Cel stepped through the doorway into warmth and noise.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJjnkW45iq
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJbSsest3t
The street beyond stretched wide - cobblestones worn smooth by countless feet, buildings rising three and four stories on either side. People moved in constant flow, their voices blending into a hum that felt overwhelming after the Ashlands' silence.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqLlwEpdnX
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7C5L923AM
The capital. Stella.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWT0fFLmnd
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPjJUzZ4m0
He'd been here before. When his father had deemed his presence necessary for some royal occasions. But at that time, he only rode carriages with curtained windows, direct routes to the palace, guards ensuring no common rabble came too close.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqs5G8DdRR
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8r60rc076
This was different.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DJRPnNJJR
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0nvJJG50r
Esrin moved forward without hesitation, her boots clicking against cobblestone with steady rhythm. Cel followed, his gaze tracking across storefronts, street vendors, children darting between adults with laughter that felt alien after everything.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBEC3ZSyEY
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75BfUNM04M
A baker's shop. The scent of fresh bread drifted through an open door, making his stomach clench despite having eaten moss and raw meat for days.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBdK7BMqo1
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Q2tPL4P37
A blacksmith. The ring of hammer on anvil carried over the general din, sparks visible through the doorway.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbHSLgdRtW
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rJIIvdg3h
A woman selling flowers from a cart, their colors so vivid they hurt to look at after endless gray and crimson.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cYw5DBhmR
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K3pa9TWFN
"Make way!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ179XjhR2t2
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EADXygKTd
A carriage rattled past, forcing pedestrians to press against building walls. Cel stepped aside automatically, but his attention had already moved to a group of street performers. One juggled flaming torches while another played something stringed that produced music he couldn't name.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFnfmJ64Kq
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPtp7LYSGb
People dropped coins into a hat at their feet.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub91hmPV2K
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAypG7JlV6
The mundane reality of it felt wrong somehow. This world had continued. While he'd been tortured, while he'd died and been resurrected, while he'd eaten rotting meat and fought creatures that shouldn't exist - life had simply gone on.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdjW8j6WLs
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwUC7B5HJ4
"Lady Esrin!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uHBu7evH5
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNq3PEsaLf
The call came from somewhere to his right. Cel's head turned.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHTUXC9B56
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeeYNtds5K
A merchant stood in his shop doorway, bowing so low his forehead nearly touched his knees. When he straightened, his expression held something between reverence and barely contained eagerness.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8l9d7oeiK
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIvz1KHVnf
Esrin didn't acknowledge him. Just kept walking.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vZwkSm6aD
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLsfQdndVs
More people noticed.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX1lx4D1pw
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrdQVkPMhU
Whispers rippled through the crowd like wind through grass. Conversations stopped mid-word. Heads turned.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZNyqhrOSO
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxBStBUMTn
"Is that really her?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnQkgulIJG
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8rGS6OM8X
"The Hallowed herself..."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASVakOmgWl
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcbBRNgCva
"What's she doing here?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXGuqyHByC
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWIajvwujF
Cel's gaze tracked between them and Esrin's rigid back. She moved through it all like a blade through water - present but untouchable, commanding respect without asking for it.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalVgIntz5R
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiNhHapIOr
A child ran past, weaving between adults with the kind of reckless joy that came from never having faced real danger. His mother called after him, upset but fond.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pXfrJBahq
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp5ZQYPDlw
Cel watched them until they disappeared into the crowd.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNvpcMHbXl
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHrjfVefZx
The street opened into a square. A fountain dominated the center - carved stone depicting the hero who had founded the Stellarion Empire. Water flowed from raised hands, catching sunlight in ways that made it gleam.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNW8HWEbc2
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4L76oIxC5
Children played near its edge. A couple sat on its rim, speaking in tones too quiet to hear. An old man tossed breadcrumbs to pigeons that swarmed his feet.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbp0JvvTYX
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJdjIsiYjs
Normal. All of it utterly, impossibly normal.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQBvn7YHvV
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcEPwf8wDE
Esrin crossed the square without slowing.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOyMnoKONC
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8pxRWdsZT
Cel followed, his attention fragmenting between a dozen different scenes.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzdYGypvzm
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDP1P7GaHaF
Eventually, the Academy rose ahead.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQO89o5sOT
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYN5OGFLSA4
Not suddenly - it had been visible for a while, growing larger as they approached. But only now did Cel truly register it, the structure dominating his vision.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBeUHF6yj2
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNP8fpDj9X
Stone walls perhaps four times his height. Iron gates that stood open but looked capable of withstanding siege. Beyond them, buildings sprawled across grounds that seemed to stretch far - dormitories, training halls, structures whose purpose he could only guess.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7K2cq6e2j
