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 but feet rooted to the ground.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj7Y9dmwwj
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfYrYxYs1l
"Weak!" Another blow. "Pathetic!" The voice thundered through the dining hall.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvacwZ5Vd3
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK5SaIlWXm
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—168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXitxNWPwiP
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPLQdTCNjb
His eyes snapped open.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMX6y2QTo12
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDC7x4mpz2
Ash-covered stone ceiling. Broken walls. The hollow silence of the Ashlands pressing in from all sides.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8PJHKTzq2
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgs8rRrhli
His chest heaved, breath coming in short gasps. The nightmare clung to him like oil, coating his thoughts with remembered pain.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkBDuLeLtN
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9F4xzxUHT
"You're awake."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOB1y8ahao
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVLVGfMvKm
Cel's body jerked, his left hand instinctively reaching for Silent Moon before his mind caught up. The weapon materialized halfway before he registered the speaker.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyG2gZvY4uk
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hAAX5m7fS
Raven knelt beside him, one hand extended toward Cel's torso. Something dark and viscous coated his fingers - a sticky black mass that glistened faintly in the dim light filtering through the ruins.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJJ6BxTc09
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLf4ex0K84
"Don't move," Raven said, his tone flat.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJT5k50Y1g
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCc5f9Ouni
Cel's gaze dropped to his own chest. His armor had been partially removed - the mantle and cloak set aside, the tunic pulled up to expose his ribs where the Ashlurker's claws had torn through flesh.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBtvxqIxvV
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4t3QyL1IMO
The black substance covered the wounds in thick layers. It didn't smell like anything Cel recognized. Not medicinal herbs, not the acrid burn of cauterization. Just... earthy. Ancient, somehow.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gOKueKT6u
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnWUS580yk
"What is that?" His voice came out rougher than intended.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RgUdf6yjv
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QXnWAvskL
"Medicine." Raven's fingers worked with practiced efficiency, spreading more of the substance across a particularly deep gash. "Found it growing in the darker places. Don't know what it's called. But it works."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8A7BkQePG
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyz3JFheOD
The matter-of-fact delivery was oddly reassuring - proof that survival was possible even here. 168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaAae60IVj
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnrcOy9Yok
"How long was I—"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSw4KMNePfO
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDFmkv1Q74
"A few hours. Maybe less." Raven's crimson eyes flicked to Cel's face, assessing. "You talk in your sleep."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eXF6hRkSp
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WgpbTRSTd
Cel's jaw tightened. "What did I say?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzlWfSmNHq
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFGi6U99Z7
"Nothing clear." A pause as Raven applied more of the black substance to the wounds on Cel's shoulder. "Sounded like it wasn’t a pleasant dream."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JTRcRJrer
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLinYsUwlCr
Cel looked away, focusing on the creature's corpse still coiled a few steps away.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzXzT930Jc
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNJCVi45ZS
"Your wounds looked worse than they are," Raven continued, his tone unchanged. "Bled a lot. But the cuts weren't deep enough to do real damage. You got lucky."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AxYHgPz9s
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHwhpVxufP
"Didn't feel lucky."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHojGSlFeE
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZ5gPzuev0
"Luck isn't about feeling." Raven sat back on his heels, examining his work. "You survived. That's what matters."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gyqQHUxE7
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rIajeZ3cj
Cel's gaze tracked to his own body, really looking at it for the first time since the fight. The wounds were there - angry red lines where claws had opened flesh, burns from the worm's molten breath. But Raven was right. Nothing had been torn away. No exposed bone. No organs punctured.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqpytaPFz8
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvX0GH0jwcO
The burns on his left arm, which should have charred muscle down to bone, showed only reddened skin beneath the black coating.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc69QYlX50s
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rdtYDKznD
"Your body's good," Raven said, following Cel's gaze. "Even for a Chosen."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHxurAHGgY
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJmMQuFlTQ
Although it was not his own accomplishment, a kind of satisfaction settled in Cel's chest. The Moon Goddess had forged him this body - a body that could apparently endure more than he'd given it credit for.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEToxMKysy
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32Fb8j090C
His gaze drifted to Raven's eyes. Crimson iris against black where white should be.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjc7Q22ay9
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xY8yG6m0m
The question burned in his throat before he could stop it. "Your eyes. What happened to them?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4O7d3ZIOL
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbji3VTmlM
Raven froze.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaASsS2Uqj
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE0okenu2x
The reaction was subtle - just a momentary stillness in his movements, a fractional widening of those red eyes. 168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSu5vqVcv2t
