Cel stepped through the doorway into warmth and noise.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdeIhj8bis
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscG8eaC2FO
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeciAEI5uO
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaAsa88cJg
The capital. Stella.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LGsI4Ws1O
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfugwG6gZAi
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LKQXUVxYW
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkv4J1cMG5
This was different.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvPJuxWRCO
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CuiXrfvSd
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAvlQwDqbV
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerlLmeDspt
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHflhWAiVs
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyWn8LBJ7t
A blacksmith. The ring of hammer on anvil carried over the general din, sparks visible through the doorway.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiRuzliNDM
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwU75ICg4kk
A woman selling flowers from a cart, their colors so vivid they hurt to look at after endless gray and crimson.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLZriptC89
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApsb5mm4fo
"Make way!"64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrnCSlYgSL
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqCT8sbvMX
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡss7j58q5HX
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SSEVT3kiR
People dropped coins into a hat at their feet.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGL0HWdbrXQ
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnKgVtva0S
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA5LSm13JG
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd8Rk0zhh7
"Lady Esrin!"64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gojsCqS7n
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepMFWaAYMm
The call came from somewhere to his right. Cel's head turned.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FTZWtKdxr
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfToBInFxBv
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaacnldm9iF
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4uGf64D9J
Esrin didn't acknowledge him. Just kept walking.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOhbtZWSbb
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUysPisojiV
More people noticed.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WqZ7k9kTv
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqdXl4zK8A
Whispers rippled through the crowd like wind through grass. Conversations stopped mid-word. Heads turned.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4zSRFc7hf
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoC6cGpIcw
"Is that really her?"64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdA0QHvjs0
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptuDzlIrRP
"The Hallowed herself..."64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tvezktVm8
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2l4V2WIi9
"What's she doing here?"64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgrZUGxdIB
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7WGI87iLO
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirT4JcKpzP
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEbUq7tSc7
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9PdrMnBis
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsn5L75iWrC
Cel watched them until they disappeared into the crowd.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCkPG1SvLW
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eMhBKEvCT
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmu6QBFSqQ
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bTsXxRUYv
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglLjy27cen
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRqYkyURqg
Normal. All of it utterly, impossibly normal.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsn1miMTxIn
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxMCl3IUR2
Esrin crossed the square without slowing.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6v9v8YBNzV
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIkqmIH63d
Cel followed, his attention fragmenting between a dozen different scenes.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZzVAITMDM
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EtwAaoLh8
Eventually, the Academy rose ahead.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUIFfVItoT
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8rqbadlVZ
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2OI3e1cIn
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrNSHJz924
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ533dLmV4pI
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8trdDcqGez
Esrin stopped before the gates.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbMJI84YHo
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotW01Muonu
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjBC54J18q
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHLCohn02Q
"Lady Tempvault." The younger one on the right bowed. "Welcome—"64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRzQzsbQPs
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNPL5SLr2Q
Esrin's gaze cut to him. Not sharp, not angry - just present in a way that made the guard's words die mid-sentence.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvmlbZKkQx
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hmePvRarq
"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."64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj4jG3vgMr
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NXrqurkZG
The younger guard had gone pale, his bow deepening until it looked painful.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzplPaY1W8
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5brxAoiRog
Esrin held the moment for a heartbeat longer. Then she gave the older guard the barest nod and walked through.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvQCy0xxfS
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3ilU8W5vV
Cel followed, feeling their eyes track him with curiosity that would probably turn to questions the moment he was out of earshot.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52cO9bF62g
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvFjUGxhxx
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSFx7EPscc
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MkLU27OUo
None of them paid Cel any attention. All eyes fixed on Esrin.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExwOW9TpVl
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyCxfyD1aH
The reception building stood near the entrance - a two-story structure with wide windows and a sign that read "Administration" in formal script.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJs5VenZ9mk
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8bPVFulf9
Esrin pushed through the door.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTg21FRcG7
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJyuYECdsJ
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobjnPHB9yN
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6QIrwi93D
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31SBDIuC11
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTfYUhGLZm
"Lady Esrin." She stood, smoothing her uniform. "What can I do for you?"64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIx5LJuBcjI
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0DLjlF29t
