"Raven!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclbs95kdWo
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23PN3cHfgU
The name echoed down into nothing.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjfnIMJXg1
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfxBGHP8Z2
Cel stumbled toward the edge - he could jump, follow them down, there had to be—170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz1ER2ZKol
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqniKGfsBK
Something closed around his throat and the world lurched.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOl0Hb31Sc
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEOh17RGb9
His vision swam, legs dangling in empty air. Fingers clawed at a wrist round his throat—how had—?170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yLJCF7uTY
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgomnuqsAyl
When it cleared, she stood before him.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshMkf8nvms
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTAIUZWQNt
Esrin Tempvolt.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Pltrt52Hg
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XL3A2HKRe
No wings now - vanished as if they'd never existed. Just dark armor, ash-white hair and ruby red eyes.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh3gDoZYjg
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vRdSRn38v
His gaze darted past her. The volcano stood in the distance, a broken silhouette against the crimson sky. The massive creature lay collapsed in its core, smoke rising from its shattered body.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1d5N864lYw
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS9usZEZDg
His eyes snapped back to her. Not a scratch on her armor. Not a drop of sweat. Her breathing was steady, unhurried - like she'd taken a casual walk rather than fought something that could level mountains.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Il1tqhWj3
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyrl0vaVGf
"Who are you?" Her voice was flat, emotionless - a demand, not a question.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VVgIvCkpZ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlEyG7NCKt
Cel couldn't breathe. His vision tunneled as pressure built.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptSeNhnIBu
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh4LTTRzAc
He forced words through the crushing grip. "Go... away."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE2TMRoW6p
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSk9U7VZwk
Her expression didn't change.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIjhdBFNjh
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqrs1u7F42
His hands clawed at her wrist. He reached for Frostmark—170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfbKIpdwxz
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKvKGdyYnX
Pain.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo6dy4etmR
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRurYAGjv1
The world became chaos. Stone. Burning ash. Crimson sky. All of it blurred as he flew through the air before slamming into a dune of ignited ash. The second impact drove him sideways. Third. Fourth. Each collision sent him careening in a new direction, his body ragdolling across the wasteland.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHYvcYI0e7
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhwkJmLLr0
Everything went black.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVDnbNC8uj
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9lKBCDgc9
When awareness returned, he couldn't breathe.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcxWd0qfNx
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6v9wFR5OVx
His chest seized. He tried to inhale - nothing. His body refused. Panic flooded through him as his lungs screamed for air that wouldn't come.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA85Nl0NQ2D
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVfZ73CgRR
Blood surged up his throat.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS62jW25r0U
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl2opj3K4e
He rolled onto his side, retching. Hot liquid poured from his mouth, choking him further. His throat worked uselessly, chest heaving in broken rhythm.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gmFWssF2k
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0CkHsPpNh
More blood came up. His vision grayed at the edges.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXe37becS4B
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxTgtwIlKA
He clawed at the ash, fingers digging in as his body convulsed again. Another wave of blood. His chest locked tighter.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TCBmzrZYS
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Xt9I5388z
'Breathe—'170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ5bfnmXZa
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA4kzqrkaY
Nothing.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDeygecyzR
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAs2vQcv8lC
'BREATHE—'170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSrf5CPY87
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShHS0uxLgk
His lungs finally obeyed.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t8AshFoBj
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3UE3onqOa
Air rushed in - hot, full of ash. But real.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFb8M8xbVz
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdCTHSN1dV
He sucked in desperate, ragged gasps between coughs that brought up more blood.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzy4eMugbV
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFk5vx6Jx3
Footsteps crunched across burning ash.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FFErlLsi0
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7fuNgGCZt
Not hurrying. Just the slow, inevitable advance of something that knew its prey had nowhere to run.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YJ7YWS3g6
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS99XLoSYoT
"Use that power on me again and I'll break every bone in your body before you hit the ground."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QWPPY6qG9
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8FNdCipav
He sucked in desperate breaths between coughs, blood still hot in his mouth.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGywMmtKIlT
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ422g6VPume
