There are only fifty remaining participants after the tool invention challenge, and the spectators cheer as usual. I glance around. Lycan King Gideon is still in his assigned seat. He is as handsome as ever-dark hair, onyx eyes, and tanned skin-all features that make me so infatuated with him.

He looks older now. However, that only makes him more handsome. His shoulders look broader, and he looks more muscular than before. I snort. I wonder who he is physically abusing with those arms and fists?

He sits beside Queen Marinella, who seems happy to see her son attend the competition. Just the bare minimum, and she is already this happy. She really spoiled him rotten.

And then I look at the five women seated behind him. Caius said those are the Lycan King's current concubines whose only job is to bear him a child since the Luna seat is empty. Three of them are pregnant. He already made a couple of them pregnant, huh?

'Such a loving husband you are, Gideon.'

Instead of wallowing in that thought, I look around. My gaze travels to the faces of other competitors, the eyes of the judges, and then the announcer. They are all watching the remaining contestants.

I look at my hands. I am calm, unlike before. Four years ago, my heart was pounding in my chest, and it took my all to steady myself.

"Welcome, competitors! We are going to have an all-out brawl!" the announcer interrupts my thoughts. "The competitors who will remain, after thirty minutes of battle, will proceed to the Final challenge, which will be held three days from now!"

Three days. That's too long. I want this to be over as soon as possible. How about if I defeat all of them now, to the point that they won't be able to join the challenge three days from now?

I am about to grin when I slap both my cheeks. To distract myself, I look for Caius in the audience area. Meeting his eyes, he nods at me.

'Do it,' I can almost hear him say.

I take a deep breath. I am ready. I will win once again, and I will take vengeance on these people.

I study the other competitors - boys and girls, muscular and thin, weak and strong, young and old - I can defeat all of them.

Chaos erupts among the competitors when the gong resounds. They instantly begin to fight. I grin as I raise an impenetrable barrier around me. I watch the other contestants clash with weapons, fists, and magic. The clang of metals against each other, the smell of magic as it engulfs the arena, competitors falling on the ground. It is thrilling!

And so, I close my eyes and take a couple of deep breaths. I just need one massive spell to defeat all of them. A spell that can make them fall asleep. But I need to make sure that no accidents will happen. No one should fall on the pointy end of their swords. No one should fall victim at the abrupt end of their ongoing spell. That's what they want from their Luna, someone too soft she can't hurt a fly, but someone they can push to massacre other people to end a war.

Hypocrites! And I am worse!

I open my eyes. It's time. In a split second, I place my hands together, dispel my own barrier, and deploy a mist of sleep spell. It is a potent spell that will make them sleep for at least a week.

As all the other mages realize what I've done, they turn all their gazes on me. I am smaller and physically weaker than most, but my magic skills are second to none.

They attempt to attack me while they are being overwhelmed by my sleep spell. I dodge and counter their blows with basic self-defense. They are falling under my spell, and it's not hard to repel them.

Soon, everyone is falling to the ground, sound asleep. Thankfully, no one died from accidents. They fall asleep as peacefully as planned.

Finally, only one opponent is left - a robust and experienced warrior and very, very muscular. Somehow, I want her to become the Luna. I'd like to watch how she wrestles with Gideon in bed. No, it's better if she kills him, chokes him, hits him hard - or probably bruise him enough that scars will appear on his perfect body!

The remaining warrior moves toward me. "Tricky mage," she says.

"Tough warrior," I retort.

"That sounded like a praise," she smirks. "You don't know how to insult, huh?"

"Why would I insult you? Somehow, I'd like to see you making love with the Lycan King. That would be hilarious."

Slowly, her face darkens in anger. "That's it! You are dead!"

She dashes towards me, but she is already woozy from my sleep spell. And so, with just a single sidestep and a kick on her side, she falls to the ground.

I didn't waste any time. She is about to stand when I activate my wind magic. I thrust her from where she sits using a controlled but hard and powerful push. She hits the wall of the audience's area. It is so powerful that the wall cracks under both her weight and the potency of my magic.

