Hi, everyone! With this chapter, we move from the beaten District 13- which takes part in the Hunger Games for the first time- to the very heart of Panem a.k.a. District 2. Actually, I've decided not to follow the numerical order for the Reapings just because this SYOT is not yet closed, and I don't want to wait and make you wait too much before updating. As for my next updates, see my profile. Since I'm writing two paralleled stories, I will upload one chapter for each. PM me for any doubts or questions, I don't mind chatting with other writers :)

Enjoy your reading!

The day before the Reaping

Markus Schwarz (47)- Trainer at the academy *

A bell rings, signalling that another training day is over. Trainers starts cleaning up the gym, helped by some guys. Not many trainees stay longer to help. Actually, the majority of our trainees comes from wealthy families- people used to be served and revered, who certainly don't lift a finger to help others. The academy should be a place not only to train for the Games, but also a school of life. Nevertheless, some teachings like humbleness seem to be hard to take in, no matter how much you try to teach them.

My thoughts are interrupted by a familiar noise: the subtle swing of a sword. I look up and see that a trainee is still there. He turns around and smirks, his dark golden eyes lit by a sinister glint. I feel like he was able to read my thoughts. But I've got used to that gaze, the gaze of Gavriel Asterin, the boy chosen to represent District 2 in the 76th Hunger Games. Despite the rebellion, our district is still the most loyal to the Capitol, so our tributes may receive a better treatment. And how could it be otherwise? This year, both our tributes are the children of beloved victors.

"I hope you won't mind, if I stay a little bit longer to train," says Gavriel.

"Some extra training won't hurt, that's for sure," I reply.

Gavriel Asterin has received a first-rate training. He has learned to handle any kind of weapon- from daggers to spears- but also strategy, survival skills, and the basis of psychology. Strength alone isn't enough to win, after all. Sometimes, knowing your enemy is far more useful than a common weapon. I remember the day his father enrolled him. "Train him like no other," he ordered me. Actually, his father has invested lots of money in the academy, so much that he has become its principal, so I couldn't tell my boss that every trainee has the right to receive the same treatment no matter their background.

"What do you think of him?" asks a voice behind my back.

I wince. I didn't hear him come.

"I thought nothing could catch you off guard, Markus, you, old fox!" he comments, amused.

It's Anacond Asterin, the father of Gavriel. Speak of the devil…

"He's ready to fight," I say, focusing back on Gavriel.

"I hope he's also ready to win," he replies in a rather serious tone, his eyes lit by the same sinister glint as his son's.

Sometimes, I wonder if Anacond cares about his son. He has made him train since he was but an infant for the sole purpose of winning the Hunger Games. Gavriel's life has been entirely dedicated to weapons. One could indeed say that Gavriel himself is a weapon. There's no room for anything else, not even for friends. Once, I heard that he had a crush on a younger girl, but, when I asked him about her, he just shrugged and kept on training the whole day, till he dropped to the ground, burned out. I'm pretty sure his father wouldn't approve any affair before the Games. After all, Anacond himself started dating girls only after his victory. And I know it because he's of my same age, we attended the academy together. Practically, Anacond is turning his son into his dead ringer.

"Gavriel is one of the best trainees I've ever seen. Besides, as son of two victors, he'll certainly get sponsors. The 76th Hunger Games are meant to confirm Capitol's victory, so it's highly probable that a Career wins, especially if the Career in question is the child of two loyal victors," I point out.

"We cannot base his victory on probabilities!" he rebuts.

"That's true. But, as I said, Gavriel is an excellent trainee; he'll suffer no rival, if he plays his cards right."

"And what about the female tribute?"

Diana Warrior has been selected this year. Her mother is a victor of the Hunger Games. To be sincere, she's skilled and resourceful, but there are a couple of girls who would make better tributes than her. The reason why I've voted for Diana is her mother's victory. Normally, I would choose otherwise, but the 76th Hunger Games won't be a normal edition. Under such circumstances, having two popular tributes can really make the difference.

"Mr. Asterin, I am a trainer, my duty is selecting the best tributes for the Games. Your son and Diana Warrior are the best, that's all I can say," I answer, watching him right in the eye.

"But that won't save her life," Gavriel chimes in.

Neither me nor his father realized that he had stopped training until he spoke. Gavriel is now watching us with the upper corner of his mouth curled up into a smirk, his eyes lit by the usual sinister glint. He looks so self-confident, maybe too much, and I sincerely hope that his bravado is more than a mere mask doomed to fade away once in the arena.