Esrin was ten steps away. Nine.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaW8l5Ny1d
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6NWPRVZzX
Cel's mind raced. He couldn't fight her. Couldn't run. Couldn't use Frostmark without her killing him before he hit the ground.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM25hkDK3Mn
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpYfT0cyel
But there was something else. Something that might—170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjrpbv2ObJ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvKVi6CDLP
Eight steps.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmW96mCfuh
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlvhaYr0Br
Cel slammed his fist into the burning ash.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwU0BIKOub7
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1crv0wd6R
Seven steps.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkr3EeXsuNB
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsypiuY3tZM
Again.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCn9XKk1Fsp
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Q4WBHECJn
'Come on.'170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw2RPoTjtu
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI2Xn0P8fT
Six steps.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKQ0wDi2vT
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Mk97aEhPg
Again. Harder.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZcVHhLyxA
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX5NJ7wHXs
'I know you're there!'170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCDQpFLcbS
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyJrrLSuW7
Five steps.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQARZyXMnGL
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pUbep7yCW
The ground beneath him vanished.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5nJ0DkJg8
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaoN31vJu4
The Tremorborne erupted in an explosion of ash and stone, its circular maw opening wide as it surged upward with impossible speed.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo36Zhu0XGR
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeTGHwiJ7F
Cel fell backward into that hungry darkness—170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyg0A5BNbF
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc2TSXQfm4
And as the maw began to close, as Esrin's expressionless face filled his vision one last time, his lips pulled back from bloodied teeth.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sNK3FsaJ5
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMHv15BJBr
A smile. Savage and defiant.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjj7vhsn0Z
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIRDYKLDJp
Then the maw snapped shut and darkness swallowed him once more.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYNjfgxVcv
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtylacpGQZ
***170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfSrgX6fg0
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMBLUAPYwm
Esrin's eyes narrowed as the ground sealed itself.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOaNZuKMfQ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFTp9l4FkD
'His divine energy... I can't sense it at all.'170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3xUlSQsrL
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVOwLuu1rb
The observation settled in her mind with uncomfortable weight. She'd encountered Chosen who masked their signatures before - but suppressing one's divine energy required absolute mastery. The kind of control that took decades to develop. But even then, it left traces. Ripples in the fabric of reality that marked where power had been suppressed.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KXKJphJXU
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67zT1X56ZD
This boy had nothing.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAGWwcFT7R
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxXOTgLChj
As if he simply... didn't exist in that regard.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL3AFJ3ObY
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFveV1kFsv
'An artifact?'170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfjxIjpXLk
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfQdvMTFyo
White wings manifested from her back in a cascade of crackling lightning. She rose, ash swirling away from the displacement as she climbed toward the crimson sky.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33fsjQQhZZ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz1iGhBnj9
Her glaive materialized in her grip.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2dc0601Ln
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkadprKmzl
Lightning crackled across the blade - not the white-black energy of before, but something brighter. Purer. The weapon blazed with contained violence that made the air itself hum.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFNQsstTn5
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFNoQVj5V3
She drew back and hurled it.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1cTBepTa3
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0SRO5wNX6
The glaive became a streak of blazing white, tearing through the air with a sound like ripping silk.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lH4flP3Rr
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiFfFTqwsa
It struck where the Tremorborne had vanished.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4nqWtiFEP
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSWy14V9dp
***170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgIV6uKqpH
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBAbD9xGqL
Light.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzV90RIJXH
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFpEghrKMv
Blinding, absolute light that turned the darkness into screaming white.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFz7pjf5UD
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQW8PXfIzv
The shockwave hit first - a wall of pressure that compressed the worm's body inward. Then sound that wasn't sound but pure force translated into noise.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IflcvFTfb
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufkAm9YLQx
The Tremorborne's flesh detonated around him.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8vEZf9m6F
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYm4DyfR72
