His father's fist connected with his jaw. Blood sprayed across marble floors. His mother stood frozen, one hand pressed to her mouth, tears streaming down her face.123Please respect copyright.PENANAoUAxAsFCdY
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"Weak!" Another blow. "Pathetic!" The voice thundered through the dining hall.123Please respect copyright.PENANAxbVddKmlBX
123Please respect copyright.PENANARsal3JT7Ql
Cel tried to speak, to beg, but his father's hands were already at his back, nails digging into divine flesh, tearing away the Moon Goddess's mark—123Please respect copyright.PENANAQZNgXewArq
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His eyes snapped open.123Please respect copyright.PENANA1744CGQlQU
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The ceiling of his room stared back. Wooden beams. Familiar cracks.123Please respect copyright.PENANAyVlf3z3RNu
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Cel's breath came in short gasps. Sweat soaked through his shirt, making the fabric cling to his skin. He pushed himself upright, pressing his palms against his face.123Please respect copyright.PENANAVxnwTbX1Dd
123Please respect copyright.PENANAJRVjY3zxdP
‘Just a dream.’123Please respect copyright.PENANAbnGHPDACPs
123Please respect copyright.PENANAVUvT4eqCxY
The same dream that came whenever exhaustion finally dragged him under. He didn't need sleep anymore - Eternal Witness had freed him from that necessity. But four months of relentless training had taught him that not needing sleep and not benefiting from it were different things entirely.123Please respect copyright.PENANAB4hTsso6zY
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His body could push indefinitely. His mind couldn't.123Please respect copyright.PENANAMe4lOnjDde
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So he slept. Not often. But sometimes.123Please respect copyright.PENANA5rqEIgmZl7
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And the nightmares always waited.123Please respect copyright.PENANAB8kwGSnxjj
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Cel swung his legs off the bed, feet finding cold floor. Dawn light filtered through his window - pale and gray, the sun not yet fully risen.123Please respect copyright.PENANA6JytiXBvf9
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An off day. Their weekly rest from training.123Please respect copyright.PENANAIwg1PCndlq
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One day before the nobles would arrive.123Please respect copyright.PENANAOsstb04VMv
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He stood and moved to the basin in the corner, splashing water on his face. The cold helped ground him, washing away the lingering fragments of the dream.123Please respect copyright.PENANAgcGVexDPRG
123Please respect copyright.PENANAYHDWC6T3v5
An hour later, Cel walked the capital's streets with his hood drawn up. His feet carried him without conscious direction through familiar routes. Past the market square. Through the craftsmen's quarter. Down the narrow street where the Moon Church waited.123Please respect copyright.PENANA1BosYh301a
123Please respect copyright.PENANA3AdmIZmKSX
The building rose ahead - simple stone, unmarked except for the crescent carved above its door. Cel's hand found the handle and pulled.123Please respect copyright.PENANAiKsCtSRh1C
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The door swung open.123Please respect copyright.PENANAaSj2kZKdqv
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He froze.123Please respect copyright.PENANAvqoWM6I0uu
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Lyra knelt on the floor near the altar, her dress bunched around her knees as she scrubbed at stone with a wet cloth. Water dripped from the fabric, leaving dark trails across pale rock.123Please respect copyright.PENANAqgnw9OOOoe
123Please respect copyright.PENANAfDeHYGujA8
She looked up at the sound of the door. Surprise crossed her face - eyes widening, hands freezing mid-scrub - before recognition softened her expression into a warm smile.123Please respect copyright.PENANAczcYiW06Al
123Please respect copyright.PENANAax9jAw0Gxp
"Oh… Good Morning." She started to rise, then seemed to remember the cloth in her hands and settled back down. "I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting anyone this early."123Please respect copyright.PENANA09zM82mYd0
