Chapter LXIX: The trials of the Coliseum part V

Hades sitting upon his dark throne listened intently to the report from his two 'employees' with a hand under his chin his eyes in a serious manner.

"And that's about it boss," the young boy spoke as he ended putting his hands behind his head showing his relaxed nature.

After he was finished Hades was quiet for a few moments… but then after thinking over he then spoke his thoughts, reaching with his other hand he created an illusion in his hand showing a miniature of Nozomi showing her with a calm smile, "hmmm…so you're tellin' me this little sootball was able to be beat Nessus?"

At this the boy replied again, "yeah that's right, though it took her a while to get the job done right?" He asked as he turned and looked at his partner who was standing near him her face and mannerisms revealing her ever-present nervousness, hearing him she turned her head and answered, "uh… yeah… that's right." She finished as she then bowed her head down again.

Her partner seeing this made a slight shake with his head again as he then turned back to Hades as he listened further to what he had to say to them.

He was further quiet for a few moments but then it seemed he'd decided on what to say next, "well you two are gonna have to pull out the stops to make sure you don't end at the same smouldering finish line… now why don't you two smooze on over to old goat boy's place and get yourselves in?"

At this it was then the girl spoke up as she asked, "what you mean? You want us to go right now to-"

She was interrupted as Hades snapped away the image of girl in a matter of seconds showing his impatience however he kept his voice to a calm enough level, "that's what I said… or do you have complaints about this?" Finishing on a bitter note.

The girl then froze up as she then bowed her head again as she then weakly shook her head replying, "no…"

Her partner unpleased as ever rolled his eyes as he then pulled her arm saying, "well c'mon then, let's get this show on the road, laters boss!" He called back leaving with his partner leaving through a summoned swirling dark portal.

After the portal ceased its existence Hades sighed once again as he muttered, "geez Louise… these nobodies sure are hard to get around."

At this it was then Pete made his entrance as he said emerging from behind his throne, "I can see… but I'm even more surprised that ya've even got some of 'em on yer side… how'd ya-"

It was then Hades gave Pete his answer visually as he then summoned up a small glass bottle in the shape of a skull with silver stopper at it's top as it shone icily, "one of these guys… just bein near one of these baby's then flash woosh zip and lock, badda bing ya've got yerself a bottle made ready solider."

At this Pete was surprised as he couldn't believe that one small little bottle could even hold a person as he then asked curious, "that easy huh?"

At this Hades replied still in his bored like mood, "yup… though haven't used one in a long time… nearly nabbed this one water boy who was runnin around sometime ago… but oy…" He spoke as he remembered the irritating little coward.

However before the two villains could reminisce it was then that once again Hari made her appearance as she spoke, "I believe that if you gentlemen are finished… it would now be wise to proceed…"

Hearing her the two of them turned in her direction seeing her serious look as she walked towards them her arms folded, Hades then grinned at her with his sharp teeth as he replied, "your thoughts are mine exactly babe."

Nozomi sighed tiredly as she finally arrived outside the doors of the coliseum as she then rested on the stairs, she'd been put through a whole storm of training by Phil which now left her aching once again… but she was glad to see she was getting better, though it was taking time.

Looking up at the warm sunshine glowing downward she smiled happily as she said, "aw I'm glad to have a break… I hope the other guys are doing okay in there."

For right now it was Riku and Mickey who were now going through the whole training regime once again, but then Nozomi imagined the two of them would probably fare better than she did, "I bet they'll be fine."

Suddenly then she turned to her left and once again another depressed ghostly face stared up at her freaking her out as she spoke in shock, "hey!"

Backing away slightly she watched as the ghost looked at her sadly for a few moments as she stared at it as it stared at her…. Then once again it faded away.

Watching as it did this Nozomi spoke again a hand to her surprised heart as she spoke annoyed, "honestly… why do you guys have to keep popping up like that?"

Quiet finally once again Nozomi then relaxed as she then stared up into the sunlight to get a good break in as she yawned and stretched tiredly.

"Ah so I see you're the one causing all the recent ruckus around here?" Spoke a new amused sarcastic voice.

Nozomi hearing it turned her head back to the ground quick in surprise as she looked to see who had spoken and saw it to be a woman with a long flowing brown ponytail, dressed in mauve Greek robes with a slender slim figure as she smiled at her.

