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~

no choice in the

a second, she stood right beside Rey, who placed his arm around her as he smiled confidently at the Elves who were fast approaching, right outside the barrier's

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

you see now?" She heard Rey whisper to her, and instantly her body

than ever as she looked at the incoming girls and the menacing expressions on

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

clung to their lethal weapons as they approached with a battle-hardened glare proved just how ready they were for combat—perhaps something even

look innocent

it within her—but she didn't

don't believe this." She whispered, staring at the group that now reached the forefront of

it is right in

"I… I can't…"

made her body react accordingly—almost as if it completely knew what to do with just a

you—right here and now." Gratiana didn't know what he meant by that, but he simply stood still,

are you planning? Girls! My sisters! Are you

without uttering as much as a single word. They didn't even glance at her—or Rey for that matter—but kept walking straight

It puzzled Gratiana instantly.

what you're about to witness with

she joined the spectating; observing as her little sisters stopped short of the Fortress

a moment, they

choreographed, they all stopped moving, and Gratiana didn't understand why. She was able to know every little thing that went on in the minds of her Youngs, but this time

"What are they doi—?"

~BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!~

of energy in many forms—fire, lightning, light, or sheer explosions—charged from the weapons of

was a deafening eruption, as well as the utter obliteration of the towering construct that both Rey and Gratiana previously

left that place, yet they blew it up. Shouldn't their first thoughts be to save you through

at the horror