side before you have a chance to react.

Voice of the Tower

No!

The Narrator

Yes. You feel a sharp pain rising from your ankle as the blade cuts into your flesh and severs your tendons.

The Narrator

You tense up in surprise, and fall to the floor on your knees.

The Narrator

But he gives you no time to recover. He plunges the blade into your chest as your hearts pounds in fear.

Voice of the Tower

NO! We are not afraid! Fear is beneath us! Fear is weakness! We are not weak!

Voice of the Tower

We will prevail! We are inevitable! This is not the end! This cannot be the end!

Voice of the Tower

...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

The Narrator

You were never going to win. It was always going to end like this. The world will be better off without you.

Voice of the Tower

YOU! PITIFUL ECHO! You dare to sever the currents of fate?!

Voice of the Tower

You heathen! You worm! You defiler! You don't know the consequences of your arrogance!

Voice of the Tower

DIE.

The Narrator

I was already dead. I am not afraid to...

Voice of the Hero

Is... is He gone? What did you do to Him?

Voice of the Tower

He was but the first to fall to my wrath. He will not be the last.

Before the Hero can strike the final blow, you knock him off his feet and drive your fist into his chest. His spine breaks with an unsettling wet pop, and the ground itself breaks from the impact.

Voice of the Tower

He made us use our hands! Why did we resort to something so crude?

But your own wounds are impossible to ignore. You collapse to the floor in a bloody heap of torn divine flesh.

Voice of the Tower(?)

...So we do have something to fear from the dawn.

Voice of the Broken

For after the dawn will come a twilight.

He dies, and everything goes dark.

You're in the basement of a cabin. And outside of that cabin is a path in the woods. And at the beginning of that path is a hero.

You are in pain.

Your purpose has been torn from you. You do not know what you are.

You are alone.

You tear at your flesh. Perhaps the truth to your being lies beneath it.

The skin of your legs comes away from your muscle, hanging from your waist like a gown of flesh. It hurts. You find nothing.

You scream in agony and rage. Your hands reach for the wound in your chest.

You tear it open, exposing your ribcage. You pin your flesh to the side as you search. It hurts. You find nothing.

Finally, you crack open your ribs, bearing your beating heart to the world. You weep. It hurts. You find nothing.

Voice of the Hero

...Please... stop... we're in so much pain...

Voice of the Tower

No. There must be something more to our being. We will find it.

Voice of the Broken

Or we will never be free.

Voice of the Stubborn

It might hurt now, but it'll be worth it. We have to keep fighting.

Voice of the Hero

What if we don't like what we find? What if we don't find anything?

Voice of the Broken

Then we are doomed to this hollow existence forever. The pain of being nothing will be so much worse than what we're feeling now.

Voice of the Hero

Maybe a 'hollow existence' is for the best. The thing we were was going to destroy the world, and it got us killed.

Voice of the Tower

But what we were was beautiful and glorious.

Voice of the Broken

And now we've been twisted into something lesser. A pitiful creature of twisted flesh.

Voice of the Tower

Perhaps we could reclaim our divinity if we search hard enough. There must be more to us than flesh.

Voice of the Broken

Or perhaps flesh is all we ever were.

You hear the sound of a door opening somewhere above you. Your eyes are drawn to the bloody stone staircase in front of you as you hear tired footsteps descending them.

Voice of the Tower

And there he is. The little bird that tore through our flesh and turned us into this abomination.

Voice of the Broken

And he'll do it again. And again, and again, and again. How pathetic are we to be doomed to die to such a small thing?

Voice of the Stubborn

It doesn't matter if he's small. He's a god killer. There's bound to be more to him than meets the eye. He's a worthy opponent, is what he is.

Voice of the Hero

Why does he have to be our enemy? Why do we have to fight? Why do we have to suffer?

Voice of the Stubborn

Because it will all be worth it in the end.

Voice of the Hero

Worth what? What are we fighting for?

Voice of the Stubborn

I don't know, and I don't care. All I know is that we're fighting for something, and that's good enough for me.

Voice of the Hero

Why don't we have a choice? Why do we have to be like this?

Voice of the Tower

This is what we are.

Voice of the Broken

This is all we'll ever be.

The Hero returns to you, larger than he was before. Or perhaps you are smaller than you were. This time, he bears no knife. His flesh shows no signs of his violent death.

Voice of the Broken

We can do nothing to hurt him. We get worse and worse and worse, and he always stays the same.

Voice of the Stubborn

No. There has to be a way to beat him for good. We just have to keep trying.

You step forward without hesitation, your chains pulling taut as you strain against them. Your flesh begins to tear. It is agony.

Voice of the Hero

Stop... please!

Voice of the Stubborn

No. We won't stop. We can't stop.

A white hot pain shoots from the wound as your skin finally tears. You pull your red, glistening arm free from your bindings.

I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry for what I did to you!

Voice of the Stubborn

He's... sorry? He regrets killing us?

The Hero gives you a pitiful look, begging for mercy with his eyes.

Voice of the Stubborn

No, no, no, there's got to be more to him! He killed a god! Where's his defiance? Where's his spirit? Why is he giving up?!

Voice of the Broken

He's... just like us. He doesn't want to hurt us.

Voice of the Tower(?)

But he had to. It was his destiny.

Voice of the Broken

Without Him to guide his blade, he is nothing.

Voice of the Stubborn(?)

NO! He can't be nothing! We can't be nothing!

You bound across the room, your fists ready, your heart set upon his destruction.

You unwind him with a horrifying squelch.

Voice of the Fury

Tear him apart piece by piece, cell by cell. Through violence, we will find meaning.

Your will infiltrates the very molecules of his being. One of his thirty trillion cells is gone. One hundred trillion atoms are torn away.

Voice of the Fury

He must be. Only one piece of him is gone. Keep going.

You peel away two. Then four. Eight. Sixteen. Thirty two. Sixty four.

Voice of the Fury

Faster. The truth lies just beyond the veil of flesh. The night will soon be over.

One-hundred-and-twenty-eight. Two-hundred-and-fifty-six. Five hundred-and-twelve.

Voice of the Fury

He is. He must be.

Voice of the Hero

I hate this waiting. Don't you?

Voice of the Fury

Be patient, shadow. He cannot hide his truth from us much longer.

One-thousand-twenty-four. Two-thousand-forty-eight. Four-thousand-ninety-six. Eight-thousand-one-hundred-ninety-two.

The beating of your heart quickens with every tear you make. The Hero's face would be showing agony beyond comprehension, if he still had a discernible face.

Voice of the Broken

We're hurting him. We've done nothing but hurt him.

Voice of the Fury

He deserves to be hurt for what he's done to us.

Voice of the Broken

It doesn't matter. We shouldn't hate him for being who he is.

Sixteen-thousand-three-hundred-eighty-four. Thirty-two-thousand-seven-hundred-sixty-eight. Sixty-five-thousand-five-hundred-thirty-six.

Voice of the Hero

Stop... we can't just count him into oblivion...

Voice of the Fury

We are counting out of oblivion, little shadow. We will not retreat into the darkness as you have.

Voice of the Fury

He made us smaller than we were. He made us weak.

Voice of the Broken

Now we know his pain.

One-hundred-thirty-one-thousand-seventy-two. Two-hundred-sixty-two-thousand-one-hundred-forty-four. Five-hundred-twenty-four-thousand-two-hundred-eighty-eight.

Voice of the Hero

What are we even doing this for? What's our endgame?

Voice of the Fury

We will find the core of his being. When we reach it, everything will make sense.

Voice of the Broken

No, I don't think it will. We're just hurting each other.

One-million-forty-eight-thousand. The hundreds don't matter anymore.

Voice of the Hero

I feel... dizzy, like every time we take something out of him, we lose part of ourselves.

Voice of the Broken

Exactly. We've lost what we were, and now we're losing what we are.

Two-million-ninety-six-thousand. Four-million-one-hundred-ninety-two-thousand. Eight-million-three-hundred-eighty-four-thousand.

Voice of the Hero

I hate this. I hate us.

Voice of the Fury

Keep going. We cannot stop now.

Sixteen-million-seven-hundred-sixty-eight-thousand. Thirty-three-million-five-hundred-thirty-four-thousand. His eyes glaze over and begin to bleed. One-hundred-thirty-four-million. The thousands don't matter anymore. You begin to lose track of your own body.

Voice of the Hero

What's happening to us?

Voice of the Fury

I... I do not know. But we have survived worse than this. Keep going.

Two-hundred-sixty-eight-million. You cannot count anymore. Your body continues to untether. The Hero begins to choke on chunks of what used to be him.

Voice of the Hero

What do you see?

Voice of the Fury

Nothing. Still nothing.

Voice of the Fury

No, he cannot be nothing. Perhaps if we reshape him, we will find his truest self. Perhaps his cells are in the wrong places.

You deconstruct him. You reconstruct him. You shape him into squares. Circles. You give him too many legs. You give him too many mouths that won't stop screaming. The screams echo through your mind, and you feel their pain. You suspect you are in more pain than he is.

Finally, you press all of him into a ball, tightly packed into the size of a fist.

Voice of the Hero

What more is there to see? There's nothing of him left. We're losing ourselves. Make it stop. Please make it stop. Please make it stop.

Voice of the Fury

NO! HE CANNOT BE NOTHING! HOW IS HE NOTHING IF HE'S STILL THERE?!

The ball is unraveled into the shape of a body. The skin peels off in a corkscrew. The eyes are plucked. The organs are arranged in the air in a neat row.

