Cel stepped through the doorway into warmth and noise.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1P264F9ET
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkPCdFJ5fq
The street beyond stretched wide - cobblestones worn smooth by countless feet, buildings rising three and four stories on either side. People moved in constant flow, their voices blending into a hum that felt overwhelming after the Ashlands' silence.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5YghNl2c9
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The capital. Stella.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAIyV3xujm
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScWNTTv5q2
He'd been here before. When his father had deemed his presence necessary for some royal occasions. But at that time, he only rode carriages with curtained windows, direct routes to the palace, guards ensuring no common rabble came too close.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC6uPq5zT2
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFN6OSj5XdU
This was different.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGrhRTE1uw
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcrWjdfq4r
Esrin moved forward without hesitation, her boots clicking against cobblestone with steady rhythm. Cel followed, his gaze tracking across storefronts, street vendors, children darting between adults with laughter that felt alien after everything.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbgaZqCYQN
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjjO0IyGQL
A baker's shop. The scent of fresh bread drifted through an open door, making his stomach clench despite having eaten moss and raw meat for days.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJwY6rfh3E
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmRC7VHSih
A blacksmith. The ring of hammer on anvil carried over the general din, sparks visible through the doorway.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFIdKthiID
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHFQkh270h
A woman selling flowers from a cart, their colors so vivid they hurt to look at after endless gray and crimson.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3jBLMWLRB
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xX9hHr7SI
"Make way!"89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQgspHvN9W
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG65XxAAs6G
A carriage rattled past, forcing pedestrians to press against building walls. Cel stepped aside automatically, but his attention had already moved to a group of street performers. One juggled flaming torches while another played something stringed that produced music he couldn't name.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOJQL7sXzf
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd57DHWYPI9
People dropped coins into a hat at their feet.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmREr4o2EA
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMhaVpCViV
The mundane reality of it felt wrong somehow. This world had continued. While he'd been tortured, while he'd died and been resurrected, while he'd eaten rotting meat and fought creatures that shouldn't exist - life had simply gone on.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNezecNw4jt
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYw8R25ywD
"Lady Esrin!"89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7YjOjD9uw
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZd04x0TMp
The call came from somewhere to his right. Cel's head turned.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SiAJPgTDk
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZrct4i4Xd
A merchant stood in his shop doorway, bowing so low his forehead nearly touched his knees. When he straightened, his expression held something between reverence and barely contained eagerness.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIWADGUZy5
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIzA4DLhPt
Esrin didn't acknowledge him. Just kept walking.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQHsc4wUzh
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡys3hoq1VPq
More people noticed.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKdCFF6tGt
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xYb19PL6v
Whispers rippled through the crowd like wind through grass. Conversations stopped mid-word. Heads turned.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XsdUDIZgU
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPD1H280qVQ
"Is that really her?"89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLbLMx65gk
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W9TceC6UJ
"The Hallowed herself..."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc5NawRTsK
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJcKttmcXR
"What's she doing here?"89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8rnZExFFv
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNahxMh6hO
Cel's gaze tracked between them and Esrin's rigid back. She moved through it all like a blade through water - present but untouchable, commanding respect without asking for it.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOCWFeEsTN
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtbdLlIvee
A child ran past, weaving between adults with the kind of reckless joy that came from never having faced real danger. His mother called after him, upset but fond.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBCFBBapu3
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgsRUoH7SX
Cel watched them until they disappeared into the crowd.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR5a9yvBOf
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPLoy4HYqa
The street opened into a square. A fountain dominated the center - carved stone depicting the hero who had founded the Stellarion Empire. Water flowed from raised hands, catching sunlight in ways that made it gleam.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYStVd6Zod
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJPpA3xyFO
Children played near its edge. A couple sat on its rim, speaking in tones too quiet to hear. An old man tossed breadcrumbs to pigeons that swarmed his feet.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03xLzQHFhX
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35siVUesp0
Normal. All of it utterly, impossibly normal.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl6ghjetGE
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKJz59D89d
Esrin crossed the square without slowing.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1yVkYFG3a
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZKuBAFBzO
Cel followed, his attention fragmenting between a dozen different scenes.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6eognilVF
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tJpT7sDFm
Eventually, the Academy rose ahead.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmaACZmi2l
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIl2yM8I1W
Not suddenly - it had been visible for a while, growing larger as they approached. But only now did Cel truly register it, the structure dominating his vision.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHupMcmKIz
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOo1wFJXPKP
Stone walls perhaps four times his height. Iron gates that stood open but looked capable of withstanding siege. Beyond them, buildings sprawled across grounds that seemed to stretch far - dormitories, training halls, structures whose purpose he could only guess.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0NCPZm3uY