…...

Present day

Lokir Mistlyre (16)- Citizen of District 2

I've spotted my preys: two little girls who are begging for food outside a bakery. It's been a little while since they've started hanging out in my territory, begging for food, or looking in trash cans. Unfortunately for them, I cannot let anyone put salt in my game. There's always some dummy who grows soft before those goo-goo eyes and gaunt faces… and there's always someone ready to use this… myself, in this case. They won't even hear me come, and when they realize the loaves of bread they got are missing, I'll be far away. All those years on the streets have paid off.

I start getting closer, but then I hear a noise behind my back. I immediately turn around, grabbing my jack-knife from my belt in one, fluid motion. The boy who was behind me holds his hands up in a gesture of surrender.

"Gavriel!" I say, a bit annoyed.

"Could you put it away?" he asks me, pointing my knife.

"What are you doing here?" I go on, while I'm doing what he asked me.

"You're always so diffident, are you? I've known you for years, and you've never started a conversation with Hi, Gavriel! How are you?" he complains.

"If you knew me like you said, you wouldn't try to approach me from behind my back," I point out.

"Touché," he replies, smiling.

"Tell me what you have to say, Gavriel! I have no time to waste!" I say, looking back at the two girls.

Gavriel shakes his head in disapproval. "Lokir, Lokir, Lokir… you always aim to little ones."

"I'm hungry!" I complain.

In response, he hands me a paper wrap.

"What's that?" I say, while I'm unwrapping it.

Inside, there are two sandwiches with ham and eggs. "Where did you… oh, I forgot, you're a spoiled, rich daddy's boy!"

"I bought them this morning. I thought you would appreciate a decent meal," he explains, ignoring my last comment.

"Thank you," I whisper, and then I start wolfing down the sandwiches.

They're really delicious.

"What did you say?" asks Gavriel with a smirk, drawing his ear closer to me, as if he didn't hear me for real.

"Thank you," I speak up, annoyed.

"You're welcome," he replies, amused.

At this stage, I decide to change the subject: "What about the Reaping? Do you still intend to volunteer?"

"Of course! What about you?"

I frown, pretending to be surprised by his question. "What do you mean?"

"Lokir, don't play dumb with me, I know you'd like to…"

"I'm not the chosen tribute, and you know it. I don't attend the academy, after all, so what's the point of discussing?" I say, interrupting him.

"Lokir, you wouldn't have asked me to train you in secret, if you didn't want to volunteer. I know you'd like to face me in the arena, but that won't happen! When I win, I'll make you enrol, so that you will receive a proper training. You'll be selected for the Games in two years, and I'll be your mentor, I promise," he says, putting his hands on my shoulders.

I wince at his touch. Suddenly, it feels like my body has turned into ice. I flatten myself against the closest wall… yeah, like the wall of my old room… I still hear his steps approach, his heavy steps looming over me, while my heart is beating like a hammer in my chest. I'm shaking like a leaf. I'd like so badly to scream, but no sound escapes my throat.

"Lokir?"

I look up. Gavriel is watching me with a worried expression on his face. I cannot look away from his dark golden eyes, which seems to penetrate my mind. But then my attention is drawn by his hands, that are still leaning forward. They're rather reddish, with white knuckles slightly swollen.

"What have you done?" I ask him, pointing them.

"I've been training this morning," he answers with a shrug.

By his tone, I can tell that he didn't want to change the subject.

"You always exaggerate, Gavriel… you hurt yourself, what for?" I remark.

"I'm just trying to go beyond my limits," he replies with a shrug.

"Well, you're already a great fighter, you don't need to hurt yourself."

"I need to be the best, Lokir."

"That's silly!" I say, shaking my head.

"You worry about me, then, don't you?" he rebuts with a smirk.

I feel my cheeks turning red with rage… or is it embarrassment? "I don't worry about you, Gavriel, you're a grown man, you don't need a babysitter!"

That said, I turn around to see whether the two girls are still outside the bakery, but I'm not lucky. They're gone. I feel a mixture of rage and frustration seething in my stomach. I whirl and punch Gavriel's shoulder.

"You made me lose my preys!" I protest.

He doesn't say anything in response, he just giggles while massaging his shoulder.

…...

