"Welcome to the Reckoning, Celvian."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL4wrtmxcj
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePZadvY735
The words hung in the air.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoonzatEntE
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjE9cr6zK0
No one spoke.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqR88SQ0Sc
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5WLmUTiOk
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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m3j1KiglU
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXLw2noVR2
The matter was settled.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGyQg97vn5
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE2XnvhnTr
"Before we discuss anything else," the hooded figure - Veyron - said, his voice carrying quiet authority that made everyone straighten slightly, "the boy needs healing."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6Xab9jSFk
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJ7ndxoqvV
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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR05GceGlIx
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc2kDlzWHZ
"May I?" Her voice was professional, distant.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xW2GgNqt8
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0W2V8tu2M5
Cel's jaw tightened. Every instinct screamed not to let anyone touch him, not to show weakness, not to— 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2yhhahuOL
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAvtD7OPqp
"It's just healing," she continued, reading his hesitation. "Nothing more."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo3sMSK1SI
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uq3F2hWrj
He gave her a curt nod.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH1a1DW6Q9
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4SYyAteMm
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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZlw3Yqt9b
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2t1ADMRy9a
It took perhaps thirty seconds.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSl2TfoL7k
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cJpPq8WWw
When she stepped back, Cel could breathe without pain for the first time since Esrin had thrown him across the wasteland.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjeRCpzNoq
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4jF5hIbZt
"Thank you," he said quietly.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap9j4JxdsU
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhFnVbpoVz
She inclined her head once, then returned to her position without a word.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtptUe4fFPV
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYWS8MzKis
"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."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbysZlNUtv0
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjibBN2FzA
Cel remained silent, waiting.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNbFiHtJ3M
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxdxEBj4o9
"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."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5nbJzrKP1
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3Hn6e4gwL
The words settled in Cel's chest with uncomfortable weight.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6HinMNW0x
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiTZ33F8ov
"We kill them," Draven added with a grin. "When the law fails. And it always fails for the powerful. We don't."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhMUTeyYxW
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUYmh8excs
"You're assassins," Cel said flatly.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFJwt7zi64
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6MpxYvH3o
"We're justice," Esrin corrected, her tone brooking no argument. "For victims who have none."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2gKUZZXir
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaB4sGNPxR
"We operate on a ranking system," Lucien said, his tone matter-of-fact. "Based on strength, not birthright or politics." 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyMoONa864
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru0zhTjxuS
"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—"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0tckRyCc4
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetSHqkx2nJ
"Me. Yes. I know." Hina crossed her arms. "Every time someone joins, I get bumped down again. Thanks for that.”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DRvnbr0vS
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxkbvqaAU5
Something tightened in Cel's chest. Strength, not birth, not bloodline. 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWad7dqal6
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrp3OI5bl0b
Everything the Sun Clan wasn't.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4kPkDlro1
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGUfl30K37
"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."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmpCZK4cQy
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepy2JDhlTf
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.”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvW7MVIBgV
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8SzJcsmvm
"Iris Peakvault." The woman who'd healed him spoke quietly. "Seventh Reckoning. Veiled Crag. Mountain Clan."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzsZxTHT52
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6BlGs6ZFM
Her posture shifted subtly when she spoke - shoulders drawing inward slightly, gaze lowering. The change was so minute Cel almost missed it.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTTLtilZ50
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMd9ngv0mj
"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."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOuXQosMYv
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSg9DAuBb6y
"Already did that," Cel said before he could stop himself. 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsdesvUB4X
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RunOXkSEJ
Silence stretched for a heartbeat. Then Silas laughed - genuine and bright.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmCmaAWnYh
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBac3sWyGO7
"Oh, I like him already."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUPRNxOHO9
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ58W34oMZu
"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."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OyHYSptSx
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvcOrRtdL7
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."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9Vj6w7Rhy
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgmQiHan2x
The comment was so absurd, delivered with such genuine petulance, that something in Cel's chest loosened slightly. Not quite humor - but close.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H909HT8Op
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWj7LSN9Xas
"Lucien Stellarion," the young man with tired eyes said from his chair. "Fourth Reckoning. Dreamfall. Second Prince of the Empire."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgYjG1ZCSY
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl8UD8e3On
The presence of royalty made this whole organization even more impossible. What kind of group could command a prince's loyalty?98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGRtfghl9V
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwDr3TQYBx
"Esrin." The woman who'd brought him here spoke with quiet authority. "Second Reckoning. Shattered Sky. Chosen Legion."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI26mQOdCgt
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoopEAlXUD
The hooded figure's presence seemed to intensify slightly. "Veyron Nethis. First Reckoning. Eschaton."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaZA7bpx2q
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mB0eorOBF
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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKIAKw51jU
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbviadTunu
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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSYPorRCu0
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2FqvuBZXi