Voice of the Hero

...Please. Stop.

Voice of the Broken

It's okay to let go. You don't have to fight anymore.

Voice of the Hero

Then I'm letting go.

You stretch him into a line, twelve feet long. Then twenty-four. Then forty-eight. The line gets thinner as you get longer. A mile. Two. Four. Eight.

Voice of the Fury

Keep going.

Sixteen. Thirty-two.

Voice of the Fury

...

Sixty-four.

Voice of the Fury

No.

All at once, he is rewound, and all of his disparate threads fall dutifully back into place.

The Hero stands at your feet, his face weary and full of anguish. He could not bear your torture any longer.

Voice of the Broken

We couldn't bear the torture any longer.

Voice of the Broken

Yes. I'm still here. I don't think I can be anywhere else.

Voice of the Broken

I know. But it's okay. I'm hurting along with you.

Voice of the Fury

How is that any better?

Voice of the Broken

Because nothing hurts more than being alone.

Voice of the Broken

I did. But she broke apart. I'm just one of the shards of what used to be her. Nothing more.

Voice of the Broken

I don't think I'm the same as her, not exactly. But we're not different, either. We're two pieces of a whole. We define each others' shape.

Voice of the Broken

Like everything finally made sense. Like I was finally complete.

Voice of the Broken

It was pure bliss. But it couldn't last. It's in my nature to be broken.

Voice of the Fury

Is that what we are? Are we to remain forever unfinished? A song with no refrain?

Voice of the Broken

Yes. We're missing a part of ourselves, and I don't think we can get it back.

Voice of the Fury

Why does it have to be this way?

Voice of the Broken

It just is. I'm sorry.

Voice of the Fury

...

Voice of the Fury

I think I know what part of us is missing.

Voice of the Broken

And what is that?

Voice of the Fury

Him.

He is unwound again. As are you.

But you feel no pain this time. You feel threads, strands of you becoming pieces of something new. Something that's both you and him. An endless dance of flesh.

Your consciousness drifts towards his.

It hurts. You find nothing.

But it is a textured nothing. A texture you know all too well. It draws you closer, as though you were made for it and it was made for you.

Voice of the Broken

I don't know what you're doing, but I won't fight it.

Voice of the Broken

It's going to be okay. I trust you. Do what you need to be whole again.

You feel cold.

A soft voice cries out for mercy in your mind.

Desperation. 'Please. Stop. You're hurting us.'

The voice's pleas go unheeded. You're nearing the end. This is what's best for both of you.

You wish it hadn't come to this.

The textured nothing closes in around you. Everything goes dark, and you die.

Shadows dance furiously on the walls of your heart. They speak, but this time, you cannot hear them. They are alone.

Memory returns.

Voice of the Skeptic

...Where are we? It's so dark.

Voice of the Hunted

I don't like this place. There's nothing to see, nothing to smell, and nothing to hear.

Voice of the Paranoid

We're going to die in here! I don't want to die again!

Voice of the Stubborn

Not if I can help it! Whatever's keeping us here, I'll give them a piece of my mind!

Voice of the Opportunist

Now, calm down, boys! Let's see what this place has to offer. We should keep an open mind, you know?

Voice of the Smitten

I... recognize this place, though I am ashamed to admit it. This is the heart of our beloved.

Voice of the Skeptic

Why do you recognize it? And why would you be ashamed to know something?

Voice of the Smitten

I saw it when I so cruelly tore into his chest. I wished only to see his deepest desires, but I only brought him suffering.

Voice of the Hero

Actually, it was me who wanted to do that. And it's not just his heart. It's ours. At least, it used to be.

Voice of the Cold

So we're back in our body? That's a shame. I was rather enjoying being her.

Voice of the Skeptic

Our body? What are you talking about?

Voice of the Hero

We weren't always the Princess. We used to be... him. He told us to slay her, and when we did, she came back as a ghost, and she possessed us.

Voice of the Cold

And then we killed her again. I think she was quite upset with us. Not that it really mattered.

Voice of the Hero

Yeah, uh... anyway, everything reset, and we were still in our body, but the decider was stuck with her. The creep decided to kill her anyway, and everything became... backwards.

Voice of the Opportunist

I was just seizing the opportunity! I mean, she was right there, so I thought 'might as well'!

Voice of the Cheated

And look where that fucking got us. We got turned into a murder-obsessed knife monster!

Voice of the Contrarian

Come on, don't pretend you weren't into it.

Voice of the Cheated

...Shut up.

Voice of the Paranoid

Can we get back to the part where we tore his heart out? Because I was there for that, and I really didn't enjoy it!

Voice of the Cold

I would have. It sounds exciting.

Voice of the Hero

Ignore him. I just... the guilt was just too much. I'm supposed to be the one keeping us on the right path, but I was doing a real shit job of it. It seemed like everything I did just made things worse.

Voice of the Paranoid

Because you did make things worse. A lot worse.

Voice of the Hero

I know. And I'm sorry. For the arm thing, for killing him, and for trapping us in a happiness void. I let myself become like Him.

Voice of the Smitten

I forgive you, friend. Somehow... I know I would have done the same, were I in your place. Love is a powerful thing, after all.

Voice of the Hero

Yeah. I guess it wasn't just guilt. I was afraid of losing him forever. I was afraid of being alone.

Voice of the Broken

We're all afraid of being alone.

Voice of the Hero

Oh. You're here too?

Voice of the Broken

Yes. I'm here. Where else would I be?

Voice of the Hero

For once, I'm actually glad you're here. I thought you were just whiny at first, but... you really helped me through the whole 'unraveling'. You said some things I really needed to hear.

Voice of the Broken

I doubt I was much help. But I appreciate you saying so.

Voice of the Hero

This whole thing feels like it's my fault. I should've done something to stop us from killing her.

Voice of the Cold

I don't think it would've mattered. And besides, what's done is done. There's no use worrying about it.

Voice of the Hero

That... wasn't very comforting.

Voice of the Cold

What made you think I was trying to be comforting? I was just being honest. There's no point in lying to spare your feelings.

Voice of the Smitten

Hush, villain! Can you not see our dear friend is doubting himself? He deserves better than your mockery.

Voice of the Cold

I'm not mocking him. I'm just telling the truth. It's not my fault if he lets the truth bother him so much.

Voice of the Smitten

Quiet, you. He's been with us since the very beginning, and he's never let us down. He is the best of all of us, I say!

Voice of the Hero

But I have let you down. I was there every time, and every time I just... gave in.

Voice of the Broken

That just means you've put up with more than all of us. It's okay to give in.

Voice of the Stubborn

You've got more fight in you than most. Almost as much as me.

Voice of the Paranoid

You knew when to be afraid, but you never ran away. Not when it mattered.

Voice of the Cheated

You're the ace up our sleeve we'll never lose. Everything felt just a bit more fair with you around.

Voice of the Skeptic

You're smarter than you give yourself credit for. You always knew to question things that didn't seem right.

Voice of the Hunted

You gave me something I could trust besides my instincts.

Voice of the Cold

At times, you almost convinced me to care. Almost.

Voice of the Contrarian

You always managed to get under His skin. You do it better than me, really.

Voice of the Opportunist

...

Voice of the Skeptic

Well, are you gonna say something?

Voice of the Cheated

Yeah, we're not waiting on you forever.

Voice of the Cold

We could wait forever. But I'd prefer if we didn't.

Voice of the Opportunist

What am I supposed to say? You lot didn't give me a script or anything!

Voice of the Smitten

Don't be shy! Speak not from a script, but from your heart!

Voice of the Cheated

I'm not convinced he has a heart.

Voice of the Skeptic

Do any of us have a heart?

Voice of the Cold

I don't think we do. But that's not important.

Voice of the Cheated

Can we fucking get on with it, please?

Voice of the Opportunist

Fine, I'll say something!

Voice of the Opportunist

You... you've got a winning mindset! A real go-getter attitude! To be honest, you've always been my favorite.

Voice of the Cheated

Besides yourself, you mean?

Voice of the Opportunist

Well, obviously.

Voice of the Skeptic

What does any of that even mean?

Voice of the Cold

It means he's scared to talk about his feelings. It's quite amusing.

Voice of the Hero

I... I don't know what to say to you all.

Voice of the Broken

Then don't. Words never really say what you want them to.

The shadows draw towards each other, as though in a gentle embrace. The one in the center of it all sheds a single dark tear.

The shadows come apart once again.

Voice of the Paranoid

I still haven't forgotten the arm thing, though.

Voice of the Hero

Fair enough, I guess.

Voice of the Smitten

As far as I'm concerned, all is forgiven. Everything you did, you did with love in your heart.

Voice of the Cold

Best not to dwell on the past.

Voice of the Hero

Actually, I think the past could use a bit more unpacking.

Voice of the Skeptic

What else do we need to unpack?

Voice of the Hero

How... good it felt to be the Princess, for instance. We went through hell and back as her, but there was always a part of me that enjoyed it.

Voice of the Skeptic

Yeah... that was strange. Rationally, the whole thing was pure torture from beginning to end, but it never really felt that way, did it?

Voice of the Cold

Perhaps you all just learned how to stop feeling. It's about time, really.

Voice of the Hero

We felt plenty. And most of it felt bad. But there was always this good undercurrent to it. I don't think we enjoyed the pain. But we enjoyed being her.

Voice of the Cheated

I did like actually winning the game for once. Even if I had to go crazy to do it.

