CHAPTER 129: SHAKEN UP

"You have gone too far, Samarella."

The heavy voice of Zerathos rumbled through the domain as he stepped forward, his presence filling the cavern like a storm. His eyes, burning crimson, locked onto the white dragon that snarled back at him.

Between them lay the small elf—too shaken to rise, her body trembling. Yet unlike before, she was no longer choking on the oppressive air. Something unseen had wrapped around her like a warm, protective cloak, shielding her from the crushing pressure of the two Primordials.

"You are not allowed here," Samarella growled, her voice shaking the stone walls.

"And are you allowed to torment his mate?" Zerathos’s tone was a snarl, flames rippling across his black scales, curling around him like a living shield.

Samarella slammed her claws into the ground, the cavern groaning with the impact. "I will do whatever I wish with this body! You cannot command me—not anymore!"

Her rage was suffocating, waves of malice rolling out from her form. If not for the protective veil cocooning her, Peri knew she would have already blacked out.

Until now, Samarella’s demeanor had been one of cold displeasure. But now... her fury was laid bare. Hatred radiated from her eyes as she glared at her counterpart.

Zerathos’s gaze sharpened, his voice laced with steel. "You are being conceited, Samarella. You know the truth. You know the future that awaits mankind—yet still, you—"

"Enough!" she roared, cutting him off, her voice shaking the cavern to its core. "Do you think I will be swayed by your words again? Do you think I carry even an ounce of trust left for you—after what you did? After you betrayed me... and us?"

Silence fell.

A silence so heavy it felt as though the entire domain held its breath. Only their auras clashed in the void between them, crackling, humming dangerously—like two storms on the brink of collision.

Zerathos didn’t bother with explanations. His voice was low, but it struck like thunder.

"Attempting to torment your host again will cost you something you value above all else..." His eyes flared, and he rumbled, "Your pride."

Each step he took forward made the cavern shudder. His massive shadow spilled over Samarella, swallowing her in its oppressive vastness.

"You would be forced to choke on that pride," he continued, his growl carrying a venomous finality. "Your soul bound to the very being you loathe with every breath. Push her again... and I will remind you of what it means to live at the mercy of a man. Again."

Samarella’s body stiffened. Her scales rattled with the faintest tremor. The feral blaze in her aura dimmed, faltering as if crushed beneath the weight of those words.

Zerathos leaned back into the shadows, his burning eyes the last to vanish into the consuming dark.

And with his departure, Peri’s fragile body finally gave in—her lashes fluttered, and she collapsed into unconsciousness, the oppressive air lifting only in the silence he left behind..

....

...

..

.

"Ah...!" Peri jolted upright in a frenzy, her breath ragged and uneven.

Her chest heaved as she gasped uncontrollably, wide eyes darting about, searching for something—someone.

"Peri..." His voice broke through, steady yet lined with worry. He sat close, calling her name softly, trying to anchor her back to the present.

It took a few seconds, her mind still tangled in the remnants of fear, before his voice truly reached her.

"...Are you okay?"

Peri’s gaze locked onto him—his worried face, his presence so grounding—and before she could think, she leaned forward and buried herself in his arms.

Hades’s chest tightened, his heart sinking as he felt the tremble in her body. He wrapped his arms gently around her, pulling her closer, whispering low, "It’s okay... you’re safe now."

He knew what had happened. He had felt the echo of her struggle even in his sleep—the tug on their bond, the storm within her subconscious. It was then that the being within him, the one he carried in silence, had slipped into her dreamscape.

If not for the strength of their bond, newly tempered and deepened, he doubted he could have protected her at all.

"Everything is fine now... I’m here." His hand moved in a steady rhythm against her back, his voice low and soothing, like a tether pulling her out of the darkness.

Peri’s breath hitched, a shaky sniffle slipping past her lips. "I was... I was so scared... she—she was terrifying."

"I know," Hades murmured, guilt edging into his tone. "And I’m sorry you had to endure something so cruel. But trust me..." he tilted her chin just enough for her to see the conviction in his eyes, "it won’t happen again."

Her lashes quivered, tears clinging like dew before she gave a small nod. She wanted to believe him—and in truth, a part of her already did.

Knock. Knock.

"Eiik!" Peri flinched violently, her whole body seizing as her wide eyes snapped to the door.

Hades’s hand came down gently on hers, steadying her. "It’s just Luna," he said, his voice warm, reassuring. "Don’t worry."

She blinked up at him, searching his face before nodding faintly.

With a final squeeze of her hand, Hades rose. He slid into his pants with practiced ease and stepped toward the door.

When it opened, the sight that greeted him was a familiar silver head, Luna’s expression tight with worry, her eyes flickering past him as if desperate to confirm Peri was safe.

Hades stepped aside, allowing her in. Luna didn’t speak a word at first—her steps were swift yet soundless as she approached the bed.

"Peri..." Her voice broke the silence at last, low and tender. She reached out, her hand brushing over the trembling girl’s hair.

The blonde elf gave a small sniffle before turning into her, throwing herself into Luna’s embrace.

Luna wrapped her arms around her without hesitation, cradling the smaller figure close. Her palm lingered against Peri’s head, stroking gently as she whispered, "You are safe now, Peri."

With every word, a subtle glow spread from her touch. The spell wasn’t loud or visible to the untrained eye, but its effect was undeniable—an enchantment woven not just with mana but with care, slowly dissolving the sharp edges of panic clinging to Peri’s heart.

Luna felt it all—the chaotic energy that still clung to her body, the echo of raw terror that lingered from the dreamscape. That was why she had come without hesitation. She didn’t need to exchange a word with Hades; the pull of their bond, and the wave of emotions crashing from Peri, had guided her here in the dead of night.

Hades watched the scene with a heavy feeling weighing on him.

"Baby," he heard a voice from the outside and found his mother standing there.

"Can we talk?"

Hades glanced at Peri before nodding, "Yes."

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A/N:- Thanks for reading