Chapter 32: The Powerless Mechanical Limb
"I wasn’t eyeing your allowance. Just… curious," Elian Thorne mumbled, cheeks burning. God, I’ve hit rock bottom. The clatter of dishes from the kitchen covered Luna Reed’s urgent whisper: "I’ve got no cash here. Name another price! Just don’t tell Mom!" "Like what?" "How should I know? Promise me!" "Fine. Debt owed," Elian conceded, glancing toward the kitchen. "But protect your mom in Umbra. It’s a cesspool." "Deal!" Luna beamed, tiny fists clenched. "If you ever cross over, I’ll protect you both!" A faint smile touched Elian’s lips at the child’s fierce, absurd vow. He excused himself and descended to his tomb-silent apartment—no family, no voices, just the hollow tick-tockof a wall clock. He scrolled through his class chat—inane memes and gossip. Only he and Nathan Grey were cro
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