When Cel opened his eyes, Selina's arms were still around him.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgyDqbFL48
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0ep8Nsbv0
For a moment, he remained perfectly still - caught between the sacred ground he'd just left and the reality of her embrace. The warmth of it. The gentleness.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEauDmz4Ogk
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTWdAhVJ1H
His breath hitched.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9pHaFJKG2
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrP52Un4KM7
Then, something inside him broke.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjHgKPD7kX
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2K6CafwPd
Not violently. Not like shattering glass or splintering bone.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5acecSEYo
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk58zMeX77N
Like melting ice. Like a dam finally cracking under pressure it was never meant to hold.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5wIiQKJxj
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu32d9j599W
A sound escaped him - small, choked, achingly human.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagArGO7zUr
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0jzHAzb2l
His shoulders began to shake.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBrv8jPRv9
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7Y9NX7tjU
Cel tried to stop it. Tried to force the trembling back down, to swallow the weakness rising in his throat. He'd survived torture. Starvation. Nightmares made flesh. 94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfySywrbLq
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlCY7497Wu
He shouldn't be—94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda5y4nO40E
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiBPLNQ7zN
Another sound tore free. Louder this time.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoAaPK0vcd
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGF3UshKZu
The tears came.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV5yX0qbL9
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKb3X1gWUN
Silent at first, hot against his cheeks. Then accompanied by gasps he couldn't control, sobs that wrenched themselves from somewhere deep in his chest where he'd buried everything for so long.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5w3kb87pT
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUUWBaUYTT
The year in the cell. The maggot-infested food. The cultists' knives. Ren's death.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi8JUNPAgx
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6Y4TWZOuK
His father's fists. His mother's silence. His brother's cowardice.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazqfRglHoK
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfT2RK69kt
The mirror lake. The crystal maze. The creature that had killed him.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T5OIhhV0r
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQiDLylojL
All of it - every moment of pain, every betrayal, every second he'd told himself he had to endure because there was no other choice - tore free at once.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCj9kLHW4K
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITRxTmMvzq
And he couldn't stop it.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuab7Ad9b6
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwXjLzCxGR
Cel's knees weakened. His hands clutched at Selina's robes, fingers curling into white fabric like it was the only solid thing left in the world.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyJtRhuE3Z
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljzHkPQ316
She held him.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vJE3GiOXY
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbkUDweYsA
Didn't speak. Didn't pull away. Didn't tell him to be strong or to compose himself.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OtXUUiKGn
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX83V8XbKx7
She simply held him, one hand moving to cradle the back of his head with steady gentleness while he broke apart in her arms.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhoGilCUT8
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyK8YPIF3H
Time became meaningless.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcykLjfuE4V
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ldBqsCReV
Eventually, the sobs gradually quieted. The gasps turned to shaky breaths, leaving only exhaustion in their wake.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JI1MzujhW
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YKXmDw7ZI
Cel pulled back slowly, roughly wiping at his face with trembling hands.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyu9jThsEo
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZdbyV5yaw
His cheeks burned. Not from fever - from embarrassment so acute it felt physical.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxiaakESjN
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwXon0mAIP
He'd just—94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJQBLViWxY
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXduCKBq43
In front of her—94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFtWcaxmcb
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJJIE7eCGr
"I'm sorry," he choked out, unable to meet her eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVByKgqr1A
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlMexzpYNI
"There is nothing to apologize for, Chosen One." Her voice held no judgment. No pity. No disappointment.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkVWClWDk0
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdr0euR3Ssw
Only acceptance.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXsIdC3BDy
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OyW1DNrdD
Cel swallowed hard, gaze fixed firmly on the ground between them. His throat felt raw, stripped clean.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jApljnmp4
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLm2Zhmma2
"I just…" He didn't know how to finish that sentence.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNI3TCdDZUq
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0KgUwlrFj
"You have endured much." Selina's hand remained on his shoulder - light, grounding. "The soul remembers every wound, even when the body has been remade. There is no shame in acknowledging that pain."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaiaVIbNxI
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmle8s4OucQ
Cel's breath came out shaky. He nodded once, not trusting his voice.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzXT7HHiod
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPeqjhjXRs
When she finally stepped back, her hands lingered for a moment before releasing him entirely.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp5II6aJ9C
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejpmko4eMZ
