The effect of Frostmark sounded simple - create a layer of frost on touch. Compared to Silent Moon's complexity, it felt almost insulting in its plainness.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxwgRmU9j0
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyscwjqRSuH
He knelt and pressed his bare palm against the ashen ground.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqRNFGgAMY
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Nothing happened.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVd7edu8xi
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Cel frowned, staring at his hand. The ash remained unchanged - gray and lifeless as before.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhx83yNovjI
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJGr6VP5I3
Then understanding struck.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0ol9W0TIY
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNPI18gIcs
'Right. An authority.'29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3CaB1gRkh
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ012sU7oCVG
Unlike summoning Silent Moon, which responded to pure intent, authorities required something more fundamental. Divine Energy - the wellspring of power that existed within every human.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFNuMcCl4p
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX77QnNnkTJ
Its capacity was largely fixed at birth, determined by bloodline and heritage. Growth was possible, but only through years of grueling work, and even then, the gains were painfully small. What separated the great from the mediocre wasn't just the size of that pool, but control. Precision. The ability to channel Divine Energy without waste.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotOoFy8eUF
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CeVObWBmQ
The nobles held an advantage before they ever began training. Generations of Chosen bloodlines had concentrated their divine essence, passing down both larger pools from birth and inherited aptitude for wielding it. They started with more power and natural talent - experience was all that remained to cultivate.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEY69v59zdn
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Cel's jaw tightened.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrsNmi2H30
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At least he could be thankful for that much. Even if his father had cast him aside, even if the Sun Clan had deemed him worthless - he still carried noble blood. His divine essence should be above average at minimum. And his control…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJeZw3fvvX
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEGwlKemUy
Maybe that was something he had talent for. A consolation prize for his complete lack of combat ability.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGaSxjht7e
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHZFKAS98V
He closed his eyes and reached inward, searching for the Divine Energy within him.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfcKDDMkU3
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnW7ubOsgNR
A void stared back.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCoQittP0j
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLAuvVRgns
Cel's brow furrowed. He concentrated harder, diving deeper into himself. Past the surface awareness, past the physical sensations of his body. Trying to find that spark of divinity the Moon Goddess had woven into his soul.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLausSiIgDL
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Nothing.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5yFgFAKB5
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrLpqaHEcf
'What...?'29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOOcoPEVTA
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzlnUP0ccJ
Panic flickered at the edges of his thoughts. Every Chosen One could feel their Divine Energy, even if they couldn't control it well. It was fundamental - like knowing you had a heart beating in your chest. You didn't need training to sense it.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfcalQeXlF
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDCbuvBTTZ
It was simply there.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqUSDpEJpm
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Unless…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpehOARKn69
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'I couldn't be that talentless, could I?' The thought made his stomach clench. 29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlwBusmO3p
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAcUfsrygY
To lack combat skill was one thing. To be denied even the most basic awareness that separated Chosen from normal humans?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBzJt621j0
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2LKxB1kqf
That would be a new kind of failure entirely.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamDtQlSUXr
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He tried again. Reached deeper. Concentrated until his head throbbed.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsqh6kys9g
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Still nothing.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKInT71kF7
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Just the hollow echo of his own consciousness.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWNGCe7y5v
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhrJsyfiOC
Cel's eyes snapped open. His breath came faster, chest tightening.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4K9pf0HE1
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFLB4slwMu
This was bad. Really bad.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwgKlZS1nk
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneAd0FzVrA
If he couldn't sense his Divine Energy, he couldn't channel it. And if he couldn't channel it, authorities were useless. Not just Frostmark - every authority he might ever gain. Locked away behind a wall he couldn't breach.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaiChgfJgY
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbe5WY01uT
Panic clawed up his throat. His hands trembled.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamcgZ0mBqD
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrGrOQvbA3
'No. No, there has to be—'29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsKFgxjXrw
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgl6IC43r6
