Instructor Calder's gaze swept across the assembled students like a blade testing for soft spots.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAj5gMOXDUF
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"Most of you received your first blessing weeks ago. Maybe months." His scarred arms remained crossed. "You've had time to feel strong. To imagine yourselves as heroes."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqOUfE7VWF
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He let the words hang.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5d4RdSOU3
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"You're not."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ftjw8vmB3
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The declaration landed with the force of a physical blow. Several students straightened defensively. Others shifted their weight, uncertainty flickering across their faces.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfLGYGFdfc
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrmYaWOMc8
"Strength isn't granted. It's earned. The gods gave you a foundation - a body that can become something more than human. But that's all it is. A foundation."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjTPVUdraG
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFmnOoBQUj
He uncrossed his arms and gestured toward the training grounds around them.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cU4oRl8NU
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjbRYYJCtI
"Every morning, you'll be here before dawn. Running. Lifting. Pushing your bodies until they break and rebuild stronger. Some of you are thinking that's pointless - you're Chosen now, why waste time on mundane exercise?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJP2ZcwgFK
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His expression hardened.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA7WETjMBK
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMub1xjVwIH
"Because there is no ceiling to how strong a Chosen's body can become. A commoner can train their entire life and hit a wall. You won't. Your bodies will keep adapting, keep growing, keep pushing past limits that would cripple normal humans."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvcHy2xsjI
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0rbxcnMxN
Calder's hand dropped to his side.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBmsPaAUc0
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmG65KAFBPd
"And for those of you blessed with traits or authorities that enhance your physical capabilities - don't rely on them. Most enhancements boost your base strength. They multiply what's already there."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGjqadqjo5
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The words settled over Cel like cold water.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuKOGGI7EG
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Lunar Vigor. Active only under moonlight. Variable intensity based on the moon's phase.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPYBOtEnLc
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcJVJdPN8a
He'd already felt its effect many times - that surge of energy that had made him faster, stronger. But he'd been working with the strength the Moon Goddess gave him when she forged his new body.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzxZNtNjU2
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How strong was that foundation compared to other Chosen?82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR67yN0IjEI
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Cel's hand unconsciously closed into a fist, testing the strength there.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWVdGarvze
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb56EvPkAmW
"Imagine," Calder was saying, "that your enhancement doubles your power. Double nothing is still nothing. But double an already formidable foundation?" He smiled without warmth.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkiWelBLwM
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"That's when you become worth the divine investment."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4okPe3Avo
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Around Cel, several students had gone pale. A boy near the front - one who'd carried himself with particular confidence during the ceremony - now looked like he'd swallowed something bitter.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRzHhJpoAb
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM19XiDOWTq
"After your theoretical classes each afternoon, you return here." His gaze swept the assembled students. "That's when we teach you to kill."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrJ2aV5Pk0
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The word landed with deliberate weight.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1cEJA8VbK
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"Weapons training. Combat forms. How to use your traits and authorities in actual battle instead of fumbling with them like children. And you'll learn to control your Divine Energy properly."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOxXLw28CM
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKXHlr3WIe
Cel's attention sharpened.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIkOJmnkk5
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9xYwUUObN
Control Divine Energy. The fundamental skill every Chosen possessed naturally.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEpXbp2R7o
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08KhlZZjru
Except him.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswPWYXY48W
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He'd need to fake the concentration, pretend he sensed something he couldn't perceive. And when someone inevitably noticed they couldn't sense his Divine Energy signature…82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5Mjyf7HBD
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kv7emcCVN
The Reckoning assumed it was because of an artifact. But that wouldn’t work now - he wasn't manifesting anything. A trait, then. Some aspect of his blessing that suppressed his signature. Rare enough to seem special, possible enough to be believable.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFBr6ManCr
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcphj4Tr6M
"Question." Calder’s voice cut through his thoughts. "What is Divine Energy?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj39IXQtDo0
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVuJESAmKh
Hands rose. He pointed to a girl in the second row.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6Kk3fUXTN
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"It's a gift from the gods. The power we need to activate our authorities."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUG3YGh8Z6d
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgarvrkD9y
"Half right. Divine Energy is power granted by the gods, yes. But it's not just fuel for your abilities." Calder's tone shifted, taking on the cadence of someone explaining something fundamental. "It's a tool. A weapon. And like any weapon, it requires mastery."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNkzbVon3W
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpv47k50JV6
He paused.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gPGIxLo1g
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"It's also a sense. Your sixth sense, if you want to think of it that way."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb83bRZbihE
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFq4zqcexdh
