"Welcome to the Reckoning, Celvian."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9eTvSXmD1
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The words hung in the air.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRujHmRCkc
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No one spoke.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWyTgV1Csc
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUTsMNWapI
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The matter was settled.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BSLymunGD
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"Before we discuss anything else," the hooded figure - Veyron - said, his voice carrying quiet authority that made everyone straighten slightly, "the boy needs healing."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6dk2A2Puz
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnP8mDuWOXf
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjKoUWWyaZ
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SF5bYSu6Y
"May I?" Her voice was professional, distant.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8KF00E1LI
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YzIfpfD8P
Cel's jaw tightened. Every instinct screamed not to let anyone touch him, not to show weakness, not to— 109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLRckSonm8
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymqedNdAaL
"It's just healing," she continued, reading his hesitation. "Nothing more."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jyousDWaN
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He gave her a curt nod.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0k362jHJc9
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC8SZcZzki
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sGgkit8Eo
It took perhaps thirty seconds.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QUWxKIGUa
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wpBgnB0So
When she stepped back, Cel could breathe without pain for the first time since Esrin had thrown him across the wasteland.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlcLqADQFk
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz4BvaZj85
"Thank you," he said quietly.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQdGdc4HEO
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She inclined her head once, then returned to her position without a word.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZJHcyG7bJ
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZ1VAMnPyF
"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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWtdrUtDt1
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JdXOGDMHe
Cel remained silent, waiting.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0Adt7pDFk
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GSnNuuLSo
"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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWdQ4V7xpk
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcNPvjRyDN
The words settled in Cel's chest with uncomfortable weight.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB9KMdb3fj
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlzNpIVWto
"We kill them," Draven added with a grin. "When the law fails. And it always fails for the powerful. We don't."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxXBIf1rwt
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBQITXGfG0
"You're assassins," Cel said flatly.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp41JzEHMuL
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUJPg3lct3
"We're justice," Esrin corrected, her tone brooking no argument. "For victims who have none."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNc8PuOhAu
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2CoMXt3De
"We operate on a ranking system," Lucien said, his tone matter-of-fact. "Based on strength, not birthright or politics." 109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiOiQIc2Gd
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nTRP2sx5B
"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—"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzK7gDjLXs
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYLN1qEC6X
"Me. Yes. I know." Hina crossed her arms. "Every time someone joins, I get bumped down again. Thanks for that.”109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCHRRRnscd
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqDu7WLm6G
Something tightened in Cel's chest. Strength, not birth, not bloodline. 109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedqu81Mx9Z
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofnAjFgZb4
Everything the Sun Clan wasn't.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCINPMznM6
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7fso4my3J
"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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI80Y8mKAZm
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhSF2AE7yJ
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.”109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8UOmyaPve
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7hXdI964t
"Iris Peakvault." The woman who'd healed him spoke quietly. "Seventh Reckoning. Veiled Crag. Mountain Clan."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q8BuVzJdj
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TL97Ix6kB
Her posture shifted subtly when she spoke - shoulders drawing inward slightly, gaze lowering. The change was so minute Cel almost missed it.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRbJyAmfYQ
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMNPnYywr9
"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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXVAJDpnXY
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNamT6qRyi1
"Already did that," Cel said before he could stop himself. 109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzu6BnFiFl
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYwKWdJxJN
Silence stretched for a heartbeat. Then Silas laughed - genuine and bright.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSuMwnx4D5
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaXz9x36RH
"Oh, I like him already."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFjpABXBun
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB76DbM126
"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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGTnwE4nbY
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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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcYF95qf3I
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The comment was so absurd, delivered with such genuine petulance, that something in Cel's chest loosened slightly. Not quite humor - but close.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvQiqqwpHk
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCdQkKw0Zl
"Lucien Stellarion," the young man with tired eyes said from his chair. "Fourth Reckoning. Dreamfall. Second Prince of the Empire."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzWOzYuhGn
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hDjH76E2l
The presence of royalty made this whole organization even more impossible. What kind of group could command a prince's loyalty?109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliYoANwO2m
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyI66CGpj74
"Esrin." The woman who'd brought him here spoke with quiet authority. "Second Reckoning. Shattered Sky. Chosen Legion."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnf1VUJY2DY
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPk2Cm55S6
The hooded figure's presence seemed to intensify slightly. "Veyron Nethis. First Reckoning. Eschaton."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasvPO7pYF8
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAiP3Ninxy
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrwF4jLGmV
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA6nNB8Eka
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQorFkHy0hf
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This was enough power to topple the empire.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eMMM4zCjv
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Veyron's attention returned to him. "You'll need a codename. Take your time to consider."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwOyA453Zn
