An Extra’s POV

~I have incomplete information, so there's the possibility that you will be misguided and act on bias when you inevitably encounter him. I deduced you would eventually figure out that Adrien was here, and responsible for the demise of so many Elves, so I wanted you to witness it yourself and form your thoughts on them before hearing my report on the matter.~

"I don't think that's enough justification, though…" Rey responded to Ater with a harsh tone.

~Perhaps. But, I believe it would be preferable for you to confront Adrien without much of your preconceived notions—especially regarding the boy.~

"Are you telling me to trust him?!"

~No. But… give the opening for that trust.~

"What does that mean?"

~Have you ever sat down and listened to Adrien? Maybe if you did so, and the both of you conversed at length with as minimal biases as possible… the conversation could end up becoming very fruitful.~

"You want me to calmly converse with someone responsible for Mass Genocide?"

~....~

"Answer me, Ater!" Rey raised his voice a little higher than normal, and the calming effect swiftly took over and soothed him.

All of his growing anger and frustration with Ater instantly vanished.

~Master… do you truly believe that there is not a chance in the world that you could ever be in Adrien's position?~

"What?"

~Is there nothing that you would be capable of going to any lengths to accomplish… even if it meant taking the side of Monsters?~

"...." It was now Rey's turn to be silent.

He creased his brow and thought hard about what Ater was implying.

~You killed the members of the Underworld back then because you determined them to be a danger to the United Human Alliance. What if you found out the Elves were the same?~

"But they're not!"

least have a reason for doing what he is doing. It all hinges on the deal he

the benefit

be my advice,

slowly dissipating from

take such a sympathetic role regarding Adrien. Still… he

the way they were, perhaps there were certain things that could push him to the edge. When he faced The Oracle,

try." Rey

you very much,

here… doesn't that mean he is aware of my presence in the land

that, Master. I

"Ah… okay."

**************

on in the Capital, and how it was being handled—Rey finally hit his breaking

in a constant rollercoaster that it was a chore

eating at him at such

decided to sleep everything off and eliminate all the fatigue that had been

~Master…~

over him like a guardian angel, observing his every features… almost like a

had become her habit anytime Rey slept, and she serenity of the night helped her absorb more of the

this time would be

~Hey… Emil~

voice suddenly echoed within the room, causing the Symbiote Slime to almost jump up in fright. Her jelly-like body danced as she screeched, turning back in an instant to glare at the one

her. No one else was in the

~Over here, Emil…~

came again, and this time, the Symbiote Slime had her attention drawn to the Black Box that still sat on Rey's

facial feature of any kind, her sour mood was

and she also knew the only one

certain it

~How cold, Emil…~