Baffled for a moment Nozomi asked, "ruckus?"

Smiling further the young woman spoke again, "that's right, making old Billy goat go berserk, messing up the schedule and pelting Nessus a new horse shoe," she summarized in a pleasant sarcastic manner.

Hearing all this Nozomi then got a bit bashful as she replied scratching the back of her head with a slight embarrassed laugh, "yeah I guess I kinda caused a mess huh?"

The woman looking at her amused replied, "Yeah I'd say that's pretty much the base of it."

Nozomi then replied still a little bashful, "sorry… that's what happens when I get carried away with my emotions."

At this the woman replied, "aw don't be, besides this place could use a little bit of spicin up, ever since we fixed up everything it's all been more quiet than a needle drop." She finished looking into the distance as she remembered a previous hazard that happened not so long ago.

At this Nozomi stopped as she wondered to herself, 'fixed up?' But then this led onto one of the main questions that was budding, "Um… can I just ask who are you exactly?"

At this the woman looked at her as she asked, "what me?"

Nozomi then nodded a quick yes.

The woman then laughed as she answered, "Megara though my friends call me Meg," she finished as she reached her hand over to be shaken.

Seeing this gesture Nozomi smiled herself as she then took the offered hand, "nice to meet you Meg, I'm Nozomi Tao," with that she shook it gently with her new acquaintance.

Meg glad to see the girl's open nature replied releasing her hand, "glad to know ya," with that she walked over as she then sat next to Nozomi as she too enjoyed the warmth of the light.

Nozomi looking at Meg didn't know what to think of her exactly but she could feel a pleasant warm atmosphere about her that she liked as she looked at her, but then curiosity eating away at her she asked, "so um have you been here in the coliseum for a long time Meg?"

Hearing the question the woman looked at her and then replied looking back up into the blue distance, "yeah you could say that… I've been here since Zeus knows."

Listening Nozomi blinked but then she asked another question, "so does that mean you know Mr Hercules?"

At this Meg jumped slightly as she looked at her and then said, "Mr? Now that's the first I've ever heard wonder boy ever being referred to, especially by one of your age, he's not that much older than you."

At this Nozomi paused for a moment but then she blushed embarrassed once again, "oh… um well… sorry it's another old, habit of mine… its just that he has this strong sense of wisdom about him… a good teaching aura and… I guess that's what makes me refer to him that way cause he gave me a few good words of wisdom when I arrived."

At this Meg lifted one of her eyebrows as replied, "oh I see… I guess I don't radiate that kind of aura do I?" She finished in a seemingly disappointed tone.

Hearing this Nozomi looked at her quick and apologetic, "oh I'm sorry! I can refer to you as miss Meg if you like!"

At this seeing her reaction Meg kept the act up for a moment but then let it fall in moments as she then laughed it off saying, "oh no I'm just joking, havin a little fun with ya okay?"

Nozomi listening to this then blinked as she caught on and then laughed herself saying, "oh I see okay then."

Meg looking at her liked the expression on her face and then spoke as she looked up again, "well it's nice to have a little more female company around, you're one of the only other female fighters that've been around here in the coliseum."

At this Nozomi asked looking at her, "what so you mean they're not that many female fighters at all?"

Hearing this Meg shook her head, "no, the only other one I've seen around here is… what was her name? Yullie? Fifi? Yunie?"

Listening Nozomi then instantly caught onto who it was, "Yuffie?"

At that Meg looked at her and then spoke clicking her fingers, "that's it! Bingo, do you know Yuffie?" She asked.

Nozomi nodded, "uh yeah, well I haven't had much of a chance to talk to her but yeah I know her, she's really sprightly and spunky and a ninja too so I guess she's built for it really."

Meg listening nodded as she answered, "I see."

Hearing her Nozomi then replied, "yeah… I guess it isn't surprising to see not so many other girls here… most of us aren't really built for this kinda thing… but it would be great if there was more huh?"

At this Meg nodded once again in agreement as she replied, "yeah it would, it'd make things more interesting then having just plain old muscle heads around… but what're ya gonna do."

It was then quiet between the young woman and female keyblade master but then breaking it Meg then got up as she said and turned to face the coliseum doors, "well I gotta go see how wonder boy's doing, I'll see ya later there Nozomi." She smiled down to her.

Hearing her say this Nozomi quiet then smiled and nodded as she replied, "yeah see you later Meg, it was great talking to you."

