His father's fist connected with his jaw. Blood sprayed across marble floors. His mother stood frozen, one hand pressed to her mouth, tears streaming down her face but feet rooted to the ground.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNd7qMA7F2U
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7F53oO9jl
"Weak!" Another blow. "Pathetic!" The voice thundered through the dining hall.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicwOP5MjRD
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gTyscL3Sw
Cel tried to speak, to beg, but his father's hands were already at his back, nails digging into divine flesh, tearing away the Moon Goddess's mark—190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bEGic10WT
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonFUPdqayL
His eyes snapped open.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzpWD9rDcA
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjGPIhEMVz
Ash-covered stone ceiling. Broken walls. The hollow silence of the Ashlands pressing in from all sides.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoc062ujCt
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhYWozyORR
His chest heaved, breath coming in short gasps. The nightmare clung to him like oil, coating his thoughts with remembered pain.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OuaZX5MAE
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡormVUJRZp0
"You're awake."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD6sbys8tN
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFnlsFr9FL
Cel's body jerked, his left hand instinctively reaching for Silent Moon before his mind caught up. The weapon materialized halfway before he registered the speaker.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4ZCV5403G
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MvcMYR1xN
Raven knelt beside him, one hand extended toward Cel's torso. Something dark and viscous coated his fingers - a sticky black mass that glistened faintly in the dim light filtering through the ruins.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyzj9JzOyl
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1afe3sTpfk
"Don't move," Raven said, his tone flat.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡex2ltweMay
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn124RlpEzs
Cel's gaze dropped to his own chest. His armor had been partially removed - the mantle and cloak set aside, the tunic pulled up to expose his ribs where the Ashlurker's claws had torn through flesh.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPnCtPsJyl
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5XsiUKXp8
The black substance covered the wounds in thick layers. It didn't smell like anything Cel recognized. Not medicinal herbs, not the acrid burn of cauterization. Just... earthy. Ancient, somehow.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkmVuIEW3j
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyLWbOqkBw
"What is that?" His voice came out rougher than intended.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaftKo7yMv
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJAMg0dNMZ
"Medicine." Raven's fingers worked with practiced efficiency, spreading more of the substance across a particularly deep gash. "Found it growing in the darker places. Don't know what it's called. But it works."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulZpkjbRnZ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQH044xdSp
The matter-of-fact delivery was oddly reassuring - proof that survival was possible even here. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8o65HMoevF
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9CvzAqB4Z
"How long was I—"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyXnIp83Ey
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0ncdVPoFU
"A few hours. Maybe less." Raven's crimson eyes flicked to Cel's face, assessing. "You talk in your sleep."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDe8weHElY9
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm7CdvQde8
Cel's jaw tightened. "What did I say?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdGk6f5vjT
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7INH8ciMW
"Nothing clear." A pause as Raven applied more of the black substance to the wounds on Cel's shoulder. "Sounded like it wasn’t a pleasant dream."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1vHu32GnX
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVj07zt9Cd
Cel looked away, focusing on the creature's corpse still coiled a few steps away.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1R3TEGBta
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkBoXzTF4V
"Your wounds looked worse than they are," Raven continued, his tone unchanged. "Bled a lot. But the cuts weren't deep enough to do real damage. You got lucky."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaS06WOS77Q
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZY1ACLMhHm
"Didn't feel lucky."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3VheFrtoX
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCantgve8n5
"Luck isn't about feeling." Raven sat back on his heels, examining his work. "You survived. That's what matters."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjWiEco3Y3
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNLk4p9vlP
Cel's gaze tracked to his own body, really looking at it for the first time since the fight. The wounds were there - angry red lines where claws had opened flesh, burns from the worm's molten breath. But Raven was right. Nothing had been torn away. No exposed bone. No organs punctured.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlC4QlJgMWo
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX0TCLX7mL
The burns on his left arm, which should have charred muscle down to bone, showed only reddened skin beneath the black coating.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDFHHdOL7s
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqKPrSfyW6
"Your body's good," Raven said, following Cel's gaze. "Even for a Chosen."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGQkYCarRs
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgf0Xsju4N
Although it was not his own accomplishment, a kind of satisfaction settled in Cel's chest. The Moon Goddess had forged him this body - a body that could apparently endure more than he'd given it credit for.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1YWZWD7hN
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d7seFBfnq
His gaze drifted to Raven's eyes. Crimson iris against black where white should be.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIdoISWsm6
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj5dfdv2H9
The question burned in his throat before he could stop it. "Your eyes. What happened to them?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK7fdwtXjl
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcPGcu83y3
Raven froze.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsw6QF25z4O
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIcXdrzCvR
The reaction was subtle - just a momentary stillness in his movements, a fractional widening of those red eyes. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrdDtJxcXp
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyIjIqJRVh
"What?" The single word carried genuine confusion.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMf9T7Z0nn
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgchfhZf0UW
Cel's jaw set. "The black. Where white should be. What caused it?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUwk5phE5N
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8CxnCZXxv
For a long moment, Raven simply stared at him. The silence stretched, heavy with something Cel couldn't name.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpblICexAE
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIVJIFvqsO
Then Raven's expression shifted - not quite a frown, not quite suspicion. Something caught between the two.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB4jI9NuHa
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAwRDJ0aul
"You really don't know?" The question came quiet, careful. "You can't... feel it?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIadL2x8VoK
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIy861Km4Eh
"Feel what?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98wV3TBIy7
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxXNJX3ld8
Raven's eyes narrowed, studying Cel with an intensity that made his skin prickle. As if seeing him for the first time. As if everything that had come before had been surface observation and now Raven was actually looking.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYX5hlqxn5
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4k5O9PQdC
"The aura," Raven said finally, each word deliberate. "The wrongness. The disgust that comes off me like heat off stone."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLk7oYqXmt
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VooFcXblp
Cel blinked. "What are you talking about?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmZjTHyIuY
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM8aSomSo7
Something flickered across Raven's face - too fast to identify, but there. Real emotion breaking through that carefully maintained neutrality.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun0pMyvm1g
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiTzfi2sUn
"You seriously can't sense it." Not a question this time. A statement of dawning realization. "The corruption. The stain. The thing that marks me as—" He cut himself off abruptly.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1wfPzCPLc
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOFT6vACV6
"Marks you as what?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzx7LqJT0F
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HWNVswWLH
Raven remained silent, his gaze locked on Cel's face as if searching for deception. Finding none seemed to disturb him more than anything else.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzx32AUfRH
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVAdq7hnyy
"Cursed," he said finally. The word dropped between them like a stone into still water. "I'm one of the Cursed."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnEtNoZ4YN
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2zHbHIwGs
The declaration hit Cel like a physical blow.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3msDNOpIw
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tFZUQCTQD
His breath caught. His body went rigid. Every childhood warning, every whispered story, every nightmare used to frighten disobedient children - all of it crashed through his mind at once.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3TQvs2MC2
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7292krbyI
'Behave, or you'll end up as a Cursed.'190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuPT4uAWFU
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJnfbGYY7Z
The Cursed were the absolute bottom of society. Lower than slaves, lower than criminals. People - if they could still be called that - who bear marks of corruption - twisted flesh, cracked skin, signs that divine grace has left them forever.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8586xk7af
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzCAyw8Wqz
Cel had never met one before. No noble child did. The Cursed were exiled from civilization, driven into the wilderness or hunted down by Chosen who believed killing them earned them the favor of their god.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW8wJW1yy0
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfFWxnH8Xu
And now one stood before him, had been applying medicine to his wounds with practiced hands.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCTeXVELL3
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76HhFG6d9U
The realization should have triggered fear. Should have sent Cel scrambling for Silent Moon, putting distance between himself and this corrupted thing wearing human skin.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eh6mlMy1z
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFVIGKytNq
But all he felt was... confusion.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRZ7WrGb0e
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQfyKUY8oU
"You helped me," Cel said slowly. "Even though you're—even though—"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTAGys4rzp
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPacmbhydK
"Even though I'm supposed to be a monster?" Raven's lips twisted. "Shocking, isn't it?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQBF3yrAPU
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZE7vvytQx1
The bitterness in those words cut deep. Cel had heard that same tone in his own voice, directed at his father, his family, everyone who'd judged him as worthless before casting him aside.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD8Y82Y0dn
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEidCJIF8oE
"I don't understand," Cel admitted. "The stories say the Cursed are... wrong. Dangerous. That losing divine favor corrupts more than just the body."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGRaC91XLu
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnWj5Q1Wq1
"Stories tell a lot of things." Raven moved to the broken wall, his silhouette sharp against the gray light filtering through.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyH7Z5OcxR
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEAcs9vY3a
"But the marks—the corruption—"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9g7RkWrF11
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJIEbu8CEm
"Are real." His jaw clenched. "But it doesn't make us monsters. Just... abandoned."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rwy0EDY09
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw9H8rFloX
The word resonated in Cel's chest. Abandoned. He knew that feeling intimately - the crushing weight of being cast aside by those who should have protected you.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtLLlFoRN0