123Please respect copyright.PENANA1HyHWQoJGB
Cel stared at her. At the bucket filled with murky water. At her reddened hands.123Please respect copyright.PENANAJ3gHVohHKE
123Please respect copyright.PENANAkBeib7WSRT
"What are you doing?"123Please respect copyright.PENANAogIFj6wLtM
123Please respect copyright.PENANA8j5YFvS5Lr
"Cleaning." She said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAB2O9ZzoKhq
123Please respect copyright.PENANArmfovV1viV
A sharp voice cut through from the shadows near the entrance. ”And that's exactly the problem, my lady.”123Please respect copyright.PENANAaCquEpugXe
123Please respect copyright.PENANAYAXLpaeRpg
A woman in servant's attire stepped forward - Lyra's personal maid, the same one who'd collected her after each visit. Her expression carried the particular exhaustion of someone fighting a losing battle.123Please respect copyright.PENANAiKnT3EmscT
123Please respect copyright.PENANA8lw0giwfAX
"You shouldn't be doing this," the woman continued, her tone gentle but firm. "It's not proper."123Please respect copyright.PENANAyb3IfUGEZW
123Please respect copyright.PENANABHtUWosVGu
“It's perfectly proper when I want to do it, Margaret." Lyra's voice remained gentle but firm, as if they’d had that conversation countless times.123Please respect copyright.PENANAj2lvaHlYD2
123Please respect copyright.PENANAhmSuaX3inH
Another figure emerged from a different corner - a younger servant Cel hadn't noticed before, carrying a second bucket. She bowed quickly when Cel's attention found her.123Please respect copyright.PENANAdpLy6O98Gt
123Please respect copyright.PENANAnUNnkCFxab
Cel scanned the church interior. Empty benches. Dusty corners. Just Lyra and the two maids in the entire space.123Please respect copyright.PENANA3aZE5pl5bf
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"Is there no one else maintaining this place?" he asked.123Please respect copyright.PENANAIWvQjIJZDO
123Please respect copyright.PENANAkpAOusAADo
Margaret sighed softly. "The Royal House owns this church, young master, but..." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "It is not maintained. Has not been for some time."123Please respect copyright.PENANAyfeawwdUcs
123Please respect copyright.PENANAgC2dwmyoZp
“That’s why I do it.” Lyra cut in proudly, as if announcing good news rather than confessing to doing a servant's work.123Please respect copyright.PENANA3jM9tMc99x
123Please respect copyright.PENANAIKDDx0F5GS
Margaret's hand rose to touch her temples. "And that's why we're helping. We can't let our young lady do all the work alone."123Please respect copyright.PENANAH0glpaEVAq
123Please respect copyright.PENANAtNJSbvAo1G
The younger servant nodded vigorously, her agreement silent but emphatic.123Please respect copyright.PENANAUDvxDukIiX
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Cel looked at Lyra again. At her smile. At the way she knelt on cold stone.123Please respect copyright.PENANAUkkNXInMsc
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Their father would have beaten her senseless for this.123Please respect copyright.PENANARlO462vQei
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The thought arrived with cold certainty. Lord Aldric would have seen his daughter scrubbing floors and lost whatever thin restraint he possessed. The shame of it. A noble child doing servant's work.123Please respect copyright.PENANAGjApV0YcAN
123Please respect copyright.PENANA1eexW1hDFi
But Lyra simply smiled and went back to her scrubbing.123Please respect copyright.PENANAjSWuebzrFW
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"I'll help." 123Please respect copyright.PENANAqA7n3FZCtC
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The words left Cel's mouth before thought could catch up.123Please respect copyright.PENANArgaQgKKE8m
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Margaret's eyes widened. "Young master, you don't need to—"123Please respect copyright.PENANAgSRBybbAzy
123Please respect copyright.PENANAFSxncBfadE
"I want to."123Please respect copyright.PENANA3glPF8K4QQ
123Please respect copyright.PENANAbwrR4LIvSt
"Really?" Lyra’s face brightened, voice lifting with genuine warmth. "That would be wonderful."123Please respect copyright.PENANAv4LbZWV1fK
123Please respect copyright.PENANAQR3Y50lOkE
Margaret and the younger servant exchanged glances, clearly uncertain how to refuse a Chosen who'd already made up his mind.123Please respect copyright.PENANANhwPZIHIpj