Chunks of obsidian armor flew outward in all directions. Tissue vaporized. The concentric rings of teeth shattered, fragments spinning away like shrapnel.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAP9mkFK0r
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7HvHvDAwh
Cel's body tumbled through the expanding destruction, untouched by the devastation but thrown like a leaf in a storm. His vision was nothing but white. His ears rang with a tone so high it felt like silence.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOSkze2DmV
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BKo63lL10
He hit something solid.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC94sNBhkWX
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVPvjNl0B6
The impact drove what little air remained from his lungs. His back slammed into stone, his head whipping back—170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYszeNmfVk
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52g3H9EjAw
Then stillness.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQHvfJTDyI
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwnI3J8qGn
The light faded by degrees. White to gray to the familiar crimson of the Ashlands sky.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJkGjWAtAl
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0OpHYTXBz
Cel lay at the bottom of a crater.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOXt5lXsUm
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkv78MLHCJ
The walls rose around him in a perfect circle, the stone still smoking from the heat. Ash drifted in the air like snow.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7eNhaN6VU
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiFTGKMvR7
He couldn't move.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXeOfpSKJI
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6Z4q8r3zR
Not from injury - the blast had somehow missed him entirely. But from something deeper. Primal terror that locked every muscle tight, that made breathing feel like an act of will.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGxTQjqtwq
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhT3AliBKT
The glaive stood embedded in the ground beside his head.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUn8bsHdEr
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsKlImYAiy
So close he could see the intricate patterns etched into the blade, the way lightning still danced across its surface in fading arcs. Close enough that moving his head a fraction would bring his temple against its edge.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoo5AQObFQ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7qkO9rZrf
A shadow fell across him.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpXL428FBW
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNStl9OgNXU
Esrin descended through the air, wings beating with slow, deliberate grace. Her boots touched down on the scorched stone with barely a whisper, one on either side of his torso.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoXHuIc112
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0zSl9gf00
The white wings dissolved in a cascade of fading lightning, crackling out of existence as if they'd never been.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxfPW6Rn6e
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMhOaQ8K84
She stood there for a moment, looking down at him with that same flat expression - as if killing a Defiled-rank creature and obliterating everything in a hundred-step radius was simply routine.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GoIscu3tu
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZCrx6oPWV
Cel's chest rose and fell in shallow breaths. His eyes were wide, unblinking. Every instinct screamed to run, to flee, to get away—170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyrpImqWDF
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjzySm8z6T
But his body refused.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3HlsDd2K5
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQi1c3vt4q
Esrin reached down.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRoO9416ER
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQRI0q5vFc
His eyes tracked her hand, his throat already tightening in anticipation— 170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7483Msg5i
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJt5M3RF6S
She grasped the glaive's hilt.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ714AlN4SfN
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66pyqP9ack
The weapon came free with a soft whisper of steel against stone.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPeIPSqCJj
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwvCC3nnny
She held it loosely at her side, the blade still crackling with residual energy.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkAkkykj12
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVH8UBsAls
"You're wasting my time."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GIcTgRH49
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pEOvG2zRT
Cel's jaw worked. Blood coated his teeth, his tongue. When words finally came, they scraped like broken glass.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb1etBpzBS
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF9mJ6ObiU
"Then... leave."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsrNW9fdbX
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W6pMq7uBf
Silence answered him.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpEkzhJsXT
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWWpOrXYU3
Esrin's gaze remained fixed on him, flat and emotionless. Seconds stretched.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoexio4j1sc
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHByyMA72S
"What's your name?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6kGSQ5u2G
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJChGI1lbKi
The question came without warning, without context.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuyEM3UuFC
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KLR22XUC7
"Celvian."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxDHollC98
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQKrLaXpZI
"Your patron god?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscIXkKU3oI
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSjDCcfT3U
His throat tightened. "The Moon Goddess."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FGXOGqduh
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWvCs1NfWX
Her eyes tracked to his snow-white hair, to his glacial-blue eyes, then to the armor covering his battered form.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdExW9PVdi