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1d2Qc9qhu2
"How?" The question escaped before Cel could stop it. "How do people become Cursed?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YlOEpasyh
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiz2eaIF71
Raven's gaze grew distant. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIo3zJfr3fE
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4zWbDVUVc
"Different ways."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpkJvTocsV
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7MvapZX5Y
The silence that followed made it clear - this topic was not open for discussion. Whatever had happened, whatever had led to Raven becoming Cursed, he had no intention of sharing.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI4bTHvF1L
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp0BLP9oS8
Cel recognized that wall. He'd built enough of his own.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbYPSCLP6p
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFuJ9p7mAU
He shifted against the wall, trying to find a more comfortable position. The black medicine pulled at his skin where it had begun to dry.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlopDdCRQj6
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVLHOJ8axJ
Raven's gaze fixed on him, those crimson eyes sharp. "You didn't."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbssRlkgkr
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XbvwA9hTw
"Didn't what?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAV2QXKSXr
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNEpT7kXMR
"Didn’t know that I am a Cursed." Raven tilted his head slightly. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvpyabNOCi
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrNH3cAL70
He moved closer, studying Cel with unsettling intensity. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS6r599h5w
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPNDwV9skM
"The aura alone should have told you. The wrongness. The revulsion. And Chosen feel it even stronger." He paused. "But you don't seem affected at all."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhuqs9opBA
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkWdCKvXOR
'Shit.' Cel's mind raced. This was dangerous ground. If Raven realized he couldn't sense divine energy, it would expose a critical weakness - one that could get him killed.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qpUs10PeS
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUoxRjgLtm
"I'm just—" Cel forced his expression neutral. "I'm controlling it. The reaction."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxprpddFru
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbDSslie0X
The lie felt weak even as it left his mouth.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESwiBZ8XRc
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuHosPywif
Raven's eyes narrowed. "Really?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiSuWF60T9
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡil2LEfGrnf
"Yes."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRXWVhgcvb
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kFQ2bNDsC
"You're not even trying to maintain distance.” Raven's tone remained neutral, but pointed. "Most Chosen can barely stand being in the same room. Need space. Fresh air. Something to cut through the wrongness."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MINI9Y2TG
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqZwFgwB1S
Heat crawled up Cel's neck. His hands curled into fists.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPxxt7svIF
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMVfrL86bk
"Maybe I'm just better at controlling my reactions than most."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBZQvfnzia
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetsL6tZSAV
"Or maybe," Raven said slowly, "you can't sense it at all."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F73uV7P8Q
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oEPwXh2G3
The corner of his mouth twitched. "That's ridiculous."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZWQ9SpJYc
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDr9VPUthAW
"Is it?" Raven gestured to himself. "You asked what happened to my eyes. If you could sense the aura, you wouldn't need to ask. You'd know what I was the moment you saw me."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mCnk5UijQ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGks2XYJcXq
"I was just—I didn't want to assume—"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvnmMoYNsC
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyAfyT2QxM
"You're a terrible liar." Something that might have been amusement flickered across Raven's face. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2DRO32r6l
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4egGYowiG6
Shame burned in Cel's chest. Even this - even the simple act of hiding his deficiency - was something he couldn't do properly.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwotW2xEKb
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfv7WvTnd7
"So what if I can't sense it?" The words came out sharper than intended. "It doesn't change anything."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ6eq46q1Y
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzFmRQ0XJE
"Doesn't it?" Raven's expression shifted, genuine curiosity replacing accusation. "Every human can sense the Cursed. It's not learned. Not trained. Just… part of what makes one human." He paused. "But you can't."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtpB5z2f45
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qTLqRbUlM
Cel looked away, fixing his gaze on the creature's corpse across the room. Anywhere but those crimson eyes that saw too much.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rvg9M52Xo
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnF7u6eZ6G
"What about Divine Energy?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP29kl46EA0
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRGB09KGWD
"I can sense it," Cel answered quickly. Too quickly.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00Rr9609er
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlF3HKpDHii
“You should really work on your acting skills.” Raven's voice came quieter now. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Xz2DYdgis
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpCvNd2W17
Cel's throat tightened. His hands clenched harder, nails digging into his palms.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFExoPu8LcL
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz6e4ppyAB
"It's pathetic, isn't it?" The words came out bitter. "A Chosen One who can't even sense the most basic thing every human has."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMdPo3GjTj
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaH1eTvNrT
"That's not the word I'd use."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3Z3TGvJV0
