Prophecy

For the music track, see The Legend.

For the Chapter subtitled Prophecy, see Chapter 4.

...It's... pretty hard to believe.
Not just... that things have been predicted, sure.
But that... I'm... part of it too, I guess.

Susie, Chapter 4

The prophecy (JP: 予言), also known as the legend of DELTA RUNE or simply DELTARUNE, is an ancient myth known among the Lightners and Darkners in Deltarune. It centers around the adventure of a group of heroes, mentions a figure known as the Angel, and features the Delta Rune emblem.

Unfolding over the course of the game's Chapters, the prophecy is a wide-ranging force of fate that is accurate down to minute details. Its Last Prophecy projects a tragic ending to the heroes' tale, in which the Light World and the ⁣Dark World can only be saved at a great cost.

Variants

Upon Kris and Susie's arrival in the Dark World in Chapter 1, Ralsei recites the prophecy to inform them of their roles as heroes. However, he does not disclose all the details of the full prophecy, later calling his version a summary. Alternatively, Lancer summarizes it without a cutscene if Kris chooses not to listen. Ralsei's synopsis is the "legend of DELTA RUNE", and its sepia cutscenes are featured as the opening cinematic for Chapters 1 through 3 for the game's main menu.

In the Light World, the prophecy is preserved as an ancient text which serves as an object of worship for Hometown's local religion, though parts of it have been lost to time. It is the basis for the Lord of the Hammer book series, which in turn the Dragon Blazers game series is based on.

A glass tapestry in the Dark Sanctuary, as Dark Sanctuary plays

In Chapter 4, additional segments of the prophecy are revealed in both the Light World and Dark World in the form of a hymn, a "reading" Catty gives in church, and glass tapestries within the Dark Sanctuaries. The latter uses IMAGE_DEPTH as an asset, which the sepia scene shifts into for the Chapter 4 main menu once the Chapter has been completed.

Ralsei's synopsis

The three heroes, as The Legend plays

Once upon a time, a LEGEND was whispered among shadows.

It was a LEGEND of HOPE.	It was a LEGEND of DREAMS.
It was a LEGEND of LIGHT.	It was a LEGEND of DARK.

This is the legend of DELTA RUNE
For millenia,^[sic] LIGHT and DARK have lived in balance,
Bringing peace to the WORLD.
But if this harmony were to shatter...
a terrible calamity would occur.
The sky will run black with terror
And the land will crack with fear.
Then, her heart pounding...
The EARTH will draw her final breath.
Only then, shining with hope...
Three HEROES appear at WORLDS' edge.
A HUMAN,
A MONSTER,
And a PRINCE FROM THE DARK.
Only they can seal the fountains
And banish the ANGEL'S HEAVEN.
Only then will balance be restored,
And the WORLD saved from destruction.
Today, the FOUNTAIN OF DARKNESS-
The geyser that gives this land form-
Stands tall at the center of the kingdom.
But recently, another fountain has appeared on the horizon...
And with it, the balance of LIGHT and DARK begins to shift...

Chapter 4's version

Hymn

The Lightner choir singing Hymn

Heaven knows
the story that we've born
from our hearts

Of the shadows cutting deep
and the heroes that save us

Heaven knows
The beauty of the soul
and we weep

To the majesty and
pray we not forget
the tale of DELTARUNE

Catty's reading of the holy words

Oh my god, so like, the Angel, that's watching over all of us?
It has, like, this COOL prophecy, like, foretold by time and space.
And, like, um... ummm... like, like...
OK, so like, I'm kind of paraphrasing here, but,
There's, like, these heroes, and they're like, SO cool.
They have like, swords and stuff?
And there's one with like, ummm, horns?
He's honestly SO cute.
I mean, there, like, aren't any pictures, but like,
IDK why, I just imagine him, as, like, cute!
Like, OMG, pinch his cheeks and give him a pumpkin pie!
Give him a, like, a fat-free cat food coupon clipping!
We, have like, such A HUGE pile of those to get rid of OMG
But, like, what's amazing, is how, like, these heroes,
Are like, oh my god, they're like...
The thing is, they could be like, any one of us, you know?
So, like, that's the thing, like,
You gotta keep in mind we could ALL be!!!
Someone that might change the world, right?
So we should all, like... be nice to each other, right?
That's, like, the main... thingy? Of our religion, right?
Like, just be nice to everyone! We're all family!
No matter what kinda person or who they are!
Like, we believe weird crap but we're totally, like, welcoming!
You don't know who's gonna grow up to be a hero, right?
Like... even maybe, like, I'm actually a Hero too?
Like, maybe I'm keeping a secret from you guys...?
Psyche! It's totally not me hahaha.
... or is it?? Like, totally keeping you guessing, right?
And yeah, like, OK, yeah, that's not the whole thing.
Maybe bad things happen in the story too.
Like... what's it called? A calamity?
But, like, it's like, all cool because, like...
...
OK actually I don't remember what happens???
I always fell asleep during the reading TBH LOLLLLL
Oh my god while I'm, like, up here, can I like, give some shout outs?
Like, shout-out to my mom and dad...
Hey mom and dad!
And, like, shout out to my little sister,
Who couldn't make it here today.
IDK what she's doing, communing with demons or something? LOL
Yeah, she like, DOES that. LOL. So cute am I right???
She should come here and like,
Bask in like, some totally holy light some time.
Lap her tongue in the holy bowl of cat drinking water -
Oh my god, what? That's not for drinking?
OMG, I kept drinking it because I was thirsty!! LOL!!
OMG!!! Hahahahaha!!!
Hahahahaha!!!
Huh? The reading's over?
Aww, okay...

