"Welcome to the Reckoning, Celvian."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6vZ1Mx4Wx
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIMF7x4veT
The words hung in the air.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VS2ZFeu43
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No one spoke.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoNUZ5vcB7
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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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwyfdeQeOk
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The matter was settled.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9au8FvKqY
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KbLNTAiuS
"Before we discuss anything else," the hooded figure - Veyron - said, his voice carrying quiet authority that made everyone straighten slightly, "the boy needs healing."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7LJUFmkjs
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWJwkFBVI3
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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrQ58DxtPB
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmgqMaaKlT
"May I?" Her voice was professional, distant.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4nszGL4z4
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vhvIBRwas
Cel's jaw tightened. Every instinct screamed not to let anyone touch him, not to show weakness, not to— 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kFFqdgnhi
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhY2iuQW4p
"It's just healing," she continued, reading his hesitation. "Nothing more."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5s3o71kKc
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9udwn53SdE
He gave her a curt nod.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDYTwxTRV7
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb9hXS2MwD
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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvYxVGqqav
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbwPJVxm9H
It took perhaps thirty seconds.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqwmKXIDIf
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSY3WHvVPe
When she stepped back, Cel could breathe without pain for the first time since Esrin had thrown him across the wasteland.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0BMCjoqm0
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0FJ3cRQz6
"Thank you," he said quietly.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3BT1ZMSUF
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FjeVnJGfg
She inclined her head once, then returned to her position without a word.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HjdK2Hi8L
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTERDqA0S8X
"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."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcqcNt4EU3
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLwPPFeozX
Cel remained silent, waiting.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWmj4Km3K4
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUGJ9Ht7fR
"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."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyTK8DSTay
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8UORxdeaB
The words settled in Cel's chest with uncomfortable weight.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzPnLqPkcp
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOlENV6zj6
"We kill them," Draven added with a grin. "When the law fails. And it always fails for the powerful. We don't."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMB8ve7Gfd9
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDlxYc7Rf6
"You're assassins," Cel said flatly.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx20Fw2TMZh
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSfnRoQGNN
"We're justice," Esrin corrected, her tone brooking no argument. "For victims who have none."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQMmroD2sw
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjZuKcSsrN
"We operate on a ranking system," Lucien said, his tone matter-of-fact. "Based on strength, not birthright or politics." 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt61YVHrJmt
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpWgN9aJjn
"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—"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3uTLBsrz3
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i8jRqvJOU
"Me. Yes. I know." Hina crossed her arms. "Every time someone joins, I get bumped down again. Thanks for that.”144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGBFcYjHbL
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCsJPoxzGe
Something tightened in Cel's chest. Strength, not birth, not bloodline. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U5DnCToGp
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdoKdFlpuA
Everything the Sun Clan wasn't.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSR1CekFPg4
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7HUK2k2Gr
"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."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70LFOtpbVt
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcPvDTkPcy
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.”144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndH2YPFI2k
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PhDrmvrfM
"Iris Peakvault." The woman who'd healed him spoke quietly. "Seventh Reckoning. Veiled Crag. Mountain Clan."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60EfAiXWQr
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2VVlXD7Md
Her posture shifted subtly when she spoke - shoulders drawing inward slightly, gaze lowering. The change was so minute Cel almost missed it.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0LMNxNma9
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6RwguAZn8
"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."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnCNEz4DKG
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtHmuoCvir
"Already did that," Cel said before he could stop himself. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nAEh5rG7w
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGsRsqGXzM
Silence stretched for a heartbeat. Then Silas laughed - genuine and bright.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ijlMFsohA
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynGvyxpVbD
"Oh, I like him already."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GavSOOAC9
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8mhXCf7c3
"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."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOhpWxD7uj
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdmVnQYT1J
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."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10Evnuciuy
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The comment was so absurd, delivered with such genuine petulance, that something in Cel's chest loosened slightly. Not quite humor - but close.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrGd1H1A0b
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0GSwQCXaU
"Lucien Stellarion," the young man with tired eyes said from his chair. "Fourth Reckoning. Dreamfall. Second Prince of the Empire."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCL1qSG9O2D
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVR1LhdVTBf
The presence of royalty made this whole organization even more impossible. What kind of group could command a prince's loyalty?144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I2pydfVgO
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhUsIkMiPF
"Esrin." The woman who'd brought him here spoke with quiet authority. "Second Reckoning. Shattered Sky. Chosen Legion."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76LRenAy5g
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz9VmobP5Q
The hooded figure's presence seemed to intensify slightly. "Veyron Nethis. First Reckoning. Eschaton."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejUz8ljley
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqZi1qYwvg
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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7EhX1CCV0
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC0PeNwoc7
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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjbpnbpEAb
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This was enough power to topple the empire.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQrs4jeLNv
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Veyron's attention returned to him. "You'll need a codename. Take your time to consider."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ujSZVjuxI
