Cel stepped through the doorway into warmth and noise.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXasdCgYwx
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYvpF7q2Bx
The street beyond stretched wide - cobblestones worn smooth by countless feet, buildings rising three and four stories on either side. People moved in constant flow, their voices blending into a hum that felt overwhelming after the Ashlands' silence.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVrPBsM1TJ
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQvhcillBn
The capital. Stella.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwhF1S6kIw
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGYxfOnAaE
He'd been here before. When his father had deemed his presence necessary for some royal occasions. But at that time, he only rode carriages with curtained windows, direct routes to the palace, guards ensuring no common rabble came too close.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35mnOmaQo9
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81NzmDF7Zd
This was different.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAE8DlZmJE
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcroPWhCVtR
Esrin moved forward without hesitation, her boots clicking against cobblestone with steady rhythm. Cel followed, his gaze tracking across storefronts, street vendors, children darting between adults with laughter that felt alien after everything.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9iS6rosSI
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh97wileKVX
A baker's shop. The scent of fresh bread drifted through an open door, making his stomach clench despite having eaten moss and raw meat for days.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbozMg6A4xX
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUxNKqd5wd
A blacksmith. The ring of hammer on anvil carried over the general din, sparks visible through the doorway.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGHl0rA5HB
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuBhc4HRJu
A woman selling flowers from a cart, their colors so vivid they hurt to look at after endless gray and crimson.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rKrkqe8HW
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJW0gOzdBf6
"Make way!"97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhazbfdIXy
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW0jAgrRgl
A carriage rattled past, forcing pedestrians to press against building walls. Cel stepped aside automatically, but his attention had already moved to a group of street performers. One juggled flaming torches while another played something stringed that produced music he couldn't name.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0sDMFSarU
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPBS10znZV
People dropped coins into a hat at their feet.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdQWgcqZDb
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtq575bT5nI
The mundane reality of it felt wrong somehow. This world had continued. While he'd been tortured, while he'd died and been resurrected, while he'd eaten rotting meat and fought creatures that shouldn't exist - life had simply gone on.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Er66m8ZwG
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWMoae6eHw
"Lady Esrin!"97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyQatWoO8L
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoCteni3xy
The call came from somewhere to his right. Cel's head turned.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzlsX9MzDW
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLESFkdjiuz
A merchant stood in his shop doorway, bowing so low his forehead nearly touched his knees. When he straightened, his expression held something between reverence and barely contained eagerness.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1icvDQzkB
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dAlsozLVB
Esrin didn't acknowledge him. Just kept walking.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMqgJSjAsq
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUAlxGO7tm
More people noticed.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA2pYFshdv
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqitWi7gicY
Whispers rippled through the crowd like wind through grass. Conversations stopped mid-word. Heads turned.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcE2ffjqfS
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBYZFgomPV
"Is that really her?"97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKZSATw44z
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvAA7khch7
"The Hallowed herself..."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMd1sSWM6S
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkMh8xjYwX
"What's she doing here?"97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡno76rgup8e
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJ1mXeDoma
Cel's gaze tracked between them and Esrin's rigid back. She moved through it all like a blade through water - present but untouchable, commanding respect without asking for it.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBeMqjyPji
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiozVfRhU5U
A child ran past, weaving between adults with the kind of reckless joy that came from never having faced real danger. His mother called after him, upset but fond.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqI0ZZL3nO
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPxarlZCrI
Cel watched them until they disappeared into the crowd.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcDHc8NcFh
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48U4fqsRiE
The street opened into a square. A fountain dominated the center - carved stone depicting the hero who had founded the Stellarion Empire. Water flowed from raised hands, catching sunlight in ways that made it gleam.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DCrcAKZhH
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwTFeYEK36
Children played near its edge. A couple sat on its rim, speaking in tones too quiet to hear. An old man tossed breadcrumbs to pigeons that swarmed his feet.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHiaAFo7oL
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioP76YtmQI
Normal. All of it utterly, impossibly normal.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkkCANL3m2
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwZ1xAaySA
Esrin crossed the square without slowing.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwisR4t1NBU
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnQfN89B05
Cel followed, his attention fragmenting between a dozen different scenes.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLqG5evEVl
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0TPll7nLG
Eventually, the Academy rose ahead.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ewTAVLxN1
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpE9sNHGUXW
Not suddenly - it had been visible for a while, growing larger as they approached. But only now did Cel truly register it, the structure dominating his vision.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fqJoNKKP5
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlZzz91Zcd