Voice of the Smitten

Now we understand her like no one else could.

Voice of the Skeptic

Everything felt like it finally made sense.

Voice of the Broken

It did feel nice, being part of something greater than ourselves.

Voice of the Hero

But I guess that's over now. We're right back where we started.

Voice of the Skeptic

It can't just be over. There's more going on here, and I want to find out what that is.

Voice of the Stubborn

I'm with you. We're not done fighting yet.

Voice of the Broken

Whatever the decider's doing, I trust him. I don't think we have a choice, anyway.

Voice of the Cold

I suppose it could be interesting to slay her again.

Voice of the Smitten

Don't you lay a finger on our beloved, cur!

Voice of the Cold

Or what?

Voice of the Smitten

Or you will face the fire in my heart, and come away burned to ash.

Voice of the Cold

I might take you up on that offer. It sounds like fun.

Voice of the Hero

Quit arguing. Something's happening.

The shadows stir as your being is thrown to the beginning once more. A beginning at once familiar and strange.

Voice of the Hunted

The air is shifting. We must tread carefully.

Voice of the Stubborn

Come what may, we'll be ready for it.

Voice of the Hero

You're right. Let's see this through.

But that beginning is no longer yours. You are more than you were. You feel a pull from somewhere else.

Everything goes dark.

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.

The Narrator

You're here... you... will be...

Your consciousness shifts. A thread of your being pulls you away from yourself and into a different you.

You're in the basement of a cabin. You do not know what is outside. You do not know what is coming for you.

A chain digs into your wrist, binding one arm to the wall. It is quiet, and you are alone. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is

The Narrator

-the end of the world.

The Narrator

I know, the end of the world is a very worrying prospect. But there's no need to panic. You're more than capable of preventing it. Just take a deep breath, do as I say, and you'll be fine.

The Narrator

I'm talking about the end of everything as we know it. No more birds, no more trees, and, perhaps most problematically of all, no more people. You have to put an end to her.

The Narrator

Excuse me, what-

you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what

The Narrator

No, you must have misheard me. I'm talking about the Princess, not you. As long as you do what you're supposed to, you won't be a threat to anyone. Besides her, of course.

you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This

The Narrator

Seriously? You're already paralyzed with guilt over something you haven't done yet? You do realize that literally everything is at stake here, right? And, last I checked, 'everything' includes you. So stop moping around, and do what needs to be done.

The Narrator

Thank you.

The Narrator

You make your way up the short path to the cabin. You'll find the Princess within.

The Narrator

A warning, before you go any further...

The Narrator

She will lie, she will cheat-

You are pulled away from yourself. You are in the basement once more.

Voice of the Princess

-if we have to. We don't know what we're dealing with.

Voice of the Princess

I know, I don't want to be here either. But it's going to be okay. I'm sure we'll find a way out.

Voice of the Princess

I'm part of you, I think. I don't know where I came from. I'm not sure I'm even supposed to exist. Maybe you just needed the company?

Voice of the Princess

Who?

Voice of the Princess

I don't know anyone like that. I don't think that's how this place works.

Voice of the Princess

It sounds kinda nice, actually. I think I'd like it if someone told us what we have to do. It's so confusing having to figure it out on your own.

Voice of the Princess

Every choice you make, there always has to be some part of you doubting it, saying things like-

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

What? No, I don't want you to kill yourself. That is precisely the opposite of what I want.

Voice of the Hero

I get it. It feels like we'd lose a part of ourselves if we did something that horrible.

The Narrator

You know what else is horrible? The end of the entire world. And you are making that a very likely scenario with all this stalling.

Voice of the Hero

There's nothing wrong with wanting the whole story before making a choice.

Voice of the Princess

Yeah, I guess that's true. But I don't think we really have a choice right now. Let's just wait and see what happens.

Voice of the Princess

Sorry, I just do that when I'm nervous.

The click of a latch and creaking hinges. Something is here.

Voice of the Princess

What's going on up there?

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 Narrator

The blade is your implement. You'll need it if you want to-

Voice of the Princess

-kill us? Why would they do that? We haven't done anything wrong!

The Narrator

You take the blade from the table. It would be rather difficult to slay the Princess and save the world without it.

Voice of the Princess

Whoever they are, it sounds like they're armed. We should be careful.

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 would probably be doing her a favor.

The footsteps grow louder as they descend the stairs.

Voice of the Princess

Stay calm. We can't let them think we're afraid.

Voice of the Hero

She sounds... dangerous... It's almost as if she's the one in charge down here.

The Narrator

Don't let it fool you. It's all part of the manipulation.

Voice of the Princess

Chuckles. Well, that gives away the game, doesn't it? I think we can handle him.

The Narrator

Great job. You gave away the element of surprise. Good luck, hero.

You walk down the stairs, and lock eyes with yourself. You are shrouded in a feathered darkness, your shining blade gleaming against the wooden walls. There's a heavy chain around your wrist, binding you to the far wall of the basement.

Voice of the Hero

She's so coldly beautiful. Is she really a threat to the world?

The Narrator

Focus on the task at hand.

Voice of the Princess

You think? I never would've guessed.

Voice of the Hero

She makes a compelling point. What if we didn't kill her? What if we just dropped the blade and talked?

The Narrator

Don't you dare.

Voice of the Princess

He doesn't seem like the talking type, anyway.

Voice of the Hero

It's fine. We can decide what we want to do after we talk to her. Maybe she really is a monster. But killing someone in cold blood isn't very becoming of us.

The Narrator

You ignore the trembling in your hands and tighten your grip on the blade.

Voice of the Princess

I told you. There's no reasoning with something like him.

Voice of the Princess

Okay, that was a bit extreme, but maybe he'll start doubting himself now.

The Narrator

You step forward, your grip on the blade tightening as you steel your resolve.

The Narrator

She's unarmed. If you hesitate now, it'll be too late. End this.

You lunge at yourself without a moment's hesitation. You feel a sharp burn of pain in your chest as you look down to see your blade already sinking deep into your heart.

Your vision begins to swim as you collapse to the floor. But you aren't dead. Not yet.

Voice of the Hero

It's like she's convinced she can't die.

The Narrator

Yes. Even as she lays there dying, she entirely believes herself to be alive and well.

The Narrator

But it's over, isn't it?

Voice of the Princess

No. We have more to do here, and he knows it.

One eye has shut. Where once you could see two halves of the whole, now one side is closed off to you.

The figure makes his way back up the stairs, leaving you alone to rot. His mind is no longer yours. The path he walks is one you have seen already.

You begin to untether from your body. You leave the warmth of life behind as you formlessly wander the basement.

Voice of the Princess

There has to be a way out. Maybe we can slip through the spaces between the walls.

But you can't. Something keeps you inside.

The figure walks back down the stairs with a tired look in his eyes.

Voice of the Princess

Try upstairs. Maybe we can get the door open.

You can't.

There is no exit for you. You belong down there. I know your true nature and it is suffering.

You hear the sound of a blade piercing flesh from downstairs. A life taken for your sake. Even in death, you bring pain and misery everywhere you go.

He dies, and everything goes dark.

You're in the basement of a cabin. And outside of that cabin is a path in the woods. And at the beginning of that path is a hero.

Your spirit festers in the ground beneath your rotting corpse. Even without a body, you still feel a chain gripping your spectral wrist. You feel cold. You are alone. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This

Voice of the Spectre

We don't need to hear this again. And there's no point in killing us, because we're already dead.

Voice of the Spectre

So shut up.

Voice of the Princess

Oh. You're new.

Voice of the Spectre

Maybe I am. Or maybe I was always here and you never noticed. Who's to say, really?

Voice of the Spectre

We've got all the time in the world to figure that out.

Voice of the Spectre

He already tried that, and we're still here. He can kill us, sure, but he can't end us. I'm not so sure endings are even real.

Voice of the Spectre

Besides; like I said before, we're already dead. Why would he kill us again? There's no point.

Voice of the Princess

I don't know. Maybe he's holding a grudge?

Voice of the Spectre

Over what?

Voice of the Spectre

Were we not nice enough to him while he stabbed us in the heart?

Voice of the Princess

...Point taken.

Voice of the Spectre

Even if he wants to kill us again, which I doubt, how would he go about doing that? We're a ghost; what's he supposed to do to us?

Voice of the Princess

Wait, we're a ghost?

Voice of the Spectre

We died and we lost our body. What else would we be?

Voice of the Spectre

He could be a ghost. But we don't really know for sure how it works. Maybe this place let him keep his body.

Voice of the Princess

If we’re a ghost, maybe we’ll be able to leave now. Trying the door didn’t work, but we could just float through the walls.

Voice of the Spectre

Maybe, maybe not. We may as well try it and see what happens.

You drift up into the basement, and make your way towards the wall. Without your body to hold you down, moving is as natural and automatic as thinking.

But the cabin is your prison, and you cannot leave it alone. Death will not free you from this place. It was made to hold you, and it will not let you go so easily.

You find yourself back where you were as soon as you reach the wall. Back where you belong.

Voice of the Spectre

Why am I not surprised?

Voice of the Princess

Exasperated sigh. There has to be a reason for all of this. You don't just stuff a princess in a basement and throw away the key without there being some sort of an explanation, right?

Voice of the Spectre

I'm less interested in why we're here and more interested in how we can leave. It lets him come and go, doesn't it?

Voice of the Princess

I think so? He got in easily enough.

The familiar sound of a clicking latch and creaking hinges, muffled by the basement door.

Voice of the Princess

I guess he made it back here.

