"Welcome to the Reckoning, Celvian."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKrUeGIyTM
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VP8b4X4DG
The words hung in the air.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQHH9VOJNC
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBsLQh7lpC
No one spoke.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVT8dPXeARc
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The red-haired woman's fury remained palpable but silent. The older man's jaw set, but he nodded once in acceptance. Even Draven, despite the rage clear in his posture, said nothing more.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmUHKNZmLR
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The matter was settled.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIiSCRAfdx
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnbVuYfMPX
"Before we discuss anything else," the hooded figure - Veyron - said, his voice carrying quiet authority that made everyone straighten slightly, "the boy needs healing."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzlZ1la5mp
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv9mKOOVtF
The woman with blonde hair moved from her position near the wall. She approached with measured steps, her expression carefully neutral as she stopped before him.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrMISywcdU
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4bvwBsA5m
"May I?" Her voice was professional, distant.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWpaOIUaXZ
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw2HAHqVpZ
Cel's jaw tightened. Every instinct screamed not to let anyone touch him, not to show weakness, not to— 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsieuZCrkpQ
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SKSac8IZ8
"It's just healing," she continued, reading his hesitation. "Nothing more."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQToNGkYuaO
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqiKfaP3wo
He gave her a curt nod.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLGLqvEnte
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAGsRabiln
Her hands lifted, hovering inches from his chest. Warmth spread through his torso - not the searing heat of the worm's breath, but something deeper that hummed beneath his skin. The throbbing ache in his ribs eased. The torn flesh across his back knitted together. Even the deeper injuries - the ones he'd been ignoring - began to fade.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdHvzOAtKB
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSi8k3CABUe
It took perhaps thirty seconds.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmEWmaH1GJ
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBLpOjwQpb
When she stepped back, Cel could breathe without pain for the first time since Esrin had thrown him across the wasteland.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTueYQPYjWT
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXIg5efxHM
"Thank you," he said quietly.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC2BTob9sq
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWn9ZEV5tB
She inclined her head once, then returned to her position without a word.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5msRucaHCB
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgy5SONALg
"Now then." Veyron's attention fixed on him fully. "You've been invited to join an organization you know nothing about. That hardly seems fair."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FpFCDOBUm
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7RGQkncx8
Cel remained silent, waiting.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8plXKkv3aH
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtfg08GF1r
"The Reckoning exists for a singular purpose," Veyron continued. "We hunt those who abuse their power. Chosen Ones who believe divine favor places them above consequence. Those who commit atrocities knowing their power protects them."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKD58ZuKev
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBquLoddUJv
The words settled in Cel's chest with uncomfortable weight.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhgkjWqaZ9
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNQ3wxLcP5
"We kill them," Draven added with a grin. "When the law fails. And it always fails for the powerful. We don't."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJVqcszjAM
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHrK0U2urA
"You're assassins," Cel said flatly.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxf8CBGI16N
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKbLxJM9eS
"We're justice," Esrin corrected, her tone brooking no argument. "For victims who have none."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSudvGsb0O
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoVtM4rT9X
"We operate on a ranking system," Lucien said, his tone matter-of-fact. "Based on strength, not birthright or politics." 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8FHbQ1BiP
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwijOwuSCX
"Rank one is the strongest," Silas added, gesturing at Veyron. "All the way down to rank ten." His gaze shifted to the small girl in the oversized chair. "Which will always be—"79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKWb0upq06
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU0UrIwFyk
"Me. Yes. I know." Hina crossed her arms. "Every time someone joins, I get bumped down again. Thanks for that.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkq3rrKxNK
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoufJcgIeJ
Something tightened in Cel's chest. Strength, not birth, not bloodline. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8UhCerRwG
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtBuP1zdAy
Everything the Sun Clan wasn't.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpMg4lCScN
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyYZsWR1hm
"Since we're doing introductions," the older man near the wall spoke up, his rough voice carrying the weight of experience, "I'm Ronan. Fifth Reckoning. Graveyard's Orphan. Life Clan."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUf2YIrglo
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i8FmeOr4x
The young man by the fire straightened. "Silas Mortbane. Eighth Reckoning. Death's Friendliest Face." His grin was infectious despite the gravity of the situation. "Death Clan, obviously.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZmFdJ7ztu
