Reawakening: Primordial Dragon with Limitless Mana

"Ah!" Beatrice yelped as she finally landed after flying for several meters.

She groaned, rubbing the back of her head—then froze. "Can you move?"

Only then did she realize she was sitting on the human's face.

"S-Sorry…" She quickly scrambled off him and stood.

Hades let out a slow sigh before pushing himself back to his feet.

This was… unexpected.

Not only had she opened the gate, but Samarella had pulled him inside the temple as well. How great was that?

"I told you to leave me," Beatrice said sharply. "If you'd let go of my hand, you wouldn't be caught in this mess."

Hades massaged his brow. "Instinctive reaction… And why were you so eager to throw yourself into a hellhole alone? Do you think your daughter would be happy knowing you're willing to die like this?"

"If she's alive to feel happy or sad," Beatrice replied without a pause, "then I'd consider myself fortunate to be here."

Hades met her deep emerald eyes. In them, he saw it—yearning, raw, and unyielding. Desperation to find her daughter.

…If someone had taken Luna from him, he'd be worse off.

"So now, what's the plan?" he asked.

Beatrice stepped forward, deeper into the temple's shadows. "You can try to go back, but I'm going in. Even if there's the faintest chance of seeing my Peri… I'll take it."

Hades exhaled, his gaze drifting to the ascending stairs from which they had been pulled in.

Only darkness greeted him. The door was surely closed by now, and Luna would be doing everything she could to open it.

[I suggest you follow the lady. Unless Samarella chooses to release you, you won't be able to step out of the temple. Ah, yes—if you can take your dragon form, that's another story.]

Hades gave a wry smile. You can't be serious about me cracking my first core here… can you?

There was no response. Hades began following Beatrice in silence.

…..

"Agh!" Luna cried as her knuckles split, blood dripping from her hand after another brutal strike against the door.

The soldiers had been hammering at it for what felt like forever—steel blades, enchanted spears, bursts of magic—but the temple gate didn't so much as flinch. It stood there, mocking them.

Her bloodied fists trembled. She bit her lip until it hurt, glaring at the door with a fire that could burn through steel.

I couldn't protect you back then… and now, I can't save you today…

The air shifted.

It wasn't just a rise in mana—it was a surge that rolled through the ground like a shockwave. Dust shivered in the air.

The soldiers staggered back, some dropping their weapons as the force pressed into their chests.

The stone beneath her feet cracked, splintering out in jagged lines. Pebbles and debris began to rise, pulled into the violent current of power. Her eyes glowed with a deep, unearthly brilliance, and her hair lifted as if the air itself bent to her.

The elves—creatures who could see mana—were struck silent. Her magic was no longer a glow, but a storm, swirling so densely around her that it blurred her outline.

This was no power a human should have. Not even the strongest elf could summon this kind of raw, crushing presence.

In that moment, Luna was an anomaly. A living contradiction.

Her restraint was fracturing, piece by piece.

Her Hades was in danger… and what point was there in hiding her identity if she lost the only person she lived for?

I'm coming for you—

[Luna.]

Her eyes widened at the sound of the voice.

That voice. She knew it instantly.

"H-Hades?" She spun, searching for him.

[Luna… I'm talking to you through the mark.]

Her hand flew to her nape, the skin there burning faintly.

"W-Where are you? Are you safe?" she asked quickly.

[I'm inside the temple. I'm safe. So please—can you calm down? I really wish I could hold you right now, Luna… just to make you breathe again. But I can't. So wait for me. I promise I'll stay safe.]

The raging mana around her slowly stilled, like a storm losing its wind. Her shoulders sagged, the strength draining from them.

In a quieter, almost fragile voice, she asked, "When will you return?"

[As soon as I find out why I was called here, I'll come back. Trust me… and heal your wounds. I can feel that you're hurt.]

Luna glanced at her bloodied hands. He can feel my pain…

"Then… I'll also know if you're hurt," she said firmly. "So stay safe at all costs, okay?"

[I promise.]

The Saintess let out a slow breath, her heart easing. The weight pressing on her chest felt lighter now.

She turned toward the blond elf who appeared to hold the most authority here and told him calmly, "They're safe."

Ralph blinked, still shaken by the memory of her unleashed power. For a moment, all he could do was nod stiffly.

"O-Okay."

…..

"How can you talk to her?" Beatrice asked, one brow arched in curiosity.

Hades hesitated. He couldn't exactly tell her about the mark he and Luna shared. As far as she knew, he was just a human.

"…Artifact," he said at last.

Beatrice's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "You don't have to tell me if you'd rather not. But I know for a fact—no artifact works in here."

"…."

Well… that went about as well as he'd expected.

They moved in silence through the dark hallway.

No footsteps echoed back at them. No scent lingered in the air. It was pure, suffocating stillness.

Hades strained his senses, but even deep within, he could barely feel anything from the temple.

Did Samarella pull me in because I'm a dragon? he wondered. But plenty of dragons must have come here before… so why didn't the temple door open for them?

He reached out with his thoughts—but this time, there was nothing. No reply.

His brow furrowed in concern.

At last, the narrow corridor gave way to a wider chamber.

Beatrice lifted her hand, summoning a small, glowing orb that floated just above her palm. Warm light spilled into the room, pushing back the shadows.

Three separate paths stretched out before them, each leading deeper into the temple's unseen depths.

Suddenly, a dark blue lantern lit on the left path.

"Is…this some kind of invitation?" Hades asked.

However, "There are mana traces on this path." She said while pointing towards the path on the right.

They remained silent for a moment.

Which path should they take? One that the deity wants them to walk on…or what Beatrice feels is the route to her daughter?

"Should we split-"

"Don't even think about that. We will follow your path." Hades cut her off. Splitting in a place which was filled with uncertainties? Yes, that was one of the dumbest things to say.

Beatrice wordlessly followed him as they stepped into the passage which was devoid of any light.

'Haah~I hope this brings something good…'

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.