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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZJ362t6xs
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2vMUXN9Ir
"Weak!" Another blow. "Pathetic!" The voice thundered through the dining hall.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUeAyMpNXK
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxDYB8gJcP
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—113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2e8cdHijb
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ799LKnycBJ
His eyes snapped open.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFlNdOfDY1
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsckVIO8ojt
Ash-covered stone ceiling. Broken walls. The hollow silence of the Ashlands pressing in from all sides.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwpanq9f3f
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFCUpwnRG3
His chest heaved, breath coming in short gasps. The nightmare clung to him like oil, coating his thoughts with remembered pain.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mO0FY9wTz
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinszAcvq0T
"You're awake."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXel1V5uOE1
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAwoXyXqVq
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRATDdkxAE
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWteytF3aTW
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTNJ0UtXqH
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7GpkaE8jz
"Don't move," Raven said, his tone flat.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG5Wk1bFSU
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP4wp3IyWV
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpKC8jsN9I
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa96oJ9zUbs
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOBO5KkXXg
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhMDQMxzEb
"What is that?" His voice came out rougher than intended.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4OYRuD0VU
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI0LaGNzuv
"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."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwLT4P5OCc
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3KvDXfJdh
The matter-of-fact delivery was oddly reassuring - proof that survival was possible even here. 113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LrR3281Rg
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K0Db8lT0k
"How long was I—"113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUlaR1BO3G
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVQ1XZssmA
"A few hours. Maybe less." Raven's crimson eyes flicked to Cel's face, assessing. "You talk in your sleep."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM48avqcPay
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXJucmIpBK
Cel's jaw tightened. "What did I say?"113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS1TVJsk9F
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGChpPQnE6v
"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."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGkptErESi
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2sLwzr8r7
Cel looked away, focusing on the creature's corpse still coiled a few steps away.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBynu1pnbcq
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtcIHFN2NC
"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."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLG1QjTQUh
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EKISoZCR2
"Didn't feel lucky."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHal0S2VGEE
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl37Ye3Mqqa
"Luck isn't about feeling." Raven sat back on his heels, examining his work. "You survived. That's what matters."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYCq2dAPAe
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuT9KlWZ4d
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfwbF6dYTi
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPRReRt6Cu
The burns on his left arm, which should have charred muscle down to bone, showed only reddened skin beneath the black coating.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycXbCYSZxF
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcs741CldaO
"Your body's good," Raven said, following Cel's gaze. "Even for a Chosen."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVDRCHYukW
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIeMjkn2d9
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4jhup1ol0
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2TI2LSEk7
His gaze drifted to Raven's eyes. Crimson iris against black where white should be.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKH9zdkBPk
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡON2u3RxGZw
The question burned in his throat before he could stop it. "Your eyes. What happened to them?"113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vB53tO8Ni
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB06xaRuc6
Raven froze.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDF1T8e6P5
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlKDDib0Ez
The reaction was subtle - just a momentary stillness in his movements, a fractional widening of those red eyes. 113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDsFgXTCQj
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyRGroRhVf
"What?" The single word carried genuine confusion.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFnR8Aw20M
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWI57f27VU
Cel's jaw set. "The black. Where white should be. What caused it?"113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TjgdVKAo7
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAoHJAb1jJ
For a long moment, Raven simply stared at him. The silence stretched, heavy with something Cel couldn't name.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79bV5O5Ylb
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZQZNhXwGv
Then Raven's expression shifted - not quite a frown, not quite suspicion. Something caught between the two.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ545lhJsLBl
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejD5JsnJWk
"You really don't know?" The question came quiet, careful. "You can't... feel it?"113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIK3x2H6Ht
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmjrnSEh42
"Feel what?"113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lKED0oy3V
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdpe9pSPUW
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbcV0HBfDO
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHFTuEF43N
"The aura," Raven said finally, each word deliberate. "The wrongness. The disgust that comes off me like heat off stone."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNwZpqY6WG
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFKf15z0wQ
Cel blinked. "What are you talking about?"113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPKNBR9Zo6
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ou2bPaXjs
Something flickered across Raven's face - too fast to identify, but there. Real emotion breaking through that carefully maintained neutrality.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvw0H2nW33
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQyXBkUXpJ
"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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoXscTPwWJ
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3SECL4fjJ