And then, I become aware that everyone is silent. I swallow hard, preparing myself to be jeered at again, just like before. And suddenly, one person claps. Then a few people follow, and then a few more until the arena erupts into cheers and claps.

As I look around the audience, a wave of relief washes over me. I am halfway to becoming the Luna. The judge whispers something to the announcer and he returns to the arena's center.

"Well, well," the announcer starts. "That's pretty unexpected!"

I smile, the kind of smile that shows uncertainty.

The announcer takes my hand and says, "Congratulations, Hera of Liddicoat!"

Then he raises my arm. "We have our new Dunkerson Luna!"

I try to bask in the glory of my triumph, but it's hard. It feels shallow, even if I won with my own ability. Maybe because I already expected this outcome.

"Should I escort you to the stage, then?" he asks. "So you can properly present yourself to the Lycan King?"

I glance at Caius. He nods at me again. Here comes the tricky part. Then, from the side of the arena, a couple of monks walk toward me. This time, I am a little bit anxious. I hope there is no one amongst them who is an expert on shedding glamour.

"Why are the monks here?" I whisper to the announcer.

He smiles. "No need to worry, dear. They are here to ensure that the winner is not using any glamour."

"G-glamour?" I stutter.

"Yes. Don't be nervous unless you are hiding something."

I look at Gideon and his mother. They are unaffected. And so, before the monks completely shed my glamour, I withdraw from the announcer's hold and run towards the arena's exit.

"Catch her," comes the voice of Gideon, deep, almost lazy. "Don't let her leave."

I look at him. The first time I hear his voice again and it's filled with irritation.

A barrier is activated, and warriors come toward me. One warrior, in particular, lifts and throws me onto the ground, on to the Lycan King's feet. I look up, and Gideon is looking down at me. He kneels before me and raises my chin. His fingers feel rough now, and yet, all I can think of is how much I want to pay him back for all the hurt I suffered from him!

"You have a pretty face. Seeing your fear of the monks, I guess this is not your actual face?"

Two warriors lift my arms and force me up. The audience is quiet now, as if this scene is something to enjoy in such silence.

The monk stands beside Gideon. "Should I start, Lycan King Gideon?"

Gideon looks at me, and I shake my head. "No... please... don't..." I beg. My voice is trembling in anger, and I am so glad for it. At least it will appear as if I am really afraid to have my glamour shed.

However, same as before, he didn't look at me with pity. No love, either. Just like when I was his wife. The warriors tighten their hold on my arms, and I struggle against them.

As expected, these warriors have their nullifying tools ready - the same magic tool I created for the Dunkerson, and now, they are all benefiting from it!

I bow my head, forcing my tears to come. I think of all the things I suffered from them, the things I've done for them, and the realization that I've been utterly used and discarded right after.

Tears flow down my cheeks, and I look at Gideon, so he will know that I am crying now. However, these are tears of hatred. I will make him suffer! I promise!

And then, the monk blocks my view of him. I can feel my magic being siphoned. There is a lot, so it took a while. And when the monk thinks they have drained me of magic, they take a step back from me.

"Release her," Gideon orders.

I fall to the ground, and I lay my head low, my hands on my face. Tears fall on the ground and in between my fingers. I might be doing such an excellent job of pretending.

No, I want to laugh at the absurdity of this all! The best warriors! The best monks! And all they've done is to shave off my first layer of glamour!?! Their mediocrity is hilarious!

But then again, I am the one who created the nullifying tool, so I know how to get past it. I hide a smirk. The fools! The mediocres! I will be your death, your fucking downfall!

"Get her up and show her to the people," Gideon orders. "And this Luna selection is null and void. I won't take a liar."

The same unfeeling bastard is acting as if he is disgusted to touch another woman when I know that he will fuck just about anyone! Our nights have been always filled with him using my body for his pleasure, and I give and give until he got bored of me!

When the two warriors touch my arm, I whisper, "I can't believe that you are still the same cold man, Gideon..." I say, my voice trembling. Even if I vomit with disgust, I will lie through my teeth.

"Wait."

The warriors take a step back, and Gideon kneels before me. I watch his hands tremble as he reaches for my chin and makes me look up again.

