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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6XGOJIt03
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EjKWxQU9L
"Weak!" Another blow. "Pathetic!" The voice thundered through the dining hall.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwgstJq4HQ
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWGjwgnhwS
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—273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4OQetogQ4
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCip9Anct3d
His eyes snapped open.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0MQfHfsk2
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtWvNRFCSA
Ash-covered stone ceiling. Broken walls. The hollow silence of the Ashlands pressing in from all sides.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCRhAh7Xc5
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHCRk6Kk7X
His chest heaved, breath coming in short gasps. The nightmare clung to him like oil, coating his thoughts with remembered pain.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2MmntwXOw
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcaQRwXVUJ
"You're awake."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm41hmXVqf
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQuyaZuA77
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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97nhG6VDbQ
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEp7c67g4M0
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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphgG1Fs7hr
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5EGARXeLd
"Don't move," Raven said, his tone flat.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqIdG53QdI
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18Tv96cgh6
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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTPrx1eoX1
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5ewh6vLXB
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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoVGiu7eN4
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMsXUjOlnE
"What is that?" His voice came out rougher than intended.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhhSqonQxj
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck3klq82PA
"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."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VApvRYiQ7
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9FI6WKTmK
The matter-of-fact delivery was oddly reassuring - proof that survival was possible even here. 273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DYsCsq7iL
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyY9Kkyg7i
"How long was I—"273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg25MovxRgT
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvxHgJOoxt
"A few hours. Maybe less." Raven's crimson eyes flicked to Cel's face, assessing. "You talk in your sleep."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRTmz6nht7
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1ECcSyO9B
Cel's jaw tightened. "What did I say?"273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qJmAWCXrT
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aeoVykGmQ
"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."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoKTqANmjY
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MVS8pjLqI
Cel looked away, focusing on the creature's corpse still coiled a few steps away.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkavJ1n6eXw
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPPmXJFWSL
"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."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWwE3nO2jO
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY6SAIJiSa
"Didn't feel lucky."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxFCQTEbMV
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLKjvHuElg
"Luck isn't about feeling." Raven sat back on his heels, examining his work. "You survived. That's what matters."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWhYjDutBY
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzhI30tISw
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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5GZMvwZSf
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOAxxHIIJx
The burns on his left arm, which should have charred muscle down to bone, showed only reddened skin beneath the black coating.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNjytq7Bzo
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43qHjnbDAS
"Your body's good," Raven said, following Cel's gaze. "Even for a Chosen."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVAMU13bRU
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1f1TsOjdM
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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUs2QIt2TSm
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bzfqI87Et
His gaze drifted to Raven's eyes. Crimson iris against black where white should be.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡan2x4T0TDg
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeBxSnYfkW
The question burned in his throat before he could stop it. "Your eyes. What happened to them?"273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbFOFZj6d4
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKA8D4pU8rH
Raven froze.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU05uxiVnuZ
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT05iqAxQJX
The reaction was subtle - just a momentary stillness in his movements, a fractional widening of those red eyes. 273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1mhE06KR4
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJCP7pqW9Q
"What?" The single word carried genuine confusion.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6itg5jMP2
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Lr3WIoihY
Cel's jaw set. "The black. Where white should be. What caused it?"273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUJGoqwK2Q
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVlKFARS8e
For a long moment, Raven simply stared at him. The silence stretched, heavy with something Cel couldn't name.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrIUkF8ZPD
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD3SqQrm5d
Then Raven's expression shifted - not quite a frown, not quite suspicion. Something caught between the two.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpuyKRPrUS
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EEVUYl93H
"You really don't know?" The question came quiet, careful. "You can't... feel it?"273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fNhPDBo4J
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMrZX6Sy2j
"Feel what?"273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LDydnK847
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS9SCicmHX
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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2mabQWdC0
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8i58IfSIR
"The aura," Raven said finally, each word deliberate. "The wrongness. The disgust that comes off me like heat off stone."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkejPBPCFt
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHKYJMQI97
Cel blinked. "What are you talking about?"273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOccVi3fwl
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDrh6YAb0s
Something flickered across Raven's face - too fast to identify, but there. Real emotion breaking through that carefully maintained neutrality.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKRXc73KFF
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpbicds99H
"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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv7UBPtgJW
