Chapter CIV: Into the depths of Atlantis Part IV
Running hard and focused despite her fear with the sound of the alarm sirens echoing loudly everywhere, Audrey knew that she couldn't let panic overtake her, even as the cold seawater came rushing behind her few crew members who were running for their lives.
Gripping the round iron door's round handle Audrey quickly turned it clockwise as the water came in quickly crashing and roaring in its wake against the metal of the submarine's hull. Gasping as she pulled the handle the heavy door that it controlled quickly shut down with a slam, the few crew members that were lucky to survive had dived through making it past the door before it shut down tightly.
But unfortunately there were obviously those who didn't and the water quickly drowned their cries out as it slammed into the metallic door. This was something else as well that Audrey had to shut away, she had turn off her emotions, survival was the top most priority even if later on she would feel absolutely terrible.
On a higher level towards the front of the ship Lyle Rourke the commander pointed his commands out to his crew, the alarms still ringing out loudly in the air, "launch Subpods!"
At once the order was acknowledged as the following shout was given, "Sub Pods away!" The small little crafts quickly left their mother ship as they travelled on a stream of fast bubbles leaving streams behind them as they went. Rounding on themselves as they streamed out of the ship they headed straight back weapons ready, in one of these Subpods Mole and the bomb expert Vinny, his headphones over his ears he immediately hears the command, "Fire!"
Hearing this the small pods all at once launched all their torpedoes at the huge monstrosity of the Leviathan, the bombs all set off at once as they hit their target with clouds of blue smoke spreading out everywhere in the now murky waters.
At the shock of the impact the Leviathan let go of the submarine and everyone in the ship too felt it as they were all shaken from the sudden tilt and some once again were thrown off their feet.
Seeing that they were released the commander immediately directed his orders, "we're free! All ahead full!" With that the wheelman quickly steered the ship away as he and the rest of the crew did their best then to evade the creature as best he could.
Inside the ship lying on his side again Milo gasped painfully, "oww that smarts!" As his glasses had still been on him on impact they'd scraped into the bridge of his nose making a really painful pinch on the hard cold glass.
At once a concerned voice rang out, "Milo!" At the sound of this one voice the linguist and mapmaker of the expedition lifted himself as he now sat on the glass cross-legged holding his head with his right hand as he had a painful headache.
Making it over to him urgently the king looked to Milo as Riku ran past him as he asked him, "Milo are ya okay there?"
Hearing him though still a little disorientated Milo shook his head as he told the mouse king, "well I've had better days here, but that thing! It's colossal! I never expected it to be like this! And it's real by Jupiter I mean-"
But he was cut off as behind him he heard, "lass will ya get yer act together!"
For behind both Mickey and Milo in the distance on the floor on her knees looking lifeless was Nozomi with Cait sith beside her and Riku just to the side of her looking worried. The silver haired youth was silent as he stared down at her while Cait sith was annoyed with her vegetable state as he told her, "This ain't no time for ya to be lullin around now! Snap yerself back up this minute!"
Hearing him Riku knew that this was absolutely true no-one could argue with that as the alarms sounded like mad and people running to get to the life subs to try and get away from the monstrosity of the Leviathan.
Getting down on his knees himself Riku shook Nozomi's shoulder as he told her, "Nozomi! We've got to go now! Everyone's already leaving!"
However there was no reply from her as she remained silent and lifeless still, Riku himself was now becoming impatient as Cait sith was as he told her annoyed, "Nozomi come on now!"
Pulling her again a small whisper escaped her lips, "we can't-"
Barely hearing this whisper with all the cascading sound echoing everywhere Riku asked, "what?"
A gasping breath escaping from her lips Nozomi looked down for a moment as she spoke a little louder, "we can't win!"
Hearing this Riku stared at her shocked as she turned and looked at him with sorrowful eyes as she'd now understood having seen the Leviathan with her own eyes that "its too big! There's no way we can win against that thing is there? We can't save everyone! We can't-" the shock and realisation almost made tears fall from her shaken form knowing how many people were probably going to die.
Seeing her like this Riku too was shaken inside himself at this change for the usually aggressive, optimistic and rather ditzy girl who had always remained in nearly every situation determined with resolve was now trembling herself with true fear. But this frightened and drained girl was something that he was completely unprepared for, looking at her his hand still on her shoulder a sudden urge to hold her tightly came strongly from within him.