"I heard you are searching for your previous Luna, so I returned."

Taking in my face, that is, my previous face before it gets destroyed by acid magic - utter shock appears on his face, and in a soft voice, he whispers, "Serra... My Serra..."

-- Gideon Dunkerson's POV --

"Serra, My Luna..." I whisper with such heavy feelings.

I have been searching for her for over a year. When I lost her, I lost it too. I didn't know then that losing her would spiral me into an acute grief that would render me invalid. It was not until an old monk suggested traveling and getting away from the place we'd been together that I was able to stand up on my feet again. No, not stand up, but crawl and try to survive. However, it teaches me sympathy, and I gain the courage to continue my life for her.

"I didn't want to be the same average-looking Luna," she starts, her voice soft. She is what I remembered her to be. "Yet you deny that to me as well."

"I am sorry," I whisper, and I can't help but reach up to her cheeks. I caress them, not quite believing that she's back. Every time I dream, it's her face that I see. "You really are back...."

"Can you still take me as your Luna? Even if I lied? Even if I used glamour to hide myself?"

"Oh, Serra..." I whisper. She's always been like this, constantly second-guessing herself, so no one realizes how amazing she truly is, until they watch her use her magic. "I will always take you back. You are still my Luna. No one replaced you."

My mother asked me to take a new Luna, but I just can't take another while I am still grieving for her. I did have other women in my bed, but those are for duty. Even without a Luna, I still need to sire heirs.

She holds my hand that's on her cheeks and closes her eyes. "I returned because I am afraid you will take another Luna," she says, trembling. "I don't want to admit it, but I can't allow that. I still love you, Gideon."

My chest hurts and I breathe in relief. She still wants and loves me! Despite all the pain that she suffered from me! My heart swells with love for her, and I want to smother her with my kisses. This time, I will love her properly.

I take her hands and envelop them in mine. I press my lips on her fingers with a longing passion, desperate to show her my devotion. I will worship her with my every breath.

"I couldn't say this to you before, but I love you too, Serra. And oh god, I am sorry for everything I've done to you. I will make up for all the pain I caused you."

She smiles, and her eyes shine with tears. "I accept your apology, Gideon. I will always accept you."

Then she hugs me tightly, burying her face in my chest. I squeeze her tight and kiss the top of her head.

"Let's start anew," I say, my voice trembling, the same way hers is.

I embrace her. She finally found her way back to me. From now on, she is mine, and I am only hers. We will be exclusive to each other and this time, I will never let go of her hand.

******************

People call me a man of great power with many concubines. However, with Serra's return, I don't need them. I don't want Serra to think she's not enough for me because that is false. As long as I have her, I no longer need any other woman. I learned that now.

I glance at the door. I want to be with her. However, with her abrupt return, her previous room is being cleaned up and prepared. At the same time, I also asked for a couple's room to be cleaned up. I want us to stay in the same room... Only if she allows it. When I lost her, we were sleeping in different rooms. I sleep in the Lycan King's room with all my other women while she sleeps in an ordinary guest room, the closest one to the library.

"Are you certain, King Gideon? I thought Mage Serra was barren?" one of my advisors asks.

"That's just a baseless rumor," I say.

It is a rumor that's spread out by my kin, so she will lose her position. Being together, I know it ain't true. She got pregnant, but she got a miscarriage a week after she discovered me bedding another woman. I didn't tell anyone, and she didn't want to say it to other people either. Her pride won't allow her to confess that her husband, that she is so proud of, is cheating on her.

I clench my jaws as her pained expression surfaces in my head. I was too stupid to hurt such a woman!

"All the other concubines will leave the palace except those currently pregnant. After they give birth to my child, they need to leave as well. Also, tell them that they will be well-compensated and that, I will provide for the child."

My other advisers complain as I expect them to. Some of these concubines are their relatives, and they are nurturing the idea of taking the Luna position from Serra, especially when she left the politics to my mother - I was useless then. Not anymore though. I've already learned. I can protect her in places she cannot do herself. And Serra can take care of all things related to magic and military.