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PMfEHAmpe
Cel's thoughts scattered immediately. A codename. Something that would define him in this organization.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcaViNA4P9
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g52I0EMLs
White Death surfaced first - one of his paragons. It felt right. Cold. Absolute. A name that carried weight.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3JjHsW3KH
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Heir to the Moon was out - too revealing.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EXUWWOnnA
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Frostmark? No - too specific.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeupOuLAsz
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His mind circled back to White Death. The name settled in his chest with quiet certainty.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMASiouOrOp
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Yes. That felt right.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ830DTAELKB
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But before he could speak—109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS0pvfWpdv
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"Now," Veyron's tone shifted, becoming more businesslike, "to the matter at hand. Esrin?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB8uCwTM90
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The white-haired woman's expression remained impassive. "I tracked the Prince of Death to the Ashlands. But the search yielded nothing."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6HkJoeXvY
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RAC6wRxH0
Prince of Death.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDERTMYMDYg
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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?109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh8zNwNfKw
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbyIhaasWj
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaIXEwcStf
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That had been... a year ago? Maybe more?109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J9qUkWeSp
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Wait.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkyj8PNzik
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A year. The same amount of time Raven said he'd been trapped in the Hollow Realms.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWlfo4jMSc
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The implications crashed through his thoughts with terrible clarity.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3zaa7sTa7
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FSNhGa5ks
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtAvsYidRR
Raven was the Prince of Death.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOcffIPpG8
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgbdMG3rVh
And these people wanted him dead.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIeo9OyngS
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Cel's jaw clenched. His hands curled into fists at his sides, hidden within Cinderward's cloak.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Dx54WUihB
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'He helped me.' The thought came fierce and absolute. 'Saved my life. Without expecting anything in return.'109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCB6sOvYqh
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZed3VdyIjX
And now he sat in a room with nine people who would kill Raven on sight if they found him.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A7ahaw8iB
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmZeayWclV
"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." 109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP78dd2ZrJD
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlabn5jbTdD
"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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgFVGyV5WD
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdxTr3f31w
"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." 109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyENacuD9em
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACLut5qBIc
"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—" 109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkqJtjpNc7
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57cm11w2hq
"He's dangerous," Veyron finished. "And unpredictable. That combination requires caution."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnczEGQ98U0
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquq6nIQuTy
The words settled over Cel like ice water.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdTNfUfYwS
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRpl6Zimg1
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKTqaqdzzi
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNFe8ruLB5
A dark satisfaction flickered through his chest before he could suppress it. The Sun Clan had suffered. Good.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivdImR5yTb
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ8rmTl1AO
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?'109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1oyNFHYyB
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoJoGvvf1I
Cel forced his breathing to remain steady, his expression neutral. Every instinct screamed to defend Raven, to argue, to demand answers.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7V8vwx3eN
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N0hnHTAH6
Yet revealing his connection would doom them both.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuajcdyBrI
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'If they knew I'd been traveling with him...' The thought sent ice through his veins.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBWUow0OF3
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNrkHJvoM5
So he stayed silent, letting the discussion wash over him while his mind churned.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2NJwHizog
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoofcM8GGe
"We'll wait for him to surface again," Veyron said finally. "Esrin, you'll face him when he does." 109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOccMmRG7Co
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZQYfHyy3t
She nodded once.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfglTtSxWu6
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His gaze swept across the room. "The rest of you - if you spot him, track but do not engage. Only intervene if absolutely necessary."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPCSlODjcs
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ888K8hKp3p
Murmurs of acknowledgment rippled through the gathered members. 109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQR1tX29jWA
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUV3bjOMJc
Veyron's attention returned to him. "Your codename?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9L0O7HCbu
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdn3LWR7oz
Cel met his gaze. "White Death."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJvf3cqWPH
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiluzf9FdAO
A pause. Then Draven laughed - sharp and approving. "Dramatic. I like it."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNY2s69O1ru
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfAXSDArSw
"Your paragon?" Silas asked, genuine curiosity in his green eyes.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvUez4XefC
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XwCESpWCQ
"Yes."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVknGLIi0G
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP9QHSSFYk
"Well then, White Death," Veyron said, and there was something almost approving in his tone. "Let me welcome you again, Ninth Reckoning."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R9ceczPZo
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04F8JQLM0n
The moment felt significant despite its simplicity. Cel nodded once.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Bl0NNcBiH
