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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI9ttzl8rc
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC2XbnrIm6
He knelt and pressed his bare palm against the ashen ground.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAns6yQBr5
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdmcV3wHOO
Nothing happened.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyWIPmgFNf
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlK96xrqno
Cel frowned, staring at his hand. The ash remained unchanged - gray and lifeless as before.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxjioSUNAt
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdko4JOwIDj
Then understanding struck.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhV1fzPYG2
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT1OLjBykY
'Right. An authority.'161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrCx5NYuyE
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhjGOLd4KV
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr44kG8Iun
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCAmRSFW4E
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0hE6zXsSU
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5xfnejCp1
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkkAUuJWvr
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgsmkmLIxO
Cel's jaw tightened.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF2vw7kXjB
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jSGhCfrPD
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…161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzQSoHAdIT
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp7xxsB5iz
Maybe that was something he had talent for. A consolation prize for his complete lack of combat ability.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYJzmnriDc
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fNd7c3h35
He closed his eyes and reached inward, searching for the Divine Energy within him.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1a1xWn5jd
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Suhq0hNFD
A void stared back.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5NuJNOc8w
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhXE8CYwT9
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEpQIYuIME
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrxkfjF3gM
Nothing.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr7xdZtK5M
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uuTjsC5gN
'What...?'161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbM50K1cNcM
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekDDGlbkrw
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kriAzch0m
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpPSSyf4lL
It was simply there.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpp6Y5bVsPA
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCnpShHG6s
Unless…161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGl2tK9ibG
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyKA6WimCX
'I couldn't be that talentless, could I?' The thought made his stomach clench. 161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgIbDSbKBW
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpP8BiNTT7
To lack combat skill was one thing. To be denied even the most basic awareness that separated Chosen from normal humans?161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrAJaHgYZU
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p0IsWnLh2
That would be a new kind of failure entirely.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFozmN6lnv
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdcMcKnW5o
He tried again. Reached deeper. Concentrated until his head throbbed.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVN2gy12Pu
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IRAOuyh1v
Still nothing.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Rb9aBw3un
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2mCKaxGQD
Just the hollow echo of his own consciousness.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1yx9IHwFx
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZnU2ajv2N
Cel's eyes snapped open. His breath came faster, chest tightening.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBPJmYjcn2
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFZPfDFwUZ
This was bad. Really bad.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ85Ty3OuVb
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWX3xbPLis
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bzHcqDYlA
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1Ly6ANrnB
Panic clawed up his throat. His hands trembled.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLfgvF3y4b
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOBRxEUotp
'No. No, there has to be—'161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmXgBpd8Hd
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF6J4agLjk
He clenched his fists, nails biting into his palms. The sharp pain cut through the spiral of fear.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvZl5sBbZi
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQkJRCsKnu
‘Breathe. Think.’161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcEk80956M
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeapY1uoxA
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu398UTWJ4
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlftxIC9ZN
'Fine. Forget sensing it directly.'161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcGHN3HKSM
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQztuJkt3C
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzGywHRiq2
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBT8HotDY7
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuOKvjl9J1
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAmxef3a75
Cold erupted beneath his hand.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZADaYjUw6
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YWOrsEuAe
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGf35B7DaOA
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNVgx8n2Ri
He stared at his palm. The skin was pale, almost bloodless, but undamaged. Just... cold. Painfully cold.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xPkYZZH1j
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRBH21iypr
And where his hand had been, frost sprawled across the ash in delicate spirals.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNfG53v4At
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq2dCtB8y2
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv7oqDDLF5
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7ubil0uHU
Cel flexed his aching fingers,161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp3zPY0g6d
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRCsNr1m0n
'Of course. Of course it hurts me too.'161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE5WNEBqUM
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tcLstodJJ
Not just his enemies would feel the frost's bite. He would too. Every time he used it.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0h1xgre8M