Meg nodded herself still smiling as she then walked up the stairs and through the door to see what Hercules was up to. Nozomi watching her leave was happy to talk with her, for it'd been awhile since she'd been able to talk to another female who was around or near her own age… this then made her think of Oralee as she felt saddened by the memory.

Whispering she spoke aloud with a saddened worry, "Oralee… I hope you're doin okay…"

Suddenly then another new voice interrupted her thoughts, "Ori! Where are you!"

Breaking Nozomi out of her thoughts she looked out onto the sandy ground once again and saw another new girl. This girl had long flowing curled brown hair with purple ribbons tied in, her eyes looked around everywhere with worry and anxiousness, looking Nozomi could see that she had bright blue eyes and pale skin.

The clothes that she wore were a black coat that had purple ribbons on her shoulders and cuffs that ended just ended under her chest; another purple ribbon was tied around her neckline hanging from her white button shirt. Ending the whole outfit was a pretty purple skirt with a black leather over skirt that both ended just over her knees and on her legs were dark purple tights finishing with black leather shoes and purple ribbons.

Looking at her Nozomi wondered what was wrong as the girl called out again, "Ori! I don't like it when you leave me all by myself! I don't know what to do… where am I supposed to-"

Suddenly then it was then the girl then noticed Nozomi sitting on the stairs as she stared at her curiously, Nozomi looking on then blinked as she waved at her slightly slowly to and throw.

The girl froze not knowing what to do as she saw her, she was unsure as her blue eyes widened in slight worry. Nozomi not getting what was wrong then called over gently, "uh hi?"

The girl didn't respond as she only continued to look at Nozomi anxiously, seeing this unsure herself Nozomi then tried again, "are you okay? Are you lost?"

Hearing her ask her the girl still on the air of caution nodded slowly revealing a yes to her question.

Nozomi seeing this then smiled gently as she then responded again, "do you want me to help you out?"

The girl hearing her ask then withdrew slightly still overly cautious as she looked at her startled at this idea, however Nozomi then gently once again called out, "it's okay I won't bite, I'll just stay right here and let you decide kay?"

The girl hearing this was still unsure of her but then Nozomi showing what she meant simply looked down to her own feet and then looked up to the sky seeming to pay her no mind to her what so ever.

Watching her do this the girl was still quiet and cautious… but then seeing that she wasn't going to do anything… she decided to go on over… for she might discover something useful.

Quietly she walked forwards as she approached Nozomi who continued to look up into the sky still not paying her any mind. Watching her the girl stood in front of her for a moment as she looked at her… it was silent for a while more before she then silently took a seat beside Nozomi however at a safe enough distance.

Making herself comfortable she then drew her legs together as she let her hands rest on her knees in a timid manner as she waited quietly. Nozomi in the meantime hearing the girl approach and then sit down looked up into the sky for a few moments until she finally decided to initiate contact.

"So…?" She turned her head looking at the girl calmly.

Hearing her she looked at Nozomi still unsure her voice silent, Nozomi looking at her then saw her eyes properly and saw to her amazement that not only were her eyes a pleasant blue they also each had a lilac swirl in each making up for the irises.

Amazed for a moment Nozomi was speechless but the girl seeing this confused decided to respond then, "So?"

Getting her act together quick in a snap Nozomi shook her head out of her sudden idiocy as she then asked laughing a little embarrassed, "ha ha, yeah um? So are you lost?"

The girl hearing Nozomi ask the question then looked at her for a moment then turned away again as she looked at the floor as she then nodded again and said, "yes… I am."

Glad to see she was getting her to be vocal with her at least Nozomi smiled gently as she then asked, "I see… so you said you lost your partner… what was it, Ori?"

The girl nodded again in answer quiet once more.

Seeing her do this Nozomi then decided to investigate further as she asked, "So how'd you lose 'em?"

At this the girl then answered her looking depressed, "well… we were both coming up here and then he decided to turn the journey into a race… then hide and seek… he just ran away too fast for me to keep up and I couldn't see him anywhere at all! And it's the first time I've ever been here… and he'd knows I don't like getting lost.

Listening to Nozomi could relate as she then remarked, "oh I get it… its a pain ain't it?"

Confused the girl asked, "huh?"

