An Extra’s POV

"I do not deny my ability to grant your desire. I can indeed cure your friend of that which ails her."

The Oracle's response to Rey was cold, and the tiny smile that formed on her face slowly faded away, leaving behind the cold demeanor she had not too long before. Rey noticed this, but his stubbornness made him unable to give up.

"Then—"

"However, just because I can do something doesn't mean I should." The Oracle said in a rather detached tone.

"If you are so desperate for my assistance, then perhaps I can propose some sort of arrangement—a trade of sorts."

Rey raised his eyebrows a little, but his suspicions didn't stop him from jumping on the opportunity as soon as he heard what was being said. "What trade?!"

"I will require a sacrifice from you in order to fulfill your request. I wonder if you possess sufficient resolve for that."

"Sacrifice…?" Rey was beginning to have bad feelings about what he was hearing. Still, he had come too far to turn back at this point. And so, as he swallowed and readied himself for whatever The Oracle would tell him, he asked the question.

"What sacrifice?"

Her hand moved slowly, and she pointed her finger in a particular direction—towards the girl that stood behind him.

"The Half Elf girl. Hand her over, and I will cure your friend."

"H-huh…?"

Somehow, Rey had already expected this outcome. His surprise now was more fabricated than genuine when considering how obvious The Oracle's interests were from the start.

It was clear that Esme and the woman before him shared some connection. The Oracle's desire to have her further proved the point.

But… why? What was the connection?

"Why do you want Esme?" Rey asked, his voice trembling slightly. "Is there nothing else you desire?"

of

already knew she would respond in such a way, yet he asked the question. At this point, he could no longer

eventual deadlock after prolonging the inevitable

"I…"

and able to offer you what you desire. Is that not why you

"...."

have to do is hand her

the room for a moment. The choice presented to him was

Alicia, and perhaps obtain a Skill that would remove his need

was it

He just needed enough time

"I refuse!"

a change of heart? Perhaps you are not as desperate as I imagined…" As

into the area. So far, it had worked on all the Elves, helping him

Elves, he hoped it would

Unfortunately, it did not.

you just do something?" She asked, cocking her head to

felt a little mortified by her response to the only plan he could think of to

have expected her to be unaffected by my scent since she's

unreal, and her Skills basically made her a walking

have more Skills than her overall, but what good would that do for me here?' He swallowed hard as

ask a question…?" Rey mumbled as he did

She shrugged in response.

mentioned how I'm not the one meant to see you. That it's

"Indeed."

you know