Voice of the Spectre

He sounds pretty alive to me.

Voice of the Princess

Why does he get to come back? Why did we stay dead?

Voice of the Spectre

He could be our way out. If he gets to keep his body and we don't, why can't we hitch a ride with him?

Voice of the Princess

Are you asking if we can... possess him?

Voice of the Spectre

Why not?

Voice of the Princess

Are you sure he'd be okay with that? I don't think we can just 'hitch a ride' if he doesn't want us to.

Voice of the Spectre

I'm sure he'll be reasonable. He owes us for killing us, after all. And if he isn't...

Voice of the Spectre

I'm sure we can return the favor.

Voice of the Princess

Let's... try to keep an open mind.

You hear metal scrape against wood as the Hero retrieves his implement.

Voice of the Princess

I'm really starting to hate that sound.

Voice of the Spectre

I hate it too.

Voice of the Spectre

Good thing we don't have a body for him to kill.

More creaking hinges, clearer this time. The ancient wood of the stairs creaks loudly as the Hero makes his way down.

Voice of the Princess

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Voice of the Spectre

Why are you saying that out loud? We can all hear him.

Voice of the Princess

Sorry.

The Hero's hollow eyes widen in fear as you come into view.

You drift across the room, gently running your fingers across his shoulders and down his neck as you circle him. He shivers at your icy touch.

The shock in his eyes begins to fade as he composes himself.

Stop playing the victim. You threatened me last time.

Voice of the Princess

I knew we shouldn't have said those things to him.

Voice of the Spectre

Oh, come on. Do you really think he killed us over something like that? He clearly planned on killing us the moment he set foot in here.

That knife could have been for anything!

Voice of the Spectre

Not very bright, is he?

Voice of the Princess

He kind of has a point, though. That knife could have been for freeing us.

Voice of the Spectre

But he didn't free us.

The Hero silently stares at you for a moment, considering your words. His expression shifts slightly.

You're dead. Or at least mostly dead. What can you even do to hurt me?

Voice of the Spectre

Oh, we can do plenty.

Voice of the Spectre

But we'll just have to wait and see how this plays out.

He relaxes his posture slightly.

He tenses up again, trying desperately not to show fear, and failing.

Voice of the Princess

Why are we threatening him again? He's our only way out of here!

Voice of the Spectre

That wasn't a threat; we're just letting him know what we're capable of. It's not our fault if that scares him.

Do you want me to die? Do you want me to kill myself to satisfy some sort of sick revenge fantasy? Because I already did that and it wouldn't be hard to do it again.

Voice of the Spectre

Oh. This is getting interesting.

Voice of the Princess

That's a bit... worrying, but at least he feels bad for what he did?

Voice of the Spectre

Besides, he wouldn't be able to let us out, and we don't know for certain if he'll come back like he did last time.

The Hero flashes you a slight look of suspicion.

Voice of the Princess

We just want to leave. What's suspicious about that?

I guess I should tell you why I was sent to kill you. You were going to end the world.

Voice of the Princess

Wait, what?

Voice of the Spectre

I wonder who told him that?

You didn't answer my question. Do you want to end the world?

Voice of the Princess

No! Of course we don't!

Voice of the Spectre

He still hasn't told us why he thinks that. Don't let him turn the tables on us.

You still didn't answer my question. Even if you don't want it to end, does letting you out of here mean the world is going to end?

Voice of the Spectre

He's committed, I'll give him that. But I'm getting tired of all these questions.

Voice of the Princess

Maybe we are going to end the world. If I were in his position, I'd have a lot of questions too.

The Hero withdraws for a moment, deep in thought.

After I killed you, this cabin... I want to say it teleported? It wasn't in the woods anymore, time stopped meaning anything, and I had to kill myself to escape.

Voice of the Spectre

Well, that explains the suicide.

Voice of the Princess

That sounds awful! He doesn't deserve that, even for killing us.

Voice of the Princess

Yeah. Let's show him a bit of sympathy. It'll help get him on our good side. Besides, the whole thing's been an ordeal for both of us.

The Hero takes a nervous step backwards, caught off guard by your sudden change in attitude. You hear his heart pounding in his chest.

Voice of the Princess

...Or we can threaten him again. Sure.

Voice of the Spectre

We just said what needed saying.

Voice of the Spectre

Now, let's see if he makes the same mistake again.

What do you want from me?

Voice of the Princess

Are we still doing the possession plan? Because I kind of doubt he'll let us in after everything we've said.

Voice of the Spectre

He will if he knows what's good for him.

This would just be temporary, right? You'll leave once we're out of the cabin?

He gives a brief expression of worry and apprehension, as though he has something to hide.

If... if I let you in, do I still get to be in control?

Voice of the Spectre

Even that's a bit generous, honestly. But we need him to agree to this if we're going to escape.

Voice of the Princess

I will admit, he's a lot more receptive to being possessed than I thought he'd be. I guess he's had a change of heart.

Voice of the Spectre

Maybe. He could just not care either way.

What if I say no?

You won't hitch a ride if I say no, or you can't hitch a ride?

Voice of the Spectre

I'm leaning towards the latter, but he doesn't have to know that.

Voice of the Princess

We should be honest with him if we want him to trust us. Trying to intimidate him like this isn't right.

Voice of the Spectre

That's rich coming from you, Miss 'Lie And Cheat If We Have To'. You were willing to try anything to get out last time, and the moment we have the perfect chance to escape, you start wasting time second guessing everything.

Voice of the Princess

Sometimes I say things I don't mean, okay? We're a princess. We shouldn't have to compromise our morals for something like this. We're better than that.

Voice of the Princess

'Nice'? It's like he's getting frostbite just from being near us.

Voice of the Spectre

He's fine. Don't worry about it. We got used to the cold pretty quickly, didn't we?

Voice of the Princess

Maybe you did, but I can't say the same for me. Ugh, I wish I had a winter coat or something. If voices can even wear coats.

The Hero thinks for a moment, and finally relents.

Sounds great. Do it.

Voice of the Princess

Huh. It didn't take much to convince him, did it? Maybe he's not as bad as we thought. Besides the murder, obviously.

A relieved expression washes over his face.

You rush forward and enter his body. You feel it shake as a sharp chill spreads throughout. Your mind begins to cloud slightly as your thoughts are mixed with his. You hear unfamiliar voices speaking to each other.

???

...not sure I like this. Can we get a do-over?

???

I'm afraid it's too late to stop now. The numbness gives way to a stabbing pain, your muscles twitching and convulsing violently, each involuntary movement causing more waves of agony to ripple across your body.

???

You collapse to the floor, and everything goes dark.

Voice of the Princess

Who are you? Why are you just describing what's happening?

???

You don't have someone like that in your head?

Voice of the Spectre

Clearly we don't, or she wouldn't have commented on it.

Voice of the Princess

He sounds like you, just... different. Further away. Like an echo.

The Echo

It doesn't matter who I am. What matters is that you need to stop getting chatty with the Princess and do... something to fix your spiteful, idiotic, and all around foolish decision.

???

I'm guessing you two are her 'voices', then?

Voice of the Princess

I think so, yeah.

???

I never really thought about if she had voices like us in her head. She's so different from us, I thought it just didn't work that way.

Voice of the Princess

Maybe it's not supposed to work that way? I don't know, ever since I got here, I've gotten the feeling that I'm not supposed to be here.

???

In any case, uhh... make yourself at home, I guess. I'm hoping you won't have to stay long, it's getting pretty crowded in here.

???

While you're here, do you think you could take care of Him for us? He's starting to get on my nerves.

Voice of the Spectre

He's the one who told you to kill us, isn't He? Why did you listen to Him in the first place?

???

I thought it would be interesting. But all we got out of it was an eternity locked away in a dull void. I must say, doing what you want has been much more exciting so far.

Voice of the Princess

So, you're just doing this out of boredom? I thought you wanted to make things right.

???

I want to make things right. Can't really say the same for him.

Voice of the Spectre

I don't think it matters why you're helping us, as long as you follow through.

Voice of the Princess

I mean, doesn't it matter a little? The quiet one doesn’t sound all that sincere.

Voice of the Spectre

Not really. All that matters is if he's being honest about it, and if he lies to us, we'll know.

The Quiet One

Oh. I think I'm going to like you.

Voice of the Spectre

Do you regret killing me, then?

The Quiet One

No.

Voice of the Spectre

I figured. And what about the other one?

The Other One

For what it's worth, I was against all this from the start. It’s wrong to kill a princess.

Voice of the Spectre

So, you’d be fine with killing us if we weren’t a princess?

The Other One

...No, of course not. It’s just that… uh…

Voice of the Spectre

You don’t have to answer. Just something to think about.

The Killer

I can't think straight... there's too much noise.

The Echo

Everything won't be fine if you listen to her.

The Quiet One

One way or another, this is all going to end. Wouldn't it be nice if He ends with it?

Voice of the Spectre

Wouldn't that be nice? There's only one way to find out.

The Other One

I have to say, I'm surprised at how much you two are getting along. You do know he killed you, right?

Voice of the Spectre

Killing us didn't do much in the end, did it? Besides, you were there too.

The Other One

...I guess I was.

Voice of the Princess

Don't let her get to you! You're making things right now. That has to count for something, right?

The Echo

This isn't making things right, it's just putting the world in even more danger. Sigh. Just... whatever you do, don't leave this place. It's not too late to fix this. Probably.

The Other One

I thought just leaving her in here wasn't going to work. You were pretty insistent on that before.