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeskop44bqz
Esrin stopped before the gates.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYyMk6bd14
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4874TVz1u
Guards flanked the entrance, their armor polished to a shine that caught the afternoon light. They straightened as Esrin approached, recognition clear in their expressions.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqv1sv1Pys
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9shZJHw27U
"Lady Tempvault." The younger one on the right bowed. "Welcome—"89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHVpRdisJj
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8c5x9CkR8
Esrin's gaze cut to him. Not sharp, not angry - just present in a way that made the guard's words die mid-sentence.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYY9F1VC9B
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvZFpMDHXz
"Lady Esrin," the older guard on the left said quickly, stepping forward with a deeper bow. "Forgive him - he's new to his post. We're honored by your presence."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsj66NUPsj
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuWqlpiOXv
The younger guard had gone pale, his bow deepening until it looked painful.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRS250fNFc
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGM19K1uY38
Esrin held the moment for a heartbeat longer. Then she gave the older guard the barest nod and walked through.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4TJPkms4Q
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2sRt41bqd
Cel followed, feeling their eyes track him with curiosity that would probably turn to questions the moment he was out of earshot.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUKT7kfQOe
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUtAgmFKZn
The grounds stretched before them - grass trimmed to uniformity, trees placed in patterns that created shade without blocking sight lines. A group of students moved between buildings wearing dark uniforms with colored trim. Most looked his age, maybe older.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBR939qG17U
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkCb1WNW90
None of them paid Cel any attention. All eyes fixed on Esrin.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSiZdXBnS1
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLgyIdrlFx
The reception building stood near the entrance - a two-story structure with wide windows and a sign that read "Administration" in formal script.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMmkcQTdB0
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEnTKT0s3M
Esrin pushed through the door.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHns47M6nj
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1B5E98DAq
The interior was exactly what Cel expected. Polished wood floors. Desks arranged in neat rows. Papers organized in stacks that suggested someone took pride in order.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanPDjjbjwq
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxA0vyXFq6T
A woman sat behind the nearest desk. She looked up as they entered, her expression shifting from bored routine to sharp attention in the space of a heartbeat.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO0N54UQ1H
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHPR4yRlMe
"Lady Esrin." She stood, smoothing her uniform. "What can I do for you?"89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAfS6oz8i1
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80ukygr1ye
"I have a Chosen who needs enrollment." Esrin's tone remained flat. Professional.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFNfixyjhf
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0aF0TJGjI
The woman's gaze shifted to Cel, taking in his armor, his white hair, his obvious exhaustion despite the healing.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjspNC8Ezt
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJrcvWWRCH
"Of course." She pulled parchment from a drawer, along with an ink pen. "I'll need some information."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxVC475Z4I
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikL1k9vMfk
Her pen hovered over the page. "Name?"89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzGyfmsPrj
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFTtIK0prS
"Celvian."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CF3UEQkzn
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxen5ENzDHf
She wrote it down. "Place of origin?" 89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmf6EChHsEq
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTG3P5dVas
Cel's mind went blank. He couldn't say House Solmar. Couldn't name anywhere in Sun Clan territory without risking someone recognizing the connection. 89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YkcJhiyqs
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGuikds5fL
"Thornhaven," Esrin stepped in. "Storm Clan territory." 89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUn3VGAq48u
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ491fPvdDWj
The receptionist noted it without looking up. "Patron deity?"89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfz4fbdRChm
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0u88kalBfJ
"The Moon Goddess."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDtG59pRu6
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBi0GReLZlM
The pen paused. Just for a moment - but long enough that Cel noticed.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoH2YNFEWh
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQWpfkj8vw
"I see." She continued writing. "And your guide's rank?"89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98I8w9cjoz
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZYA3pyiIo
Cel's jaw tightened. Saying "Divine Oracle" would create exactly the kind of attention he couldn't afford. Not if he wanted to survive long enough to kill his father.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r8Ljqs2q3
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtcJvJJUli
"Forty-seven."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT62bnupuK
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyHkEEyjZx
The woman noted it without reaction. "To verify your divine blessing, I'll need to see your mark."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNGzgpD9KF
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNXtREGQuD
Cel's chest constricted.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT85ngXvF2R
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72TVnuy6j8
The mark. The one his father had torn away with his bare hands. The one that was now nothing but scar tissue and ruined flesh.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4QDjtMH7V
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcewlwFtWqX
"Is that necessary?" The words came too sharp.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVf4niOB5j6
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR0eAwgTXO
"It’s protocol." Her tone was apologetic but firm. "For all new students."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe04n4zn4YI
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs83kJFmUN
