Chapter 15：Episode 14 - Emotions (1/2)

–– GREEN TEAM POV ––

Zoe was really happy, skipping around the coliseum. She seemed to be quite calm, taking into account her team was the next one to compete. Even so, she didn't let the nerves get the better of her. She tried to stay calm, humming her favorite songs and looking at the trees around the place.

– ZOE!

A familiar voice called for her from behind.

– Oh, Odine! —she jogged up to her— what is it? —she smiled brightly—.

– What are you doing…? We should be training, tomorrow is our turn, we can't give us the luxury of doing nothing.

– Don't you trust in the others? You can't do that! I know we're all strangers but we must understand each other.

– Tch. Just come to train.

Odine turned around and walked back into the training center. Zoe just sighed and, without losing her energy and happiness, followed her. Zoe kept humming songs, famous songs from her region. Apparently, said songs weren't well received in Odine's region. Odine came from Zaela. This region was known for their magnificent medical advancements, implementing technology and high-quality standards on their surgical proceedings.

Said songs had some notoriety in Zaela because its artists came from said region, and were banished for doing illegalities in there. Odine suddenly stopped and turned around, looking at Zoe directly in the eyes. Zoe, surprised, blinked a few times. Such stare was enough to make Zoe stop singing. Odine kept walking then. Zoe pouted, having no other option but to follow her.

In the training center was the rest of the Green Team.

– Girls, you've arrived!

– Oh, Cole! How's the training going?

– Zoe! —he approached her and gave her a hug— well…

Carter and Stella were on the floor, completely tired and with no strength to keep going.

– …I did everything I could, but they're still a bit weak. But!! When their energy comes back up, we'll keep training.

– K-keep training…? We're exhausted, Cole… —begged Carter—.

– Right… we can't keep going… we don't have energy nor strength… —said Stella—.

– But we're just starting!

Zoe laughed lightly. Odine just scorned at them, making them stand up. Carter and Stella were completely destroyed, but they could still get up the floor. Odine made Cole to keep going with the training. Carter and Stella were the weakest ones from their team, they weren't from their region's attack troupe, they were assistants for the veterans and doctors. Cole and Zoe were almost considered veterans on their troupes, that's why, they didn't worry too much about training, because they were already strong.

Odine took a sword that was on the wall and started to practice with it. Zoe and Cole looked at her. She looked really concentrated and determined, but sometimes she would slap herself.

– Do you think we'll be alright? —said Cole, leaning on the tree right in front of the training center—.

– I don't know… Carter and Stella are really weak… I believe that with us three is enough, but I don't know… maybe if we keep training after they've rested we'll come to something.

– Zoe. —Cole stood in front of her— I don't think that they'd become strong from one day to another. But…—he took her hand— don't worry. I'll win for you. For… us.

Zoe lightly touched her stomach.

– For us, Cole.

Both smiled brightly. Cole got closer to her and gave her a short kiss on the lips.

– I think we should at least train a bit, you and me, don't you think? —she laughed lightly—.

–– ORANGE TEAM POV ––

Ray was walking aimlessly through the coliseum. Everything reminded him of Hal. They had always been best friends since they were children. They would always play together, they did everything together. Ray felt as if a part of his heart had been taken away. He put his hand inside his right pocket and pulled out a ring. Without noticing, tears started to pour out of his eyes. He clenched his fist tightly, feeling how the ring was slowly pressing against his skin.

– Ooooh Raaaay! … Ray?

– O-oh… —he quickly cleaned his eyes— Phoebe… what's wrong?

– Are you still thinking about Hal? You need to move on, man! —she lightly patted him on the back— there are plenty of fish in the sea… hehe. —she winked at him—.