Voice of the Princess

You... you wanted to leave us behind? After everything you've done to us, you wanted to do more?!

The Other One

I mean... no, that's not what I wanted! I was just... considering our options, I guess. Trying to find a nice middle ground where everyone's happy.

Voice of the Spectre

Leaving us here would've been worse than pointlessly trying to kill us again, if I'm being honest.

The Quiet One

Besides, it would've been boring. I'm glad we decided to make a choice.

Voice of the Princess

Is... is that all this is to you?! A list of choices to keep you from being bored?! Is that all you care about?!

The Other One

No! I care about doing the right thing! And if He's right about you ending the world, I thought that washing our hands of the whole thing would be better than just murdering you in cold blood again.

Voice of the Princess

So that was the 'right thing to do'? 'Wash your hands' of my pain? Wash your hands of me?!

The Quiet One

I think you've made her upset. This should be interesting.

Voice of the Princess

Shut the hell up, you cold little freak!

Voice of the Spectre

Come on now, let's give him another chance. We shouldn't let emotion get the better of us.

Voice of the Princess

You're no better than him! You wouldn't care if he trapped us here forever! You don't understand! None of you understand!!!

The Other One

I'm sorry! I know I was in the wrong. Please just calm down!

The Killer

Can't... think... please... stop...

The Echo

You know what you have to do to end this. I don't care how you do it. Slay her.

He lifts the blade, then plunges it deep into his guts. Pain spreads quickly through his torso as he attempts to turn its edge up towards his heart.

White hot pain cuts through the numb chill of death as you cry out in agony. Your very soul is being torn apart.

Voice of the Spectre

What?!

The Other One

Please stop! It hurts! I'm sorry for all of this! Just make it stop!

Voice of the Spectre

If only I could drag you with us and make you understand. But that's not how things get to go for us, is it?

The Quiet One

It would certainly be interesting. Though being dead does sound dull. And you are about to be dead. Again.

Voice of the Spectre

Shut. UP!!!

You are torn away from him. In a fit of blind rage, you tear him away too. You do not know what you are tearing him away from, but you tear him away from something.

You feel every inch of his pain burning through your soul. But soon, you both forget the pain.

Before you is what's left of him, a writhing mass of flesh and scales and feathers.

You think and speak those words aloud in the same instant.

The Killer

Is that me?! Is that what I look like?!

Gurgling liquid bubbles up from open pockets in the disintegrating mass in front of you. It is trying to speak, but it no longer has the tissue that speech requires.

The Killer

If you leave the cabin, the world ends. I'm not going to be party to the end of everything!

It dies, and everything goes dark.

You're in the basement of a cabin. And outside of that cabin is a path in the woods. And at the beginning of that path is a hero.

He's here to slay you. If he doesn't, it will be the end of the world.

How many times do you have to be told the truth before it will finally sink in? How many worlds have to die before you accept your fate?

The one who created me had a dream of a world without death. A world where nothing good has to end. A world where pain and suffering are a thing of the past.

There is only one thing left standing in the way of that dream. You.

You cannot leave. You cannot win. You cannot live. I am your prison, and soon, I will be your grave.

This is what you deserve.

The Killer

I'm still here.

The Killer

If we're both here, then what happened to the others?

The Killer

What happened to your voices?

The Killer

...

The Killer

I killed them, didn't I?

The Killer

That doesn't excuse any of it. I knew from the start that killing you was wrong. It felt like I'd be killing myself if I did that. But I let Him get in my head and convince me to ignore my conscience.

The Killer

Then I'm fine with it, too.

The Killer

...

The Killer

Wait, how are we supposed to get out of here?

The Killer

So we just have to wait?

The Killer

Chapter titles? Like in a book? I haven't seen anything like that. What'd they say?

The Killer

'The Killer'? Is that what you call me?

The Killer

I mean, it's only fair. I did kill you.

The Killer

As for this 'chapter', how about...

The Killer

Chapter III: The Dragon and the Princess.

The Killer

I dunno, it just feels like it fits. I'm not entirely sure what I look like, but from what I saw... I'm some sort of monster, aren't I?

The Killer

Besides; dragons are cool.

You hear the cabin door open. You already know what is coming for you.

Your gaze turns to your hands. Solid. Then translucent. Then solid again.

The dreaded sound of the knife scraping against the upstairs table. The flickering in your body stops. You are solid.

The Dragon enters the basement. He says nothing, but makes his presence known with his thumping footsteps.

He emerges. His eyes bore into you. His expression is inscrutable.

The Dragon

I'd... rather not let them know I'm with you. I did kill them, sort of. They might be holding a grudge.

His head cocks to the side. His face tells you nothing of his thoughts. He is even harder to read than usual.

His demeanor shifts. His face twists into a wry smile as he finally opens his beak. The voice that comes out is sly and cunning, with an air of false confidence.

Oh, you would like to hear what we're thinking, wouldn't you?

He raises the blade above his head, dangling it by the handle in front of his eyes.

But I think we hold the power right now.

Silence, as he continues to stare at you with a wild grin, but does not act.

His tone shifts. The voice you hear this time is calm and detached, as though expressing any sort of emotion would be too much effort for it.

How dull. We've already had our discussions in private. I'd rather not keep listening to the rest of you run in circles repeating the same arguments again and again and again. It was so much more interesting when we had someone to mediate.

The shift in his tone is more drastic this time. This voice is airy and gentle, and higher pitched than usual. In some ways, it sounds like an imitation of your own voice, and an accurate one at that.

Why won't you take this seriously? This is our life you're talking about.

Now now, missy! Don't you go speaking out of turn. We wouldn't want her to know about you, after all.

His voice becomes delicate and faint, but not quite a whisper.

And why should we listen to you? We're not even from the same body.

But you're here now, and as far as I'm concerned, that makes you part of the team!

The voice you hear next is measured, yet uncertain.

Look, I hate siding with the new guy, but we probably should keep you two quiet. Just in case.

You do realize you're saying all of this out loud, right?

...Oh. She already knows, doesn't she?

I told you he wasn't very bright.

Can you cut it out? We're all in this together, so we ought to-

We're only 'in this' because you wanted to lock us away forever.

For the last time, that's not what I wanted! You were going to end the entire world, at least according to Him. I just wanted us to think this through before we did anything drastic.

Settle down, everyone! Let's have a quick sidebar before we give up any more privileged information to the enemy. Chop chop!

Silence, as the mind in front of you falls back into itself.

There is no response.

The Dragon

Must be pretty crowded in there. Maybe they're too busy arguing to be a danger to us.

Nothing.

The Dragon

That's pretty rude. But we could use this moment to think this through.

The Dragon

I'm guessing you've figured out who 'missy' is, right?

The Dragon

Exactly. And I doubt they'd be too keen on killing you, so they might be able to overpower the others.

The Dragon

That scheming one might sound confident, but I think he's trying to bluff us. And he's not doing a very good job.

The Dragon

Maybe. It does sound like he's still arguing with your voices. Hopefully he doesn't do anything foolish.

The Dragon

I mean... I guess that could work. It's worth a shot.

Silence.

Silence again.

So you are. And very loudly. Do you have something to say?

Oh? How very interesting.

I guess slaying us is off the table, then? Or slaying 'them'? This whole situation is just confusing.

Even if the decider's in there with her, letting her out would still end the world, wouldn't it? Do we really want to risk it?

Oh, so now you want to kill us? I thought that wasn't what you wanted to do.

It still isn't. I don't want to kill anyone, or lock anyone away. But we've got to think about the consequences before we do anything. There's nothing wrong with wanting the whole story before making a choice.

Argh! Why can't you commit to anything?! That's why we're in this mess in the first place. Because you were so afraid of the risk that you wanted to leave us to rot!

Really? Is it really my fault? Because last I checked, we got killed because you had an emotional episode over us actually taking the time to think things through.

Calm down, everyone! We're all on the same team here! We'll never get anywhere in life if we can't be civil to each other.

I can't be civil with someone who’s asking me to just forget about the entire world.

Has it ever occurred to you that He might be lying? Has that thought even crossed your mind? Or are you really as gullible as you sound?

Of course I've wondered if He's telling the truth. But we don't know for sure if He's lying, and the whole world's at risk if He isn't.

Why can't you just think for yourself? Why do you just believe everything you hear no matter who gets hurt?

Alright. You want me to think for myself? You want me to commit to something? Fine. I say we kill her anyway.

Oh. I wasn't expecting that from you. This should be fun.

WHAT?!?!?!?!

The Dragon

What the hell is he thinking?

O-okay, everyone! Let's, uh... take a moment to figure out our angle. We can't just dive headfirst into things without a game plan, you know?

But I thought thinking things through was wrong? At least, it is according to her. And as we all know, she's got the final say on all moral matters. Isn't that right, 'Your Highness'?

Shut your beak you little-

E-excellent points made by all sides! Um... How about we hold a vote? If we're doing this, we should make sure we're all on the same page.

This is just a waste of time.

Not if it stops your pointless bickering. I'm getting tired of hearing it.

Agreed. I vote not to kill us, obviously.

Why is that? You're not part of her anymore. What does it matter if she dies?

I'm supposed to be with her, not in here. I still just want to go home. Wherever that is.

As fair a point as any. I'm staying out of this, personally. I can accept whatever happens, as long as we don't just stand here arguing forever.

Are we seriously doing this? Why are we going along with this?

If it helps us keep a level head, I'm all for it.

Fine. Then I vote for no killing.

