Reawakening: Primordial Dragon with Limitless Mana

"You two look pretty beat up," the elf said with a grin, eyeing the bruises on Hades.

The redhead scoffed. "Like you weren't expecting it."

He didn't believe for a second that Lary's little setup had gone unnoticed by the guild master. Maybe the elf hadn't told Lary about them—but a scam that big? There was no way it had happened behind his back.

"Well, you're the first ones to survive it. Congrats, I guess?" The elf shrugged, clearly not all that impressed.

Hades let out a quiet sigh and handed over a small pouch. "Two thousand. Count them."

The elf bounced the pouch lightly in his palm, listening to the weight, then gave a nod. "All good. Wait here—I'll come get you in a bit." With that, he turned and left the office, the door clicking shut behind him.

The room fell into a brief silence.

"Want some water?" Hades asked, leaning forward to grab the jug and a glass.

Luna shook her head, watching as he poured a glass for himself and took a sip.

Once he settled back into his seat, she hesitated for a moment before finally asking, her voice quiet, "So… what are we now?"

They hadn't really talked about it since he'd told her how he felt. The moment had been rushed—confessions exchanged right before they had to leave to make it here on time. There'd been no space for anything more.

But the question had lingered in her heart ever since.

Now that he'd said he had feelings for her too… what did that mean for them?

Were they still trying to figure things out?

Or… were they already something more?

A couple, maybe?

She didn't know. But she wanted to.

And she was finally brave enough to ask.

Hades sighed and finished the last sip of water before placing the glass down. He looked at her, not with hesitation, but with a certain weight behind his eyes.

"There are a few things you should know," he said gently, "before you decide whether you see a future with me or not."

Luna wanted to speak.

No matter what it is, I still want to stay with you—the words trembled at the tip of her tongue.

But she stopped herself.

She could tell this was important to him.

So instead, she remained silent, giving him her full attention.

Hades reached out and took her hand in his. His touch was warm, his thumb slowly brushing over her skin with a quiet tenderness.

"I'm not the kind of man who asks for much," he said softly. "I don't need grand gestures or constant attention. I just want loyalty. That's all. If I have that… I can give all the love I have to give."

Luna felt her heart squeeze at those words.

She knew exactly where that came from.

Kayla.

The girl he had once loved so dearly… the one who had taken his heart and shattered it without remorse. Luna had seen how much he adored her—how much trust he had placed in her—and how cruelly it had been betrayed.

She could never forgive Kayla for that. For leaving scars on the man who still held himself together like nothing had ever broken him.

So it made sense. For someone like Hades, loyalty wasn't just a request.

It was a need. A wound he was still healing from.

And Luna? She didn't even need to think.

The idea of betraying him was so far removed from her nature, it almost felt insulting to even consider the possibility.

She had already offered him everything—her thoughts, her body, her soul.

Every part of her was his.

She would burn before she hurt him like that.

And so, with quiet certainty in her heart, she smiled softly and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

She didn't need to say the words just yet.

Her heart had already made the vow.

"However, Luna…" Hades paused, his voice quieter now, a heaviness settling over his words.

"…in return, I can't promise you my utmost loyalty."

Her heart dropped.

Just like that, those few words made it hard to breathe.

It felt like the floor had shifted beneath her feet.

But Hades didn't sugarcoat it.

Didn't look away.

Didn't pretend.

Because if they were to begin something real… then she deserved the full truth, no matter how cruel it sounded.

"In order to awaken my dragon core," he began, his gaze fixed on her, "I have to form a bond with a female dragon. I must take her as my mate. That's the only way."

He let the words sink in before continuing, quieter now.

"If I don't do it, my core will never awaken. And without that power, I'll be vulnerable. Eventually… there are beings—powerful ones—who will come for me. And I won't be able to stop them."

His shoulders slumped slightly as the burden finally left his lips. "That's why I'm telling you this now. Because whether I want it or not, there will be another woman in my life one day. It's inevitable, Luna."

His fingers tightened just a little around hers, as if he was afraid she'd pull away.

Then, looking straight into her eyes, he added softly, "You deserve to know. You deserve to choose… before we take another step forward."

Luna remained silent.

Five seconds passed.

Then ten.

To Hades, they felt like hours.

His grip on her hand stayed, but a dull ache spread in his chest.

He didn't want to lose her.

But he wouldn't force himself into her life either.

He knew—not everyone can accept sharing the person they love.

And he hated himself for even asking that of her.

Because if the roles were reversed—if Luna ever told him she needed to be with someone else while being with him—he wouldn't hesitate to say no. He couldn't do it.

So yes, at this moment, he was being a hypocrite.

A selfish one.

But he couldn't help it.

This was who he was.

Finally, Luna spoke. Her voice was calm, but each word carried the weight of her heart.

"Tell me something, Hades…"

"…after you get your mate, will I matter less to you? Will my place in your life fade?"

His answer came instantly. His voice steady, his eyes unwavering.

"Never, Luna. Not in this life or the next."

He leaned forward, speaking with a sincerity that left no room for doubt.

"No one can replace you. You are—and always will be—my first. My heart knew love because of you. That can't be undone. You're not someone I can set aside. You're not… temporary."

And he meant every word.

No dragon, no fate, no power could change what Luna meant to him.

She was the first warmth that entered his life—and that first light never fades.

Luna sighed before leaning her head on his shoulder and telling him, "I will cry pretty hard if you forget about me, okay? So take responsibility and never leave me."

Hades was stunned…did she really accept him?

He couldn't rejoice the moment for long before the elf entered the room and told them, "Come on, it's time."

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. Clarity is very much needed in a relationship.