"Welcome to the Reckoning, Celvian."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCYKVnM3Bb
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The words hung in the air.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBdCOc1yO0
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No one spoke.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN2mCdaIXw
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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.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuII2A31xA
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The matter was settled.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmTN2KzPSy
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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."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8xb5iirKI
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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.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FN5yALog4
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"May I?" Her voice was professional, distant.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkCxFkan1u
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Cel's jaw tightened. Every instinct screamed not to let anyone touch him, not to show weakness, not to— 110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zt56xmY8v
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"It's just healing," she continued, reading his hesitation. "Nothing more."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoVMKUhHVB
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He gave her a curt nod.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETNx3Kkcg9
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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.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TCs6VNrJj
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It took perhaps thirty seconds.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQldtA2iiUW
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When she stepped back, Cel could breathe without pain for the first time since Esrin had thrown him across the wasteland.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGohdZIRf7S
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"Thank you," he said quietly.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj3zV4oTx7
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She inclined her head once, then returned to her position without a word.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRfuOk7UGs
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"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."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVxR9jPQuX
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Cel remained silent, waiting.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJFmu5pWrN
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"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."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD5Pc33CVE
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The words settled in Cel's chest with uncomfortable weight.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbmUedyREu
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"We kill them," Draven added with a grin. "When the law fails. And it always fails for the powerful. We don't."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQtRBawo0l
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"You're assassins," Cel said flatly.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrEfyIJ0yC
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"We're justice," Esrin corrected, her tone brooking no argument. "For victims who have none."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWtD51v62J
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"We operate on a ranking system," Lucien said, his tone matter-of-fact. "Based on strength, not birthright or politics." 110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fiBtC23IB
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"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—"110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBKDCX0Gk4
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"Me. Yes. I know." Hina crossed her arms. "Every time someone joins, I get bumped down again. Thanks for that.”110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqDGFhb7Kj
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Something tightened in Cel's chest. Strength, not birth, not bloodline. 110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFN1sjzVLP
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Everything the Sun Clan wasn't.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacIWFPdWoy
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"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."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FnHZeHPlp
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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.”110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbPVyChriM
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"Iris Peakvault." The woman who'd healed him spoke quietly. "Seventh Reckoning. Veiled Crag. Mountain Clan."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrbheHrZKb
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Her posture shifted subtly when she spoke - shoulders drawing inward slightly, gaze lowering. The change was so minute Cel almost missed it.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweXkJaefyB
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"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."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2oPam38zb
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"Already did that," Cel said before he could stop himself. 110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gIhutJf0L
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Silence stretched for a heartbeat. Then Silas laughed - genuine and bright.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI0hcO3uSd
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"Oh, I like him already."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHqGHk2heQ
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"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."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgxdJR6Bdz
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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."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wR2GNbUTl
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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.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwhrOoYksX
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"Lucien Stellarion," the young man with tired eyes said from his chair. "Fourth Reckoning. Dreamfall. Second Prince of the Empire."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUOxfNJj6d
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The presence of royalty made this whole organization even more impossible. What kind of group could command a prince's loyalty?110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB609wxUU6z
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"Esrin." The woman who'd brought him here spoke with quiet authority. "Second Reckoning. Shattered Sky. Chosen Legion."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYAWeel0WD
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The hooded figure's presence seemed to intensify slightly. "Veyron Nethis. First Reckoning. Eschaton."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq7hbiFEZh
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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.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyofhjoezI
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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.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHx3gowtAr
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This was enough power to topple the empire.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVregh80woR
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Veyron's attention returned to him. "You'll need a codename. Take your time to consider."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l4n4RJHnA
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Cel's thoughts scattered immediately. A codename. Something that would define him in this organization.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleclzpI2sX
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White Death surfaced first - one of his paragons. It felt right. Cold. Absolute. A name that carried weight.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO04MAYZeI
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Heir to the Moon was out - too revealing.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgOXkGVuTt
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Frostmark? No - too specific.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitowW3A6YC
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His mind circled back to White Death. The name settled in his chest with quiet certainty.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTL0muk9kb
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Yes. That felt right.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfO0Jx3WaX
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But before he could speak—110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMYfNZPKV1
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"Now," Veyron's tone shifted, becoming more businesslike, "to the matter at hand. Esrin?"110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lbRNep1X4
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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."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MxUu2WTUM
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Prince of Death.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nX2BmtCki
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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?110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3QA2qj5TD
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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.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuitOrOk3S
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That had been... a year ago? Maybe more?110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsg3QlqupU
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Wait.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW3KLghulW
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A year. The same amount of time Raven said he'd been trapped in the Hollow Realms.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnChgPxbLsp
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The implications crashed through his thoughts with terrible clarity.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLpFB4VZIV
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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.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCnaKGX1Gp
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Raven was the Prince of Death.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVq3weQxAU
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And these people wanted him dead.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLs7092ep7T
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Cel's jaw clenched. His hands curled into fists at his sides, hidden within Cinderward's cloak.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaquD1G5uD
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'He helped me.' The thought came fierce and absolute. 'Saved my life. Without expecting anything in return.'110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpef0oXe0Yh
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And now he sat in a room with nine people who would kill Raven on sight if they found him.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EEHtY1iVl
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"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." 110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuOySgttxh
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"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."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVf4Ll8DU8
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"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." 110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwcdT3GcUV
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"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—" 110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJ71awDT0Q
