<You have achieved something extraordinary: You entered a new dimension.>75Please respect copyright.PENANAlwAHF3vDCL
75Please respect copyright.PENANA41MbmXQoMx
<You have received the trait "Eternal Witness".>75Please respect copyright.PENANAQqd0VLtgvC
75Please respect copyright.PENANA1VqYQ08CIN
‘What?’75Please respect copyright.PENANAoYIdgNC2aW
75Please respect copyright.PENANAYbnV8LAyDD
Not the Hollow Realms. Not his world.75Please respect copyright.PENANAUS7ymsH9Kf
75Please respect copyright.PENANA0p6UJMDWoi
Something else entirely.75Please respect copyright.PENANAQEa4h9XlzD
75Please respect copyright.PENANAOAHC4JpSCf
His gaze swept across the floating island - perhaps two hundred paces across, irregular in shape. The ground beneath his feet was solid stone, dark and pitted as if carved from a single massive slab.75Please respect copyright.PENANAVIoHNdTakw
75Please respect copyright.PENANAAWb6otPIWP
The manor rose at the island's center - three stories of dark stone and timber, windows glowing with warm light that seemed wrong against the crackling void beyond. 75Please respect copyright.PENANAZT8NLZX0p9
75Please respect copyright.PENANAvol77ijO4W
Behind him, the rift sealed with a sound like tearing silk played backward.75Please respect copyright.PENANA19jz4CAxHg
75Please respect copyright.PENANANOZIjSwVYq
Violet light collapsed inward, edges crackling as they consumed themselves. Within seconds, nothing remained but the void.75Please respect copyright.PENANAuSMM3l4tDs
75Please respect copyright.PENANAw7SFXbCql0
No way back.75Please respect copyright.PENANAkJumxUoKCW
75Please respect copyright.PENANAXJSaXrXtLJ
The realization settled in his chest like ice.75Please respect copyright.PENANATuE2d9nFup
75Please respect copyright.PENANAFzaSpVxMNV
Esrin's boots clicked against stone as she moved toward the manor without a word. Not checking if he followed. Simply expecting it.75Please respect copyright.PENANA7woNghtokq
75Please respect copyright.PENANAYCwjHjqCmt
Cel's legs obeyed before his mind caught up, carrying him after her.75Please respect copyright.PENANAnMbjkdbYx8
75Please respect copyright.PENANArjuX0ctyhf
Esrin's hand met the manor's door and pushed it open in one smooth motion.75Please respect copyright.PENANAGi7vHzFDFu
75Please respect copyright.PENANAATLzMTeu9k
Warmth spilled out - actual warmth, impossible in this place. Light painted the threshold in gold.75Please respect copyright.PENANA8EUoSRdnZ7
75Please respect copyright.PENANAbJPU0sbg72
Esrin stepped through.75Please respect copyright.PENANAByTovCfg5n
75Please respect copyright.PENANAD6PiPUeuu4
Cel hesitated at the entrance, his pulse quickening.75Please respect copyright.PENANA9kjtKjbp1n
75Please respect copyright.PENANAa8gOE27oDf
Then he crossed into light and the sight of nine figures arranged throughout what appeared to be a common room.75Please respect copyright.PENANABfRNcJaoCS
75Please respect copyright.PENANAN6iECz0vTi
His breath caught.75Please respect copyright.PENANAvmRG8eSUzR
75Please respect copyright.PENANAP8xE4zV1If
Ashen-blue hair gleamed near a window, catching firelight. The man stood with casual arrogance, light yellow eyes tracking the room with predatory amusement.75Please respect copyright.PENANAVhlBdmJ2K6
75Please respect copyright.PENANADv5hZ5iyMo
'Draven Goldwind.'75Please respect copyright.PENANA0iIuIxUEQj
75Please respect copyright.PENANAYYXmtgDgpS
The Mercenary King. Leader of the only organization that rivaled the Great Clans in power and influence.75Please respect copyright.PENANAoDPqlGgPFj
75Please respect copyright.PENANAeYub6rrqRB
Cel's gaze snapped to the figure seated in a chair near the fireplace. Ashen brown hair, dark green eyes that carried exhaustion like a physical weight.75Please respect copyright.PENANAsHZuus7f36
