Cel stopped before the monolith, grateful for the excuse to focus on something other than the heat still crawling up his neck.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU7G4XoI1D
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDirze6OGi8
The surface rippled like water, runes burning against his vision:99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqN43ZHRbh
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWO50a0x95m
<Name: Celvian> 99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZBQtPw2wS
<Paragons: (Heir to the Moon) (White Death)> 99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLoFrGHM37
<Artifacts: (Silent Moon) (Cinderward)> 99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2OYetUfyq
<Insights: (Ledger of Nightmares)> 99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPlRZGBCQu
<Achievements: (2)>99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TjjmloJZJ
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29n3y76eTl
He focused on the achievements line.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp9rvwveen
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUp5taTXAe
<Achievements: (You died) (You entered a new dimension)>99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwNK3Ru6U5
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWxUgwZjGa
Cel stared at the words.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PNNgw5JYI
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBozKDdcCV
Crazy. Both of them sounded absolutely insane when laid out like that.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUZx2HNjfv
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuagfqWCJk5
The first he'd earned by dying - something that should have ended everything. The second one was new. A record of stepping into the Reckoning's base - that floating island in the crackling violet void.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV11HSiTYPv
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsYzpHEHDw
His brow furrowed.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPezXeLH39H
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBgz6AB1nC
Not the Hollow Realms. Not the real world either. 99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknDMrr0Bog
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEcAcUEkvS
A completely separate dimension.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XZ9aQ8oLF
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuZMhLZ9Pl
But how?99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJMdOnageI
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE0g1FQUo2
Did the Reckoning find it somehow? Stumble across a rift that led to an empty pocket of reality and claim it?99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftbHnDdZWf
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP2z3o13MP
Or had someone created it?99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ444y846xQp
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZerHDsCeSD
The thought made his stomach twist. Creating an entire dimension seemed impossible - the kind of power that shouldn't exist outside of gods themselves.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqyeGAa5S7
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTne9TuFFhI
But the Reckoning had nine members. Several of them legendary figures - the Mercenary King, the second prince of the Empire, a Hallowed. And Veyron led them all, had welcomed him based solely on Selina's description.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCxnXrRpzB
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfESmK0Sme6
What kind of person could lead such figures? And what kind of power did someone like that possess?99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3nWEql3ep
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyRhkj9CVY
Cel's jaw tightened. More questions without answers.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84gL6Q9X87
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbat1gGe5L6
His gaze shifted back to his paragons. One of them had received a new trait.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HnORKbvSl
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwR97CKxjxg
He focused on Heir to the Moon first.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIfnAUNtBM
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwhTRW1xqL
<Paragon: Heir to the Moon> 99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6asCisw0eV
<Affinity: 1/10> 99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67LKVWOCLw
<Traits: (Lunar Vigor) (Unbroken Succession) (Eternal Witness)>99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyF6iCHRqTA
<Authorities: />99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9N84W562RL
<Enlightment: "The moon is never the same twice, yet she is always herself. Full tonight, crescent tomorrow, vanished the next - but never gone. They call it change. The moon calls it constancy.">99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnk49SJK2G
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdDtiEYMM7
Three traits now, instead of two.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9OVfAlNne
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLd3JGApgx
Eternal Witness. The new addition.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWqUQZO5RF
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq6cxtQf6e
Cel narrowed his focus on it and the runes shifted again.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51TuyhQC6k
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xFNGPBoSE
<Trait: Eternal Witness> 99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhmAvZewYr
<Effect: Your body has adapted to the moon's eternal watch. You no longer require sleep.>99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIx6QId8ZgB
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSAc9ga1DQ
For a moment, he simply stared.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jF9ABJC73
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWqA5x8AwA
Then the implication hit him like a physical blow.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8lvRxTQo9
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpdybsoV1D
No sleep.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcQ4PatC0a
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4vilVouCk
Never again.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx1wFtqv20
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCE83JqzaA
Several hours every night that other people lost to unconsciousness - hours he could use however he wanted. Training. Reading. Thinking. Living.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ344NvPfumt
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WBH9ycl6y
The sheer value of that…99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNF9rwEQXTU
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CgVTuP0BT
And it wasn't just time. Sleep was vulnerability. A period where threats could approach unnoticed, where defenses lowered whether you wanted them to or not.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClejVI6gYb
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3i9SRoulU
Now he'd never have to worry about that again.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiWSkcOE9z
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3nNrDCm7h
His throat felt tight.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIx1x0kEuB
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUBUqLMUOV
'Thank you.'99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFe70cPNUw
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hWiCbcLDR
The thought rose unbidden, directed not at the goddess but at Selina. Her presence. Her rank as a Divine Oracle.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHZ8KV6th6
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVyil1bDGr
Because she held that rank, his blessing carried weight it wouldn't have otherwise.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfIcEZUsXf
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8mSOHuy8i
Other Chosen received abilities suited to survival. Basic enhancements. Modest authorities.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJxSSYpX4n
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XmFmbx1Ek