123Please respect copyright.PENANAu7z9kWmrvn
"There's another cloth in my bucket," Lyra said, gesturing. "And we still need to clean the benches. And the windows. And—oh, the altar could use polishing too."123Please respect copyright.PENANABur5qFIXIi
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The work began.123Please respect copyright.PENANAZcfflbthfO
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Cel found himself on his knees beside Lyra, scrubbing at ancient stone that held dirt in every crack and crevice. The water in his bucket turned gray within minutes, then nearly black.123Please respect copyright.PENANAW7mNXe15Qz
123Please respect copyright.PENANAs69gpFwNVR
"You don't have to press so hard," Lyra said, demonstrating with her own cloth. "Just steady circles. Like this."123Please respect copyright.PENANAP2J0vDhmQC
123Please respect copyright.PENANA4juFLAs89Z
Margaret worked on the benches, her movements efficient and practiced. The younger servant cleaned the windows with careful strokes.123Please respect copyright.PENANAvjTXYeGWMS
123Please respect copyright.PENANA0g1p0KixzV
They fell into an easy rhythm. The silence broke occasionally with conversation - Lyra asking about Cel's studies at the Academy, Margaret offering tips on removing particularly stubborn stains, the younger servant making quiet observations about the dust patterns.123Please respect copyright.PENANARHFMNOqLrc
123Please respect copyright.PENANAqpJZC9G6yw
"I come here every week," Lyra said as they moved to a new section of floor. "Sometimes twice. It feels wrong to let it fall apart like this."123Please respect copyright.PENANAieTXdHSSEE
123Please respect copyright.PENANAnU3ZMb0yyu
"The Moon Goddess deserves better," Margaret added from her position at the benches.123Please respect copyright.PENANAPe9bb6CL0U
123Please respect copyright.PENANARAtLoIYJxA
"Exactly!" Lyra's enthusiasm bubbled over. "She's a goddess, same as the others. Just because she doesn't have a Great Clan doesn't mean her church should be forgotten."123Please respect copyright.PENANAhyFT6uabq7
123Please respect copyright.PENANAXRppIWqqjV
Cel's hands stilled for just a moment. Then resumed their circular scrubbing.123Please respect copyright.PENANA7wflmv6gtB
123Please respect copyright.PENANAXYLp6QqD1e
The hours passed in comfortable work. The church slowly transformed around them - dust cleared from corners, grime lifted from stone, windows letting in more light than before.123Please respect copyright.PENANAVWrwNtPJIK
123Please respect copyright.PENANAzP1CL2kuIr
By the time they finished, afternoon had faded toward evening. The church looked... better. Not perfect, but cared for.123Please respect copyright.PENANAY95968OVgf
123Please respect copyright.PENANAqxZ8R2j06S
"Thank you," Margaret said, bowing deeply to Cel. "Your help made this go much faster."123Please respect copyright.PENANAIVGHw47CZf
123Please respect copyright.PENANAWHvihrCdrc
"Yes, thank you." Lyra glanced back inside. "It usually takes us hours longer. Having another person really makes a difference."123Please respect copyright.PENANAZASX3EEPHI
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The other maid bowed as well, gathering the buckets.123Please respect copyright.PENANAoM60ygYRn7
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They parted at the church entrance. The two maids heading back toward whatever duties awaited them. Lyra promising to see Cel again soon, her smile warm and genuine.123Please respect copyright.PENANATpyMvm44gl
123Please respect copyright.PENANAwqjSRGlpFg
He pulled his hood back up and stepped into the evening streets, his feet turning toward familiar ground.123Please respect copyright.PENANAkxv0YKZpNl
123Please respect copyright.PENANAPYiKIx0tQa
The Golden Hart's door swung open beneath his hand.123Please respect copyright.PENANAcuQdAEzXgY
123Please respect copyright.PENANAFU2xQopqQE
Sound crashed over him like a physical wave.123Please respect copyright.PENANAga2zdyPYsF
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Music. Laughter. Voices raised in celebration, argument or both. The tavern was packed - every table full, people standing in clusters between them, the bar lined with patrons waving for drinks.123Please respect copyright.PENANAVggNqyMsmc
123Please respect copyright.PENANAKPZ8OlIrKZ
Cel paused in the doorway, momentarily overwhelmed.123Please respect copyright.PENANAFpTb9iBZgv