75Please respect copyright.PENANAaenHJerYrC
'Lucien Stellarion.'75Please respect copyright.PENANA4zphiMHbiU
75Please respect copyright.PENANAF0wj2UqTfj
The second prince of the Stellarion Empire. The one nobles spoke of in tones mixing disappointment and reluctant longing.75Please respect copyright.PENANANgwd5YnubT
75Please respect copyright.PENANAVw7UqRH9P7
Here.75Please respect copyright.PENANAgA6NeDdYBM
75Please respect copyright.PENANAMYjbYcfPp5
With Draven Goldwind.75Please respect copyright.PENANA8UVp5kyH5Y
75Please respect copyright.PENANA7phTLBx3bS
The contradiction made his thoughts fracture. The Royal House and the Mercenary Guild maintained cordial relations at best - careful neutrality that could shatter into conflict with one wrong move. Seeing representatives of both powers in the same room was unusual.75Please respect copyright.PENANAKhO4geQOCd
75Please respect copyright.PENANAuAkMr7MWvg
His gaze swept across the others.75Please respect copyright.PENANAvbuXoUva34
75Please respect copyright.PENANAKwmebPEz3a
A small girl sat in an oversized chair, feet dangling above the floor. She straightened as their eyes met, chin lifting with unexpected dignity despite her childlike stature.75Please respect copyright.PENANAm5WEAQWgiD
75Please respect copyright.PENANA43YUgKT2EJ
Near the far wall, a red-haired woman stood rigid, arms crossed. Blue eyes locked onto him with naked contempt, her entire posture screaming barely restrained contempt.75Please respect copyright.PENANAO5DMTN2hFJ
75Please respect copyright.PENANA3Wglij2Jxf
Beside her, an older man leaned against the stone. Weathered face, scars visible even in the firelight. He watched Cel the way someone watches a potential threat - calm, assessing, ready.75Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2oDGuinyo
75Please respect copyright.PENANAqAigBszwpp
A young man, perhaps Raven's age, lounged near the fire with blue hair that caught hints of purple in the light. Green eyes studied Cel with open curiosity, head tilted slightly as if examining something interesting.75Please respect copyright.PENANAwWJGC6MZzT
75Please respect copyright.PENANA3lbXIRCxCF
A woman with blond hair held herself with perfect stillness near the opposite wall, her expression carefully neutral.75Please respect copyright.PENANAUAW4ZzWpWv
75Please respect copyright.PENANAPIA31PRd0t
And at the center—75Please respect copyright.PENANAabf9j7QY4y
75Please respect copyright.PENANAOIOe7iFAI1
A hooded figure. Dark fabric concealed most of his face, but reddish-brown eyes gleamed from within the shadow. Authority radiated from him despite the concealment.75Please respect copyright.PENANAofzKHQK4yd
75Please respect copyright.PENANAkG8ezEz3uR
All of them turned as Esrin entered.75Please respect copyright.PENANADKKAmmr1lO
75Please respect copyright.PENANA96qKHBQpYd
"Well, well." Draven's voice carried across the room, amused. "Back already? Don't tell me the Prince of Death gave you—"75Please respect copyright.PENANAANSQOSQd9i
75Please respect copyright.PENANAlGTkivNR5U
His gaze found Cel.75Please respect copyright.PENANALej9J48bVc
75Please respect copyright.PENANAVY8lZfL9qN
Silence crashed down.75Please respect copyright.PENANAogDyGmep3c
75Please respect copyright.PENANAPbUDCq8QGI
Nine pairs of eyes fixed on him with varying degrees of surprise, confusion, and - in some cases - hostility.75Please respect copyright.PENANArPZrwFlzoJ
75Please respect copyright.PENANAHZcjXL4Hdm
The small girl's feet stopped swinging.75Please respect copyright.PENANAkwSY5uAeyW
75Please respect copyright.PENANAutgwkjAIJN
The young man by the fire straightened slightly.75Please respect copyright.PENANAoKMJAvmCnn