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsrDEuRfjH
Esrin stopped before the gates.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr5eQnUtP4
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNWvmLrq28
Guards flanked the entrance, their armor polished to a shine that caught the afternoon light. They straightened as Esrin approached, recognition clear in their expressions.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQtRjGWg0z
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BAghGrCh0
"Lady Tempvault." The younger one on the right bowed. "Welcome—"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XWmkPWKoB
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaD0WBTZffN
Esrin's gaze cut to him. Not sharp, not angry - just present in a way that made the guard's words die mid-sentence.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDImnSCClZ9
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0faEvdAolm
"Lady Esrin," the older guard on the left said quickly, stepping forward with a deeper bow. "Forgive him - he's new to his post. We're honored by your presence."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNmReweoiC
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC7v6norDf
The younger guard had gone pale, his bow deepening until it looked painful.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSnLRQbIP9
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3TjXAZ7uQ
Esrin held the moment for a heartbeat longer. Then she gave the older guard the barest nod and walked through.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JG4xWg9bx
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUTzQ0HJSz
Cel followed, feeling their eyes track him with curiosity that would probably turn to questions the moment he was out of earshot.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0EjjNSw18
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7wZpSkTEX
The grounds stretched before them - grass trimmed to uniformity, trees placed in patterns that created shade without blocking sight lines. A group of students moved between buildings wearing dark uniforms with colored trim. Most looked his age, maybe older.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTLNPBQyDh
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm73prJ29dd
None of them paid Cel any attention. All eyes fixed on Esrin.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbWaVuAs1t
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWEXTnhBuA
The reception building stood near the entrance - a two-story structure with wide windows and a sign that read "Administration" in formal script.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzHzZsXaM1
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wt3sP7tfp
Esrin pushed through the door.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3eCr51ySi
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8AeW27fCy
The interior was exactly what Cel expected. Polished wood floors. Desks arranged in neat rows. Papers organized in stacks that suggested someone took pride in order.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSZHxpwMrg
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkUmQI2B9J
A woman sat behind the nearest desk. She looked up as they entered, her expression shifting from bored routine to sharp attention in the space of a heartbeat.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx98MC7f13u
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LFckyLyrL
"Lady Esrin." She stood, smoothing her uniform. "What can I do for you?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUva8A7tl5b
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbEg9cS5bZ
"I have a Chosen who needs enrollment." Esrin's tone remained flat. Professional.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExHT9CQj58
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVPyR3vXcK
The woman's gaze shifted to Cel, taking in his armor, his white hair, his obvious exhaustion despite the healing.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjJVrhz2fc
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChPUCtGOBY
"Of course." She pulled parchment from a drawer, along with an ink pen. "I'll need some information."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMegCUZNpQC
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY8EOhhZjP
Her pen hovered over the page. "Name?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjQbpKETnQ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxt7Ofdz3X
"Celvian."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1zMfehitx
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1DW1LDQ9Z
She wrote it down. "Place of origin?" 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiKcjEqWi4
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaShu6WfkWK
Cel's mind went blank. He couldn't say House Solmar. Couldn't name anywhere in Sun Clan territory without risking someone recognizing the connection. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrksTQo95zJ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CxGzjcxD1
"Thornhaven," Esrin stepped in. "Storm Clan territory." 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdK34LaOad
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SyeOCTTQp
The receptionist noted it without looking up. "Patron deity?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqa0VDcKxL
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ybBBQpAf5
"The Moon Goddess."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuh0k8ATDO
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJF2jxQ1Vy
The pen paused. Just for a moment - but long enough that Cel noticed.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL24dROIpzx
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvlclwIbcM
"I see." She continued writing. "And your guide's rank?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW5DO8YVHB
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmO6BfgwOs
Cel's jaw tightened. Saying "Divine Oracle" would create exactly the kind of attention he couldn't afford. Not if he wanted to survive long enough to kill his father.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3bjuzXZEW
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDH1GNGnGjL
"Forty-seven."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoORzgpDRx3
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg11eqzHgIq
The woman noted it without reaction. "To verify your divine blessing, I'll need to see your mark."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUKKpKTAy0
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtspHLlu1BL
Cel's chest constricted.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aZvM9bXGL
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5eWGzLL8L
The mark. The one his father had torn away with his bare hands. The one that was now nothing but scar tissue and ruined flesh.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWGPhelQsn
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM7AHj8GII
"Is that necessary?" The words came too sharp.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YpNuOdDfv
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Lq6bbJIOI
"It’s protocol." Her tone was apologetic but firm. "For all new students."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhi49JgCdiC
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jVy0EkqcA