He clenched his fists, nails biting into his palms. The sharp pain cut through the spiral of fear.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3Osrw0tLL
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‘Breathe. Think.’29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndVUAyC198
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There had to be another way. There was always another way. He'd survived a year of torture, survived the trial, survived death itself. He wasn't going to give up because of this.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLcm27aZ8F
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXKWrkAZuA
'Fine. Forget sensing it directly.'29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLOoEI1sST
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LLiwZoO2M
If he couldn't sense his divine energy directly, he'd try it the same way he'd summoned Silent Moon. Pure intent. Just... reach for it.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQdEs8CcBD
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kayUbVApE
He pressed his palm to the ash again and focused - not inward this time, but on the authority itself. On Frostmark. On the power the goddess had granted him.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEpNYVbFn9
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9Gi4dTJCG
Cold erupted beneath his hand.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxfVtdpCAm
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmKPCIPKCq
Cel yanked his palm away with a hiss, clutching it against his chest. Ice burned through his skin - not the gentle chill of winter, but searing, bone-deep cold that felt like his hand had been plunged into frozen water.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWEVXD8Yj5
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdWGVPPdSk
He stared at his palm. The skin was pale, almost bloodless, but undamaged. Just... cold. Painfully cold.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIaW46Mmgw
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mC8PGdDIH
And where his hand had been, frost sprawled across the ash in delicate spirals.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEibYEujrA
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUau3IVjBQ
The patterns were intricate - woven like lace into the cracked earth. Thin veins of ice crystallized the ash beneath, shimmering with pale blue light. Beautiful. Alien.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbR48WLj6u
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Cel flexed his aching fingers,29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVd9JLEo7C
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Bpgv4gbvA
'Of course. Of course it hurts me too.'29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeR60NXTgzY
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8khg7bAbtM
Not just his enemies would feel the frost's bite. He would too. Every time he used it.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjX0vvC4DK
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70ZKGkca0T
Another weakness. Another cost.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzhpfRJtlh
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Cel clenched his jaw and pressed his palm to the ground again.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt9iVsMkrQ
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNR3rNsp9Mq
The cold slammed into him instantly - vicious and sharp, like knives of ice driving through flesh. His fingers went numb. Pain lanced up his wrist, into his forearm. He forced himself to hold it there, breathing through gritted teeth as frost bloomed outward in a circle.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESJ6u41TcO
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTLq95uZSh
A brittle sound whispered up from the earth - like glass forming beneath snow. The temperature dropped. The frost continued spreading, spiraling across cracked ground in delicate patterns until it reached the limits of his focus - then stopped, holding its shape with unnatural stillness.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X9HgviO30
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaUtSvtvx8
His palm burned. Not with heat, but with cold so intense it felt like fire eating into bone.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7AWRJ8XC5
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJyqz5sJtg
Cel pulled his hand away, gasping.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf3JBJpKdp
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA2VcbFcUA
The frost lingered, unmoving, etched into the ground like a mark left by divine breath. He flexed his fingers slowly, feeling sensation return in painful tingles. When he touched the frozen surface, it was smooth, almost slick, but not wet. The ice didn't melt. Not even slightly.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kag6gJ269
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His breath misted white before him.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LnQGu8W2Z
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Not simple ice then. Permanent frost, frozen into the world itself.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtmxg858K9
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifznjuoHcS
Yet even as the frost formed, he'd felt nothing inside him shift or drain. No awareness of the power he was using. 29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFY434zQA6Q
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBypgFTwiQs
Why couldn't he feel his Divine Energy? Every other Chosen could.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9ZXh6F0Np
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJMFyqBKM3
He pushed the thought aside. It didn't matter right now. The authority worked. That was enough.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBBzLiQGi4
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdo5LevkyGN
Cel's fingers curled into a fist.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ch4FRe65n
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPqmNn17wL
He'd admired the frost's beauty long enough. Now he wanted to see if it was more than decoration.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaA4HuesAS
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdSnw8407i
Without hesitation, he brought his fist down onto the frozen surface.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmfBHMDoRU
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxy87IwqQZ
The frost shattered instantly.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjjZerojNt
