Chapter Text
…
Silence fills the space the Princess once occupied.
A sharp crack rings through the back of your head and down to the base of your neck, the fissure splitting your very soul.
It has happened again.
She’s gone.
Trembling, you turn to the one who destroyed her.
She is bent over, clutching her chest, panting heavily, face twisted in agony.
Slowly, She straightens her posture, pulling the shawl tightly against her porcelain shoulders.
The Pale Queen
Why?
Why?!
You ask ‘Why?!’
…
I saw into the vessel’s heart.
It was too late for her.
She was unchangeable.
Had we attempted to give her to our daughter, she would have taken control. Stripped our daughter of the ability to grow.
Consumed her.
I’m sorry, I never wanted to do this again.
But I will NOT allow any singular perspective to annihilate our child!
The Pale Queen
I wanted to believe that…
…
I held the vessel in my arms, hoping I was wrong.
Desperately hoping I was wrong.
But I wasn’t wrong.
…
I did what had to be done, as I did before.
And if you keep trying to bring our daughter incompatible vessels, I will do this again!
The Pale Queen
It’s not killing! I’m not killing anyone!
…
It’s only a perspective, a potential piece of our daughter. Getting rid of it was no more an act of ‘killing’ than removing a tumor.
And yes, it was a tumor. Had we allowed it to become part of our daughter, it would have sapped the life from her until there was nothing left but an unmoving husk.
We cannot allow that to happen to her!
Silence from the Pale Queen as she looks down at her trembling hands. Gritting her teeth, she balls her hands into fists and drops them to her side.
The Pale Queen
We cannot allow sentiment to delude us.
We had no choice.
I will not allow our daughter to come to harm.
The Pale Queen
Stop saying that I killed it!
It was a vessel - nothing more!
You yourself have lost many vessels! Are you going to mourn every single one of your bodies that died?
You’re not them.
You’re you.
You continue on, even if those bodies are gone.
It’s the same for our daughter.
She will continue on.
She is continuing on.
But we must raise her carefully.
She’s counting on us.
The Pale Queen
What do you propose we do?! Hide the vessel away so our daughter never finds it? Make a second cradle and just hope it can remain separated from our daughter forever?
These vessels are not independent beings. If they are not incorporated, they will wither.
I only hastened the process.
And no - we cannot somehow partially incorporate them. Attempting to subdivide these perspectives further would unravel them just the same.
There is no third option.
We simply cannot afford to collect any more incompatible vessels.
The Pale Queen closes her eyes, silently weeping.
The Pale Queen
…
No.
No, we had no choice.
The Pale Queen
…
She must be yearning for her vessel… aching for her completion…
But no, no!
We’ve already seen what would have happened.
She’s not strong enough to keep certain vessels from rising above their place in the dance.
Even if going without a vessel for a time is painful for her, the alternative would be far more damaging.
We can’t let a single perspective subsume our daughter’s will into its own and destroy her.
This is better.
She never had a chance to bond with it.
She will not suffer pain from its severance.
The Pale Queen
And what is that supposed to mean?
You think everything will simply… work out, if I let the vessel join our daughter?
We've tried allowing it! You've seen the outcome with your own eyes!
…
I thought it would work…
I thought it would be like it was for me…
…
But she’s not like me, and we can’t go on pretending otherwise!
We have to adapt.
The Pale Queen recoils, eyes widening.
The Pale Queen
I-
…
I will not be lectured like this.
You know what’s at stake. We cannot afford to let our emotions cloud our judgment.
We need to do what’s best for our daughter.
The Pale Queen
She is a child!
I am her mother!
It is my duty, my role to protect her, even if it means making difficult choices for her.
Just as it is your role to provide for her, Sir Knight!
The Pale Queen
She’s too young! Even if we were to spend eternity explaining things to her, she wouldn’t understand!
And if she could understand - what would you do if she makes a decision you know is wrong? Would you simply… stand by and let our daughter destroy herself?
…
I understand you may not agree with me, but know this:
I will protect her.
Whatever it takes.
You feel something from deep within tightening, binding a piece of your will in place.
You made an oath.
You will not be allowed to break it.
The Pale Queen
Our daughter… must not know of this.
It would only hurt her.
Just… tell her you don’t have anything to give her this time.
It… it should be alright.
We’ll tell her the truth.
Eventually.
The Pale Queen
She didn’t integrate with this vessel.
She shouldn’t be distressed as she was the first time.
She only needs to wait a little longer.
We will find another for her.
We will complete her.
You step past the Pale Queen, urgently rushing to the cradle. The structure looms in the distance, wings holding still in tense anticipation.
As you approach, the wings flutter to life, feathers puffing and muscles flexing with awareness and excitement.
They reach towards you, grasping for their precious gift.
But you have none to give.
