You’re standing on a path in the woods. 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.
If you’ve played Black Tabby Games’ psychological horror hit, you’ve heard those words a thousand times. You’ve also probably died a thousand times. Maybe you’ve been impaled, melted, or had your heart literally ripped out by a cosmic entity that used to be a girl in a dress. But for many players, the credits rolling on Slay the Princess isn't the end. It’s the beginning of a massive spiral into Slay the Princess fanfic where the community tries to make sense of the Narrator’s lies and the Shifting Mound’s hunger.
Honestly, the game is built for it. It’s a literal multiverse of choice and consequence. When you finish the game, you’re left with these massive, philosophical questions about change, death, and what it actually means to love someone who is also a god. Or a monster. Or a ghost.
The fan community has stepped into that void with an intensity that honestly rivals the game's own obsession with cyclical violence.
The Narrative Void and Why We Write
Why does Slay the Princess fanfic even exist? Usually, games with multiple endings satisfy that itch. You get the "good" ending and you move on. But there is no simple "good" ending in this game. Even the Apotheosis or the "Leaving Together" endings feel heavy. They feel like they need a sequel.
Most writers on Archive of Our Own (AO3) or Tumblr focus on the stuff the game implies but doesn't show. Like, what happens after you leave the cabin? What does "existence" even look like once the Narrator isn't there to yell at you?
It's about the Voices. Those little fractured pieces of the protagonist's psyche—the Hero, the Cold, the Smitten, the Stubborn—are the heartbeat of the fandom. In the game, they disappear or merge. In fanfiction, they get to be characters. People write them as a dysfunctional family stuck in one brain. It’s funny. It’s tragic. It’s exactly why the game sticks with you.
Relationships Beyond the Blade
Most people search for Slay the Princess fanfic because they want to see the romance explored without the constant threat of a knife to the throat. Well, usually. Sometimes the knife is the point.
The dynamic between the Long Quiet (the player) and the Princess is a toxic, beautiful mess. Writers love exploring the "Nightmare" or "The Tower" versions of the Princess specifically. These are characters defined by power imbalances.
📖 Related: Why the Connections Hint December 1 Puzzle is Driving Everyone Crazy
There’s a specific subgenre of fics that focus on the "pining." Because the Long Quiet and the Princess are two halves of a whole, there’s this cosmic loneliness that writers tap into. You’ll find stories that imagine the millions of years they spent in the void between loops. It’s heavy stuff. It’s not just "shipping" in the traditional sense; it’s more like an existential crisis written in the form of a love letter.
Then you have the "Voices" interaction fics. People love the Voice of the Smitten. He’s the fan favorite for a reason. He’s deluded, he’s romantic, and he’s absolutely obsessed. Seeing him interact with the more cynical Voices like the Broken or the Opportunist provides the levity that a horror game desperately needs.
Common Tropes You'll Encounter
- Post-Canon Survival: Exploring the world after the cycle breaks.
- The Voices as Individuals: Giving the internal monologues their own bodies or distinct roles in a new reality.
- The Narrator’s Backstory: Filling in the blanks of who the Echo was before he tried to kill death.
- Fix-it Fics: Usually trying to find a way for everyone to be happy, which is notoriously hard in this universe.
Addressing the "Horror" in the Writing
One thing that makes this fandom's output unique is the body horror. Slay the Princess is a visceral game. Tony Howard-Arias and Abby Howard (the creators) didn't shy away from the gross stuff.
Fanfic writers have followed suit.
There’s a real craft in describing the way the Shifting Mound feels as she consumes a reality. It’s hard to write. You have to balance the poetic nature of the game’s dialogue with the grit of a basement floor covered in blood. The best fics manage to mimic that specific, rhythmic prose the game uses. They use repetition. They use "You" as a second-person perspective because that’s how the game talks to us.
It's immersive. It's unsettling. It works.
Where to Find the Best Stories
If you’re looking for Slay the Princess fanfic, AO3 is the undisputed king. As of early 2026, the tag has grown exponentially.
