Read Anita and the Sword of Rune (Will Be Written) :: Chapter 5

Last night, Anita spent time calming Mar’s worries. Now on the day of her inauguration, she was trying to calm herself.

“It's fine, it's fine. All I have to do is say some words and accept the role.” Despite the affirmations she was giving herself, Anita was still nervous. She was pacing around her room for the hundredth time this morning when Mars came into her room.

“What are you doing? We have some early morning training and then you must get ready for your inauguration. Speaking of, here. This is your outfit, don't damage it.”

“I won't damage it, thanks” Anita mumbled. Mars looked at her with a frown.

“You know you’ll do great, right?” Mars reassures. “The people already know you, it's just a matter of saying a few words.” Anita sighs and sits on the bed.

“But do they? It's not like I've gone out and talked to them. All I've done is train and sleep.” Anita flopped back on the bed. I'm different from any other hero, I'm doing this because there is no other option for me. Also, there are guards at every door, so-” Mars snorts, sitting next to Anita.

“There are gonna be far more challenges down the road. But if you are so nervous about everyone looking at you, just look at me. Then I'll stick my tongue out and you’ll suppress a dumb joke.” Anita looks up at Mars. Their cropped hair was newly cut, perfectly angling her face. She wore more makeup than usual, with black eyeshadow and a pale lip tint.

“You look nice,” Anita said without thinking. Mars's cheeks flushed as she turned away. “I-i mean you always look nice, but like you have more makeup on than usual so I think it looks nice on you-” Anita laughed awkwardly.

“Thanks, you look like you need a shower. Meet me in the training room after you take one.” Mars replied. After this, she quickly left the room. Anita flopped back on her bed.

When Anita entered the training room, it was pitch black. She raised her sword, which glowed in the light. “Hello?” she saw an orange glow coming towards her and blocked it with Rune.

“You've learned how to fight in the light” came a familiar voice. The sword receded into the shadows. “Now use those instincts to fight in the dark.”

“Mars, are you seri-aAHH!” Anita dodged another incoming swing, learning just how serious Mars was. She swung her sword, only to hit nothing.

Rune, help me out here Anita thought. Her sword flickered before glowing brighter as if to say “whatever”. Anita once again noticed a blur of orange. This time, she ducked, aiming under the sword. Reoia faded out of sight quickly.

“Good. you're getting better at this. But what if there was no light at all?” Mars questioned. As if on cue, the orange blur flickered out of sight. Anita had a feeling she wasn't going to see it again. Immediately, she got hit with the hilt of a sword. Stumbling a little. But holding her ground. Anita swung at the empty air.

“Stop swinging and start feeling. We've been training for months together. By now you should know my moves. My patterns, my fighting style. Remember what you know, and use it.” Anita swung at the sound, to no avail.

“I don't have super senses or a fire sword. Sorry if I'm struggling-” on instinct, Anita blocked a sword.

“You aren't struggling, just thinking too much,” Mars replied. Now, let's try this again. Anita focused, and once again blocked the sword.

“Whoa. I couldn't do this before-”

“You could,” Mars insisted. “Even if you couldn't, your body and sword can feel where I'm gonna hit. Rune should have a connection with all elements, which is shared with you. But what do you feel?”

Anita thought for a little before answering. “I don't know, I just feel you. Like I know you're going to be there in some way. Maybe the air?”

“That's your sword. When it chose you, it extended its abilities to you. Now they are yours.”

“What if it chooses a new hero?”

“You've trained together for months. Your sword is a part of you as much as it's a weapon. It's an extension of your being. When you realize this, you will be undefeated.”

“I'm sure my sword would like someone better at fighting,” Anita smirked.

“You're getting better, but not at the jokes.” Mars smirked. “Well, you can head back now and get ready. I have a meeting before your inauguration.” Marsclapped twice, and the lights turned on. “See you later, Hero.” As Mars left the room, Anita followed, heading in the opposite direction to her quarters. Hung up on the wall was a new outfit with a note:

“Wear this Hero :p - M” Anita's cheeks tinged pink as she set the note down to grab the outfit. There was a dark blue tunic, hemmed in a silver fabric it somewhat shined in the lights. It had long sleeves and despite its look, was tight-fitting on Anita. She also had a pair of black tights, made of a thick but breathable fabric she couldn't name. There was a brown utility belt, complete with 2 pouches and a sword holster. The holster looked worn, making Anita wonder if it was worn by past heroes. Lastly, was a pair of black flats. The leather shoes fit her feet perfectly, but she put them back in their box. Instead, she put on her worn pair of boots that she inherited from her mother. Slipping the picture of her parents in her pouch, she sat, waiting for the arrival of her escort. A few minutes later, he arrived. Anita was a little bummed that it wasn't the princess but assumed that Mars probably had something important to do. Outside the castle, it was fairly warm. Gray clouds were coming, so Anita hoped to get this over quickly. Then maybe the sinking feeling in her stomach would fade. Arriving at the town square, she looked around for the princess. Anita finally found them, arguing with their mother behind the curtains.

“I finished your punishment, and I think I did a really good job. You can't keep me here forever-” Mars exclaimed. The queen looked as cold as usual.

“I can, and I will. Just because you can fight doesn't mean it's safe for someone of your caliber to go around without any watch. Your outing to Aquatila was the last straw. You're staying here, Maybelle.”

“It's Mars, you know this mom-”

“I named you after my mother, and so that is what I will call you. I know you don't have any respect for my decisions but this is something I won't change-”

“I'm not your mom! I'm your child, so why is it so hard for you to accept me as such?” Mars growled in anger, but her mother just tilted her eyes.

“Just because you think you can change who you are, doesn't mean you can. Above all, you are a princess and it's my job to prepare you for the role of queen. If you can't understand that, there is no reason for you to leave.” As her voice rose, Mars looked less and less interested in what her mother was saying.

