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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm84QA1DNhq
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gCYewBhlS
He knelt and pressed his bare palm against the ashen ground.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10uprCpjia
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyY5RL703V
Nothing happened.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdw8bzO8YX
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33ZGrsw14Q
Cel frowned, staring at his hand. The ash remained unchanged - gray and lifeless as before.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAuo0zgRDv
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVBwlUX4TD
Then understanding struck.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5UJxrk81Y
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyivPsHUsRi
'Right. An authority.'255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTawtGtX6Pq
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMHAYQziA5
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gUhCQ2aTs
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsU125pHmhR
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8pernPr41
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rOC23kgkj
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1Ix3HhRr0
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQIAzkFpP4
Cel's jaw tightened.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLkPXkCW8S
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIedqbD6wt
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…255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrMnuXnFVu
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrRzQgJhDA
Maybe that was something he had talent for. A consolation prize for his complete lack of combat ability.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0Tr5Mrlav
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZpBuaCoA0
He closed his eyes and reached inward, searching for the Divine Energy within him.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtePpRKblWo
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgeqrfW6DH
A void stared back.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9qSh3aOGT
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0SCXQqm0I
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP06lSGQYPz
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi62jpWuBUh
Nothing.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RhLcWKKm7
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObjWpau6nw
'What...?'255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMEpCCSiL9
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX28aZ4K4MF
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlxzGUrwMK
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNntsdrW14O
It was simply there.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25mCyjkso9
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvLFiNNwfd
Unless…255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqj7qR0bF3I
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKIBha2guq
'I couldn't be that talentless, could I?' The thought made his stomach clench. 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJgkZA5uZv
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdm53AyRbw
To lack combat skill was one thing. To be denied even the most basic awareness that separated Chosen from normal humans?255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzuL8REd2b
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOA77QfrEDE
That would be a new kind of failure entirely.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡby3ObH588V
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4nPJPdOCB
He tried again. Reached deeper. Concentrated until his head throbbed.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAJegkTimp
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KzJ5q2k36
Still nothing.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHx6HmUOWfQ
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEByjO5aEs
Just the hollow echo of his own consciousness.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX3wqSFhBX
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDppuGYEEZX
Cel's eyes snapped open. His breath came faster, chest tightening.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LPzzgHF1D
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84LsfZBpiE
This was bad. Really bad.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxDfmUOOI8
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLK8C7RdhL
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5QnCaReOS
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKuPfjh2Ht
Panic clawed up his throat. His hands trembled.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab5caJZcQn
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhag88nWK2
'No. No, there has to be—'255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkB5Cd6l8b
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnEKmfZYOv
He clenched his fists, nails biting into his palms. The sharp pain cut through the spiral of fear.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkobU0j8hf
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsKkz9s31U
‘Breathe. Think.’255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLv20QWnHu5
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuo8oKoUjf
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsH7zQHDw2
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7rQZVit9E
'Fine. Forget sensing it directly.'255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9BPTJW4Pj
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iHbDBOcyI
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMRHhK4HGP
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf1nzXK5Wh
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVvBcCC1Ac
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARLs8gxKnG
Cold erupted beneath his hand.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHV9nsiS9m
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkMKh6tINg
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVWlds7Tbz
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYsu33P8sT
He stared at his palm. The skin was pale, almost bloodless, but undamaged. Just... cold. Painfully cold.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPwPVwadni
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZcTFUKpvF
And where his hand had been, frost sprawled across the ash in delicate spirals.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ736JY2gjmM
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghHxZ2XYzC
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wvs7BqkjY
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh05sQ77rNa
Cel flexed his aching fingers,255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKskbqO7Kdv
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRfVUU6WS2
'Of course. Of course it hurts me too.'255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzBfYUSH4o
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00eMhSGDYo
Not just his enemies would feel the frost's bite. He would too. Every time he used it.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxewAAuuAIY
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFTMc3uVlS
Another weakness. Another cost.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mbQIFYXWx
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOAZgwBGK5
Cel clenched his jaw and pressed his palm to the ground again.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmPhnu6MQC
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWm0oCr4Yt
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVDo5ucoqa
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5pzwvSTVi
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2ehm0mUEU
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPvTEMrhrz
His palm burned. Not with heat, but with cold so intense it felt like fire eating into bone.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS1jLaWcui
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qcpPITubU
Cel pulled his hand away, gasping.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHUujIfbD6
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvT1Qy68F9
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdBFBJ5vxD
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKMvCQJMIA
His breath misted white before him.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDixceJekgv
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoUirRpbML
Not simple ice then. Permanent frost, frozen into the world itself.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVZ93Yl09Z
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAkcKac6te
Yet even as the frost formed, he'd felt nothing inside him shift or drain. No awareness of the power he was using. 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBepzyaDOSB
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Cn38YLhOo
Why couldn't he feel his Divine Energy? Every other Chosen could.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibudu6ZBbW
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOM9rAa2xj
He pushed the thought aside. It didn't matter right now. The authority worked. That was enough.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS63aD1V1yS
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEITtmcy2LE
Cel's fingers curled into a fist.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDygTwr2H7
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAoWkU4BDi
He'd admired the frost's beauty long enough. Now he wanted to see if it was more than decoration.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtcLuH2nbZ
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB273VY0mjB
Without hesitation, he brought his fist down onto the frozen surface.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOmMUTJOn3
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKba6vSBExq
The frost shattered instantly.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bmoFpASQV
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD9LSIsJL1
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH04zwHrFvO
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDno2ZigFT
Cel stared at the broken pieces.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDsXl82kUS
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIejH6AgEJF
Disappointment settled heavy in his chest. 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71H73kwt7t
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphVowVqcPz
'That's it?'255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawamgQEcg5
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UbndrkKAT
One punch. Just one, and the frost had given way like it was nothing. He hadn't even used his full strength.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVALHTwSy2d
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaRyUfRQZI
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?255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oWP4HlWTf
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuyt6G0pZs
Frostmark was beautiful. Intricate. Cold enough to bite.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBBRpPUiSv
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LyWtzVUsz
But ultimately... fragile.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWr3ws0NBP
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lwutdjPyG
Just like the Moon Goddess's reputation suggested. Weak. Unremarkable. Powers that paled in comparison to other Chosen abilities.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKFWBGgHb4
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcEes2aR2E
Cel flexed his hand, watching the last fragments of frost glitter in the crimson light.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw83IxZQCF
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAnJFofPzh
"Useless," he muttered.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnojwV5CJl
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpWbVT7ZwC
Then he turned his gaze toward the horizon, where the wasteland sprawled endlessly forward - empty and gray.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ170Z0gUS4V
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzkjkhLDoA
His mind shifted to more immediate concerns. Water. Food. Without either, he'd be dead long before finding any rift.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iOz92WpQZ
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq57Qyk7aNW
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—255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZqqGKJ1C5
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7eGQWmdc9
A shriek split the air.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKGkvNu9M4
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMltfy2Q4gD
Cel's head snapped up, every muscle locking tight.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWBtGkBivT
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADnu730zvC
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAoRQwQKFR
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQixp7ANDb
His hand moved to summon Silent Moon, even before he consciously decided to do so.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHU6PRHZkZ8
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWdXiTYOKF
The blade materialized in his grip, moonlight coalescing into solid steel. Four crescents ignited along its length with soft white radiance.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcw9u66cOjH
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7uvABDGRe
A tremor ran through the ground.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJxbTkShFp
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCDE5TEjl0
Ash jumped and scattered as stone cracked beneath his feet.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuMDVGMjgP
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH4GJ89Jpq
Something burst from the earth perhaps fifty steps away. Gray dust billowed in thick clouds.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNnKl8naIu
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4W1CyPACP
Cel dropped into a low stance, weight balanced, blade raised.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MhBI95wGu
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdvqsJuG50