But don't ignore the smaller corners. The Black Tabby Games Discord has a dedicated creative channel. People post snippets there that never make it to the big sites. You’ll find world-building theories that eventually turn into 50,000-word epics.
👉 See also: Why the Burger King Pokémon Poké Ball Recall Changed Everything
Tumblr is also a goldmine for "Headcanons." These aren't full stories, but they are the building blocks. Things like "What would the Voice of the Cheated do if he won a board game?" or "How does the Princess feel about tea?" It sounds silly, but it builds the community.
Misconceptions About the Fandom
A lot of people think fanfic is just about romance. With a game called Slay the Princess, you’d think it’s all about the "slaying" or the "dating."
It's actually mostly about the philosophy.
I’ve read 10,000-word essays disguised as stories that argue about the ethics of the Narrator’s plan. Was he right to try to stop death? Is a world without change better than a world with suffering? The fans are smart. They aren't just looking for "fluff." They are looking for an extension of the game's core debate.
Another misconception is that it's all "grimdark." While the game is dark, the fanfiction often leans into the "The Hero" perspective—the idea that even in a hopeless loop, trying to be kind matters. It’s surprisingly hopeful.
The Creator’s Stance
Black Tabby Games is incredibly supportive of the community. They’ve often shared fan art and acknowledged the creativity of their players. This open relationship makes the Slay the Princess fanfic scene feel safer and more vibrant.
When creators embrace the "transformative" nature of their work, it gives writers the green light to get weird. And this game gets very, very weird.
We’re seeing stories that crossover with Scarlet Hollow (their other game) or stories that reimagine the entire cabin scenario in a modern-day setting. The flexibility of the "multiverse" concept means nothing is truly out of character.
✨ Don't miss: Why the 4th of July baseball Google Doodle 2019 is still the best game they’ve ever made
Why the "Long Quiet" is the Perfect Protagonist for Writers
The Long Quiet is a blank slate, yet he’s also a deeply defined entity. He is the stillness that exists so that change can happen.
In fiction, this is a goldmine. You can make him as passive or as aggressive as you want. Because the player's choices define him, every writer’s version of the "Hero" is technically canon to their own playthrough.
It removes the "out of character" barrier that plagues other fandoms. If your version of the protagonist is a cold-hearted killer, that’s valid. If he’s a bumbling mess who just wants to hold the Princess’s hand, that’s also valid.
How to Get Started Reading or Writing
If you're diving in for the first time, start with the "Top Kudos" filter on AO3. Look for stories that focus on the "The Razor" or "The Adversary" if you want action. If you want a cry, look for "The Specter."
For writers, the best advice is to listen to the soundtrack. Seriously. The music by Brandon Boone is so tied to the atmosphere of the game that it’s almost impossible to write without it. It sets the tempo.
And don’t be afraid of the Narrator’s voice. Writing his dialogue is a challenge because he’s so specific—pompous, desperate, and ultimately terrified. If you can nail his "Listen to me," you've won half the battle.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Explore the "What Ifs": The game has dozens of permutations, but it doesn't cover everything. Think about a scenario where the Princess and the Protagonist swap roles.
- Focus on the Voices: Use the internal dialogue to provide commentary on the action. It’s the most recognizable part of the game’s style.
- Keep the Mystery: Part of the charm of Slay the Princess is what we don't know. You don't have to explain everything.
- Engage with the Community: Share your work on Discord or Tumblr. This is a "cult classic" style community where every new piece of content is celebrated.
- Respect the Horror: Even if you're writing a happy story, remember the stakes. The world is always ending. That pressure is what makes the characters' choices meaningful.
The world of Slay the Princess fanfic is a reflection of the game itself: recursive, metamorphic, and deeply obsessed with the nature of existence. Whether you’re writing about a quiet moment in the woods or the literal collapse of the universe, you’re part of a cycle that doesn't show any signs of stopping.
Take the pen. You’re here to write. If you don’t, it will be the end of the story.