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Fragments exploded outward like glass striking stone. The impact sent a sharp crack through the air, and shards scattered across the ash in glittering sprays.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMU6R7UuG7v
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dVBk7dFAt
Cel stared at the broken pieces.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe3E9IjBTz
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjamCtdz1U
Disappointment settled heavy in his chest. 29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ110gHCJqGk
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxf0tIB5yEV
'That's it?'29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXStmJgHOPu
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gJ75wyb1D
One punch. Just one, and the frost had given way like it was nothing. He hadn't even used his full strength.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFpv5YTbfv
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPeHGemtsY
His shoulders sagged slightly. So much for trapping enemies or using it as a shield. If it couldn't even withstand a single hit from him, how was it supposed to hold against someone actually trying to break through?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQh32JDfNM2
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC8WGtTUGl
Frostmark was beautiful. Intricate. Cold enough to bite.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQlQ8nw7ty
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But ultimately... fragile.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCCEP4MZ8s
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynIefPKvX8
Just like the Moon Goddess's reputation suggested. Weak. Unremarkable. Powers that paled in comparison to other Chosen abilities.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJlBZskAZX
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBozMwbGQJ
Cel flexed his hand, watching the last fragments of frost glitter in the crimson light.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGLOnPflan
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"Useless," he muttered.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDIMRW71Zw
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvScBjqBFr
Then he turned his gaze toward the horizon, where the wasteland sprawled endlessly forward - empty and gray.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmqiEzDOW6
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbXe5tmMp2
His mind shifted to more immediate concerns. Water. Food. Without either, he'd be dead long before finding any rift.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8roumIhmS
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFdUDGAGRm
His restored body felt strong now - whole in a way it hadn't been for over a year. But that strength was an illusion. Starvation would claim him just as quickly as it had in that cell if he couldn't—29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy54oKNmcib
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A shriek split the air.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRceXZgiwi
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Cel's head snapped up, every muscle locking tight.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClo2fe44R8
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuvK3e90u0
The sound was high and sharp - like metal dragged across bone. It echoed through the wasteland, alien and wrong, making his skin prickle with instinctive dread.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvImtzEaTld
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zcdkg7UIA
His hand moved to summon Silent Moon, even before he consciously decided to do so.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4RaPBJIM9
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVf0kKsr1y
The blade materialized in his grip, moonlight coalescing into solid steel. Four crescents ignited along its length with soft white radiance.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8k8Yx9Pd8
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A tremor ran through the ground.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYXA9cvh4W
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Ash jumped and scattered as stone cracked beneath his feet.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDIEKVI3L3
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOmXI144k8
Something burst from the earth perhaps fifty steps away. Gray dust billowed in thick clouds.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE6UAHu3aA
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMhI11UnIp
Cel dropped into a low stance, weight balanced, blade raised.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVyPxeKMga
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwR5yg1UI9I
The creature slithered free with spasming, desperate movements. Stone-like skin - rough and ancient as the earth itself - covered a serpentine body that twisted and coiled. Its upper half carried limbs that sent unease crawling up his spine29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIw2fma1qQ5
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmsX2FKUm8
Arms. Grotesquely human in shape but stretched far too long, ending in clawed fingers that dug into ash with frantic purpose.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX5XiZ8dDM
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAiaGIGtF4
But it was the head that froze his breath.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7NAgzTVqI
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No eyes. No nose. Just a mouth - a wide, circular maw ringed with concentric rows of needle-thin teeth that flexed and contracted with each labored breath.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNjiY534uW
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7cgtoLtxt
The thing hauled itself forward in violent bursts, its entire form trembling with urgency. Its head whipped side to side in erratic motions, as if trying to sense something through the ash.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kdB9joe36
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDiBAUxeEQ
It didn't move toward him. Didn't even seem aware of his presence.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuaD7g5rCI
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zkVICByzX
Cel remained perfectly still, watching the creature scrabble past with growing recognition.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIqxQQtKO2
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtbdX0hF5c
That motion - the uncoordinated scramble of limbs, the raw instinct driving it forward without thought or direction.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ26n5SeQ2N