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0DjLrLXMr
"How old are you?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw28k6Nqbc
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5DLKgRmKH
"Sixteen."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡValQq1UuFI
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7BhTnMIsk
For a single heartbeat, the cold assessment in her eyes softened. Not to warmth - but to something that looked like she'd just confirmed a suspicion she'd hoped was wrong.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wuso9jIvj
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4wEeLDci3
"How did a sixteen-year-old Moon Chosen end up in the Hollow Realms?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA9tNEBmL0
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBlOusF4KM
Cel's fingers dug into scorched stone. The truth would reveal too much - his origin as a noble, his father's betrayal, his year of torture. All of it weakness she could exploit.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZgTyCpEbM
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreNpoyYCV2
His jaw clenched as rage flared hot in his chest.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMcENVeaiS
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUuJxyrRPy
They were his to kill. His vengeance. His blood to spill when he grew strong enough to make them scream.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4LNTuxEGz
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EtowAHnW3
But if he could set a Hallowed on them first? Watch them scramble like rats as Esrin Tempvolt tore through their compound? See them taste fear before he came for what remained?170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVj5xQ8IyzD
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLjVkgLEpj
The thought settled in his chest like cold satisfaction.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKlsvR89kG
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1h0kxNFHM
"The Children of the Voidmother." His voice came raw. "They threw me through a rift. To seal it."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEyapx41F9
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KVCyOXjL8
Esrin's expression hardened - the only real emotion he'd seen from her. Her jaw set in a way that suggested this information mattered.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8UdKs2PbE
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtQscPKEQr
"The cult." Not a question. A statement laced with something cold.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHY2Qu8VmG
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWMcuhrdCM
He nodded.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElRA5UhGDP
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyR3ZHQ5jb
Silence stretched again. Esrin remained perfectly still, gaze fixed on him with that same calculating intensity. Weighing. Deciding.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELRpA2KoCx
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz4t2EXrWF
Cel kept his mouth shut. Every instinct told him that speaking now - saying anything more - would be a mistake. One wrong word and she'd start asking questions he had no safe answers for.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhokZETlVKa
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGDoQmG6Ag
He couldn't risk that.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWDG6bRZdf
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH2Vnr9Iqg
So he stayed silent, even as his body screamed in pain, even as blood continued to drip from his mouth. Waiting for her verdict.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJGf9OBx6a
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5R2HYZ2pdp
Finally, something in her posture shifted - subtle as a blade finding its sheath.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ5r4zGwYH
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqgv4XmsUT
"You're not what I came here for." She dismissed her glaive, lightning crackling once before the weapon dissolved. "But leaving a Chosen to die in the Ashlands serves no purpose."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLMvOoEJJW
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kVwcIRwcA
The clinical assessment in her tone made it clear this wasn't mercy. Just... efficiency. A waste of resources to let him rot here.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIWzJOb0T4
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgg0sPRNhU
"I'm taking you out of here."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk5qX1HhiG
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8p4Io9vtU
Cel's body went rigid. "I can leave on my own."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnis0OdGJa
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5qk9xLH1K
He braced his hands against the scorched stone. Every muscle screamed in protest as he forced himself up. His arms shook. His legs threatened to buckle. But he made it - swaying on unsteady feet, refusing to fall.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wwPUdJFql
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASX7P2NsUz
"Can you?" Her gaze swept across his bloodied form. "You can barely stand."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwdxMDqn22
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LDr9OTKST
"And whose fault is that?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTiJm49gGZ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkTovqP2Uf
The words came sharper than intended, edged with pain and defiance.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ASPXKjUfb
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSA4AkMBUg
Esrin's expression didn't change. No flicker of guilt, no acknowledgment of what she'd done to him. Just that same flat assessment.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEHLdJWHGs
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMxD6ZGGaP
"Mine." The admission came without hesitation or apology - a simple statement of fact. "Which is why I'm not leaving you here to die from it."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI014Jw9jHV
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fFr4H99Gi
Her hand moved to a pouch at her belt before he could respond. When she withdrew it, something rested in her palm - a flat stone perhaps the size of a coin, covered in symbols that writhed when looked at directly.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF0chTQgO0
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdzXLbXjqp
Her fingers closed around it.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4S8VULpCo