The mist swirled between them, giving him space to collect himself.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6q5GoHjTB
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ia8Qi12xK
Cel took a breath. Then another. His fingers rose to touch his face - flushed and damp, eyes surely red and swollen.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJa9aFfgqek
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZCueW9heg
Humiliation seared through him.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSJkVpdIvM
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSkQC9SYuZ
He'd wept. Like a child. In front of someone who had guided him through death itself with perfect composure.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmYzKisGVL
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw4tKapOSX
The transformation still didn't feel real, but the shame certainly did.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwF7qGilk4
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRrfQb3v1D
He forced himself to straighten, to look somewhere near her general direction even if he couldn't quite meet her eyes yet.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgk48lEoBj
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD0ZLAa4SQ
"Thank you. For everything.“94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCApExazEus
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIU6WbOe0c
He gestured vaguely, unable to articulate what her presence had meant.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OCxuJnZja
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDYuAbuCWU
Selina inclined her head, serene as ever.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CcGMt9OAY
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfp4B8qxIxk
A question surfaced - one that had been lurking since the moment she'd appeared in his dying consciousness. Something to focus on besides the heat still flooding his face.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRImoQWe4mP
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakHJ1xRwKx
"Selina." He cleared his throat. "What rank do you hold as a priestess?"94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMp3FohtIt
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSq3dDDutvC
No hesitation. No cryptic deflection.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cC6ZZCpcB
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Mjd3Xv4bG
Her smile deepened, tranquil and certain as moonlight on still water94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1trT3S67r
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyLek75k1H
"Rank One." 94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQXQfLBVIH
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡep8a7Ieojd
The words landed like a physical blow.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYN4Lr5cOP
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHhSU73rhB
His mind went blank, then exploded with implications he couldn't process fast enough.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKzwm8k4Qz
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyffuXNrQY
'Rank One?'94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ616rIPtkqI
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaTBQzcXJP
A Divine Oracle - the title humanity gave to those who stood at the pinnacle of divine service.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjgmNDKqa6
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjf6riIxlrS
Not just a priestess. Not even a high-ranking servant.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCV9jcYnrF
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYERHC1OR0
The highest authority beneath the gods themselves. The singular voice through which a deity spoke directly to the mortal world.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡti8cRD1133
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkA0yS3Jpg
His embarrassment suddenly intensified a thousandfold.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnh2aiwz8t
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16DxVqocrE
He'd just—94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9Jzc8UcHl
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhlsUgChof
He'd just cried on a Divine Oracle.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBakaDe8mj
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyqGmcDupR
Sobbed into her robes like a child seeking comfort from his mother.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQ3A0WbbVY
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbSrVorGVl
And before that—94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnn43MK2jX
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡramCxPuwF6
Memory crashed through him like an avalanche.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTLslliPbH
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcGwRytpJ9
His tone. The way he'd spoken to her.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnDVGA0t8F
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDGaFYqfNo
Sharp. Impatient. Laced with frustration when she couldn't answer his questions. The edge in his voice when he'd pushed back against her words.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8gMjJ6bCJ
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1OnoqCc3o
He hadn't been respectful. Hadn't been grateful.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJlAi12bT2
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kPx8dcn2d
He'd been angry - and he'd let that anger out on her.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwCK7ZRoVI
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADoJ0mrzSF
Cel wanted to disappear.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57ruSG75jO
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUcj7cse6Z
He hadn't just questioned a priestess or shown weakness before a guide.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4AOK5i8P1
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7irsiIVoa
He had challenged a Divine Oracle with barely restrained fury. 94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ft5bJNOgW
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkGIadrogc
And then wept on her shoulder.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMV9E73EkNm
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOo5633KaF
His legs suddenly felt unsteady.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8SWbWFJCG
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1AMN5IXoe
Cel's gaze dropped to the ground again. He couldn't look at her. Couldn't bear the weight of meeting those eyes now that he understood what - who - they represented.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWkND9OETZ
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t3jDebrgZ
His voice failed him.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgoB2FEkSc
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6XyktRTUg
Everything about her made sense now. The way she moved through his soul's landscape with absolute certainty. The calm that never broke, no matter what horrors he did. The patience that felt limitless, untouchable by mortal weakness.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmQQ36EsUw