But before he could even act on this impulse behind him Mickey and Milo arrived behind them all looking on with urgent worried eyes, the mouse king spoke up, "Riku!"
Suddenly at that moment just as the white-silvered haired young man began to turn his head there was a new command was issued with fierce determination," fire torpedoes!" At once the order was acknowledged as then the crewmembers in front of the weaponry all pressed the few buttons and pulled the levers as they called back, "fire torpedoes!"
With that the small missiles were sent hurtling forwards in the dark blue waters as they whistled forwards, quickly crashing making impact upon the enormous Leviathan creating clouds of light blue smoke becoming smog like in the waters.
The sub pods seeing the impact that had occurred all immediately parted as they were on their way to follow the escaping submarine, however the monstrous creation, far from being damaged in anyway it instead reacted furiously as it released it's own attack on the distant submarine. A huge laser beam blast was unleashed, as it struck right through the aquatic vehicle.
Feeling this sudden impact made everyone tremble once again, the king seeing this spoke up now really worried, "that ain't good!" He breathed anxiously.
Cait sith then said to him his annoyance overshadowing his fear, "Oh yeah? Ya think so mouse cheeks!"
Seeing too that it was now really time to go Riku looked back to Nozomi who was still shocked with fear. Gritting his teeth he got down on his knees as he looked at her with determination as he told her shaking her shoulders, "come on Nozomi! We've got to go now!"
At the sensation of this touch Nozomi snapped out of her saddened shocked state for a moment as the sound of the alarms reached her ears and it was properly she understood the urgency of the situation. Looking at him silently he then told her again, "Come on!" Nodding then trying to put herself back together again despite the feelings of helplessness inside her she got up and then quickly being led by Riku's hand he, Cait Sith, Mickey and Milo quickly moved to get back on board to the bridge.
Running forwards once again as various screws and knots flew out from the now de-pressurised corridor, the water continuing to pour in from the huge hole that the Leviathan had struck through. Climbing fast Audrey ascended up the ladder that was in front of her.
Arriving at the top she was quickly assisted by two of her engineer colleagues, no time for thanks she rushed past them both as she called out. As the two of them sealed the ladder way, "get me the bridge!" Quickly the engineer at the phone did just that and quickly passed it over to his top mechanic so that she could make her urgent report.
Meanwhile still on that very bridge the commander amidst the chaos continued with his observations at what was happening. He himself was agitated but he still managed to keep his composure for if he, the main chain of command was to lose it then further fatal mistakes would definitely be made and this had to be avoided at all costs.
But suddenly from below with her same monotone bored voice despite the rising panic and chaos Mrs Packard spoke up, "sir it's engineering on four," she told him as she went back to simply reading her magazine continuing to ignore the sirens.
Taking the voice tube the commander flicked the cap off and at once an urgent voice shouted through almost giving him an earache, "Rourke!" We took a big hit down here and we're taking up water fast! I don't wanna be around when it hits the boilers!"
Listening and taking in this info Rourke then made his reply as he asked Audrey calmly, "how much time do we have?"
The top female mechanic then made her immediate reply as she told him, "twenty minutes if the bulkhead holds!" But then from behind her there came a distinctive metallic burst as a loud roar of water sounded as it flooded through. Annoyed at this unfortunate event she then corrected herself as she told their commander, "better make that five!"
With that info given the commander Rourke in seconds relayed it to the rest of the crew, "you heard the lady let's move!"
Hearing this now finally standing back on the bridge Nozomi was silent still perplexed with anxiety. For everything was turning out as exactly as Riku and Mickey had said it would. Nozomi quiet still then had Cait sith voice his mind as he sat himself on her shoulder, "well it's about time they realised that! Them idiots!"
Annoyed that he had said this forgetting her fear for a moment there was no time though for Nozomi to make a reply as then one of the crewmembers voiced out, "come on this way! All of you have got to move and make it down this way!"
Mickey, Milo and Riku seeing the man indicating to the metallic stairs in the red flashing lit environment, quickly they all made their way to those stairs with Riku pulling Nozomi by her left hand still as Cait sith clung onto her right shoulder as she spoke out loud puzzled," huh? What! Where! Where are we going?"
