Disclaimer: I do not own Avalon Code or its characters in any way.

Hey again! Still not bored? Well, that's good on my part :) poor Anwar… always being picked on and such. Oh, and for those of you who haven't beaten the game, you might not get any huge spoilers :)

I'm thinking about changing the major events to work with the story better.

Aria's POV

"T-Tournament?" the mayor of Rhoan gave me a bright smile.

"Why, yes. Your friend, Rex, took the liberty of entering you. We expect great things from Hero of Kaleila!" my eyes widened as he turned to speak with someone else. After that, he left.

"Aw, don't worry too much about it, Aria. You'll beat the snot outta' all them fightin' dudes." I grimaced at the thought. "Especially all the teachers of the four great schools. You can beat them, easy."

I sighed and began to walk home.

I wonder if Anwar's going to enter…

"Wow! There sure are a lot of people here!" There were people from all over here for the tournament. There were shouts of excitement and curses of annoyance as people pushed through crowds to get where they needed to be. "I'm surprised they all fit in this little town." finished Mieli.

"It is a very popular event held once every ten years." explained Ur. "Of course people would come from all over. I don't really see why people would want to watch others pummel each other, but they seem to enjoy it."

"Well, I think it's awesome! None of these guys seem worthy enough to fight Aria!" I looked around to see massive bodybuilder-type guys and a mysterious person in a hood with many daggers at his or her waist. I could feel the corners of my mouth pulling down.

"Don't worry, Aria. I'd bet my life that you'll win!" I laughed and mumbled a "thanks."

"(…Aria.)" I turned to Neaki.

"Yeah?"

"(…isn't that…that swordsman?)" She pointed to my left and I quickly turned. She lowered her hand slowly and said, "(…he went down the road...)" I didn't wait to hear Rempo's smug remarks about the boy. I turned and ran in the direction Neaki had pointed to. When I came to the road that led to the abandoned house, I stopped. I didn't see anyone down here, let alone the desert swordsman.

"Why are you following me?" I turned around to see Anwar staring at me with a very annoyed look.

"Anwar!" There wasn't a look of recognition on his face. Just that annoyed expression. He didn't reply to me.

"So, uh… are you entering the tournament?" He started walking in my direction, and then right by me.

"What I do has nothing to do with you. Go away, nuisance."

My eyes widened with hurt.

"He did not just say that!" screamed Rempo. "You should go kick his-!"

"Rempo." The fire spirit turned in annoyance to Ur. "Be quiet." He huffed and sat down on my shoulder.

"Did I do something?" The swordsman stopped walking, but he still didn't face me. "Did I say something back at the palace to make you hate me? Is there something I can do to-"

"You've done enough." He broke out into a sprint, and before I knew it, he was gone.

Anwar's POV

I wanted to scream out to her what I really wanted to say. I wanted to return her smile; I didn't want to ignore her.

The curse had prevented me from doing so.

I hated Olly for this. It was another feeling I had learned from the girl. I had hated how she made me feel, how she made me go out of my way to worry about her. I hated that I made her feel like she was the one who had done something wrong.

My feet carried me to the abandoned house. I slammed the door and slid to the ground.

Why me?

What had I done to deserve this eternal punishment?

Why did I have to say those things to the only person who had ever shown kindness to me?

Why was it that I had the feeling I would never receive her kindness again?

The answer was Olly. The girl had defeated the evil witch once… maybe she could do it again. But how would he ask her when the curse was still in effect? I had to find a way.

I would sneak into her house tonight.

I easily slipped in through the unlocked window. She was asleep soundly in her bed, and I tip-toed over to her. Due to an earlier experiment, I had discovered that Olly's curse was weaker at night, when the witch herself was asleep. I gathered all the willpower I had to whisper to her.

"Hello." I heard a mumble in return, and she whispered my name.

Good. She knew it was me.

"Listen very closely. Are you listening?" I detected a faint movement from her head, which I assumed was a nod. "You have to trust me. I do not wish to be cruel to you. I didn't mean anything I said." Her face relaxed, but it seemed troubled. "It is Olly's curse."

Before I knew it, a small, delicate hand had made its way to mine, which was resting on the edge of her bed.

"We aren't enemies." I gave her hand a slight squeeze before bending my head down to hers.

I used my free hand to brush her bangs away from her forehead before brushing my lips against it. I pulled back and saw a gentle smile resting on her features. I gave her one of my own, even if she couldn't see it. "We're allies."

I retrieved my hand and made my way back out the window.

Aria's POV

A sliver of light shone onto my pillow, and I lifted a hand to shield my eyes. I pulled myself up slowly and used my free hand to prop myself up. I rubbed both eyes before opening them to scan my room. There on the table rested the Book of Prophecy. And there on my lap, rested the fire spirit.

"Only four days until the tournament. What are you going to do before then?"

I glanced over to my window, which was open a crack.

I looked down to the little red boy with a sad smile.

"I'm going to pay Olly a quick visit."

Sigh~ my shoulders hurt. I would've had this up yesterday, but I had cheerleading practice. I'm the stupid base so I have to lift everyone up. I'm a small girl, so I don't see why I'm stuck there! And NO, I'm not tall, or big around the waist, either. I'm normal sized! Well, see ya' next time :)