Beyond the Secret Abode

Olivia’s POV

Together, we began walking back toward the Secret Abode.

The moment we arrived, the smile on my face faded.

The entrance lay in ruins.

Several buildings had completely collapsed.

Others were barely standing, while scorch marks covered the walls.

The scent of smoke still lingered in the air.

My chest tightened painfully.

When I came up with the plan to lure the masterminds into our trap…

I never imagined they would open another Void Crack directly above the Secret Abode.

What if I hadn’t uncovered their plot from the memories I shared with the Abyssal creatures and Void Beasts?

A lingering fear washed over me.

The outcome could have been far worse.

This place had become my home, and the people here had become my family.

Seeing everything reduced to this…

It felt as though someone were squeezing my heart with both hands.

A dull, throbbing pain spread through my chest.

My fists slowly clenched until my knuckles turned white.

I’ll make them pay.

I swore silently.

“Big Sister!”

Amelia’s familiar voice rang out from the distance.

The next second, she threw herself into my arms.

“I missed you!”

“I thought you weren’t coming back.”

She buried her face against my chest as tears streamed freely down her cheeks.

“Silly girl.”

I gently rubbed her back.

“How could I leave you behind?”

“Don’t you trust Big Sister anymore?”

“I do.”

“I just…”

“I missed you so much.”

“I thought…”

“No more negative thoughts.”

“I’m back.”

“And I’m safe.”

She nodded vigorously.

“Big Sister…”

“How was my acting?”

“I followed your instructions.”

“Uncle Karl and I fooled all those bad people.”

“You did wonderfully.”

“Big Sister is proud of you.”

Amelia puffed out her chest proudly after hearing my praise.

Grandma Healer and the other members of the Secret Abode slowly gathered around us.

Grandma Healer immediately stepped forward.

Without saying a word, she grabbed my wrist and checked my pulse.

Her eyes widened.

Her expression changed completely.

Karl’s face instantly grew serious.

“What is it?”

“Is she still in danger?”

He asked so quickly that everyone around us became nervous.

Grandma Healer looked at me once more.

Then she smiled.

“No.”

“She isn’t merely fine.”

“She’s… perfect.”

“Far stronger than any of us ever imagined.”

“Big Sister is the strongest!” Amelia cheered proudly from beside me.

Karl nodded before looking around at everyone.

“The arrangements have all been completed.”

“The Secret Abode will soon be sealed once again.”

“It will remain hidden until the day you choose to return.”

I slowly looked around once more.

This place had witnessed my despair…

My growth…

My awakening…

My first real family.

Tears threatened to escape my eyes.

I forced them back.

Around me, many members of the Secret Abode quietly wiped away their own tears.

Some smiled despite their sadness.

Others openly wept.

Even so…

Excitement still lingered in their eyes.

Especially Amelia’s.

She could hardly contain herself at the thought of finally seeing the world beyond the Secret Abode.

Many of them had been born and raised here, spending their entire lives hidden away from the outside world with little or no contact beyond these mountains.

For me, this wasn’t simply a farewell.

It was a promise.

One day…

I would return.

And when I did…

The Secret Abode would no longer need to hide from the darkness.

Everyone gathered around me as we followed a narrow hidden path leading toward the exit of the Secret Abode.

I walked at the front with Karl and Amelia beside me—clingy as always—while the others followed behind in orderly silence.

The solemn atmosphere still lingered around us.

Soon, we arrived before an ordinary-looking cave.

Its entrance was so small that it seemed impossible for all of us to pass through.

Questions rose inside my mind, but I chose to remain silent and watch.

Karl stepped forward first.

He reached toward what appeared to be an ordinary section of the cave wall and pressed against a hidden mechanism.

A low rumbling sound echoed through the mountain.

The cave entrance shimmered.

Then, another passage slowly revealed itself from the side.

The entrance we had been looking at all along wasn’t real.

It had merely been a carefully crafted façade.

As we stepped inside, the cave illuminated on its own.

The walls weren’t made of ordinary stone.

They were lined with strange metallic alloys and countless gemstones that emitted a soft silver radiance, making torches completely unnecessary.

I couldn’t resist running my fingers gently across the wall.

The cold metallic surface sent a slight shiver through my body.

We continued deeper into the cave along the narrow passage.

After several minutes, the tunnel widened into an enormous chamber.

The ceiling stretched so high above us that I had to tilt my head back just to catch sight of the countless gemstones embedded there.

They glittered like stars scattered across a midnight sky.

At the center of the chamber stood an ancient altar.

Its surface was covered with unfamiliar runic symbols, intricate carvings, and dozens of small statues crafted from precious stones and exotic materials unlike anything I had ever seen.

Before I could ask…

“A teleportation altar.”

Lucy’s voice sounded inside my mind.

I paused briefly before walking closer.

I had only ever read about teleportation altars and ancient portals in books.

Never—not even in my wildest dreams—had I imagined I would one day stand before one.

Much less use it.

I couldn’t help remembering the helpless plus-size girl I once was.

The girl everyone despised.

Rejected by her family.

Rejected by her pack.

Even abandoned by the one destiny had chosen to stand beside her.

My mate.

The very person who should have been my shield had left me when I needed him most.

Now…

Here I stood.

Alive.

Stronger.

A far better version of myself.

The extra weight I once hated was still there.

But now, it no longer represented weakness.

It carried strength.

Resilience.

The courage to face my destiny.

And a heart capable of protecting those who genuinely cared for me.

Karl stepped onto the altar.

He slowly activated the ancient formation.

Silver runes began lighting up beneath our feet one after another.

As we waited for the formation to fully awaken, I couldn’t help but think about what awaited us beyond these mountains.

The outside world.

This time…

I wasn’t returning merely to fulfill a prophecy.

Or to save the world.

I was returning to protect the people I loved…

And to repay, in equal measure, everyone who had wronged me.

I slowly clenched my fists.

A faint smile appeared on my face.

The last rune ignited.

Light erupted from the altar.

Then it swallowed all of us whole.