An Extra’s POV

"Was this… the best choice?"

Rey now had Esme in his arms, and The Oracle was now holding the unconscious Ciela. After she fell unconscious, Rey had used his Spatial abilities to bring her to him, and afterwards gave The Oracle the Vessel she required.

With their deal sealed, there was practically nothing left of their exchange. It was time for Rey to return home, and for The Oracle to start her business.

But…

"I feel like I just did a horrible act, depriving her of her wish."

Rey's guilt was eating him up, and he turned to The Oracle to hear her opinion on it.

"Indeed. Ciela should be more compatible with me anyway, so having her as the Vessel is a lot more beneficial to—"

"Not that, idiot! I mean… ahem… sorry about that."

"It's fine. It takes one to know one."

"W-whoa! Where did that come from?" Rey was more than surprised to see the usually emotionless and detached Oracle throw a jab at him in such a way.

It even made him smile a little.

"A-ah…" The moment he smiled, he realized that this had to have been The Oracle's plan all along.

This was her way of cheering him up.

"Thanks… Oracle?"

"You're welcome, Rey." The two of them exited the space where Esme was in through another door that suddenly appeared before them, and once they did so, they returned to The Oracle's golden palace. 'Does that mean she could have brought us to Esme directly? Then why didn't she?' Rey wanted to ask, but quickly decided against it. The reason she chose such an elaborate method was probably to have a discussion with him, and based on how productive it was, he didn't regret a second of it. The only problem on his mind was Esme… and one other issue.

"What about Alicia? Is she—?"

Oracle's response was swift, almost as if she

that have evolved due to summoning Dagon. That won't be good in the long run, so this

didn't feel much

already a given, or because he already had some way to save her, so he

almost in a defeated

"It's nothing."

how he was willingly leaving the Domain this time, and how he was forced to the last time played in his mind,

little time that he didn't know how to properly

"One last thing, Rey."

his name, Rey looked up to

that you keep close. The one you trust so deeply and place in charge

he heard this, a brow went up

malicious." Rey already knew most of these things about Ater, but there was a certain ominousness that rang from The Oracle's warnings that seemed very legitimate. He didn't

mean, even the System told me to stay

possible was that at this

I guess there's no real way to verify his claim. It's also possible that he could find a workaround, given all that he

felt like he could stop him if push came to shove, though, since most

I'll be

you. I will take your counsel seriously." He bowed, smiling broadly

"Mhm…"

"Bye."

"Yeah… bye."

he was going to lay

be more memorable—at least, for

"Your name?"

"Pardon?"

remember

believe I

you during our last meeting, and for