"I have a Chosen who needs enrollment." Esrin's tone remained flat. Professional.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhxj5tiK1X
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBzQP7hRFo
The woman's gaze shifted to Cel, taking in his armor, his white hair, his obvious exhaustion despite the healing.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH1ugDCFed
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn021EtCpmx
"Of course." She pulled parchment from a drawer, along with an ink pen. "I'll need some information."64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjeYynpRP4
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wDu0GygyA
Her pen hovered over the page. "Name?"64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQlcl1qDyi
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEkelZlSsg
"Celvian."64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jstb4aiml
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDe4MagRCd
She wrote it down. "Place of origin?" 64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTUeRvN6PE
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovrk9BzSmW
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. 64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJtnJTOyPc
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaOuNJ9qKq
"Thornhaven," Esrin stepped in. "Storm Clan territory." 64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTaEBiVs9Y
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmqmqlTx7j
The receptionist noted it without looking up. "Patron deity?"64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLO83PP0pI
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2b1vQELt1v
"The Moon Goddess."64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhtqxP5UQL
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKm7bNEHU4f
The pen paused. Just for a moment - but long enough that Cel noticed.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxazSi4ezbw
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbPW1gDRag
"I see." She continued writing. "And your guide's rank?"64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFjouzXNf8
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT99jMlf8Kl
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvycYg9dAQ
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4RNFKFqXC
"Forty-seven."64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJneOZjVa0s
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoY9PY9Jbn2
The woman noted it without reaction. "To verify your divine blessing, I'll need to see your mark."64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4HUTY8Ft4
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63Pa4ZNFoB
Cel's chest constricted.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2b5HFicsM
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfqdqjS5k9
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ct4pT1Hfn
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxkoQ0SduQ
"Is that necessary?" The words came too sharp.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYNQFrcZlq
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGgg59lkZM
"It’s protocol." Her tone was apologetic but firm. "For all new students."64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJaiSQbHpt
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhPZFSkidT
Esrin said nothing. Just stood there with that same impassive expression, offering no help this time.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5aceJZ7ZM
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmTwolCN7l
Cel's hands moved to his armor.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibAynYRZv4
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KIcAF880z
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2zk4Jg1qK
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkCwMmLcH3
Then he turned.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cXDK4igdX
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZiaQJ0gN5
The air in the room changed subtly. Not dramatically - just a slight shift that suggested both women were looking at what he'd revealed.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZCenvinlm
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2nvP8FKxS
"Thank you." The receptionist's voice came measured. "That confirms it."64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOp72wXXyq
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtnDicaNKP
Cel blinked.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2oKqGYDI7
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK8JJvaSXl
'What?'64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n6ROZxa3W
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zGSGQhk81
His hand shot to his back, fingers searching for the familiar texture of scar tissue.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse7E5LNGSf
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWLQAWCtWZ
Smooth skin met his touch.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFb4YXIxIE
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoU2SFYSGh
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSogiAX2sb
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkZgr8MQ4U
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z6rem2PnJ
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsTsWKVdHI
Understanding crashed through him.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DIO5cHemx
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tCQ6oY2ay
The Moon Goddess had given him a new body. One that had never been beaten, never been tortured, never carried his father's rage.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkDP8A7L41
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXDXXwN5V7
The mark was there. Whole. Unmarred.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qctJyzuzS
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgA0eJUU5D
"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?"64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTssjkWptk
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3wB9j5nsq
Cel summoned Cinderward back on. The armor manifested around his upper body in seconds, settling into place with familiar weight.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6n3sNQQ2W
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaQc3RTytb
Esrin hadn't moved, her ruby eyes tracking him with that same calculating intensity.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM6yFsD9LX
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HpAYQ1vY1
"Thank you," Cel said quietly. "For bringing me here."64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ncjU01TcN
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyeOaNVKwR
She nodded once. Then she turned and walked out without another word.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHB4ZBJP4N
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSr7mVk2Uz
The door closed behind her with soft finality.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKf0RlrHfm
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeIRpA3Ny7
"This way." The receptionist gestured.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjJsmVQYYR
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Dy6L1rrUR
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9Cl1Hd2hh
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡik3tg1IsOD
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OLLRJz1fb
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJgldUC1hM
She stopped at a door near the middle, producing a key from her pocket.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMMyW5Anfb
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPAnCm7yz8
The lock clicked and the door swung open.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWM7H73mRG