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oCsWkUCyR
Another weakness. Another cost.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbR3bhrpoO
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoFKXgFqKX
Cel clenched his jaw and pressed his palm to the ground again.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndwgoU5zkt
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpINrd2BRbP
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej0XVQPQYl
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTzBtIlUVY
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0StbA8FoJH
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69AeJ3keBH
His palm burned. Not with heat, but with cold so intense it felt like fire eating into bone.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQM8hrGa0y
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZYe6NnpE7
Cel pulled his hand away, gasping.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UurrIhIaE
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZqHpTSVFP
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjJdrGm49T
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SNW1q8iCk
His breath misted white before him.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJXcZxTgLJ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNH3cTfKvev
Not simple ice then. Permanent frost, frozen into the world itself.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAZMgZQ2tK
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApJGnlfq3Q
Yet even as the frost formed, he'd felt nothing inside him shift or drain. No awareness of the power he was using. 161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyUhpVCmt3
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgI0KX6zTz
Why couldn't he feel his Divine Energy? Every other Chosen could.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuAjDlbjoz
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzS3ITMQrR
He pushed the thought aside. It didn't matter right now. The authority worked. That was enough.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqBWPcC8pd
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyRTxg0XLN
Cel's fingers curled into a fist.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVTtUgIQXi
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqObsfRPt1l
He'd admired the frost's beauty long enough. Now he wanted to see if it was more than decoration.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKq5pfNxwt
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsZvRenOx8
Without hesitation, he brought his fist down onto the frozen surface.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JDK24XdBg
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWvECo9RLf
The frost shattered instantly.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUuE8emx8e
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooKnm3nQTt
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycrPfmSlO7
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBDeKxcPuW
Cel stared at the broken pieces.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6L0EHCsV9O
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zhGJoWZXe
Disappointment settled heavy in his chest. 161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp8kYTmTx1
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBqmpZ4wfV
'That's it?'161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiQcPftJnA
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTIXSGFm6f
One punch. Just one, and the frost had given way like it was nothing. He hadn't even used his full strength.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIuWJkyiVl
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX29pRKmYnd
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?161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0QktZiRH6
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6po5nobMH0
Frostmark was beautiful. Intricate. Cold enough to bite.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfMEccBnM3
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBoEXwrW41
But ultimately... fragile.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzShBj5tkI
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xW5X70IFL
Just like the Moon Goddess's reputation suggested. Weak. Unremarkable. Powers that paled in comparison to other Chosen abilities.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGidzJrUQAF
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDbuyQvErg
Cel flexed his hand, watching the last fragments of frost glitter in the crimson light.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXonEJhxeWW
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRL8LldTf4o
"Useless," he muttered.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvT2NTPS6d
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEFEYqcMFp
Then he turned his gaze toward the horizon, where the wasteland sprawled endlessly forward - empty and gray.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ8WF8nSlU
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sm4ti1m1S
His mind shifted to more immediate concerns. Water. Food. Without either, he'd be dead long before finding any rift.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMy9g8imyLw
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEQf76u9Wk
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—161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwyOrvtpHJ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5nIOGcdCJ
A shriek split the air.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzOVXkdIJN
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv8hwTToSS
Cel's head snapped up, every muscle locking tight.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMXCwhr3K3
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5Hwy7boyH
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHI7eaH2iY
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFizcJ4Nnd
His hand moved to summon Silent Moon, even before he consciously decided to do so.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOpnyIG6GQ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsayFALSo0
The blade materialized in his grip, moonlight coalescing into solid steel. Four crescents ignited along its length with soft white radiance.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6f9Lpd9Wm
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZn28iaDv6
A tremor ran through the ground.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AdIhWcFps
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoDcZszunP
Ash jumped and scattered as stone cracked beneath his feet.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYz5kaM8Co
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i78Do1qZm
Something burst from the earth perhaps fifty steps away. Gray dust billowed in thick clouds.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28q1dAhRxd
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxwsAyMvFt
Cel dropped into a low stance, weight balanced, blade raised.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9xfUKxNwJ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9KQTN1Fab
