CHAPTER 120 THE RETURN TO MAPLEDOME FOR THE SUMMIT

Dominic The light of dawn filtered through the dense canopy above, casting long shadows on the forest floor. It was the kind of morning that whispered promises of new beginnings, but as Minerva and I trudged along the familiar path toward Mapledome, the weight of the past few days hung heavy. The deserted village we had passed through earlier loomed in my mind, its eerie silence and abandoned homes as a reminder of the dangers ahead. "Dominic, we need to talk about Meredith, " Minerva's voice broke through the quiet, her tone steady but tinged with concern. She pushed a branch out of her way, her movements quick and precise. I nodded, already knowing where this conversation was headed. "I agree. She can't stay in Mapledome once the summit starts." "We need a hideout," she continued, her steps quickening as if to match the urgency of her thoughts. "Somewhere we can keep her hidden and protected." "I've been thinking about that," I said, glancing sideways at her. "There's an old