"Welcome to the Reckoning, Celvian."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrVhbEGL5q
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsRuXQ2voM
The words hung in the air.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3O5LPBlTm
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XAc9sQpJt
No one spoke.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy18PPaJEIR
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kCnRJEDcS
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtYJCufqM8
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QnbeuKwXX
The matter was settled.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGp47ER8EGC
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRsNlSmRua
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz98rCTGWhm
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKeAWp3eNn
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVZeb1zYmL
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhimYD0YAR
"May I?" Her voice was professional, distant.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPe5t6549r
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhzeSZuFqU
Cel's jaw tightened. Every instinct screamed not to let anyone touch him, not to show weakness, not to— 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdKWUT7Kbt
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l0l593dHd
"It's just healing," she continued, reading his hesitation. "Nothing more."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25wKDgulHA
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpP0opq9B0
He gave her a curt nod.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2OUgQln8T
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCixLbeVM6
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjM5qKyCqV
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRll0L1tPDB
It took perhaps thirty seconds.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUu1CsupXfM
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmUl49mECw
When she stepped back, Cel could breathe without pain for the first time since Esrin had thrown him across the wasteland.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmyjHXwWvJ
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJNqzVCXIV
"Thank you," he said quietly.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaGl5VusYr
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WBaTH1JEy
She inclined her head once, then returned to her position without a word.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtv5t336t9
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgzAbvtfoZ
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46A52mm9Es
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4sm019dKE
Cel remained silent, waiting.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EP1OHv9XJ
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmtqAOC9Hz
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3HZGx4lXo
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuAs2OMYi8
The words settled in Cel's chest with uncomfortable weight.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUzDuOmPQr
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiyFl9j79j
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemzSCHmybZ
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEpxYo5Zok
"You're assassins," Cel said flatly.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGspkxfJIo
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVNabJwGBC
"We're justice," Esrin corrected, her tone brooking no argument. "For victims who have none."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpKcbdbKoj
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nGUPbYkWV
"We operate on a ranking system," Lucien said, his tone matter-of-fact. "Based on strength, not birthright or politics." 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6z0U8YWbq
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1RLHerltb
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPh1ZRRfLs
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNb5iC1TSh
"Me. Yes. I know." Hina crossed her arms. "Every time someone joins, I get bumped down again. Thanks for that.”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72JJNymZJN
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq84DgfWpH
Something tightened in Cel's chest. Strength, not birth, not bloodline. 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSheIVQNgq
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETZFyLMwRj
Everything the Sun Clan wasn't.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxHijbqwXq
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9I2hwET6ym
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHmLu2jUXh
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gnl1Vk9pR
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Y8FjoeQYw
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG42RyLp8R
"Iris Peakvault." The woman who'd healed him spoke quietly. "Seventh Reckoning. Veiled Crag. Mountain Clan."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3RKdq1tRb
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb901ZwqRkf
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡks5CXWCjH9
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRfk34uNuU
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gQyOXu8Kw
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4KqCYpqcq
"Already did that," Cel said before he could stop himself. 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1ju6ym9eF
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl8dTJRrR1
Silence stretched for a heartbeat. Then Silas laughed - genuine and bright.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfgLPFvzOM
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOup0DtsMf1
"Oh, I like him already."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumvBlMOIc8
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3sXQkYK03
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSbkxKF4bW
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfFcJJ2Iw8
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNGvDEURjl
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9R6IDTEHU
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30uxovFxkS
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0xOBf9oLZ
"Lucien Stellarion," the young man with tired eyes said from his chair. "Fourth Reckoning. Dreamfall. Second Prince of the Empire."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFxl0i7h9z
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1efgm0kHU
The presence of royalty made this whole organization even more impossible. What kind of group could command a prince's loyalty?98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjnBDacD49
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN0AyFhYsP
"Esrin." The woman who'd brought him here spoke with quiet authority. "Second Reckoning. Shattered Sky. Chosen Legion."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeG3pp3nTc
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebSMmFvH1u
The hooded figure's presence seemed to intensify slightly. "Veyron Nethis. First Reckoning. Eschaton."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2nJLqEO5a
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyZBCkghUw
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1adAyc44x
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUwlZd5E0G
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCah3gyl8Gk
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXtWRrM9lF
This was enough power to topple the empire.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOXoxsIwTm
