Storming out of the room, Maybelline groaned at their mother's repetitive instructions. Their mom always sent them to their quarters when they argued. She also; once again, complained about their name. About a year ago, Maybelline cut off their long, flowing hair and changed their name to something more like them; Mars. The name Mars was nothing like their grandmother's flowery princess name. Out of respect for her memory, Mars would never officially change it, but they always preferred Mars. Their mother did not. Just about everyone but their mother has grown accustomed to calling them Mars. Mars is sure that their mom hasn't been trying.

“She had to name me after her mother, huh” Mars started mumbling. “Well I don't want her name, I want my own, which she refuses to call me by” they sighed and turned around. For them, it felt like if they apologized to their mom early on she would diffuse quicker. Returning to the room, Mars opened the door and peeked in. “Mom?-” Mars looked in and saw no one there. They walked in to look and left just as quickly. Rushing down the hall, Mars shouted an order to the nearest guard.

“THE HERO IS GONE, SEARCH THE CASTLE!” Mars turned, before saying one more thing. “And inform the queen.”

Mars knew that they had the upper hand, as the castle was familiar territory to them. They checked every room and hallway that they passed, looking for a blue blur. Despite the advantage, Mars was having a hard time locating the hero. When you were running as fast as Mars, everything blue seemed like a blur, but also Anita was better at hiding than the princess cared to admit. Someone tapped on her shoulder.

“What, yes?-”

“The queen wants to see you.”

“I don't want to see her. Why don't I get a say, huh Jordyn?” Jordyn, the guard sent to give a message, started to look downwards.

“I'm sorry, princess, but- s-so there’s the power hierarchy, and even though you are very important, the queen-”

“I know about the damn hierarchy.” Mars groaned. “Just, take me to her-” a shout came from down the hall. Jordyn the Guard sighed, and Mars smirked. “I gotta go check that, tell the queen I'm doing something important.” At that, Mars left the guard with the hardest job of all: confronting the queen.

Mars crept down the hall, listening for more sounds. Turns out, they didn't have to listen hard. Anita could be heard down the hall, screaming and talking loudly.

“What!- No, no no no I'm not going on some stupid quest-” Mars followed Anita’s screaming to the Weapon’s Room. in the room, was the girl. What Mars was confused about were her glowing eyes. And the fact that she was talking to a sword. The sword, Rune, was gripped in her hands and the engravings were glowing slightly. “Why don't I get to refuse? Hey!- I don't need an adventure, I need my life back!” Anita gripped the sword tighter. 

“Uhm, Hello?-” Mars ducked out of the way of a flying sword. “Watch it!-”

“Why did you people bring me here, isn't a simple no enough for you people!” Anita tried to run, but Mars was just getting up. they crashed into each other, falling onto the floor. Mars groaned.

“God, what part of watching it don't you understand-” at this unconventional time, guards entered the room, with the queen following. Mars groaned once more.

“Maybelline-”

“It’s Mars-”
“- You're lucky I even take you anywhere. Get up.” Mars shot a glare of betrayal at Jordyn, who sheepishly locked away. Mars climbed off the floor, pulling Anita up with them, who glared at the queen as hard as she was glaring back. “So you are the so-called hero-”

“I'm Not your hero, and I don't appreciate being kidnapped against my will.” the room stilled in silence. Mars was impressed with her bravery, but not so much with her smarts. A few moments later, the queen responded softer than she would with Mars. The princess couldn't help but feel jealous. “I know that this must be a new change for you. You are fairly new to the customs we have and believe me, many before you had the same thoughts. But you were chosen by the sword, and that makes you the champion. The hero of our country.” Despite the speech given, Mars noticed how unfazed Anita seemed by this information.

“I know, the sword told me.” Once again, the room was silent.

“The sword Spoke to you?-” Mars found themself asking.

“I'm guessing that's something that doesn't happen often. Even inanimate objects  want me to throw my life away.” 

“You get to be a hero and live in the capital. Reap rewards and go on quests, why would you want to stay in a small apartment in a place like Aquatila when you could live here? This is what everyone wants.” Mars truly didn't get who would want to live in the capital besides herself.

“It's not what I want, and I refuse to be forced into this-”
“It's too late to refuse now, the sword chose you.” Responded the queen. Mars continued,

“Also, your hair has already started turning blue-”

“My hair is WHAT!-” The queen tapped Mars harshly on the shoulder, while Mars laughed at the hero. 

“She fell for it-”  

“Maybelline.” Mars stopped laughing, reluctantly keeping quiet. They truly didn't understand why the sword would choose Anita of all people. She was tall and square. No muscle, and a plain face. Her hair was long and tangled, twisted up in a braid, and her lips were small and thin. There was nothing Mars could see that was truly remarkable about this girl. Anita, now more embarrassed than before, forced her way through the crowd, retrieving the sword laying in the hall. 

“Look,” Anita started, “I know you need a hero to fight whatever is coming, but I truly don't think that could be me. I mean, I can barely escape her, how am I supposed to save you or your kingdom?”

“You're Not the first hero, and you won't be the last.” the queen responds. “You will be trained and accustomed to this life. I will see to it that my daughter, Maybelline, trains you personally." This was new news to Mars, as they turned quickly to her mother.

“Was this the punishment-”

“Furthermore, even if we tried to reassign the hero, it can't be done. We lost a valuable ally the last time it was tried, and... His body has still not been recovered.” The queen looked away for a moment before continuing. “This will be hard, most likely the hardest thing you've ever done, but when the darkness arrives, we need a light. We need our hero, no matter who it may be.” With this, the queen leaves the room, her guards following behind. Mars is left in the room, staring at Anita. Anita seemed to get it this time, as she held the sword firmly, lost in thought. Mars decided to get one last word in.

“No one said this was gonna be easy, but you could at least try to realize how lucky you are to be carrying my family legacy. Some of us don't get to do that.” Before Anita could respond, Mars shoved past her, finally heading to her room.