However as she was being dragged down the metallic staircase the Lieutenant Helga made another order, "Packard sound the alarm!"
Even despite with the evacuation and the obvious doom the submarine was going under Mrs Packard continued to speak in her bored tone as she was in the midst of a conversation with someone as she told them with a cigarette in her hand, "he took his suitcase? Marge honey I don't think he's coming back." As she shook her head showing her clear doubt to her friend's romantic situation.
Helga though was not in the mood for this ridiculous nonsense of hers as she shouted out to her clearly agitated, "PACKARD!"
Finally breaking her out of that one conversation though still bored and in her monotone Mrs Packard told her friend, "I'll have to call you back, no, no I'll call you," she finished as she screwed her used cigarette into the desk before finally shutting the equipment off.
Running quickly and fast still being dragged behind by Riku, Nozomi looked left and right and saw the many people of the crew escaping through various doors and in some she even saw a strange craft of some type.
Now running onto the wired bridge she looked ahead of herself and saw that Audrey too along with Sweet had emerged to join them along with a couple of other people she didn't know. Looking ahead she then saw another one of the strange crafts and as Mrs Packard's voice droned over the intercom, "all hands abandon ship," Nozomi asked herself quietly, "we're supposed to escape in that?"
But before she could speak any further the lieutenant was there to usher them in as she told them clearly agitated, "move it people! Sometime today would be nice!"
To which Cait sith immediately retorted, "all right! All right! Keep yer hair on lass!"
With that quickly everyone got into the escape sub and then running quickly inside a long row of seats became available for immediate use, seeing them the lieutenant ordered them, "c'mon! Everybody grab a seat and buckle in!" Then quickly she darted across forwards as everyone hurriedly anxious all attached their seatbelts into place, arriving at the cockpit Helga saw the commander Rourke was already there himself, he then ordered her, "lieutenant! Get us out of here!" To which she got herself into the drivers seat and proceeded to carry out that one command.
Outside as the submarine continued to plummet downwards into the dark depths, the Leviathan saw that his work was still not complete yet and clearly angered it approached closer, ready to finish the job.
Back inside the escape sub Nozomi had adjusted the seatbelt and was now sitting between Riku and Milo with Mickey on the other side of the linguist beside Audrey with Sweet on her right. As they all continued to listen to the sound of the alarms, the fear inside herself was making her heart palpitate like mad as she felt completely helpless. Closing her eyes fiercely tight she bit her lower lip praying that everything would be all right as her hands held on tightly to the safety body belt straps.
Riku on her left saw the fear continuing to plague her and true he too was terrified as he knew that she had more reason to be frightened of the water than most, but at that moment he knew there was nothing he could do to quell it.
Cait sith too just as worried as his white haired comrade then picked up a certain sound coming from the cockpit. Turning the small cat looked and saw that there was difficulty going on.
For the lieutenant was struggling with a certain stiff lever that was refusing to budge at all and now at this moment even Rourke was beginning to get agitated with fear as he shouted, "lieutenant!"
To which his strong female lead answered just as angered as she continued to pull away, "I'm working on it!"
However as Cait sith watched on the seconds seemed like hours to him and he could see clearly that the lieutenant was not getting anywhere at all, this then just made his irritation grow and grow overtaking his fear in moments… then unable to take it anymore he shouted making everyone forget their fear for a brief moment in total surprise, "Agh! That it is really irritating! Just push that darn lever woman would ya!"
Then at that moment the Leviathan had let out a second burst of laser as it ripped through the submarine making the whole thing shudder horribly, with that sudden movement Cait sith immediately launched himself forwards like lightning from Nozomi's shoulder as he pushed forwards as Helga's foot was on one of the levers, the sudden movement of the impact caused the lever to finally move and as it did so a huge blast sounded as a metallic door was blown off and a bright golden light flowed from the outside of the submarine.
At once seeing that finally their path was opened Helga looked back as she told everyone, "hang on!" With that she steered the escape pod.
Cait sith proud of his accomplishment then boasted loudly despite the emergency of the situation, "ya see! That's how ya darn well make a lever work!" To which he then laughed out loudly.
