Silence descended as each of their expressions shifted.

Reinhard himself couldn't say anything because he knew if his little sister or brother was in another dimension or world.

He would most likely do anything to find them, even throwing away his conscience and morals.

Martha's light blue eyes swept across their faces, reading each expression, and her lips curved into a faint, sad smile. "I am sure you guys would have done the same as me if your goals were close and on the line."

Grans pushed himself up on one elbow, his face contorting. "How are you so sure-"

"Gran, Nikki, Roana, and Scath." Martha's light blue eyes moved between them. "Each of you has a line you've already crossed. A moment where your goal mattered more than the rules, more than the cost."

Gran and the others' expressions shifted before they fell silent, and Martha continued. "While it isn't as bad. You all should understand that if a rule is blocking an extremely important goal. You wouldn't let it stop you, as the regret would be too much."

Marie frowns while Joseph grits his teeth and looks down.

Martha turned fully toward Reinhard, her expression shifted into something gentle as she softly spoke. "And you, Reinhard. Your brother carries the Dark Tide curse. Tell me… Are you willing to do anything to save him?"

The question pierced Reinhard, making his figure tremble. But he said nothing, which was more than enough for Martha, who smiled widely. The others clenched their fists while Marie stared at Martha with lips pressed together.

But before Marie could say anything, a soft voice broke through the quiet.

"It's okay, Rein..."

Everyone's head snapped upward, towards the metal platform and landing on the little girl who had been a witness to everything.

"You can stop now."

Anasha stood at the top of the stairs, her hands clasped in front of her. The light illuminating her face displayed a smile even as her hands slightly trembled and she bit her lips. Her legs trembled, leading her to grip them to stop the shaking, but that didn't stop how unsteady her stance looked. Then she held her fingers together, clasping them, but that didn't hide the slight shaking of them.

Even through all of this, Anasha smiled.

"All of you…" Her voice wavered a bit, but her shoulders straightened, her chin lifting even as her hands shook. "You can stop now. Please, let's stop."

Reinhard's eyes widened, his lips parting in denial. Joseph pushed himself up further, pain forgotten, and Marie's trembling intensified.

"I don't..." Anasha's breath hitched before she swallowed hard. "I don't want you getting hurt anymore. Not for me."

"Anasha, no-" Joseph started, but she raised one shaking hand.

"I understand." The words tumbled out faster now, as if saying them quickly would make them easier. Her light blue eyes moved between their battered forms. "I understand Miss Martha's desperation. If it meant my family could come back..." Her voice cracked completely as tears gathered at the corners of her eyes. "I would do the same thing."

"Don't say that. You shouldn't need to sacrifice yourself." Marie shouted. "Please don't-"

"Thank you." Anasha spoke over her, the words firm despite the way her entire body trembled. "Thank you, Rein. Thank you, Joseph. Thank you, Marie. Thank you for coming for me and trying so hard."

Her gaze swept to the others. "You four, thank you for helping them. Thank you for risking yourselves for someone you barely know." Her smile widened. "But it's okay now. You can let me go."

Phineas sharp clap shattered the moment like glass. The sound echoed off every pillar, multiplying until it filled the entire chamber.

He shot to his feet, his gold chain swinging wildly, his glasses slipping down to reveal silver eyes blazing with delight. "That's my star actor, Anasha!" His voice rang with excitement. "Such a beautiful soul! Such willingness to protect your friends! You truly are my best actor!"

Anasha's smile faltered while her trembling intensified, spreading from her hands up through her arms until her shoulders shook visibly.

But she held her ground, her spine straightening despite the fear. She turned her face toward Phineas, and she glared at him even as her body trembled.

Phineas laughed harder in delight. "Yes! That's it! That defiant spark! Magnificent!"

But Reinhard ignored Phineas words as he stared at Anasha. He saw the trembling she couldn't quite hide, the tears she blinked back furiously, the way her hands clenched and unclenched at her sides.

He saw the terror written in every line of her body and the determination she forced through it. She was gathering every scrap of courage she possessed to stand there, to smile, to tell them to give up.

To protect them by sacrificing herself.

Something ignited in Reinhard's chest, white-hot and consuming. His fists clenched against the stone floor, grinding until the skin split and bled. His jaw locked so tightly that pain shot through his temples.

Inside his mind, something screamed.

Stop hesitating, you bastard! Are you willing to let her suffer even more?!

Reinhard sighed as she closed his eyes before speaking. "I agree."

Martha turned back to him with a raised brow.

"I agree that I'm willing to do anything, even throw away my conscience if it means I can save my little brother." Reinhard continued without pause.

Martha's light blue eyes lit with triumph, and she opened her mouth to speak.

"But-" Reinhard interjected before Martha could say anything. "This is also why it's important to have those around you to tell when you're wrong. When you're going too far."

Martha's smile faltered, and confusion flickered across her face.

"I wouldn't sacrifice a hundred thousand lives." Reinhard's eye met hers. "Because my brother would be horrified about the sacrifice, and about the people who had to die for him to be fine. That isn't a burden he can handle."

Martha's brows furrowed deeply. "How unfortunate your brother can't handle the sacrifice you're willing to make."

"You're the same," Reinhard says softly.

Martha blinked before she tilted her head, confusion written in the lines around her eyes. "What?"

"I know you were the golden child of the Mehko Research group back when they were trying to forcibly create Blessed Ones and Cursed Ones." Reinhard said.

The reaction was immediate and explosive.

Gasps echoed through the chamber, but Reinhard ignored them as he continued staring at Martha, whose expression shifted.

Phineas shot to his feet, his mouth falling open. "You didn't tell me this, Martha! Aren't we partners?! How could my actors know this before me-"

"Shut up, Phineas." Martha's voice emerged flat, but her eyes never left Reinhard's face. "Now, I was the golden child. I'm surprised you know this. Did those fools leave a file of that somewhere?" Her head tilted, violet-blue hair cascading over one shoulder. "Still, what about it?"

Reinhard looked up at her. "I understand what they did. And it was nothing but abuse."

Martha's expression shifted with her brows furrowing and lips pressing into a thin line. "Well, I admit they were a little harsh, but they did it for us. To make us stronger, help us grow, and just like how I am now."

Reinhard's lips curved into a sorrowful smile. "They lied and manipulated you guys. But they did that to no more than you, because they made you believe a terrible lie that's followed you until today."

Martha's light blue eyes narrowed as her entire body tensed. "What are you talking about, Reinhard..." She trailed off, her free hand rising to her arm. "Wait. Why am I getting chills?"

Martha stared at her raised arm, and though the black suit covered her skin, they could all see her recognition of what lay beneath.

"That's because your instincts are warning you." Reinhard's voice softened, becoming almost gentle. "The truth that they've kept from you. The truth they used to control you, to push you past their tests and trials..."

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