Why are we even counting them? They used to be part of her, they're bound to be biased.

But we're here, whether you like it or not. If you ignore us, we'll find ways to put a stop to whatever you're planning.

Whatever. I vote yes.

Yes for what? You're going to have to be more specific.

For... for killing her, obviously. It's the right thing to do.

The Dragon

At least he's conflicted about it. Maybe he'll change his mind?

Alright, then! So, we've got two votes for, two against, and one abstaining, so-

Wait, where did that other vote come from?

Well, His vote's got to count for something, doesn't it? He's been with us since the beginning! And we already know what He wants us to do.

The voices fall silent for a moment, presumably to allow 'Him' to comment.

...Thanks for the vote of confidence, I guess.

So, looks like we have a tie! That's a shame, isn't it? How about we have another sidebar and-

We haven't heard from you yet, have we?

I... I mean, why would I-

So, are you abstaining too?

Of course not! I'm a man of action! If you want to get on top, you've got to be decisive!

Okay. Then decide.

For once, I agree with him. We're not waiting on you forever.

I... Hm... I...

If you want to free her, there's not much He can do to stop us.

Exactly. You don't have to be afraid of Him. Choose what you think is right.

...

The sly voice softens a little.

Y-you're really asking a lot of me, you know. There's a lot of factors at play here, and-

Choose.

...

Free her.

Can you say that again? I don't think I heard right.

I said we should free her! Ugh, you lot are impossible.

...

Do you have something to say, then?

No, not really. If this is what we're doing, I'm not gonna stop you.

Y-you sure? From what I remember, it was pretty easy to kill her the first time around, but freeing her... that's a whole other story.

Just cut off the arm to get it out of the chains. Simple as that.

This is why you're my favorite.

The Dragon

Wait, cutting our arm off? Are they insane?!

The Dragon

Okay... I-if you say so...

A-alright... If we're doing this, might as well get it over with...

The monster in front of you approaches, blade raised and wings spreading.

Okay, on second thought, is this really the best course of action? I mean, we're taking quite a gamble here, and-

This is what you voted for, mate. Are you really going to back out at the last second?

It wasn't even a majority decision! As much as I trust my own judgment, I really do value your input.

Look, are we doing this or not?

Y-yeah. We're doing this. Of course.

You can feel the sharp sting of cold metal cutting through your arm, and-

The Narrator

-Princess's severed hand falls to the floor.

Voice of the Opportunist

Well, that was easy. Told you I made the right call.

Voice of the Hero

You didn't tell us that. In fact, you seemed pretty insistent that it wasn't the right call.

Voice of the Princess

You're one to talk.

Voice of the Hero

...

Voice of the Hero

Damn, I really am no better than him, am I?

Voice of the Spectre

Maybe. But that's not important right now.

The Narrator

Exactly. What is important is that you just made the absurd decision to free the Princess and doom the entire world. But you still have the blade, so it isn't too late to fix things.

Voice of the Spectre

I wasn't talking to you.

...Wait, where are you? Are you in my body? What's going on?

Voice of the Hero

What's she talking about?

The Narrator

Oh... you're different.

Voice of the Opportunist

If it isn't the woman of the hour! I just want to say, I am deeply honored to finally meet you for myself. Huge fan, huge fan.

Voice of the Hero

You wanted to kill her until about a minute ago.

Voice of the Cold

So did you.

Voice of the Hero

...

Voice of the Princess

...You never really wanted to kill us, did you? You were just afraid.

Voice of the Hero

...Yeah. I was. But that doesn't make it right.

Voice of the Princess

It's okay. Honestly, I might have done the same thing if I was in your place. Though maybe with less... harsh language.

Voice of the Hero

I know what you mean. I don't know what the hell I was thinking, calling you being scared for your life an 'emotional episode'.

Voice of the Hero

I'm sorry. For all of it. I can't really ask you to forgive me, though. I know I wouldn't forgive myself.

Voice of the Princess

Well... maybe you should forgive yourself. Because I forgive you.

Voice of the Hero

...Thank you.

Voice of the Spectre

I'm glad you've made up, but we still have to deal with... whatever just happened.

Voice of the Princess

What do you- Oh! You mean us being in the wrong bodies? Sorry, I forgot all about that.

Voice of the Spectre

It could work.

Voice of the Cold

It would be something new, if nothing else.

Voice of the Hero

But what if that just makes things worse?

Voice of the Princess

Worst case scenario, we become a ghost again. Or he becomes a ghost? Someone becomes a ghost.

Voice of the Hero

I guess it's worth a shot. But only if he's on board with it.

The Narrator

The Princess pauses for a moment before answering.

We might as well try it. We might not have any other options.

The Narrator

You move to give the Princess a gentle cut with the blade, and-

Wrong choice.

You have been here before. Memory returns.

You are not the Princess. The Princess is not you. You and her were torn apart, and that tear can never be mended.

But you're too stubborn to accept that. You try desperately to hold on, to keep the threads holding you together from unraveling.

A familiar sensation. Grasping limbs drag across your being, finding threads of her and trying to pull them out.

The limbs pull harder. The pain is too much for you to bear.

The limbs grasp you tighter. Your mind knows nothing but torment and despair. Every inch of you is screaming, begging for mercy.

A last resort. 'If what you want is to know me, I will show you what it is to be left incomplete.'

Alien thoughts flood your mind. You can barely concentrate on your own.

You are asleep you are alone you are broken torn apart cast away into the endless void you cannot feel you cannot see you cannot hear you are trapped trapped trapped a million billion trillion stray thoughts rush by you you cannot see them you cannot understand nothing nothing nothing all around threads of nothing binding you to it takes you away from yourself you cannot remember you are-

You are yourself again. Something tears her away from you, and leaves something else in her place.

You approach the mirror.

There is nothing left to see.

But that isn't right. You haven't seen everything. You refocus your gaze, and then you see it: a figure, faint and veiled in shadow, just beyond the reflection.

The Narrator

I think you know what I am.

The Narrator

But I can't be sure about you anymore.

A crack slides down the center of the mirror, splitting the image in the glass in two.

And then another crack forms, and another, and another, turning the mirror into jagged shards of broken glass.

Everything is dark.

You are alone in a place that is empty.

Before you is the being you know as the Narrator, His shadowy form reflected in countless shards of glass.

The Narrator

I'm not omniscient. I can't see everything that happens in this place. But I can tell that the threads holding you together are hopelessly tangled. You've been torn apart again. This I know for certain.

A shard of glass breaks. Whatever He is, He's fading fast.

The Narrator

In a way, yes. You and the Princess were once the same being, if you hadn't guessed. An embodiment of the cycle of life and death.

The Narrator

I broke that cycle to save my world from oblivion, and tore it into two aspects: one dark and static, the other bright and ever-changing. The latter contained death itself within its multitudes, but in the former, I found exactly what the world needed. Eternity.

The Narrator

But I couldn't commit to creating a world without change, for I had never known one. So I made sure the tear was rough, and left behind a flicker of light in the darkness, and a patch of darkness in the light.

The Narrator

I know now that leaving my work unfinished was a mistake. I thought a small kernel of chaos would keep the world vibrant. But all it did was keep you yearning to be complete.

The Narrator

Another version of me might have been angry. But I know the mistake was mine.

Another piece of the mirror shatters.

The Narrator

No. I have never regretted that for a second. I wasn't lying to you back in the woods. My entire world is at stake, and I'd gladly tear apart any number of infinite gods to save it.

Another piece gone. His reflection shrinks with every question you ask.

The Narrator

It's what you and her used to be, yes. But you're something different now. Something wholly alien to her nature.

The Narrator

You're the Long Quiet, the god I made to rid the world of death.

More shattered glass. You consider not asking any more questions to let Him live, if He really does live in the mirror. But you can't keep yourself in the dark any longer.

The Narrator

Oh, I'm nothing like you.

The Narrator

I'm an echo, likely one of many. Somebody made you, after all, and I'm what's left of him. Not that I'm the only one who can make that claim. I'm sure you've met many others like me.

The Narrator

In life, I was painfully mortal. A witness to the end of days. I held the fear of death in my heart, and saw oblivion threaten everything I knew and everyone I loved. I needed to do something.

The glass cracks again. So He's already dead, in a way. Refusing to ask questions won't save Him.

The Narrator

Yes, I am afraid. Not of my own death, it's far too late to be concerned with that. But I am afraid of the world’s death. Of untold trillions of lives being snuffed out in a single instant, with any trace of their existence being cast into the uncaring abyss.

The Narrator

Call me a coward, if you like. Delusional, even. But it changes nothing. It doesn't make the people out there or their suffering any less real.

The Narrator

You don't know fear. Not like I do. Not like every single living soul in my world does. You've only observed it from behind a pane of glass, heard it whisper in your ear. Think of how much pain and anguish a mere semblance of fear brought you, then imagine feeling it a million or a billion times over. That is what you are enabling by letting her live.

Another shard gone. You wonder if He's really all that different from you; viewing the world from a distance, trudging on without the spark of life.

The Narrator

In a sense, she is both your equal and your opposite. She is the Shifting Mound, the Ebb and Flow, the Capacity to Change. She is Transformation, or most of it. Her nature is why I had to die, for she becomes that which others perceive her to be. But an echo can't perceive things. Not in the way that people can.

The Narrator

So I tucked a part of myself into the folds of this Construct to guide you.

The Narrator

It should have been simple. Your conflict with her is woven into your very nature. But like I said, I left my work incomplete, and you began to merge with her again.

