"Welcome to the Reckoning, Celvian."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2B7ktHrqu
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv0ZVZHzVf
The words hung in the air.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfYon127Db
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No one spoke.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcN4lnuvur
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The red-haired woman's fury remained palpable but silent. The older man's jaw set, but he nodded once in acceptance. Even Draven, despite the rage clear in his posture, said nothing more.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qgj9RoEBD
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The matter was settled.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDoHhRRQ7i
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"Before we discuss anything else," the hooded figure - Veyron - said, his voice carrying quiet authority that made everyone straighten slightly, "the boy needs healing."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtIEg6gdCp
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnGB9QeQiI
The woman with blonde hair moved from her position near the wall. She approached with measured steps, her expression carefully neutral as she stopped before him.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJFskFndwK
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0hmkjndYu
"May I?" Her voice was professional, distant.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSeBlHYUXF
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVTC28PLJz
Cel's jaw tightened. Every instinct screamed not to let anyone touch him, not to show weakness, not to— 128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGM0y7TPwn1
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYFN0GIGpf
"It's just healing," she continued, reading his hesitation. "Nothing more."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoXFTx3sLb
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlpaSVJJOE
He gave her a curt nod.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3NkE8IzjW
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtMM7vRUIn
Her hands lifted, hovering inches from his chest. Warmth spread through his torso - not the searing heat of the worm's breath, but something deeper that hummed beneath his skin. The throbbing ache in his ribs eased. The torn flesh across his back knitted together. Even the deeper injuries - the ones he'd been ignoring - began to fade.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfHQUCfhqr
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JZMIqkZ0W
It took perhaps thirty seconds.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqjLcYr99x
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZvIrL5FIu
When she stepped back, Cel could breathe without pain for the first time since Esrin had thrown him across the wasteland.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoEaFJdW6m
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDkRLSb4YZ
"Thank you," he said quietly.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFfQOGq6SH
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MOvYgGJly
She inclined her head once, then returned to her position without a word.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCThEpTgGk
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzboPuR2glu
"Now then." Veyron's attention fixed on him fully. "You've been invited to join an organization you know nothing about. That hardly seems fair."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbtvAZKTKE
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLKUvbW7jz
Cel remained silent, waiting.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMFP7BNrGa
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkOdM5qvux
"The Reckoning exists for a singular purpose," Veyron continued. "We hunt those who abuse their power. Chosen Ones who believe divine favor places them above consequence. Those who commit atrocities knowing their power protects them."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14kcQtuNSr
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWSgJCobLX
The words settled in Cel's chest with uncomfortable weight.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nOga8WrTB
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIuHqANThp
"We kill them," Draven added with a grin. "When the law fails. And it always fails for the powerful. We don't."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhjcNVKoyF
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrcaNeVLBB
"You're assassins," Cel said flatly.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbqA3vGEUc
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEReg5DLNU
"We're justice," Esrin corrected, her tone brooking no argument. "For victims who have none."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kxR6ku87U
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUewguwYEd
"We operate on a ranking system," Lucien said, his tone matter-of-fact. "Based on strength, not birthright or politics." 128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtD0PfbedH
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxyyQ6SJ7T
"Rank one is the strongest," Silas added, gesturing at Veyron. "All the way down to rank ten." His gaze shifted to the small girl in the oversized chair. "Which will always be—"128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyCWkh7nAh
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGWLV8dTSg
"Me. Yes. I know." Hina crossed her arms. "Every time someone joins, I get bumped down again. Thanks for that.”128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62MX82AToH
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOA8sIsHmCu
Something tightened in Cel's chest. Strength, not birth, not bloodline. 128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0XgYaezER
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioDUFPy47J
Everything the Sun Clan wasn't.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZdT9rvUd5
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMZ6DtpQPS
"Since we're doing introductions," the older man near the wall spoke up, his rough voice carrying the weight of experience, "I'm Ronan. Fifth Reckoning. Graveyard's Orphan. Life Clan."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLkr6rTPrJ
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8yANhPtK2
The young man by the fire straightened. "Silas Mortbane. Eighth Reckoning. Death's Friendliest Face." His grin was infectious despite the gravity of the situation. "Death Clan, obviously.”128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDdaKZF6iN
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwYxhl9rEH
"Iris Peakvault." The woman who'd healed him spoke quietly. "Seventh Reckoning. Veiled Crag. Mountain Clan."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlhUxioUaq
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndmaDqLgV1
Her posture shifted subtly when she spoke - shoulders drawing inward slightly, gaze lowering. The change was so minute Cel almost missed it.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrnhESjbZc
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsPeP62Sd7
"Zara." The red-haired woman's voice came sharp as broken glass. "Sixth Reckoning. Wrath's Only Daughter. Mountain Clan as well." Her blue eyes carried naked contempt. "Try not to die immediately."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbHzI3wWyU
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"Already did that," Cel said before he could stop himself. 128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY1OfDxf96
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Silence stretched for a heartbeat. Then Silas laughed - genuine and bright.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xqkQ53bD4
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"Oh, I like him already."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ1PCd42Tk
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqxaTs7kVc
"Draven Goldwind," the brash man said, his tone carrying casual arrogance. "Third Reckoning. Goldreaver. Mercenary Guild." He gestured at himself with a flourish. "Also the wealthiest person in this room, but that's hardly relevant."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6oztrPwew
