Cel lay at the chasm's edge, staring into the depths.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1mgvtCDf6
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWI2mvPctS
The white light pulsed far below - steady, gentle, almost alive. Each beat sent warmth through his chest, so different from the violet crystal shriek that had destroyed his hearing. So different from the four burning suns that had scorched his skin.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOCCwdsE30
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdg5HjHAOk
This light felt... safe.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXFH1wpNAS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VhXvuaNes
His cracked lips pulled into something that might have been a smile if his face hadn't been so ruined.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn6oeylTlX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZznYYMcmw7
'Maybe...'175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl2Zqx96R1
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicj7g2GFVH
The thought formed slowly through exhaustion and pain. He wouldn't survive another day in the maze - this much was certain. The burns covered most of his skin. His impaled hand wouldn't stop bleeding. His legs couldn't hold his weight anymore.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnS80NiuyB
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLnWF8Xz5I
But that light was unlike everything else in this nightmare.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKKE8iYN1S
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2R4akULyoO
And the skeleton had jumped toward it without hesitation.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u4Cf6jIyE
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0npUj7vMyY
'The trial.' The words surfaced distant in his mind. 'Find the moon.'175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKPRmkroUw
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW7LlugfJ7
He'd searched the entire maze - or what little he could reach of it. The moon had vanished from the sky. The answer wasn't above. Wasn't in the crystal formations or the mirror lake.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyICGzSMt0M
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7qbwBWRxP
But deep below, where even the crystal-infested creatures were drawn…175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZ86VuO5YK
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDsPZI7u3a
Maybe that's where it was.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1S3RzhnMW
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMtNBzG4dj
Maybe that's where he'd find what he needed to complete this trial. To earn the Moon Goddess's blessing and escape this place before his body finally gave out.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBGlldavFT
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgGtqkGEUP
It was the only hope he had left.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mqthyK84c
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60z8vUUBxQ
Cel's left arm trembled as he dragged himself forward. His body scraped over the edge, and for one terrible moment there was nothing beneath him but air.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7iVPVLkqa
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiTSnGk4kk
He fell.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOy7A3npkZ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21johEkWbB
The air rushed past him. His body tumbled through darkness, too weak to even flail.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK83lKg7ke
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkfF8ItnQd
He slammed into a wide ledge jutting from the chasm wall.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ1r364Rya
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4to7LQjYG
The impact drove the breath from his lungs. His body bounced once, then slid across crystal before stopping at the ledge's edge. For a moment he lay there, stunned, teetering over the drop.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Stx3JJZUw
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh59DttUAvN
Then his weight settled. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvFgiXtcrj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosPynFfGFQ
Pain registered distantly - his shoulder, his ribs, something in his back. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNZNO46E8C
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOJeyJcAlb
Cel's fingers twitched against smooth stone. His cheek pressed against crystal, cold seeping through burnt skin.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j7Fl6GWh4
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43AcFExcvp
‘Down.’175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p9KegsCyx
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xuYjyfzSl
The word echoed in his skull. Not a choice. A command his body obeyed without consulting his mind.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ql5yFim3H
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLr30dgDo3b
His left hand scraped forward, finding purchase. Then his knee dragged up. He crawled across the ledge toward the next outcropping, his body moving like something already dead, animated by will alone.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikW5nNThu5
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1wzWtmTec
Each movement should have been agony. His burns stretched and split with every reach. His impaled hand dragged uselessly, leaving a trail of blood. His shoulder screamed from the impact.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom3g2dyGj6
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqBDJOq5i8
But the pain felt... distant.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBM3mxC9uNt
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9edNeHVAaB
Muffled, like the silence that had swallowed his hearing.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgA1TIdvd2
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTTMHJeNtJ
His left hand reached for the next crystal. The edge sliced his palm - he watched blood well up, watched it smear across crystal. The pain registered somewhere far away, disconnected from him.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgncPo5SkbS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaZ1m7Gac0
He kept descending.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Gntqp9dPs
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB2MjpO5NQ
The walls pressed closer. The violet glow from the crystals grew dimmer, overwhelmed by that white radiance rising from below. With each movement down, the light grew stronger. Warmer.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEBHk382Ym
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXywFisnsD
His breathing steadied. The constant burn in his chest eased. His throat stopped feeling like shredded glass.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTraT0YD5Oc
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7CDhj099z
Cel's foot slipped on smooth stone. He caught himself, barely, fingers scraping for purchase. His body swung wild for a moment before finding purchase.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzkkzXwNp2