He'd been given resurrection. And now even the freedom from one of humanity's most fundamental limitations.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7KmxA9uhV
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAB8Uqn3nLp
All because Selina stood as his guide.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPETMQRCHQa
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡin8OTeMMoU
'I don't deserve you,' he thought. 'But I'm grateful anyway.'99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NolMl9cGd
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeRfrC9WXc
The monolith's light dimmed as his focus withdrew, runes fading back into its surface.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CeKDP5JAs
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhb6Iu9u7Dn
Cel turned away, finding Selina still standing in the mist nearby, that serene smile in place.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Sxwro3wXw
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43KTdizfdH
"I’m leaving now," he said quietly.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVOdfEdrZs
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5qfFmSw35
"May the Moon Goddess light your path, Chosen One."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnG0ZTwp4J
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBoknmQNH7
The blessing settled over him like a gentle weight. Familiar now. Comforting in a way few things were.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLSUUheLw0
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbH751QhOzW
He nodded once, then closed his eyes and reached for the boundary of his soul.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthj7QNE80P
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4w4eY57oc
The world shifted.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiH7H90LdOT
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCQHqg681n
Darkness greeted him.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjt8BA2BID
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXV84opZ2j
Cel blinked, momentarily disoriented before realizing that he was still in his room.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HFsz23IqT
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jaVKeLh4J
The night had fallen while he was gone.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6AmkMF7cp
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGJFaOZQUP
He pushed himself up from the bed, joints protesting slightly despite his divinely enhanced body.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCCpKQnvN5
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmpUwuXqMz
The window showed only blackness beyond - no moon visible from this angle. Street sounds had faded to occasional distant footsteps and the creak of settling wood.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UF11P2Plo
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6NI9YlMv3
His body felt... strange. Not tired, exactly. But worn in a way that had nothing to do with physical exhaustion.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDpcxN6ZkQ
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8wWBB6n1T
Like he'd been running for days and only just realized he could stop.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVfmQ1Pbqc
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHA527iOpq
Eternal Witness meant he didn't need sleep anymore.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2JprWkQ38
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcNJtKIhyT
But that didn't mean he couldn't sleep.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITgmDH35Rf
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSa50NclGUV
And right now, despite everything, the thought of lying down and letting unconsciousness take him felt impossibly appealing.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLQ7WdLeR3
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7OWlUPI7C
Just for a little while.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5IxuvrZ4G
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCegYangmKj
Cel moved to the bed and sat on its edge, then swung his legs up and lay back.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xnD7lu9Xv
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcFQl0t1Eg
The mattress was thin. The pillow barely deserved the name.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcH69jBqgVb
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQe2Toi1J5o
But it was soft. Safe.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWj4GBUbbga
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeuoOhhkq8
He stared at the ceiling, watching shadows shift across wooden beams.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrM6muyWMt
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4U5zVsqNm
Ten days until the Academy started.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vQqD5Dvqq
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWlrKWKief
Ten days to figure out what it meant to live instead of just survive.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc5RiitdUK
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlg5obhINn1
He still didn't know how.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIB7Go5NWY
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaWPMzNaN1
But Selina believed he could learn.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAlx2vpWmv
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywxvpNL2sm
That would have to be enough.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfhoS9AM87
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZOAsxhwge
His eyes drifted shut.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFN7HWc60IK
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl37QLFQtq6
Sleep came easier than it had any right to, pulling him down into darkness.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUnPuedREZ
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CzruXn16k
The nightmare came like it always did - his father's fists, his mother's silence, the cultists' hands reaching through rusted bars. Familiar horrors cycling through his mind in vivid detail.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EpiPlFDtG
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd633nwW5ai
Cel jerked awake gasping, sweat-soaked and shaking.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4OOtWHnhr
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFdoCnYDRW
Gray light filtered through the window. Dawn approaching.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnJj4IzSlc
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NRehofACE
Just a dream.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVIXJWNlnU
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZN7FHekaLI
The same dream that appeared every single night.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNuocEWD9O
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWxryMW3YZ
His breathing slowly steadied as awareness fully returned.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLeDJJcCKp
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtd3cGFWGF
Except now…99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbN78c1lCy
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNavdWBtU4T
Now it wouldn't.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BrguWWTjR
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyRlDQQPwj
Thanks to his new trait Eternal Witness, he no longer required sleep, which meant no more nightmares dragging him back through his trauma.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFLevHgTBQ
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeNJLgWU4t
Relief hit him so hard it felt physical - a weight lifting from his chest that he hadn't fully realized was there until it vanished.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX5HhlvHDr
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBorhPdNDyW
He could sleep if he wanted to. The trait didn't prevent it. But he'd never need to again. Never be forced to surrender consciousness and hope the nightmares didn't come.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1j6To2YwZ
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpJ9H2ZxyD
He could just... stay awake. Forever, if he chose.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1N7nw0Cxd