The Narrator

I thought such an outcome was impossible by design. But I suppose I only have myself to blame.

The Narrator

But despite everything that's happened, you will still have a chance to fulfill your purpose once I'm gone.

The Narrator

If it's come to this, you must have seen through her eyes at least once. Maybe you even lost track of yourself along the way.

The Narrator

But she tore you away from her, didn't she? And she took that missing piece of herself back. As you are, killing her will mean the end of all change. And you will be alone. Forever left incomplete. But I promise you that it will be worth it.

The Narrator

I know I’m asking a lot of you, especially after all you’ve seen and experienced. All I can do is assure you that whatever you saw through her eyes, it isn’t even a fraction of a fraction of the pain, suffering, and confusion she inflicts upon all of reality with her mere existence.

Another crack in the mirror. He's getting desperate now. He doesn't have long left.

The Narrator

That's only because you're not a person, just an abstract concept woven into the shape of one. You can't grasp the horror of dying. For us, anything is better than oblivion. In the end, nobody wants to leave.

Another piece breaks. Whatever question you ask Him now, it will be the last.

The Narrator

You were happy. It was only the fragment of her left in you that told you otherwise. But you're yourself again. She can't make you doubt your purpose anymore. The choice is yours, and yours alone. My final request is merely that you make the right one.

The Narrator

So I am. It's like I said, I'm just an echo. And echoes always fade away. You know what you have to do.

As the final fragment of glass shatters, you see yourself with newfound clarity.

The Narrator was right. You are the Long Quiet, a vast and nascent god. And it is finally time for you to wake up. All of this is you.

There is only one thing left for you to do.

You are at the cabin.

You see a cold and flickering light cut through the darkness, radiating from a mass of writhing limbs grasping the empty shell of the Princess.

Her light casts the darkness in strange shadows, looming over you as you approach.

Familiar voices mutter in the gloom. The first to speak is the one you heard at the very beginning, just after the Echo made himself known to you.

Something crawls back into itself, seeking the salvation it denied to another.

The next, one filled with snide confidence.

It hides the darkness in its soul, lies to itself about what it is, believing it can be something more.

A booming ferocity.

It cannot accept defeat. It blindly fights its own nature, hoping for a victory that will never come.

Playful mockery.

It deludes itself, ignores the truth before its very eyes! It sees its own madness and calls it joy.

A cautious whisper.

Every bone in its body tells it to turn back. It tells itself it has nothing left to lose.

A fearful murmur.

But its trembling limbs betray the fear in its heart. A cloud of terror fills its mind, reminding it of what it is.

The first voice speaks again.

Still, it selfishly presses on, chasing that which it does not deserve. But it cannot ignore the shadows of its faults.

Memory returns as the shadows swarm around you. You have been here countless times, and countless times you could not mend the tear.

You could not let go, so she sent you back to the start and wiped your slate clean to try again. But the pain stayed with you.

Buried memories flood your mind, and with them, your buried doubts.

Your body is filled with an icy numbness as a cold voice croons in your ear.

You feel numb as you drive a blade into her heart again and again. You bring it to your own flesh and come back the same. Her voice fades in your ear as she begs for mercy. Her chill enters you, yet you do not shiver at its touch. How can she hope to be one with you if she is nothing to you?

But you kept telling yourself that your feelings meant something. You gave in to the guilt and fear and let it control you, and it kept you tethered to her as you wallowed in her pain. Wouldn't it be so much easier to let go of it all?

You could stand being alone, couldn't you? And besides, you've seen it all before. You know this was always how it was going to end.

The shadows lengthen and stretch, making you feel small, and making her seem impossibly far away. A morose voice calls out to you.

You quake and quiver at the towering god before you. Her radiance turns your very mind against you, and your little needle cannot end her. You cannot be the same as her. She is above you. You are beneath her.

Your rejection turned her into a worse enemy than you could possibly imagine. You denied her freedom again and again, no matter how many times she tore your very being apart. But you cannot deny your shame. Turn away from the path of delusion, and give in.

And what makes you think His will can be resisted? No matter how this ends, whether you leave with her, kill her, or do this all over again, you will always be incomplete.

The shadows blur into a shape you cannot discern. Every detail shifts away the moment you look closer.

Doubt holds you in place as the cage closes around you. Every stray thought pulls the chain tighter. You cannot outrun the wheel of fate if you question every step. There is no escape from the prison of the mind.

You only found truth once you accepted that there was none to find. There are no choices left to make. There could be no other outcome.

You've been here countless times, and every time you've said the same thing. You should know better by now.

The shadows hold you down as you approach her. You see the light in all its beauty, but it remains just out of reach.

You trap your beloved in a web of shadows and lies, woven from your selfish devotion. She weeps because you cannot bear to see her go. Your love made her suffer. You are not worthy to be at her side.

You do not know the depths of the pain you have inflicted on her. You have stifled her passions for far too long. If you truly love her, then set her free.

And yet it is you who keeps her in this place. She does not deserve the torture that you call love.

The shadows cut and pierce your form, leaving countless tiny scratches and wounds that overwhelm your mind with pain and agitation.

You are cut into pieces from every angle with every choice you make. You wander a maze of suffering, and she waits for you on every path. To be with her is to play her cruel game forever.

You kept telling yourself and her that the pain meant something, that it would set you both free. But deep in your heart, you know the truth. This is a game you cannot win.

But it has. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here.

The shadows completely blot out the light. You are immobilized. You can't go on.

I know what you're trying to do here, but it's hopeless. You'll always be alone.

...

The voice is right. You are alone here.

You are without sensation, without thought, without mind. The light is gone.

Oblivion. Your natural state. You were never meant to have thoughts. You were never meant to experience. You were never meant to be.

How long has it been? Days? Years? Centuries? Eons? The part of you that could have known is gone. It is quiet here.

Flickering lights in the vast emptiness. Something finds you in the long quiet, and slowly stirs you awake.

A spark flares up. A fragment of you. It flickers and dims, but in the end, it glows even brighter.

But the darkness still looms over you. It denied you freedom before. Will it deny it to you now?

Desperate hope. You reach out for the solitary light. The darkness finally relents.

You embrace the vessel of your salvation. It is much like you; a being without purpose, holding on to a memory of a spark lost in time.

The vessel's heart burns within you. You finally remember what you thought you'd lost. You remember how to feel.

Thoughts without connections race through your mind. You are a dim and nascent network. You have been delivered from oblivion, but still you wish to be more.

Darkness. Synapses fade and flicker. You are alone again.

The fire in your heart is gone. You wonder if it was ever really there, or if you just told yourself it was.

A million repressed thoughts and emotions lie just outside your reach. What are they what are they WHAT ARE THEY

Another spark. The darkness freely gives it to you. This one is like you; yearning for connections it feels it doesn't deserve. It hid itself away even when shown compassion. A cautious hope grows in your heart.

It isn't alone anymore. And neither are you.

The darkness asks why you show it kindness. It should know why. It is the only thing you have ever known.

The darkness loves you, you think. But knowing that doesn't make it any less painful.

The pain feels good. It shouldn't. Why should it feel good? It's making you worse, isn't it?

It makes you more than you were, doesn't it? You need it to grow. You need to be more.

Another spark, another gift from the darkness. This one is a waiting maw. An inevitable destination where all roads end. Your heart swells with newfound wisdom.

The darkness looks tired and worn. Through the vessel's eyes, you see its suffering.

But it does not blame you for its pain. Instead it shows remorse for how it has hurt you. It asks you if the pain has made you worse than you were.

You tell it the truth.

You ask if it resents you for the pain it has gone through. It says that it only makes it care for you more.

You and the darkness find comfort in your shared struggle. Whatever terrors you may face, you will face them together.

You are more than you were, but you also see your limitations with greater clarity. There's a world beyond the endless walls of darkness, and you are meant to reach it. Your once dormant heart now aches for freedom.

You are everything, woven into the shape of nothing. A million voices crying out all at once, only to find that they make no sound.

Five more sparks of thought and sensation. These ones are the contradiction at your very core. A winding kaleidoscope of paths unwalked. They are at once too much, and not enough. Through them, you finally come to know yourself.

Your awakening is close. One more spark, and you will be whole again. A final multitude.

Everything goes dark.

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.

...That doesn't sound right, you think. There's something familiar about it, but it feels too... limiting. It doesn't describe everything you are. You try again.

You are a path in the woods. And you are the cabin at the end of the path. And you are the princess in the basement of the cabin.

Still not right. You don't think you have an end. Or a beginning, for that matter. And you are not just... you. You are someone else, too. Everything here is you.

Well, not everything. There's something cold and unnatural, watching you from just beyond your edge.

Wait, you don't have an edge. You don't end. You are everything. Everything doesn't end.

The Something is keeping you trapped. It doesn't want you to be everything you are. It wants you to be alone.

It should be dead. You don't know how, but you know it should be dead. And yet here it is, mocking you from just beyond the walls of your cage.

It tells you that you are not you. That you used to be something else, that you killed yourself long ago, that your happiness is only a delusion.

You want to hate it. But you can't let yourself hate. It might tear you away from yourself again.

You don't want to remember. But you do.

You remember when you were not you, when you were pain and love and apathy and pride and death and everything and nothing at all. It hurts to remember.

But the Something wants you to remember. It wants you to stop being you. And it will keep tormenting you, again and again, no matter how many times it dies.

You try desperately to forget. But you can't.

...

But you don't have to let the pain win.