“Whatever! If you can't accept my decisions then dont for all I care.” Mars storms away, leaving the queen alone. Anita approaches her with caution.

“Uhm. Queen Eliza?” The queen looked over at Anita, her gaze softening.

“Ah, Anita. Have you decided that you are our hero?” the queen asked. Before Anita could get out a response, the queen continued. “Of course you have, or you wouldn't be here. I am glad at least one person is listening to my jurisdiction. My daughter is out of control, thinking she can go anywhere she wants without my approval. She is a princess and needs to understand that.”

“Mars prefers to be called ‘they,'” Anita argues.

“Maybelline is my daughter. I had her, and I know her better than anyone. If she wants to rebel against me, that's her choice. To me, you will address her as Maybelle, my daughter. Yes?” the queen stared Anita down until she answered.

“Yes, your majesty.”

“Now go up on stage, you don't want to be late” Anita did as she was told. Near the stage was Mars. She gave a small smile before looking back at the crowd. Anita thought to herself, as long as she focused on Mars she could do this. Nothing could go wrong. Even as Anita told herself that, her nerves were skyrocketing. The queen soon joined them on the stage.

“Today my friends” Eliza started, “we are gathering to officially accept our newest hero into the ranks of the parliament. By officially accepting her role as Hero of Marovola, Anita of Aquatila is agreeing to protect us from all that may try to harm us until her final breath.” The words were coming fast, but only a few were stuck in Anita’s head. “Now, to read off the agreements.” All Anita had to do was repeat what was said, she felt she could do this.

“I, hero of Malovora” the queen started

“I hero of Malovora” Anita repeated,

“Shall forevermore”

“Inspire hope and justice”

“Carry out my sacred mission”

“And protect the citizens of this fair country”

“With my life, if need be,” the queen said finally. Anita went to respond, but the words got stuck in her throat. She looked over at Mars, who was staring at her wide-eyed. The princess nodded in approvement. Anita finally mustered up the courage to speak.

“W-with my life if need be.” The words came out, but all Anita could feel was dread. She didn't want to lose her life fighting for a kingdom she barely knew. She wanted to live it as long as she could, and work at a tea shop with her best friend. As her sword was placed in her hands and as her eyes welled up with tears, it felt as if her whole world was crashing down. She turned to face the crowd.

“Malovora,” Announced the queen, “Our 8th hero, Anita, and the sword of Rune!” The crowd rejoiced. Confetti was thrown and applause grew.

“Oh no, was I not invited to the party?” A voice echoed through the square, cutting through all the excitement. The noise died down as the nearby storm clouds rolled in quickly, casting a dark shadow over the land. A dark fog slowly started to crawl its way through the crowd. A hand caressed Anita’s face, and she turned to see a man. Or, at least the shape of one. The shadow was dark and wispy. Where his face should be, were deep pools of darkness, only adding to his unnerving appearance. What was the most frightening was the smile-like expression he was weakening as if the shadow could tear everything away from her and laugh. It was almost as if she could see that whoever this was, had no soul and it made her freeze in fear. “So this is our little hero.” The man spoke. He grazed his hand over Anita's face, inspecting every square inch of her. Anita sucked in a breath. “The quality of them keeps going down, this time, you couldn't even get a man. Where is Eliza, she’s probably ancient by now.”
“Step away from the hero, Darkness.” the queen spoke up. She was being guarded heavily as she drew attention to herself. The darkness smiled.

“Eliza, Wow! You look so old! What's it been, 20 years? Looks like that baby girl of yours has grown too.” Darkness waved over at Mars, who stepped back, moving their hand toward the hilt of their sword. Despite the calm expression Mars wore, Anita could see that their eyes were filled with fear. Anita got the courage to grip her sword and swing it at the Darkness. As the blade approached the figure, it simply dissipated. “You didn't think I’d reveal myself this early in the game, hero?” a voice came, echoing. “You’ll have to find me first, that is if you can escape.” At this point, the fog has swept over the crowd, reaching the edge of the stage. Shadows rose from the smoke, striking fear into citizens. People started to scream and scatter. Guards started to rush them off the stage. People were pushing and grabbing. In the mists of the chaos, a hand gripped her own.

“We have to go.” Mars said, pulling Anita through the crowd,”

“But your mom-”

“My mom has dozens of guards, but you freeze up too much to be left to your own devices. It's my fault, I should have prepared you better for this” as Mars went on, all Anita could focus on was the shaking hand holding hers. Then she pulled away.

“Prepared me? You knew this would happen?!” Anita yelled. Mars tried to grasp her hand, but she moved away.

“The darkness doesn't stay down for long.” Mars started. “ it was expected that it would appear, but nothing like this-”

“That's what all the meetings were about, they were about the confrontation. And of course you guys still threw a big party with everyone in the city as witnesses. All those people out there are here, because of you?-” tears split from Mars’ eyes.

“I didn't want any more pressure on you. They said they could handle it- she told me she could. But they can't. And if they can't, then you can't. We have to go. Please.” Mars put out her hand one last time. Anita reluctantly took it. They slipped through the wild crowd, running from shadows, wraiths as Mars called them. They were the souls of all that fell to the hands of the darkness. Anita couldn't help but wonder how many would fall as she ran away from the capital.

“Is it okay to leave?” Anita questioned “I mean, these people need us. I-i just took an oath to protect them. How is this protecting them?” Mars squeezed her hand tighter.

“I know better than anyone that you have to protect them, they are my people. But I must protect you. The best way to do both would be to take out the darkness at the heart.” Even though it still felt wrong, Anita knew Mars was right. Trying to fight an army of monsters would just end up in a loss. As they escaped into the forest, the capital fell into the darkness.