75Please respect copyright.PENANA8mDg3rjeZz
Even the still woman shifted her attention.75Please respect copyright.PENANAcv8Q1Vrvgg
75Please respect copyright.PENANABrwNCx2bOd
"Esrin." The red-haired woman spoke, blue eyes narrowing. "Who is this?"75Please respect copyright.PENANA30ugHziKsv
75Please respect copyright.PENANApOkUPNgQwp
Draven's laugh cut through the quiet - sharp and mocking. "Oh, this is rich. The great Esrin brings home a stray."75Please respect copyright.PENANAeZOQch80sd
75Please respect copyright.PENANA6jNTNfJ9N1
Esrin ignored him. "This is Celvian. A Chosen of the Moon Goddess whom the Children of the Voidmother threw into the Hollow Realms to seal a rift."75Please respect copyright.PENANA79jnZIiIG8
75Please respect copyright.PENANAnfNJPvfnKJ
The information hung in the air.75Please respect copyright.PENANAETTpjJd7hV
75Please respect copyright.PENANAjjFLnkuM9J
"A Chosen?" The older man's voice was rough, skeptical. "Moon Chosen are weak. How did he survive?"75Please respect copyright.PENANAZdVdFDaoCg
75Please respect copyright.PENANAR2V23Hg8cv
"That's irrelevant." Draven stepped forward. "He's seen our faces. That makes him a risk." His hand drifted to summon his weapon. "He dies. Simple as that."75Please respect copyright.PENANAcIFPehEKf9
75Please respect copyright.PENANA7ghlq3rtaJ
Cel's body went rigid, hand moving toward where Silent Moon could manifest—75Please respect copyright.PENANAwDyvORBhf2
75Please respect copyright.PENANADvRZEUaE0r
"I want him to join the Reckoning." Esrin's statement cut through the rising tension.75Please respect copyright.PENANAiNiCz4mP7O
75Please respect copyright.PENANArt5XV34riF
Draven barked a laugh. "Join? You can't be serious."75Please respect copyright.PENANAPwYwxuygLL
75Please respect copyright.PENANAlvuXRpq20J
"He's a Chosen One," Esrin continued. "He was thrown into the Hollow Realms and survived. That demonstrates capability."75Please respect copyright.PENANAPQ4Ij6Mb8O
75Please respect copyright.PENANAsyFt34YA20
"Does it?" Draven gestured at Cel with casual dismissal. "Everyone here can sense that this boy has no divine energy. Not even a whisper." His grin widened. "So either he's the weakest Chosen to ever exist, or he's not Chosen at all."75Please respect copyright.PENANAqEM2LllcJ6
75Please respect copyright.PENANAnJgf75k2iu
The words landed with sickening weight.75Please respect copyright.PENANAwn1DDYBsxX
75Please respect copyright.PENANA5pW1vj8xVQ
Cel had known he couldn't sense his own divine energy. Had struggled with that limitation since receiving his blessing.75Please respect copyright.PENANACQhVQ4UoDn
75Please respect copyright.PENANArJxKwL0YWE
But to not even possess it?75Please respect copyright.PENANAE7fLK6C7v1
75Please respect copyright.PENANAZRgoUo1Oys
His mind raced. That made no sense. He could use Frostmark. Could manifest Silent Moon and Cinderward. If he had no divine energy at all, how—75Please respect copyright.PENANALhaB202iBt
75Please respect copyright.PENANACtus0Ireuk
"Haha, yeah!" The small girl's voice dripped with exaggerated enthusiasm. "We can all sense it so clearly. It's super obvious to everyone here!"75Please respect copyright.PENANABQiLua3yLf
75Please respect copyright.PENANAtdYOnk19hu
Draven's attention snapped to her, his grin sharpening. "Sorry, I meant nearly all." The correction was pointed. Cruel. "Those of us who actually have divine favor, at least."75Please respect copyright.PENANAdDAJDanx8W
75Please respect copyright.PENANACXzyZBwASX
The girl's expression darkened, but she said nothing.75Please respect copyright.PENANAiNlkz6b2Hz
75Please respect copyright.PENANACFx0Q4MVTs