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9r164AcbYQ
Because it transcended mortality.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz9vUPNjY6
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbyySq6JqX
She wasn't just a guide. She was the voice of the Moon Goddess.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxafxRyx5p
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8MrawwH7S
And he'd—94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwq5JdcxFLW
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXHcCumtUU
Shame crawled up his throat like bile, bitter and choking.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjN59XHUaFY
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAZJxRsiw9
"I was..." He forced the words out. "I was angry. At everything. And I took it out on you."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWp5s82WR2
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcAPujDyeW
His hands curled into fists.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKw0lYWdgW
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizFGZEdqiI
"You were patient with me. Kind. And I..."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT35Czeo4z0
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bYy2LxHZR
He couldn't finish. Couldn't articulate how wrong it felt now—lashing out at the one person who'd actually helped him.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDHXL0lj2g
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiARSdaTsrd
"I'm sorry."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69kH30OuJN
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyuNxvGRbD
Silence answered him.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kB6DI6Mfe
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTO9guYcmLL
Cel kept his gaze fixed on the ground, watching mist curl around his bare feet. Each second stretched unbearably long.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWSSj7fUPI
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsCmkKAvTf
Then—movement.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziZHBVqLxy
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNGHHmElLX
Selina stepped closer.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrJfVWGkj3
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lN9dvFa7t
He flinched slightly, expecting… what? Blame? Divine wrath channeled through soft words?94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECPM0TmnGY
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdCnaXcWb7
"Chosen One." Her voice carried no anger. No coldness.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1EvC1E5RU
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpo7dFxI5C
Only that same impossible gentleness she'd shown since the beginning.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwIkkYq8D3
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml87cuhq19
Slowly, reluctantly, Cel raised his head.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZkkMUqNYq
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLgmNNfa12
She stood before him unchanged. Mask catching moonlight, lips curved into a beautiful smile. White robes stirring in wind that didn't exist.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNZa8dHR9K
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH2s9gc3tx
But now he could see it - the presence that saturated every gesture, every word. The weight of divinity she carried with such grace.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6GvTByXvr
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgwVJnLkZY
"You are not the first to question the divine." Her tone remained even. "Nor will you be the last."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr3YYkCtLf
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZLWO7Kq7T
Cel's breath hitched.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaJiixp2f4
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zOUt4UkaJ
"But you're a Divine Oracle." The words tumbled out before he could stop them. "The highest voice of the goddess. I shouldn't have spoken to you the way I did. With anger. With—"94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg1Gse7NVe
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5XTW1WweU
He gestured helplessly.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUjq7el1dG
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre3FWGBgCl
"You deserved better than that."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx1Nkg0xmm
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yCyOelwO4
Selina regarded him for a long moment.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAmGv2kK63
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXhzHdIblZ
"Your tone was inappropriate, yes."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NL6PDzLj4
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPd7zF3oXYv
The blunt truth hit like a fist.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLt3kagDLT
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ljN9MEdOe
But there was no cruelty in her statement. Just fact, stated simply.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXP2LTilayF
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7HSaSJvIW
"However." She tilted her head slightly. "I do not serve to be worshipped. I serve to guide. To guide you."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pWRWWAZfp
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPth4TlLR7n
Her hand lifted in a small, dismissive gesture - as if brushing away his concern.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF9JYyLPCb
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrWypeLSnk
"You may speak to me as yourself. It is enough."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CwSyYhVJy
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRvSDbeueJ
The shame didn't vanish - it couldn't - but something about her words cut through the worst of it.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXnxYwT1Rl
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y1UnG3BUt
She had never demanded reverence. Never once reminded him of her status, even when he'd pushed boundaries most priests would have punished him for crossing.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8K4aVJ7E6
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkfvUFCCXx
Even now, standing before him with her true nature revealed, she spoke with grace rather than command.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNGK8Bz9qF
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwMyAIMpIH
Cel's chest tightened.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv3sBGQYBi
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YrEEBKAq1
Not from unworthiness - though he felt that keenly.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9t2l92IJG
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpufAI6r2Ti
But from recognition.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyq8p4R5pZ
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcG660tfVi
He had spent his entire life surrounded by power. His father wielded authority like a weapon, crushing anyone who dared question him. The nobles of the Sun Clan wore their status like armor, ensuring everyone knew their place.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgdLE7NSBV