This was enough power to topple the empire.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7iVfo5TOm
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5fJvV6FEm
Veyron's attention returned to him. "You'll need a codename. Take your time to consider."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBE3w7uI08
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zM9huX7sh
Cel's thoughts scattered immediately. A codename. Something that would define him in this organization.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTCVPnkpxC
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKa53wsMnu
White Death surfaced first - one of his paragons. It felt right. Cold. Absolute. A name that carried weight.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxjpD90KLh
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wi4EDsXbM
Heir to the Moon was out - too revealing.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8v2rcWxeGZ
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAU8Fx8gA3
Frostmark? No - too specific.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpqWcrpbsr
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwZ1ZUFiv5
His mind circled back to White Death. The name settled in his chest with quiet certainty.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwUs82xH1O
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwye1FCaWQP
Yes. That felt right.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKibbmswiFa
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But before he could speak—98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffQx68WRxl
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"Now," Veyron's tone shifted, becoming more businesslike, "to the matter at hand. Esrin?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWtY6LtOC0
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡted3Be2iwn
The white-haired woman's expression remained impassive. "I tracked the Prince of Death to the Ashlands. But the search yielded nothing."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpVQBBFcih
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyOmALYqtJ
Prince of Death.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKeWniavGG
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x0XgAfeHX
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?98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fu8fSYAex
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzJVdjCWDC
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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1P3bIE02Nc
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQaykhib9l
That had been... a year ago? Maybe more?98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8Zpnipryf
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61li7Ko1VC
Wait.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbglRHC8hxs
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiQA736WD2
A year. The same amount of time Raven said he'd been trapped in the Hollow Realms.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikv88GDpfq
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqwsB7XpQ8
The implications crashed through his thoughts with terrible clarity.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66YSxw6guu
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jbpERZYmu
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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0Klx851P4
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIwE9NYSh3
Raven was the Prince of Death.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA2W6MLB1U
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkFFoKykuS
And these people wanted him dead.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlkKa3goIz
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2WyWoQnF4
Cel's jaw clenched. His hands curled into fists at his sides, hidden within Cinderward's cloak.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8niVh5SVe8
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7mMRHC4Oq
'He helped me.' The thought came fierce and absolute. 'Saved my life. Without expecting anything in return.'98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfCS1ppnoK
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40eOzqML9m
And now he sat in a room with nine people who would kill Raven on sight if they found him.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbaKWELSoS
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqB1j0WORk
"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." 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSBIiAVNrR
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO3LyVmvwV
"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."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m2s2Mb49p
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHoXhOYbdr
"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." 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo25YNnE5z
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1KFmmum2v
"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—" 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnl608IoIP
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhgQMmUhDm
"He's dangerous," Veyron finished. "And unpredictable. That combination requires caution."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SSrggZ8lh
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7GthYAxwN
The words settled over Cel like ice water.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAuySnKYRE
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHMRFN2Edy
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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eykhuXiBq
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mDDOt4aTh
A dark satisfaction flickered through his chest before he could suppress it. The Sun Clan had suffered. Good.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEyH6XL2OA
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXlVrPyX5a
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?'98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhwnfbr5EF
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmh5JJbWFcY
Cel forced his breathing to remain steady, his expression neutral. Every instinct screamed to defend Raven, to argue, to demand answers.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliujougbnv
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vsNinYFjK
Yet revealing his connection would doom them both.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq933LwaVGo
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpOlfOCLyp
'If they knew I'd been traveling with him...' The thought sent ice through his veins.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3Ah4E3npk
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBBCjaPvK5
So he stayed silent, letting the discussion wash over him while his mind churned.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UOvTZFHa4
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3X5DUTwZI
"We'll wait for him to surface again," Veyron said finally. "Esrin, you'll face him when he does." 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEYGJQN2L6
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJaM9jTQvC
She nodded once.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcjy0N99Wd
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbe2BlFpsEB
His gaze swept across the room. "The rest of you - if you spot him, track but do not engage. Only intervene if absolutely necessary."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrfSjTDSUX
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5q8LrWwTaY
Murmurs of acknowledgment rippled through the gathered members. 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lH1fSnTD2
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDQbTauhwG
Veyron's attention returned to him. "Your codename?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWDbzphNU6
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrKeqllYKg
Cel met his gaze. "White Death."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX5PNotqsf
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf250eslkgj
A pause. Then Draven laughed - sharp and approving. "Dramatic. I like it."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZoYNoE3nA
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4h8f4I7it
"Your paragon?" Silas asked, genuine curiosity in his green eyes.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrVkrU4xLA
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwFGmgql0W
"Yes."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o5fbMRigP
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUSDuPFtTe
"Well then, White Death," Veyron said, and there was something almost approving in his tone. "Let me welcome you again, Ninth Reckoning."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym0IOSjc4w
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6IN3GnzkJ
The moment felt significant despite its simplicity. Cel nodded once.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8JCJl2cDj
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk68QbGDed
"How old are you, Celvian?" Veyron asked.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BGmI6V9WG
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2UANoBq30
"Sixteen."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJF2Kk23Zh2
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyRRX2PapY
A pause. 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj2qYrt8jz
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVsEJRs0F5
"That’s perfect. You'll be enrolled in the Chosen Academy."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvUmzxsg2P
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWZNyn4nQA
Cel blinked. "What?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZPK49zI1m
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyTHHXOslE
"The Academy trains young Chosen," Hina piped up, her earlier petulance forgotten. "All Chosen attend."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSQBv03aGu
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKnTtwffd0
"Which makes it the perfect place for you to grow stronger," Veyron added.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKfFfq4mwS
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMzSKZzlp3
"My task there?" Cel asked carefully.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBhm8mjVK9
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgE7b4w8bT
"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."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0ILRNPLib
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwGtKPzc2h
The unspoken message was clear: Prove you deserve to be here.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4ud5ct2t8
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQQFKviXa1
"Esrin will escort you," Veyron continued. "Since she brought you here, she'll ensure you arrive safely."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yNI3nxhjN
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQkINrzixu
The white-haired woman's expression didn't change, but something in her posture suggested this wasn't unexpected.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUXFj5tB8u
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS6NA87BTq
"When do I leave?" Cel asked.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1waCJt7i7R
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16V3bx1Mez
"Immediately." The Academy begins in ten days. That gives you time to settle in."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VOOOyvElj
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenlUHEWL0a
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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEuM3sWcvN
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The irony was bitter.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrETn9yz3Y
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"Any questions?" Veyron asked.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaTw2hRW3P
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Hundreds. But Cel couldn't voice the ones that mattered most.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7boha6iFLJ
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Instead, he said: "No."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMcdCM3Afy
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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."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRgSVMU47P
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The meeting dissolved. Members rose and headed for the door, some casting final glances at Cel - curious, assessing, hostile.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoF1Z5eAQ4
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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."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafzHFgcBGa
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"Heard that," Zara called from across the room.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH8t2Sk2Zb
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"Good!" Silas flashed a grin before disappearing through the door.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCD4TbGzgc
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Soon, only Cel and Esrin remained.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JErKkESFm
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOMtFYsRA6
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Esrin moved toward the door without a word.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMIQGyp9AC
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Cel followed.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuCxo3uteR
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApLlVua16R
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Esrin stopped on the edge of the island.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsn5qrrh1F
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A rift appeared without ceremony - a gash in the air that shouldn't exist, its edges crackling with violet energy.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2rOu4gbXq
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She crossed the threshold without pause.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOvxHxntNg
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Cel followed before he could reconsider.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3oe9mXjot
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The rift swallowed them whole. 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6Q3bU4gmP
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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. 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZu0SByrT35
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It ended faster than before.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRZpSeezeC
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Solid ground materialized beneath his feet.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82yvvzOrxC
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Cel's vision cleared by degrees.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuRW6zG5Lw
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They stood in what appeared to be an abandoned bar. But calling it forgotten would be more accurate.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsENJuPdU8Y
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VyuJhao96
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7t0ozQGtp
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5afXxnVut
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She gripped the handle and pulled. 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsgqsG2swx
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The door tore open with a shriek of protesting metal. 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLrCDawgd7
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzvRM9E2Ul
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Voices. Laughter. The clatter of wheels on cobblestone.
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Heyho, Author here! ^^98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfk89FCTwv
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I have a small announcement with two pieces of bad news and two pieces of good news xD98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vT7sbh180
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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!98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdduVKqZfFA
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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!)98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9dBolcuVk
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Now for the good news! 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DH0LIp3GX
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbsAADcK8k
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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! ^^98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGssnF2oKd
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k9ei4fDMD
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That's all. Thank you for your time and continued support! ^^98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLoXvesSee
and then Add to home screen.