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiWGmA01w0
He'd moved like that in the crystal maze. Blind with terror. Running from something far worse than himself.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wmlNJDa92
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡry6DEUsk5p
The realization settled cold in his chest.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUfxzXGGnu
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNquhiNfS6t
The creature wasn't hunting.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFGZMbScik
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoud5DDINr0
It was fleeing.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHFIJhmB3h
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9dLRDL9n0
Ash exploded.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WhWBiouND
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsOLKESBtQ
A shriek tore from the creature before the ground beneath it gave way to a circular maw - wide enough to swallow a house whole. Jagged teeth, wet with something black and steaming, slammed shut around the smaller beast with horrifying precision.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRWVZw7Sfn
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The shriek cut off mid-sound.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBWNdxFqeS
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnR40XDGhTH
Shockwaves rippled through the ash. Cel staggered, throwing an arm up to shield his face as debris scattered in every direction. Stone splintered. Dust billowed in thick clouds.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNjiDH74Nx
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNjwbFdwi5
When the air cleared, the predator had surfaced.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZswGMyHeuY
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI17H8lOp4
Cel's eyes widened.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld5GiT8c0I
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The thing dwarfed everything. Worm-like in form but bloated, armored in fractured plates of obsidian-black that pulsed with inner heat. 29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAGuyO6RgK
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbv9ygjU7gQ
No eyes. No limbs. Just that gaping maw ringed in saw-like fangs that glinted even in the dying light.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSChwWas8tE
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RwHdLLSfi
The creature twisted once - an avalanche of scale and muscle that made the ground buckle beneath its weight.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2K862tFmsb
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Then it plunged back into the earth.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuZ4a78AsB
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDweM7armG
Stone sealed behind it like water closing over a dropped pebble. The rumbling faded. The ash settled.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82Q088Nj2o
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Silence crashed down.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV2b5Wgu0X
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Cel stood frozen, blade still raised, every muscle locked tight. His breath came shallow and too fast. His pulse hammered against his ribs.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6ElVHa88G
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLHzX3EyHs
The massive predator had surfaced close enough to perceive him. Close enough to turn. Close enough to devour.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvjNHreDuo
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But it hadn't.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRh5AyCWsw
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It devoured the fleeing creature and vanished without acknowledging his existence.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNbdQBppB1
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbNqutR6c2
'Why?' The question burned through his paralysis. 29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnzBSchkkv
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC24EchJEZk
He'd been right there. Visible. Vulnerable.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbHq9CzTvo
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79FfQLjH76
So why had it ignored him?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Qbqp7DIHY
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr34nPY2yoN
Minutes passed. Cel's breathing gradually steadied, though his grip on Silent Moon's hilt never loosened. His eyes swept the fractured ground where the creature had vanished, searching for movement, for any sign it might return.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtORTBvEwr
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCus8nIQ5jK
Nothing stirred.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvGWT7fzpL
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUP3cUxPYI
The ash drifted lazily through the air. Silent and empty as before, the wasteland offered no answers.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCy3KEclPAl
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPyH7bFUtB
Only when his legs began to ache from holding his stance did Cel finally allow himself to relax. The tension drained from his shoulders. His breathing deepened.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uPFbdVycU
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvgyEAPnJf
Gone. The thing was gone.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAJIcC87qh
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2SEtRK4io
His mind churned, trying to make sense of what he'd witnessed. The pattern, the rule that had kept him safe while the other creature died.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJyA1V5vqI
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1TwV8rENn
But no answer came. No sudden insight. No clear answer.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw4ld0SOYZ
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvY609jGCS
For now, he needed to keep moving. Find water. Find shelter.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PFY5KUgG3
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp1tbmHqSz
He took a step forward—29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ431w66BKwO
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXyXMmmFAR
The ground beneath him collapsed.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T9a1kObiX
1234 copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqfWpz2BBz 尼

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