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

her as he smiled confidently at the Elves who were fast approaching, right

so much that it was difficult for her to render a single word or action in reaction to it all. She could only take

whisper to

at the incoming girls and the menacing

with blood, and they were dripping with all manner of entrails. Still,

approached with a battle-hardened glare proved just how ready they

those eyes look innocent to you

felt it within her—but

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

don't believe it even if it is right in

"I… I can't…"

her.His glowing red eye made her body react accordingly—almost as if

here and now." Gratiana didn't know what he meant by that, but he simply stood still, allowing the girls to approach even further. They walked through the

you planning? Girls! My sisters! Are you

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.

interfere with what you're about to witness

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

a moment, they were

and Gratiana didn't understand why. She was able to know every little thing that

"What are they doi—?"

~BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!~

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

as the utter obliteration of the

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

trembled at the horror she