A small teenager with short messy blond hair was running down the streets of a small town. They held some apples tightly in their arms. Behind them they could hear a man around 50-years-old yell loudly

“THIEF!!!”

The teenager speeds up and hides in an alleyway and takes a lot of turns. After they were sure that they lost everyone who was following them they took a deep breath. They adjust their hat, a purple cat beanie, as it got messed up during the chase. Afterwards they hide the apples in their messenger bag. Inside were the freshly stolen apples, some bread, a knife with the name “Rue” engraved on it and some little nicknacks they acquired over the years.

Suddenly Rue saw something white and golden in the corner of their eyes. Turning they see a carriage. It was being pulled by two white horses. The carriage screamed wealth. Rue titls their head considering how worth it would be if they tried to take a look. Making up their mind they started to follow the carriage.

“What’s that?” A women preparing various foods for her stand looks over to the carriage not noticing the teenager disappearing into the woods with it.

“You seriously haven’t heard?” Another women helping the first one with her stand replied in shock.

“Apparently they are transporting the hero’s relic to the empire.”

“Why wasn’t it in the empire this entire time.”

“How should I know?”

Father away the carriage was moving forward not aware of their little stalker. Rue managed to avoid being seen. When the sun was starting to fall the carriage finally stopped. A person steps out and stretches.

“I’m going to walk around for a bit my legs are stiff.”

The guard simply nodded and moved to the front of the carriage to take care of the horses. Rue seeing the opportunity moved quickly inside of the carriage. There was some food, money and a weird necklace. Rue didn’t take a lot, only enough to not be noticed and so that the others would still have enough. After getting everything their eyes went to the necklace. It was in a glass case that was reinforced with magic.

Rue took it curiously. They knew that they should leave it but just as they were about to put it back the magic disappeared and the glass case opened. The necklace was shaped like a star and appeared to be made by some jewel. It was completely black except for a second smaller star inside the necklace that was a beautiful blue. Rue decided fuck it and put it on almost instinctively.

Without warning their vision started to swim and they fell backwards outside of the carriage and onto the cold floor. The thud they made alerted the guards of their presence who immediately came swords drawn and ready to attack. Rue was not really processing anything all they could feel was how everything hurt. Their whole body felt like it was on fire and they clutched their shirt above their heart.

They wanted to scream but their voice did not cooperate. When their blurry vision focused somewhat, they saw a strange creature coming towards them. At first Rue assumed it was the guards but the way it was moving was wrong. It was on all four and was completely black. Their body was leaking black liquid. It looked like someone spilled ink on an animal though the shape was humanoid. It didn’t have a mouth and it’s pure white eyes were looking directly at Rue.

Rue was blinking, trying to clear the vision but instead of disappearing the monster started to get clearer. They wanted to run away but their body did not listen, still twitching on the floor with pain. The monster lunged forward. Its claws were ready to rip Rue apart. Not knowing what to do they closed their eyes, preparing to meet their end.

Snap

A weird sound echoed in Rues ears. After waiting multiple minutes and not feeling dead they opened their eyes.

“Huh?”

The monster was lying on top of Rue dead. It’s blood was on their face.

“What happened!?” A bewildered voice asked on Rues left and they turned their head and saw the guards standing still. One had an arrow and bow. Looking at the wound on the monsters’ shoulder Rue guessed that was the reason for the blood however something like that shouldn’t have killed it. Rues brain was still hazy with pain and panic but he recognized the monster now.

They were known as the corrupt. Weird black inky monsters that appeared sometimes and killed until it was killed. There was nothing really known about them.

Though it seems Rue wasn’t the only one recognizing things. One guard harshly slapped the other one and then pointed at Rue. Specifically their chest. The other one suddenly perked up before wordlessly shaking the other one roughly and the two were communicating with their expressions alone.

Eventually Rue decided that they saw enough and pushed the monster off themselves trying to wordlessly disappear but the second they stood up the two guards’ attention snapped to him. The first guard cleared their throat.

“Are you okay? I apologize for our rude behavior please let us help you.” He spoke politely while his friend was making some weird dying noises. Rue positively creeped out was slowing backing away.

“I’m ok! Thanks for asking but I should leave. Before-”

“I’m sorry but I’m afraid you can’t” A new voice joined. It was the guy who left earlier. Rue wanted to call them all something but did not want to know their names. So, idiot 1, idiot 2 and idiot 3 must suffice for now and hopefully forever. Rue was still backing away and held up their hands.

“Well, it was nice meeting you but again I have to leave.” A nervous laugh escaped them.

“I humbly ask you to accompany us.” Idiot 3 continued as if Rue didn’t even speak.

“Why?” they ask.

‘LEAVE’ Rue screams at themselves. Who cares why???

“We have been searching for you for a long time, hero” Idiot 1 interjects. Thanks to his input Rue blue screens again.

“Hero?” They breathe out harshly.

“Yes, you are after all wearing the hero’s relic and just killed that monster.” Idiot 3 took over the conversation again. Although Rue wanted to scream that he wasn’t even there they instead took another deep breath. They looked at themselves and saw the necklace. Apparently, the hero’s relic something only the hero was able to wear. Should another person try to do so there would be consequences or so the legends say. Rue frowns and wonders if that’s what all that pain was about.

“Who else are you if not the chosen one?” Idiot 3 raised an eyebrow in a manner suggesting that he was starting to question some things. Now the newly named suspicious bitch stepped closer to Rue who in turn stayed put not willing to risk being caught.

“Sorry. You are completely right I’m the hero” A little spoiler Rue was not, and they were well aware of this fact however they didn’t feel like finding out what would happen should someone realize he is wearing the hero’s relic without being him.

“So, I guess I’m going to join you on your journey.” Rue gave them a big, innocent smile. The two guards, idiot 1 and idiot2, nodded enthusiastically while suspicious bitch was still staring with furrowed brows.