Rebirth of the Vengeance

The cold, damp air of the dungeon seeped into  Serene Van deras's bones, chilling her to the core. The darkness clung to her like a second skin, as if the shadows themselves sought to swallow her whole. She no longer felt the biting pain of the iron shackles digging into her wrists and ankles; that sensation had long dulled, just as her hope had withered away.

She lay slumped against the stone wall, barely alive, her breath shallow and labored. Her once golden hair, now matted and tangled, had lost its luster, and her once-bright eyes were dull with despair.

How did it come to this?

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Serene had been a beloved daughter of the powerful Van deras family. She had grown up in luxury, destined for greatness. The entire kingdom had admired her beauty, grace, and intelligence. She had been betrothed to Prince Revero, the future king, and their love was celebrated throughout the land. Lady Lilian, her dearest friend, had been by her side through it all, her confidante and closest companion.

But it had all been a lie.

As Serene's life crumbled around her, she learned the truth—the bitter, soul-crushing truth. Revero had never loved her. He had used her to climb closer to the throne, and when he no longer needed her, he had cast her aside like a pawn. Lilian, her best friend, had coveted her position, her beauty, and her power all along. It was Lilian who had whispered lies into Revero's ear, who had poisoned the court against Serene, framing her for treason and leaving her to rot in this dungeon.

And now, she was dying—alone, betrayed, and forgotten.

A sharp cough racked her frail body, and she tasted blood on her lips. Her time was almost up.

As her vision blurred, Serene stared up at the narrow window high above her, where a sliver of moonlight pierced the darkness. She closed her eyes, her thoughts drifting to those who had betrayed her. Revero, with his false smile and honeyed words. Lilian, with her venomous lies and pretty face. They had taken everything from her.

If I had one more chance, she thought bitterly, I would destroy them all.

Her breathing grew shallow, her heartbeat slowing. She could feel death creeping closer, wrapping its icy fingers around her. But just as the last flicker of life began to fade from her body, something strange happened. A warmth, faint at first, began to spread through her chest.

Serene's eyes snapped open, but the dungeon around her was gone. Instead, she found herself in a vast, endless void of shimmering light. It felt... familiar, as if she'd been here before.

"Do you seek vengeance?"

The voice came from everywhere and nowhere, a soft whisper that echoed in the empty space. Serene turned, searching for the source, but found nothing.

"Yes," she whispered, her voice hoarse from disuse. "I want revenge."

"Then it shall be granted."

A surge of power coursed through her, a sensation so overwhelming that it left her breathless. The pain that had plagued her body vanished, replaced by a fierce, unrelenting energy. Serene gasped, clutching her chest as the light around her intensified, blinding her.

And then, everything went black.

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Serene awoke with a start, her heart racing. She blinked rapidly, her vision adjusting to the soft morning light that streamed through the open windows. She sat up, her body feeling light, free from the shackles that had bound her in the dungeon.

Her hand flew to her throat, feeling the smooth, unblemished skin there. No bruises. No chains.

Panicking, she threw off the silken covers and rushed to the ornate mirror that stood in the corner of her bedroom. Her bedroom. The reflection that stared back at her was not that of a broken, dying woman, but that of a young, vibrant girl—herself, years younger.

She touched her face in disbelief. Her skin was smooth and flawless, her hair golden and shining, cascading down her back in soft waves. Her eyes—once dull and lifeless—now gleamed with a sharp, fiery light.

How is this possible?

She turned away from the mirror, her heart pounding in her chest. Memories flooded her mind—her imprisonment, the betrayal, her death. She had been certain that she had died in that dungeon. But here she was, in her room, as if none of it had happened.

No. It had happened. She remembered it all too clearly.

Serene’s mind raced, piecing together the impossible. She hadn’t merely been saved. She had been reborn. Returned to a time before everything had fallen apart, when she still had her family’s support, her reputation intact, and the prince's affection—or so she had once believed.

But this time, she would not be the naive, trusting girl she had once been. This time, she would not allow herself to be used and discarded.

This time, I will destroy them all.

As she sat on the edge of her bed, her fists clenched tightly, the door to her room opened, and a familiar figure stepped inside.

"Serene, you're awake!" It was her maid, Lily, a sweet and loyal girl who had served her faithfully for years. "I was just about to wake you for breakfast. Are you feeling alright?"

Serene stared at Lily, her mind reeling. Lily was alive, just as she had been before everything had gone wrong. She had been one of the few people who had remained loyal to Serene, even in her darkest hours. Her heart softened for a moment, but she quickly steeled herself.

"I’m fine, Lily," Serene said, her voice calm and measured. "Bring me my breakfast. And then... I need to make preparations."

Lily frowned, clearly sensing that something was different about her mistress, but she nodded and hurried out of the room.

As the door closed behind her, Serene rose to her feet and walked to the window. She stared out at the sprawling palace gardens, the very picture of serenity and beauty.

They don’t know what’s coming, she thought darkly, a smirk curling at the corner of her lips. Revero, Lilian... I will take everything from you, just as you took everything from me.

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