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoInM6tvgLh
"Marks you as what?"273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWq9E8dkww
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV4lepwBho
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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9TunRo7TN
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVxhhhEDp1
"Cursed," he said finally. The word dropped between them like a stone into still water. "I'm one of the Cursed."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmZZ1tyVkt
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFxoBPAnQI
The declaration hit Cel like a physical blow.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZ8Qxq9ZVg
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vLrjkUxjm
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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl4jsDSi7D
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLQYM03a9r
'Behave, or you'll end up as a Cursed.'273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1i04vgqz9
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvaQtovx8q
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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipNpLXawLn
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47OCS1B3Vb
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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO82QoXgP4
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgjNb8dTvl
And now one stood before him, had been applying medicine to his wounds with practiced hands.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbVoR2gBVS
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxex5i0Xwf
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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkF9rac0y1u
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCp1baU2INk
But all he felt was... confusion.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EzDvhcpw9
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDkv4NfPxl
"You helped me," Cel said slowly. "Even though you're—even though—"273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZn3aUxGvB
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gJhX9w8fz
"Even though I'm supposed to be a monster?" Raven's lips twisted. "Shocking, isn't it?"273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGbQKiiYVh
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZUpWrYDnR
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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mQSQnJACv
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8S3RdX8pF
"I don't understand," Cel admitted. "The stories say the Cursed are... wrong. Dangerous. That losing divine favor corrupts more than just the body."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1ZqIz2fP5
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATsNbebQMQ
"Stories tell a lot of things." Raven moved to the broken wall, his silhouette sharp against the gray light filtering through.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEOVgQgwQK
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpvPLeWNa8
"But the marks—the corruption—"273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmUq6jMfWB
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxCfZdfyJG
"Are real." His jaw clenched. "But it doesn't make us monsters. Just... abandoned."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgFWYG9fcI
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12Ol1FMZ4v
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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTzvvS73g7
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMQb8xm3U6
"How?" The question escaped before Cel could stop it. "How do people become Cursed?"273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkDu4J60GA
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHSc3EkZEJ
Raven's gaze grew distant. 273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6MmNAwUqk
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXEmk7ffqk
"Different ways."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnR6hmb0gP
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0aJIDSnwm
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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACzHjXPWAn
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfhPORhfGN
Cel recognized that wall. He'd built enough of his own.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDrqesgQcA
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUW7jW0rfcp
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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jRFqUw6Xt
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnf1YJsz5O5
Raven's gaze fixed on him, those crimson eyes sharp. "You didn't."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fMtJ34AtA
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV62gsJFiCh
"Didn't what?"273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDKInl1iou
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq187SOrIho
"Didn’t know that I am a Cursed." Raven tilted his head slightly. 273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBW9h1Ut6qx
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAj8qGWARiu
He moved closer, studying Cel with unsettling intensity. 273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcpG0pATqq
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS8XPvY56V
"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."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIJ2ZlEMCZ
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXkBcCveaT
'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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoTmBpVARM
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshhpa3f5wR
"I'm just—" Cel forced his expression neutral. "I'm controlling it. The reaction."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnXO0q0kY3
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXC90UpWgS
The lie felt weak even as it left his mouth.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkANsFZtIc5
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPpF2x8811
Raven's eyes narrowed. "Really?"273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ufTxDu2nb
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4Eo2MrqhJ
"Yes."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcP9CnFiBJ
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn56oH1LkX
"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."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8T3yKAj8x
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhlh83zebh
Heat crawled up Cel's neck. His hands curled into fists.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DXAuWvkcv
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxG8oPJir3
"Maybe I'm just better at controlling my reactions than most."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKB1fsplTO
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVT9MsrySn
"Or maybe," Raven said slowly, "you can't sense it at all."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQm1WeX2MD
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1l4SDsCoU
The corner of his mouth twitched. "That's ridiculous."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MX3sVuzdN
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofaoiIUppa
"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."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1kD7PLtmF
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UdhDPNpfx
"I was just—I didn't want to assume—"273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDaxncF4Ih
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WYB7Iudyz
"You're a terrible liar." Something that might have been amusement flickered across Raven's face. 273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqe9kRFnd6
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DvHsWrzRT
