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

right beside Rey, who placed his arm around her as he smiled

it was difficult for her to render a single word or action in reaction to it all. She could only take everything in with a gasp and

heard Rey whisper to her, and instantly her body

heart sank even lower than ever as she looked at

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

their lethal weapons as they approached with a battle-hardened

eyes look

it within her—but

this." She whispered, staring at the group that now reached the forefront of

it is right in

"I… I can't…"

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

you—right 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 barrier like it was nothing, approaching

Girls!

a single word. They didn't even glance at her—or Rey for

It puzzled Gratiana instantly.

to interfere with what you're about to witness with your own eyes." He

her little sisters stopped short of the Fortress

a moment, they

if 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 she was completely

"What are they doi—?"

~BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!~

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

as well as the utter obliteration of the towering construct that both Rey

thoughts be to save you through non-lethal means?" Rey spoke in a low

the horror she