Esrin said nothing. Just stood there with that same impassive expression, offering no help this time.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmf5AeaD4m
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYjtQd0y8B
Cel's hands moved to his armor.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljZBtPExXj
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJIC8Go8R2
Cinderward dissolved at his command - moonlight threads unraveling from his shoulders, chest, and arms until they vanished entirely, leaving him bare from the waist up.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVvJ4Fb6Xl
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPmsHaeN72
Then he turned.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmWtFuXQSU
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHVRq3zpIl
The air in the room changed subtly. Not dramatically - just a slight shift that suggested both women were looking at what he'd revealed.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tkV18hmY3
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegOfUDSZGD
"Thank you." The receptionist's voice came measured. "That confirms it."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz3RbdhUv1
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlMP7iLj8H
Cel blinked.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JCPQK6PpT
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DSeagTQNw
'What?'131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Osfg3I3xf
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlQc0AJGMT
His hand shot to his back, fingers searching for the familiar texture of scar tissue.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFooizL5dO
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeF4Pst9Mo
Smooth skin met his touch.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwi4lkI3tAb
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBZ7Yz2Tk5
He pressed harder, following the curve of his spine between shoulder blades. Nothing. No raised edges. No torn flesh. No evidence of what his father had done.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhZPohgeVe
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2Ugvqyq32
The receptionist cleared her throat softly. Esrin's expression didn't change, but her gaze tracked his movements with clinical interest - as if watching someone discover something both obvious and inexplicable.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjrZ2NRV4T
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2zWJmk8gJ
Understanding crashed through him.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yT21NYS4p
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iJ3pm2kII
The Moon Goddess had given him a new body. One that had never been beaten, never been tortured, never carried his father's rage.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDe8pxmkc4T
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt29az9CPIt
The mark was there. Whole. Unmarred.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4cENOlYrb
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBkTzkz6iY
"I'll show you to your quarters." The receptionist was already moving toward a door at the room's far end. "If you'll follow me?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr6GZXLtXq
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hgwOZ958k
Cel summoned Cinderward back on. The armor manifested around his upper body in seconds, settling into place with familiar weight.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcWvL1VCJf
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFjdpsgrnc
Esrin hadn't moved, her ruby eyes tracking him with that same calculating intensity.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1erd1QDA3x
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA4iiopsk3
"Thank you," Cel said quietly. "For bringing me here."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCWN9YJdNj
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7L3gyQ0e9B
She nodded once. Then she turned and walked out without another word.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvQNxEBjtb
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEku4skuUaX
The door closed behind her with soft finality.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7Cbz3nDZ3
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zgoOjZ5cR
"This way." The receptionist gestured.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZHVl3LrTI
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk5g5wRTlZ
They left through a side door, stepping back into the afternoon light. The path led east, away from the main building toward a separate structure - simpler than the administration building, its stone less ornate.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRjp9mR7an
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuDNPDHNkh
She pushed through the entrance without ceremony. A corridor stretched ahead, lined with identical wooden doors. The floor was clean but worn, the walls bare except for numbered plaques.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNYJBZaWqq
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhdzt5GPPy
She stopped at a door near the middle, producing a key from her pocket.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSxmpscfUm
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwvaGEl6RV
The lock clicked and the door swung open.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0htbQiEAn
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuwZ6m5LB9
"This is your room." She handed him the key. "Meals are served in the main hall three times daily. Classes begin in ten days. Someone will brief you on your schedule before then."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hnwPZEpiL
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX53rftVtAt
She left before he could respond.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7roL4gUETu
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0W8BZVp2qt
Cel stood in the doorway, taking in what would apparently be home.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3JSWdlgQS
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EKgVpDr3B
Small. A bed against one wall, narrow but clean. A desk beneath the window with a single chair. A wardrobe that looked barely large enough for the few possessions he didn't have. A basin and pitcher for washing.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdUDqLeXfh
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQJrG2AEWZ
Commoner quarters. The kind of room he would have been ashamed to enter back when his father's opinion still mattered to him.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwu8Tgh1jDw
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOTx9CYiei
He stepped inside and closed the door.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqFq0PwSlY
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1QDsHg0jw
Silence crashed down.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBDCNCzibG
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytHNg7G7BZ
Not the oppressive silence of the Ashlands. Just... quiet. Normal quiet, where he could hear his own breathing without scanning for threats.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4yI6xvaAG
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcuT5WtWkg
A mirror hung on the wall near the wardrobe.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCn2BnnH0Xd
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaGu9luqN8
Cel moved toward it, his reflection emerging with each step. White hair that caught the light filtering through the window. Pale skin that looked like it had never seen sun. Eyes the color of winter sky.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dKaiZ1r36
