His father's fist connected with his jaw. Blood sprayed across marble floors. His mother stood frozen, one hand pressed to her mouth, tears streaming down her face but feet rooted to the ground.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwr7qFA278
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"Weak!" Another blow. "Pathetic!" The voice thundered through the dining hall.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrxT1xUiJF
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Cel tried to speak, to beg, but his father's hands were already at his back, nails digging into divine flesh, tearing away the Moon Goddess's mark—112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBDCaREa6I
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His eyes snapped open.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGTpDkQ6v0
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Ash-covered stone ceiling. Broken walls. The hollow silence of the Ashlands pressing in from all sides.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mchwIX6cb
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His chest heaved, breath coming in short gasps. The nightmare clung to him like oil, coating his thoughts with remembered pain.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOhl3YQjvs
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"You're awake."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp824rNw37
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Cel's body jerked, his left hand instinctively reaching for Silent Moon before his mind caught up. The weapon materialized halfway before he registered the speaker.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRVbjeqs5C
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOO5EEQGTa
Raven knelt beside him, one hand extended toward Cel's torso. Something dark and viscous coated his fingers - a sticky black mass that glistened faintly in the dim light filtering through the ruins.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOBkYKiyhV
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"Don't move," Raven said, his tone flat.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovHYH8TeI4
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Cel's gaze dropped to his own chest. His armor had been partially removed - the mantle and cloak set aside, the tunic pulled up to expose his ribs where the Ashlurker's claws had torn through flesh.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUib7J1KdP
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The black substance covered the wounds in thick layers. It didn't smell like anything Cel recognized. Not medicinal herbs, not the acrid burn of cauterization. Just... earthy. Ancient, somehow.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmbVDnWckS
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"What is that?" His voice came out rougher than intended.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyH2AloSOlg
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdCtYsOS2C
"Medicine." Raven's fingers worked with practiced efficiency, spreading more of the substance across a particularly deep gash. "Found it growing in the darker places. Don't know what it's called. But it works."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqKMvECBUk
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The matter-of-fact delivery was oddly reassuring - proof that survival was possible even here. 112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ymp2MKe77
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"How long was I—"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSDo4UqzOq
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"A few hours. Maybe less." Raven's crimson eyes flicked to Cel's face, assessing. "You talk in your sleep."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhs8iVxXta
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyopjdAf2H
Cel's jaw tightened. "What did I say?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75zOCj9Xp6
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"Nothing clear." A pause as Raven applied more of the black substance to the wounds on Cel's shoulder. "Sounded like it wasn’t a pleasant dream."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVBxUp2y7L
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Cel looked away, focusing on the creature's corpse still coiled a few steps away.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3Yvn2F4G9
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uiEpRdb7f
"Your wounds looked worse than they are," Raven continued, his tone unchanged. "Bled a lot. But the cuts weren't deep enough to do real damage. You got lucky."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfk3XcjVJW
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFOnxl2ihw
"Didn't feel lucky."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYIhIXsi03
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELAWPNxk3j
"Luck isn't about feeling." Raven sat back on his heels, examining his work. "You survived. That's what matters."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8z5wst5fiD
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSb8IyjQhk
Cel's gaze tracked to his own body, really looking at it for the first time since the fight. The wounds were there - angry red lines where claws had opened flesh, burns from the worm's molten breath. But Raven was right. Nothing had been torn away. No exposed bone. No organs punctured.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMIZIArLea
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The burns on his left arm, which should have charred muscle down to bone, showed only reddened skin beneath the black coating.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWH3r5gL7h
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"Your body's good," Raven said, following Cel's gaze. "Even for a Chosen."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCdclTcQON
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Although it was not his own accomplishment, a kind of satisfaction settled in Cel's chest. The Moon Goddess had forged him this body - a body that could apparently endure more than he'd given it credit for.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8o8syjhbM
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His gaze drifted to Raven's eyes. Crimson iris against black where white should be.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMMo8Mjmwd
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The question burned in his throat before he could stop it. "Your eyes. What happened to them?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMQ5AG0AGv
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Raven froze.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDtGtYBxSY
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The reaction was subtle - just a momentary stillness in his movements, a fractional widening of those red eyes. 112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xgr8Dwf6Q