Dark Sanctuaries

Text	Image	Internal name	Note
Dark Sanctuary
THE PROPHECY, WHICH WHISPERS AMONG THE SHADOWS.		initial1	-
THE LEGEND OF THIS WORLD. <DELTARUNE.>		initial2	-
A WORLD BASKED IN PUREST LIGHT. BENEATH IT, GREW ETERNAL NIGHT.		main1	-
IF FOUNTAINS FREED, THE ROARING CRIES. AND TITANS SHAPE FROM DARKENED EYES.		main2	-
JOCKINGTON GROWS THE BEARD.		joke1	Missable. Hidden in a room to the right of the first dimming lights room in the Dark Sanctuary.
THE LIGHT AND DARK, BOTH BURNING DIRE. A COUNTDOWN TO THE EARTH'S EXPIRE.		main3	-
THE POINTY-HEADED WILL SAY "TOOTHPASTE," AND THEN "BOY."		joke2	-
BUT LO, ON HOPES AND DREAMS THEY SEND. THREE HEROES AT THE WORLD'S END.		heroes1	-
THE QUEEN'S CHARIOT CANNOT BE STOPPED.		boss1	Missable. Hidden east of the Old Man's Study.
A CONUNDRUM'S FIRST FOUR TONES.		musicalprophecy1 (text) leftpiece (image)	Missable. Skippable if the correct melody is inputted into the pre-Jackenstein piano.
A CONUNDRUM'S LAST FOUR TONES.		musicalprophecy2 (text) rightpiece (image)
A CONUNDRUM'S MULTITUDE TONES.		musicalprophecybig (text) cacophony_pt1 (image) cacophony_pt2 (image)	-
THE KNIGHT WHICH MAKES WITH BLACKENED KNIFE.		knight1	-
SHALL DUEL WITH HEROES STRIFE BY STRIFE.		knight2	-
2nd Sanctuary
BUT LO, ON HOPES AND DREAMS THEY SEND. THREE HEROES AT THE WORLD'S END.		heroes1	Reappears from the Dark Sanctuary out of order.
THE LIGHT AND DARK, BOTH BURNING DIRE. A COUNTDOWN TO THE EARTH'S EXPIRE.		main3	Reappears from the Dark Sanctuary out of order.
IF FOUNTAINS FREED, THE ROARING CRIES. AND TITANS SHAPE FROM DARKENED EYES.		main2	Reappears from the Dark Sanctuary out of order.
THE THIRD HERO. THE PRINCE, ALONE IN DEEPEST DARK		heroes3	Following panels are new to each sanctuary unless specified.
THE LORD OF SCREENS CLEAVED RED BY BLADE.		boss2	Missable. Hidden behind destroyable bookshelves in 2nd Sanctuary's piano room.
THE FIRST HERO. THE CAGE, WITH HUMAN SOUL AND PARTS!		heroes4	-
AND LAST, WAS THE GIRL. AT LAST, WAS THE GIRL.		rudebuster	-
THE SECOND HERO. THE GIRL, WITH HOPE CROSSED ON HER HEART.		heroes2	-
ROOTS		roots	Missable. Hidden in room from which Chapter 4's Egg room can be accessed.
LOVE FINDS ITS WAY TO THE GIRL.		love	-
THE GIRL		thegirl (text) heroes2 (image)	-
THE GIRL		thegirl (text) heroes2 (image)	-
GALLERY		gallery	Missable. Hidden in the statue room.
THE LAST PROPHECY. THE STORY'S END.		laststory	-
TO SAVE THE WORLDS, THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY.		savetheworlds	-
3rd Sanctuary
THEY'LL HEAR THE RING OF HEAVEN'S CALL.		heavenandhell1	Missable. Hidden behind bookshelves in the PrincessRBN puzzle rooms.
THEY'LL SEE THE TAIL OF HELL TAKE CRAWL.		heavenandhell2
JOCKINGTON GROWS THE BEARD.		joke1	Missable. Accessed by falling down on the middle tile of the third section of the PrincessRBN climbing wall.
THE FLOWER MAN,  TRAPPED IN ASYLUM.		boss3	Missable. Hidden in a room behind an invisible pathway just before the sun/moon room.
THE ANGEL, BANISHED, WILL FINALLY MEET WITH ITS DESIRE.		angel	Missable. Hidden in a room behind an invisible pathway just before the sun/moon room. It supposedly depicts the Angel, though it is not visible to the player. The party reacts to the unseen glass tapestry upon inspecting it.
A WORLD BASKED IN PUREST LIGHT. BENEATH IT, GREW ETERNAL NIGHT.		main1	Reappears from the Dark Sanctuary.
THE LIGHT AND DARK, BOTH BURNING DIRE. A COUNTDOWN TO THE EARTH'S EXPIRE.		main3	Reappears from the Dark Sanctuary out of order.
IF FOUNTAINS FREED, THE ROARING CRIES. AND TITANS SHAPE FROM DARKENED EYES.		main2	Reappears from the Dark Sanctuary.
THE LAST PROPHECY. THE STORY'S END.		laststory	-
AND THEN. WHEN ALL HOPE IS LOST FOR THE TALE		end1	-
THE FINAL TRAGEDY UNVEILS.		end2	-
TO SAVE THE WORLDS, THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY.		savetheworlds	-
[Line destroyed by Susie]		-	-
ONLY THEN, WILL THE WORLDS BE SAVED.		end5	-