Everyone quiet at this huge boast all looked at Cait sith with dismay in their eyes, Riku then thought to himself, 'honestly that cat never changes! Even with a submarine sinking around us!"
Meanwhile talking about that once extremely efficient and valuable aquatic craft they had now all left behind in a hurried stream of bubbles as the escape subs all raced forwards in the dark depths. The ship itself exploded into thousands of pieces as a fire that appeared for a few brief explosive moments was quickly quenched out by all the surrounding waters.
Then through the smoke and clouds of the debris the Leviathan swam straight through the chaotic mess as its focus was now on the tiny survivors that were desperately trying to swim away.
In the rush as they were all being driven, inside the group were all being tossed, turned and rocked back and forth as the lieutenant and the commander still sat at the driver's seat trying to get through this chaos as best they could with falling debris hurtling into and clashing around into the ship.
Cait sith still on the floor though hadn't had the time to get back onto Nozomi's shoulder and was trying to keep his balance as best he could as he spoke out annoyed hopping back and forth flapping his arms madly, "oi! Quit this tossin' and turnin' of this rowboat! I can't keep doin' this hoppin' dance fer-" but it was too much too soon as he was thrown off his red boots and fell flat faced onto the floor his tail dangling up and then down as he was knocked out cold.
Feeling scared still Nozomi held on tightly to the safety harness as she and the others were rocked back and forth, still clenching her eyes shut absolutely silently desperate to not shiver and reveal her fear.
The others though were all looking around for though scared themselves they were all looking around all on heavy alert as all of them knew that the Leviathan was right on their tail. As they moved forwards Mickey hearing the blasts that the monster was trying to hit them with made him still really worried as he asked aloud, "that big fella definitely ain't lettin' up is he?"
Jolted forwards again Riku told him clenching his teeth still trying to keep his cool in that situation, "Your majesty I don't think that thing's going to quit until we're all blasted to kingdom come!"
Audrey hearing the white haired guy speak then added herself, "yeah I think we've all figured that all ready there thanks!"
But then interrupting all of them suddenly Rourke spoke up as he turned back and asked, "where to Mr Thatch?"
Hearing himself being called for Milo told them quickly looking into his book 'The Shepard's Journal' with his finger on a certain paragraph, "we're looking for a huge crevice of some kind!"
At this word being mentioned Nozomi opened her eyes for a brief moment as she repeated curious, "crevice?"
Then as she did this one act the commander spotted that one geographic landmark as he spoke out pointing it out to his lieutenant, "there up ahead!"
At once seeing it the lieutenant immediately spoke into the microphone as she gave the coordinates to the other subs as she told them, "all crafts make your mark twenty degrees down angle!"
Hearing these instructions there were replies instantly," roger twenty degrees down angle!"
Then from another sub came, "I'm behind you!" With the voice revealed to be that of Mole.
Feeling the sub accelerate as it found its escape route Nozomi and the others were silent but all of them now were praying with desperate hope that they'd all make it into that dark crevice.
However the monstrosity that continued to swim and chase after them was not going to let any of the survivors have that prayer answered so easily as it swung one of its massive claws forwards, striking and destroying one of the surviving escape pods.
Hearing the blast Nozomi gasped in fright and then over the intercom there came a cry of distress as a man spoke up, "we're getting killed out here!" Knowing what had happened Nozomi shivered horribly, people had died and she had done nothing!
Meanwhile outside as the remaining survivors all got closer and closer to the crevice as the Leviathan in its rage fuelled rush smashed a rock aside with its enormous body as it tried to reach its claws forwards trying to get these irritating insects.
Seeing that this wasn't working as simply some rocks were sent flying forwards it immediately turned to its most effective long range attack as it once again unleashed another lightning bolt of its lethal lasers. As it did so the first shot immediately destroyed a target as the rest of the escape subs all quickly tried to manoeuvre out of the way of the raining debris.
Once again as everyone went into evasive action another barrage of lasers was unleashed as it destroyed another sub as it tried to dodge too but instead collided with the black rocky surface and as it did it collided with another one of the escape subs literally making a terrible victory for the Leviathan as it was a two in one strike.