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"What?" The single word carried genuine confusion.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvisejesJL
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Cel's jaw set. "The black. Where white should be. What caused it?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8NKaqNPbT
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq03thKMnsA
For a long moment, Raven simply stared at him. The silence stretched, heavy with something Cel couldn't name.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyzXY5AEUs
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Then Raven's expression shifted - not quite a frown, not quite suspicion. Something caught between the two.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx49EjJhqvc
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJyoWjCZUs
"You really don't know?" The question came quiet, careful. "You can't... feel it?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxu86qWVP9
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqReMH8Sip
"Feel what?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcOuZXG2g4
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Raven's eyes narrowed, studying Cel with an intensity that made his skin prickle. As if seeing him for the first time. As if everything that had come before had been surface observation and now Raven was actually looking.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKyN0LYjhQ
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyG9dhAD3VV
"The aura," Raven said finally, each word deliberate. "The wrongness. The disgust that comes off me like heat off stone."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmHWtEI2cg
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Cel blinked. "What are you talking about?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg85XojLrae
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExgJm9aAZO
Something flickered across Raven's face - too fast to identify, but there. Real emotion breaking through that carefully maintained neutrality.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdku9gbKU9k
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5kAhXW9pG
"You seriously can't sense it." Not a question this time. A statement of dawning realization. "The corruption. The stain. The thing that marks me as—" He cut himself off abruptly.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Vh56UwV6Z
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"Marks you as what?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCCL82SMgI
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Raven remained silent, his gaze locked on Cel's face as if searching for deception. Finding none seemed to disturb him more than anything else.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcHIUNuwGO
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSujh3gf8VH
"Cursed," he said finally. The word dropped between them like a stone into still water. "I'm one of the Cursed."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2wj2b0zWI
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The declaration hit Cel like a physical blow.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrNgaMVNqu
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His breath caught. His body went rigid. Every childhood warning, every whispered story, every nightmare used to frighten disobedient children - all of it crashed through his mind at once.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q33afbhSt
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'Behave, or you'll end up as a Cursed.'112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqGzjC1nW5
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECQSeqoY9H
The Cursed were the absolute bottom of society. Lower than slaves, lower than criminals. People - if they could still be called that - who bear marks of corruption - twisted flesh, cracked skin, signs that divine grace has left them forever.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlzdrGDH73
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Cel had never met one before. No noble child did. The Cursed were exiled from civilization, driven into the wilderness or hunted down by Chosen who believed killing them earned them the favor of their god.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZmYPipDVJ
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And now one stood before him, had been applying medicine to his wounds with practiced hands.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVg4L1XopuI
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYAP3Ghos8
The realization should have triggered fear. Should have sent Cel scrambling for Silent Moon, putting distance between himself and this corrupted thing wearing human skin.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs7Xw6OT15
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But all he felt was... confusion.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1qnKUX3ZD
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"You helped me," Cel said slowly. "Even though you're—even though—"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4mVnRRHxA
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb7WkzrTsj
"Even though I'm supposed to be a monster?" Raven's lips twisted. "Shocking, isn't it?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPpb6PhUQY
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIgc4SleQH
The bitterness in those words cut deep. Cel had heard that same tone in his own voice, directed at his father, his family, everyone who'd judged him as worthless before casting him aside.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa8sMvyLZN
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTHr5A79Yu
"I don't understand," Cel admitted. "The stories say the Cursed are... wrong. Dangerous. That losing divine favor corrupts more than just the body."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KgIONsqzC
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0qSHQ3o9s
"Stories tell a lot of things." Raven moved to the broken wall, his silhouette sharp against the gray light filtering through.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQStxQOMq0o
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"But the marks—the corruption—"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATzD1WzhbP
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQr82Flq6IH
"Are real." His jaw clenched. "But it doesn't make us monsters. Just... abandoned."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatgYQDfWSB
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The word resonated in Cel's chest. Abandoned. He knew that feeling intimately - the crushing weight of being cast aside by those who should have protected you.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2A5YCniz9