You step into the center of the frenzied feathers, the wings still desperate to pry something from your empty arms. Eventually, they give up on your arms and instead wrap around your legs before pulling you down.
You sink into a world grown tense with anticipation.
At its hollow center, the Princess waits with outstretched wings.
She does not speak.
Wide eyes stare up at you, waiting for something.
No response.
No response.
No response.
No response.
Unsure of what else to do, you quietly embrace the formless child and hold her close to yourself.
You can feel the tiny warmth of a still-burning heart at her center.
She is alive.
But she is not awake.
Words will not reach her as she is.
Not in this way.
…
You stay with the child, conveying what love you can with your presence alone.
Wings stir beneath you. Anticipation morphs into agitation despite the comfort you try to send her way.
But what comfort can you give when you feel none yourself?
Weariness from your long travail takes its toll, and you drift into slumber.
…
Once more, you fall into the dreaming song.
It is not peaceful this time.
The ephemeral whispers dart about in a frenzy, excitement and confusion coloring their tones with discordant desperation. Scattered feathers glow with embers of warm light, seeking to illuminate, but they can only make the twisting shadows dance.
You reach out, trying to grasp them - and they respond, flaring. They singe you with their touch, whispers earnest.
Sensation: It is cold outside the safe shell.
Connection: Something has entered the shell.
It is also cold.
Curiosity: You reach out to feel its shape.
Recognition: You know this shape! Your tired heart flares, a chorus of your sisters voices joining your own in song.
Papa!
Pops!
Daddy!
Emotions: Joy. Excitement. Anticipation. Wonder. Tension. Longing.
Scattered Synapse: Gifts.
He brings gifts.
Always when he visits.
Always another sister.
Connection: You love your sisters.
Chorus: Me too.
Right back atcha, sis.
I will always love you.
Emotions: Excited. Overwhelmed.
Kind of scared.
Concern: Will I like this one?
Resolve: Yes! I will be a good sister!
Scattered Synapse: Why hasn’t Father given the gift yet?
Scattered Synapse: You remember an admonition from Mother.
Gifts aren’t what you ask for.
You remember. You will be good. You won’t pester Father. You will be patient.
Sensation: Hunger.
Chill.
Thirst.
Gnawing Doubt: You’ve never had to wait this long.
What is taking so long?
Emotions: Guilt. Embarrassment.
Chastisement: You are being ungrateful.
Gnawing Doubt: But why? Why is Father making you wait?
Emotions: Unsettling worry.
Gnawing Doubt: Is that Father?
Connection: You reach out, stretching a finger towards the Shadowy Presence.
You feel a warm thread form around your grasping will. It pulls on you and you feel its voice.
Song: Daddy, is that you?
Your sleeping will forms into dreams.
The dream unfolds. A soft and gentle touch.
The frantic flurry of embers and feathers stills for a moment.
And then she tightens her grip.
Song: I’m glad you’re here.
…
…
Can I see my sister now?
Song: …
…
…
Where is she?
Emotion: Fear.
Scattered Synapse: Where is she?
Connection: Where is she?
Gnawing Doubt: She’s not here.
Chorus: Where is she?
WHERE IS SHE?!
Where is she?
Song: WHERE IS SHE???
The thread snaps.
Feathers burst into flame and dissipate.
Colors blur into smoke.
Textures fade to ash.
You are pulled from the dream.
In the distance, you hear her crying.
You awaken with a rattling gasp, nerves raw. For a moment, you feel paralyzed, shock freezing your will in place.
But you cannot stay still forever.
Your focus shifts to the hollow core that is your daughter.
She is still asleep.
Her rest is fitful, her dreaming disturbed.
There is nothing more you can do for her.
Not now.
The wings of the cradle writhe and twitch in a mad frenzy as you withdraw, flapping frantically in a chorus of desperate terror. Soft, white hands reach out, reassuring and restraining them while more sets of hands reach into the cradle to pull you out.
Outside, the Pale Queen waits for you.
The Pale Queen
Come. We must hurry if we are to make things right.
The Pale Queen nods her head, tears streaming down her cheeks.
The Pale Queen
I know.
I’m sorry.
The Pale Queen’s face turns red, eyes raw with hot tears.
The Pale Queen
We should not be arguing about this!
If you really want to make things right, then PLEASE go back!
The Pale Queen pauses for a moment, struggling to compose herself before giving you an answer.
The Pale Queen
I will… do what I can.
From now on, if I foresee a potential danger… I will warn you.
But you will have to listen.
The Pale Queen reddens, clenching her fists.
She takes a deep breath before continuing.
The Pale Queen
You have made oaths, Sir Knight, and so have I.
I cannot tell you everything - only that we both made sacrifices.
Everything we have given, everything we do…
Everything… for her sake.
…
You… do not… know… what you are talking about.
The Pale Queen
She is not capable of understanding. Not now. Not yet.
The only thing we can do is move forward and help her to heal.