"Marks you as what?"113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaM5ebgv4xB
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsentiC1cIF
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLk2wXSFI6
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu3xsS7ACf
"Cursed," he said finally. The word dropped between them like a stone into still water. "I'm one of the Cursed."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ujfrvZm8o
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyKgZOaCRt
The declaration hit Cel like a physical blow.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yayn6xalo
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjfSTaIlJb
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzRn7lN0uZ
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoM2Q6Z8eA
'Behave, or you'll end up as a Cursed.'113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IscMVdzzi
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4HODq8HY5
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8SFSOS43C
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZe9jPyGufc
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBpwypJ5Do
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5NKJgRHWn
And now one stood before him, had been applying medicine to his wounds with practiced hands.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKNSVfV9df
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFF2iRbu4S
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISbaR1IW1o
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFkSCNNJzs
But all he felt was... confusion.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEPqulRkw7
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguo09VEEDT
"You helped me," Cel said slowly. "Even though you're—even though—"113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r1UpzXFnG
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KKXARGOh4
"Even though I'm supposed to be a monster?" Raven's lips twisted. "Shocking, isn't it?"113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQh1LdEVQ0
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmJzUWTbHM
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm24Un2fW0v
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINwtlrD36M
"I don't understand," Cel admitted. "The stories say the Cursed are... wrong. Dangerous. That losing divine favor corrupts more than just the body."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBw2b5sL4p
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBD855YDVEm
"Stories tell a lot of things." Raven moved to the broken wall, his silhouette sharp against the gray light filtering through.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcP06ujmyvt
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagsiYjTr0Q
"But the marks—the corruption—"113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4shsQH4Tg
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx95sm6mBNP
"Are real." His jaw clenched. "But it doesn't make us monsters. Just... abandoned."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlassc036aT
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDoh7Sh3p3
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHudRTVkfrb
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRsQijf3Ts
"How?" The question escaped before Cel could stop it. "How do people become Cursed?"113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO94xZobqx4
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICBeczeKtG
Raven's gaze grew distant. 113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ecp9pT0pZ
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLZ4JR7MAt
"Different ways."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6sDyv1XFb
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcOfO8Zd0b
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ0oj05HUh
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVvQzoYKVq
Cel recognized that wall. He'd built enough of his own.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgM0sW5Muj
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0Ka0bB2Z4
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioVd5RqbmJ
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKAJROnWWx
Raven's gaze fixed on him, those crimson eyes sharp. "You didn't."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYh98Qp14d
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaIdqZybm9
"Didn't what?"113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4EAdEWl5f
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHT2jjFNES
"Didn’t know that I am a Cursed." Raven tilted his head slightly. 113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCMk3Memia
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoGT1Ulmie
He moved closer, studying Cel with unsettling intensity. 113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPk2ecSfB0
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeyxRW75M6
"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."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHoHT6srLh
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpknCLVLXXF
'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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14f6k5WxuC
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYl36ovnS4
"I'm just—" Cel forced his expression neutral. "I'm controlling it. The reaction."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJirT8daj3
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKthuB3DZuy
The lie felt weak even as it left his mouth.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSr3rJOA0L
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAWZC0TS6j
Raven's eyes narrowed. "Really?"113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSg7K1PMQH
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwJoYDCZXL
"Yes."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv3EU3YIcz
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDKn2WF6oA
"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."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMVJYoUmZx
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD6EO0gqHF
Heat crawled up Cel's neck. His hands curled into fists.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM2QLvY4Ro
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbRjpW9Rl3
"Maybe I'm just better at controlling my reactions than most."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBElTlBRc5K
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmrZJBT7ue
"Or maybe," Raven said slowly, "you can't sense it at all."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6dPHfuXoI
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiZNVaHuzb
The corner of his mouth twitched. "That's ridiculous."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwE89m7JtM
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjjxBrEPxI
"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."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcXDleXVk4
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CjPDWrTdM
"I was just—I didn't want to assume—"113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLL5kdjRzwd
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoIwcy5enJ
"You're a terrible liar." Something that might have been amusement flickered across Raven's face. 113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUvoSTGu5r
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dgZgH02eJ
Shame burned in Cel's chest. Even this - even the simple act of hiding his deficiency - was something he couldn't do properly.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlzL0HPjIg
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKJcbOs12I
"So what if I can't sense it?" The words came out sharper than intended. "It doesn't change anything."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGNzQzYNeg