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"How?" The question escaped before Cel could stop it. "How do people become Cursed?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm0cznVwXN
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Raven's gaze grew distant. 112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA6mggEvIq
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"Different ways."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpW8LlKwABV
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The silence that followed made it clear - this topic was not open for discussion. Whatever had happened, whatever had led to Raven becoming Cursed, he had no intention of sharing.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRI02Lbx5I
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Cel recognized that wall. He'd built enough of his own.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcddhXHc08b
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He shifted against the wall, trying to find a more comfortable position. The black medicine pulled at his skin where it had begun to dry.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrfonVm2jn
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Raven's gaze fixed on him, those crimson eyes sharp. "You didn't."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QMm6eiAhU
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"Didn't what?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOALLkymhCW
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"Didn’t know that I am a Cursed." Raven tilted his head slightly. 112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LecfWz3wG
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He moved closer, studying Cel with unsettling intensity. 112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAc2dpco80R
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"The aura alone should have told you. The wrongness. The revulsion. And Chosen feel it even stronger." He paused. "But you don't seem affected at all."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEsqoQpQAb
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'Shit.' Cel's mind raced. This was dangerous ground. If Raven realized he couldn't sense divine energy, it would expose a critical weakness - one that could get him killed.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLgEKbQTFy
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"I'm just—" Cel forced his expression neutral. "I'm controlling it. The reaction."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdKboDTPoP
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The lie felt weak even as it left his mouth.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3NEzIRlTb
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Raven's eyes narrowed. "Really?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33ZefIvmK5
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"Yes."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nv1CqRZNd
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"You're not even trying to maintain distance.” Raven's tone remained neutral, but pointed. "Most Chosen can barely stand being in the same room. Need space. Fresh air. Something to cut through the wrongness."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU01Cz8Vhx
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Heat crawled up Cel's neck. His hands curled into fists.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSl7dUN2LV
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"Maybe I'm just better at controlling my reactions than most."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMSso4U5dA
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"Or maybe," Raven said slowly, "you can't sense it at all."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fypsrvuCB
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The corner of his mouth twitched. "That's ridiculous."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvS0v9rlwf
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"Is it?" Raven gestured to himself. "You asked what happened to my eyes. If you could sense the aura, you wouldn't need to ask. You'd know what I was the moment you saw me."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5PrphSMM2
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"I was just—I didn't want to assume—"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BpQYXR88x
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"You're a terrible liar." Something that might have been amusement flickered across Raven's face. 112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR0FMtofUs
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Shame burned in Cel's chest. Even this - even the simple act of hiding his deficiency - was something he couldn't do properly.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM1Q92kuQT
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"So what if I can't sense it?" The words came out sharper than intended. "It doesn't change anything."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbv1LdLY9hD
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"Doesn't it?" Raven's expression shifted, genuine curiosity replacing accusation. "Every human can sense the Cursed. It's not learned. Not trained. Just… part of what makes one human." He paused. "But you can't."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7h4FtR0sQ
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Cel looked away, fixing his gaze on the creature's corpse across the room. Anywhere but those crimson eyes that saw too much.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3BhKvzGqO
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"What about Divine Energy?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0GU1dBgLw
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"I can sense it," Cel answered quickly. Too quickly.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwmeCmLQmt
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“You should really work on your acting skills.” Raven's voice came quieter now. 112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZe8rY7nnP
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Cel's throat tightened. His hands clenched harder, nails digging into his palms.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6kcrxHRyp
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"It's pathetic, isn't it?" The words came out bitter. "A Chosen One who can't even sense the most basic thing every human has."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8iHMFEaa9
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"That's not the word I'd use."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN4IfIzSTc
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"Then what would you call it?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnxwhoQs1Q
