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~

had no choice in the

who placed his arm around her as he smiled confidently at the Elves who were fast approaching, right outside

to render a single word or action in reaction to it all. She could only take everything in with a

whisper to

ever as she looked at the incoming

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

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

eyes look innocent to you

her—but she didn't want to accept

the group that now

it is right in front

"I… I can't…"

glowing red eye made her body

stood still, allowing the girls to approach even further. They walked through the barrier like it was nothing, approaching him and

Girls!

uttering as much as a single word. They didn't even glance at her—or Rey for that matter—but

It puzzled Gratiana instantly.

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

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

a moment, they

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

"What are they doi—?"

~BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!~

she could conclude her question, bright bursts of energy in many forms—fire, lightning, light, or sheer explosions—charged from the weapons of these girls as they fired their attacks

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

know we had left that place, yet they blew it up. Shouldn't their first thoughts be to save you through non-lethal means?" Rey spoke in a low tone as Gratiana

the horror