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDFMHouIhP
"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."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOdPSWM4XF
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYOdcWSAig
Cel looked away, fixing his gaze on the creature's corpse across the room. Anywhere but those crimson eyes that saw too much.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVej1Lyibd
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFYP0czr8h
"What about Divine Energy?"113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm9W0mYAH2
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvTXvfoMKg
"I can sense it," Cel answered quickly. Too quickly.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4XtY9TYe4
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfAxqbtHgD
“You should really work on your acting skills.” Raven's voice came quieter now. 113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGoNSnPojN
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2MuFnS76q
Cel's throat tightened. His hands clenched harder, nails digging into his palms.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipA5BGsOmO
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8r5wgEIWn
"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."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtwqFtgQCU
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfNavTSNEB
"That's not the word I'd use."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJhJ8DoKyE
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9vDiG98Nw
"Then what would you call it?"113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJWgQD3QgD
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE9ILMw1yi
"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."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28iH5cmnA3
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN7UGY30vw
"But it does." Cel's jaw clenched. "Somehow."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEtWaEuwQ5
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUDJ0a3V4I
"Yes. Somehow." Raven studied him with that unsettling intensity. 113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5snzEfVkO
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaGMmCpmV1
"Does this mean something's wrong with me?" Cel's voice came flat.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLsR9SPckg
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUW76xrUio
"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."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0LpcuDtCp
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3XJQq5onW
"Everything about me seems to be impossible lately."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEc8oWdOVa
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpgGUSisNd
Raven simply stared at him. Then he exhaled slowly - not quite a laugh, but close.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP41GtyNVV
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMWqSGRK4K
Silence pressed heavy between them.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdQ3YGQR1Y
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqoMDFzYuC
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsH9yX92VE9
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizkN5YTSfe
And yet he'd still helped a stranger. 113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk8dEwBMpc
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq7nxBoq1i
"Why did you help me?" Cel asked finally. "Even though I'm a Chosen One. Even though most Chosen would hunt you."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCZv4GYKmT
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kbkiGjXo4
Raven was silent for a long moment, those crimson eyes unreadable.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oeH1gUz4f
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzW5WSZZok
"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."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2H0b6QUJNb
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwGFdN0Upk
The honesty in those words struck deeper than any blade. A glimpse beneath the careful neutrality Raven maintained like armor.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfU99lV4VG
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJbHeQQZrO
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHrvwOcQlW
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtCefFtNjX
"I'm sorry," he said. "For what happened to you. For what you lost."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTebd284gM
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7RAx1T96V
"Don't be." Raven's expression hardened again. "Sorry doesn't change anything."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT3oqwmP8H
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI1hOX3TBx
"No," Cel agreed. "It doesn't."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXSGVYsP27
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYftPC4N4S
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtR0EGQXIQ
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7nQF0FqSR
"Your wounds will heal faster with the medicine," Raven said, breaking the quiet. "But you need rest. Let your body recover."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4nmhBCMpT
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaTW8uKS9r
Cel glanced down at the black substance coating his injuries.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxPXcbaO8n
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdFmhgOGSG
"Thank you.”113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡva8ijd92p4
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dk6xX1bbC
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdvvDDTCl2
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTbssNU128
"Rest," he said. "I'll keep watch."113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxWi2aDQpN
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY1IlOLpp9
Cel wanted to protest, but exhaustion pulled at him like an undertow. 113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCIIceRWJ9
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KyMRuZiwn
"Call me if something happens," he said instead.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjuOEkszWm
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtlMwsgaIk
Raven nodded once, moving to position himself near the entrance gap where he could see approaching threats.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FmKuyuGPn
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY0dpEDrRh
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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOMqmApRgn
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSg0NJRGuej
Cursed. Abandoned by the gods. Hunted by society. Marked with corruption. 113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvUljOSx73
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AJjjLuQJe
Yet for the first time since entering this cursed realm, Cel felt something close to safety.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJH7KGqKME
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTMmGN32UO
Not because the danger had diminished.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw52Szbvxzi
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFaJ39kYR4
But because he was no longer facing it alone.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4CqIoTyl0
113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWY6XNtgaE4
'Maybe the gods make mistakes too.'1234 copyright protection109ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SgGdBZrMa 尼

216.73.217.128