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FdkBhddYZ
"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."64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYm943banh
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGpK8soYkV
She left before he could respond.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkMjkVlpLY
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwM5sE2qFD
Cel stood in the doorway, taking in what would apparently be home.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblw8T4XhQN
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAOIYLFhw3
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6Oa57bhMq
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtfiMTwvr4
Commoner quarters. The kind of room he would have been ashamed to enter back when his father's opinion still mattered to him.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuCY3OvMHK
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQww8aYJWR
He stepped inside and closed the door.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGkRG4ORJv
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWIdjcXx0m
Silence crashed down.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb1MeRQx00
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbnDEkC3K1
Not the oppressive silence of the Ashlands. Just... quiet. Normal quiet, where he could hear his own breathing without scanning for threats.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPYGsrXhvV
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjIa1Hi8rO
A mirror hung on the wall near the wardrobe.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn8Em2sGmL
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9nn7shnc6
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQEA1r1V46
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO36qSxvoQD
Not the gaunt, broken thing from the cell. Not the boy his father had beaten nearly to death.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKTN7JWk3E
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWHw3hmJcJ
Someone else. Someone new.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACNDyxOm0k
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzL3tJ9ki0
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtpHL9nEFj
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWEsXDb5V6
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96mSjXE6Tu
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Q1BHgDrZY
Beautiful. Whole. Unbroken.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD7pk5qFuf
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QeHlIej6s
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HS0C7in2M
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDETS5BFxi
Cel stared at his reflection for a long time.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxPOqbYpJs
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlq7Wueinx
Then he turned away and sat on the bed's edge, feeling the mattress give slightly under his weight.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwadtpv6oI6
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoxuiRiiWx
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.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r7OcqEtMr
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFN5SXzt5Q
His gaze tracked back to the mirror, to the glimpse of white hair visible in its reflection.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNt2MnpHkf
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‘White Death.’64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5No5R9JIR
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hzir1xn8f
The codename settled in his chest with quiet certainty.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3aO3PdBYM
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1n0PTfjYr
Yes. That's what he would become.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p1Qy5ApTV
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fcQvlkYg8
Not the broken boy his father had thrown away. Not the prisoner who'd eaten maggots to survive.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTaGVC3hfV
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Something colder. Something absolute.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYloocAqF4
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrQ6tfHUL1
Something that they would never see coming.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fH9rq56PV
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fscILxaer
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xLzFl5MIg
--------------64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TIrWOjJ3w
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64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN539PPzNT
64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdY5AxeiDR
Author's Note
And that's it! The end of Arc 1: "Shattered Moon Rising"!64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7qr3j8fBt
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!64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzedTsJWpUz
Two chapters per week:64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEg3wxcdqNW
- Wednesdays64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTQ7DFLgdV
- Saturdays
New Tier System is Live!64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1JgiNoeEK
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 ahead64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vMXG0vOfL
- Tier 2: Read 2 chapters ahead64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgziLnDTqRv
- Tier 3: Read 3 chapters ahead64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9zyYZm7XF
- Tier 4: Read 4 chapters ahead64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRws0FTpRF
- Tier 5: Read 5 chapters ahead
And for those that are highly invested in the story, I developed a new special format:64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSNaHQIMIO
- Tier 6 (Special): Read 5 chapters ahead + Meet a character of your choice
What's "Meet a character of your choice"?64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiBwSDHioC
You can choose a character and say something to them - one thing per special. Here are some examples:64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZMXzMO9Hx
- Ask them a personal question64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7k5w4q8XO
- Ask about something story-related you're curious about64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31jhq6K2ek
- Ask what they think about another character64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYzXFYZuHJ
- Simply say something to the character and get their reaction64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IxEpXXmlg
Then I am going to write a special chapter.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfpwHAvWxf
These specials will look similar to the Christmas specials I did before.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeNfOkZywk
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)64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg7t5gqSu4
General bonus features of my page:64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TAATA1Lq4
- As a subscriber, you get a badge visible next to your name when you comment anywhere on my page^^64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOfMkSTjrG
- 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!64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulTlNSuZ0k
You can also expect some fun new things like polls about different story elements and more community interaction!64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD6HqRTuzn
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 xD64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoE5vL2EAU
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.