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwb2nhLG9KA
And here stood someone with more power than any of them could dream of.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HBPdoqU63
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqN9WSrt6ET
Who chose not to wield it as a tool of domination.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRevfCo1lb
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAEuJYhWMX
"Then..." He straightened slightly, meeting her masked gaze. "I'll speak to you as myself."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJLHlsOSAo
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnipOnRuzhO
A pause.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPPkLA59gt
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCy0BKzMSA
"And I'll make sure you never regret guiding me."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdqeWUwUFa
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJDt5h9u2h
Selina's smile deepened - genuine warmth that transformed her serene expression into something radiant.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJgTYZ711n
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmpc85WPd0
"I never have, Chosen One."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qRn6AgWdp
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugR4ldXNbe
The simple certainty in those words settled over him like a blanket.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3MaDTHNwf
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo7DBYK7yA
Not forgiveness - she had nothing to forgive, apparently.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2SY2G18oL
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JG2v4O7pm
Just acceptance.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4TxhDMnWD
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq2aHfwwT7
Cel bowed his head. Not in apology this time.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVyVjxvK7Y
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgPe10DQuD
In respect. True respect, given freely to someone who had earned it through every patient word, every quiet truth.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xA8jtTql3
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHwnXm2utx
When he raised his eyes again, something fundamental had shifted inside him.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtNqMeCONu
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJZsd2iVV5
The guilt remained - it would serve as reminder, fuel to be better.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyNDtWf1Mp
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tEbDJdOZ6
But beneath it, something else had taken root.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2ZZ3hbGs1
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPUNdt8nOz
Trust. Deep and unshakeable.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2ZwModvOs
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uPDjCoQKU
Whatever came next - whatever trials or horrors the future held - he would follow where she led.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQwntniN6Z
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpLJReud4R
Because Selina wasn't just the goddess's voice.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatWg406Hio
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrH8cL3L9f
She was his guide.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7UcME6y9K
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lyzVc56aW
And he would not dishonor that gift again.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cgbhkys4K
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZsSf0s2YR
Silence settled between them, heavy with unspoken understanding.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK0tHxPnAV
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUowEnIPco
He didn't need more words. Neither did she.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxofs1kQJH
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDyZUugFZW
The mist around them stirred.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyO1Y5K3s7
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6NMosb5vx
Selina's gaze lingered on him - just a moment longer - before she turned away.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0hJm0uG7H
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPLg3X1xrT
"Follow me, Chosen One. There is more yet to be done."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxu9x23YLx
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AKI0FDDo1
Cel followed without hesitation.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm77hqXtBw3
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzgZDV4lxl
They walked in silence through the transformed landscape of his soul. The mist parted before Selina as if bowing, then closed behind them like a curtain.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgstoUg8b46
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCs1EHqfkt
With each step, Cel felt the difference. Steady. Strong. No trembling weakness in his legs, no exhaustion dragging at his limbs. His body moved with an ease he'd almost forgotten existed.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeyAoIEYEu
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KkkEBbeU1
"What happened to me?" he asked.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEqI7TZQQX
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqCFLTG9Hc
She didn't slow her pace, but her head turned slightly toward him.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1avoyhAkL
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89dZ3khLBU
"Your physical form in the Hollow Realms succumbed to its injuries," she said simply.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHZw6HWhAB
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctcyvB1v6y
The words should have struck harder. But after everything - after dying twice already - the revelation felt almost distant.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Gm4EXTlzB
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMebjfWPmbZ
"Then how…“ He gestured at himself, at the body that felt foreign in its wholeness. "How am I still here?"94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32jJRtow11
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBIaYiAJXX
"Your soul was preserved within the trial - protected by divine ground." Selina's voice carried a weight he hadn't heard before.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLokZXKKv5
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOPLpeT7ot
She paused, as if choosing her next words carefully.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfOz7fAXqs
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBlgB16fve
"What the Moon Goddess granted you is not mere healing. It is true resurrection - the reforging of flesh and bone around a soul that had no vessel."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkRn8zIoDq
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwGqZJfPDW
Cel’s breath caught.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx1JCQ5eyU