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The bartender spotted him immediately. His weathered face split in a wide grin.123Please respect copyright.PENANAcPCNrNKgeN
123Please respect copyright.PENANAqnFtyt90GH
"Ah, there you are!" He beckoned with one hand, the gesture exaggerated. A wink followed. "Come here, boy!"123Please respect copyright.PENANATarPdTzXvY
123Please respect copyright.PENANAl1xAKutsmr
Cel navigated through the crowd, confusion clear on his face.123Please respect copyright.PENANAl3glRb4dWp
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‘What's going on her?’123Please respect copyright.PENANAI3cBtVThF9
123Please respect copyright.PENANATVXxtUQuxK
Strong hands gripped his shoulders the moment he reached the bar. The bartender spun him around to face the room, one arm wrapping around his shoulders in a gesture that was half-embrace, half-presentation.123Please respect copyright.PENANANsU5Qaqe8v
123Please respect copyright.PENANA31TXbGAaDm
"This is Cel!" the bartender announced, his voice carrying over the din. "If someone beats him, everything goes on the house!"123Please respect copyright.PENANApTCTgQDYqt
123Please respect copyright.PENANAEvp3cLJFRo
The tavern erupted.123Please respect copyright.PENANAfdu4tXpK3W
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Cel twisted his head, staring at the bartender. "What the hell are you talking about?"123Please respect copyright.PENANAY8XfVbhool
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"Drinking contest, of course!" The bartender's grin widened. "Been talking you up for an hour now. You wouldn't make a liar out of me, would you?"123Please respect copyright.PENANAvGVVFvxlfO
123Please respect copyright.PENANAOmT3Ak2GHR
"You think that boy can drink?" someone shouted from across the room, laughter following the words.123Please respect copyright.PENANASACGB2LSLA
123Please respect copyright.PENANAUabRrs7puR
"He looks barely old enough to hold a tankard!"123Please respect copyright.PENANAoyLxlvoQHH
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"You sure you want to lose all your money, old man?"123Please respect copyright.PENANACJNtzJ0rLz
123Please respect copyright.PENANArA7vbvchry
The bartender's arm tightened around Cel's shoulders. "This boy puts away more ale than any three of you combined! I've seen it myself!"123Please respect copyright.PENANAjqtdyCvKZR
123Please respect copyright.PENANAhaRI7uSCTj
"Then I'll take first challenge!" A broad-shouldered man pushed through the crowd, already swaying slightly. "Easy coins!"123Please respect copyright.PENANAkI9aOUiODU
123Please respect copyright.PENANADC5xgCyLwB
A table cleared instantly, patrons scrambling to make space. Chairs scraped. Bets started flying through the air - coins exchanged hands, odds called out and adjusted.123Please respect copyright.PENANAwaNelKydsS
123Please respect copyright.PENANAAgelpXmlWJ
The man dropped into a chair with a heavy thud, gesturing at the seat across from him.123Please respect copyright.PENANAvpSFsMME3J
123Please respect copyright.PENANAM1gFHoeAhX
Cel looked at the bartender.123Please respect copyright.PENANAmajHe94yDm
123Please respect copyright.PENANAlfLhjOXMmo
The bartender's eyes gleamed with anticipation.123Please respect copyright.PENANABm0HTS9RBS
123Please respect copyright.PENANALQ7hZbila7
Cel sat.123Please respect copyright.PENANAsJLSV02qIN
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Two massive tankards appeared on the table, filled to the brim. Foam spilled over the edges.123Please respect copyright.PENANAwGFCPUJt7V
123Please respect copyright.PENANAXuICn0UjPA
"First one to stop loses," the challenger announced, lifting his drink. "Simple enough for you, boy?"123Please respect copyright.PENANASruVmw7fpp
123Please respect copyright.PENANAkjYB0cCU70
Cel lifted his own tankard.123Please respect copyright.PENANAW7MdfIbmiQ
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They drank.123Please respect copyright.PENANA3dft2pMthF
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The man who challenged Cel went down after six rounds. His face had gone from red to a sickly pallor, and he stumbled away from the table muttering curses.123Please respect copyright.PENANAQhkN3f9ymk
123Please respect copyright.PENANAsuSdILHVMx
Cheers erupted from those who'd bet on Cel. Groans from those who hadn't.123Please respect copyright.PENANA8tNhTGeFLM
123Please respect copyright.PENANATVFxwtwdu5
"Next!" someone called.123Please respect copyright.PENANAMHdkUTrFvz
