Chapter I: The Hero and the Princess

> You're on a path in the woods. And at the end of that path is a cabin. And in the basement of that cabin is a princess. You're here to slay her. If you don't, it will be the end of the world.
>
>

## Chapter I: The Hero and the Princess

The interior of the cabin is almost entirely bare.

## General information

### Next Chapter

Chapter II

**Chapter I: The Hero and the Princess** is the beginning of *Slay the Princess*. You begin here whenever you start a new game.

## Overview

> Don't linger on the specifics. You have a job to do here. Just get in there and do what needs to be done. We're all counting on you.
>
> The Narrator

You find yourself on a path in the woods. The Narrator informs you of your task: at the end of this path is a cabin housing a princess. If this princess escapes the cabin, it will be the end of the world. Everybody--plants, animals, and people--will die.

Who is this princess? Why was she imprisoned in the cabin? Why do you have to slay her? You don't know, and the Narrator won't tell you. The other voice in your head, your conscious, is understandably wary; heroes are supposed to *save* princesses, not *slay* them. Regardless, you follow the path to its end, and you enter the cabin.

The cabin is empty, save for a table and a Pristine Blade resting on that table. The blade is your greatest weapon in slaying the Princess, but you don't have to take the blade if you think you can end this peacefully.

As you walk down the basement stairs, the Princess calls out to you. At the bottom of the stairs, you see the Princess, chained to the wall, looking right at you and waiting to see what you will do next.

What you do from this point on will affect you, the Princess, and the entire game moving forward. Remember: there are no wrong choices.

## Slay the Princess

> Who's there?
>
> The Princess, wary of your princess-slaying intentions.

You took the Pristine Blade from the table; at the very least, you need to defend yourself if worst comes to worst. The Voice of the Hero remains wary if such a thing is necessary, however.

The Princess coldly greets you as you make your way down stairs. She sounds dangerous and in control; it's almost hard to believe she is trapped in this basement. As you reach the bottom of the stairs, you see the beautiful yet distant Princess. Seeing the armed stranger, she is immediately put on guard and asks for you to drop the knife so you two can talk things through.

The Narrator may not be entirely trustworthy, but he is right about one thing: if you don't slay the Princess immediately, you are going to only make it harder to do so later. It's now or never.

### Nerves Steeled

You steel your nerves and lunge at the Princess. Despite her attempts at intimidation, she is helpless as you plunge the blade into her heart. As the Princess lies dying, she takes her death surprisingly well, simply asking you if you believe this is enough to kill her. She dies with an arrogant look on her face, causing doubt as to whether she is truly dead.

#### "The Good Ending"

Despite your doubts, you accept the death of the Princess and leave the cabin. Only... there is nowhere to go. Outside of the cabin is pitch-black nothingness. This is your reward: an eternity of nothing and endless peace. According to the Narrator, this is a happy ending. Congratulations! You slayed the Princess!

## Save the Princess

> H-hello? Is someone there?
>
> The Princess, timidly calling out to her possible savior.

You chose not to take the Pristine Blade; you don't think this is a situation that can't be solved with talking. The Narrator, naturally, disagrees.

## Turn Around and Leave

> Seriously? You're just going to turn around and leave? Do you even know where you're going?
>
> The Narrator, incredulous that you would just up and walk away.