Stone walls perhaps four times his height. Iron gates that stood open but looked capable of withstanding siege. Beyond them, buildings sprawled across grounds that seemed to stretch far - dormitories, training halls, structures whose purpose he could only guess.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU24bx4lB6
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3w4U6ocCGH
Esrin stopped before the gates.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs91wwZ3DPL
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1JCHFQTO6
Guards flanked the entrance, their armor polished to a shine that caught the afternoon light. They straightened as Esrin approached, recognition clear in their expressions.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4z2JwqSkv
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL202aP700o
"Lady Tempvault." The younger one on the right bowed. "Welcome—"97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF8W2yt8RL
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDWxKAW6Wk
Esrin's gaze cut to him. Not sharp, not angry - just present in a way that made the guard's words die mid-sentence.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3nF80cFS6
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwRNbYHQUJ
"Lady Esrin," the older guard on the left said quickly, stepping forward with a deeper bow. "Forgive him - he's new to his post. We're honored by your presence."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlUzQYUbQm
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGAckU3Isg
The younger guard had gone pale, his bow deepening until it looked painful.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjhpu5OQKn
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDIfZEe1Lt
Esrin held the moment for a heartbeat longer. Then she gave the older guard the barest nod and walked through.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26muAnGDuE
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzSxAn9YG0
Cel followed, feeling their eyes track him with curiosity that would probably turn to questions the moment he was out of earshot.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kydCiMVjZ
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63hXzAbvj6
The grounds stretched before them - grass trimmed to uniformity, trees placed in patterns that created shade without blocking sight lines. A group of students moved between buildings wearing dark uniforms with colored trim. Most looked his age, maybe older.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzOxtsfHjr
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXTEhLAcj8
None of them paid Cel any attention. All eyes fixed on Esrin.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwGX90Co09
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKlWjOjl2K
The reception building stood near the entrance - a two-story structure with wide windows and a sign that read "Administration" in formal script.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy10TLnhMz4
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrmrwOScfU
Esrin pushed through the door.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodQo4Q2zKj
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqXaKPa31A
The interior was exactly what Cel expected. Polished wood floors. Desks arranged in neat rows. Papers organized in stacks that suggested someone took pride in order.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0jG2GS5uT
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYZkKgAj1M
A woman sat behind the nearest desk. She looked up as they entered, her expression shifting from bored routine to sharp attention in the space of a heartbeat.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHupkz5tJC
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqU2EvwZRA
"Lady Esrin." She stood, smoothing her uniform. "What can I do for you?"97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHLmzrPfaZ
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggUEASHIUh
"I have a Chosen who needs enrollment." Esrin's tone remained flat. Professional.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRW5nKNZHpU
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBDUm3Z3SV
The woman's gaze shifted to Cel, taking in his armor, his white hair, his obvious exhaustion despite the healing.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6cgNJwTDe
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReWD3kfQC0
"Of course." She pulled parchment from a drawer, along with an ink pen. "I'll need some information."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBbIOOab8g
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUL9sekAasA
Her pen hovered over the page. "Name?"97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAzdXOShZb
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0buWsxvjcX
"Celvian."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjA3ISLlNM
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIEelmJeKM
She wrote it down. "Place of origin?" 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pQHSxS44u
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUeGGbFK3p
Cel's mind went blank. He couldn't say House Solmar. Couldn't name anywhere in Sun Clan territory without risking someone recognizing the connection. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NBFDiGgip
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIalqnMgu6M
"Thornhaven," Esrin stepped in. "Storm Clan territory." 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4x5VZ6tkZ
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WeCgf6tIL
The receptionist noted it without looking up. "Patron deity?"97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpyBT5vzlL
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkPg6yiiac
"The Moon Goddess."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHx76JxmKh8
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNjwe2IBEc
The pen paused. Just for a moment - but long enough that Cel noticed.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOKbjVa6y8
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCG7XRKYg1
"I see." She continued writing. "And your guide's rank?"97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOjKyT8hxT
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeK3PV456y
Cel's jaw tightened. Saying "Divine Oracle" would create exactly the kind of attention he couldn't afford. Not if he wanted to survive long enough to kill his father.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIrU2BNc9C
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ekOXA2vid
"Forty-seven."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZhToAzAqN
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN74XtFcL9
The woman noted it without reaction. "To verify your divine blessing, I'll need to see your mark."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1PkiLbSzB
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBaLyF0EKp
Cel's chest constricted.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sNpOFA6C9
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNgjqIzWEL
The mark. The one his father had torn away with his bare hands. The one that was now nothing but scar tissue and ruined flesh.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgcZsvsfKa
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A4P4sYDCX
"Is that necessary?" The words came too sharp.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQeRk4H4IO
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCpxDUIULz
"It’s protocol." Her tone was apologetic but firm. "For all new students."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ549qfI9nVD
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPd0psK4ivg