Please, my heart, just say you’re ready to go back.
The Pale Queen clenches her fists.
The Pale Queen
This isn’t about whose fault it is!
Our daughter is crying out for our help!
I will take responsibility for my failures!
It’s time you did the same for yours!
Rage boiling, you lift your will to strike the Pale Queen.
As you rise above Her, the Pale Queen’s eyes widen, shock and terror evident in her expression.
But just before your passion and anger can connect-
You fall to the ground, unseen fetters binding your will.
Hand raised to her chest, the Pale Queen looks upon you with disbelief, expression twisted in horror and agony.
The Pale Queen
But… you… promised…
Teeth clenched, the Pale Queen’s expression gives way to one of wrath and righteous indignation.
The Pale Queen
If gentle persuasion is no longer sufficient to make you hold to your responsibilities as a husband and father, then so be it! I will fulfill my duties as a wife and mother, and protect this family!
Even if it makes you hate me.
Everything goes dark, and you die.
Achievements
Let Him Cook
Display your culinary skills, even if they’re not appreciated.
Download Complete
Allow a Princess to upload her consciousness into your own.
Open Your Mind
Kaboom.
Wait for it…
Something’s bound to happen. Eventually...
Editor
Add a little something to the script.
Nap Time
Share a moment in bed with a special companion.
An Epistemological Heart
Offer her Prima Materia
Fissure
It happened again…
Chapter I
The Princess and the Knight
The Pale Queen
Rise now, Sir Knight! Our kingdom is in danger, and only you can protect it.
The Pale Queen
I said
GET UP!
You feel a painful shock, as if someone struck you across the face. Your eyes jolt open.
The Pale Queen
Enough of your whining! You have a task to fulfill, and I will not allow your apathy to endanger everything we hold dear!
The Pale Queen
You will mind your tongue, Sir Knight. Such profanity is beneath one of your station.
I am not your enemy, despite how you may feel.
…
We are allies, working towards a common goal.
So please - listen.
You are in a forest in our kingdom. At the end of the path, lies our castle. Secured within the dungeon of our castle is my daughter, the princess.
Your mission is to execute her before she can escape and put an end to our entire kingdom. If you don’t perform this vital task, you will doom everyone.
The Pale Queen
You made oaths, Sir Knight!
And I will hold you to them no matter how much belligerence you display.
So quit your whining! You have a job to do.
See that it's done.
The Pale Queen
It is not murder, and it is not for my sake that you are doing this, Sir Knight.
This is for the sake of everyone!
Including you.
…
Please, believe me.
This is truly, truly important.
Once upon a time, you knew this.
The Pale Queen
Some secrets are important to keep, Sir Knight. That is all you need to know.
The Pale Queen
I’m sorry, but we’ve wasted enough time as is.
We have to go now.
The Pale Queen
It.. is not… MURDER!
…
…
…
This is a lawful and necessary act, for the good of all.
Please, dearest knight. Please believe me.
The Pale Queen
No.
Though you try to commit to inaction and ignore the Pale Queen, something deep within spurs you on.
You have choices to make. This is not one of them.
The Pale Queen
…
…
…
…
Do you feel better?
Have you gotten it all out of your system now?
Or do you need more time to wallow in hatred and self-pity?
No rush.
I’m sure our kingdom and all its subjects won’t mind being utterly destroyed in the time it takes for you to work out your personal grievances.
The Pale Queen
…
…
You… stomp… up the short path to the castle. Within, you will find the Princess waiting.
Not that you seem willing to listen to me, but I will offer you this advice.
Be swift, be decisive. Whatever you may see, whatever you may hear, steel your heart and see it through.
I…
will remain by your side, always.
Voice of the Hero
Are you alright, mate? I mean, I can understand being upset about this whole situation, but do you really need to be so angry?
Voice of the Hero
Look, I’m not saying you haven’t got a good reason, but maybe just… take a deep breath. We’ve barely even begun our journey. We really should do our best to keep it together. Who knows what’s awaiting us in the castle up ahead.
The Pale Queen
For once we agree, Hero.
The Pale Queen
The interior of the castle is plain but familiar. Its firm stone walls indicate a strength that has withstood the test of time. At the far end of the great hall is a simple iron door leading to the dungeons downstairs. A heavy padlock loops around an iron bar, sealing the door shut. Hanging from a hook set in the stone is a key for undoing the padlock and opening the door.
Not far from the iron door is an elongated wooden table bearing several items of note:
Resting atop a pewter tray is a meal fit for a prisoner, a wooden bowl filled with a mushy, gray gruel. Included with the meal is a simple wooden spoon for eating the tasteless but nourishing substance.
Considering today will be the Princess’ last day, it may be kind to give her one last meal before her execution. Then again, considering the state of the food, it might be better to simply kill her rather than prolong her suffering.