Present day

Gavriel Asterin (18)- Chosen tribute

After talking to Lokir- oh, jeez, she punched me hard, but I've suffered much worse attacks than that- I go back home, to Victor's Village. It is located on the outskirts of the main town, but on the opposite side of the industrial zones and towards the surrounding mountains **, so that we can enjoy a bit of scenery away from the factories. On the threshold, I find my father waiting for me with his arms crossed.

"Where have you been?" he asks me in a menacing tone… at least, in a way he thinks it's menacing.

To be sincere, I find it ridiculous.

I snort. "I had a walk before the Reaping, that's all," I answer, shrugging.

"Umm… go get ready, you don't want to be late, do you?"

"Of course not."

When I enter my bedroom to choose my outfit, I find my mother, who is still wearing her pink nightgown. She has brought a silk, white shirt and a black tie from my closet.

"You could match these with those black pants," she offers.

"Mom, I'm eighteen! I can pick clothes myself!" I complain.

She sighs. "Today, there's the Reaping, so I had to give all servants the day off. This house is a mess! Please, Gavriel, don't work against me, not today, at least! Besides, this white shirt will bring out your tanned skin. Remember that the Capitol will be watching you from the Reaping, I want you to impress them all!"

"Consider it done, mom," I say, and then I sit on my bed, which has still to be made.

My mother is used to having an army of servants who do all the housework, but would it kill her, if she did something herself every now and then?

"What are you doing, Gavriel? You have to get ready for the Reaping!"

"I'm not going to undress in front of you."

"Oh, silly boy! Remember that I'm your mother!"

"You aren't ready either, unless that frivolous nightgown is the last word in fashion," I point out with a subtle smirk.

In response, my mother leaves my room, mumbling. I wear the clothes she chose for me. There's no use in arguing for it, after all. I look at my reflection in the mirror. Not bad. I comb my bronze hair, so that it falls into my face from my overlong side fringe, slightly covering my right eye. Girls tend to find this hairstyle intriguing, except Lokir just for a change. Impressing her is almost impossible… but who cares, after all? She always rejects my attention, but, after my victory, things will be different… after my victory, she will have to consider me, won't she?

When I'm finally ready, I head to the main square along with my parents. They are already talking about strategy, but I'm not listening to a word. I know what I have to do. Once in the square, I part from them and reach my section. My parents mount the stage along with the other victors- those who have survived the war and Capitol's revenge… they aren't many, to be sincere, since most of them took part in the rebellion like Lyme and were therefore executed as traitors. Luckily, the war is over, but its spectre is still close in time to remind us how much a rebellion can cost. Only a year ago, District 2 was devastated, but everything has been rebuilt. Now, I can feel proud to represent my district in the Games.

My attention id drawn by the escort- a new one, apparently- who mounts the stage bouncing in her glossy, knee-long, purple boots with sky-high heels. How can she even think of walking in them?

"Welcome, District 2, welcome to the 76th annual Hunger Games! We all went through a hard time last year, but we made it, eventually, and now we're stronger than ever!" she says.

The crowd cheers in response, but in a less enthusiastic way than the previous years.

"We are all eager to know the tributes of this year, I suppose. So, let's start with the boys this time!" continues the escort.

But I don't let her read the name of the reaped boy, since I immediately shout: "I volunteer as tribute!"

While I'm mounting the stage, I have a quick look at my parents: they're both smiling in approval.

"That's the spirit! What's your name?" the escort asks me.

"Gavriel Asterin," I answer.

"Oh, your family name is quite famous in the Capitol, my dear! You'll have no problem finding sponsors!" she remarks, while looking behind her and nodding at my parents.

Then, she moves on to the girls. "Helena Tanks!"

"I volunteer!" two girls shout at the same time.

One is Diana Warrior- the girl chosen by the academy- of course, and the other… oh, no, the other is Lokir!

"Out of my way, you, toddler!" shouts Diana.

Lokir is about to attack her, but some peacekeepers intervene to separate the two girls.

That's when the escort chimes in, excited: "No, no, let them fight! District 2 is famous for its bellicose tributes, after all! What better way to establish who is really worth of representing it in the Hunger Games?"

The peacekeepers back off. The crowd makes room for the two girls.

"Let the fight begin!" adds the escort.

Diana attacks Lokir almost immediately. It's clear that she wants to end the fight as soon as possible. However, Lokir dodges all her attacks, and I find myself rooting for her… in silence, of course.

"Coward! You cannot flee forever!" shouts Diana, beside herself.

