NOVEL NEXT Chapter 106: I will do what I can
Hades and Luna were leaving today. Their first stop would be Torseque, where they would pick up Peri before heading to the dragon realm.
Right now, they were in a quiet room inside the palace, waiting for the Sage. The ancient one had asked them to wait—she wanted to speak with them before they left.
They hadn't brought much along. No luggage, just a single bag that Hades carried. After the explosion in Bavech, they hadn't bought much either—only a few sets of clothes. Luna had decided that once they settled down somewhere, if they truly managed to, she would buy everything they needed.
Even so, neither of them could really picture what life in the dragon realm would be like.
"I just hope we can enjoy peace there as well," Luna murmured, voicing her thoughts.
Hades laced his fingers with hers, his grip firm yet gentle. "Then I'll make that peace for you. I promise, Luna."
He was just as uncertain as she was, but his resolve was unshakable. Whatever it took, he would give her safety and peace.
Resting her head against his shoulder, Luna whispered, "I only hope your mother is a good person."
Hades didn't answer. He didn't have much hope in that regard.
He had been away for too long. Raised among humans, his outlook on life was completely different from how dragons saw the world. Deep down, he feared he would only disappoint his mother. She was said to be a strong dragon, revered by many. And while Hades himself was powerful, that strength was only by human standards.
"Everything will be fine. Don't worry," he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
Just then, a magic circle shimmered into existence at the center of the room, and through it stepped a familiar woman.
"If you two are still having a moment, even knowing I'd be arriving, I'll just call you exhibitionists," the Sage said dryly.
Hades gave a wry smile. "We were only talking." Rising, he pulled out a chair for her. "Are you leaving today as well?"
She nodded, settling down. "The longer I stay, the more questions people will throw at me. And even if I tell them to stop, this place is just… too open, too wide for me to ever feel at ease."
Hades hummed softly when Luna suddenly asked, her curiosity showing, "Do you know my grandma?"
"Fiona? Yes. I taught her for a few months," the Sage replied.
Luna's eyes lit up. "How was she as a student?"
The Sage wasn't surprised. She already knew about Fiona and Luna's bond, so the question felt natural.
Leaning back in her chair, she crossed one leg over the other and said, "A quick learner, hot-tempered, and always acting like a smart ass."
Luna burst into laughter. She could easily picture her grandmother training under the Sage, getting scolded for mistakes born out of overconfidence.
The Sage smiled faintly, then added, "Still, I'm glad she eventually gave her life meaning. She no longer uses her strength just to slaughter men, but to save lives as well."
Luna's laughter died. She froze, suddenly unsure if she wanted to hear more.
Hades noticed her unease. Reading her thoughts, he gently steered the conversation away.
"So… what was it you wanted to talk about?" he asked.
The older woman hummed before asking, "I assume you've understood your role upon joining your people?"
Hades frowned. "Are you talking about the tournament?"
"Of course," she replied evenly. "If this realm truly matters to you, then I suggest you take part. You won't gain a permanent shield for humanity, but you will gain the time needed to grow stronger—and with that strength, you can protect humanity with your own hands."
Hades fell silent for a moment. He had people he wanted to protect here. And he had never once supported tyranny. For the dragons to wage a meaningless war—it went against everything he stood for.
At last, he nodded. "I understand. I'll do what I can to win that tournament."
Beside him, Luna's fingers tightened slightly. She glanced at him nervously. He hadn't even awakened the full extent of his powers yet, and already he was being told to step into what might be the most brutal contest on the planet.
The older woman let out a quiet sigh. "I know I'm placing a heavy burden on you, but the truth is… you're the only one I can depend on. The only one who can truly make a difference."
Hades lowered his gaze, his shoulders sinking. "I don't blame you for that… but I don't know if I'm worthy of your trust."
The Sage shook her head firmly. "You don't understand, Hades. You've already done what no one else has. By draconic standards, you're still a newborn. It takes eighteen years for a dragonborn to learn how to open their wings—yet you already know how to fly."
Hades felt a little better upon hearing those words as he looked up.
The Sage was looking outside the window as she said, "I wanted to teach you...make you my possibly last student. However, there is already someone waiting for you...someone who knows you better than anyone and thus the best teacher you can have."
Hades narrowed his eyes but remained silent.
He somehow knew she was talking about his mother and whenever she was being mentioned, he couldn't help but feel anxious.
Regardless, he didn't say anything about her and told the lady, "I will do what I can...but even so, if I fail to contest I will find another way to stop this war from happening."
The Sage remained silent. She had no other choice but to trust the person who had the potential to stand on the pinnacle.
Not so long after the ancient one got up from her seat and asked, "Where are you headed to?"
Hades also got up followed by Luna as he told her, "We would be going to Torseque first to pick someone."
"Ah, yes. Your second mate." She heard about what happened in Samaran City and the fact that another primordial being had awakened.
Truth be told, in her mind more than the war that might lead to humanity's doom, the Sage was anxious about what lies ahead.
Two of the most ancient beings had awakened.
Was it a sign?
Was history going to repeat itself?
"Is there anything bothering you?" Hades's voice broke her thoughts as she looked up and shook her head.
Planting her staff on the ground, she summoned a magic circle and said, "Let me give you a ride to your destination."
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A/N:- Thanks for reading.