Esrin said nothing. Just stood there with that same impassive expression, offering no help this time.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBH7BSosgj
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5qVgYuk8M
Cel's hands moved to his armor.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbbitSypEr
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NNaZzqwtr
Cinderward dissolved at his command - moonlight threads unraveling from his shoulders, chest, and arms until they vanished entirely, leaving him bare from the waist up.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0ymmlsNyD
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrYIGqZYA0
Then he turned.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ533glakBMe
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8xpCBGrrB
The air in the room changed subtly. Not dramatically - just a slight shift that suggested both women were looking at what he'd revealed.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKguw1PnDoc
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLcvcbNNDJ
"Thank you." The receptionist's voice came measured. "That confirms it."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNa1Hcklh4
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2EhEFcC32
Cel blinked.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKaOFv9jgi
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yQFk8vpAt
'What?'89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XBi0KHTTN
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO28nej4Kpp
His hand shot to his back, fingers searching for the familiar texture of scar tissue.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmblXEfNSo
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLaleNj8bK
Smooth skin met his touch.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ94ldSuWY
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEo3Qj7kY6
He pressed harder, following the curve of his spine between shoulder blades. Nothing. No raised edges. No torn flesh. No evidence of what his father had done.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08sTq9I97o
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHGS3NQSYv
The receptionist cleared her throat softly. Esrin's expression didn't change, but her gaze tracked his movements with clinical interest - as if watching someone discover something both obvious and inexplicable.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEOg9VuQ3q
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LaIX1tHyC
Understanding crashed through him.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGFeEGDroQ
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJERCgD3QmK
The Moon Goddess had given him a new body. One that had never been beaten, never been tortured, never carried his father's rage.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vyIVu22CL
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgk87rqiLY
The mark was there. Whole. Unmarred.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd31XW9bdm6
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhtkMlioGF
"I'll show you to your quarters." The receptionist was already moving toward a door at the room's far end. "If you'll follow me?"89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS03NDFVysm
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3ihnYSaIh
Cel summoned Cinderward back on. The armor manifested around his upper body in seconds, settling into place with familiar weight.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuKuCLKbi2
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTopp6FSbf
Esrin hadn't moved, her ruby eyes tracking him with that same calculating intensity.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjaBgEJ8o1
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpp3kWqLwEg
"Thank you," Cel said quietly. "For bringing me here."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdxo9rbYk4
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNScgtcR4M
She nodded once. Then she turned and walked out without another word.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKCVWNhO78
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQShS0jcl3D
The door closed behind her with soft finality.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZERw0hkzJ
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaJv5XmAYX
"This way." The receptionist gestured.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG2bAGMQCA
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46xIGyzlPj
They left through a side door, stepping back into the afternoon light. The path led east, away from the main building toward a separate structure - simpler than the administration building, its stone less ornate.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1t0aLOd9C
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCuk3cyfyv
She pushed through the entrance without ceremony. A corridor stretched ahead, lined with identical wooden doors. The floor was clean but worn, the walls bare except for numbered plaques.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWIRrkQAJE
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3Sh1Qx2p7
She stopped at a door near the middle, producing a key from her pocket.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByiEyvZ8zI
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmhNWQ5Ria
The lock clicked and the door swung open.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjpKDoHwHN
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqBoAFcDX3
"This is your room." She handed him the key. "Meals are served in the main hall three times daily. Classes begin in ten days. Someone will brief you on your schedule before then."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuItAlXw4XZ
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWCBofxZj1
She left before he could respond.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WZQsup7ro
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp58J4e6mtC
Cel stood in the doorway, taking in what would apparently be home.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP27fWPSeCq
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNPFhIxN6l
Small. A bed against one wall, narrow but clean. A desk beneath the window with a single chair. A wardrobe that looked barely large enough for the few possessions he didn't have. A basin and pitcher for washing.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b1ODWE95i
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz3cseNluR
Commoner quarters. The kind of room he would have been ashamed to enter back when his father's opinion still mattered to him.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDRdQvpfBe
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98tnZzAEd3
He stepped inside and closed the door.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1Pwg7LbHL
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGly8c9Qu0a
Silence crashed down.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX5JzIboN4
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuX4lZ2off
Not the oppressive silence of the Ashlands. Just... quiet. Normal quiet, where he could hear his own breathing without scanning for threats.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytH2l4TVtn
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbb7qZpPL4
A mirror hung on the wall near the wardrobe.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXG0C6uqU7M
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrdO0M4tv6