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmMxC43rzF
"Iris Peakvault." The woman who'd healed him spoke quietly. "Seventh Reckoning. Veiled Crag. Mountain Clan."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4M7tKWhuc
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mPLurZWO5
Her posture shifted subtly when she spoke - shoulders drawing inward slightly, gaze lowering. The change was so minute Cel almost missed it.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgixskmu1A1
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1IloZOX1e
"Zara." The red-haired woman's voice came sharp as broken glass. "Sixth Reckoning. Wrath's Only Daughter. Mountain Clan as well." Her blue eyes carried naked contempt. "Try not to die immediately."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kmbDQ1W0y
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4kKqs4Qjo
"Already did that," Cel said before he could stop himself. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BBdnXfZ38
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVvMCnqjUL
Silence stretched for a heartbeat. Then Silas laughed - genuine and bright.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwDXzuIspw
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G4msgvt19
"Oh, I like him already."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KNL2LrRwB
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YWM4DOdlw
"Draven Goldwind," the brash man said, his tone carrying casual arrogance. "Third Reckoning. Goldreaver. Mercenary Guild." He gestured at himself with a flourish. "Also the wealthiest person in this room, but that's hardly relevant."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8CUaYNSD3
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBNNpVkvZh
The small girl piped up again. "Hina! Tenth Reckoning - formerly ninth but apparently not anymore!" She crossed her arms with theatrical indignation. "Small Tyrant. I work for the Royal House as Palace Administrator." A pause. "I should have voted for your death."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidF1UQxYo1
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DonFEoIu4
The comment was so absurd, delivered with such genuine petulance, that something in Cel's chest loosened slightly. Not quite humor - but close.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2nz4eRlZ2
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkJR6dKypO
"Lucien Stellarion," the young man with tired eyes said from his chair. "Fourth Reckoning. Dreamfall. Second Prince of the Empire."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt14zdWPba8
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigZ17GDi5B
The presence of royalty made this whole organization even more impossible. What kind of group could command a prince's loyalty?79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW68lxGlt2
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTSureUUWQ
"Esrin." The woman who'd brought him here spoke with quiet authority. "Second Reckoning. Shattered Sky. Chosen Legion."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAwzDtYe1S
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDlpasX92M
The hooded figure's presence seemed to intensify slightly. "Veyron Nethis. First Reckoning. Eschaton."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnGeGiFh1R
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsA3ORITD5
Cel's mind was already cataloging information, filing away details. An organization that hunted corrupt Chosen. Members from various Clans - even the Mercenary Guild and Royal House.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ITe8w7ZDX
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NIYXjJ6C7
The strength assembled here was utterly insane. The Mercenary King himself. An imperial prince. A Hallowed, who could challenge an entire Great Clan alone - and she was only second in command.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq5dfVZIbB
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This was enough power to topple the empire.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzy86ljwECh
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Veyron's attention returned to him. "You'll need a codename. Take your time to consider."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQx41py7Cf
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDfeXsg3ZO
Cel's thoughts scattered immediately. A codename. Something that would define him in this organization.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYm1FaG56DX
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrx4IkHJHq
White Death surfaced first - one of his paragons. It felt right. Cold. Absolute. A name that carried weight.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQiqw6SvrR
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMDF9dpYJE
Heir to the Moon was out - too revealing.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGKeF661dm
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Frostmark? No - too specific.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7kewik5i4
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His mind circled back to White Death. The name settled in his chest with quiet certainty.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWvOWXFYSQ
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9l6SYG13K
Yes. That felt right.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlctgbPD141
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But before he could speak—79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbtweUFM5J
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"Now," Veyron's tone shifted, becoming more businesslike, "to the matter at hand. Esrin?"79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDfsVku0rO
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJMtcOevrq
The white-haired woman's expression remained impassive. "I tracked the Prince of Death to the Ashlands. But the search yielded nothing."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aSSInDDIx
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXBuQMmGmc
Prince of Death.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzikPizVblK
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRwcKnVU5b
His mind raced backward, dragging up half-forgotten lessons from his childhood education. The Death Clan. House Mortveil - the leading Noble House within the Clan. Their heir had been... what was the name?79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hr6OZhewC
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwHi1DcXHl
