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

of a second, she stood right beside Rey, who placed his arm around her as he smiled confidently at

render a single word or action in reaction to it all. She

you see now?" She heard Rey whisper

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

were dripping with all

as they approached with a battle-hardened glare proved just

eyes look

her—but she didn't want to

She whispered, staring at the group that now reached

it is

"I… I can't…"

at her.His glowing red eye made her body react

but he simply stood still, allowing the girls to approach even further. They walked through the barrier like it was nothing,

planning? Girls! My sisters!

Young Ones walked past Gratiana without uttering as much as a single word. They didn't even glance

It puzzled Gratiana instantly.

with what you're about to witness with

observing as her little sisters stopped

a moment, they

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

"What are they doi—?"

~BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!~

or sheer explosions—charged from the weapons of these girls as they fired their attacks at the

eruption, as well as the utter obliteration of

blew it up. Shouldn't their first thoughts be to save you through non-lethal means?" Rey spoke in a low tone as Gratiana covered

trembled at the horror