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 spine255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8yPaTTljB
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ813WYckTZ
Arms. Grotesquely human in shape but stretched far too long, ending in clawed fingers that dug into ash with frantic purpose.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0wEQY6QiB
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9I67PTEV0S
But it was the head that froze his breath.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQB5WErnP6
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyUHDSivUf
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk68hHE2gWX
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCA4QQuPfj
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡss6PzbKVTT
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPradAz46P
It didn't move toward him. Didn't even seem aware of his presence.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1volgX16A7
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlzcmAeqFL
Cel remained perfectly still, watching the creature scrabble past with growing recognition.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFLhzTsXvG
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoph9Z8fMxW
That motion - the uncoordinated scramble of limbs, the raw instinct driving it forward without thought or direction.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGd9OiwYJE
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwDZriXraH
He'd moved like that in the crystal maze. Blind with terror. Running from something far worse than himself.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R07zJusR0
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzsZ8EIdlw
The realization settled cold in his chest.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1S5JzAAtlu
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEGGMIjaAi
The creature wasn't hunting.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbEJPzJcx3
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORfxFUKA11
It was fleeing.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CyCFAWF41
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC46mASIEbS
Ash exploded.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XgDDvKRtE
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllAFVyOmVJ
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaTjzOxR2a
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXDUyYT4Zi
The shriek cut off mid-sound.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0Gjs07Gw9
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq0pGWHfle
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLcXS2ykfs
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oYjgkp7kH
When the air cleared, the predator had surfaced.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqYZChUTi9
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOJ61jHLDc
Cel's eyes widened.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaq4ddZwtu
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d7UkeYAcv
The thing dwarfed everything. Worm-like in form but bloated, armored in fractured plates of obsidian-black that pulsed with inner heat. 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ngbe8jlGp
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1CYet0sI2
No eyes. No limbs. Just that gaping maw ringed in saw-like fangs that glinted even in the dying light.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPPKP29WY3
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyOvndFvjY
The creature twisted once - an avalanche of scale and muscle that made the ground buckle beneath its weight.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGPb3ZZqwr
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapufnvJE9W
Then it plunged back into the earth.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfjO4NWoCi
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzMLN0Yref
Stone sealed behind it like water closing over a dropped pebble. The rumbling faded. The ash settled.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qMdHG9T7T
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbufqiOuQe
Silence crashed down.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmDcN7pweB
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvXOlxwtgp
Cel stood frozen, blade still raised, every muscle locked tight. His breath came shallow and too fast. His pulse hammered against his ribs.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEp01BkCQS
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhyQhrJZIK
The massive predator had surfaced close enough to perceive him. Close enough to turn. Close enough to devour.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAd38CKydW
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYoWFVfh67
But it hadn't.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGbpAapiVI
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLj3W0PU9gN
It devoured the fleeing creature and vanished without acknowledging his existence.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡns2mEH15Bk
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDVCcOILt6
'Why?' The question burned through his paralysis. 255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYrJG0HSC5
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJbPm5HFbB
He'd been right there. Visible. Vulnerable.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5hte2eGM0
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kjm1QKAui
So why had it ignored him?255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lGdVwo7QT
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsgkaVuJcR
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIMVQyRAgs
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Nothing stirred.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthqOgeqK2E
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The ash drifted lazily through the air. Silent and empty as before, the wasteland offered no answers.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBiP5Ois02
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡickeYjpjGR
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9KkXHynYR
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Gone. The thing was gone.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMymwPqVqrZ
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMZkhionfu
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.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuo9fQLWku
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltdlIGc4qD
But no answer came. No sudden insight. No clear answer.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhJoEy2dBb
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmmRbqGWTy
For now, he needed to keep moving. Find water. Find shelter.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SOczwH10s
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKyo0fN30D
He took a step forward—255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrP4m3QqpR
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRFB0K4rx9
The ground beneath him collapsed.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B4Yxb77gA
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