The Phoenix race had always been rare.
Their numbers dwindled with each passing century. With the lowest fertility rate among all creatures and a unique constitution that made them desirable prey, they were hunted by every other race for their own gain.
In ancient tis, the phoenixes lived under the protection of the elves. But that sanctuary, too, crumbled with ti. As dragons and other powerful beings road the skies, even the deepest forests no longer felt safe.
One by one, the phoenixes vanished.
No longer moving in flocks, no longer building nests—each of them beca a wanderer. They stayed in no place for long and never trusted the world enough to return.
The woman Luna called ’Grandma’ was one of the last remaining phoenixes.
That’s why, the mont her grandma had co near the coffin that day, she had sensed sothing—a familiar presence—hidden within.
Because she was one of them.
Luna had always been different. A child born of two races. A special kind of existence.
She didn’t know who her parents were—and truth be told, she never cared to find out.
What mattered was that she had survived. That she had returned.
She awakened her phoenix side after her death.
Reborn from the ashes.
And with that second chance, she vowed to beco stronger—strong enough to do more than throw herself in harm’s way.
Strong enough to protect that one persom she loved.
Hades had saved her more tis than she could count.
And the only ti she tried to return the favor... she died.
That regret never left her.
So when she ca back, she trained. Day after day. Year after year—under the sharp gaze of her grandmother.
She learned more than she ever imagined—about the world, about herself, and about the fire that now burned in her veins.
A hundred tis—no, more—she had begged her grandma to let her see Hades.
But her grandmother was stern, cold in her discipline. She knew that only distance would push Luna to work harder. That only the ache of separation would make her truly grow.
And now, standing before Hades once again, Luna finally broke the silence.
"She told that once my secret is out, I won’t be able to stay in one place anymore," Luna whispered, gently holding up a small vial. A single tear had fallen from her eye, and she had caught it carefully inside. "And unless I told you about my identity as a phoenix... There was no way I could explain how I returned from death."
Hades didn’t say a word.
But he could feel it—the energy around her had changed.
Her skin shimred faintly in the moonlight, glowing with an otherworldly hue. Her eyes—they glowed with power, like embers that never dimd. And her presence, her very aura... it felt like he was standing before sothing divine.
An ethereal being.
She stepped closer. And without another word, she tilted the vial and let the droplet fall onto his wound.
A warmth spread from the spot where it landed—gentle at first, then fierce, like a fire ant not to burn but to heal.
"Now it makes sense..." Hades finally spoke, his voice low. "I always wondered why the Saintess was always so kind to . And then... your confession, out of nowhere."
Luna’s cheeks flushed pink. "I thought I could slowly make you fall for ," she said, a little shyly. "But you were always too focused on Kayla. Then everything changed, and I finally got the chance to be close to you."
Hades let out a soft chuckle. "For the longest ti, I thought you were plotting sothing against ."
Luna gave a small pout. "I’ve always been honest with you," she said quietly.
Hades let out a deep sigh and gently cupped her cheek. "Luna..."
"Hmm?" she responded softly.
He shook his head faintly. "Nothing. I just wanted to say your na... It’s been so long."
Her heart gave a tiny jump, yet at the sa ti, it felt at peace. His voice was calm. Warm. Familiar.
Then, without another word, he pulled her into his arms—this ti softly, tenderly.
"Thank you," he whispered. "Thank you for coming back for . I was really lonely... thank you, Luna."
She clutched the hem of his shirt tightly. A smile crept onto her face.
"How could I not?" she said. "Luna always belongs to Hades, rember?"
He slowly drew back, just enough to look into her eyes.
They stared at each other—neither speaking, but everything being said through that gaze. Their hearts beat in quiet harmony. And in that stillness, it felt like the world had faded away. Only they existed in that mont.
Then, without warning, Hades slowly lowered his head.
And suddenly—
"...!" Luna gasped as his lips touched hers.
Softly at first, like a question.
Then deeper... slower... as if ti itself had decided to pause for them.
Fingers curled into fabric, a quiet sigh escaped between them, and the world lted away—until only the two of them remained, suspended in a mont too tender to break.
However, all of a sudden, Hades pulled back, leaving Luna confused.
"What happened?" she asked softly.
"I... I need to tell you sothing," Hades said, avoiding her gaze. "Sothing about myself."
Luna tilted her head, her voice gentle, "I know everything about you."
But he shook his head. "Not everything... There’s sothing I’ve kept from you. And just like you, I had a reason. I didn’t want to put you in danger."
Luna stayed quiet, her eyes steady, silently urging him to go on.
Hades let out a slow breath and raised his hand. "I beca what I hated the most."
Before her eyes, his nails began to stretch, his skin flushing red. A wave of heat rippled through the air around him.
Luna’s eyes widened in disbelief as realization struck. "Y-You’re... a dragon?"
He nodded. "I discovered this part of recently. During that quest when I ca against the Duke-ranked... sothing awakened. A voice echoed in my mind. Since then, I’ve been learning more—changing more. Almost every day, sothing new surfaces."
Heaving a sigh, he added, "Last night, because I sohow tapped into my power more than normal, we survived."
"That...explains." Luna slowly muttered.
Hades held her hand and said, "You are the second person I shared this secret with. Mom was the first."
Luna could understand why he didn’t tell her about this side of him.
He couldn’t have trusted her that much to reveal such a big thing.
Humanity’s greatest enemy is those dragons. So, his hesitation was natural.
Holding his hand, Luna began to speak, "Hades, you know-" but soon, a third voice interrupted them,
"Never thought I would find a dragon and a phoenix in the sa room."
The duo flinched.
They...never senses her coming inside.
It was as if she materialized from the shadows.
Sitting comfortably on the table was an old woman with long grey hair.
The Sage.
°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading.
Reviews
All reviews (0)