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PcKYuRdcJ
The freedom in that felt impossible.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72aJv8lGDi
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlABDAkm5sY
Cel sat up slowly, running a hand through sweat-dampened hair. His white hair - still strange to see when he caught glimpses of it. 99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fuLEpbj7b
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoqzGQZXib
Sunlight streamed through the window, bright and clean, spilling across the floor in a warm rectangle. The day stretched ahead of him - hours and hours with no structure, no purpose.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUS24mUEajX
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqbFxblL13
What was he supposed to do now?99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqZYgRCvGv
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPPWqUGiRn
Selina's advice drifted back to him. ‘Rest. Enjoy the peaceful time you have been given. Do the things that bring you joy.’99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh1iRakjRB
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6qDSdp9Cg
Cel's jaw tightened.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE89oxdZjI8
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNEzBrJ1Bq
He still didn't know what brought him joy. Didn't know how to just... exist without purpose or goal.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQkINkJ1AH
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtM0Vv5g6L
Training made sense. Preparing for threats made sense. But wandering around looking for something that made him smile?99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5lrUp2Jl2
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPD18rUhsLK
He didn't even know where to start.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwJOPs4oLD
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLO1rXmlWT
His thoughts circled back to the only moment recently where something close to peace had touched him.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34ccc1mAXO
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbrcKoUSbt
Talking with Selina.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kJERzS7aZ
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqZaGStqhq
Not during the trial. Not when she explained his abilities or warned him about dangers. Just... talking. Her patience. Her gentle certainty. The way she listened without judgment and answered without condescension.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiY9C95UDk
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lBlab6MEp
The way she smiled…99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhx2R0yIUK
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hJicizx3c
Heat crept up his neck at the memory of that radiant expression.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcXaz0T3TL
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZfVvc5ifF
He wanted to see that again.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNXe64AyT5
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGfb2wRk1d
Wanted to talk with her more. Ask her questions that had nothing to do with survival or power. Learn what she thought about things. Hear her voice without the weight of divine guidance hanging over every word.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34hvitGwGP
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVYPpozXLF
The desire settled in his chest, warm and uncomfortable.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEKmkc2iuA
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYN4hBDKkr
But she was a Divine Oracle. The highest authority beneath the gods themselves.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJo0dxtoJNW
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogGlPLltXU
Why would she want to spend time with someone like him?99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPylylv1xXo
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JJnOXRDiT
She guided him because it was her duty. Her role. Not because she enjoyed his company or found him interesting.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvsivECIsF
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsE4gq2P1O
Expecting anything else was just…99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lPB6CavWe
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WAKtpKWdX
Delusional.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCJ3QGZcdr
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRi2JoOmXMk
Cel pushed himself off the bed, suddenly restless. The room felt too small again. Confining.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocZ6zr2LQv
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j1oHyVw05
Maybe he should go outside. Walk through the Academy grounds. Get familiar with the place before classes started.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE508TfgYBj
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNEcfGTMcf
Or maybe he should practice with Silent Moon. Test how Empathic Steel responded to different emotional states.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspzIwDgRqW
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVzcre0P18
Or—99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BDsfPaw8C
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfDooLnHRV
Three sharp knocks echoed through the small room.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8EtEB0hu5
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVEh5QA830
Cel froze.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHKLgdF13Y
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQNvugzDXQ
Every muscle in his body went rigid. His hand moved instinctively toward where Silent Moon would materialize if he called it.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC8tUzvOqd
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMRQxvtPYr
No one knew he was here. No one except the Reckoning and the receptionist who'd enrolled him.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ485uHL9SHF
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAKEdE3Jtw
The knocks came again.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRPYKfezpF
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZZLOZwha3
Cel moved to the door silently and stopped, listening.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZdTpRKra0
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMJpERG5LE
Breathing on the other side. Steady. Calm.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBdIKfOS96
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Not threatening, then. Or very good at pretending not to be.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiXWfZGJhY
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He reached for the handle and pulled the door open.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGs02oJmoc
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The receptionist stood in the hallway, holding a neatly folded bundle of dark fabric. Her expression was professional but tired - like this was just another task in a long shift.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyd3UuwE9X
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"Apologies for the early hour," she said without preamble. "I meant to deliver these yesterday, but the paperwork took longer than expected." She held out the bundle. "Your Academy uniform and monthly allowance."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rzsdY0UsT
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Cel stared at the offered items, his hand still hovering near where Silent Moon would appear.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwpJL9tmdd
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The woman's gaze tracked the motion, then returned to his face without comment. 99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6nYi70jwX
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"The uniform is required for classes and official Academy functions," she continued when he didn't immediately take it. "You're free to wear whatever you like otherwise." She shifted the bundle slightly. "The allowance is standard for commoner students - it should cover your needs."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebAiEudU71