Cel went very still.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZA7LZalDe
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A sixth sense. Something every Chosen possessed naturally. Something that let them perceive and manipulate the energy flowing through them.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ME61wfSrb
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Something he completely lacked.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDuyJXLLN2
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Wait.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3EECn06o1
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His mind cataloged the truth with clinical detachment. Sight, hearing, touch, smell - those he had. But taste? That had died in the cell, ground away by months of consuming rotting meat.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7VwCpybnG
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8tthOscbX
Other Chosen had six senses. Normal humans had five. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU8xL6K7Zo
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He had four.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADmWDnx5TP
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The absurdity of it would have been funny if it wasn't so completely fucked.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3njx1Nop37
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX8bU5BpLc
"Let me demonstrate," Calder said.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxoflwG9Nn
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWzz0Q542v
He closed his eyes.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQW3MsUsyF
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The ground trembled - barely perceptible, like the earth itself had taken a breath.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qt2Rt4Jca
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6OuYSbfdx
Students around Cel gasped. Some stumbled backward. Others went rigid, eyes wide with something between awe and fear.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69S6FM5wvu
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdK6yf3jEJ
A boy near Cel dropped to one knee, breathing hard. The girl beside him pressed both hands to her chest.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9wjY5A6ra
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Cel saw nothing.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTtbnlbObj
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'This is going to be annoying.'82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL8TmGvNOJ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3eaxuvtkw
Calder opened his eyes again and the pressure - whatever it had been - vanished.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJZJ1qKi0I
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"That was my raw Divine Energy." He gestured broadly. "With training, you'll learn to sense it in others. More importantly, you'll learn to sense corrupted essence."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlxYssZKWA
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His expression hardened.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNeD0ELQxv
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"Rift-creatures carry corruption in their very being. Most humans can feel it as wrongness. But if you refine your sixth sense, you can classify a creature by its presence alone. Know its blight level before you see it."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuBhLJjeL0
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A hand rose.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcECUo2cY3G
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"Couldn't we just use the Ledger of Nightmares?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLJSVoouf9
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxjNSsvI2p
Confusion rippled through the group. Several students exchanged questioning looks.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoc3ASiSnu
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45BWbNaoVM
Calder's expression shifted - something that might have been approval.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroPOv45fUh
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioopDUleJP
"The Ledger is a valuable tool. Instructor Saren will cover it in detail during your theoretical classes." He paused. "But the Ledger requires time. You need to observe the creature, consult the entry, read the information. In combat, you rarely have that luxury."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw91cF8fVv
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZHQ668B5K
The mention of the Ledger pulled at Cel's attention.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE4MuqTDkO
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFwZBArXbH
He still needed to check it thoroughly. The entries from the Crystal Maze remained unread - the crystal-spined thing that he rode, the lake of nothingness that hunted him, and the fairy-like creature that killed him. Though why creatures from his trial appeared in a supposedly comprehensive bestiary of real encounters, he still didn't understand.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb5lOnqBoZ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7HG9bCEeg
And the creature Esrin had fought in the Ashlands. The massive thing that had erupted from the dead volcano. What blight did something like that carry?82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrjwRNfSoM
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwHf68XHWn
The questions circled through his mind as Calder continued explaining the training regimen. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5G6oWTD6Zn
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg2TPvRBHK
A structured routine designed to transform blessed individuals into functional warriors.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zW5knppax
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjazSDazRO
"Dismissed," Calder eventually said. "Dawn tomorrow. Don't be late."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaeweJAvnu
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The students dispersed in clusters, conversations resuming as the weight of the instructor's presence lifted. Lior remained beside Cel, his expression distant as he processed the lecture.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c3t5Zkd1c
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They walked back in silence, the path to the dining hall filling with other students whose voices rose in animated discussion. By the time they reached the entrance, the buzz of energy was almost overwhelming - dozens of conversations competing in volume as students dissected the day's revelations. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QJ42SrMet
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AHHgWu9S6
Cel and Lior claimed their isolated table again. Food arrived within minutes - roasted meat, vegetables glazed in something that caught the light, fresh bread that released steam when torn open.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlTACuXlop
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Lior took his first bite and went still.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCDo3pagOR
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His eyes widened. He chewed slowly, almost reverently, then swallowed and immediately reached for more.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDISp8kr5j
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"This is incredible," he said, the words muffled around bread. "I've never—the seasoning alone must cost more than my family spends on food in a month."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0owq2aM71q