It's all part of Lokir's strategy, though. She gets her opponent on her nerves and, at the same time, makes her wear out. Occasionally, she pretends to be hit hard just to give the impression that she's weak, but, actually, Diana has only tapped her. At some point, Diana punches Lokir's cheek. Lokir falls to the ground. The fight seems to be over, but, as I'm looking at Lokir's green eyes, I understand that she's about to fight back, finally. In fact, she punches Diana repeatedly in her stomach… yeah, in this way her opponent is low on air. I feel proud, because it was me who taught her that trick. While Diana is still gasping for oxygen, Lokir punches her right in her face. Diana falls to the ground, unconscious. A peacekeeper drags her aside, whereas Lokir mounts the stage. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice that Diana's mother shakes her head in disappointment. As a victor of the Hunger Games, it's certainly a disgrace for her that her daughter was defeated.

"We have a winner! What's your name?" asks the escort.

"Lokir… Lokir Mistlyre," answers Lokir, panting.

"Ladies and gentlemen, here are your tributes, Gavriel Asterin and Lokir Mistlyre! Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!"

The crowd cheers. Once in the Justice Building, we're assigned a private waiting room for visitors. My parents visit me. They immediately start talking about strategy… again. Besides, they advise me not to trust Lokir.

"She dared to stand up to the decision of the academy, that's outrageous!" says my father.

"Do you know who that girl is, Gavriel?" asks my mother.

"I've never seen her before," I lie.

"She's not a trainee, that's for sure. But don't worry, Gavriel, she's not equal to you. Her strategy was quite predictable. I must talk to the trainers who selected Mrs. Warrior; she wasn't the best, after all, if defeating her is that easy," he comments.

"Anything else you need to tell me?" I ask them.

"What do you mean?" replies my mother.

"You won't see me for weeks… maybe you'd like to wish me luck or give me a district token…" I offer.

"Your family name will be your token," rebuts my father.

"I see."

They carry on talking about strategy, recollecting how they won their Games. I've listened to their stories thousands of times! Despite their tips, I think that I'm going to ally with Lokir. I know well that she's a dangerous opponent, but she will die at the end. I wince at this thought… don't know why, but it disturbs me.

…...

Lokir Mistlyre (16)- District 2 female tribute

I've made it, I'm the female tribute of District 2! A better life is waiting for me- something for which I would sacrifice anything, even Gavriel's life, because it's worth it, isn't it? I'm ready to get rid of that spoiled, daddy's boy, am I not? Anyway, I don't expect to get any visits, but my father comes to see me, instead.

"Get out!" I immediately shout, scared stiff.

He gets closer to me, instead. "Lokir…"

"Get out!" I repeat, flattening myself against the wall.

"You have nothing to fear from me, I was so concerned when you ran away from home years ago. Where have you been all this time?" he goes on in a mellifluous tone, caressing my cheek.

I wince at his touch. I'd like to slap him, but my body is paralyzed, as if it was made of ice.

"Leave me alone! It's not my fault if mom died!" I shout, as tears start flooding from my eyes.

"It is, instead, but you didn't do it on purpose, your poor mother died in childbirth, that's why I was able to forgive you. But, you know, I couldn't let you get away with that, you need to understand that what I did was for your own sake, to teach you a lesson…" he replies, getting even closer to me.

At this stage, I scream. Two peacekeepers break into the room.

"Please, take him away!" I shout.

They grab him, while he's squirming like crazy. "Lokir! Remember that I'm still your father!" he yells, beside himself.

"You've never been a father to me!" I yell back.

When I'm finally left alone, I keel over on the ground and cry. I thought that I'd never see him again… that I'd never relive that nightmare… instead… but then a thought dawns on me. Now, I'm a tribute of the Hunger Games. He cannot hurt me any longer, and when I win… when I win, I'll be able to get my revenge.

So, the tributes of District 2 are Gavriel Asterin and Lokir Mistlyre, both submitted by Rune Whisperer. To be sincere, I'll be happy to write about them in the following chapters, because they have certainly a great potential. What do you think of them? And of their relation to their parents? Do you think there could be a romance between them?

Let me know your opinions in your reviews or PM me, if you want. Thank you for reading :)

* This character was introduced in Love Is the Deadliest Weapon chapter 4 (D2 Reaping)

** For a further description of District 2, see Love Is the Deadliest Weapon chapter 4 (D2 Reaping)