Next to the unappealing meal is a crystal vial filled with a pitch-black substance. The skull adorning the crystal vial reveals the nature of the sinister liquid: poison.
The noxious concoction is yours to employ in whatever creative way you desire. Then again, perhaps you prefer a different method of execution - a more direct approach.
Most important of all these items is your weapon of choice: a familiar knife. It waits patiently upon the table, waiting for you to take it up once more.
This weapon is your means of rendering final judgment, the very power of life and death converging at its pointed tip. It is yours to take - along with any other item you feel will help you accomplish your task.
The Pale Queen
You take the tray bearing the meal from the table. There is still a little warmth coming from the bowl of gruel, but it will grow cold soon.
Remember that you are ultimately here to execute the Princess, not to take pity on her. Regardless of what you choose to do with this meal, that task must be accomplished.
The Pale Queen
You uncork the poison and pour its contents into the bowl of gruel. Taking the wooden spoon, you carefully mix the dark liquid into the porridge until it is completely indetectable.
Voice of the Hero
I really don’t like doing this, but I suppose if the Princess is as dangerous as the Pale Queen claims, then this may be necessary.
The Pale Queen
Whatever method is used, the Princess must die. Remember that the lives of many innocents are counting on you.
The Pale Queen
You march towards the door, bearing the tray with the meal, before setting it aside to take the key from the hook and inserting it into the padlock of the iron door. There is resistance, as if it has been many years since the lock has last been used.
But eventually, it gives way. You shove aside the dusty iron bar and push against the door, which, after a little resistance, swings open with a heavy groan.
You place the keys inside a pouch strapped to your armor before taking the tray and stepping inside, feet slowly descending a stone staircase illuminated by a faint light coming from below. This place is… cruel, but it is a necessary part of our kingdom. After all, if we did nothing against those who threatened our realm, it would have long ago fallen into ruin.
The stairway is silent, save for the distant clanking of chains… and soft weeping.
The Pale Queen
A word of caution, Sir Knight.
You are not the only one who can hear me and the voice inside your head. The Princess herself will be privy to anything said within your mind.
Voice of the Hero
Wait, she’ll be able to hear me?
The Pale Queen
As surely as I can hear you, but do not fear. I am only telling you this so you may be prepared. She will try to manipulate you in any way she can. Do not listen to her or engage with her in any way. You already know what you have to do.
Voice of the Hero
But, what should I do? Should I… just not speak? Oh gosh, I don’t like that idea.
The Pale Queen
If you must speak, then consider yourself as another person in the room, one that the Princess can hear but not see.
Voice of the Hero
And what about you? Will you still be narrating things for us?
The Pale Queen
I will do my duty.
Voice of the Hero
But what if she recognizes you? You said she was your daughter, and you were the one who locked her up, right? What happens if she knows you’re with us?
The Pale Queen
I am… uncertain if she will recognize me.
Voice of the Hero
What do you mean?
The Pale Queen
It’s complicated. Suffice to say we shall find out together.
Regardless, you know what you’re to do, Sir Knight. See that it’s done.
Now come. Your destined encounter with the Princess awaits. I will be judicious with what I say, though I will continue to describe things as best I can.
…
You make your way to the bottom of the steps. Ahead of you is a narrow stone corridor with no windows. The place is pitch-black, with the only source of light emanating from a small torch anchored to the wall on the other side of the room. Its light sputters in the darkness, the feeble flames curling inward as if they themselves wish to hide from the shadows.
You step closer and see the Princess huddling over the torch, her hands trembling as she tries to warm herself with the pitiful fire. There is a heavy shackle around her neck, binding her to this place. She coughs, and the chain rattles before going still again as she resumes her weeping.
As you approach, she stirs before raising her head, her tear-stained eyes staring into the darkness beyond. When her eyes fall on your vaguely outlined form, she cringes back, covering her face with her claws.
Please… don’t hurt me.
Voice of the Hero
She’s so scared. What happened to her?
The Pale Queen
Do not fall for her crocodile tears. Remember the threat that she poses.
Voice of the Hero
How can she be a threat to anyone? Look at her! She’s barely alive.
The Pale Queen
A transparent ploy to garner your sympathy. Do not forget why you are here.
If you’re here to kill me, just… do it quickly. Please. Cough cough.
The Pale Queen
You silently step into the light of the Princess’ flickering torch. The moment you come into view, the Princess curls into a fetal position, body quivering as she weeps hysterically, resigned to her fate.
Voice of the Hero
We’re scaring her! Shouldn’t we say something? Try to calm her down?
The Pale Queen
It doesn’t matter if she’s calm or not. You’re here to execute her, not comfort her.
I’m going to die. I’m really going to die.
Why would anyone want to save me? I’m worthless. Nobody would care if I died down here.
Voice of the Hero
No. You’re not worthless. Don’t tell yourself that. Surely someone cares about you.
