Azalea shivered, wrapping her shawl around her tighter. Her footsteps splashed in the puddles as she made a steady rhythm with her shoes.

Tap, tap. Tap, tap. Splash! Tap.

The crown atop her head kept slipping, as if even it believed she wasn’t fit to rule.

No matter, she thought to herself, steeling her resolve. My aunt is dead, there is no turning back. I must become the queen of Peace City.

Even though the era she would rule would be the hardest, what with the humans and exiled fire village nipping at her feet, she would have to show her people she was the leader they dreamed she was.

To her left was a vast forest, the trees so close together no starlight gleamed through, EVER. To the right was the city. From the loud cheers and excited announcers, it was clear a football game was being hosted.

She scoffed. Typical.

Nobody here cared about anyone else except for themselves. A dog eat dog world, as the humans call it.

They even have their royalty do this stupid trial to prove their worth. She thought of just leaving, hopping on a spaceship and living a peaceful life on Earth. But would she really be happy if that was her decision?

Living a life that changes nothing. That borders on cowardice and arrogance.

Even if her people didn’t care about others, she sure as hell did.

Snowflakes formed as she let out a deep breath, trying to calm her mind.

Panicking and having theoretical discussions in her head would do nothing for her situation.

No. What she needed to do was finish the trials.

And she was in luck, the palace gates were up ahead, vines entangled in its iron bars.

Her feet moved before her body did, racing faster and faster to the finish line, her breaths coming in short and painful.

She did it. Visions of a changed world danced through her head, giving her hope.

The kingdom would live on. Mighty and strong.