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"Impossible." Raven moved to lean against the opposite wall, his posture relaxing slightly. "You're blessed by the Moon Goddess. Can manifest divine artifacts. But can't sense the energy that powers them." He shook his head. "That shouldn't work."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Klp9b5Dk2
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLNaqbzYEP
"But it does." Cel's jaw clenched. "Somehow."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraaVQMgAmU
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HwBTnxiTM
"Yes. Somehow." Raven studied him with that unsettling intensity. 112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDRx7P3kgj
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVyhy96FR6
"Does this mean something's wrong with me?" Cel's voice came flat.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7Fh3qblu6
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"I don't know.” Raven’s honesty was brutal. “I've never heard of a Chosen who couldn't sense Divine Energy. It should be impossible."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEN7K2gd99
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"Everything about me seems to be impossible lately."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eBOktscuP
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Raven simply stared at him. Then he exhaled slowly - not quite a laugh, but close.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhnkzeXCWL
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Silence pressed heavy between them.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdUA2y3MTi
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Cel studied the young man before him - the exhaustion carved into his features, the way he held himself like someone perpetually ready for violence. A year alone in this nightmare. Hunted by monsters and abandoned by the divine.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqO0311pJo
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And yet he'd still helped a stranger. 112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXkHbHL0XU
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"Why did you help me?" Cel asked finally. "Even though I'm a Chosen One. Even though most Chosen would hunt you."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhQpn4vebt
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Raven was silent for a long moment, those crimson eyes unreadable.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPq4AVsjAv
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"Because you looked at me and saw a person." His voice came quiet. Raw. "Not corruption to be destroyed. Not a threat to be eliminated. Just... another human trying to survive." He paused. "Not even my family did that."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY41bdyXex
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The honesty in those words struck deeper than any blade. A glimpse beneath the careful neutrality Raven maintained like armor.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jgd8kyno9
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Cel understood that loneliness. Had felt it himself beneath his father's rage while his mother and brother watched in silence - present but absent, seeing his suffering but not seeing him.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiT4Zwn8UJ
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"I'm sorry," he said. "For what happened to you. For what you lost."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnJHOg45p3
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"Don't be." Raven's expression hardened again. "Sorry doesn't change anything."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tS3Q66Vs4
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"No," Cel agreed. "It doesn't."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc7nFMfKHg
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Another silence. But this one felt different. Less heavy. More like an understanding passing between two people who'd both been broken by circumstances beyond their control.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4FshDS9eY
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"Your wounds will heal faster with the medicine," Raven said, breaking the quiet. "But you need rest. Let your body recover."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbNjQ27NJP
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Cel glanced down at the black substance coating his injuries.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGUzsvtgZs
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"Thank you.”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1oMaf6iAA
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Raven paused, looking back at him. For a moment, something almost like warmth crossed his features. Then it was gone, replaced by that familiar neutral mask.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GwauK1l3q
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"Rest," he said. "I'll keep watch."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ac9ydizLk
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Cel wanted to protest, but exhaustion pulled at him like an undertow. 112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK44RtbH1Z9
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"Call me if something happens," he said instead.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiPgXoYXCB
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Raven nodded once, moving to position himself near the entrance gap where he could see approaching threats.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ETUkOYwFH
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Cel leaned back against the wall, feeling cool stone against his spine. His eyes tracked to where Raven stood silhouetted against the gray light beyond.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRnyjib1KU
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Cursed. Abandoned by the gods. Hunted by society. Marked with corruption. 112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N4LItZqfH
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Yet for the first time since entering this cursed realm, Cel felt something close to safety.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWTHJQP4Q5
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Not because the danger had diminished.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzyRmHuNWY
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But because he was no longer facing it alone.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cj8rrW2Eq
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'Maybe the gods make mistakes too.'1234 copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGhi8LqQss 尼

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