"It's the armor," Esrin said, drawing attention back. "An artifact that suppresses his divine signature. I witnessed him using an authority - ice-based power. He is a Chosen."75Please respect copyright.PENANA89sD8Y8KN6
75Please respect copyright.PENANAmvYGVe0jpt
"An artifact that completely masks divine energy?" The young man by the fire leaned forward, interest sparking in his green eyes. "That's... actually impressive."75Please respect copyright.PENANAUpbBBESSRr
75Please respect copyright.PENANAl2xOS7y4Wb
"Or it's a lie." The red-haired woman spoke for the first time, her voice sharp as broken glass. "Why should we trust anything she says about him?"75Please respect copyright.PENANAkl2N5Qtunc
75Please respect copyright.PENANAMZm8Za1kWV
"Because I have no reason to lie." Esrin's tone remained neutral. "Killing him serves no purpose. He's young, inexperienced, and was thrown into the Hollow Realms by a cult we all want destroyed. Making him an ally makes more strategic sense than making him a corpse."75Please respect copyright.PENANA5aVpyGM5Tn
75Please respect copyright.PENANA9wIlUnygoR
"Strategic sense?" Draven's laugh was harsh. "What's strategic about adding dead weight to—"75Please respect copyright.PENANAM3793vqssJ
75Please respect copyright.PENANA2Cz3dQ6gZI
"Vote." Lucien's voice came quietly from his chair, almost resigned. "That's how this works."75Please respect copyright.PENANA0ujWKjP7QE
75Please respect copyright.PENANAAqf5g2KLb0
Silence fell as attention turned inward.75Please respect copyright.PENANAVAHvOLzMdl
75Please respect copyright.PENANArpC7mcRjeO
The older man spoke first. "Kill him. We don't need complications."75Please respect copyright.PENANAO5fejvhJgs
75Please respect copyright.PENANAgJDbviFB1B
The red-haired woman's voice came sharp and immediate. "Agreed."75Please respect copyright.PENANA4eFJ3YXVrU
75Please respect copyright.PENANAAI3bQMICjf
Draven's grin widened. "Obviously kill him."75Please respect copyright.PENANAO88VNvVPsg
75Please respect copyright.PENANAsrcyolxSCs
The still woman with blond hair simply nodded once.75Please respect copyright.PENANAcBjLmOqSLK
75Please respect copyright.PENANAgAmZZyDyHy
Four votes to kill.75Please respect copyright.PENANAn3iTIrVsYB
75Please respect copyright.PENANA72j8r65MTQ
"He should join." Esrin's statement was flat. Final.75Please respect copyright.PENANAJhyJCJ0sHw
75Please respect copyright.PENANAMJWPVO8yeo
"Agreed," Lucien said quietly, dark green eyes tracking between Cel and the others.75Please respect copyright.PENANAL4nThY2dKK
75Please respect copyright.PENANAuBougFDiAk
The young man by the fire straightened, blue-purple hair shifting. "I vote for joining too. He survived the Hollow Realms at such a young age. That's worth something."75Please respect copyright.PENANAdiSsIyHOsP
75Please respect copyright.PENANAiBdlwbOXFt
The small girl's feet swung once. "I think he should join! Anyone who makes Draven this annoyed can't be all bad!"75Please respect copyright.PENANAtOyfcBTPps
75Please respect copyright.PENANAnrcUsDRboO
Four votes each way.75Please respect copyright.PENANAg2TDgW6MDo
75Please respect copyright.PENANAqEk4oWfUTi
The central figure remained silent, his gaze tracking between Cel and the others with careful assessment.75Please respect copyright.PENANAtcdZlMZ8u2
75Please respect copyright.PENANAxJbV4yDTxs
The silence stretched.75Please respect copyright.PENANAJyTfT86k2i
75Please respect copyright.PENANAhcIJYafRH6
"Four to four," Draven said quietly. "Which means Veyron decides. And we all know he's practical."75Please respect copyright.PENANAjrjfs9ho93
75Please respect copyright.PENANAa64PMSJWv9
He moved.75Please respect copyright.PENANAHUaJJyjFTc
75Please respect copyright.PENANAvn82cZ4POr
"So why don't we skip the formality and I'll just kill the boy now?"75Please respect copyright.PENANAwAYb6Jmxqj