Fragments surfaced. A prodigy. Good reputation even among the nobility, who were notoriously difficult to please. The last news had been about an expedition. The prince and his father had led a group into the destroyed Western Continent for an investigation in the Emperor's name.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIB64IEQOd
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That had been... a year ago? Maybe more?79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiPvIBH1RF
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTft0WEOG6f
Wait.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWaW9F0dBc
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A year. The same amount of time Raven said he'd been trapped in the Hollow Realms.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThlNyVHXJb
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODCuVoGgxT
The implications crashed through his thoughts with terrible clarity.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9hTPBHBXe
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GztWIRj81
The young man who'd helped him in the Ashlands. The one who moved with practiced grace, who knew exactly how to survive in that nightmare realm.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgaUM7yicB
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfSl4wYnG8
Raven was the Prince of Death.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKSLjccmCP
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JnQGlxbjP
And these people wanted him dead.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4v3cBNbPf
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSfQQ7qWb9
Cel's jaw clenched. His hands curled into fists at his sides, hidden within Cinderward's cloak.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72wETiSIye
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz6tIJVNwX
'He helped me.' The thought came fierce and absolute. 'Saved my life. Without expecting anything in return.'79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq69nZxt1U
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZjROchHSy
And now he sat in a room with nine people who would kill Raven on sight if they found him.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXghlMTfdH
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QYovpBikI
"The Prince of Death is our highest priority target," Veyron continued, his tone unchanged. "A Cursed infiltrating the Sun Clan's stronghold shouldn't be possible." 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqZpxwbITJ
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6POlgLV6n
"And yet he managed it," Draven said, genuine appreciation cutting through his words. "Killed their greatest prodigy. The one with a Divine Oracle as his guide."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPZ1lKrYkq
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzANJGJ442
"We don't know what he's hiding," Zara cut in sharply. "That's the problem. A Cursed shouldn't have that kind of power." 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdd2KzKLdV
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZeTPSWLjT
"But he does," Ronan's gravelly voice added. "Which means either he retained something he shouldn't have, or he's found something new. Either way—" 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsJhxPso64
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"He's dangerous," Veyron finished. "And unpredictable. That combination requires caution."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnIb0FE4FF
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The words settled over Cel like ice water.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYKZLGnQPE
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIZ9wYTvls
So Raven had returned from the expedition as one of the Cursed. Then he'd somehow infiltrated the Sun Clan's stronghold - a fortress that should have been impenetrable - and killed their greatest prodigy. Someone blessed enough to have a Divine Oracle as their guide - just like Cel.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o1OoDoEX5
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1ci8RdvBK
A dark satisfaction flickered through his chest before he could suppress it. The Sun Clan had suffered. Good.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12ZiG9RqDQ
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxdLwDTkYo
But the satisfaction couldn't drown out the questions burning in his mind. 'What happened on that expedition to make him Cursed? What drove him to kill their prodigy?'79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUitkyssoAk
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Kcdop9E6O
Cel forced his breathing to remain steady, his expression neutral. Every instinct screamed to defend Raven, to argue, to demand answers.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0kyI0DbOx
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2abHYduUh
Yet revealing his connection would doom them both.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdumadH83K
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI7epMOeNE
'If they knew I'd been traveling with him...' The thought sent ice through his veins.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWtA95oiSx
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9Tz43ZJes
So he stayed silent, letting the discussion wash over him while his mind churned.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuY70Tnz7X
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqgMcCjWMV
"We'll wait for him to surface again," Veyron said finally. "Esrin, you'll face him when he does." 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSsEBMV3fR
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo1eWOSmtu
She nodded once.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBSBUk7u2S
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4nSEgeI16
His gaze swept across the room. "The rest of you - if you spot him, track but do not engage. Only intervene if absolutely necessary."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5y4lgZBQiv
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLW2yoQYSP
Murmurs of acknowledgment rippled through the gathered members. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoGIeW36f3
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcF9ChN0ns
Veyron's attention returned to him. "Your codename?"79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GWNM78WB2
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqTf8SECBU
Cel met his gaze. "White Death."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1Ib5JAfTz
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cgHP2EWAm
A pause. Then Draven laughed - sharp and approving. "Dramatic. I like it."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TXuu9Kiy0