And so, after the meeting, I rise and walk to the hall. I want to see Serra again, to talk to her and ask what she's been doing the past year.

Standing outside her door, I push it open. Serra is organizing her things. Upon my entry, she looks up. Same as before, her face is bright every time she lays her eyes on me. She wanted my love then. Now, I will give it all to her. And so I open my arms, and she steps into my embrace. I take a sniff of her, my dear, sweet Luna.

"Gideon," she whispers against my chest.

"What is it?" I ask, my fingers twirling around the strands of her hair. It's shorter now. When we're together, she always wears it long, with her curls cascading behind her. Every time I see it, all I can think of is how it becomes tangled every time we make love, like a cocoon that envelops me in its warmth.

She pulls back, a smile on her face. "I want you to meet someone."

"Who is this 'someone'?" I ask, my hands going to her face again. Beautiful. I am a good five inches taller than her, so I can easily touch her soft, brown hair, which she always described as plain and common.

She holds my hand and says, "You know him already, but I'd like you to meet him again."

Him? I frown as she pulls me outside of her room again. It's not a lover, right? Because she won't return to my side if she has another lover. She won't tell me that she still loves me if her heart belongs to another.

Turning into a corner, I face Prince Caius Liddicoat, second son to the current Vampire King of Liddicoat. My frown deepens, "Prince Caius," I say. "I didn't know you are visiting. I hope my aides was able to provide you with the necessary comforts?"

A smile appears on his face. "I'm fine, King Gideon. More than that, I am honored that you still remember my name."

Of course, I won't forget him. I can't stand him. A year ago, I was already wary of him. He always teased Serra, too often for it to be just a friendly banter. Once, I saw him console her, and somehow, his presence seemed to provide her some measure of comfort. A comfort that she needed because I was hurting her.

"No, I should be the one honored. I haven't organized any fanfare to welcome you. I have no advance notice either. So, this is pretty much a surprise visit from you."

He laughs a bit and nods. "Yes, I know. I apologize for the surprise."

He looks at Serra and then back at me. "Serra?" he asks.

He is calling her too familiar too! I turn my attention to her.

"Gideon, my love, I want you to meet Prince Caius again," she starts.

I am relieved that she calls me 'her love' but is formal with him. Same as before, she keeps all men, especially handsome, unmarried ones, at arm's length. Prince Caius was the only one persistent enough to befriend someone as awkward and dense as her.

"He is the one who saved me from death three years ago," she explains. "And so, can I please ask for your permission to let him stay for a while?"

How long is 'for a while'? I'd like to ask, but instead of voicing it out, I say, "Sure, anything for you."

Despite the doubt, when she kisses my cheek, my heart swells with happiness again. It doesn't matter. She is back, and she is still mine. Surely, a prince of another kingdom won't be able to take her attention from me. Besides, she just told me that she still loves me. And Serra is never the one to confess her love if it ain't true.

My dreams have always been about the pain of my years of training. I spent an entire year in the Liddicoat's family house. It is where their family library stands, underneath that big, old house. And there, I scour ancient tomes and scrolls, learning more spells that might come in handy when my quest for revenge starts.

In my dream, my fingers will dance over different parchments, tracing the arcane symbols and incantations of long-lost spells. Caius also provided me with seers, monks and alchemists. And because they are being blackmailed by the vampire prince, they are forced to share their techniques with me - all poultices, elixirs and enchantments.

But handy techniques and skills are not the only things I peruse. I also worked on my skills of using powerful and potent spells, like that powerful sleeping spell.

'Revenge is worth any price,' I will say to motivate myself, when things have become so hard.

And then, my dream will transport to an island, where I spent another year of training - to make my body more durable and more resistant. There, I would summon different elements at the behest of Caius' master, who also became my master.

The old man's name is Vincere, who would always tell me that I should learn to properly control my magic during combat, not just to unleash it on great bursts. He always said that it's not the only way to overwhelm an opponent.

In the first week, I would always tell him that 'Control takes time' and things like 'Time is a luxury I don't have.'

Which the old man will answer with a, 'Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will your mastery be achieved overnight.'