I don’t think anyone does. Everyone outside probably just wants me to die down here. Why else would they have locked me up and never visited? You don’t lock people away if you care about them.
Voice of the Hero
Maybe they're cruel, but that doesn’t matter. You don’t deserve this!
I don’t see why I deserve anything better. There’s nothing about me that’s worth loving.
Cough, cough, cough!
The Pale Queen
The Princess curls into a little ball, frail wings covering her dirty face as she continues to weep.
Voice of the Hero
This is horrible! How can we be expected to just kill someone like this?
The Pale Queen
Sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the greater good.
This is one of those times.
Voice of the Hero
I don’t believe it. There’s nothing that could justify treating her this way.
The Pale Queen
She is using your pity against you. Do not fall for her act. Then again, if she truly is suffering, perhaps you can view this as an act of mercy. Ending her miserable life may very well be the only way to grant her peace at this point.
Voice of the Hero
Are… are you sure?
Voice of the Hero
…
The Pale Queen
You carefully set the pewter tray on the ground before gently sliding it towards the Princess.
The Princess hesitantly peeks at the bowl, eyes wide with surprise.
Is this… for me?
Voice of the Hero
…
The Pale Queen
She wipes the drool away with a trembling hand before picking up the wooden spoon. It quivers in her feeble grip.
Slowly, she lowers the spoon into the cold, gray glop before scooping up a mushy mouthful. She tries to raise the spoon to her lips but the morsel slides off the quivering spoon and splashes onto the dirty stone floor. She eyes the spoon, lips trembling and eyes watering, ashamed that she can’t even feed herself with dignity.
And then she practically falls on top of the bowl before scooping up a glob of gruel with her bare hands, messily shoving it inside her mouth, and swallowing.
She gags instantly and the food comes right back up, splashing onto the floor. She clutches her stomach in pain and eyes the vomit stain, considering whether or not she should force herself to swallow it again.
Voice of the Hero
She… can’t eat it.
The Pale Queen
No. It would seem she can’t.
Perhaps this wasn’t a good idea.
Nevertheless, you still have your job to do.
Voice of the Hero
This is awful.
Maybe we should…
Voice of the Hero
…
The Pale Queen
You gently pick up the spoon and dip it into the gruel before placing it near the Princess’ lips. She looks at you with watery eyes, still terrified, but eventually giving in to the growling of her stomach and parts her lips.
You carefully place a small spoonful inside her mouth, taking care to wipe up any mushy streams that dribble from her quivering lips. The Princess closes her eyes and takes care to chew and swallow before opening her lips to accept another morsel.
Time passes, and though the meal is distinctly unappetizing, particularly for one of royal esteem, you somehow manage to feed her the entire bowl. The Princess sits in silence for a long time, panting, hands clutching her stomach as if she’s afraid it will all come back up again. But she doesn’t vomit this time.
…
Thank you.
You… actually helped me. Cough cough.
Cough cough. I didn’t think… after all this cough cough time, anyone COUGH cough cough would care about COUGH COUGH me.
But you cough cough COUGH COUGH COUGH - you… COUGH -you…
…you!
The Pale Queen
…
The Princess… clutches her stomach in pain, eyes growing wide and bloodshot as her hacking and coughing steadily grows more intense.
What… what is… COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH - happening - COUGH COUGH COUGH to me?!
Voice of the Hero
I… I can’t…
The Pale Queen
The Princess gags, stomach heaving as she vomits up the meager contents of her stomach in entirety.
Yet the coughing persists.
GKKKKKKKKKKKKK Sick! COUGH COUGH COUGH- I’m sick! GHHH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH-
Voice of the Hero
No.
Nonononono!
We shouldn’t have done this! Can we take it back?!
The Pale Queen
There is… nothing that can be done now.
W-w-what? COUGH GH ECKKKKHH COUGH! What did you… COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH do?!
The Pale Queen
The Princess… spasms. Her body seizes and falls to the floor, writhing in pain as she alternates between choking and upheaving gouts of blood and a viscous black fluid. Her eyes grow wider until they threaten to pop from their sockets, blood pouring down as tears.
But - she does not die…
You… COUGH-
You! COUGH COUGH!
COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH-
Voice of the Hero
This is horrible! Why did we decide to do it like this?!
The Pale Queen
…
This is for the best. Either she dies, or we allow many more to die.
Besides. There is no going back now.
Voice of the Hero
I know! But… can’t we at least… put her out of her misery?
The Pale Queen
…
Yes. Yes, I… I think that would be for the best.
Sir Knight, please go back upstairs and retrieve the blade.
The Pale Queen
The Princess stares back with bloodshot eyes, keeping her gaze fixed on you even as she hacks her lungs out.
COUGH COUGH COUGH- Why…?
COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH OUGH OUGH OUGH GH! GH! GH! GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!