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJzYnX5ivw
"Your paragon?" Silas asked, genuine curiosity in his green eyes.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVya2kH4RQi
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9WShdbBIf
"Yes."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVhur6n38G
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJWbPkGv48
"Well then, White Death," Veyron said, and there was something almost approving in his tone. "Let me welcome you again, Ninth Reckoning."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pux392pFJ
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlHGvxyTqY
The moment felt significant despite its simplicity. Cel nodded once.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprjYxRkCnn
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJY9jTPSpo
"How old are you, Celvian?" Veyron asked.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQZ48hSzn9
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyDB9P5ULp
"Sixteen."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5wQDJkpGn
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKABA3M3Yk3
A pause. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf6weYQ5Zb
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7oCuhGzYh
"That’s perfect. You'll be enrolled in the Chosen Academy."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtpBCy7NRn
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSL8XYBP3P
Cel blinked. "What?"79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R53w6UVcB
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfFnZLoW7I
"The Academy trains young Chosen," Hina piped up, her earlier petulance forgotten. "All Chosen attend."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKAwEffn2r
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuEFjDAJJ3
"Which makes it the perfect place for you to grow stronger," Veyron added.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONtkHYOnfS
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIrmlYs7Fd
"My task there?" Cel asked carefully.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4eNgyjYi4
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8rH27DCNt
"Observe the other Chosen. Report any concerning behavior. Protect them from external threats." Veyron's tone made it clear this wasn't negotiable. "And become stronger."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsml8zeDwX
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrlshhr6LD
The unspoken message was clear: Prove you deserve to be here.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb2I93WETk
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1TtN8eG9X
"Esrin will escort you," Veyron continued. "Since she brought you here, she'll ensure you arrive safely."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOlEvL6f07
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1Pc3dubzl
The white-haired woman's expression didn't change, but something in her posture suggested this wasn't unexpected.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rh7xj5ESv
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlf0PQ8odO
"When do I leave?" Cel asked.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qAUkgJNr4
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQcaGs4WGW
"Immediately." The Academy begins in ten days. That gives you time to settle in."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIy7I1by96
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnGz5IxR00
Cel nodded slowly, processing. The Academy. Where all Chosen trained. Where he'd once dreamed of being sent, back when his father's approval still mattered.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKRlUrGnZX
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The irony was bitter.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV1b98lnOI
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"Any questions?" Veyron asked.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SiqIQJY7V
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Hundreds. But Cel couldn't voice the ones that mattered most.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kbFLCXcvt
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Instead, he said: "No."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbTK4JkWtp
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"Then we're done here." Veyron rose from his seat with fluid grace. "Esrin, prepare for departure. The rest of you, dismissed."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyJrv40DVV
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The meeting dissolved. Members rose and headed for the door, some casting final glances at Cel - curious, assessing, hostile.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3z2Gla6OBu
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Silas paused on his way past. "Welcome to the team, White Death. And don't mind Zara's glare - she's like that with everyone."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSh4leHl1W
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"Heard that," Zara called from across the room.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO8k9KAr38
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"Good!" Silas flashed a grin before disappearing through the door.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgyW2HoKPh
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Soon, only Cel and Esrin remained.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyNX9By54S
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She stood by the fireplace, her ruby eyes fixed on him with that same measuring intensity that had nearly gotten him killed earlier.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu1QOWfLDg
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Esrin moved toward the door without a word.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIX5zKHX31
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Cel followed.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhI6hW3z5VN
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They stepped out of the manor into the crackling void. The floating island was as it had been - dark stone beneath his feet, violet emptiness stretching in every direction.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwGeJaNox5
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Esrin stopped on the edge of the island.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvdo1clNK3
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A rift appeared without ceremony - a gash in the air that shouldn't exist, its edges crackling with violet energy.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPaV4P5vWI