123Please respect copyright.PENANADw1uf3rXgD
A woman took the seat. Confident, experienced. She matched him drink for drink through eight rounds before her eyes glazed and she had to concede.123Please respect copyright.PENANAFLfIYXbs4n
123Please respect copyright.PENANAtRludFVCYW
Then another challenger. And another.123Please respect copyright.PENANAE2UZIXUpDC
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The crowd grew larger. People pressing in from all sides, abandoning their own tables to watch. Voices rose higher with each victory, disbelief mixing with growing enthusiasm.123Please respect copyright.PENANATJZqPX8yNS
123Please respect copyright.PENANAcgmdr65oDQ
"How is he still standing?"123Please respect copyright.PENANAhVjY4wY2mI
123Please respect copyright.PENANA9ioV61klKU
"That's his tenth opponent!"123Please respect copyright.PENANABp3735eLwC
123Please respect copyright.PENANA7xWOl3PHpS
"I've never seen anything like it!"123Please respect copyright.PENANAueHG506VJC
123Please respect copyright.PENANAh8TxFFFcSu
Cel felt... something shifting. A warmth spread through his chest that hadn't been there before. His thoughts moved a fraction slower. The edges of his vision had started to blur slightly.123Please respect copyright.PENANAkFRwk0Ris9
123Please respect copyright.PENANAtC903bzO9H
The alcohol was finally affecting him.123Please respect copyright.PENANA00xhkVafCv
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Apparently, his divinely forged body wasn't immune - just extraordinarily resistant. But even the strongest resistance had limits. And he'd been drinking steadily for hours now.123Please respect copyright.PENANAahj10njfff
123Please respect copyright.PENANAbgU3IW2boM
Strangely, he didn't care.123Please respect copyright.PENANAF45bmRaNL8
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The warmth felt... good. Pleasant. Like the weight he carried had lightened just slightly.123Please respect copyright.PENANAPYZjyDO7u2
123Please respect copyright.PENANAR9cizoFOxQ
A man collapsed face-first onto the table after round four. The crowd roared.123Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3BPy5ab4k
123Please respect copyright.PENANAc1YMvMQzfJ
Another challenger sat down. This one massive, his arms thick as tree trunks. He glared at Cel across the table.123Please respect copyright.PENANANE2d7qzecY
123Please respect copyright.PENANAeCQDKrOhHh
They drank. One tankard. Two. Three.123Please respect copyright.PENANAnwfdQcwyH2
123Please respect copyright.PENANAxcYF9vbeC5
The man's face grew redder with each round. Veins stood out on his temples. But he kept pace, determination written across his features.123Please respect copyright.PENANA3tBAcuTGrr
123Please respect copyright.PENANAm15ID5aXr7
Seven rounds passed.123Please respect copyright.PENANAbycYZy5PCj
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The man slammed his empty drink on the table. "That's it. I'm done."123Please respect copyright.PENANAWXZXHEyDDs
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But his expression shifted immediately - anger replacing defeat.123Please respect copyright.PENANAmZ4qj3XZRb
123Please respect copyright.PENANA6kciorgSgX
"This isn't fair!" He pointed at Cel, his words slurring. "I'd beat you easily if this were an arm wrestling contest instead!"123Please respect copyright.PENANAgpUluHwAPS
123Please respect copyright.PENANAgkPCBThaxl
The crowd turned on him immediately.123Please respect copyright.PENANAzSK8SHxAhI
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"You lost! Accept it!"123Please respect copyright.PENANAfxhXJPOFSy
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"Don't be a sore loser!"123Please respect copyright.PENANAHSrbTbHzSt
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"You want to arm wrestle a boy half your size? Have some shame!"123Please respect copyright.PENANAfnFOyX9Dms
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Cel's mouth moved before his mind caught up. The alcohol made everything feel distant, decisions easier.123Please respect copyright.PENANAQHCgovf0kS
123Please respect copyright.PENANAXaiqFlry0o
"Fine by me."123Please respect copyright.PENANALAvQk7AgcF
123Please respect copyright.PENANA57HM1hCe84
Silence crashed down.123Please respect copyright.PENANAqfPXtAAZzd
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The crowd stared. The massive man blinked, clearly not expecting agreement.123Please respect copyright.PENANAoy8ofclvsW