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The small girl piped up again. "Hina! Tenth Reckoning - formerly ninth but apparently not anymore!" She crossed her arms with theatrical indignation. "Small Tyrant. I work for the Royal House as Palace Administrator." A pause. "I should have voted for your death."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMhNg2BJMH
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The comment was so absurd, delivered with such genuine petulance, that something in Cel's chest loosened slightly. Not quite humor - but close.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtb5MuK1qB
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkA8Z62BMbK
"Lucien Stellarion," the young man with tired eyes said from his chair. "Fourth Reckoning. Dreamfall. Second Prince of the Empire."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjTjJzmZFP
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The presence of royalty made this whole organization even more impossible. What kind of group could command a prince's loyalty?128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AR5vlKqxM
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJ89CrzJw3
"Esrin." The woman who'd brought him here spoke with quiet authority. "Second Reckoning. Shattered Sky. Chosen Legion."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ20bJpvnt
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSICBmzPhF
The hooded figure's presence seemed to intensify slightly. "Veyron Nethis. First Reckoning. Eschaton."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEkj1QYwUA
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ClbOiktp3
Cel's mind was already cataloging information, filing away details. An organization that hunted corrupt Chosen. Members from various Clans - even the Mercenary Guild and Royal House.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdH9TlOu4b
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhXpcYkBti
The strength assembled here was utterly insane. The Mercenary King himself. An imperial prince. A Hallowed, who could challenge an entire Great Clan alone - and she was only second in command.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6BI09Sa5T
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This was enough power to topple the empire.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEZSL5COfB
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Veyron's attention returned to him. "You'll need a codename. Take your time to consider."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj4Ffv9biu
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Cel's thoughts scattered immediately. A codename. Something that would define him in this organization.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse54PvPdM9
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuPyrDBfj2
White Death surfaced first - one of his paragons. It felt right. Cold. Absolute. A name that carried weight.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZF7BWBzLd
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Heir to the Moon was out - too revealing.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxexqyRVYq
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Frostmark? No - too specific.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5mjWgInBx
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His mind circled back to White Death. The name settled in his chest with quiet certainty.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUkLsByny0
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Yes. That felt right.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5JCCdzrUB
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But before he could speak—128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1WPY3rIab
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"Now," Veyron's tone shifted, becoming more businesslike, "to the matter at hand. Esrin?"128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq0gj9ruyw
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The white-haired woman's expression remained impassive. "I tracked the Prince of Death to the Ashlands. But the search yielded nothing."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKDZqQB0Cp
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Prince of Death.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptAIO9Wlkr
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His mind raced backward, dragging up half-forgotten lessons from his childhood education. The Death Clan. House Mortveil - the leading Noble House within the Clan. Their heir had been... what was the name?128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVve7hfTZ2
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Fragments surfaced. A prodigy. Good reputation even among the nobility, who were notoriously difficult to please. The last news had been about an expedition. The prince and his father had led a group into the destroyed Western Continent for an investigation in the Emperor's name.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86bIje9Avr
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That had been... a year ago? Maybe more?128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdliTxZ4jVO
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Wait.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqOjHcVGq2
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A year. The same amount of time Raven said he'd been trapped in the Hollow Realms.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdbSgynvYh
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The implications crashed through his thoughts with terrible clarity.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtny0tWn0tX
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The young man who'd helped him in the Ashlands. The one who moved with practiced grace, who knew exactly how to survive in that nightmare realm.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6U1NR9tJq
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEJK63fRNX
Raven was the Prince of Death.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxghrB5s7XM
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vmN2qzUmk
And these people wanted him dead.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrjOPnQjTy
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Cel's jaw clenched. His hands curled into fists at his sides, hidden within Cinderward's cloak.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL9pSmtYot
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'He helped me.' The thought came fierce and absolute. 'Saved my life. Without expecting anything in return.'128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJRrXegGxo
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYtk7U7fCG
And now he sat in a room with nine people who would kill Raven on sight if they found him.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQ7ZdPBDkZ
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHHcHRRWDd
"The Prince of Death is our highest priority target," Veyron continued, his tone unchanged. "A Cursed infiltrating the Sun Clan's stronghold shouldn't be possible." 128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpHy5tTKsx
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSu16E9N6Xz
"And yet he managed it," Draven said, genuine appreciation cutting through his words. "Killed their greatest prodigy. The one with a Divine Oracle as his guide."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAikvKB4m9
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"We don't know what he's hiding," Zara cut in sharply. "That's the problem. A Cursed shouldn't have that kind of power." 128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qd143dFJG
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxZnG2Z7KR
"But he does," Ronan's gravelly voice added. "Which means either he retained something he shouldn't have, or he's found something new. Either way—" 128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81g9d8iFTp
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"He's dangerous," Veyron finished. "And unpredictable. That combination requires caution."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvN6P9Rsn7