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkolzEnrNsq
He should be panicking. Should be terrified.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YxGbJKlKn
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgbBwCqQ1Z
But he wasn't.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMlnzQMrvl
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBtjQegxRE
His legs stopped shaking. The trembling in his arms faded. When he reached for the next handhold, his grip felt... steady. Strong, even.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDnlt7HggW
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkztiTUs15
Cel pulled himself onto a wider ledge and paused. His legs shifted beneath him - not crawling now. Walking.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtFCzJoHNf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVvVP5lZyb
When had he stood up?175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbUnU0KQaU
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KaMmXFO1L
He looked down at his feet, planted firmly on crystal. Looked at his legs supporting his weight without collapsing.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpctBxIG5n1
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4yey1MJdp
A crystal formation beside him caught his reflection, its surface smooth as glass.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxdk19ezkj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBEfgSUBjm
His face stared back at him.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJkUa9IWKB
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwaNUhA6dx
But the expression wasn't his own. The reflection's eyes held nothing - no rage, no defiance, no spark of the newly found hope. Just empty acceptance. The face of someone who had already surrendered to his fate.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECR5xBDBYB
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylfG39JYau
Cel's hand reached for the next formation. The reflection's hand reached too, matching his movement exactly.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxPobIobTH
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMehfNh697X
He kept descending. His body moved with increasing ease, as if the journey required less effort with each step.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30QVPqc2l6
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeD88blqB7
The reflection followed beside him, its hollow eyes tracking him.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkf7vG9eZKj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tYsv4s85V
'Wait… isn't that…?' 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Lu1JA05vk
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKdAm7tNyr
The thought barely surfaced before slipping away. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbRFIShLiK
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMgGVHciK5
'What was it again?' 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOyeonPKDO
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEJSf538hb
A shiver crawled up his spine. His instincts screamed at him to stop, to look, to remember.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANXVDHd3Bp
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0vg2rJKOk
But he didn't. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4Fhcyacvf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiKAHY8wKZ
His steps never faltered. His gaze never wavered. Whatever it was, it didn't matter anymore.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0iYBr8iBS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8mHv0mKzn
He focused on the path below. Left hand. Right foot. Down.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhsky2OtY1
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoH5X2yWq5
The white light pulsed stronger now, close enough that its warmth touched his skin. Not burning - nothing like the suns. This heat seeped into him gently, filling something that had been empty for so long.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlsd4G3VND
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGU9fFkhE4
Cel’s next step found solid ground.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFIP68FXi2
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff9yaKXKos
Since…175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjOZ8RqPNo
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gjjM6udpb
Since when?175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQSqqTpnzs
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo741t8y8y
He blinked, swaying. The chasm walls rose impossibly high above him - he'd been descending for... how long? Minutes? Hours? The memory felt hazy, like trying to hold mist.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsxFBmQtpX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9rr2738j7
The cavern floor stretched before him, smooth and vast. And there - suspended in the center like a captivating star - hovered what he'd been drawn toward.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD5IxDrjtA
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxac5IAVwaq
A sphere of pure light.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8GDPYDtyA
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzom0KTDky
It filled the cavern, so enormous his mind struggled to grasp its scale. The white radiance pulsed from within it, steady as a heartbeat, casting everything in gentle luminescence.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDs9tEGwQP
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHYOeeJl9r
Bones lay scattered across the floor beneath it - pale fragments studded with violet crystal growths, half-buried in the ground. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GFZEzKyv7
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzQtKbZdOl
He didn't look at them.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrQfXiTOQC
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbbUmvG6n4
All that existed was the light.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSbNXfEpvH
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskbB3XxPnd
‘Beautiful.’175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRd3PRZ9mL
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gmJlGklso
The word formed in his mind, soft and certain. This was beauty - real beauty. Everything else had been false. The pale moon from his vision, his family's faith, all of it hollow compared to this.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcAhxMjckj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqmmzyV6bU
Cel's left foot moved forward. Then his right. The pain in his feet had vanished. When had that happened? He couldn't remember his last step hurting.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXueCzwMGQ4
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrWWBh8UU4
Couldn't remember why anything had hurt at all.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqg0f7RdkZ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyntbW71bq
