Desires of the rotten heart, are they?

Astrea looked at Arvian, her voice full of hope as she spoke. "But Arvian, soon the professors said there will be an Academy tournament. The top 10 students will be chosen for a long-term tour with all the other nations. I wanted to go on this Academy tour with you and fight by your side. Could we do that before you leave..Imean we.?"

There was a long silence. Arvian's heart raced, but no words came out. He wanted to speak, to tell her what he truly felt, but the Rotten Dark Heart inside him resisted. It was as if it, too, didn't know what to say.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the heart spoke, but it was not Arvian's voice.

"Yeah, why not... we will."

Astrea smiled, her eyes shining with happiness. "Thank you so much... I really, really love you," she whispered, stepping closer to him.