Reawakening: Primordial Dragon with Limitless Mana

The atmosphere between them was steady—neutral.

They walked side by side, Beatrice keeping the golden orbs afloat to light their way.

An hour ago, Hades wouldn't have imagined himself here, alone with the Queen of an entire race. Yet now, he was following her through dim corridors toward an unknown destination, both of them hoping to find her daughter.

Truthfully, Hades had no personal stake in this rescue. His curiosity was the only thing pulling him forward—curiosity about himself, about the ancient war between the Primordial beings… and maybe, if fortune favored him, a clue as to why other dragons might come after him once his identity was known.

The silence between them stretched, so Hades finally broke it.

"What exactly happened that day… when your daughter was taken?"

Beatrice's shoulders drooped. "It was about three weeks ago. After dinner, I was combing her hair in our room. Then, the same kind of energy that pulled us here surrounded Peri. Before we could even react… she was gone."

Hades sighed. He could only imagine the helplessness she must have felt, watching her daughter be ripped away in front of her.

After a pause, he asked, "Those sacrifices you and your ancestors made… were they chosen?"

She shook her head. "We offer people with high mana. Usually criminals, but… when there are none, we make public sacrifices."

The disgust in her voice was unmistakable.

"You were against it?" Hades pressed.

Beatrice met his eyes briefly. "Who would willingly sacrifice the trust of their people? My ancestors were indifferent—my father included. But I tried to revolt."

Her gaze dropped again, voice softening. "Maybe that's why I paid the price."

Hades frowned. "So when you stopped the supply, the deity took your daughter?"

Beatrice shook her head. "When I stopped the offerings, there were signs—the ground trembled, the sky darkened, and it rained for days. We knew the Goddess was enraged. If I had let it continue, it could have led to disaster. People began volunteering themselves as sacrifices. I… was left with no choice."

Hades hummed in understanding, letting the conversation slip into silence for a moment.

Three weeks... That was exactly when he had first heard the voice — that voice — the deep, ancient rumble of the dragon inside him. It might have been nothing more than a coincidence... but his instincts told him otherwise.

He thought back, piecing the timing together. What if, at the exact moment he awakened to his true origin, the Primordial had sensed it? What if she had acted swiftly, reaching out and dragging Peri — a young girl overflowing with mana—into her domain? Was it an accident… or a calculated move?

The idea made his chest tighten. No… why would a Primordial Dragon be wary of me?

But another thought followed immediately, sharper, colder. Or was she?

His musings were shattered when Beatrice suddenly let out a soft gasp. "Ah…" Her steps faltered, her graceful figure staggering as though the weight of the air itself had pressed down on her.

Hades reacted instantly, catching her by the shoulders before she could stumble further. "What happened?"

She was slightly out of breath, her face pale under the dim glow of the floating orbs. "Just… a little light-headed," she said, forcing steadiness into her tone.

Hades's gaze shifted toward the golden lights hovering above them, and he noticed something off. The orbs were dimmer than before, their warm radiance thinning like a candle on its last bit of wax.

It clicked in an instant. The lights weren't some eternal magic; they were draining from her.

Without a word, he took her wrist and pressed it firmly against his chest.

"Wha—ah!" Beatrice's voice caught in surprise, but before she could form the question, the fading orb overhead flared once… then streaked toward him, vanishing into his body like a drop of sunlight swallowed whole.

A second later, Hades raised his hand, and a new orb bloomed above his palm — the same shape, the same golden hue, but far brighter than before, steady and full.

He met her eyes. "How long has it been since you last ate?"

Her gaze faltered, drifting to the ground. "…One—"

"A day?" He frowned. "No wonder you're weak—"

"One week," Beatrice finished softly.

Hades froze. "…One week?!"

He stared at her in disbelief. For him, going without food for more than a day was already an exercise in stubbornness. Sure, when missions demanded it, he could push himself to last longer, but under normal circumstances, even in his darkest moods, his stomach always dragged him back toward the nearest meal.

The idea of not eating for seven days straight… was unthinkable.

He quickly pulled some bread and a jar of berry jam from the bag slung over his shoulder.

Thankfully, Luna had insisted he carry them so he'd always have something to eat on the road.

He spread a thick layer of jam over the bread and held it out to her.

Beatrice hesitated. "I-I am fine—"

"Just picture your daughter surrounded by monsters, waiting for her mama to save her. Do you think you can do that in this condition?"

Her breath caught at his words. Without another protest, she took the bread and began to eat in small, deliberate bites. Her mouth was so small it almost looked like she was nibbling at it, even though it was clear she was trying to finish as quickly as she could.

Halfway through, she glanced up. "Do you have some water?"

Hades nodded. "Yeah… but I drank from it."

Beatrice smiled faintly. "Being an old lady… it doesn't bother me."

He shrugged and passed her the thermos. She took a few steady gulps before handing it back with a quiet thanks.

Hades made himself a blueberry sandwich and finished it in just a few bites, then took a single gulp of water — they'd have to make it last.

"Rest for a few minutes," he told her.

Beatrice was reluctant ...but for the sake of the journey ahead, she nodded.

Closing her eyes, she leaned her head against the wall.

Just then—she felt it.

"Ah!" Her eyes snapped open, startling Hades.

"What happened?" He asked.

Beatrice didn't speak for a few moments, as she connected her face against the wall again.

Hades grew worried as he touched the wall too but felt nothing.

Just then, Beatrice looked at him, her eyes moist as she informed, "T-This mana...it's hers. It's Peri's mana."

A new flicker of hope emerged, this time brighter.

Peri still might be alive!

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- How hopeful they are. I feel bad.

Thanks for reading.