Nozomi hearing these two, no! Now three subs smash she couldn't believe how much was lost now as she felt horrible pain in her heart at what was now gone but beside her as they rushed now inside the crevice Milo was speaking up loudly feeling really panicked himself, "it's only a grease trap its just like a sink! It's only a grease trap it's just like a sinnnnkkkk!"
To which this made Nozomi shout out just as panicked, distressed and agitated, "I don't even understand a word you're saying! Agh!"
Then at once another laser was shot across as it tried to claim more victims as they all rushed forwards, gasping at this frightened Nozomi then unintentionally grabbed Riku as she held onto his chest shivering terrified.
Riku gasping as she did this himself looked down and was about to demand what she was doing when he saw that she was trembling terribly as she clenched her hands on his white waistcoat. Seeing her like this he moved his arms up but then he hesitated for a moment, was it right for him to-
But then more lasers were fired from the Leviathan and as they were reason fell out of the window as he wrapped his arms around her and held her close to himself bracing for any further blows and jumps.
Cait sith on the floor of the craft got himself back up finally again as he shook his head from the awful impact, a headache quickly developing inside him looking up he then asked, "what's goin on now-"
But once again he was cut off as another laser nearly got them making the craft shake and shiver again, this sudden movement nearly made him topple over again. But then quickly regaining himself he looked around hurriedly as it occurred to him, "it's that darn mammoth mollusc again ain't it!"
However there was no reply from anyone as they remained silent completely, this was more than enough evidence, so annoyed Cait sith spoke up, "right! Okay! I'm fed up with us being used for target practise!" With that he bound forwards and with that he jumped up and landed on the dashboard of the cockpit.
As he did this though Rourke and Helga were both caught off guard but then the commander angrily then protested as he demanded, "what do you think you're doin' there soldier! Get off of there!"
However annoyed Cait sith replied still annoyed, "no such luck there Rourke mate! I got a little trick I need ta be doin!"
Milo in the distance hearing and watching what Cait sith was doing asked puzzled, "a trick?"
But not getting further into it Cait sith simply smacked his gloved paws together as he then said, "right let's get to it!" With that he then kneeled down and as he did suddenly a yellow glowing light formed all over the sub in seconds making a huge protective shell all over it as it glowed in the darkness of the water.
Watching as they continued to manoeuvre back and forth avoiding the continuing entourage of lasers from the Leviathan, the other sub pod saw the yellow protective shield they were all startled. Looking what had happened to the sub that contained their commander the demolitions expert Vinny asked aloud confused, "what the heck is that thing?"
But suddenly as he asked this the protective shell that covered that pod, glowed brighter again and as it did so a beam of light emerged that then created a barrier around them too.
This light puzzled everyone immensely as they stared from within the sub, but the king looking at this yellow light looked at it unsure but then an image flashed in his mind of a certain form of a person from long ago with a long cape as he remembered he asked, "could it be that Cait sith is-"
But it was too early to speak yet as then the Leviathan continued to fire even more of its lasers down the long crevice trying to strike down the remaining survivors, however the protective shells that now surrounded the water adapt vehicles simply absorbed the destructive energy, nulling it out in seconds.
Glad at this result Cait sith smiled as he continued to kneel on the dashboard of the cockpit, he then spoke to himself as he said, "Now take this! Ya over sized gourmet dish!"
With that said suddenly a white sphere of light escaped from the top of the escape sub and as it did it ascended quickly up the shaft of the crevice and as it did, the Leviathan still trying to aim and fire down that crevice was suddenly thrown back by a blinding light that sent it screeching and rolling backwards almost hitting the rock sea floor.
At once the light floating for a moment above the crevice then descended down quickly as it spread itself over it and quickly flattened out and expanded becoming a wide like dome creating a glowing shell like manhole cover. The leviathan quickly rushing forwards recovering after this throw of power smashed its enormous claws into the protective cover, these powerful blows though did nothing and simply made its strikes rebound. Seeing this occur the creature roared loudly aggravated as it unleashed another surge of electrical laser barrage. This created a huge smog of smoke in the water but the dome remained unscathed and completely intact and it was clear that nothing could get past this enormous defensive shell.