The burns on his skin - were they still there? He looked down at his arms. Saw the blistered flesh, the weeping wounds, the blood. But felt nothing. They might as well have belonged to someone else.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBnz7dUDe9
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopnxje1nCA
Another step forward.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yH0mZAcoQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQM1HjTWAoq
The light pulsed. His heart pulsed with it.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcdz1JNeG6
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeUyeZsPzz
'The trial...'175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqVVqGePlR
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSkEkMkSCJ
The thought drifted through his mind like smoke, barely formed before dissolving. There had been something. Some task. Some reason he'd been suffering.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmIRdqcIQG
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4jANAGZTy
But it seemed so distant now. So... unnecessary.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMbOpvMrfu
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qyBZ9A5lc
Why had he been searching? Why had he fought? This peace had been waiting all along. Just here. Just below.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMgUpJ9w4q
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpfbmouFvm
Each step brought him closer. The warmth intensified - not burning, never burning. It filled the hollow spaces inside him. The emptiness carved out by a year of starvation and torture. The wounds left by his family's betrayal. The cracks from watching his father beat him while his mother did nothing.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0czrjmaRc
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUnAj05jn4
All of it... filling.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMTznfHkwx
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj2ct9KSLr
Becoming whole.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXWT4aNp65
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTv2527syE
The sphere towered before him now, so close he could reach out and touch it. Its surface rippled like liquid silver. Inviting. Welcoming.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIZKHCdO0z
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqX1IrTKLy
'Home.'175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8KeBuIG40
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKVCTeaQs6
Yes. That's what this was. He'd been searching for a home. For somewhere he belonged. And he'd found it. Finally.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmMls04YCV
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4RzTo462M
Cel lifted his left hand, fingers extending toward the light.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIghiT566xy
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPNuEjbhbD
The warmth reached out to meet him, eager, hungry. It wrapped around his hand like a lover's touch, gentle and consuming. The sensation traveled up his arm—not pain, but fullness. Being filled. Being completed.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPaX3ziqMI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBT17RAdkE
His knees buckled.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYFI7Nd3sd
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhfsMIrZ24
Cel gasped as the light surged into him, pouring through the point of contact. It flooded his veins, his bones, his mind. Every empty space inside him suddenly packed full of something vast and eternal.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hBPOz21OO
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLhPLE4MyS
His lips curved into a smile.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCjOETVEDK
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrtZe95l2u
This was everything. This was all he'd ever needed. The maze didn't matter. His trial didn't matter. Finding the moon didn't matter.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuWPoFYvz6
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX1rDxyO5Z
Only this.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejU83oEF9V
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrJvmvQ7Lo
Only—175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZdYUyfA49
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhnRtJ9BFu
The cavern shook.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRV0kiuPUc
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa98fITxmUo
The tremor hit with brutal force, violent enough to crack the crystal formations on the walls.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuBW3pQkbo
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6nZcIChbf
Cel's hand ripped free from the sphere as he fell sideways.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6xhduZwQV
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxZxDxCQgW
The warmth vanished instantly, replaced by crushing cold.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCgcFJFKkB
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXS8iAq2iN
His consciousness slammed back into place.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWefuUKOM2
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4tnDyge1I
The pain returned all at once.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0V3LEVsdl
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdsoH1nUcK
His knees hit the ground. Pain exploded through his legs, sharp and immediate. The burns on his skin screamed. His impaled hand throbbed with each heartbeat, blood pulsing hot between his fingers.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqsO7r64vq
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWDZfgAICT
He gasped, lungs heaving like he'd been held underwater.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja4Owlrbzu
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LnW2QHgJT
'What—'175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1HaqIxxzg
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6RI6HC5SQ
His vision swam. The cavern spun around him, crystal walls refracting light in dizzying patterns. He pressed his left hand against the floor, trying to anchor himself.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTpxVI6AHg
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8otYSJIXLQ
The sphere hovered before him, pulsing gently. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyDTDObPiC
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7t1YjkJe4Z
It was beautiful. Inviting.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh7fNXyJ40
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMrWUl1OMg
Cel's chest tightened. The urge to reach out again clawed at him, desperate and immediate. Just one more touch. Just to feel that warmth, that completeness—175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEIjs6y7wp
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaISbwf6pI7
'No.'175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZiIBLp4hm
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMd53TZvT4
He jerked his gaze away, jaw clenched so hard his teeth ached. His hands shook. His entire body trembled with something between withdrawal and rage.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9hxlVUX8T