Nozomi then continued, "You know when the guys keep getting lost from us girls? It's so useless tryin to keep a leash on 'em! They keep getting lost no matter what you do don't they? The guys I'm with always get lost from me, it's annoying huh?" She laughed hoping this would cheer the girl up.

The girl however not getting it simply stared at Nozomi with her swirled eyes still confused.

Seeing that she hadn't got it, it was then Nozomi became awkward as she told her, "it's a joke, I was tryin to make you feel better."

The swirl eyed girl then blinked surprised as she spoke and then looked down as she replied, "oh I'm sorry…"

Nozomi seeing her reaction then quickly spoke again shaking her hands trying to literally shake off the bad atmosphere, "no, no don't worry about it! It was kinda spur of the moment thing really… so um, what is this partner of yours like? Maybe I mighta seen him?"

The girl turned and looked at Nozomi again as she then told her averting her eyes once more, "Ori is… he's small with long dark pink hair, um he had brown eyes and um… a sharp toothed smile, he's very mischievous and likes playing jokes on people all the time… and um, he can be rude too and mean and he likes girls he calls cute… and tells me these kinds of things I don't really get about them."

Hearing his description Nozomi got the feeling she wouldn't like this guy as she then remarked the first thought that popped up in her head with an annoyed look on her face, "urgh he sounds like a real perverted little devil."

At this it became surprising as then the girl giggled slightly making Nozomi now look at her wide eyed as she looked at her with her mouth covered slightly trying to conceal the laugh as she said, "yeah, that's what I often call him too."

Nozomi seeing this smile on her face then was quiet for a moment but then she was delighted herself at this cute little show as she said, "aww so you can smile, that's cute!"

The girl hearing this then blushed red herself as she asked wide eyed, "cu, cute?"

Nozomi nodded, "yeah really! Um… would it be okay for me to ask what your name is by the way? I'll tell you mine first! I'm Nozomi Tao." She smiled happily to her.

The girl hearing her ask wasn't prepared for this but then hearing her tell say her name and also that stuff about being cute she was flustered so quickly looking down at her knees again blushing she said, "um, uh, it's Saruliana…"

At this Nozomi raised her eyebrows as she asked overly curious, "Saru…li…ana?"

Saruliana then nodded quietly as she repeated knowing it was an odd name.

Nozomi repeating the name in her mind a few times felt it was a bit of a mouth full so then asked politely, "um do you have something shorter I can call you?"

It was then she nodded quickly "um… yes… I'm also called Saria… if that's better for you?"

Hearing this Nozomi was relieved inside as she then spoke smiling, "oh that's great! Awesome then! Nice to meet you Saria," she smiled at her happily as she extended her hand over to her.

Saria turning then saw Nozomi's extended hand and was surprised for a moment but then quietly and slowly she reached her own forwards and was then shaken gently as Nozomi smiled at her. Saria seeing her smile then couldn't help but smile warmly herself as she replied, "um, nice to meet you too Nozomi."

Now making some real progress Nozomi was ultra pleased and so then released her hand from Saria's and then went onto ask, "so what're the two of you doing here in the coliseum? Are you going to be in the tournament too?"

Saria hearing Nozomi ask this question then went all-quiet again as she answered, "yes…"

Not noticing Saria's obvious uncomfortable aura Nozomi looked up to the sky as she asked, "that's great, so that means you and me will be in a match together… it's great having another girl around like this huh?" She turned and asked her.

Hearing the question being asked Saria quickly turned and looked at Nozomi as she knew she had to keep talking as she replied, "um, oh yes! Yes it is… it is good."

Nozomi hearing her still looking up nodded herself and replied, "yeah definitely!" With that she then turned over and looked at Saria as she asked, "So um can I ask why you're entering?"

Saria listening to this question then replied," what? Why are we?"

Nozomi nodded, "yeah, I mean are you training like me or… is there something that you want to achieve?"

Hearing this Saria repeated, "want to achieve?"

With which Nozomi nodded again waiting for her answer, Saria knew she couldn't reveal the reason why she and Ori were entering… but she didn't want to completely lie either… so holding her knees tighter she looked at them as she explained, "well… me and Ori… we just want to find a role for ourselves and have a purpose… but other than that I also want to atone for something… though it will probably never be able to happen…"

At this Nozomi looked at her surprised wondering what that could possibly be so then asked, "atone? Atone for what exactly?"

