Mars noticed the hesitation, how could she not?  It was just that obvious, and she knew then that she’d gotten at least part way through.  So, she did something she thought Usagi would do, something she was sure a fully awakened Mars would do.  She lowered the bow and banished the burning arrow.  Two quick steps and she was leaping into the air, putting her own body between Meril and Usagi, her own power reaching out to intermingle with the valkyrie’s in a divine embrace.  Positioning herself so that the spear would have to pass through her to reach her friends, Mars met the other’s eyes and smiled gently, throwing everything she had into this gamble. 

“Meril,” she said, “This isn’t right.  This is Blanche’s doing.  Please, put a stop to this.  We came here to get you out, so that we can all go home.  To our real lives, our real duty.  You know this isn’t right.  Search your heart, remember who you really are.  You’re kind and serious, you’re my friend, and you have no idea how much the time we’ve shared has meant to me.   But if that meant nothing to you, then just get it over with.  I’d rather not live in a world where my friends want to kill my other friends.”

And, silently, Mars hopes this worked.  If not, then…that’s that.  She’ll die, and take out the entire floor with her final breath.  The ritual can’t go on.  Closing her eyes, she waited with a peaceful smile, ready to accept whatever happened.