They started to look around. At the end they decided to push a chair into the messenger bag they always carry with them. While they do this very smart action, they look out the window. Due to the escort being outside their room they can’t escape out that way and Rue is also unaware where the guards are stationed. They open a window. It’s unlocked! Rue celebrated internally. Looking down they see just how high up they are. This is still on the 3rd floor.

That’s fine, they nod. Looking down they see the necklace moving with their movement. They grip it and walk over to the bed. It’s on the left side of the room in the middle of the wall. They wouldn’t immediately see the necklace there, but it would also not be overlooked. Rue looks down at it a final time. It looks fragile like it’s made of glass, but Rue is sure that it can withstand a lot.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you!” A chipper voice suddenly says. Rue quickly turns around and throws a knife at the offending voice.

“WHOAH!!! Do you always carry knifed with you? On that note where did it even come from? I could have sworn you weren’t holding anything and your messenger bag is… underneath a chair? Anyways! Howdy partner :D” He? She?? It??? Was talking??

Sobbing. Rue was on the floor sobbing.

“What’s wrong, mate?”

“Are you fucking British????”

“What’s that partner? Besides don’t we talk the same?”

Rue continued sobbing, ignoring the fluffy creatures attempt at consoling them. It was a weird floating white cat. That was talking! It had a light blue tail tip; its paws and the inside of its ears were a similar pastel blue. It had a blue bow with gold accents around its neck that had a black star in the middle. It looked fluffy enough that you could suffocate in its fur.

“It’s rude just assuming I’m an it!” Rue started sobbing harder.

“Do you wanna flood us? You got magic and similar things here. Why is a floating talking non-human breaking you this much, mate”

“There is no such thing as talking animals and flight is practically impossible at least not on such a constant and high level!!” Rue stopped crying but was instead looking at the ceiling with a defeated look.

“I just had to go insane right now. Couldn’t it have been at another time this really isn’t convenient for me.” Rue looks to the side out of the window and squints their eyes. “What did I smoke. I don’t remember ever taking anything.”

“You are funny!” The cat laughs.

“You…”

“Yes, me :)”

“I’m still young but already suffering from hallucinations great shit. One out of then, don’t recommend but at least they are cute.”

“Excuse but I very much am real, mate!!!”

“Why are my hallucinations British though? And like weirdly chipper… or have I died. Is this hell?”

“I’m about to send you there if you don’t start to listen to me.” Nyx very kindly informs Rue. Sigh. Rue reaches out and pets Nyx. They hum.

“Sorry. However, I’m going to fuck off now.”

“You speak like you had to eat a lot of soap as a kid. Either you didn’t learn or like the taste of soap too much.”

Ignoring everything including Nyx’s previous warning, Rue takes off the necklace.

“Just so you know, partner, but this won’t do anything! But by all means continue ignoring me!!” Rue puts the necklace on the bed. They blink and suddenly it’s gone. Out of pure shock they jump back. Suddenly their breath quickens, they are breathing too much but no air is getting in their lungs. They grab Nyx out of the air and get them to their eye level.

“WHERE! IS! IT!”

“Where is what, mate :D”

“Don’t! Fuck! With! Me!”

“Ohh~ You mean the necklace, the one I told you not to remove! That one?” Rue takes a deep breath and reminds themselves that violence is not always the answer.

“Yes, that one. Listen I’m sorry for not doing as you told me, but I beg you to understand that I am feeling a little overwhelmed right now and the talking hair ball isn’t helping.”

“Well! I’m going to ignore that last part and apology accepted, partner! Your dear old trusty necklace is right there.” Nyx points its fluffy paws at Rues neck.

“Are you high too? I just took it off-”

“HOW THE FUCK!!!!”

The necklace was around Rues’ neck again.

“I don’t remember you swearing this openingly previously. What are you a five-year-old?”

“Sush. I have a great idea! How about you start explaining!” Nyx titls their head considering it.

“OK!! I will but just enough that you cease whatever it is you are doing or going through!!”

“Doubt it but sure also I think it’s called the five stages of grief. I’m currently speedrunning it.”

“Your cried for help aside. The necklace cannot be removed! YAY! You are now stuck with it!”

“What do you mean…”

“What am I talking to the wall. No removing. You mortals refer to it as the hero’s relic since it can only be put on by the hero however only death can remove it.”

“That’s great and all but I’m not…” Rue bites their lip so hard that they start to bleed.

“Not the hero? I know, mate! Even before you put that little star around your neck!!”

“But then why was I able to put it on? What about the actual hero?”

“Oh! How selfless thinking about him right now! Quite heroic of you!”

“Quit fucking around!” Rue grasp Nyx again.

“Well how about you find that out. I mean where is the fun if I give you all the answers.”

“I will shoot you.” Nyx suddenly jumps back.

“That reminds me! You have gained new skills thanks to you accruing the hero’s relic! You can know summon weapons and [redacted]

As long as no one from your party notices the truth behind me or the necklace! Ain’t that fun?”

“What was that second part?” Rue furrows their eyebrows they feel a small headache building behind their eyes.

“What second part?”

“After you said I could summon weapons?”

“Don’t know what you are going on about! Anyway, any actual questions?”

“It doesn’t matter because I don’t accept.”

“Sorry but I’m afraid you already agreed when you put the necklace on! And aside from that you really don’t have a choice!”

“I’m not even the real HERO!” Rue screams in frustration and rips the necklace off. They throw it out of the window, and it goes flying. A second later it’s back around Rues neck. They try a couple more times without luck.

“You are quite determined. I don’t think there has ever been a hero who rejected me. Well not like they got a choice either!” Nyx was looking incredibly amused and smug especially for a cat.

“Why am I the ‘hero’!?”

“Well, you are not.”

“So then why do I have the necklace? Why are you here?”

“Oops! Guess I messed up he he!!! ABAUBCUBUEWBBE” Rue started to choke Nyx. Not hard but enough that the rest of their sentence could not be finished. After Rue was done shaking Nyx like Christmas decoration they moved to the window. This time to not throw the necklace but themselves out.

If the necklace couldn’t leave, maybe they could.