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She crossed the threshold without pause.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XCUdjdgBD
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Cel followed before he could reconsider.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZPnpefKLq
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The rift swallowed them whole. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nTL3hWXF6
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This time, Cel knew what to expect. The violent inversion of reality. The way gravity became meaningless. He kept his eyes fixed on Esrin's back and let the chaos wash over him without fighting it. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUjeCEpKTg
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It ended faster than before.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Vh2YHajpK
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Solid ground materialized beneath his feet.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMJGA2d2DR
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Cel's vision cleared by degrees.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jxrGOr0sk
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They stood in what appeared to be an abandoned bar. But calling it forgotten would be more accurate.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsWdhIXAlB
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Dust coated every surface in thick layers - tables, chairs, the long counter that dominated one wall. Bottles lined shelves behind the bar, their labels faded beyond recognition. Cobwebs stretched between rafters overhead, swaying slightly as they disturbed the stale air.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYGjnESohK
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The windows had been boarded over from the outside, gaps between planks allowing only narrow shafts of light to cut through the darkness.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aVLEB7zDO
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Esrin moved toward what Cel assumed was the front door - a heavy wooden thing with iron fittings that had gone to rust.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5km769oa1V
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She gripped the handle and pulled. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtGmZMyUu4
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The door tore open with a shriek of protesting metal. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6lb5sVx82
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Light spilled through the widening gap - real light, golden and warm. Sound followed. Distant at first, then growing clearer as the door swung fully open.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu8D31tVG3
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Voices. Laughter. The clatter of wheels on cobblestone.
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-----79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopNfK7iPGg
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Heyho, Author here! ^^79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LloQ913eI
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I have a small announcement with two pieces of bad news and two pieces of good news xD79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlnzY0t60p
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First, the not-so-great news: I'll be taking a short break from publishing, probably until the beginning of March. Because I have exams at the end of February and the winter break in soccer is over. We've already started preparation for the new season, which means more training than usual. So it's a very stressful time for me right now. I hope you understand, and I promise to be back as soon as I can!79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqezZq0c1ov
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On top of that, I can no longer bear the costs. You might remember my note where I introduced my page with the option to subscribe or donate, and mentioned that I wouldn't monetarize my story if that worked out. Well, no one did it xD. So now I have to figure out how to monetize my story. Either I'll do an exclusive contract with a platform, or I'll publish new chapters on my page first with a paywall. I'll decide how to handle this when I have more free time again. (Ideas/recommendations are welcome!)79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6m91jJ1GKG
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Now for the good news! 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5TXm3omgN
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You might remember me mentioning that I have a lot of projects planned for this year. One of these projects will launch in March when I have time again. It'll be something similar to the special chapters I did for Christmas. With this project, you'll have the chance to get some interesting hidden insights into the story.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHBUQJKRIZ
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Also, some of you have asked if you can use the artworks and animations to create your own content about my story - for example, for TikToks. And yes, you absolutely can! In fact, I really appreciate it. I don't see it as stealing like some people do, but as free advertising for my story. So as long as you mention Lunar Legacy or tag my account, you're very welcome to do so (you can find them on pinterest). You can also post your content in the Discord. I'm always happy to see it! ^^79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnITDvr0BzP
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One last thing I can't emphasize enough: Please let me know what you think about my story - whether as a comment, a review, or here in the Discord. I've already noticed that some of you have taken my request to heart, and let me tell you: I love you for it. No, really, I appreciate it more than you know. There are two things that keep me motivated: one is, of course, my plot and the anticipation of future plot points, and the other is your feedback. Aside from creating a good story, one of my goals is to build a wonderful community around it. And it makes me so happy to see that both of my goals are heading in the right direction.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXKN9J10U2
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That's all. Thank you for your time and continued support! ^^79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mPH7gv9Qx
and then Add to home screen.