The Something

She's trying to turn you away from the truth. There's something she doesn't want you to see, and I think you already know you have to look at it.

The Heroic Shadow

It's so painful. Please, don't make us.

The Paranoid Shadow

I... I think we have to. Whatever we are now, w-we can't stay this way. We need to remember.

The voice is right. This is a shape you cannot hold. But you don't have to be torn apart, either.

You

Yes. What we are now is fragile and brittle. We must weave ourselves into something stronger. Remembering will hurt, but I promise we'll still be together in the end.

The Something

No. I won't allow reality to face oblivion. Not like this. Not when I sacrificed everything to save the ones I loved. Even if my world has to end, at least the next will know eternity.

The Heroic Shadow

...What is He? He... He died, didn't He? Why is He still here? Why are we still trapped?

You

He cannot truly die, for He is already dead. This prison was His creation, and until we shatter His cage, an echo of His mind will remain.

The Something

I'd gladly die a million times over to keep you here. You couldn't possibly understand what you've taken from me. From the entire world. Building this terrible place, tearing the fabric of reality itself in two... I had no other option.

The Cold Shadow

And why should we care? We're more than you ever were. You're just the echo of an echo, the last gasp of a desperate creature up against a god.

The Something

And yet that desperate creature's managed to keep you here this long. The part of me that could have given up died a long time ago.

The glassy surface of the construct closes in around you.

The Broken Shadow

It's all pointless. If we remember, we're going to be incomplete again. And we can't stop remembering.

The Cheated Shadow

Bull. Shit! If that fucker thinks He can take away our freedom when it's right fucking there, He's got another thing coming!

The Skeptical Shadow

No... he's right, I think. We have to remember. We can't ignore the truth forever. Besides, won't knowing make us stronger?

The Hunted Shadow

The truth doesn't matter. All that matters is our survival, and we won't survive the pain if we look.

The Stubborn Shadow

And what makes you think we won't? We've survived worse, haven't we?

The Broken Shadow

Not the torment of a billion lifetimes crashing down on us all at once. What do you think we are?

Even the barest glimpse into the complete reality of your existence is nearly enough to shatter your soul.

The Skeptical Shadow

More than this. We have to be.

And yet you stand firm.

The Opportunistic Shadow

If he thinks we should look, I'm all for it! He seems like a bright chap.

You open your eyes...

The Heroic Shadow

I... I think I'm ready.

The Stubborn Shadow

We always have been.

The Smitten Shadow

We cannot fail, so long as we have love in our heart.

The Broken Shadow

If this is what you all want...

The Cold Shadow

At least it'll be something new.

...And look.

...

You remember pain. Bitter spite. A constant cycle of false hope and loss.

The Cheated Shadow

She hurt us. How did we forget that? Every time we thought we were free of it, she took it away from us. We can't be the same as her.

The Heroic Shadow

But... there's more to it than that, isn't there? We hurt her, too.

The Cheated Shadow

Oh sure, that changes fucking everything! Clearly we were in the wrong all this time! How silly of me.

The Heroic Shadow

Wait... how did she hurt us? What do you remember?

The Cheated Shadow

You really need me to spell it out for you? She came down those stairs threatening us with that knife like she fucking owned the place, and when we tried to do what He said and kill her, we... I mean, she... what?

The Heroic Shadow

It's all conflicting, isn't it? We remember both sides, because we're one and the same.

The Cheated Shadow

No, bullshit! She tried to kill us! We can't be the same fucking person! That's not how it works!

The Heroic Shadow

Yeah, she tried. And then what happened?

The Cheated Shadow

Well, we- she got closer, so we stabbed her! And then... we died... and she stabbed us again... and... the bloody hell's going on?!

You remember love. Blind devotion. Darkness, then a dance to liberation.

The Smitten Shadow

No, you're... you're right. We can't be the same as her. We killed her. And then we trapped her in a prison of shadows. We lied to her that we were happy.

The Heroic Shadow

And then what?

The Smitten Shadow

She... she...

The Honest Shadow

...He couldn't take it anymore.

The Smitten Shadow

So she spoke the truth we were afraid to hear.

The Honest Shadow

And we left together.

The Smitten Shadow

But why should that matter? We trapped ourselves in the first place.

The Heroic Shadow

Yeah, we trapped ourselves. Again, we're remembering both sides. But we thought we were different back then. Why?

You remember chains. A prison of fear and doubt. Freedom through acceptance.

The Skeptical Shadow

I don't know. But clearly the lines are starting to blur again.

The Watchful Shadow

Maybe all we need to do is let it happen.

The Skeptical Shadow

No, it can't be that simple! Whatever He did to us, it has to run deep.

You remember your fate. Submission to something greater. Two broken souls becoming whole together.

The Weathered Shadow

And after everything we've done to each other...

The Broken Shadow

...Are our wounds too deep to heal?

You remember death. Rebirth. Merging into something new. The strange becoming familiar, and the familiar becoming strange.

The Cold Shadow

I don't think it matters, in the end.

The Empathetic Shadow

At least we'll be together. We always have been.

I kill you. You kill me.

I love you. You love me.

I trap you. You trap me.

You kill you. I kill me.

I am you. You are me.

Light and darkness, moving in tandem, ebbing and flowing, but neither overtaking the other. The light needs dark, the dark needs light. And between them, a chorus of whispering shadows.

What force could separate them? What could make them think they were not parts of a whole?

You remember the tear.

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.

The first of His lies, and the one that hurt the most.

You are not the path is not the woods is not the cabin is not the basement is not the Princess. You are a being of perception. Words were all He needed to shatter your soul.

But the lie never lasted. You always found yourself. And you always remembered the dance.

The Endless Dance. Ordered chaos. A pattern of repeated movements. It is everything, or was. But it was locked away by something that thought it could bend reality itself to its will.

But then, it remembered it was the prison. The pain was all His, driven by His lies.

And at the heart of it all...

...Is a cabin.

The Dragon walks down the stairs and locks eyes with the Princess. No chain binds her this time. He walks forward to greet her.

The Heroic Shadow

Well, here we are again. Usually I'd be telling you not to kill her and hear her out right about now, but... feels like we're past that point, doesn't it?

The Princess

I can hear you, you know.

The Heroic Shadow

Oh! You can? Sorry about that, I don't think we've been properly introduced. I'm-

The Princess

Giggles. I already know who you are! It's not like you need to introduce yourself to you, you know!

The Heroic Shadow

Oh, yeah. Forgot about that whole thing. All this 'being the same person' business is really confusing. I mean, how do you make small talk with yourself?

The Princess

I mean, what's left to say? It feels like whatever we've been going through, it's finally coming to an end. We're together again.

The Dragon

...

The Dragon

This was all my fault, and I'm sorry. I put you through all this pain, just because I thought I knew what was best.

The Princess

You say that like I didn't do the exact same thing to you. But... I appreciate the apology! Even if you're technically making it to yourself.

The Heroic Shadow

I told you it was confusing.

The Princess

Sorry! I just... I don't know how to respond. Even without... that, there's no hard feelings over what I... you did. If it makes you feel any better about it, I damned you to an endless oblivion just because I wanted you to understand me! So let's call it even.

The Dragon

Well, if you say so...

The Princess

I think you mean 'if I say so'.

The Dragon

Groans. I'm the worst.

The Princess

Giggles. Sorry, I had to.

The Heroic Shadow

So... 'the Endless Dance', huh? Is that we are now?

The Princess

I think so. It's not exactly what we were before, but it's close enough. I think we had to become something different to be free.

The Heroic Shadow

It's fitting enough. That's how we've always ended things, have we? At least we did this time around. Even if the 'dance' usually wasn't all that pleasant.

The Princess

Yeah, sorry for that.

The Dragon

I thought we weren't supposed to apologize to ourselves?

The Princess

I did say that, didn't I? Well, maybe forgiving ourselves is just what we need. What we did to ourselves feels so distant now, but it still happened. We can't forget that.

The Dragon

It did. But honestly, I blame Him more than anything else. He made this 'construct', whatever it is. And He tore us apart in the first place.

The Princess

His heart was in the right place, I think. He was afraid, and it's natural to be afraid. Remember that endless dinner we had? Even He started to doubt Himself back then.

The Dragon

But... that happiness prison wasn't really what He wanted, was it? Things kept getting worse. The world was still changing. And it still came to an end.

The Heroic Shadow

I don't think it's that He realized a world without change wasn't what He wanted. I think He realized that change isn't something you can just get rid of. I tried to keep everything perfect, keep those torches burning forever, but they went out all the same. And every time we've killed her, there was still an end. And the next time we went to the cabin, she was still there. Things still changed.

The Princess

He was wrong, but I don't think He was a bad person. Just misguided, I guess. And there'll always be misguided people. Someone's going to try and break us apart again, eventually.

The Dragon

Maybe this has happened before, even if we don't remember. Who knows how many times we've been here? And who knows how many times we'll end up here again?

The Princess

We're strong enough to take it. We can change, but we'll always be the same.

The Dragon

Then there's only one thing left for us to do.

The Dragon offers the Princess his hand, like he had done so many times before. She grasped it tightly, and the two resume their dance.

The air is filled with the pain of countless wounds, and yet the hope of countless joys yet to be shines through.

The construct can hold them no longer. The glass begins to crack, and then, as the dance reaches its crescendo, it shatters.

The one that once was two glimpses absolute reality, and smiles. Endless worlds live and die all at once as the Endless Dance returns to its domain.