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxHkebEqEx
Cel cut into his own portion. The meat separated cleanly under his knife. He brought a piece to his mouth, chewed, swallowed.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuFmMlYf9b
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Nothing.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3faRCBOMOJ
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‘Four senses, huh?’82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qK8OZIvAq
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Lior had already finished his first serving and was eyeing the remaining dishes.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPKsHJTnvO
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrUyPeL5PW
"Do you think they feed us like this every day?" He reached for more vegetables, practically vibrating with barely contained delight. "The instructors said three meals daily, but I assumed it would be simple fare. Porridge and hard bread, maybe some—"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsLDUHgH9p
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He caught himself, glancing at Cel's plate.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVrNVODmUG
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"You're not eating much."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgT6seqesc
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"I'm eating."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wolgxAMcE
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"Right. Sorry." Lior returned his attention to his food with renewed focus.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVevfCn88vA
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The minutes passed. Around them, conversations rose and fell. A group near the front dissolved into laughter over something. Two boys argued about which deities were superior, their voices rising until others told them to shut up.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWws0udOqFv
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Cel ate because his body needed fuel. Lior ate like someone storing memories against future hunger.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ443fSrZKnF
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzvBd9nCr6
When the plates were empty, students began filtering out. Most headed back toward the classroom - the ones who'd kept their hands down earlier, now bound for extra lessons that would stretch into the evening.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX995y72Cz
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWQ6BbNgCk
Lior watched them go, his expression troubled.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzJYY3tjT7
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uwnjeQzTM
"I should head to the classroom too." He glanced at Cel. "What will you do with your evening?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX9Vzgc0zS
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQqFT3OUva
"Read."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZPi3vqGA4
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdJwafMZ75
"I see." Lior's smile was brief and self-conscious. "I'll see you tomorrow, then."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKdocwdSvQ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUDgPly6VB
He left with the stream of other students, his posture carrying that particular tension of someone facing something difficult but necessary.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSOcia9WyK
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGNrKdFYoK
Cel remained seated as the dining hall emptied. When only a handful of them remained, he rose and made his way through the corridors.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcOn4SAlhk
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6B5qCjVer
The commoner dormitory was silent when he reached it. He unlocked his door, stepped inside, and closed it behind him with a soft click.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PNKC8Gsia
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavcu93TzQM
The room looked exactly as he'd left it. Narrow bed. Empty desk. Wardrobe with the commoner clothes he'd worn in the city.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdgv7enJGE
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4hwvWqJCT
Cel moved to the center of the space and reached for the bond.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlC0WH86DdH
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZZjrWlMAQ
Moonlight threaded through the air, weaving itself into solid form. The Ledger materialized - worn black leather, silver filigree catching the afternoon light filtering through his window. It hung suspended for a heartbeat before gravity remembered itself.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQHurRubqX
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wOnNMsi4X
He caught it before it could fall, the leather cool against his palms.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37poWhHliu
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His fingers found the edge and opened to the first page.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSdJ6aEwiq
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyH8OktVlGR
Ledger of Nightmares.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdP8WNBLkH
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwj3stIih3
The title stared back at him in stark black ink.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ7NZo5ANs
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Cel's fingers found the page's edge and turned.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QRTrnhpIo
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0VGPaINpI
<Anathema: Endless Shambler>82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaumIXBtuUj
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCco9MmV2s
The sketch showed a skeletal figure, hunched and wrong. Crystal growths erupted from bone in chaotic patterns - through the skull, along the spine, bursting from joints in jagged formations that looked more like infection than armor.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPWbB3RheV
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His eyes dropped to the text.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjF94l8ct8
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<Race: Creature> 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGIA2ZKxYG
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yKxxxjR9o
<Realm: Crystal Maze> 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxma7ReNoB
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIclalUhubh
<Blight: Cursed>82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRd4xdYpLf7
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Cursed. The lowest classification of all ten.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatRdmz2vrT
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCwvpZScex
<Behavior: Operates in loose packs with others of its kind. No intelligence remains. Driven by hunger and the compulsion to spread its affliction. Movement is mechanical and persistent. Does not rest. Does not tire. Does not stop.>82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUgH2eUEzp
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ElTCED371
<Hunting Pattern: [insufficient encounter]>82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVzdO4qS3w
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1ZhksOb2u
<Territorial Marks: [insufficient encounter]>82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ewLL7YG3p
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbtzIVLEd9
<Legacy: [incomplete]>82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvXczHBmS9