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPFV7NSzq8
Cel's thoughts scattered immediately. A codename. Something that would define him in this organization.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8u3OUQhkq
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOHGPzcUAd
White Death surfaced first - one of his paragons. It felt right. Cold. Absolute. A name that carried weight.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJGqWrHKic
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kepIaAAoc
Heir to the Moon was out - too revealing.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mMS9Pasa3
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFhBCaC8ii
Frostmark? No - too specific.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspWnIukbrv
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQL1B4yoYr
His mind circled back to White Death. The name settled in his chest with quiet certainty.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaT6pKloJAl
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXsMLnDlt8
Yes. That felt right.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdf9J7dDdz
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But before he could speak—144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNZL8dr3iC
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"Now," Veyron's tone shifted, becoming more businesslike, "to the matter at hand. Esrin?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxLxGeyKHJ
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmLwAf3siJ
The white-haired woman's expression remained impassive. "I tracked the Prince of Death to the Ashlands. But the search yielded nothing."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83gogMiq0I
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Prince of Death.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxnTIuU8oC
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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?144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSKuQ1jRbg
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bIiRUbsOQ
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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0YHNvs2H3
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That had been... a year ago? Maybe more?144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSDTgGzut8
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Wait.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CDWuPQM5w
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A year. The same amount of time Raven said he'd been trapped in the Hollow Realms.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF48hLZmgE
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXm34khccz
The implications crashed through his thoughts with terrible clarity.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UYE0P1n46
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLlQMkggxJ
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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxxjDhLLVL
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5ZdvkzZrX
Raven was the Prince of Death.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBUj7lij33
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9XKrnLkSM
And these people wanted him dead.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8IG36Qg5g
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXthKWAuyc9
Cel's jaw clenched. His hands curled into fists at his sides, hidden within Cinderward's cloak.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4ROZRDDnH
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbDrp1UcC9
'He helped me.' The thought came fierce and absolute. 'Saved my life. Without expecting anything in return.'144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wT6mUFYme
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J2GdqaC20
And now he sat in a room with nine people who would kill Raven on sight if they found him.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8sBvUalNc
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBdFMYwOLg
"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." 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7nrGbI563
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKkCFf47Mp
"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."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YqPpYllG6
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23iGbMpmeL
"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." 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrx6tN36np
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuqIxaY0vR
"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—" 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRiYVYxsMj
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l4pTYZ5Jo
"He's dangerous," Veyron finished. "And unpredictable. That combination requires caution."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsru8EBUG1
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4P635mRwR
The words settled over Cel like ice water.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhNBcm4lon
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JmHfhB32c
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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyACFxLHTTd
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqhIqXzUAu
A dark satisfaction flickered through his chest before he could suppress it. The Sun Clan had suffered. Good.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2sD7tF5OK
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEx7QdBHhn
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?'144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYX4Lau4e2m
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxI6e40ZfLB
Cel forced his breathing to remain steady, his expression neutral. Every instinct screamed to defend Raven, to argue, to demand answers.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87bobxKSqS
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYP7qH0Qzh
Yet revealing his connection would doom them both.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVNCldXf2z
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcG2bObqVD
'If they knew I'd been traveling with him...' The thought sent ice through his veins.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDNrFipSvF
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpo4oMKS2j
So he stayed silent, letting the discussion wash over him while his mind churned.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0IsEUBbED
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLEl319kfH
"We'll wait for him to surface again," Veyron said finally. "Esrin, you'll face him when he does." 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWQzYuj826
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGQJF6zaba
She nodded once.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0CF0Nhvok
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His gaze swept across the room. "The rest of you - if you spot him, track but do not engage. Only intervene if absolutely necessary."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCub3PPiAe
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Murmurs of acknowledgment rippled through the gathered members. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb4mhPYQSR
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg4G8KZmFA
Veyron's attention returned to him. "Your codename?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2zOEIurbX
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUleVpTLmdV
Cel met his gaze. "White Death."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8eMoUHaEs
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0NBOZo9Lj
A pause. Then Draven laughed - sharp and approving. "Dramatic. I like it."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3HbiGiDC3
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnnjBDhZms
"Your paragon?" Silas asked, genuine curiosity in his green eyes.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1ev0UKkHY
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EOFJO8E6b
"Yes."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgPFOfbJix
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6v41MLlHU
"Well then, White Death," Veyron said, and there was something almost approving in his tone. "Let me welcome you again, Ninth Reckoning."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiftlO2muyF
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR5LiBsGmd
The moment felt significant despite its simplicity. Cel nodded once.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWTA6sA2wA
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55wQ7yQoPk
"How old are you, Celvian?" Veyron asked.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkGg0UQGA6
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"Sixteen."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmXitZEmYQ
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nM8OgPNUK