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjh4IvCgla
'This thing… manipulated me.' The thought arrived with perfect clarity. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcamk4boD5T
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1ft6gPH8n
But when had it started?175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rwe3uKZp8
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZcjtBi4r4
Cel's breath came faster. He'd climbed down into the chasm on his own. Hadn't he? He'd made that choice. Seen the light and decided—175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPi3NdsCOpu
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFwwwIpyX0
'Decided what?'175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeorbVFxL1
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZOKwQCyUX
His fingers dug into the stone floor. When exactly had he decided? When had the pain stopped mattering? How had his body suddenly become strong enough to walk when moments before he couldn't even stand?175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC2oiMsXnR
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZZ1BVYOIO
His mind raced backward through fragmented memories.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjRcQjVu2K
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPa2OfLK6l
The crystal maze. The spire in the distance - he'd avoided it. Gone the opposite direction every time.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoKvNvRtam
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEzsXg4nx1
Why?175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJgUUljM4O
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuGzoCCfMY
He'd told himself it looked dangerous. Ominous. Something about it felt wrong.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObMHoDkxdE
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25yHeUTnkn
But what if that feeling hadn't been his own?175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuIiPNESQE
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc5eC820rC
His stomach clenched. The thought wormed deeper, spreading like infection through his memories. Every decision he'd made in the maze - every turn away from the spire, every frustrated return to the ruin, every restless urge to keep moving in the other direction.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy0EHsdndX
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What if none of it had been his choice?175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBeyIzLW38
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The marks he'd carved to track his path had disappeared. The maze had folded in on itself, passages appearing and vanishing. He'd assumed it was the maze's nature.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97MP9owjYk
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fQrnEyami
What if it had been guiding him all along? Herding him like cattle toward this exact spot?175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyn8AfxRB3
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hIXjjuKdF
Cel's breathing grew ragged. His nails bit into his palms hard enough to draw blood, mixing with the dried gore already coating his hands.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxEMTaBAtr
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixZeD2x8jd
Even now - especially now - that warmth pressed against his skin. Gentle. Patient. Waiting for him to reach out again. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT2gIKxus9
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOulTQO1T21
To surrender.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKYAq14wD6
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrmnhsQezt
Just like the reflection watching him from the wall. Just like his father had wanted. Just like the cultists who'd bled him for a year, waiting for him to break.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtg9VTNgzs
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHscv3RghB7
Just like everyone who'd ever tried to make him into something less.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCBo6iiBn1
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3vsUNaq64
Heat flooded through Cel's chest - not the sphere's false warmth, but something hotter. Sharper. The rage that had kept him alive when he should have died a dozen times over.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOm5mbWqeB
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP6LYq3yoW
His jaw clenched. His fingers curled into fists despite the agony in his right hand.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWfTARoe1L
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPC3yt9u98
'It almost had me.'175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Xbw2UYXNV
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X17SR6rdH
The sphere pulsed before him. That gentle rhythm matching his heartbeat, trying to align again. Trying to pull him back.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddl9kumAl7
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHK2jY564n
Cel tried to push himself up. His legs trembled, refusing to hold his weight. He collapsed back onto his knees, gasping.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KGPLIMmkN
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy89Osw8MH
He needed to move. Needed to crawl away, find somewhere to hide from that light while his mind was clear enough to think. The cavern had to have other passages, other routes.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNuQWOECya
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvZknRxMak
He turned.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHSzYeGJtq
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAALHRQK65
A massive head filled his vision.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeLqRCYEzn
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRW90oChbs
Cel's breath stopped.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sh5sHs7Op
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxGRFdo0ed
Pale, translucent skin stretched over angular bone structure. Violet light burned in hollow eye sockets.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjkjVhZqzc
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ683BJnwpyg
The creature blinked.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFzEISbEoi
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90zmHlqEfl
Slow. Deliberate.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaepbcxRae
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGcxfbBi2Y
Its head tilted slightly, studying him with an intelligence that made his skin crawl. Not animal. Not human.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBFB2Ku21X
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXloAjWdZP5
Something else entirely.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZQz6qiAUx
​​​​​​​175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZC4x77GkkB
1234 copyright protection171ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn7IsuCfam 尼

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