An Extra’s POV

Gratiana gritted her teeth as she walked behind Rey Skylar.

She had her head somewhat lowered, as it hung shamefully on her shoulders while she contemplated everything that just happened.

"Haa… haaa…"

Steamy breaths escaped her lips with every step she took, and every second or two, she would lift her gaze to look at the man who walked a couple of inches from her. She desperately wanted to close the gap and access what she was denied, but—

'No! What am I thinking? Why am I… what would the girls think?!'

Gratiana tried her best to hide the immense guilt that was bubbling up within her, but it was getting too much to bear. A few moments ago, when Rey told her about the return of the Young Ones, she was disappointed.

It was only for a split second, but she certainly thought:

'Why did they have to return now?!'

As an Elder, she should have been elated by their safe return. Yet, she selfishly indulged in a bet that put so much on the line. Instead of rushing to rescue them, she instead conversed with the perpetrator of all these evils.

Gratiana felt awful beyond measure.

'They're my responsibility… yet I abandoned them.' Her thoughts trailed as she watched Rey exit the Fortress. She felt reluctant to do the same.

'How can I even face them?'

She simply wanted to stay back and hide herself in the shadows; at least, until she had worked up the courage to face her little sisters.

Unfortunately—

~VWUSH~

choice in the

his arm around her as he

for her to render a single word or action in reaction to it

whisper to her, and instantly her body

sank even lower than ever as she looked at the incoming girls and the menacing expressions

were dripping with all manner of entrails. Still, they remained unfazed by

as they approached with a

those eyes look innocent to you

within her—but she

at the group

if it is right in front

"I… I can't…"

Rey smile as he turned back to look at her.His glowing red eye made her body react accordingly—almost as if it completely knew what to

by that, but he simply stood still, allowing the girls to approach

Girls! My

single word. They didn't even glance at

It puzzled Gratiana instantly.

see or hear us. I wouldn't want you to interfere with what you're about to witness with your own eyes." He narrowed

spectating; observing as her little sisters stopped short of the Fortress and then stretched out their expensive-looking

a moment, they

able to know every little thing that went on in the minds of her Youngs, but this time

"What are they doi—?"

~BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!~

could conclude her question, bright bursts of energy in many forms—fire, lightning, light, or sheer explosions—charged from

utter obliteration of the towering construct that both Rey and

place, yet they blew it up. Shouldn't their first thoughts be to save you through non-lethal means?" Rey spoke in

at the horror she was