Or sometimes, it will be a 'You are more than your scars, Serra. You are a force to be reckoned with.'

It all depends on the current situation. Like for example, during my final task, I was surrounded by rogue vampires and almost died, because Vincere never even considered helping me.

Still, on the sideline, he is chanting the words, 'Adapt, survive, conquer, Serra.'

I wonder how Caius had grown into a happy-go-lucky man with Vincere as his master?

********************

My eyes flutter open at the first rays of sunlight that are piercing through the cracks of the window shutters. I groggily sit up, my head throbbing with a dull ache. It's another very long, but familiar dream.

As I stretch, I catch sight of myself in the small but elegant mirror on the wall.

Disfigured. Twisted. Unrecognizable.

As I stare at my face, I see that it's getting worse. I am getting uglier by the second. Why?!

My skin is being further marred by angry scars and puckered burns, and then it starts to crisscross over my face like a grotesquely growing spider web. I raise a trembling hand to touch my cheek and I feel the rough texture beneath my fingertips.

The sight makes my stomach churn, bile rising in my throat. I can't help when a shrill scream escapes my mouth.

And then I wake up - really wake up to my reality. I rise up and stand in front of the mirror. I heave a sigh of relief when I see that my reflection is still well-hidden by glamour.

These dreams, they're not leaving me soon. No. Not until I take my revenge!

There is a knock and then the door opens. Gideon, my fuck-up husband, comes in. He looks worried as his eyes go to my bed. And not finding me on the bed, his eyes scour the room until his gaze settles on me. A sigh of relief escapes his lips at the same time that his shoulders relax.

"There you are..." Gideon whispers. "Are you okay? I heard a scream."

I look at Gideon, his eyes are clouded with worry for me, and I stop myself from snorting.

"Just a nightmare, that's all," I tell him, trying to keep my voice steady. My heart is still racing from the dream, and the grotesque scars are still fresh in my mind.

"I'm okay now," I add, brushing a strand of hair out of my eyes and forcing a smile.

He frowns, not convinced, but nods anyway. Perhaps it's because he doesn't want to push it further, or else he is going to bring up all his wrongs that he won't be able to apologize for in this lifetime.

Instead, Gideon approaches and wraps his arms around me in a comforting embrace. He then places a soft kiss on my forehead - a gesture that feels so misplaced and hollow in everything he has done to me.

"You should go back to bed, Serra," Gideon murmurs into my hair. "It's not yet time for breakfast."

I shake my head, pulling away from him with a small smile that doesn't quite reach my eyes. "I can't sleep anymore."

I walk over to the window and pull open the shutters, allowing the faint morning light to stream in. The sight of the sparkling dew-kissed grass is beautiful, it always is, but it stirs no joy within me... at least, not anymore.

"Serra..." he begins, his voice a low rumble. "About the past. I apologize for all the wrongs I've done to you. Our relationship might not be the same as before, but I promise you that I will treat you better now."

I shift my attention to him again. Of course, our relationship won't be the same as before. I'm not as gullible and stupid as before. This time, I will have the upper hand.

"I..." I start, but paused to pretend that I am hesitating. "Your words are unexpected," I say, being careful with each word.

"I know, but I-"

"It's fine," I say, raising my hand to stop him. "When I planned to return, I... I have already decided to forgive you."

Gideon's eyes lit up. He moves closer to me and takes a hold of my hand.

"Serra," he whispers, his voice filled with gratitude. "As we restart, there might be lingering resentment in your heart... But I will do my best to rebuild the trust between us."

What 'trust' between us? There is nothing like that before, and definitely nothing now. Still, I nod and give him a faint smile.

"To start anew, we need to let go of the past. We both deserve a chance to move forward."

I almost vomit in disgust at the words I uttered. I may be unaware when people are taking advantage of me, but I am not that stupid!

He squeezes my hand gently, his expression softening. "Thank you, Serra. I promise to prove myself worthy of your love."

Then, he pulls me towards the chair and makes me sit. "There's also one other thing," he starts. "I've sent my concubines away - all but the pregnant ones."