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"You... you sure, boy?"123Please respect copyright.PENANAjUubmJ2STh
123Please respect copyright.PENANAKWBDa7FLpK
"Why not?" Cel answered without thinking. "Let's do it."123Please respect copyright.PENANAtoN0QFcgV6
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The table cleared. They positioned themselves, elbows planted, hands clasped.123Please respect copyright.PENANAJGMrJzGxjB
123Please respect copyright.PENANAqrGK6aIg0g
"Three!" someone called. The crowd joined in. "Two! One!"123Please respect copyright.PENANACwMKpt9hHK
123Please respect copyright.PENANAG0nGwxIEkE
The man's strength hit immediately - real force behind it. Enough to make Cel actually engage his muscles instead of relying purely on his divine body.123Please respect copyright.PENANAM5K80GTwGi
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But only slightly.123Please respect copyright.PENANAgY4UyruxTH
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The man's hand slammed to the table within seconds.123Please respect copyright.PENANARymIueSIo6
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The tavern exploded.123Please respect copyright.PENANAjWeOH6eIPO
123Please respect copyright.PENANAIKIDAXrdPV
"Did you see that?"123Please respect copyright.PENANAFxygkPHEMJ
123Please respect copyright.PENANA6aYyLLWfqq
"The kid's a monster!"123Please respect copyright.PENANAVUbwyFFFck
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"Who else wants to try?"123Please respect copyright.PENANA69H2ivKaZd
123Please respect copyright.PENANAlKzAiLb5w1
The drinking contest transformed. One by one, patrons lined up to test their arm against Cel's. Some lasted longer than others. But none won.123Please respect copyright.PENANAzDqck0fm2T
123Please respect copyright.PENANATgHokAfc3G
Cel felt the warmth in his chest growing stronger. He found himself smiling. He laughed at jokes he normally wouldn't find funny. Responded to teasing with his own.123Please respect copyright.PENANAtNLCMuM6NN
123Please respect copyright.PENANAQxSP6raGQk
The crowd loved it. They cheered for him. Clapped his shoulder. Treated him like he belonged.123Please respect copyright.PENANATwonsZ3whS
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It felt... really good.123Please respect copyright.PENANAvadZl5HRXr
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A new figure approached through the crowd. Hooded. Moving with confidence that suggested sobriety.123Please respect copyright.PENANAZSQTaciakk
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He sat across from Cel and pulled back his hood.123Please respect copyright.PENANA7hXVT6GK1F
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A face Cel's age looked back at him. Broad features. Stone-gray eyes, steady and direct.123Please respect copyright.PENANAr4qEa3LfPr
123Please respect copyright.PENANA3pS13Hf1Sd
They clasped hands.123Please respect copyright.PENANARpXetsM5PL
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The countdown began.123Please respect copyright.PENANAjhcORrilo2
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The moment their match started, Cel felt the difference. Real strength. Not just muscle and determination - something more. Divine enhancement.123Please respect copyright.PENANADMh23aR4Nm
123Please respect copyright.PENANAdsuHp14npC
Another Chosen.123Please respect copyright.PENANAxXJZm628r1
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Cel had to actually push. Had to engage more of his strength than he'd used for any previous challenger.123Please respect copyright.PENANAW3Ok7zchs4
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The wood beneath their elbows groaned.123Please respect copyright.PENANAvBpoWxkLkR
123Please respect copyright.PENANAd1RR581cBV
Both of them pushed harder.123Please respect copyright.PENANAGZw0mYJXrA
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The table exploded.123Please respect copyright.PENANAfmFrilZrmr
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Fragments flew outward. Their hands separated as the surface between them simply ceased to exist, reduced to splinters and broken planks. Cel fell forward, hitting the floor in a graceless heap.123Please respect copyright.PENANALDoDKEyF3e
123Please respect copyright.PENANAQlt3QgL7Xf
Complete silence followed.123Please respect copyright.PENANAE2wTlJIL74