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9p8m7fXWGT
The stone shattered.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRLeJxbWmE
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VujgaOGPc
Not cracked - pulverized. Fragments turned to dust that slipped between her fingers, dissolving before hitting the ground.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU5OTcbQgX
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkKRTsT3PE
Violet light erupted from where the stone had been.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFg3gbqfAD
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdc0Iq4cWbG
Cel's eyes widened.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N28HNm0eu
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuITDNwZqaG
A rift tore itself into existence - but wrong. All wrong.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX5IrFbDLy
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRml5VPQbN
The edges didn't shimmer. They crackled - sharp, violent bursts of energy that fought against their own existence. The violet light bleeding through wasn't steady. It pulsed, writhed, twisted back on itself in patterns that made his eyes water.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4miXZGbfT
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L35h2zsqr
'That's not possible.'170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevWS6wgoXl
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnleBWMrUS
Creating rifts was impossible. Even for the Hallowed. Rifts were tears in reality that formed naturally, that could only be found and sealed, never created.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSFE9Zpqic
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ5FGYsCtX
Yet here it stood, crackling with violent energy, defying every law he'd been taught.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyrgEzCKkP
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KJLCjdgx4
'She just... she just created a rift.' The thought repeated itself, unable to find purchase against the impossibility before him.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYGVY4r65K
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooNJfkBNzf
Raven's voice echoed in his memory: 'You can trust her. She will protect you.'170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiHSIIl9b7
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDXD9Gt4LU
Esrin Tempvolt. The woman every noble child had been taught to admire - proof that strength and honor could coexist. The pinnacle of grace and power that young ladies aspired to emulate. 170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEuVRDTvms
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRROKytRhzd
And Raven had been certain. Even knowing she hunted him, he'd told Cel to trust her.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IUkdnDXIH
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQRvKEaYer
Esrin stepped toward the impossible rift, then glanced back. "Stay close. The passage is disorienting."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJU1BYymsQ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpM3bk5C27
Cel stared at her extended hand.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSOBV9HoUL
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tV2hoKf2q
She'd nearly killed him. Had thrown him across the wasteland like garbage. Had threatened to break every bone in his body.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhnzdl2E2d
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWL3iuaPBAd
But everything Cel had ever learned said the Hallowed were humanity's greatest protectors. That Esrin Tempvolt was someone worth believing in.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgWExRxTo8
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlmeIrkwY0
His fingers closed around hers.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwUswQv86n
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbmrPfOzS3
He had no choice. Fighting Esrin was suicide. Running was impossible. And if Raven had been right about trusting her…170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhR5WGOymcE
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlqQ52Je2p
'I'm sorry, Raven.'170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDosCCEfYG
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrx7Q3qFmE
The thought was brief, nearly drowned by everything else screaming through his mind. But it was there.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVpSwDsUFK
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdVOhjsKOJ
She pulled him forward without hesitation, her grip firm but not painful. They stepped through together.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7rDsLdmZX
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6iMqpglT8
The world inverted.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqV1AG9z5J
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDMTSncXkC
Violet light swallowed everything. Up became down became sideways became nothing. Cel's stomach lurched as gravity lost meaning. The only constant was Esrin's hand, anchoring him while reality twisted around them.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfOeN7O6jR
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvbrFtPBGc
Then it stopped.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgPVCn19x0
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcMAzHG9KY
Solid ground materialized beneath his feet.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNmbajR9JI
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQCoejxmBi
Cel's vision cleared by degrees.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVQymKBMQX
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGX9sScLZP
They stood on an island of land suspended in—what exactly?170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaHrVysDR2
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BovMrN6mj
Violet void stretched in every direction - not empty, but crackling with that same violent energy. Lightning arced through the emptiness in branching patterns, illuminating depths that had no bottom.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2feqq9ieb
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fVAX6Of9Z
And in the center of the floating land stood a manor.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII5LBALLoe
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdjd0Vo28c
<You have achieved something extraordinary: You entered a new dimension.>170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDydBRjyWp
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV0DKxrwTx
'Huh?'1234 copyright protection166ＰＥＮＡＮＡEY4EVglxNG 尼

216.73.216.194