Hearing this enraged roar down below everyone didn't know what to make of it at all, but then there was no time to question anything about what had just happened for now they had all ascended quickly and at last had broken the surface of the water making it into the air pocket that Milo had described to them all in the staff briefing.
In the darkness of that cave the two surviving subs opened their hatches as they looked all around and shone their lights forwards and there ahead of them was an ancient ruin. It was a huge and haunting sight for it was an open mouthed creature almost fishlike with its bulging eyes facing in opposite directions, but then quite apelike with its sharp protruding front teeth facing outwards as though ready to devour anyone who would ascend the long stone stairs beneath it.
Mickey having unbuckled himself was now looking outside the sub through its open hatched window next to Milo while Helga and Rourke were now taking a breather recovering from the huge adrenalin rush. Milo was absolutely gob smacked, seeing the ruins himself Mickey too was amazed and at the same time bewildered as he wondered what kind of people had made such a strange and scary sculpture.
He then spoke his thoughts aloud, "wow! It's amazin' this place! I wonder what-" But then beside both the mouse king and linguist Cait sith fell face forwards as he laid out his limbs outstretched loosely.
Seeing this happen Milo gasped out, "Cait sith!"
Mickey seeing this happen quickly got down as he looked to his small feline friend as he asked him, "Cait sith! Cait sith are ya all right are ya-"
But then Mickey was interrupted as he answered him tiredly "yeah I'm fine mouse cheeks…" he then moaned tiredly as he told him further, "I'm just needin' a nap now so…" he then yawned tiredly as he finished saying, "nighty night…" with that a sigh full of sleepiness escaped him as he fell into the deepest recesses of unconsciousness.
Seeing this happen Mickey became wide eyed as he turned back to within the sub as he cried, "Riku! Nozomi! Cait sith has-"
But then as he looked he saw that Riku was continuing to hold Nozomi who hadn't seemed to have noticed that they had broken the surface of the water and were now safe as she continued to hold onto Riku's waistcoat tightly.
Getting up from their seats beside them Sweet simply smiled at this little scene while Audrey herself just found this completely cheesy as she said, "tch these two need a room," with that she and Sweet walked off to fix any problems that there might be with the sub.
Looking down to Nozomi and then to Mickey a quiet look on his face he once again returned his gaze back down to her, his expression that Mickey saw was one of almost reluctance, no correction it was reluctance. He couldn't believe it! Had his feelings really progressed this far?
Riku paused for a moment before he spoke and shook her gently, "Nozomi?"
Her hands relaxing just a little she suddenly noticed what she had been doing and was completely surprised herself at what had happened! She then looked up to Riku perplexed as he told her with warm gentle smile, "we've arrived, we're safe now."
Seeing this smile she felt her heart beat strongly again with that same mysterious bittersweet feeling that made her cheeks brighten with a red hue… this was completely embarrassing!
Finally arriving on the ancient stone steps everyone was sombrely quiet as everyone paid their respects to those poor hard working people who had all perished at the terrifying powers of the Leviathan.
Nozomi stood beside Milo and Riku with Mickey just in front of her; Cait sith had once again reverted back to his rucksack mode as he was held by the black straps and was resting on her back.
Everyone was silent as Sweet took a metallic helmet and lay in the centre of it a candle and set it into the dark waters and let it float away into the distance becoming a single illuminating beacon as it carried the wish for all those innocent people to rest in peace.
Looking at the candle as it floated away the commander spoke up, "seven hours ago, we started this expedition with two hundred of the finest men and women I've ever known."
There was silence again, the number that she heard made Nozomi's heart pang with pain as she, no not just her, everyone had let these people down… but then what could they do against the Leviathan? How could they have possibly have done anything in those dark cold icy waters?
The commander then finished as he said, "we're all that's left, I won't sugar coat it gentlemen we have a crisis on our hands, but we've been up this particular creek before and we've always come through paddle or no paddle."
Everyone still quiet still had the sadness in their eyes as Rourke spelled it out for them what was going on, but even so it could be sensed that this tragedy just bound everyone closer together.
Once again Rourke continued, "I see no reason to change that policy now, from here on in, everyone pulls double duty, everyone drives, everyone works!"
At this point determination was now resounding in everyone as they realised that yes! They had to do their best! It was the least just to remember those lost ones and to succeed in the mission at hand.
