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—?"

as if she could

have evolved due to summoning Dagon. That

didn't

thought it was already a given, or because he already had some way to save her, so he didn't feel as

should be leaving now." Rey muttered, almost in a defeated tone. "Thank

"It's nothing."

Rey began to feel the spatial pressure around him loosen. The difference between how he was willingly leaving the Domain this time,

changed in such little time that he didn't know how

"One last thing, Rey."

name, Rey looked up to see The Oracle's

keep close. The one you trust so

brow went up and he blurted out.

with sheer malevolence and unknown elements. Definitely… definitely 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

the System told me to stay away from

was that at

verify his claim. It's also possible that he could find a workaround, given all

like he could stop him if push came to shove, though, since most of Ater's attacks wouldn't

I'll be more vigilant

counsel seriously." He bowed, smiling broadly at The Oracle,

"Mhm…"

"Bye."

"Yeah… bye."

was going to lay his eyes on the entity before him. Something about their farewell sounded too lackluster and

to be more memorable—at

"Your name?"

"Pardon?"

you remember

I was once named

hitting you during our last meeting, and for being rude