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Every eye in the tavern locked on the destruction. On the two young men who'd just shattered a solid table through arm strength alone.123Please respect copyright.PENANAZUnjv4bcyM
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"AHHH, MY BEAUTIFUL TABLE!"123Please respect copyright.PENANATgjENsOvOq
123Please respect copyright.PENANAVNfu8SwFMn
The bartender's wail broke through. He clutched his head, staring at the wreckage.123Please respect copyright.PENANAssZbSBNEOb
123Please respect copyright.PENANAsPB8aaEttA
His opponent stood smoothly, brushing splinters from his clothes. A faint smile touched his face - genuine satisfaction. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a pouch, tossing it to the bartender without looking.123Please respect copyright.PENANALWh6d8iuUP
123Please respect copyright.PENANA0pVdGn2OHV
It landed with a heavy clink.123Please respect copyright.PENANAH8eiUteo1l
123Please respect copyright.PENANA4pvnmzSqph
"Fair trade," he said. A brief nod toward Cel.123Please respect copyright.PENANACnYTpkL3HP
123Please respect copyright.PENANAucFQaUwbPp
Then he turned and walked toward the door.123Please respect copyright.PENANAvAuAnuFuT2
123Please respect copyright.PENANArMwBWSwO0O
The crowd parted automatically, too stunned to speak.123Please respect copyright.PENANAIyM2CaWcVL
123Please respect copyright.PENANAdyhMauOKoS
He vanished into the street.123Please respect copyright.PENANAmxRXqaRTl8
123Please respect copyright.PENANAqfs1lHGn7O
The tavern remained frozen for another heartbeat. Then someone laughed. Then another. The party resumed as if nothing had happened, voices rising even higher than before.123Please respect copyright.PENANAsYGoDpFPlX
123Please respect copyright.PENANAkTSSNUjstW
Cel sat among the destruction, staring at the doorway where the stranger had disappeared.123Please respect copyright.PENANA0qymxHEUQb
123Please respect copyright.PENANA6UTu8zVpVX
His vision swam. The room tilted slightly.123Please respect copyright.PENANAIs0bckBcOh
123Please respect copyright.PENANAJEUmDCvsen
The bartender appeared beside him, still clutching the money pouch. "You alright, boy?"123Please respect copyright.PENANA3o4miodNo5
123Please respect copyright.PENANAMMoNiYXxtT
"Sure," Cel said. The word came out slurred.123Please respect copyright.PENANACPOHWhTs2F
123Please respect copyright.PENANA5kfdaT1xQG
"Right. Well, enjoy your winnings. You certainly earned them."123Please respect copyright.PENANALHSSJ2ehvD
123Please respect copyright.PENANAsBBwQvO1ez
Cel blinked. ‘Winnings?’123Please respect copyright.PENANAVy4IzshjX6
123Please respect copyright.PENANA5EZRpH5CbQ
He tried to ask, but the words wouldn't form properly. The warmth in his chest had spread to his limbs, making them heavy and distant.123Please respect copyright.PENANAtpqhf3246L
123Please respect copyright.PENANAX1J7FMHO7j
The tavern spun.123Please respect copyright.PENANAeG3QOvPGzA
123Please respect copyright.PENANAMLLQ0Gjnsc
Everything after became haze.123Please respect copyright.PENANAAKU2bHRVsf
123Please respect copyright.PENANAKT7mkCUv4H
Sensation returned slowly.123Please respect copyright.PENANA1Y7fmy26xm
123Please respect copyright.PENANAT1XcI8wbQH
Cool ground beneath him. The scent of flowers.123Please respect copyright.PENANAseka7hM95Y
123Please respect copyright.PENANAc6oiaosdax
Cel's eyes opened.123Please respect copyright.PENANACRfhkXHHRT
123Please respect copyright.PENANAXWo8jex6Ih
A face hovered above him. Silver mask catching light. Rose-colored lips curved in a gentle smile.123Please respect copyright.PENANAj4YLXnAkeF
123Please respect copyright.PENANAgdblwT8FsS
Selina.123Please respect copyright.PENANAOGoL2D16Jn
123Please respect copyright.PENANA5Mx0e4BEN8
“Chosen One, I'm pleased you found joy. Though I wonder if you'll remember doing so.”123Please respect copyright.PENANARH5A83SyqR
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Lunar Legacy
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Lunar Legacy
Author:
Celastos
ISSUE #58
Chapter 57: The Contest
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Lunar Legacy
Fantasy
Action
Dark
Last updated: Aug 8, 2026
Total word count: 165,510
Total reading time: 766 Minutes
Writer:
fantasy
horror
dark
mystery
tragedy
darkfantasy
demons
betrayal
psychological
revenge
monsters
gods
survival
fantasyrealm
medieval
maleprotagonist
goddess
mysterious
fantasyworld
abilities
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