Painfully Mortal
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Listing Series
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Painfully Mortal (Death of the Author) by overthink_it
Fandoms: Slay the Princess (Visual Novel)
07 Jan 2026
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Summary
The Long Quiet, god made to rid the world of death, must first learn the true horror of permanent finality before they accept their purpose to overcome it.
"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 the very memory of everything I knew and everyone I loved. I needed to do something."
The point of no return was crossed too many lifetimes ago. In truth, they only ever had one real, genuine chance to save everyone, and the second they stepped off the path was the moment they killed Him. Watching Him shatter before their eyes now echoing the same sentiment flooding through them at the sight... is simply karma long overdue.
That doesn't mean they, too, don't feel a need to do something.
Or...
A cursory examination of the futility and desperation of the Long Quiet's final interactions with and perspective on the Narrator.
Series
- Part 1 of Painfully Mortal
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Tags
Summary
When the Narrator wove His new god into being, He gave it the capacity to choose, and ensured in the structure of its shape that it would have the strength to withstand the burden of the choice He gave it.
He gave them the simplest instructions He could possibly manage, and in His final words, pointed them in the exact direction they needed to head. The path was laid out for them before they were even conscious. But, well, they've always been a bit of a contrarian, haven't they?
“Why wouldn't it be what we want? Especially if it brings Him back. We can't keep going without a nemesis.”
There's no accounting for free will.
Or...
A cursory examination of the lengths grief drives those affected by it to act in service of seeing their loved ones again, perhaps even in spite of their wishes.
Series
- Part 2 of Painfully Mortal