75Please respect copyright.PENANAfMOdnv6jwU
Esrin blocked his path.75Please respect copyright.PENANAiIwy66LZaJ
75Please respect copyright.PENANAQrjZ9mQa1R
"Touch him, and you'll lose your hand."75Please respect copyright.PENANAyYe9vH3N6i
75Please respect copyright.PENANAf5t7UU1rKO
Draven laughed, genuinely delighted. "Should I test that?"75Please respect copyright.PENANAEIskI9AmOP
75Please respect copyright.PENANAaBdjw2pyOe
The temperature dropped.75Please respect copyright.PENANADRtkE1IE7R
75Please respect copyright.PENANA8PobvfIcP7
White lightning began to crackle across Esrin's shoulders, arcing down her arms. Her ruby eyes held nothing - no anger, no fury. Just cold, absolute promise.75Please respect copyright.PENANAo6umLDwa2z
75Please respect copyright.PENANAgIhiVQseQr
"He's a child," she continued. "A child thrown into the Hollow Realms by a cult. And you want to murder him because it's convenient."75Please respect copyright.PENANAPCIFKKrvDn
75Please respect copyright.PENANAGE3Fc9Iert
Draven's grin widened, golden light erupting around him like a solar flare. "I want to kill him because he's a risk we don't need." He leaned forward slightly, matching her intensity. "But please, continue the moral lecture. It's adorable."75Please respect copyright.PENANA3L7M5FzmKm
75Please respect copyright.PENANAigBnIiINfi
The manor groaned.75Please respect copyright.PENANAS9JMClyaJw
75Please respect copyright.PENANA5kcy9Ug7dK
Divine energy pressed against divine energy - white lightning meeting golden radiance. The floor beneath them cracked. Windows rattled. Books tumbled from shelves as the building itself protested the weight of their power.75Please respect copyright.PENANAvFyrwloF5K
75Please respect copyright.PENANAPh2YPCyZ3V
"Enough."75Please respect copyright.PENANAsA3UxuNUfs
75Please respect copyright.PENANAqL8D0iEzzm
The older man's voice cut through the pressure - rough, worn, but carrying the weight of someone who'd survived worse than this.75Please respect copyright.PENANAe2sIwgJwum
75Please respect copyright.PENANAQZlWb15UFO
He hadn't moved from his position against the wall, but his weathered face held no fear. Just tired disgust.75Please respect copyright.PENANASyGGqqlgUw
75Please respect copyright.PENANAAykTJxYRjk
"This is why we vote," he said flatly. "To avoid this." His gaze tracked between them. "So let Veyron decide."75Please respect copyright.PENANAghthCacm3g
75Please respect copyright.PENANAr3YItFyNoY
The pressure didn't dissipate immediately.75Please respect copyright.PENANAwUp7zgnOJP
75Please respect copyright.PENANArxhKPYeDbI
Esrin and Draven remained locked in their standoff, lightning and gold still blazing around them.75Please respect copyright.PENANA4KHN4lV5PW
75Please respect copyright.PENANAVbP2QQ6Anv
Then Esrin's energy pulled back. Not slowly - just gone, as if someone had closed a door.75Please respect copyright.PENANAIfE2KG5DqX
75Please respect copyright.PENANAxlZYIBYKv6
Draven held his power for a heartbeat longer, eyes studying her. Then the golden glow faded, leaving only the man beneath.75Please respect copyright.PENANAL29Z3TX2Lp
75Please respect copyright.PENANAJiExqZq8yh
His grin returned, casual and mocking. "How disappointing."75Please respect copyright.PENANA4N0rHxDd9Z
75Please respect copyright.PENANAaFddbGyh0l
He turned away without another word, moving back to his position near the window.75Please respect copyright.PENANA7sndeaBQ5c
75Please respect copyright.PENANA42PaQaYiGz
The cracks in the floor remained. Evidence of how close they'd come.75Please respect copyright.PENANAM9vGSMG06v
75Please respect copyright.PENANAILTwdISfPD
Cel's pulse hammered in his throat. His hand trembled slightly as it dropped from tension.75Please respect copyright.PENANAAJ9h6yJeuQ