Esrin said nothing. Just stood there with that same impassive expression, offering no help this time.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppZlEEFct8
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ0ygElfb7
Cel's hands moved to his armor.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob2xwn3rAk
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLvY8nPtMr
Cinderward dissolved at his command - moonlight threads unraveling from his shoulders, chest, and arms until they vanished entirely, leaving him bare from the waist up.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMObAB0vUZ
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGiAIIerVC
Then he turned.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0HlJOATDm
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pzfrTkA6S
The air in the room changed subtly. Not dramatically - just a slight shift that suggested both women were looking at what he'd revealed.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBm2qy022L
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPVtcEFuAB
"Thank you." The receptionist's voice came measured. "That confirms it."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g5CANMmfa
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRcASENiaW
Cel blinked.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwITtYgA38d
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j2XaY933t
'What?'97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R5eN02ciq
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHUC4uGz6O
His hand shot to his back, fingers searching for the familiar texture of scar tissue.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnVIPO0Fcm
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pAyquhdcA
Smooth skin met his touch.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8gJfHbAtX
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWM4Agywhg
He pressed harder, following the curve of his spine between shoulder blades. Nothing. No raised edges. No torn flesh. No evidence of what his father had done.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgnexz5aCi
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuTM7O5xwU
The receptionist cleared her throat softly. Esrin's expression didn't change, but her gaze tracked his movements with clinical interest - as if watching someone discover something both obvious and inexplicable.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5e7fBwJP1
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2CsdhM4qm
Understanding crashed through him.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fjQgAVp9C
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqFgX1wcP0
The Moon Goddess had given him a new body. One that had never been beaten, never been tortured, never carried his father's rage.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AC2F47Esw
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNc3rL1Cga
The mark was there. Whole. Unmarred.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudjoU0RqYg
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr5YPQdzUa
"I'll show you to your quarters." The receptionist was already moving toward a door at the room's far end. "If you'll follow me?"97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfbH12BGyH
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEadrkpy0w
Cel summoned Cinderward back on. The armor manifested around his upper body in seconds, settling into place with familiar weight.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPK1G5yy6dW
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSiO2ng3xy
Esrin hadn't moved, her ruby eyes tracking him with that same calculating intensity.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQKqYVYQH2
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwglTWXS0NC
"Thank you," Cel said quietly. "For bringing me here."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxj47RAYRYd
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOJfn11VWh
She nodded once. Then she turned and walked out without another word.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukVYaDbsl2
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRicOlbQFrc
The door closed behind her with soft finality.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrsncmanmg
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOp90Wm2fp
"This way." The receptionist gestured.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz942DFDqhg
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DjFWl2l1v
They left through a side door, stepping back into the afternoon light. The path led east, away from the main building toward a separate structure - simpler than the administration building, its stone less ornate.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEFr6og2PV
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TTSP7xzf5
She pushed through the entrance without ceremony. A corridor stretched ahead, lined with identical wooden doors. The floor was clean but worn, the walls bare except for numbered plaques.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsoRaE2uoG
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2dHqgX7NH
She stopped at a door near the middle, producing a key from her pocket.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbslxjR7Mzy
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lYWPYdheH
The lock clicked and the door swung open.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM61JnMe4cz
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEz6HVraU0
"This is your room." She handed him the key. "Meals are served in the main hall three times daily. Classes begin in ten days. Someone will brief you on your schedule before then."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsiii1mDfI
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDVyyJ8CTG
She left before he could respond.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpe9SQuIOA
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50wQ8G6BYP
Cel stood in the doorway, taking in what would apparently be home.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3twifjtzXu
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyvQ6GqQkZ
Small. A bed against one wall, narrow but clean. A desk beneath the window with a single chair. A wardrobe that looked barely large enough for the few possessions he didn't have. A basin and pitcher for washing.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGNApTJ4SB
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ulAz0xZ5N
Commoner quarters. The kind of room he would have been ashamed to enter back when his father's opinion still mattered to him.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvtZkeLprq
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVDYvGs8sa
He stepped inside and closed the door.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0jaDGxjSp
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStFjr1O99D
Silence crashed down.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR6KbpvcP3
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNPeexMmQy
Not the oppressive silence of the Ashlands. Just... quiet. Normal quiet, where he could hear his own breathing without scanning for threats.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0umV8TivrX
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfSjcYOMc4
A mirror hung on the wall near the wardrobe.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5zmPsrsmi
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxFZSY1NxO