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzptEtyD8q
"Then what would you call it?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhChggINa4a
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9E3QqcCJv
"Impossible." Raven moved to lean against the opposite wall, his posture relaxing slightly. "You're blessed by the Moon Goddess. Can manifest divine artifacts. But can't sense the energy that powers them." He shook his head. "That shouldn't work."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1vUOzqjj8
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GXd8CFtZb
"But it does." Cel's jaw clenched. "Somehow."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVznrca0l6N
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33eNKkeueW
"Yes. Somehow." Raven studied him with that unsettling intensity. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeaxE6lpko
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9FsUT4uWp
"Does this mean something's wrong with me?" Cel's voice came flat.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvqroDl0yF
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkku3KzgDj
"I don't know.” Raven’s honesty was brutal. “I've never heard of a Chosen who couldn't sense Divine Energy. It should be impossible."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjHTt1dhvX
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT5qwpg2nK
"Everything about me seems to be impossible lately."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxnM9ldPul
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3RPHFMuVY
Raven simply stared at him. Then he exhaled slowly - not quite a laugh, but close.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrjDWmlsOV
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeoRus4Twc
Silence pressed heavy between them.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQhpYQhA78
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaJ8wmxPjw
Cel studied the young man before him - the exhaustion carved into his features, the way he held himself like someone perpetually ready for violence. A year alone in this nightmare. Hunted by monsters and abandoned by the divine.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DdRXlmsD4
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And yet he'd still helped a stranger. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIEO9IlCN7
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMl59xc345
"Why did you help me?" Cel asked finally. "Even though I'm a Chosen One. Even though most Chosen would hunt you."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIecgyzwGrb
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Raven was silent for a long moment, those crimson eyes unreadable.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5NV0qgj3S
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"Because you looked at me and saw a person." His voice came quiet. Raw. "Not corruption to be destroyed. Not a threat to be eliminated. Just... another human trying to survive." He paused. "Not even my family did that."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVUwEjB7l9
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The honesty in those words struck deeper than any blade. A glimpse beneath the careful neutrality Raven maintained like armor.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4wgCXwC9C
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Cel understood that loneliness. Had felt it himself beneath his father's rage while his mother and brother watched in silence - present but absent, seeing his suffering but not seeing him.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJsk3ZtizO
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"I'm sorry," he said. "For what happened to you. For what you lost."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpwKt7zF1q
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"Don't be." Raven's expression hardened again. "Sorry doesn't change anything."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpdq4Cnim3
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"No," Cel agreed. "It doesn't."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFnyWunWAU
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Another silence. But this one felt different. Less heavy. More like an understanding passing between two people who'd both been broken by circumstances beyond their control.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtPeaSWkTB
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"Your wounds will heal faster with the medicine," Raven said, breaking the quiet. "But you need rest. Let your body recover."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8VtaLkr1f
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Cel glanced down at the black substance coating his injuries.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ59VSXzHU
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"Thank you.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2B0qOrOW4
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Raven paused, looking back at him. For a moment, something almost like warmth crossed his features. Then it was gone, replaced by that familiar neutral mask.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDFGw6S8ao
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"Rest," he said. "I'll keep watch."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqiTVtN73p
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Cel wanted to protest, but exhaustion pulled at him like an undertow. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBKKPRnnwp
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"Call me if something happens," he said instead.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm56CdoLl4T
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Raven nodded once, moving to position himself near the entrance gap where he could see approaching threats.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95b9WT2jaE
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Cel leaned back against the wall, feeling cool stone against his spine. His eyes tracked to where Raven stood silhouetted against the gray light beyond.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qxOGplTyb
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Cursed. Abandoned by the gods. Hunted by society. Marked with corruption. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfb9uH7Xa8
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Yet for the first time since entering this cursed realm, Cel felt something close to safety.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F027RCTZw
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Not because the danger had diminished.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNRXWTh7EP
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But because he was no longer facing it alone.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoCuxYbei6
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'Maybe the gods make mistakes too.'1234 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPH5g6Rf0d 尼

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