Saria then closed her eyes as she then remembered terrible memes of days long since past as she only revealed a small part, "I… I did something extremely terrible… and disappointed lots and lots of people horribly… and I just want to have a purpose where I don't disappoint anyone… cause that's what I'm scared more than anything in doing."

At these words Nozomi repeated her eyes in serious curiosity, "disappoint? What did you do wrong exactly, did you mess up a play or a match or something?

At this Saria shook her head no in answer as she replied, "no… it was something far, far worse… that I can't really say…"

Hearing the sadness in her voice Nozomi creased her eyebrows wondering what it could possibly be but then she decided to ask, "so you think finding this purpose will make it better?"

Saria then nodded " yes… and… that's why, when even goes on at me or anyone… I don't argue or anything because… otherwise I'll disappoint people … so I have no right to argue."

At this though Nozomi's expression then changed into one of disbelief, as she then disagreed, "I don't think that's right to think."

At this Saria turned and looked at her in surprise as she asked her, "huh? But why though? If I argue then I'll make people mad and-"

However Nozomi interrupted as she said, "that's not what I mean… I mean I can understand you wanting to do the right thing and not disappoint but it's wrong of you to think that you're not allowed to argue… cause sometimes doing that… and even disappointing people can sometimes be the only right thing to do."

Never hearing of these idea's before Saria asked still intrigued yet disbelieving, "but how can it be? I mean… I just make people more angry and-"

At this Nozomi pointed a finger to her nose as she waved it in response as she said, "no, cause like me for instance if I hadn't had fought Nessus against what everyone else's wishes then I wouldn't be in the tournament right now myself, I stood up for myself and did the right thing, and sure I did disappoint people but I made up for it… and I know it can be the same for you too, if you know inside the only way to make things right is to stand up, then do it and whatever repercussions happen then you'll deal with them… it sometimes is the only way to make yourself clear to others too…"

Listening to this sound source of wisdom Saria was speechless and didn't know what to say but then once more Nozomi spoke as she finished looking at Saria, "so don't be afraid, cause even if you do disappoint there's always to make up for it, kay? So don't give up." She finished as she smiled at her brightly.

Saria quiet as she heard all this information didn't know how to respond or to do at all but then before she could do so suddenly there came a call, "Hey Saria! Get over here!" Came an irritated young male voice.

Both girls surprised looked over and then Nozomi saw Ori who was just as Saria described with dark pink long hair tied back in a ponytail, his brown eyes looked at the both of them annoyed bitterly as she saw his mouth in an angry pout with some of his sharp jagged teeth revealed.

He was dressed in a black leather coat that reached down to his knees along with red short underneath that stopped half way over his knees and on his feet were long black boots that stopped just under his knees, he was definitely short but Nozomi couldn't tell whether he was a little kid or a teenager.

But then before anything more could be said it was then Saria made her move to leave as she said, "oh I better go now, um thank you very much for talking with me… it was very nice." She finished with a formal bow.

Seeing this Nozomi smiled as she then said, "nah it's okay don't worry about it, you just take care kay? I'll see you in the tournament."

At this Saria got up from her bow and then said yes with a small nod as she then quickly ran over to who looked up at her annoyed.

Looking at her he then said, "what do ya think you're doin? Talkin to the enemy you dummy! Ya gotta be more on guard!"

At this Saria froze up at this tone and felt her timid nature kicking in again but then she looked back at Nozomi who smiled at her still in confidence, seeing this Saria looked at as she began to say, "I, I was, I was only just-"

However spoke over her, "oh whatever! C'mon! We gotta get back to the boss to tell him we're in the tournament."

Seeing that she'd failed to speak up Saria got depressed and so quietly she obediently went and followed through the door that would lead the two of them back to the dark recesses of the underworld.

Nozomi watching the two leave wondered something about the two of them… for once again that familiar feeling resounded in her… but what was it?

Suddenly from behind, "oy lass!"

Turning around quick she then saw Cait Sith come out through the crack of the coliseum doors as he looked at her and said, "we're all ready ta start battling now, me and them two blokes are waitin for ya! So c'mon!"

Seeing that her break was now over Nozomi sighed, though happy she'd got a good time to have some good girl talk got up and quickly walked over to the door saying, "okay, okay I'm coming, keep your hair on."

With that she opened the door and walked in with Cait sith beside her to begin the Cubix cup.