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfaxMRy09S
The words settled over Cel like ice water.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Cn9QfQ78G
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ecxjogOXJ
So Raven had returned from the expedition as one of the Cursed. Then he'd somehow infiltrated the Sun Clan's stronghold - a fortress that should have been impenetrable - and killed their greatest prodigy. Someone blessed enough to have a Divine Oracle as their guide - just like Cel.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ag28IH5eD
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A dark satisfaction flickered through his chest before he could suppress it. The Sun Clan had suffered. Good.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJijam7dAOg
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But the satisfaction couldn't drown out the questions burning in his mind. 'What happened on that expedition to make him Cursed? What drove him to kill their prodigy?'128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1fYnApDG1
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfIx7ML0Qu
Cel forced his breathing to remain steady, his expression neutral. Every instinct screamed to defend Raven, to argue, to demand answers.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRyRYCmewI
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Yet revealing his connection would doom them both.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEoox7RHO7
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'If they knew I'd been traveling with him...' The thought sent ice through his veins.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK7W4Q6apm
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdviPXzozqM
So he stayed silent, letting the discussion wash over him while his mind churned.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2psH4uw3tS
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxIi8ZiNkc
"We'll wait for him to surface again," Veyron said finally. "Esrin, you'll face him when he does." 128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOHZ3C4H84
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She nodded once.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtxcgyPpVX
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His gaze swept across the room. "The rest of you - if you spot him, track but do not engage. Only intervene if absolutely necessary."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjsE3i1KnC
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Murmurs of acknowledgment rippled through the gathered members. 128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cCHc3QqdV
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2CU6YLSDa
Veyron's attention returned to him. "Your codename?"128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3FUKhude4
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Cel met his gaze. "White Death."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQG7qCtPBgf
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A pause. Then Draven laughed - sharp and approving. "Dramatic. I like it."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2JrEmfnAi
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYGI85ifQ0
"Your paragon?" Silas asked, genuine curiosity in his green eyes.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJsPRueqN1
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"Yes."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8sZfqHNGV
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"Well then, White Death," Veyron said, and there was something almost approving in his tone. "Let me welcome you again, Ninth Reckoning."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU00abSCg3
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The moment felt significant despite its simplicity. Cel nodded once.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa6GRR8JUQ
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNNGA5LjLq
"How old are you, Celvian?" Veyron asked.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbI4iInP5D
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"Sixteen."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjgCuJMNVq
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A pause. 128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0jfdo1TmQ
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"That’s perfect. You'll be enrolled in the Chosen Academy."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKwQBWvYpP
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Cel blinked. "What?"128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwSWI4JId1
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"The Academy trains young Chosen," Hina piped up, her earlier petulance forgotten. "All Chosen attend."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIZu0CylUt
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslMmBt6T58
"Which makes it the perfect place for you to grow stronger," Veyron added.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnCzBexT1a
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"My task there?" Cel asked carefully.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdT9Wd3rRDg
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"Observe the other Chosen. Report any concerning behavior. Protect them from external threats." Veyron's tone made it clear this wasn't negotiable. "And become stronger."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mu6o2egxA
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The unspoken message was clear: Prove you deserve to be here.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3NXD4a4VE
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"Esrin will escort you," Veyron continued. "Since she brought you here, she'll ensure you arrive safely."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4t8o7PH0Ot
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The white-haired woman's expression didn't change, but something in her posture suggested this wasn't unexpected.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8nVsMS470
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"When do I leave?" Cel asked.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYEhivvshV
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"Immediately." The Academy begins in ten days. That gives you time to settle in."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbANMfozhqa
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Cel nodded slowly, processing. The Academy. Where all Chosen trained. Where he'd once dreamed of being sent, back when his father's approval still mattered.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSEpiwQvdt
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The irony was bitter.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXFUjvXoDk
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"Any questions?" Veyron asked.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8KMUj81iA
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Hundreds. But Cel couldn't voice the ones that mattered most.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAMEnwywy7
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Instead, he said: "No."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRQgvDHqQr
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"Then we're done here." Veyron rose from his seat with fluid grace. "Esrin, prepare for departure. The rest of you, dismissed."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC78IcKjUX
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The meeting dissolved. Members rose and headed for the door, some casting final glances at Cel - curious, assessing, hostile.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZmu2thwqB
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Silas paused on his way past. "Welcome to the team, White Death. And don't mind Zara's glare - she's like that with everyone."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajSCYP6CFy
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"Heard that," Zara called from across the room.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeidZxte8Tc