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 spine161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcHDSUy2mr
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrABJ71O439
Arms. Grotesquely human in shape but stretched far too long, ending in clawed fingers that dug into ash with frantic purpose.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJ2afGZoHC
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq7sIVTxMr
But it was the head that froze his breath.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFdSqRcn2I
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwvuMD6EIH
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhqjxXC1Sm
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl2bMf2WMe
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5dKQ1Kuas
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8oyZQxB8X
It didn't move toward him. Didn't even seem aware of his presence.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVLLM9968H
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx59yzsh0rz
Cel remained perfectly still, watching the creature scrabble past with growing recognition.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsrdYkjFbo
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O4EWgmxuk
That motion - the uncoordinated scramble of limbs, the raw instinct driving it forward without thought or direction.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsULltKtU3M
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GoFVuAxQa
He'd moved like that in the crystal maze. Blind with terror. Running from something far worse than himself.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp58CTUNKau
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfdXxrGGWv
The realization settled cold in his chest.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIL6aMaaaO
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNUaIp5uAz
The creature wasn't hunting.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulNsIEa3pu
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsopnJoXIS
It was fleeing.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJoFbkBW6a
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJo6MaxaVc
Ash exploded.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWO0F8yWwt
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMgZzqqq7b
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBAOGaUGQo
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLVyz891CU
The shriek cut off mid-sound.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7645SQCenA
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0bHG1atdl
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx506gsBYK4
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWjMSRLiBG
When the air cleared, the predator had surfaced.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzy4LKEbPb
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVhKb950iI
Cel's eyes widened.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzGJXXgecT
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGwtP944o2
The thing dwarfed everything. Worm-like in form but bloated, armored in fractured plates of obsidian-black that pulsed with inner heat. 161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhroe1IOpjl
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgc6O82BiXi
No eyes. No limbs. Just that gaping maw ringed in saw-like fangs that glinted even in the dying light.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQurhPtNE8v
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4e0LOIncP
The creature twisted once - an avalanche of scale and muscle that made the ground buckle beneath its weight.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Pa8weRd9E
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAEw9l7Uoz
Then it plunged back into the earth.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2P4UoH1Mw
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdsoyjOyGr
Stone sealed behind it like water closing over a dropped pebble. The rumbling faded. The ash settled.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCpldpWmlo
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXuWuz7FOG
Silence crashed down.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GnhK4lZTh
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9ccem7U2s
Cel stood frozen, blade still raised, every muscle locked tight. His breath came shallow and too fast. His pulse hammered against his ribs.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDa9KVXZHK
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGlZa8fP4N
The massive predator had surfaced close enough to perceive him. Close enough to turn. Close enough to devour.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36eG0uYJPF
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yxBRgJ9e2
But it hadn't.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2ukYvUfmY
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2U2FpOJtJ
It devoured the fleeing creature and vanished without acknowledging his existence.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuIjXQfgHL
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XuGAZ9NHb
'Why?' The question burned through his paralysis. 161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOH2A7mBoh
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1pEa6RmSG
He'd been right there. Visible. Vulnerable.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9g7972nbd1
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUtyMmNsOk
So why had it ignored him?161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCnanSBImv
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡso3UNzBkXt
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQvADFQQ40
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5pBMv8s1z
Nothing stirred.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60yBmb6Efa
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIcZoaDV4o
The ash drifted lazily through the air. Silent and empty as before, the wasteland offered no answers.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5QDHRO0HS
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yE1RRVTb4
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dWfonSwnQ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYICewI3Rl
Gone. The thing was gone.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T7fN8QsJA
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sP4wZDWHa
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxJFNouTkh
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFzhDNLJ9c
But no answer came. No sudden insight. No clear answer.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrgiMQGejS
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxgAStXnpW
For now, he needed to keep moving. Find water. Find shelter.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gdvXZ0RHc
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeeyQZ42to
He took a step forward—161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvQVb27Dra
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepezFu3Nwj
The ground beneath him collapsed.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaBSRee1Hf
1234 copyright protection157ＰＥＮＡＮＡIO0iwxtMVW 尼

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