Chapter 0

## Chapter 0: Arthur

don't mind the placeholder image it'll change someday

*"A simple start that opens up into something bigger."*

-Chapter 0 blurb.

**Chapter 0: Arthur**, or simply **Chapter 0**, is the first chapter in Onyxworth. It serves has the prologue of the game, and as such, is the shortest main chapter in Onyxworth. It was first released on July 10th, 2022, coinciding with the game's initial release.

Chapter 0 spans over the course of a week. There is a secret in this chapter that is required to access Chapter 1.5. Jim serves as the Chapter's final boss.

## Story Summary

Sometime before October 7th, The Radiant Gleam sends her servants to check on the Earth. Several days later, Ælula, a servant of the Radiance, runs into Philopolis, a member of the still relatively unknown Slims. Philopolis, thinking that she is just a regular human, decides to start harassing her for cash. Philopolis gets mad at Ælula's obliviousness to what is happening, and yells about how he needs money for his cocaine. Unknowingly to the both of them, an unsuspecting Arthur happened to be watching what was happening, and intervenes in the conflict.

Philopolis, now enraged, declares that before he kills Ælula, he's going to kill Arthur, giving the boy no choice but to fight. Arthur beats and knocks Philopolis unconscious with relative ease, surprising himself, and goes on to check on Ælula. Ælula confirms that she is fine, and comments how she was unaware that Philopolis was trying to kill her. After a brief chat and a gift of 10 weirdly shaped gold coins, Ælula thanks Arthur for his help and leaves the alleyway. Arthur decides to call the police on Philopolis, but decides to not stick around and runs back home.

Meanwhile, in The Radiant Gleam's Realm, Ælula excitedly goes up to her creator and tells her that something amazing happened on Earth. The Radiance, intrigued as to what could possibly make her servant this happy, asks what happened, her intrigue turning into rage upon hearing that her beloved servant almost died. The Radiance demands to know who tried to harm Ælula. Ælula goes on to explain that someone managed to save her from her attacker, and also the fact that she has no idea who attacked her. The Radiance then inquires about who saved her, which Ælula happily tells her. (to the best of her ability, anyway.)

Arthur is seen talking on the phone with Cain. Arthur excitedly tells Cain about the events that transpired. Cain tells Arthur that he doesn't need to lie to make himself seem cool, as Cain thinks he's cool regardless. Cain then says goodnight to Arthur, before hanging up the phone. Arthur, while frustrated that Cain didn't believe him, acknowledges that fact that it does sound pretty unbelievable. Arthur looks at the time, and decides he'll go to sleep.

Arthur wakes up in an unfamiliar place, before hearing a voice beckoning him to come closer. Arthur obliges, and the voice introduces themself as The Radiant Gleam. The Radiance thanks Arthur for saving one of her servants, and the two have a brief chat. After their chat, The Radiance tells Arthur that as a reward for saving her servant, she'll give him the blessing of the wind, which will also increase his physical strength. She also gives Arthur the Oracle, an axe that he'll be able to use masterfully. The Radiance waves goodbye to Arthur, before telling him to have sweet dreams.

Arthur wakes up incredibly well rested, which weirded him out. He then contemplates about the dream he had, questioning if it was even real. Mid contemplation, he notices an axe across from him. Arthur gets up and picks up the axe, examining it. It then comes to Arthur that the dream he had was actually real and that he has powers. He celebrates this fact before his mother knocks on his door and tells him to get ready for school. Arthur obliges, not before hiding the axe and grinning to himself.

When Arthur arrives at school, he goes to his school's common area, where he spots Cain. Cain notices Arthur, and before he can get a word out, Arthur starts enthusiastically telling Cain that he has powers. Cain interrupts Arthur mid-ramble and tells Arthur how he's concerning him, and if he's ok mentally. Arthur brushes Cains comments off, saying that he's fine, and that he just wanted to tell Cain that he has superpowers. Arthur then asks Cain if he's jealous, which Cain looks at Arthur with an unreadable expression, before saying that he is, in fact, jealous. So jealous that he's going to class, which he then proceeds to do, but not before Arthur tells him to wait up and not to go to class without him.