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxID08vCkS
Veyron's attention returned to him. "You'll need a codename. Take your time to consider."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNqtsU88XP
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ474wyTPE4I
Cel's thoughts scattered immediately. A codename. Something that would define him in this organization.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFn74I0OB3R
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG48P1vLi5
White Death surfaced first - one of his paragons. It felt right. Cold. Absolute. A name that carried weight.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupd5lLmC5X
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4DQEi6hcK
Heir to the Moon was out - too revealing.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wJ1WDKBwC
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxRIBURKQu
Frostmark? No - too specific.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrReulN6mRn
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8x5HtKDtB5
His mind circled back to White Death. The name settled in his chest with quiet certainty.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZ5RkORI2z
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE5ITpS90B
Yes. That felt right.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXDtfo5LyV
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ337qa6oG2b
But before he could speak—98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDtuDA4b8a
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xJnc9yuRp
"Now," Veyron's tone shifted, becoming more businesslike, "to the matter at hand. Esrin?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iLijxald8
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK0AyliH2D
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tolwKuDhy
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEhdOrcSff
Prince of Death.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9BuEjExkA
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBTFfwzlLH
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGANUnSZL0i
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEp17qw4csg
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwINPVXy4yz
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHMrUNHXku
That had been... a year ago? Maybe more?98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflXAHRGIsX
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Wait.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqfbiomFyM
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A year. The same amount of time Raven said he'd been trapped in the Hollow Realms.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxBXKq3Z0h
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Yj0VUvPvA
The implications crashed through his thoughts with terrible clarity.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs8lA8uBg4
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2ItjqHa7T
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyRCwSdIWA
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYAHhLaMKz
Raven was the Prince of Death.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS90xSy2rF2
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IvQ5S3qNg
And these people wanted him dead.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3GlFtW8RB
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPZEkyDJFU
Cel's jaw clenched. His hands curled into fists at his sides, hidden within Cinderward's cloak.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3Jjft31ik
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QAAk10DtF
'He helped me.' The thought came fierce and absolute. 'Saved my life. Without expecting anything in return.'98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfsn0ZbVfP
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb82u0aenxW
And now he sat in a room with nine people who would kill Raven on sight if they found him.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHk2ZYY5vS
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1fYLpGwWO
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciimbifuop
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07Hjcp0blZ
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYKcdKnpDp
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMLPvunY1T
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDaFLJHKA7
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1ZtbgTFtK
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD3GcLjHZo
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"He's dangerous," Veyron finished. "And unpredictable. That combination requires caution."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDwt0KSrwz
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlhPaszMBi
The words settled over Cel like ice water.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHA9LOaZkA
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LDLLccYXm
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7df7WZ3dC
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvGCC47iqE
A dark satisfaction flickered through his chest before he could suppress it. The Sun Clan had suffered. Good.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskr8YcBkku
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtaig7DmvH
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2n9dawe38c
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CAY84sp0C
Cel forced his breathing to remain steady, his expression neutral. Every instinct screamed to defend Raven, to argue, to demand answers.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBvejawJAT
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDmsECYzHq
Yet revealing his connection would doom them both.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mdnuVoRQP
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfBuD7ctKV
'If they knew I'd been traveling with him...' The thought sent ice through his veins.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9iKRHUn7h
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRTXm9qdHR
So he stayed silent, letting the discussion wash over him while his mind churned.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3D4aqnXtF
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoopiRA9Sy
"We'll wait for him to surface again," Veyron said finally. "Esrin, you'll face him when he does." 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjg9MR7mIDZ
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2Yc3sHklK
She nodded once.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq94HOVSuWE
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64ANUZqawY
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92zOULNA6a
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUH9E3U8a8n
Murmurs of acknowledgment rippled through the gathered members. 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnl5OXm0Wca
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqNNLfzczk
Veyron's attention returned to him. "Your codename?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq17qonBp2P
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wLkXG8q3N
Cel met his gaze. "White Death."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiJilahVuZ
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMM8rXnwDr
A pause. Then Draven laughed - sharp and approving. "Dramatic. I like it."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8ATSy14dv
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed8YW2KLjd
"Your paragon?" Silas asked, genuine curiosity in his green eyes.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvaE6NQVNN