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFo1YQTrGUN
Not the gaunt, broken thing from the cell. Not the boy his father had beaten nearly to death.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGts3AMHoF
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaw2EVdHgUi
Someone else. Someone new.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFysnKSGsg
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYgyfQ28Ss
He turned, presenting his back to the mirror, then dismissed Cinderward. Moonlight threads unraveled from his torso, leaving him bare. He craned his neck, trying to see what he knew was there but needed to confirm.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aJdurc9T5
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5E5hRFtSjr
The mark gleamed in reflected light. Silver against pale skin. At its heart, a crescent moon cradled a perfect circle, phases etched along its inner curve. Sharp, star-like points radiated outward in alternating lengths. Two sweeping, wing-like curves underlined the design, studded with pointed projections like frost fragments.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOvCQwfL7D
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJgEg9Kj3w
Beautiful. Whole. Unbroken.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjflqp1fvI
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUTZoYpBEr
His fingers found it again, tracing lines his father had tried to destroy. The skin was smooth. Perfect. As if violence had never touched it.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsgWIBmlGt
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbUsqCBU31
Cel stared at his reflection for a long time.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIqmQYGuiZ
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Then he turned away and sat on the bed's edge, feeling the mattress give slightly under his weight.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2mff0bTrb
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Ten days until classes began. Ten days to master enough control that he wouldn't reveal how little he understood his own power. Ten days to figure out how to survive in a place that would judge him by the Moon Goddess's weak reputation, not by what he'd endured to earn her blessing.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg53bTFL8R
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His gaze tracked back to the mirror, to the glimpse of white hair visible in its reflection.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwcv42FnMw
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‘White Death.’131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqzfVVEeZn
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The codename settled in his chest with quiet certainty.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5qYaJHUuW
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Yes. That's what he would become.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WYEDCLBOW
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Not the broken boy his father had thrown away. Not the prisoner who'd eaten maggots to survive.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHudr2gqXnA
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Something colder. Something absolute.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5700EMD3B
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Something that they would never see coming.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj30yplhx5F
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--------------131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYuQoq4Qgs
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Author's Note
And that's it! The end of Arc 1: "Shattered Moon Rising"!131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp1FEttuyw
Thank you all so much for sticking with me through this first arc. It's been an incredible journey, and I'm excited about what's coming next.
Now, some important updates:
We're back to our regular schedule!131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlxtGLnGe9
Two chapters per week:131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeS2CHl1p4c
- Wednesdays131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsoLw130PF
- Saturdays
New Tier System is Live!131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAD0YfoTsc
You now have the option to read chapters in advance on my page with a monthly subscription. To make sure you only pay what you can afford, I divided it into different tiers:
- Tier 1: Read 1 chapter ahead131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJQsutW1Cn
- Tier 2: Read 2 chapters ahead131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITXUwC3mut
- Tier 3: Read 3 chapters ahead131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhXZ5qr9pr
- Tier 4: Read 4 chapters ahead131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQFcnJ8kjp
- Tier 5: Read 5 chapters ahead
And for those that are highly invested in the story, I developed a new special format:131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ6HM8rn2J
- Tier 6 (Special): Read 5 chapters ahead + Meet a character of your choice
What's "Meet a character of your choice"?131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XdCfwzXUr
You can choose a character and say something to them - one thing per special. Here are some examples:131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k95Hmxqs2
- Ask them a personal question131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldEP6kP244
- Ask about something story-related you're curious about131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChYYRqSQIF
- Ask what they think about another character131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj6WwX3E6X
- Simply say something to the character and get their reaction131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK66EFR4m21
Then I am going to write a special chapter.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOBfVZDd1X
These specials will look similar to the Christmas specials I did before.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLs7TBNS3a
Note: I would recommend you write me before you choose that option. Because some things might not be possible (maybe if it's inappropriate or if the result would not be satisfactory)131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTmtwnm9qp
General bonus features of my page:131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcmQOGLZ1P
- As a subscriber, you get a badge visible next to your name when you comment anywhere on my page^^131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinX3CrQVgq
- You can even download my page as an app :grin:
Link to my page: https://celastos-shop.fourthwall.com/
Join the Official Lunar Legacy Discord!131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gsjavsnhJ
You can also expect some fun new things like polls about different story elements and more community interaction!131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGg377iyTv
Discord Link: https://discord.gg/Uduxc48wfm
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Turns out I only took half a month off because I was busy setting all this up xD131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXytl3XCFQ5
Thank you again for your patience during my exam break. Arc 2 is going to be amazing, and I can't wait to share it with you!
and then Add to home screen.