75Please respect copyright.PENANAKlAU4fC1Gv
The central figure - Veyron - had watched the entire exchange without moving. Now his gaze settled on Cel with renewed assessment.75Please respect copyright.PENANA4ClaulcGy4
75Please respect copyright.PENANA7ruFdrYguE
Cel's throat worked. Words formed before conscious thought caught up.75Please respect copyright.PENANAmUYztXDbUG
75Please respect copyright.PENANASYRwcucPhC
"My priestess is a Divine Oracle."75Please respect copyright.PENANAo46Hi03bse
75Please respect copyright.PENANAo84N3MaeK8
The statement landed like a stone into still water.75Please respect copyright.PENANA6pOpuh7nHa
75Please respect copyright.PENANAi0N9gt1E6s
Draven's laugh came immediately. "Of course she is. And I'm secretly the Mountain God in disguise."75Please respect copyright.PENANAMOeqliehOV
75Please respect copyright.PENANAQgRI9AUbX0
But Veyron had gone still.75Please respect copyright.PENANAB1A5cc2KPM
75Please respect copyright.PENANAUZgl2AOxFP
Not frozen. Just... perfectly motionless. His attention fixed on Cel with sudden, sharp intensity.75Please respect copyright.PENANAurlThOCfxE
75Please respect copyright.PENANAOw82CBTHqW
"Describe her." The command came quiet but absolute.75Please respect copyright.PENANAyEsvSsw4lt
75Please respect copyright.PENANAku2YTrDnN6
Cel's pulse quickened. "White robes. Silver mask covering the upper half of her face. Long silver hair. She..." He hesitated, then pushed through. "She's the most beautiful person I've ever seen."75Please respect copyright.PENANAU18Fq4WBoH
75Please respect copyright.PENANAaFUSJTqK9E
Silence answered him.75Please respect copyright.PENANAdk0DxokIyo
75Please respect copyright.PENANAmrpRzXanfC
Veyron studied him for what felt like eternity.75Please respect copyright.PENANAHX74HW5EMO
75Please respect copyright.PENANAh7KDXxKxNu
Then his lips curved - not quite a smile, but close. 75Please respect copyright.PENANAZi6Ie02e5J
75Please respect copyright.PENANAtP0Oeesct8
"Welcome to the Reckoning, Celvian."
arrow_back
Lunar Legacy
more_vert
-
info_outline Info
-
toc Table of Contents
-
share Share
-
format_color_text Display Settings
-
exposure_plus_1 Recommend
-
Sponsor
-
report_problem Report
-
account_circle Login
Search stories, writers or societies
Continue ReadingClear All
What Others Are ReadingRefresh
X
Never miss what's happening on Penana!
Lunar Legacy
Author:
Celastos
ISSUE #42
Chapter 41: The Reckoning
LIKES 0
READS 71
BOOKMARKS 1
campaign
Request update 0
Sponsor
Login with Facebook
or Sign up/Login to comment or bookmark! Click to load the next chapter
X
After each update request, the author will receive a notification!
smartphone100
→ Request update
X
Sponsor again
Click to login
Login first to show your name as a sponsor.
Thank you for supporting the story! :)
Please Login first.
×
Lunar Legacy
Fantasy
Action
Dark
Last updated: May 6, 2026
Total word count: 123,331
Total reading time: 571 Minutes
Writer:
fantasy
horror
dark
mystery
tragedy
darkfantasy
demons
betrayal
psychological
revenge
monsters
gods
fantasyrealm
survival
medieval
maleprotagonist
goddess
mysterious
fantasyworld
abilities
Report this story
×
Write down what you like about the story
×
Reading Theme:
Font Size:
Line Spacing:
Paragraph Spacing:
Load the next issue automatically
Reset to default
×
People Who Like This
x
Before You Publish
Please ensure your story does not contain illegal, hateful, inciting, or violence-promoting content, or any infringing, plagiarized, or spam material, and that it complies with Penana’s Terms of Use.
Penana reserves the right to remove any content that violates these rules or causes legal or community risk, and to suspend or terminate related accounts.