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhF1p5iC8tR
"What?" The single word carried genuine confusion.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcCdhGIZv7
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWZyhxdDA8
Cel's jaw set. "The black. Where white should be. What caused it?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07WNZ0OZFa
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQ3DHZNS6o
For a long moment, Raven simply stared at him. The silence stretched, heavy with something Cel couldn't name.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerigqLmaWA
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFkG54Qjx0
Then Raven's expression shifted - not quite a frown, not quite suspicion. Something caught between the two.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4fMrFo9pX
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJzOK97ySR
"You really don't know?" The question came quiet, careful. "You can't... feel it?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HaFBubuZs
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqezNPpo6YY
"Feel what?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2gni0D7bZ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqS0YCVZd7
Raven's eyes narrowed, studying Cel with an intensity that made his skin prickle. As if seeing him for the first time. As if everything that had come before had been surface observation and now Raven was actually looking.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeqKSpYnN0
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYDiT0nU6n
"The aura," Raven said finally, each word deliberate. "The wrongness. The disgust that comes off me like heat off stone."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzBGKoy46v
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CKRLCGtD3
Cel blinked. "What are you talking about?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn45Qu5zPTA
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjebgTja1Zn
Something flickered across Raven's face - too fast to identify, but there. Real emotion breaking through that carefully maintained neutrality.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4Dhu3skvg
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwBLlBsqv9
"You seriously can't sense it." Not a question this time. A statement of dawning realization. "The corruption. The stain. The thing that marks me as—" He cut himself off abruptly.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC3uONhCkL
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ833tfPGZWo
"Marks you as what?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NBBKV4KBQ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUioKTfeQ3
Raven remained silent, his gaze locked on Cel's face as if searching for deception. Finding none seemed to disturb him more than anything else.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWx0ja2V7C
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYrOnA6imW
"Cursed," he said finally. The word dropped between them like a stone into still water. "I'm one of the Cursed."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TxyodrBnw
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27OFXByO1p
The declaration hit Cel like a physical blow.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3joq1owuG
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOG5dH5jI9
His breath caught. His body went rigid. Every childhood warning, every whispered story, every nightmare used to frighten disobedient children - all of it crashed through his mind at once.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVP6ZTerMy
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS6lKjn0yj
'Behave, or you'll end up as a Cursed.'168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXRTN2OxHR
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsL31zYWap
The Cursed were the absolute bottom of society. Lower than slaves, lower than criminals. People - if they could still be called that - who bear marks of corruption - twisted flesh, cracked skin, signs that divine grace has left them forever.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBAE5wuiCf
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qGAEauHhn
Cel had never met one before. No noble child did. The Cursed were exiled from civilization, driven into the wilderness or hunted down by Chosen who believed killing them earned them the favor of their god.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QLH7Riczb
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfENbOSFHoB
And now one stood before him, had been applying medicine to his wounds with practiced hands.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZM1qPwHD3
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1TmlocprP
The realization should have triggered fear. Should have sent Cel scrambling for Silent Moon, putting distance between himself and this corrupted thing wearing human skin.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxrDIx0hN1
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuT3Qj5foZ
But all he felt was... confusion.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DhTQL22yW
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8YnOca4DV
"You helped me," Cel said slowly. "Even though you're—even though—"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdkrFIYnCh
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEGwNAROXK
"Even though I'm supposed to be a monster?" Raven's lips twisted. "Shocking, isn't it?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDBN4s48Uv
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqZKb9DZXj
The bitterness in those words cut deep. Cel had heard that same tone in his own voice, directed at his father, his family, everyone who'd judged him as worthless before casting him aside.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UKyDSuPDQ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtSYNJ7NiG
"I don't understand," Cel admitted. "The stories say the Cursed are... wrong. Dangerous. That losing divine favor corrupts more than just the body."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfI6t7jqzeQ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHtAFDIscn
"Stories tell a lot of things." Raven moved to the broken wall, his silhouette sharp against the gray light filtering through.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2dfPwaMyU
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX3KZZnOv0
"But the marks—the corruption—"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpuydJyQ8L
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzR71XA1Vx
"Are real." His jaw clenched. "But it doesn't make us monsters. Just... abandoned."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9NkjpTTYR
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNajDQkOw3Z
The word resonated in Cel's chest. Abandoned. He knew that feeling intimately - the crushing weight of being cast aside by those who should have protected you.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvnAj8jbQT
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWx8PNxSMP