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Cel finally reached out and took the bundle.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvKEM7Wzlb
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"The Library is open from dawn to midnight. Same goes for the training grounds. Curfew's at midnight for commoner dorms."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QTZWauRFE
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She paused, watching him with that same tired professionalism.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTW2dnAIFpf
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“Any questions?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUYlMqlnCH
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Cel's throat worked. Too many questions, actually. But none that she could answer.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqPL1sml09
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"No."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3B35o40Nk
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The woman nodded once. "Then I'll leave you to settle in. Welcome to the Chosen Academy."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXNoVO3x5u
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She turned and walked away down the dim hallway, footsteps fading into silence.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxNpNHC3ed
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Cel stood in the doorway for a moment longer, then stepped back inside.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLgSj5iQA3
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He moved to the bed, set the bundle down and carefully unfolded it.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlheGfYcoO
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The uniform spilled out first - dark fabric that looked almost black, with silver threading along the collar and cuffs. Well-made. Practical. 99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFcUeAYxBq
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Over the heart, embroidered in that same silver thread, was the crescent moon symbol of the Moon Goddess.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJXVfygBOj
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Cel's fingers traced over it slowly.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD5cuoDodH
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The uniform was stiff. Formal. The kind of thing that would announce what he was to everyone who saw him.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU99JgCOgR
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Moon Chosen. Academy student. Commoner.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3agk6oWKoF
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His fingers pulled away from the silver crescent.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxk9yQbFmP
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The cloth pouch filled with silver coins came next. More money than he'd imagined. Enough to live on for a month, apparently.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmtHSlT4Ww
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He weighed the pouch in his palm. Heavy. Solid. Real.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fNZvHT4eb
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Wealth he'd earned simply by existing. By being Chosen.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd77sbfA6EB
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The thought sat strangely in his chest.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShGkL9NQVF
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Cel set the coins down and picked up the uniform again. He already had something to wear. Cinderward - an artifact of the blessed grace that protected without restricting, felt right in a way this stiff formal uniform never would.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihvqMS9OpI
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He folded the uniform carefully and set it in the wardrobe. 99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J45PUxoAz
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The sky was brightening properly now through the window - dawn breaking across the city in shades of gold and pale blue.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4w8nkEcwc
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Hours stretching ahead with nothing to do and no idea how to fill them.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9N5QavTfc
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‘Do the things that bring you joy.’ Selina's advice echoed again, gentle and impossible.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNABcxCUS3B
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Cel's fingers drummed against his thigh as he considered his options.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYorZuyT28
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His gaze tracked to the door.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkbfRupEgg
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Outside was a city. Stella - the capital. Streets he'd barely seen while Esrin marched him to the Academy. People living normal lives, doing normal things.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAOSlTgPrK
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When was the last time he'd walked somewhere without a destination?99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lqxAJBJzG
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Never, probably.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAxlIlIZW1
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Maybe that was where he should start. With just... walking.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbLMID5vAC
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Seeing what was out there.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJZPSsUfNB
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The idea felt foreign and slightly terrifying.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCG6JtbLxL
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But Selina believed he could do it.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNNKBhAHFc
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And right now, that was enough.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEBrQEK2ur
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Cel moved to the door, pulled it open, and stepped into the hallway.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4SDBxpv0K
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----------99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMB1kYgvy1
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​​​​​​​Heyho, Author here^^99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKvn6FLZoc
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I just wanted to give you a short reminder that you can read up to 5 Chapters ahead on my page: https://celastos-shop.fourthwall.com/supporters99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHnJiHVqaq
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINYZfQndK8
Also, now that the first arc of Lunar Legacy has come to an end, I'd love to gather some interesting statistics to share with you all later! To start things off, I've created a poll where you can vote for your top 5 favorite characters from the first arc and rank them in order of preference.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABW7h6xMd2
Vote here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2fHPnPWhv7kOVpEW-7_9dVZ-R58KrdhO0hxVfGrV_dHmMIA/viewform?usp=header99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HfbgmM95v
(it is anonymous - so please vote only one time to get a correct result)99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCjOD0SmsJ
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Would love to see your picks! Thanks for participating^^99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXesD9IOIHL
1234 copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLYu4j3QZk 尼

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