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

I'm so sleepy… It's been like that for a while now… I stay up late too much. I forced myself to start this, but it wasn't so hard finishing it. Enjoy :D

Anwar's POV

"Did you find the nest?" I held her hand as she jumped down from the lowest branch. After she brushed her skirt off, she gave me a confused look. "You were looking for a nest, weren't you?" Her eyes suddenly widened and she nodded.

"Oh, the nest! No, I thought there was one but I was wrong, hahaha." She rubbed the back of her head and smiled. Something about that smile seemed… forced. "Well, uh…" She glanced around until she found the book, and she stared at it for a while.

"Um…" My voice seemed to have brought her out of her trance-like state, and she gave the forced smile again and laughed.

"Oh, right. Sorry! Y-You know, it's getting late. The tournament's tomorrow and I should really get some shuteye." She quickly cleaned up the plates, and I made some foolish attempts at helping. She smiled and took over. "You can take these back to Rex. I'm sure he hasn't eaten, yet." I nodded and took the basket from her. She draped the blanket over her shoulders and tucked her book under her right arm.

"Um… I think I'll wait here for a few more minutes. Goodnight." He nodded and gave a small smile before leaving.

Something was seriously, very wrong with her.

Aria's POV

"C'mon out, Rempo. What's wrong?" Mieli was obviously worried about the fire spirit, but I didn't worry as much. It wasn't that I didn't care- I did, really- it's just that I had my own problems to worry about.

Rempo was in love with me.

And, even if I hadn't told anyone, I was in love with Anwar.

"Leave him be, Mieli. He's just sulking as usual." Ur was reading something off of my bookshelf, but had turned his head to Mieli in an effort to silence her.

"But something is seriously wrong. Did he tell you anything, Aria?" The two spirits had turned their heads towards me. Even Neaki, who had been floating in a corner, obviously not interested, tilted her head in my direction.

"…No, he didn't." The lightning and ice spirits turned back to what they were doing, and Mieli floated off to find somewhere to sulk.

I had to lie. Things would be weird enough between Rempo and I. I wouldn't be able to stand the awkwardness of all the spirits.

"Anyway, Aria.-You should go to sleep. You have a busy day tomorrow." I nodded and went to my bed, plopped down and slept, not bothering to change or get under the covers.

Rempo's POV

Why did I have to go and do that?! Why couldn't I have just been happy for her?! Why did I have to be so selfish?!

I slammed my iron-clad arm against the wall of the empty room, causing a loud echo to vibrate the whole space.

Things won't be the same, I know it. They won't ever be, unless I claimed that it was a joke. Just a cruel joke.

But I can't do that to her. She would be hurt and mad, and I wouldn't be able to stand having her mad at me, hated me.

My arm started to feel heavy, and I let it drag to the ground, going down with it.

Aria's POV

"Today's the day. Don't worry about anything. Win. Just win. That's all you have to do. Use the Genesis and whip them all! Yeah, that's it! You can do it!" I was giving myself a pep talk in the mirror, when I heard Mieli giggle behind me. I turned around and smiled at her, letting the three spirits lead me out.

Three…

No! Don't worry about a thing! Tear yourself up after the tournament! Right now, you gotta' focus!

"Hey, there." I was too lost in my own thoughts, that I hadn't noticed Anwar approach me.

"O-Oh! Hi, Anwar!" He laughed at my wide eyes.

"You don't have to be that surprise. It's only natural that I would come, right?" I smiled at him and nodded. I took the Genesis twin blades from the Book of Prophecy and asked Anwar to hold it, who seemed happy to be of use.

When we got to the arena, the mayor came up behind me and pushed me towards the ring. "You're late, Aria. You're in the first match!" I didn't have time to say a proper goodbye, but quickly turned and waved to Anwar, who laughed and waved back.

"Our first contestant, Aria!" I made my way up the steps to the ring, everyone's eyes on me. I couldn't help the nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"How can she lift those blades?" "She's cute! I hope she wins!" "Who let their kid compete?" all the shouts and cheers were echoed in my head. I flinched at the loudness, but turned my whole body in Anwar's direction as I heard his voice above the others.

"You can do it, Aria! I know you can!"

That's the first time he had ever said my name.

With new confidence, I turned towards my opponent's side.

"Our second contestant, Duran!" He slowly made his way up to the ring, looking at me with disappointment.

"Just my luck to be up against you in the first round, huh?" I gave him a sad smile, but wished him good luck.

The round ended quickly, with me being the victor. All I had to do was dodge his first attack and knock his sword out of his clumsy grip. I gave him a quick apology before my next match. I took on the master's of the four schools, and beat them all, to everyone's surprise. I was fast on my feet, and dodged every blow made in my direction. I had to jump a lot fighting Haochi, but he was a little easier than the rest, seeing as he didn't fight close-range, and it was a small ring.

I wiped the area right above my eyebrow with my jacket sleeve, not wanting to get my hands sweaty. My grip was already starting to loosen with fatigue, and I couldn't afford anything else that might make me drop my swords.

I was surprised to see his majesty enter the ring. I asked him why he was there, and he replied saying that he should be allowed to enter, seeing as he was an able-bodied man and part of the country. I shrugged as the mayor rung the bell, signaling for the fight to begin.

He started charging up for what seemed to be Gustav's secret move, so I moved in quickly for an attack, then quickly jumped back and dodged his own. He stood in the middle of the ring and began to charge for another attack. I made a half-circle around his majesty and slammed into him from behind causing him to fall forward. He lost grip of his sword, and the fight had been won.

"I don't believe it! The winner of the tournament is none other than the Kaleilan Hero, Aria!" There were shouts and screams, and I laughed as I dropped my swords to cover my ears. I looked around for Anwar, and when I spotted him in the back, I waved, receiving a wide grin and wave of his own.

"I knew you could do it, Aria!" It came from Anwar's direction, but it wasn't him. The voice was… louder. "You didn't believe me, but did I prove you wrong or what, haha!"

I stood on the tips of my toes so I could see him. He was smiling, laughing, and floating amongst the other spirits. I could feel the dampness of my eyes and I smiled at him, and mouthing a "thank you."

Phew, that took a lot outta' me. So tired…

I know I took a while to update, but please stick with me! I promise to finish this story, if it's the last thing I do! Oh, right! R&R! Thanks :D