"How?" The question escaped before Cel could stop it. "How do people become Cursed?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEvjqWIMmx
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVzoHXlCrl
Raven's gaze grew distant. 168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb1x7ga0zY
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJAu8F5cLW
"Different ways."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFYIrF3dhw
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA7TIhRenZ
The silence that followed made it clear - this topic was not open for discussion. Whatever had happened, whatever had led to Raven becoming Cursed, he had no intention of sharing.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ct2qhmgS1
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWtwBTjpCA
Cel recognized that wall. He'd built enough of his own.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNmS6l6kcK
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgkYYMje31
He shifted against the wall, trying to find a more comfortable position. The black medicine pulled at his skin where it had begun to dry.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjXXGPNni7
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIzsDcQrRh
Raven's gaze fixed on him, those crimson eyes sharp. "You didn't."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrw3ynHqSuq
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnMgUjfedi
"Didn't what?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNLbctSMgp
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8d1EuXdGu
"Didn’t know that I am a Cursed." Raven tilted his head slightly. 168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTU4tXTCPv
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mMQtWymT4
He moved closer, studying Cel with unsettling intensity. 168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4VwsAKVrI
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U10AdNtQW
"The aura alone should have told you. The wrongness. The revulsion. And Chosen feel it even stronger." He paused. "But you don't seem affected at all."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r6IBOpMeV
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdKZQ5l7XX
'Shit.' Cel's mind raced. This was dangerous ground. If Raven realized he couldn't sense divine energy, it would expose a critical weakness - one that could get him killed.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdo9FDwIPYA
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLpnlcKix0
"I'm just—" Cel forced his expression neutral. "I'm controlling it. The reaction."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqxkeLvX5w
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEqS5mIsSk
The lie felt weak even as it left his mouth.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcqcStxLpD
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmqlcOpVNz
Raven's eyes narrowed. "Really?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ab92mQcT1
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsD1zDGSk3
"Yes."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxIDFEPTa7
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlt3FVIvahi
"You're not even trying to maintain distance.” Raven's tone remained neutral, but pointed. "Most Chosen can barely stand being in the same room. Need space. Fresh air. Something to cut through the wrongness."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbub539vm7E
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWwZ4foyWg
Heat crawled up Cel's neck. His hands curled into fists.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcOWps91oz
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcXI2fcN4b
"Maybe I'm just better at controlling my reactions than most."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39Ig8CxxZR
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7rjK0TZZ5
"Or maybe," Raven said slowly, "you can't sense it at all."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PECxiyM7j
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7Dl99PHXH
The corner of his mouth twitched. "That's ridiculous."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PFOOCIzrP
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5A4MOiL0I
"Is it?" Raven gestured to himself. "You asked what happened to my eyes. If you could sense the aura, you wouldn't need to ask. You'd know what I was the moment you saw me."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDD4nPgF2R9
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYd4oJ5vOA3
"I was just—I didn't want to assume—"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQahXL2rWW
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡft2vhiZ2Tf
"You're a terrible liar." Something that might have been amusement flickered across Raven's face. 168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo6q5FVVdi
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eg3XASs3L
Shame burned in Cel's chest. Even this - even the simple act of hiding his deficiency - was something he couldn't do properly.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtIwqkqnFF
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW2qms3JbJ
"So what if I can't sense it?" The words came out sharper than intended. "It doesn't change anything."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgkuOyQKhQ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiys7506ft
"Doesn't it?" Raven's expression shifted, genuine curiosity replacing accusation. "Every human can sense the Cursed. It's not learned. Not trained. Just… part of what makes one human." He paused. "But you can't."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHlGcN1vp7
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDcKLdCvGw
Cel looked away, fixing his gaze on the creature's corpse across the room. Anywhere but those crimson eyes that saw too much.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNsJuQldEJ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjqhblLq5N
"What about Divine Energy?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuJzXNRg1h
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsuFhYKaBT
"I can sense it," Cel answered quickly. Too quickly.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIcN7nQdOj
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Wrs1TPohh
“You should really work on your acting skills.” Raven's voice came quieter now. 168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpafXEzbaZ6
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgo9ANFIqU
Cel's throat tightened. His hands clenched harder, nails digging into his palms.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze74mv7rvm
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPidFWiis0
"It's pathetic, isn't it?" The words came out bitter. "A Chosen One who can't even sense the most basic thing every human has."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMwe2IrrTm
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlM2mu3hBj
"That's not the word I'd use."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigPqkR145C
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzkwrLmEo5