A pause. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdnaEyj7u0
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi8QkI4Zxk
"That’s perfect. You'll be enrolled in the Chosen Academy."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLax8zR3BzS
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6D63x1j12
Cel blinked. "What?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaFvlHUYLp
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTA3pYoZSK
"The Academy trains young Chosen," Hina piped up, her earlier petulance forgotten. "All Chosen attend."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQEhyp7nb9
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatCrbMi3Lj
"Which makes it the perfect place for you to grow stronger," Veyron added.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFUZiEQxaz
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuuUp98x6O
"My task there?" Cel asked carefully.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej0OPvsbZk
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0PCXf7rah
"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."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ94Agqi3oK
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZqKu2jpj4
The unspoken message was clear: Prove you deserve to be here.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJSk0yCLpc
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRB2VifvOA
"Esrin will escort you," Veyron continued. "Since she brought you here, she'll ensure you arrive safely."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBh3z98UUM
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5zE2ICJxk
The white-haired woman's expression didn't change, but something in her posture suggested this wasn't unexpected.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFfl2s9Csf
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVPRHXlns2
"When do I leave?" Cel asked.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RaUDcaFDI
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJNXqEtBfg
"Immediately." The Academy begins in ten days. That gives you time to settle in."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt81dNY46RM
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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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CmkbmYwgg
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The irony was bitter.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpoegjmE0I
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"Any questions?" Veyron asked.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt7GR7ctkz
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Hundreds. But Cel couldn't voice the ones that mattered most.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXjRzoXUOG
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Instead, he said: "No."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawoU7fToTk
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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."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5XSSzoHDt
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The meeting dissolved. Members rose and headed for the door, some casting final glances at Cel - curious, assessing, hostile.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuXMZ0pcvy
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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."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRu8mntQZrj
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"Heard that," Zara called from across the room.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJTNzOdzJx
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"Good!" Silas flashed a grin before disappearing through the door.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAZHzujqcW
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Soon, only Cel and Esrin remained.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2G0tNIzcH
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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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijHidoMuu1
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Esrin moved toward the door without a word.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7iCwKnBzd
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Cel followed.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLisFFkUK9p
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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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpDafpFwME
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Esrin stopped on the edge of the island.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaO90SvanqQ
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A rift appeared without ceremony - a gash in the air that shouldn't exist, its edges crackling with violet energy.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pidjNFlEB
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She crossed the threshold without pause.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W06sF8mFT
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Cel followed before he could reconsider.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCFSuzrISn
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The rift swallowed them whole. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFVEr0VO0f
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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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEf4OUmfDF
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It ended faster than before.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8QAT8X62K
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Solid ground materialized beneath his feet.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFFXtj7n75
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Cel's vision cleared by degrees.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsXrgCNGab
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They stood in what appeared to be an abandoned bar. But calling it forgotten would be more accurate.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1UEJMJuXP
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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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0d759aT2D
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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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsFWqKKit0
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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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpEA7PxRMV
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She gripped the handle and pulled. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNfTX7d9zT
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The door tore open with a shriek of protesting metal. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqkx2qoW2J
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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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjp1N7YlhNj
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Voices. Laughter. The clatter of wheels on cobblestone.
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-----144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpODboqU00
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Heyho, Author here! ^^144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzJ8yrQ9nN
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I have a small announcement with two pieces of bad news and two pieces of good news xD144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcFa6VTD5u
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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!144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVessMGYRGr
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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!)144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudsGD16ama
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Now for the good news! 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCTotqOhgm
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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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiylIcALVQp
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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! ^^144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLlyypUzNU
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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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFACHvbRr8j
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That's all. Thank you for your time and continued support! ^^144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CEmDaYfS7
and then Add to home screen.