Unused parts

Text	Image	Internal name	Notes
AXE CARVED BY THE TORTOISE'S GRAND HAMMER.		hammer	While the text is unused, the image can be seen in the background of the first room of the 3rd Sanctuary. It resembles the JusticeAxe, or Gerson's hammer.
COLDWATER FELL FROM THE TOP OF THE SKY.		snowflakes	Paraphrased in the Winter 2025 Newsletter as "Cold water falls from the top of the sky." A participant in the "How long did it take her to smile?" campaign answered "When the cold water falls from the sky" and received the response "You're getting ahead of yourself." Later on the "Where did it take place?" campaign, a participant answered similarly and recieved the response "You know that isn't until later."
FOR TO SAVE THE WORLDS,  WE LAST OF ALL SAY,		end3	As evidenced by its filename, this was presumably replaced by the savetheworlds segment.

An especially large collection of unused parts is included in obj_dw_church_legender, with associated rooms but incomplete code.

Text	Room
IT STARTED ONCE UPON A TIME A LEGEND SPOKE IN SHADOWD RHYME	Room with first Guei encounter
OF LIGHT AND DARK AND LOVE AND HATE THE HOPES AND DREAMS THAT GOVERN FATE
THIS WAS THE LEGEND OF <DELTARUNE.>
A WORLD BASKED IN PUREST LIGHT. BENEATH IT, GREW ETERNAL NIGHT.	Unused room_dw_church_intro3
THE FOUNTAINS FREED, THE ROARING CRIES.	Room where the Old Man breaks the glass tapestry, according to the code. Likely intended to appear in room_dw_church_lantern_hallway_old, which is an earlier version of this room that contains a legender object.
THE TITANS SHAPE FROM DARKENED EYES.
THE LIGHT AND DARK, BOTH BURNING DIRE.	Unused room_dw_church_stairs_topleft or room_dw_church_stairs_topright, only on the first visit to either room
A COUNTDOWN TO THE EARTH'S EXPIRE.
BUT LO, ON HOPES AND DREAMS THEY SEND. THREE HEROES AT THE WORLD'S END.	Unused room_dw_church_stairs_topleft and room_dw_church_stairs_topright, on additional visits to either room
THE GIRL, WITH HOPE CROSSED ON HER HEART.	Unused room_dw_church_stairs_west_bell
THE PRINCE, ALONE IN DEEPEST DARK.
THE CAGE, WITH HUMAN SOUL AND PARTS.
THE POINTY-HEADED ONE WILL SAY "TOOTHPASTE", AND THEN "BOY."	Small room, replaced by Jockington prophecy

Creation and development

For more of Deltarune's overall development, see Deltarune § Development.

him.png, from 2016 to 2017, with increased contrast

Part of the prophecy was teased on the official deltarune.com website during Chapter 1's development from 2016 to 2017. It was represented as a replaced version of him.png, which parallels the December 2015 version. It is similarly an uppercase, low-contrast text written in the Wingdings font, with "THREE HEROES APPEARED TO BANISH THE ANGEL'S HEAVEN".

Gallery

• 
  The Earth as depicted in the game's intro cutscene
• 
  The Three Heroes as depicted in the game's intro cutscene
• 
  The Three Heroes banishing the Angel's Heaven
• 
  The Grand Fountain and Ralsei's castle
• 
  Development material layouts of the legend cutscene
• 
  Kris and Susie shattering through the Dark Sanctuary's first glass tapestry
• 
  Many glass tapestries in the 3rd Sanctuary

Trivia

• The only character mentioned by name in the legend is Jockington. The Knight is only referred to by their title, while Queen is only referred to by her nickname.