"Then what would you call it?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7psGpJYRnV
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kygYQg4KN
"Impossible." Raven moved to lean against the opposite wall, his posture relaxing slightly. "You're blessed by the Moon Goddess. Can manifest divine artifacts. But can't sense the energy that powers them." He shook his head. "That shouldn't work."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5WjXdzkuP
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswdAkkCJZm
"But it does." Cel's jaw clenched. "Somehow."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XU2QbfMlK
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDwtgJz8Ts
"Yes. Somehow." Raven studied him with that unsettling intensity. 168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFXFOsBP2F
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9GLkysnoT
"Does this mean something's wrong with me?" Cel's voice came flat.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoscCvKoVx
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1hcuPiUeH
"I don't know.” Raven’s honesty was brutal. “I've never heard of a Chosen who couldn't sense Divine Energy. It should be impossible."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tuCpGqw86
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpPjotI1he
"Everything about me seems to be impossible lately."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1RjYYYSNM
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnLUpuA35Y
Raven simply stared at him. Then he exhaled slowly - not quite a laugh, but close.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ8MKpqKy5
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLmgCKF8DP
Silence pressed heavy between them.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Vy3cKBqhb
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKe49oGPG6
Cel studied the young man before him - the exhaustion carved into his features, the way he held himself like someone perpetually ready for violence. A year alone in this nightmare. Hunted by monsters and abandoned by the divine.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQMsvVgWhx
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSK8MuF2wT
And yet he'd still helped a stranger. 168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ86Amr0ts
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTr9NQw4s4
"Why did you help me?" Cel asked finally. "Even though I'm a Chosen One. Even though most Chosen would hunt you."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabwnSyVA4e
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NDTmWuUm0
Raven was silent for a long moment, those crimson eyes unreadable.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfZrFqvHA5
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"Because you looked at me and saw a person." His voice came quiet. Raw. "Not corruption to be destroyed. Not a threat to be eliminated. Just... another human trying to survive." He paused. "Not even my family did that."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6g8ygg6Xk
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The honesty in those words struck deeper than any blade. A glimpse beneath the careful neutrality Raven maintained like armor.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfiRQ18skv
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Cel understood that loneliness. Had felt it himself beneath his father's rage while his mother and brother watched in silence - present but absent, seeing his suffering but not seeing him.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEKJrEFkYQ
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"I'm sorry," he said. "For what happened to you. For what you lost."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLQM5HM2WW
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"Don't be." Raven's expression hardened again. "Sorry doesn't change anything."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5akz5juN6
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"No," Cel agreed. "It doesn't."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxqZ1ucvvj
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Another silence. But this one felt different. Less heavy. More like an understanding passing between two people who'd both been broken by circumstances beyond their control.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSjrvWVham
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"Your wounds will heal faster with the medicine," Raven said, breaking the quiet. "But you need rest. Let your body recover."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEny5f94mx
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Cel glanced down at the black substance coating his injuries.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjC9qzRMDt
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"Thank you.”168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjW071h0DK4
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Raven paused, looking back at him. For a moment, something almost like warmth crossed his features. Then it was gone, replaced by that familiar neutral mask.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsszpUEkY9b
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"Rest," he said. "I'll keep watch."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH5KMZjWNM
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Cel wanted to protest, but exhaustion pulled at him like an undertow. 168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwp3oolyMIj
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"Call me if something happens," he said instead.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqDyOUwQJ8
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Raven nodded once, moving to position himself near the entrance gap where he could see approaching threats.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4GklYI7w2
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Cel leaned back against the wall, feeling cool stone against his spine. His eyes tracked to where Raven stood silhouetted against the gray light beyond.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTUStXvmwn
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Cursed. Abandoned by the gods. Hunted by society. Marked with corruption. 168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1BVTqurrJ
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Yet for the first time since entering this cursed realm, Cel felt something close to safety.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEkLdt55G3
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Not because the danger had diminished.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveyho9vCRQ
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But because he was no longer facing it alone.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57zNUhvBg1
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'Maybe the gods make mistakes too.'1234 copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oMy5yCfS1 尼

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