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULwpxlWIRN
Not healing. Not recovery.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPlBR1ouHZ
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk1IdNbVja
Resurrection.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslYldBArv1
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSS56ce1dw
His soul had survived the trial, and the goddess had forged him a body capable of matching that survival - whole, strong, unmarred by the year of torment that had destroyed the first.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNndYsvN4Qn
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf3xjUnOJb
Perhaps that was why the trial existed at all - to prove his soul worthy of such a gift.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IdzQVwmMk
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0erlFWAg34
Cel let the truth settle as they continued forward.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mS0DQPRHC
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg453OzglK
Eventually, the terrain shifted.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoT6xt8Krn
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n8g6fNQNY
The cracked earth gave way to something smoother. The jagged stones retreated. Even the bluish-white flowers thinned until only mist remained, thick and luminous around the edges of a clearing Cel didn't remember seeing before.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOZWhEPZCY
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2vderVl9C
At its center stood a monolith.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSPH7Npsou
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL1Ke11diD
Not stone. Not metal.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpIQML8cMz
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHSV7bXZFk
Something else.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpToVVpZWFn
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dwqfqFuXA
Cel stopped walking.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKvVHtDw0n
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBC6SM7kB8
The structure rose before him - taller than he was, seamless and dark. Deep midnight blue pulsed across its surface like a slow heartbeat, while threads of pale light coiled beneath, moving in patterns he couldn't follow.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnob09LqeJD
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G8E0hFlxV
Sapphire beneath moonlight - cold and radiant.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g2Cp5PjRO
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSaCOTDoAT
Divine.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k7l438HLK
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQH3460GZ3
He knew that without being told. The same way he'd known the frozen sea was sacred. The same way he'd recognized the fairy-like creature in the crystal maze as something beyond natural.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxzF3fRCl8
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a8hY8QINg
This wasn't just an object.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZeUV86VYs
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OJd1vACUQ
This was touched by divinity itself.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55HhcnWHuv
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqeIMGynKR
Selina came to a stop beside it, one hand resting lightly against the smooth surface. She didn't look at him, but he felt her attention anyway - patient, expectant.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQK3Xh9XEdZ
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh3EeVXF7I
Cel's chest tightened.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8eNHs3tEx
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDNV5JbmX9
He knew what came next.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8q20ia0g1
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4yKdBuWXs
Every Chosen One, upon receiving their first blessing, was granted three things.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrq34Np0Cv
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJewNohYrBC
A trait - passive power, woven into the core of their being. Not meant for spectacle or battle, but something that changed who they were on a fundamental level.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCtGWvOLM9
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErLghSFCGy
An authority - active power, immediate and tangible. The god's first true answer to their Chosen One's nature. Something meant to be used, whether for protection, destruction, or survival.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdqRNQjds0
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXDArauDhw
Both could stem from the same paragon or draw from different aspects of their deity's domain.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6js29z6Qbx
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpU19e1QkAE
And an artifact - a divine instrument forged by the gods themselves. Weapon or armor. Whatever form it took, it would be theirs alone - bound to them until death.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTC6RVTWyF
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3vw78XCXU
Unlike future blessings - earned through achievements - this first gift was granted freely. A mark that the journey had begun.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhH1YwSfMF
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF0XnIUUIY
Cel's hands trembled slightly as he stepped forward.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxsQVuVD3c
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TQd7tlCMU
The monolith responded.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUE9JumZjl
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBguxT8nB4v
Silver light bloomed from its core - threads like veins of pure moonlight spreading outward beneath the surface. They coiled and twisted, drawing patterns that burned themselves into his vision.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEUCtu2sYi
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThMomt16FI
Runes.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M7GnSFH2p
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He couldn't read them. Didn't recognize the script.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiT4tpBaob
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAjAQhKIBI
But he understood them anyway - meaning that bypassed his eyes entirely and settled into his mind like instinct.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3DtAbCGuO
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eqraHbFJ5
<Name: Celvian>94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU0zpZzOeP
<Paragons: (Heir to the Moon) (The White Death)>94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvFIJvfaz3
<Artifacts: (Silent Moon)>94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XkU1R6qsf
<Insights: (locked 0/1)>94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1jo439PnO
<Achievements: (1)>1234 copyright protection90ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2e6z5P3AQB 尼

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