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"Good!" Silas flashed a grin before disappearing through the door.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PeW4t0MVq
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Soon, only Cel and Esrin remained.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4bG1CCu9D
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She stood by the fireplace, her ruby eyes fixed on him with that same measuring intensity that had nearly gotten him killed earlier.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhbfPx65gp
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Esrin moved toward the door without a word.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpF5uqQbQDR
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Cel followed.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ8F2l2d0l
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They stepped out of the manor into the crackling void. The floating island was as it had been - dark stone beneath his feet, violet emptiness stretching in every direction.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGjy8rJTpQ
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Esrin stopped on the edge of the island.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rHvyIgy2t
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A rift appeared without ceremony - a gash in the air that shouldn't exist, its edges crackling with violet energy.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HSBoHTd1g
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She crossed the threshold without pause.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEyciKOnKo
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Cel followed before he could reconsider.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegIPkvF5EF
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The rift swallowed them whole. 128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkK9PghvVH
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This time, Cel knew what to expect. The violent inversion of reality. The way gravity became meaningless. He kept his eyes fixed on Esrin's back and let the chaos wash over him without fighting it. 128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gRQzrsKZM
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It ended faster than before.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHUa8rDBvg
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Solid ground materialized beneath his feet.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wMZEyxqlL
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Cel's vision cleared by degrees.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV20yW6iTJ
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They stood in what appeared to be an abandoned bar. But calling it forgotten would be more accurate.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqK1qJgFPi
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Dust coated every surface in thick layers - tables, chairs, the long counter that dominated one wall. Bottles lined shelves behind the bar, their labels faded beyond recognition. Cobwebs stretched between rafters overhead, swaying slightly as they disturbed the stale air.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYVszdAGah
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The windows had been boarded over from the outside, gaps between planks allowing only narrow shafts of light to cut through the darkness.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ggLXnBcqx
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Esrin moved toward what Cel assumed was the front door - a heavy wooden thing with iron fittings that had gone to rust.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ003X5bQ1GT
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She gripped the handle and pulled. 128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTJeZx3KhO
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The door tore open with a shriek of protesting metal. 128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrprjWCXny
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Light spilled through the widening gap - real light, golden and warm. Sound followed. Distant at first, then growing clearer as the door swung fully open.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfnAwb0yZR
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Voices. Laughter. The clatter of wheels on cobblestone.
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-----128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQJh6nDtR9
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Heyho, Author here! ^^128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ50Wn8P8u
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I have a small announcement with two pieces of bad news and two pieces of good news xD128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9qes7stDN
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First, the not-so-great news: I'll be taking a short break from publishing, probably until the beginning of March. Because I have exams at the end of February and the winter break in soccer is over. We've already started preparation for the new season, which means more training than usual. So it's a very stressful time for me right now. I hope you understand, and I promise to be back as soon as I can!128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eA2hu4FTb
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On top of that, I can no longer bear the costs. You might remember my note where I introduced my page with the option to subscribe or donate, and mentioned that I wouldn't monetarize my story if that worked out. Well, no one did it xD. So now I have to figure out how to monetize my story. Either I'll do an exclusive contract with a platform, or I'll publish new chapters on my page first with a paywall. I'll decide how to handle this when I have more free time again. (Ideas/recommendations are welcome!)128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPdNebLhaw
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Now for the good news! 128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZshzx3a2u
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You might remember me mentioning that I have a lot of projects planned for this year. One of these projects will launch in March when I have time again. It'll be something similar to the special chapters I did for Christmas. With this project, you'll have the chance to get some interesting hidden insights into the story.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynxrKylj35
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Also, some of you have asked if you can use the artworks and animations to create your own content about my story - for example, for TikToks. And yes, you absolutely can! In fact, I really appreciate it. I don't see it as stealing like some people do, but as free advertising for my story. So as long as you mention Lunar Legacy or tag my account, you're very welcome to do so (you can find them on pinterest). You can also post your content in the Discord. I'm always happy to see it! ^^128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AEefXhAV1
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One last thing I can't emphasize enough: Please let me know what you think about my story - whether as a comment, a review, or here in the Discord. I've already noticed that some of you have taken my request to heart, and let me tell you: I love you for it. No, really, I appreciate it more than you know. There are two things that keep me motivated: one is, of course, my plot and the anticipation of future plot points, and the other is your feedback. Aside from creating a good story, one of my goals is to build a wonderful community around it. And it makes me so happy to see that both of my goals are heading in the right direction.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcxMVcD9y8
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That's all. Thank you for your time and continued support! ^^128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9zc79OKcn
and then Add to home screen.