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c4t2mVna7
Cel's hand tightened on the edge of the page. The sketch showed the truth clearly enough - those proportions, that basic structure beneath the crystal. They'd been human once.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2qofhj6DB
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNa7SzEnZKP
Caught by the maze. Transformed. Reduced to shambling husks that existed only to inflict the same fate on others.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32SGgphow4
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVn5pL1oDY
He turned the page to the next entry - the mirror lake.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPQ2TZsFIN
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2TUKIHYyG
The next sketch was simpler this time. Solid black ink poured across the paper with only the faintest suggestion of ripples at its surface. Like looking down into still water at midnight.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlhEfUnuoa
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43j0UDytHc
<Anathema: Memory Eater>82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAnhSfThzm
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahi14uQOFc
<Race: Creature> 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AeaLTHsqn
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoaCPytvqu
<Realm: Crystal Maze> 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpY0tQl6Lf
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGIQUaM3NP
<Blight: Ruined>82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYti6b1fuj
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9fbpIfsUK
Ruined. Sixth tier. Higher than any other creature he had encountered in the Ashlands.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1oqzT5TNx
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVcLztrZgA
<Behavior: Responds to proximity and emotional disturbance. Expands territory following acts of violence or destruction within its mirror realm.>82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1fahKgzpc
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPALDDUmZs
<Hunting Pattern: Lures prey by manifesting traumatic memories in liquid surface. Drags victims into its mirror realm populated by crystalline manifestations of their torments. Feeds on fear and despair.>82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqonphL83W
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9YhAZCYw2
Cel's eyes narrowed. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNh4rPy8Ti
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0D0UUZMln
Feeds on fear and despair.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfw6Mfss9P5
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1cHxE3toS
Not hunger. Not territorial defense. The thing sustained itself on suffering - drawing prey close with their own worst memories, then trapping them in a realm built from trauma made solid.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbZCLlSUgX
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJB8hakvlV
He'd destroyed those reflections. Shattered every manifestation of his father, his family, the cultists, himself. If he hadn't - if he'd broken under the weight of their judgment instead - what would have happened? 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmS90vefskO
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwldlCQU1Kd
A shudder ran through him. He turned the page before the thoughts could spiral.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsEkiL54O2
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehqxrbF1Ao
The sketch showed a massive serpentine form, its thick body covered in dark hide between crystal formations that erupted from its spine in organized rows.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd44d22d8n
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VuK8ZOnEK
Recognition struck immediately.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbuf9fdVvE
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7fiCQstrj
The creature that had carried him across the maze.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2zTh4xMyV
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX37zQtbwfB
<Anathema: Spinebreather>82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMwnxBVhAY
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m2fubqEGK
<Race: Creature> 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v2obwVGHo
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgx1YimN9O
<Realm: Crystal Maze> 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlWKUUyPwL
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EpsdU1vM4
<Blight: Fallen>82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZjV9EhZKc
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8UCdSWJjQ
Fallen. Fifth tier. One below Ruined.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiZnbf2Qc7
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumyvIOYvdI
<Behavior: Ignores potential prey in favor of predetermined objectives. Movement ceases only when threatened. Defends itself by shedding crystals from its spine that detonate on contact.>82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSzJ9aAo9i
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchaB160n7F
Cel stared at the words. He'd thought himself lucky when the creature carried him across the maze. Lucky it hadn't noticed him clinging to its back, lucky it hadn't decided to shake him off or crush him against the crystal formations.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKNHG9uMPA
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7JjvJnyMm
But it hadn't been luck at all.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbwePn0fKG
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7j9HbYNgt
The creature had simply deemed him irrelevant. An insect clinging to something far more important - whatever objective drove it through a realm of crystal and death with singular focus.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8Y0sOK2bf
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0MdDqMjMA
<Hunting Pattern: [insufficient encounter]> 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwh0lI5mRpf
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rcG44HoCj
<Territorial Marks: [insufficient encounter]> 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDRdo0WWRZ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnotNRTTpSs
<Legacy: [insufficient encounter]>82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlABYB5BrR8
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOkhl7KG5N
The gaps stared back at him like missing teeth. He'd ridden on its back for hours and learned nothing except that he wasn't worth acknowledging.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlFjB044wG
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNEhIJzF5B
His fingers hesitated at the page's edge.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLdmZHEYG4
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SuFibmNiT
The next entry would be the creature that killed him. The one with translucent skin and violet light burning in its eye sockets. The thing that had impaled him on a crystal spike and watched him die with detached curiosity.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsz8X0FCHwl
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjrYc8CFd6
His throat tightened. But the information was there. Waiting.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWxBdiiIxg
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkllzgSI4i
Cel turned the page.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwXX777ITu
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLxP260LcL
<Anathema: Crystal Monarch>1234 copyright protection78ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFehhJdXFH 尼

216.73.217.22