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"He's dangerous," Veyron finished. "And unpredictable. That combination requires caution."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOxPvTYJx4
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The words settled over Cel like ice water.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQYqJWlOtM
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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.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0plQpnKQB
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A dark satisfaction flickered through his chest before he could suppress it. The Sun Clan had suffered. Good.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhE8Zwxm36
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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?'110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiHoB8WmKi
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Cel forced his breathing to remain steady, his expression neutral. Every instinct screamed to defend Raven, to argue, to demand answers.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHdF5J0cqJ
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Yet revealing his connection would doom them both.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaJ6YIGtej
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'If they knew I'd been traveling with him...' The thought sent ice through his veins.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pbweeleUD
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So he stayed silent, letting the discussion wash over him while his mind churned.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKILnE2pYO
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"We'll wait for him to surface again," Veyron said finally. "Esrin, you'll face him when he does." 110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYZJPwszLf
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She nodded once.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI5keSVXJV
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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."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmVDKY4ZxM
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Murmurs of acknowledgment rippled through the gathered members. 110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JyJoO7aeo
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Veyron's attention returned to him. "Your codename?"110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4F8zIy0Etg
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Cel met his gaze. "White Death."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3HVx1hD04
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A pause. Then Draven laughed - sharp and approving. "Dramatic. I like it."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvBtwthBCt
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"Your paragon?" Silas asked, genuine curiosity in his green eyes.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8RfkhjSvL
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"Yes."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4NVtCRTCi
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"Well then, White Death," Veyron said, and there was something almost approving in his tone. "Let me welcome you again, Ninth Reckoning."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSrymUnfsO
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The moment felt significant despite its simplicity. Cel nodded once.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lwOvQJKPt
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"How old are you, Celvian?" Veyron asked.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKLWBE9yY8
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"Sixteen."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQako6uVC7N
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A pause. 110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIt2kETLOm
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"That’s perfect. You'll be enrolled in the Chosen Academy."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2dmJ6NsEy
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Cel blinked. "What?"110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqv7KdGg1J
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"The Academy trains young Chosen," Hina piped up, her earlier petulance forgotten. "All Chosen attend."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs6BFsBuw4
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"Which makes it the perfect place for you to grow stronger," Veyron added.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FoRL0SA3F
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"My task there?" Cel asked carefully.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEX8zlmajqn
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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."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eYGdcFnpm
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The unspoken message was clear: Prove you deserve to be here.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAR0QlQl1bh
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"Esrin will escort you," Veyron continued. "Since she brought you here, she'll ensure you arrive safely."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7epAjndG8c
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The white-haired woman's expression didn't change, but something in her posture suggested this wasn't unexpected.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVp8v358bn
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"When do I leave?" Cel asked.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q8lLuidvo
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"Immediately." The Academy begins in ten days. That gives you time to settle in."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElEPVgACMa
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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.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3PbsL0NUv
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The irony was bitter.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECuAVzdvAZ
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"Any questions?" Veyron asked.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2w17Fl2zN6
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Hundreds. But Cel couldn't voice the ones that mattered most.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPRuJzTVCS
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Instead, he said: "No."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ehEXgmIMx
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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."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuklf0E4rwg
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The meeting dissolved. Members rose and headed for the door, some casting final glances at Cel - curious, assessing, hostile.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GC30EYJKW
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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."110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNymmbIyBNL
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"Heard that," Zara called from across the room.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKE776lcAo
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"Good!" Silas flashed a grin before disappearing through the door.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx8GBeyFLw
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Soon, only Cel and Esrin remained.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOesPnqcmNM
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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.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjWNnSFYcd
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Esrin moved toward the door without a word.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0IBvjLeRO
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Cel followed.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvt0fkjIss
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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.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCCQL7xknA
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Esrin stopped on the edge of the island.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe26riPk0E0
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A rift appeared without ceremony - a gash in the air that shouldn't exist, its edges crackling with violet energy.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIlCAmHn2u
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She crossed the threshold without pause.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSthlatGnsB
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Cel followed before he could reconsider.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKEHlGQJW3
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The rift swallowed them whole. 110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUwMagMGjx
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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. 110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAj8RvTEBg
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It ended faster than before.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlQZOgTyG4
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Solid ground materialized beneath his feet.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45d4qlExBF
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Cel's vision cleared by degrees.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl3bqr7aQ6
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They stood in what appeared to be an abandoned bar. But calling it forgotten would be more accurate.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChZBRcW4G6
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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.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRzi8hnQJr
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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.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hCmuWL3uT
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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.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkSYPoxi27
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She gripped the handle and pulled. 110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx8E7nrUhK
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The door tore open with a shriek of protesting metal. 110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4x7ExeJpA
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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.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnymEtGnUF4
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Voices. Laughter. The clatter of wheels on cobblestone.
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Heyho, Author here! ^^110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqjQTmKV9J
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I have a small announcement with two pieces of bad news and two pieces of good news xD110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR836wUX3O
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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!110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIBMAovL2R
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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!)110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorGcR1vSFX
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Now for the good news! 110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInVzvA3GJ0
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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.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lYY38cB2A
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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! ^^110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18syUmBYoY
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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.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxHFmteLN8
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That's all. Thank you for your time and continued support! ^^110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8zYUiMRMA
and then Add to home screen.