The scene then shows two men sitting next to each other, watching TV in a dingy-looking apartment. One of the men, Toney, questions as to why Philopolis has yet to return. Toney then goes on to say how Philopolis is never this late. The other man, Lemon Juice, appears to be distressed. Toney questions Lemon Juice as to why he's being so quiet, as he is usually very talkative. Lemon Juice then screams at Toney, telling him something is wrong and that he screwed up. Toney questions Lemon Juice as to what screwed up, which Lemon Juice goes on to explain that he actually witnessed Philopolis harass Arthur, although Lemon Juice chalked it up to Phil being himself, and that he'd come back for him later, but when he did come back, he saw Philopolis being put in cuffs and escorted to a police car.

Toney asks Lemon Juice why didn't he do anything to stop Philopolis from killing someone, in which Lemon Juice replies that Philopolis didn't kill anyone. He enphiszises his point by saying he even went back to the alleyway and there was no blood or any signs of a struggle. Lemon Juice then goes on to explain that it must've been Arthur who called the police on Philopolis, before blaming Arthur for Philopolis' imprisonment. The apartment door swings open as a voice says that Lemon Juice isn't completely blameless ethier. Toney and Lemon Juice turn to the voice, revealing the voice to be Jim's.

Toney asks Jim why'd he come back so early, which Jim doesn't answer. Jim instead berates Lemon Juice for letting Philopolis get arrested before asking who the kid was. Lemon Juice describes Arthur to the best of his ability before Toney asks Jim if he's really going to kill a kid, and Jim says between killing Lemon Juice or "some kid that won't amount to anything", he'd always choose the kid. Toney then suggests that they come up with a plan to kill Arthur, which they eventually come up with a plan, and plan to enact it next Wednesday.

A week passes, and Arthur is seen walking home from school on the same street that he was attack on (smartest). Arthur laments the fact that the powers he got haven't helped him out at all. He doesn't feel any stronger, he hasn't gotten any popular, and Cain still believes that everything he told him is just some lie he came with. Arthur frowns, but before he can have another thought, he's dragged into an alleyway and thrown against the wall. Arthur is then choked by Jim. While being choked, Jim tells Arthur that he'll pay for Philopolis' imprisonment with his life. The threat is enough to give Arthur enough strength to push Jim off of him. Arthur tells Jim to get away from him, but Jim charges at Arthur, beginning their battle. Jim gets many good hits in and manages to knock Arthur down.

Arthur manages to get back up, and with a surge of strength Arthur's never felt before, catches Jim off guard and hits Jim in the stomach so hard that he vomits. Arthur walks towards the now downed Jim, but he's surprised to see that Jim is pleading for Arthur not to kill him. Arthur tells Jim that he has no intention of killing him, and tells him to get lost and to not attack random people, otherwise Arthur might have to actually kill him. Jim sees that Arthur is bluffing, but not wanting to fight him again, Jim complies and leaves the alleyway.

Arthur watches Jim leave before deciding to go home, praying that his parents won't notice his wounds. By some stroke of luck, Arthur's parents aren't home when Arthur steps in. Seeing this, Arthur decides to turn in early. He wonders if Cain would believe that he managed to make a guy beg for his life before dismissing the thought and drifting off to sleep.

## Boss Encounters

* **Philopolis (Tutorial Boss}**
* **Jim (Final Boss)**

## Things of Note

* In order to access Chapter 1.5, the only thing the player must do in this chapter is interact with the trash can in the alley (after battling Jim) and take the Edible Garbage. The player can choose to discard the Edible Garbage after the obtaining it, as only the collection of the Edible Garbage is needed.

## Achievements

These are all the achievements available in Chapter 0. (don't mind the placeholder icons they'll be changed eventually)

## Trivia

* There are **four** possible ways to die in this chapter.
	+ Lose to Philopolis during his battle. This is difficult to achieve, as Philopolis scripted to miss all of his attacks until the 9,999th turn.
	+ If the player refuses to see what is happening in the alleyway.
	+ Eating the Edible Garbage.
	+ If the player somehow manages to surpass the 100 turn limit for Jim's battle. Because the battle is scripted, this is impossible to do without cheating or using the debug menu.