GASP.
WHY!?
Sickly weeping. COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH!
The Pale Queen
You turn your back on the Princess, heading back up the stairs to retrieve your blade and finish her off. As you ascend the steps, you hear the coughing of the princess grow even louder and more violent than before.
GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! GH! COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH! Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh- COUGH COUGH GH! GH! GH!
COUGH! COUGH! COUGH!
Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…
Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!
He-he-he-he-he-he-
COUGH! COUGH!
He-he-he-he-he-he-he-he…
Haw haw… haw haw… haw haw haaaaaaaaaaaaw…
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw…
COUGH!
COUGH! COUGH! COUGH! COUGH! COUGH! COUGH! COUGH! COUGH!
HAW HAW HAW HAW HAW HAAAAW! COUGH! HAAAAAW!
Voice of the Hero
Is… is she… laughing?
The Pale Queen
…
Yes. She is.
It is an… inhuman laugh. A pained laughter. One devoid of warmth, or mirth. As the air rattles with the dry retching of the Princess’ convulsions, a chorus of hollow wheezing echoes through the dungeon corridor.
I hate you… COUGH COUGH! I hate you I hate you I hate you!
Voice of the Hero
I think it’s time for us to go!
The Pale Queen
Agreed!
…
You rush up the remaining stairs towards the table bearing your knife. As you turn to face the open door, you hear something slithering up the steps.
After all this time… I thought someone actually cared about me… haw haw haw haw COUGH COUGH COUGH!
I can’t ... cough cough cough… believe I was so stupid… COUGH HAW HAAAAAAAAAAAW cough HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW!
There’s no one in this world who cares about me!
You’re just like everyone else. COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUUUUUUUUUUUGH!
Cruel!
VILE!
Deceitful!
Poisonous!
COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH!
Voice of the Hero
W-what’s going on?!
What is she?!
The Pale Queen
You have the advantage, Sir Knight! End this!
The Pale Queen
Sigh.
You cowardly slam the iron door shut and slide the padlock into place before locking it with your key.
This isn’t solving anything, Sir Knight. It’s only delaying the inevitable.
Voice of the Hero
We bought some time! We just need to figure something out!
You…. COUGH COUGH COUGH… cannot ignore… what you… cough cough cough… have done!
You… cough cough cough… will suffer! Cough cough cough cough cough!
Like me!
The Pale Queen
You hear a grotesque squelch, followed by a series of splashing noises as the Princess heaves and gags from the other side of the room.
Voice of the Hero
Wha- what’s happening?!
The Pale Queen
The iron door, which once stood so reassuringly firm, slowly melts. The metal… weeping… drops of black ooze that fall like vile tears through pores in the quickly disintegrating structure.
The iron rots, corroding until the barrier buckles and gives way. A geyser of black bile erupts from the other side, splashing onto the floor in an acidic puddle.
You jump out of the way, barely managing to avoid being splattered. What remains of the door's frame falls outward, revealing the Princess on the other side.
Voice of the Hero
What… is that?!
The Pale Queen
The… Princess… shambles towards you. Blood, tears, and black bile pour from her orifices, melting away her flesh, spilling onto the ground and sizzling when they meet the stone.
Cough cough cough.
Nobody… nobody… COUGH COUGH COUGH… nobody… loves me…
Cough cough.
COUGH!
Hate you! COUGH! Hate you all!
Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
…
…
…
…
He he he he… he…
…
…
…
HATE YOU!
The Pale Queen
The Princess heaves forward before you can cheat death for a second time, her hands clutching her bloated belly. A gush of rancid fluid erupts from her partially-melted throat, engulfing you in a spray of vile chyme.
It burns.
You are blinded instantly, the acid melting away your eyes and skin as it eats through to your muscle and, soon after, your bone. Your nerves scream in agony before being stripped bare, your organs filling with blood and bile as you collapse to the floor.
The pulpy viscera that remains of your bubbling body quickly stills as the last of your tendons snap, leaving you little choice but to slowly evaporate away, a festering puddle under her hateful gaze.
Voice of the Hero
No! No nonononono! This can’t be how it ends!
The Pale Queen
…
This is truly an awful way to go, isn’t it?
…
But it is not the end for you, my knight.
I will be waiting for you when you return.
Everything goes dark, and you die.
Achievement Unlocked
Toxic Love
Share a poisoned gift.
Ending Author’s Notes and Acknowledgments
Señor Donjusticia
With the release of this chapter, we pass the one year anniversary of “Our Princess”, born November 30th, 2024. When looking upon how far this story has come since its initial release, two thoughts come to mind.
First:
Wow.
Second:
Thank you.
Señor Donjusticia
This project simply could not exist without the incredible help of so many wonderful individuals, and that list grows every day. While I don’t know if I have the capacity to give every contributor the thanks they deserve, I will endeavor to do so now, whilst being mindful of chapter length.