Cel moved toward it, his reflection emerging with each step. White hair that caught the light filtering through the window. Pale skin that looked like it had never seen sun. Eyes the color of winter sky.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBsjqGIdnP
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRbxQSPqbW
Not the gaunt, broken thing from the cell. Not the boy his father had beaten nearly to death.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEavtOZxKan
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM3swbVN6d
Someone else. Someone new.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnerbg9GmA
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUqInTMyIc
He turned, presenting his back to the mirror, then dismissed Cinderward. Moonlight threads unraveled from his torso, leaving him bare. He craned his neck, trying to see what he knew was there but needed to confirm.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMezRXxWrF
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYmnkHzbur
The mark gleamed in reflected light. Silver against pale skin. At its heart, a crescent moon cradled a perfect circle, phases etched along its inner curve. Sharp, star-like points radiated outward in alternating lengths. Two sweeping, wing-like curves underlined the design, studded with pointed projections like frost fragments.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq9rAcLXIy
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqp3bKy3VB
Beautiful. Whole. Unbroken.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBNDYgTqz5
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYGE4gKjeb
His fingers found it again, tracing lines his father had tried to destroy. The skin was smooth. Perfect. As if violence had never touched it.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgHbPD6uW9
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYwB4pAygH
Cel stared at his reflection for a long time.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakGIC7i0aG
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbCoEGOaRI
Then he turned away and sat on the bed's edge, feeling the mattress give slightly under his weight.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaMfNzEB6b
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Ten days until classes began. Ten days to master enough control that he wouldn't reveal how little he understood his own power. Ten days to figure out how to survive in a place that would judge him by the Moon Goddess's weak reputation, not by what he'd endured to earn her blessing.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE8jdqxECt
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His gaze tracked back to the mirror, to the glimpse of white hair visible in its reflection.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ1j1K9FwK
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‘White Death.’89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MuAxHaYQt
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The codename settled in his chest with quiet certainty.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE504N6UfUF
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Yes. That's what he would become.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH8AOrXfqX
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Not the broken boy his father had thrown away. Not the prisoner who'd eaten maggots to survive.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQO3ULZEOau
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Something colder. Something absolute.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xgGsxv4ma
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Something that they would never see coming.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Bp8F4WAbv
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Author's Note
And that's it! The end of Arc 1: "Shattered Moon Rising"!89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnZT5qRvIM
Thank you all so much for sticking with me through this first arc. It's been an incredible journey, and I'm excited about what's coming next.
Now, some important updates:
We're back to our regular schedule!89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRP0wNbRkYB
Two chapters per week:89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJH7SmGVNy
- Wednesdays89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmqHLzEiMD
- Saturdays
New Tier System is Live!89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15o2YG1lBw
You now have the option to read chapters in advance on my page with a monthly subscription. To make sure you only pay what you can afford, I divided it into different tiers:
- Tier 1: Read 1 chapter ahead89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1FFDkJGzE
- Tier 2: Read 2 chapters ahead89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzg4ErczeM3
- Tier 3: Read 3 chapters ahead89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38qI62DByJ
- Tier 4: Read 4 chapters ahead89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu9aAUQEeb
- Tier 5: Read 5 chapters ahead
And for those that are highly invested in the story, I developed a new special format:89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOv2fBp7BS
- Tier 6 (Special): Read 5 chapters ahead + Meet a character of your choice
What's "Meet a character of your choice"?89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNp6LRfz8YI
You can choose a character and say something to them - one thing per special. Here are some examples:89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqaOT9RlYY
- Ask them a personal question89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOBIy9paJv
- Ask about something story-related you're curious about89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKu3C8k39ex
- Ask what they think about another character89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qroojva8k
- Simply say something to the character and get their reaction89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3yJ2FukIS
Then I am going to write a special chapter.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTweqH2RR1
These specials will look similar to the Christmas specials I did before.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqSM1LX30V
Note: I would recommend you write me before you choose that option. Because some things might not be possible (maybe if it's inappropriate or if the result would not be satisfactory)89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTgzmWvz1W
General bonus features of my page:89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOmd6UhhsH
- As a subscriber, you get a badge visible next to your name when you comment anywhere on my page^^89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72UUvp7FwA
- You can even download my page as an app :grin:
Link to my page: https://celastos-shop.fourthwall.com/
Join the Official Lunar Legacy Discord!89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvQdBtBuC4
You can also expect some fun new things like polls about different story elements and more community interaction!89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Yx7TDqMYp
Discord Link: https://discord.gg/Uduxc48wfm
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Turns out I only took half a month off because I was busy setting all this up xD89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGElcPahQ8
Thank you again for your patience during my exam break. Arc 2 is going to be amazing, and I can't wait to share it with you!
and then Add to home screen.