Shame burned in Cel's chest. Even this - even the simple act of hiding his deficiency - was something he couldn't do properly.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyiyFzIv67
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e1mgJtstU
"So what if I can't sense it?" The words came out sharper than intended. "It doesn't change anything."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvAnPIL9AS
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKngmoxu6I7
"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."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvCMbTzkOV
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIbVpVHZLa
Cel looked away, fixing his gaze on the creature's corpse across the room. Anywhere but those crimson eyes that saw too much.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqnvKLYthC
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax3b56lelG
"What about Divine Energy?"273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KbawSJvcM
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacYkEcYMma
"I can sense it," Cel answered quickly. Too quickly.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBV7SrfoSK
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlvKfHFchy
“You should really work on your acting skills.” Raven's voice came quieter now. 273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQxR26TGFb
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn3gbVYEsu
Cel's throat tightened. His hands clenched harder, nails digging into his palms.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoPW9JkPwI
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwR6HG05naj
"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."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts5lEpX7cz
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YRng5q3p1
"That's not the word I'd use."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnWiOIVmUy
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTpMINMKbT
"Then what would you call it?"273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8W3a5OLHhe
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHfD2Eg6yb
"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."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D7pPvmN5Q
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVivHHpwXP
"But it does." Cel's jaw clenched. "Somehow."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe0HO5I93Z
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDC9lgur9D
"Yes. Somehow." Raven studied him with that unsettling intensity. 273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLyrSQCZao
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAE2gQzSkhb
"Does this mean something's wrong with me?" Cel's voice came flat.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70CMejKgSz
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlJD9SrjHT
"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."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroex926HJc
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz2NZiIoDV
"Everything about me seems to be impossible lately."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq9H5QLVXp
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PRW6I4hHO
Raven simply stared at him. Then he exhaled slowly - not quite a laugh, but close.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGWIp6Zpdh
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwzR10vkrr
Silence pressed heavy between them.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw18tjsO3z
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgR5OVh3DM5
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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYl49dYAul
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTLW6g7h0B
And yet he'd still helped a stranger. 273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngCOxYmohm
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkw47841dn
"Why did you help me?" Cel asked finally. "Even though I'm a Chosen One. Even though most Chosen would hunt you."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bSc17oo3n
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Raven was silent for a long moment, those crimson eyes unreadable.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRsrrK61aT
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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."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfEOPXCrDk
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The honesty in those words struck deeper than any blade. A glimpse beneath the careful neutrality Raven maintained like armor.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjNH8ZP42k
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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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPu1sHu1cJ
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"I'm sorry," he said. "For what happened to you. For what you lost."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fNBsoE0nu
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"Don't be." Raven's expression hardened again. "Sorry doesn't change anything."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JuWPeolSs
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"No," Cel agreed. "It doesn't."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxsHg5hN9V
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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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRuKMQjWXu
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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."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ4DSod2jP
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Cel glanced down at the black substance coating his injuries.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvdNSvaznU
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"Thank you.”273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW2uifnPZV
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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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrXKTlgu6N
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"Rest," he said. "I'll keep watch."273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡph7xTTzrP2
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Cel wanted to protest, but exhaustion pulled at him like an undertow. 273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bDx4465cj
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"Call me if something happens," he said instead.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IPFHmw7yi
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Raven nodded once, moving to position himself near the entrance gap where he could see approaching threats.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1XJjipxYf
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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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOfvr833bi
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Cursed. Abandoned by the gods. Hunted by society. Marked with corruption. 273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbGHFKZ4PE
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Yet for the first time since entering this cursed realm, Cel felt something close to safety.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqcAJJJEQ8
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Not because the danger had diminished.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjRLtsIr3U
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But because he was no longer facing it alone.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gvwlcENXh
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'Maybe the gods make mistakes too.'1234 copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡDx1ONQbiGl 尼

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