Señor Donjusticia
First, to my dear friend and co-writer ASpooky, thank you so very much for the incredible work and sacrifices you have made to make this possible. In spite of the difficulties you have gone through, you have always contributed your very best to this project. I am very happy to have gotten to know you and hope that we can continue to get to know one another as the years go on.
EDITOR'S NOTE: <3
Señor Donjusticia
To my long-time writing buddy and friend, Nox Barian, wow. I can’t believe you’ve put up with me for over a decade now. Frankly, I don’t know how you manage it. Maybe the insanity helps a bit. A lot. Probably a lot. Either way, I am glad that I could be a mad scientist with you, and look forward to more of our future experiments.
Señor Donjusticia
To my newest co-writer, Thood. Thank you for taking a great deal of time out of your day to assist both me and ASpooky with our respective projects. It’s a lot to demand, but you consistently contribute a great deal. Thank you for your dedication.
Señor Donjusticia
To my loyal steward of the Our Princess server and chief game developer, AppleJam. Thank you for sticking with me through this project. I would never have even attempted to make this to the scale it is being constructed without your incredible inspiration and talent. Thank you for consistently being a watchful eye in the server who can contribute good wisdom and judgment to the management of affairs. Without you, the server would have likely devolved into chaos-chaos a long time ago.
Señor Donjusticia
To my loyal staff members, Cymbeline, Lo, Snaptrap, Jeremires, Dragolion, Orfeas, Misty, and Cicadawing. Thank you all so much for the insane work you all do in contributing to the stories art, music, and writing, and in the consistent work you do on the server. It blows me away how much this project has grown, and a great deal of that growth is thanks to all your contributions.
Señor Donjusticia
To my beta-readers Aster, Asher, Epsilon, and Prime. Thank you all for adding an extra layer of polishing to each chapter and for giving us non-staff members a good insight into what community reactions might be like before releasing each chapter. Your work is invaluable, though I will unfortunately not be able to raise your pay at this time. Please do not rebel.
Señor Donjusticia
Finally, the biggest thank-you of all I will give to my family. For the sake of their privacy, I do not divulge their names, nor do I typically share many details about them, but know that without their influence, this story simply would not exist.
As a result of some of the hard topics that have and will come up during the course of “Our Princess” some have asked me if any of the events of this story are based in part on personal events in my life. I want to take this time to lay to rest any concerns about any kind of dysfunction in my personal family life. While I have familiarity with certain hard topics, I am blessed to not know of these things through personal experience. I have known the love and tenderness from an exemplary father, a wonderful mother, quite a few incredible siblings, …another sibling…, and a growing number of beautiful nieces and nephews. They are my primary inspirations for the depiction of familial love that I hope to adequately communicate in this story. (Yes, one of the nieces inspired the back-breaking and nonstop “Horsie Game”. That niece is evil, but too cute to get in trouble, so I will forgive her and continue to play her games.)
I will also dedicate a particular inspiration to my mother. I once asked her something along the lines of, “If a child’s physical features are basically a fusion of features from both parents, wouldn’t the same thing apply to their personality?”
This was her answer, paraphrased slightly by me:
“When you have a new child, you won’t be able to predict their personality based on what you and your spouse were like. A child isn’t just a mishmash of their parent’s characteristics. When you have a new child, you get to know a brand new person, and they get to know you.”
This wisdom has stuck with me, and I have endeavored to get to know each of my nieces and nephews as new people. I hope that you, my dear readers, will stick around as we continue to get to know the child of this story.
Señor Donjusticia
Now, I have some sad news to share.
As you are all no doubt aware, I usually dedicate a segment of these acknowledgments to showcase the art of the previous chapters, with another segment dedicated to all the fan art. Well… because of my desire to not interrupt the flow of the previous THREE CHAPTERS… the amount of art, both official and fan has… piled up.
A lot.
A lot a lot.
A lot a lot a lot.
So ridiculously much that I have had to admit defeat!
You got me!
I can’t do it!
I can’t keep up with all the art!
It’s too much!
I just… I’m just gonna have to direct you all to the Discord Server HERE. Please go there and check out all the amazing stuff people are creating. Thanks to Misty and others, we’ve been creating a series of archives for all the amazing art that is being created, so hopefully nothing will be missed or forgotten.
Señor Donjusticia
That being said, I’m still going to showcase a ton of art here.
Señor Donjusticia
First off, Cymbeline is responsible for creating the crazy, nerve-ridden cabin interior for Anima’s cabin, the sketch of the path in the woods in the Prima Materia chapter, and the interior of the tower room. They also created the achievement art for Let Him Cook and Editor.