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZqS0OvgeY
"How old are you, Celvian?" Veyron asked.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLmabalgAb
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"Sixteen."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RImqCpX5a
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A pause. 109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkDkpyeACY
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"That’s perfect. You'll be enrolled in the Chosen Academy."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7x56gllyDt
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxbiClxuuI
Cel blinked. "What?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhdVLCEEDj
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlYaIDSOD0
"The Academy trains young Chosen," Hina piped up, her earlier petulance forgotten. "All Chosen attend."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ135sJsWOKB
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF30qo3AVJn
"Which makes it the perfect place for you to grow stronger," Veyron added.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtNyCeDCAk
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"My task there?" Cel asked carefully.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx64gSwlX6Q
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"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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsRphCd3bW
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The unspoken message was clear: Prove you deserve to be here.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoNoqXaZmh
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvreTMFjwiw
"Esrin will escort you," Veyron continued. "Since she brought you here, she'll ensure you arrive safely."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAu11oKfmq
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7TI3vH06M
The white-haired woman's expression didn't change, but something in her posture suggested this wasn't unexpected.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33K9k2UTPi
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3J5VhVyB4
"When do I leave?" Cel asked.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUEaMm4nbR
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmxwAk0SxE
"Immediately." The Academy begins in ten days. That gives you time to settle in."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYqk0mWzMi
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGJvBn8UgF
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug97ZgimSL
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The irony was bitter.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopS1J5e1sb
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"Any questions?" Veyron asked.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzBxYczdVT
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Hundreds. But Cel couldn't voice the ones that mattered most.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo38pSiHYZA
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Instead, he said: "No."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8E84jfWrQ0
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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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnv7xVmY5uN
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The meeting dissolved. Members rose and headed for the door, some casting final glances at Cel - curious, assessing, hostile.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC45ukFf1l3
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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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U9DHtbIun
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"Heard that," Zara called from across the room.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfgb1539gK
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"Good!" Silas flashed a grin before disappearing through the door.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qWh1SLynT
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Soon, only Cel and Esrin remained.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WfZyPE8Te
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3pB6f5xw1
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Esrin moved toward the door without a word.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswIEeZWihe
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Cel followed.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRijjB5buDV
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZ2mq3ChnM
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Esrin stopped on the edge of the island.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpJ0kg2XLw
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A rift appeared without ceremony - a gash in the air that shouldn't exist, its edges crackling with violet energy.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8Nzsbd9WF
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She crossed the threshold without pause.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEshQTdvLHk
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Cel followed before he could reconsider.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcpf6V4G6A
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The rift swallowed them whole. 109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7QL8F0yT4
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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. 109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9q2OlPGOTP
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It ended faster than before.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnueRUAqqY
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Solid ground materialized beneath his feet.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkI1V2KioE
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Cel's vision cleared by degrees.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZTpuHvodA
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They stood in what appeared to be an abandoned bar. But calling it forgotten would be more accurate.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZqrL63UMx
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBFRetpHIg
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRprNZbHmrf
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO21RxSlkyU
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She gripped the handle and pulled. 109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr0MDtserG
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The door tore open with a shriek of protesting metal. 109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tHmvjXeKw
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmexsWoCAl
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Voices. Laughter. The clatter of wheels on cobblestone.
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-----109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehp808Ezsz
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Heyho, Author here! ^^109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF7xjbcqN6
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I have a small announcement with two pieces of bad news and two pieces of good news xD109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPoHlUrDiZ
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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!109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AXMdOw6cI
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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!)109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKT5n280sB
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Now for the good news! 109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTOhVoUAOy
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfZ41CJc5N
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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! ^^109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnKw7Kwmi0
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkGiODyyad
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That's all. Thank you for your time and continued support! ^^109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5bVMf4pic
and then Add to home screen.