Then Rourke looked over to Milo as he told him with dead seriousness, "looks like our chances for survival rest with you Mr Thatch, you and that little book."
Hearing this Milo then looked to the "Shepard's Journal," as he wondered to himself, 'it's all up to me?' But then as he wondered if he could really do this Mickey walked up next to him as he smiled up to him and gave him the thumbs up with a wink, a silent optimistic assurance.
Glad to see the mouse king giving him confidence Milo looked up to Rourke and told him and everyone else, "right! Don't worry guys! I'll do my best for everyone here!"
Hearing this from him though it didn't completely lift everyone's spirits but it did leave a nice subtle optimistic feeling in everyone, however Mrs Packard didn't share the sentiment as she spoke in her monotone voice again, "we're all gonna die…" with that she threw away her cigarette as she proceeded along to assist her other companions.
As everyone started to walk away Riku stopped in his tracks as he noticed one particular person wasn't following them all, turning back he saw that Nozomi continued to stand still gazing into the darkness as her gaze was fixed on the floating illuminating candle.
Walking back over to her Riku stared into the distance himself, he was quiet as he looked at the candle for a moment but then he turned back to her and saw that she had a serious expression on her face.
Looking at her he asked, "Nozomi?"
Quiet still further for a moment she then told him, "I've been completely useless haven't I?" There was only further silence, as Riku couldn't think of a thing to say.
Nozomi then spoke up again, "it just like you said it would be and I was just weeping and crying like a baby… I've just been nothing but a coward and let all these people die… why did I have to be such a fear stricken cry baby through all of this?"
Riku was quiet still but then he let out a sigh as he told her, "you're not the only one who was useless, I mean the king and I and everyone else too, none of us could do anything."
However as he talked still this clearly wasn't cheering Nozomi up at all and seeing that it wasn't, he got straight to the point, "but what I'm saying is, is that you're not the only one who was terrified everyone was scared."
But then looking up to him Nozomi told him, "but that fear is the thing that stopped us from helping anyone! How can I just go along like that! How can I make it up for all these people!"
Riku then told her the answer, which wasn't hard for him to tell her at all, "You just have to work hard and make sure you do your best for them from now on and on this trip, Rourke already said it, that is the one thing to do to succeed and see what can be found of Atlantis and to live their lives for them." Quiet again catching his breath he then went onto say," but most of all you shouldn't be ashamed of being frightened, the Leviathan was something that no one could not be afraid of along with any other monsters we've faced… there's no such thing as the perfect human being."
Hearing this Nozomi was surprised at such advice from the member of her friends who had always been the most stone faced in the battles they'd been in, so forgetting her feelings for a moment she said, "you know this is one of the few times I've actually have had you really give good advice."
At this reply Riku smirked, as he asked, "Why haven't I always?"
Smiling herself Nozomi said shaking her head ever so slightly, "nope! You've often just been the grumpy same old snowball."
Shaking his head at this reply unsurprised he told her his hands in his pockets with a small smile on his face, "c'mon, lets just get going everyone's waiting for us."
Nodding Nozomi followed him but then she turned her head back to look at that candle one last time as she thought to herself, 'I promise to do my best for all of you… rest well.' With that she left with Riku into the darkness of the mysteriousness of the ancient hallway of Atlantis.
In the darkness a voice whispered a smile on his lips, "well this little exploration will definitely be interesting for you all… in more ways than one!"
At his side his huge so-called co-hort asked him, "so what're we gonna do now? Do we get 'em now while the-"
A gloved hand stopped him in his tracks in mid sentence and said, "In time… we have to work subtly, with a certain little doll that'll definitely work well into our hands." With that the masked face spied the commander as he talked with Milo Thatch as they both stood next to a truck with a grey canvas and a red diamond imprinted with a pick and shovel crossed over on the side in a white stripe.
Quiet as he heard this his cohort wondered what would make that guy work well with them but then he heard his masked companion speak to him again, "and Pete?"
Blinking his attention back on him again he heard him say, "don't suggest anything to me anymore!" Shuddering as he heard this Pete's ears went down as then Uriax finished saying, "I am the one who does all the planning here!"
