Garth here! I have good news!

This wasn't a delay due to my usual idiocy, rather than to officially close the challenge!

More info at the end, for now... Enjoy!

To Cryptek: I am not a native english speaker, aka i am an evil spaghetti monster. Hence my occasional error.


"So, Bestie... What you want to do today?"

The gunner huffed. "Ace... I kinda wanted to go... On a date." The other raised an eyebrow. "Really? I thought you would want to go training or something..."

"No, i... I want to talk. With you." Ace rubbed his head. "I had to go picking herbs for Evelyne... Guess we'll do it anyway." Bestie smiled, punching the air. "I am gonna prepare! I'll wait for you at the door when i am ready!" looking at her run, Ace walked to Evelyne's room. Knocking three times, he slightly peeked. "Evy?" He was met with a shoe to the face, Evelyne covering herself with a towel. "Idiot! I was changing, wait until I open the door!"

"It's about Bestie." He entered, sitting on the bed. "I don't know what to do with her... I want to tell, but... What if she reacts like the others?"

"Taking you for a crazy psychopath? It may be. But... I would say she is the one." replied Evy. "I have faith in you, Ace. Go. Don't fear what will happen, just go in like you always do." He got up and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks, sis." With that, he left...

-Beast Forest-

"Here we go. Green Herb." declared Ace. "Let's pick it all before the Mandragoras come and scream our heads off."

"Say, Ace..." said the gunner. "Want to talk about that thing?"

"Hm? You mean the reason why we are so close?" He huffed. "Promise that you will NEVER say it to anyone." She nodded, and so, he closed his eyes. "Me and Evelyne are Aeonians."

"This is why you are so knowledgeable and wise..." she whispered. Ace shrugged. "Nah. We mostly enjoy ourselves." Bestie's cheeks flushed. "Not in THAT way." huffed Ace. She rubbed her neck. "I can see why your bond has grown so strong..."

"Yeah. Worst of all... Me and her are part of the same entity. An entity separated long ago..." At that, Bestie gasped. "What?"

"Ever wondered why she lacks any sense of humor or i lack any common sense? That is why. We are the half that complements the other. I am the arm, Evy is the brains. We learned to cooperate at our best across the years. Besides, we can consider ourselves real siblings, even though we are the reflection of each other."

"How... How old are you?" asked Bestie. "You never said that..."

"Huh. Aeonians cannot die. I should be 349. No, wait... almost 350. Next week's my birthday, if you could call it like it." Bestie still smiled. "That explains a lot of things about you... And that makes me like you even more." She whispered the last part. Ace tilted his head. "Hm?"

"Nothing." she stuttered, blushing. "Just... That... Oh, fuck it all! Ace, i..." Suddently, monsters popped out from the trees. Taking out his swords, Ace grinned. "Good... More things to slay!"

He drastically changes in battle... "Eat lead, bitches!" shouted Bestie, shooting the monsters with her machine gun. Ace hacked and slashed at an inhuman speed, destroying them with zero effort. More and more popped out though, and soon the two were back to back, surrounded by them. Ace snarled. "Looks like..."

"Don't even think about..." Too late. Ace already summoned the giant sword. "ASTRA!" he shouted, eradicating the monsters in a flash of light. That done, he collapsed. Bestie gasped, trying to shake him. "Ace! Ace! He already exhausted his Mana... Damned idiot! Answer me! ACE!"

Cue: A Promise (Brave Frontier)

Flash.

"We meet again." said a white haired man with red eyes. He had dark streaks on his bangs. "I am sorry to say you died again."

"Is that so? Bummer." said Ace. "I am your reckless side, anyway. You should know."

"You also have my wisdom." replied the man. "And you knew i would revive you. If not for you yourself, that woman."

"Why?" Ace raised an eyebrow. "Evelyne?"

"No, idiot. Guess you gained my obliviousness too. That woman loves you. She would go to any lengths to stay with you. She didn't react like every other one."

"I saw. I was starting to question it when i died." Ace huffed. "Ankh. I know me and Evy are pissing you off. I am sorry."

"Nah. I like meddling with mortal lives." replied Ankh, a smug grin on his face.

"Me and Evy aren't mortal." said Ace, at which the other groaned. "Idiot. I mean that woman. Gah. Why you have to be so OBLIVIOUS."

"Ask yourself." ironized the warrior. "If that's that... I am going back."

"Take care of her, Ace. I will be waiting here for you two, when the Day will come." As Ace was about to leave, he called him again. "You DO realize she is mortal, right?"

"Joke is on you, Ankh. I Summoned her." With that, Ace left, leaving a smiling Aeonian behind him. "Good luck then. And farewell."

Flash.

"ACE! WAKE THE FUCK UP!" Bestie was on top of him, punching his chest. That violently woke him up and made him cough. "Ack! That hurts!" Her face lighted up. "You! You are alive!" She hugged Ace, tears welling up in her eyes. "idiot! Idiot! I thought you were dead... Don't do it ever again!"

"Say, Bestie..." He wiped away her tears. "I know why you wanted to come with me. I know why you asked that the other day, i know it all. You love me right?" She gulped, her face red. "H-How did you...?"

"I may be dense, but not retarded. Bestie, i always wanted someone such as you to my side... And now... I realize how idiotic i have been."

"It's your nature. You can't change it." she said, hugging him. "Besides... That is what i love about you."

"I am sure you are like this because we are alone at the moment." said Ace, making her gasp. "N-no! I-it's not like i can't kiss you in public!"

"So you DO love me that much." he joked. She was trembling. "J-just tell me! Yes or no?!" He faked to think about it a bit. When she saw her hands shake, he smiled. "Yeah." With that, she started to sob, burying her face into his chest. Knew it. This way she will feel better. "Come on. Let's pick those forsaken herbs and go home. I am all bloody." Bestie nodded, cleaning her face with her sleeve. "Heh. Guess this makes me look weak."

Ace, that was walking away, turned to see her, and his words, spoken with a heartfelt smile, sealed it.

"Wrong. You look even stronger to me now..."


And so this ends. Thanks for reading folks!

Now for the technical stuff:

Check out the poll, it should be on my profile in a few minutes! :D

The deadline for the vote is 30th August. So, vote away!