Apparently, Aylin decided that this wasn’t worth the trouble and left it be. However, Mira does not seem to agree.

“What is your problem.” All eyes turn to her. Her blue her was covering her face making it hard to read her very well.

“We don’t know ANYTHING about you! You look like you are 12 and are the hero. How did that happen? Why is the sleeping one already awoken? Who are you? And why won’t you tell us anything about you! The only reason why we know your name is because you decided to tell some strangers instead of us… You hesitated but not because you didn’t want them to know, was it? It was us you wanted to hide from.” At some point during her rant did she looked up at Rue, her eyes burning with venom.

She was sitting directly across from Rue so her glare could directly pierce them. Deciding to stay quiet for now. A couple of seconds or perhaps minutes pass where no one speaks and the air grows thicker. Until Rue decides that this was not fair.

“I don’t owe you anything. Not my name or my life story. It’s not like you told me anything about yourself either besides your name. We aren’t here because we want to and we don’t have to get along but we have the same goal.”

Whether we choose that goal ourselves does not matter. It is now something we have to fulfill.

“Furthermore, what do you expect from me. There is nothing to say about me.” Rue decides not to comment on Miras’ questions on the sleeping one, not even sure why she felt the need to ask. Furrowing their brows Rue wonders if she knows something. They bit their lip until they tasted blood. Would she rat them out?

She obviously doesn’t like them, but Rue doesn’t want to be executed. Oblivious to what the others were doing while they spiraled, they didn’t notice the concerned looks send their way.

Mira was contemplating some things, realizing that she was being too harsh. After all, Rue was simply a small child forced into this role. They must be so scared of fighting the sleeping one she despairs silently in her mind.

Cael had a similar but at the same time different thought process to Mira while Aylin was analyzing everything. Liora stayed quiet but her gaze was fixed on Rue.

The air in the carriage stayed heavy Rue assumes that the others must realize that they aren’t the hero. If not literally then at least that they don’t have a noble, heroic personality. The others, however, were thinking about how young Rue must be. A child send on a mission to their death.

“Would you like to hear a story, Rue?” Cael suddenly asked out of the blue. Rue was slowly blinking at Cael not comprehending the question as they were abruptly pulled out of their spiraling.

“A story.” Rue was trying to piece together what Cael was talking about. Cael suddenly looked ready to burst into tears, making Rue jump back slightly before nodding.

“Sure. Yup. A story.” Rue agreed to something. What they don’t know but hopefully it would stop Cael from bursting into tears. Indeed, he light up slightly but there was a certain sadness sticking to him. Though he also shook that off surprisingly quickly and launched into his story making Rue realize what they agreed to.

“You know I have a couple siblings! 5 to be exact. They are very cute and the most annoying people I have ever met. I’m the second oldest so it was my job to take care of them most of the time. They loved clinging to me. Some because they enjoyed spending time with me and others because they love my suffering.

One time I was cleaning the kitchen when one of my sisters somehow managed to sneak a bright pink bow into my hair. It was rather big, so I have no idea how I didn’t realize but that day I went to my knight training with a beautiful new accessory! At first, I couldn’t figure out why everyone was looking at me. Some laughed and others gave me compliments. Until I heard my siblings laugh. Looking into a window I saw my reflection.” At the end Rue was laughing remembering the pranks they themselves would play on their brother.

“How did they manage to sneak into the castles training grounds?” Mira asked, looking amused but also incredulous. Cael shrugged.

“I have no clue and it wasn’t even the only time they did something like that! Those bastards are extremely sneaky when they want to be.”

“Seems we were in good hands.” Aylin snarks.

And so, the rest of the ride was. Cael told stories of his siblings ranging from accidentally breaking something to almost burning down the entire empire while trying to read a book. They apparently had too much energy.

At some point everyone but Rue feel asleep. They looked outside looking at the scenery passing. They at the very least don’t have to worry about getting lost or going the wrong way thanks to magic guiding the horses. Rue was dwelling on all the things that happened. Unsure what they should do once they get to the sleeping one. And as if summoned by Rue overthinking Nyx suddenly appeared.

Rue startles and instantly snatches Nyx out of the air and holds them close as if that would stop the hero’s party from asking questions or noticing the cats present but they remained asleep.

“What are you doing? Isn’t this a bit too risky.” Rue hissed. Nyx simply got comfortable on their lap as if they were an actual cat.

“You know to some extent we are now connected, partner. I noticed your distress and decided to check on your.” Rue let out a sigh but was actually a little touched by Nyx concern.

“What should I do once I get to the sleeping one? I can’t seal them since I don’t have any of these fancy hero powers. If I don’t get caught before then then that will certainly bust me. You mentioned I could cut the threat of any being so does the same apply to the sleeping one?” Biting their lip Rue momentarily turns their attention outside. They were currently passing through a forest.

It was quiet. The same peaceful atmosphere exists inside the carriage. Ayling and Mira curled up on one corner of the carriage being careful not to disturb the other. Liora was somehow sitting perfectly straight while sleeping.

At first Rue was actually concerned that she wasn’t sleeping but her steady breaths and lack of reaction to everything disproved that. Cael was using Rues shoulder as a pillow and snoring softly. Nyx started talking again snapping Rue out of their thoughts.

“Well, I did say that every being has a threat but…” The cat grimace.

“But what?” Rue tilted their head carefully not to disrupt Cael.

 “The sleeping one can hardly be called a being in the traditional sense. Perhaps something closer to a god or monster.” It was licking its paws unbothered. Meanwhile Rues brows furrowed their lip almost bleeding from how hard they were biting it.

“A monster has a threat too, doesn’t it? Besides what exactly do you mean God?!” Rues voices got higher at the end. Nyx slaps their paws over Rues mouth shutting them up.

“Careful or you will wake them!!!” Rue nods and carefully look at the others but they look undisturbed.

“Good, now spit it out.”

“Well monsters are beings, but their threats are completely messed up and, in some way, nonexistent. The same goes for the sleeping one but they have been so far gone for so long that over the last centuries or so I couldn’t even see or feel their threat. They must still have one but good luck finding it. Let alone cutting it.”

“But there is one?”

“Indeed, mate, there is.” Rue nods. That’s all they need for now.

“Good, good. That’s good.” Nyx tilts it’s head looking at Rue intently.

“Say… is it ok that I cut the threat of other beings? I mean the consequences are a bit extreme, aren’t they?” Rue was hunching forward looking like they wanted to appear even smaller than they already were.