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpELEMZV4g
"Yes."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1zMjPAelW
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwG4r1weYdr
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW4Wlcap8q
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvAivqzzZc
The moment felt significant despite its simplicity. Cel nodded once.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84HUAKFlu2
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU6trgiTHG
"How old are you, Celvian?" Veyron asked.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCNLE7MFzW
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDOKLipH75
"Sixteen."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV863uEsheX
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFIYCEmTO3
A pause. 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWXMvKzrKS
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHnO37Ql7J
"That’s perfect. You'll be enrolled in the Chosen Academy."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGEW1HR02u
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nyRVLDOQE
Cel blinked. "What?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9tOlXpkup
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosD3sfo2ee
"The Academy trains young Chosen," Hina piped up, her earlier petulance forgotten. "All Chosen attend."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsi5bOqXEh
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7FufoyUUc
"Which makes it the perfect place for you to grow stronger," Veyron added.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsQFObeRNC
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhq3dCTFG6F
"My task there?" Cel asked carefully.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEFCYgxZoI
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFJZ4OpDEo
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmLTSF3wA4
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWpIwJWPOV
The unspoken message was clear: Prove you deserve to be here.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5epuJOKfD
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uzJ1cdLc6
"Esrin will escort you," Veyron continued. "Since she brought you here, she'll ensure you arrive safely."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORUUncG47v
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBMvQao2hu
The white-haired woman's expression didn't change, but something in her posture suggested this wasn't unexpected.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPL0LuMiwol
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnpyxeddSa
"When do I leave?" Cel asked.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Xs5y6JlXy
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExPTWcCBzH
"Immediately." The Academy begins in ten days. That gives you time to settle in."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4nXuXMMM9
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGisBvppMHS
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTEdgJ0KZe
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The irony was bitter.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDybqChNPO1
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"Any questions?" Veyron asked.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVRMKebsmX
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Hundreds. But Cel couldn't voice the ones that mattered most.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1HGnlOl4g
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Instead, he said: "No."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7AqitDUZT
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn8GaOuIfT
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XCHx3Vk8k
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANtXA4tiJq
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"Heard that," Zara called from across the room.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujDLGVXriW
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"Good!" Silas flashed a grin before disappearing through the door.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJeANbfuiK
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Soon, only Cel and Esrin remained.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpGDzJMCvm
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipSNXvhJOM
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Esrin moved toward the door without a word.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcLFaQhdnS
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Cel followed.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxkhde6wbV
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3aj62A1Xj
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Esrin stopped on the edge of the island.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XzKrCLMOM
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRPilsE2Dn
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She crossed the threshold without pause.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtKaKjyFXn
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Cel followed before he could reconsider.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxZ4x23SNY
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The rift swallowed them whole. 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0uiKRbNFG
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjo30VXPZf
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It ended faster than before.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6qBjjmcs7
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Solid ground materialized beneath his feet.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnXlWXLtJQ
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Cel's vision cleared by degrees.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBDdpX5GcQ
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uhsKw4tRB
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEshvBBjdFk
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpp79ayhBqz
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wDpLWcI2R
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She gripped the handle and pulled. 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahvBKAvXQD
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The door tore open with a shriek of protesting metal. 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYe141yrsl
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Jx22phRp4
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Voices. Laughter. The clatter of wheels on cobblestone.
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Heyho, Author here! ^^98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd6wLLIxf5
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I have a small announcement with two pieces of bad news and two pieces of good news xD98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRJDt89Wsf
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdaq6ZdWPG
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h7Y2HkrNm
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Now for the good news! 98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURzqr6sLnA
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aR28yAPcP
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZZXqfSTWt
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLXGa2ap8k
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That's all. Thank you for your time and continued support! ^^98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDpPx1SdFh
and then Add to home screen.