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!"

at least have a reason for doing what he

give him the benefit of the doubt and hear

would be

frown slowly dissipating

such a sympathetic role regarding Adrien.

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

Rey finally

you very much,

if Adrien is here… doesn't that mean he is aware

don't need to worry about that,

"Ah… okay."

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

conversation with Ater—mainly about what was going on in the Capital, and how it was being handled—Rey finally

a constant rollercoaster that it was a chore just

eating at him

eliminate all the fatigue that

~Master…~

form stood over him like

she serenity of the night helped her absorb more of the

this time would

~Hey… Emil~

jelly-like body danced as she screeched, turning back in an instant to glare

was no one behind her. No

~Over here, Emil…~

her attention drawn to the Black Box

she had no facial feature of any kind,

want, Ater?~ She recognized the voice, and she also knew the only

certain

~How cold, Emil…~