Señor Donjusticia
Next, we have Deedjre the Damsel to thank for contributing the full body artwork of the Anima! Deedjre has also been creating a ton of amazing fan art on the server including an official but unrevealed route “The Chimera,” (I was not going to reveal this initially, but after Abby did a stream where she and Tony made up an OG Princess route with this same name, or well, very close to the same name, I decided to reveal this one) and several pieces of amazing fan art for various art competitions we’ve been holding. Thanks a ton for sharing your talents, Deedjre.
Deedjre also created this horrific piece related to the Anima. What if, hypothetically, Sir Knight showed up earlier than anticipated? (Warning: Graphic!)
And finally, I'm going to showcase two pieces of art she released for two art competitions which took place between the last chapter and the publication of this one. The theme of the first art contest was "Baby Pictures" while the theme for the second art contest was "Family Photo."
Señor Donjusticia
Dragolion is responsible for creating the closeup shot of the Anima’s face, the shot of Pale Queen holding Prima Materia, the revamped sketch of this chapter’s base princess, and the… final creepy sketch of that same base princess at the end of this chapter. That was some insane body horror. Good job!
Señor Donjusticia
Lo is responsible for creating the insane new backgrounds, including the shattering “glitch” background and the sketchy background from Prima Materia. Thanks for contributing that extra layer of immersion.
Señor Donjusticia
Misty has been working around the clock, creating wonders beyond imaging. Some of this includes the art for Prima Materia, as well as several background shots in that same chapter.
But one of his greatest masterpieces has to be a new piece of art that was created for "The Siren's Song." I'm not even going to attempt to describe its greatness. I'm just going to post it here and let you all marvel at the culmination of over 7 months of intense labor.
He has also been taking time out of his already very busy schedule to tutor me on some art basics, so expect to potentially see more art from yours truly. Thank you very much for being not only a contributor, but my mentor.
Señor Donjusticia
Jeremires created art of Sir Knight holding Prima Materia before the mirrors. Thank you for being willing to consistently create these art pieces and for all the other work you do on the server.
Señor Donjusticia
Cicadawing created the achievement art for naptime, and SO MUCH MORE STUFF… that I simply cannot share. What I will say is that he volunteered to create concept art for EVERY CHAPTER 2 route that will not show up in this fanfic, but which will show up in the fangame. Let me tell you, I am so excited to see these ideas get put to paper. Know that a lot of amazing work is being done behind the scenes, and it’s thanks to people like him who contribute multiple talents, including art and programming skills. Did I mention Cicadawing has been working on game programming?
One piece I can share is this very creative gender-swap of the Princess. Meet the Prince!
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Señor Donjusticia
Now, as for extra pieces of fanart, I simply cannot show everything that has been created. Well… not without making this chapter RIDICULOUSLY long… and wearing my sanity down to nothing. So let me show just a few highlights.
Snaptrap, YOU ARE INSANE! He made an actual plushie of Angel. LOOK!
A while back, Koban created a piece which featured his interpretation of what the Child's "god form" would look like. He calls it "The Bright Tomorrow."
Koban also created his own fan princess, which I will simply name "Puddingcess".
She will make for a sweetheart!
YansGameCube has been creating some incredible pixelated art, including some animated emojis for the server, and has also created some awesome lego art! Here's just a sample!
Josef created some excellent sketches of the Child and her mother!
Alexandre Mazetto has been sharing his incredible talents with the server by participating in three art competitions. One for Halloween, the baby picture one, and the family photo one. Here are his submissions!
And there are simply MORE! So much more! If any of your art was not included, know that it was not because it was inferior or not noticed. I have a dedicated folder that is bursting at the seams because I take the time to catalogue each piece that comes out. Just know that I appreciate everything all of you contribute and hope to see more. Thank you for everything.
Señor Donjusticia
In addition to the many incredible artists who continue to share their talents, I also want to take a moment to thank those who have participated in the weekly live-reads we have been doing on the server (reminder to PLEASE join the server). Trombone Renegade, Snaptrap, Misty, Apheon, and others have been creating video recordings of those live-reads, which can be viewed on the server (reminder to join the server NOW!) We have also been making recordings of "Our Princess" itself, with those recordings featuring the amazing voice talents of Deedjre, Jammin, Autumn, Misty, Apheon, YansGameCube, and others. Thank you all for sharing your talents and for bringing the story to life!
Señor Donjusticia
And finally, a huge thank you to all you, my dearest readers. Thanks to you, we have reached over 30,000 hits! You all are simply incredible. I will look forward to continuing this journey with you.
Señor Donjusticia
We begin a new year soon, and with it, the continuation of Sir Knight’s, the Pale Queen’s, and the Child’s journey. While I must warn that the coming events will include a great deal of pain and horror, I give my solemn promise that the suffering will be for a purpose and will be balanced with peace and hope.
And so:
Whatever horrors may come, whatever sorrows may descend, I invite you to have heart and see it through. Should you choose to continue this journey with me, then I will remain by your side, always.