Cel moved toward it, his reflection emerging with each step. White hair that caught the light filtering through the window. Pale skin that looked like it had never seen sun. Eyes the color of winter sky.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMxAk90eOR
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvQ8sjMOeh
Not the gaunt, broken thing from the cell. Not the boy his father had beaten nearly to death.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mUC4tuLym
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iHf7kL8BF
Someone else. Someone new.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4F3mebnEMr
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuv9JF4Xnq
He turned, presenting his back to the mirror, then dismissed Cinderward. Moonlight threads unraveled from his torso, leaving him bare. He craned his neck, trying to see what he knew was there but needed to confirm.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtQYnq0dVk
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlALjANZXQe
The mark gleamed in reflected light. Silver against pale skin. At its heart, a crescent moon cradled a perfect circle, phases etched along its inner curve. Sharp, star-like points radiated outward in alternating lengths. Two sweeping, wing-like curves underlined the design, studded with pointed projections like frost fragments.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaxTCTpUyX
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGPCfwNAMd
Beautiful. Whole. Unbroken.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugWzTrtgbl
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjin8XHlu9
His fingers found it again, tracing lines his father had tried to destroy. The skin was smooth. Perfect. As if violence had never touched it.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1mHXk9wdX
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XEWI8PBTT
Cel stared at his reflection for a long time.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W2bpqYSA4
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3HsOqRBWd
Then he turned away and sat on the bed's edge, feeling the mattress give slightly under his weight.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC87vnMIQP
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Ten days until classes began. Ten days to master enough control that he wouldn't reveal how little he understood his own power. Ten days to figure out how to survive in a place that would judge him by the Moon Goddess's weak reputation, not by what he'd endured to earn her blessing.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7UjbAOeBH
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His gaze tracked back to the mirror, to the glimpse of white hair visible in its reflection.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1XIH2jkGA
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‘White Death.’97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVGFOe0SQn
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The codename settled in his chest with quiet certainty.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0udmWhnNY
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Yes. That's what he would become.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaMeN6yjem
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Not the broken boy his father had thrown away. Not the prisoner who'd eaten maggots to survive.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvumZKofkn6
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Something colder. Something absolute.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFVB9WxDIt
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Something that they would never see coming.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnIi7GfRYN
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Author's Note
And that's it! The end of Arc 1: "Shattered Moon Rising"!97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbZXBc5S8p
Thank you all so much for sticking with me through this first arc. It's been an incredible journey, and I'm excited about what's coming next.
Now, some important updates:
We're back to our regular schedule!97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IMcy39ioM
Two chapters per week:97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkEcGZrzrM
- Wednesdays97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyeW5riHhD
- Saturdays
New Tier System is Live!97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSoq63K4bA
You now have the option to read chapters in advance on my page with a monthly subscription. To make sure you only pay what you can afford, I divided it into different tiers:
- Tier 1: Read 1 chapter ahead97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m4tVo4HNE
- Tier 2: Read 2 chapters ahead97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtFYO2galh
- Tier 3: Read 3 chapters ahead97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx0GtTKlB5
- Tier 4: Read 4 chapters ahead97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SE49uQBWy
- Tier 5: Read 5 chapters ahead
And for those that are highly invested in the story, I developed a new special format:97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAe1dgHiCj
- Tier 6 (Special): Read 5 chapters ahead + Meet a character of your choice
What's "Meet a character of your choice"?97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRG7cPEZ81
You can choose a character and say something to them - one thing per special. Here are some examples:97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVC0o0HEyA
- Ask them a personal question97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yea1i1aag
- Ask about something story-related you're curious about97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOewdDbhBtx
- Ask what they think about another character97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwt2QdnasY
- Simply say something to the character and get their reaction97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnA4l3eCuu
Then I am going to write a special chapter.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya7RbIYHHm
These specials will look similar to the Christmas specials I did before.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui3ude5IyE
Note: I would recommend you write me before you choose that option. Because some things might not be possible (maybe if it's inappropriate or if the result would not be satisfactory)97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfRVQ00e8I
General bonus features of my page:97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSxXHMmxTb
- As a subscriber, you get a badge visible next to your name when you comment anywhere on my page^^97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD6tgA3tcr
- You can even download my page as an app :grin:
Link to my page: https://celastos-shop.fourthwall.com/
Join the Official Lunar Legacy Discord!97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTFzZPgQ9T
You can also expect some fun new things like polls about different story elements and more community interaction!97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR4ikNvlha
Discord Link: https://discord.gg/Uduxc48wfm
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Turns out I only took half a month off because I was busy setting all this up xD97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0paYgR9u0
Thank you again for your patience during my exam break. Arc 2 is going to be amazing, and I can't wait to share it with you!
and then Add to home screen.