Dimension System: SSS Rank Talent Awakening

Chapter 169 The Grandmother's Confession

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The weight of her words settled heavily on Dabi's shoulders.

He thought of Eli and Mira, their innocent faces lighting up as they laughed with Beriz in the other room.

They had no idea of the storm brewing around them, no inkling of the danger they were in.

"I never wanted any of this," he said quietly. "I just wanted to protect my siblings and live a normal life."

"I know," Tessa said, her voice softening. "But your bloodline has marked you for a different path. The sooner you accept that, the better prepared you'll be to face what lies ahead."

Dabi shook his head, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

"I don't care about the throne or Kael's plans. My only priority is keeping my siblings safe. That's all that matters."

"And that's precisely why you need to understand the stakes," Tessa said.

"If you don't confront this head on, Kael will come for them. Ignoring the problem won't make it go away."

The conversation stretched late into the night, with Tessa outlining the steps they needed to take to counter Kael's growing influence. Dabi listened intently, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

By the time she left, accompanied by Beriz, Dabi felt both exhausted and resolute.

He had always been a fighter, a survivor, and now he would need to channel that strength into protecting not just himself but his siblings and their future.

The next morning, Dabi decided to confront Kora, his emotions still raw.

The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the modest living room.

The serenity of the moment was at odds with the storm raging inside Dabi.

He sat stiffly on the couch, his eyes locked on Kora, who stood across from him with an expression that was both calm and pained.

His siblings, Eli and Mira, had been sent outside to play, leaving Dabi and Kora alone to confront the unspoken truths that had come to light.

The silence between them was suffocating, broken only by the distant laughter of children outside.

Finally, Kora spoke.

"I owe you an explanation," she began, her voice steady but tinged with regret. "And an apology."

Dabi leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "You think an apology is enough?" he said, his tone sharp.

"You've been lying to us for a year. About who you are. About who we are."

Kora's gaze didn't waver. "You're right to be angry, Dabi. But everything I did was to protect you and your siblings."

Kora took a deep breath, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.

"When your father chose to leave the royal family, he knew the risks.

He wanted a life of freedom, away from the politics and power struggles of the court. But his decision put all of you in danger."

She began to pace, her voice growing more emotional. "Kael Asterius your second grandfather is a dangerous man.

He would stop at nothing to secure his claim to the throne, including eliminating anyone who stands in his way.

That included your father, your mother, and eventually, all of you."

Dabi's fists clenched at the mention of Kael.

"I couldn't risk Kael discovering your existence," Kora continued. "So I hid in plain sight not saying anything.

I became your siblings caretaker, a nobody in the eyes of the world, so I could live with you without drawing attention."

"And yet, here we are," Dabi said bitterly. "He's still a threat, and now I'm caught in the middle of it all."

Kora's shoulders slumped, the weight of her choices evident in her posture.

"I'm sorry, Dabi. I truly am. But I did what I thought was best to live with you and your siblings."

You three are my only grandchild who I never meet. I couldn't hold myself back. So I just left everything to come hare live with you secretly.

Why didn't you tell me?" he demanded, his voice low but intense.

Kora met his gaze evenly, her expression calm. "Because you didn't need to know.

My role has always been to look after you and your siblings, not burden you with the weight of my identity."

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Dabi's anger faltered, replaced by a deep sense of gratitude. Despite everything, Kora had been a constant source of love and support in their lives.

"I just... wish you had trusted me," he said quietly.

"I do trust you," Kora said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "And now that you know the truth, I trust you to make the right decisions for yourself and your siblings."

As the day wore on, Dabi felt a sense of clarity he hadn't experienced in a long time.

The revelations about his family, though overwhelming, had given him a deeper understanding of his place in the world.

He wasn't just a survivor anymore. He was a protector, a guardian, and now, a key player in a conflict that threatened to upend the balance of power in the Asterius royal family.

But no matter what challenges lay ahead, one thing remained certain..

He would do whatever it took to protect the ones he loved.

Dabi stood abruptly, his emotions boiling over. He turned away from Kora, staring out the window at Eli and Mira playing in the garden.

"You should have told me," he said quietly. "I've spent my entire life feeling like we have no family, we only have each other."

"And all this time, you all knew the truth."

But you all choose to let me and my siblings suffer alone. Now that we have learn to live alone you all come to our life.

Kora stepped closer, her voice soft but firm. "You were too young, Dabi.

If you had known, it would have put you in even greater danger.

You would have tried to fight back, to protect your siblings, and that would have made you a target."

Dabi turned to face her, his expression torn between anger and gratitude. "And now? What's stopping him from coming after us now?"

"Now, you're stronger," Kora said. "You've grown into someone capable of defending himself and his family.

And you're not alone in this. Tessa and I are here to support you. Together, we can prepare for what's coming."

Later that day Tessa Asterius again came to Dabi's house. She was hiding outside while her mother kora was talking to Dabi. Then kora shouts her name.

As if summoned by her name, Tessa Asterius stepped into the room, her presence commanding.

She had been waiting outside to give them privacy, but it was clear she had been listening.

"Tessa," Dabi said, his tone cold. "Let me guess you're here to convince me to go crawling back to the royal family."

Tessa crossed her arms, unflinching under his glare. "I'm here to make you see reason," she said bluntly.

"You can't fight this battle alone, Dabi. The royal family has resources, allies, and power that you can't ignore.

If you want to protect Eli and Mira, if you want to uncover the truth about your parents, you need their support."

Dabi scoffed. "The same royal family that abandoned my father? The same family that let Kael run rampant? Why would I trust them?"

"Because not all of us are like Kael," Tessa shot back. "Your Grandfather the leader wants peace.

He wants to heal the divisions in our family. And he's willing to support you in your quest for the truth."

Dabi narrowed his eyes. "And what's the catch?"

"No catch," Tessa said. "Only a request: that you reunite with the family and take your rightful place as a member of the Asterius bloodline."

Dabi fell silent, his mind racing. On one hand, the idea of aligning with the royal family felt like a betrayal of everything he had fought for.

On the other hand, the thought of facing Kael and his forces without allies seemed reckless.

"You're asking me to trust people I've never met," he said finally. "People who abandoned my father and let Kael grow into the threat he is today."

"I'm asking you to trust me," Tessa said, her voice softening. "I've spent my entire life fighting to protect this family, Dabi.

Your father, your mother, you and your siblings you're all part of that fight. Let me help you."

Dabi looked at Kora, her expression filled with quiet determination. Then he turned back to Tessa, searching her face for any sign of deceit.

"Fine," he said at last. "But I'm not making any promises. If I even sense that this is some kind of trap, I'm out."

Tessa nodded, a faint smile of relief crossing her face. "That's all I ask."

With the tension in the room finally easing, the three of them began to discuss their next steps.

Tessa outlined her plan to arrange a meeting with King Alden, while Kora promised to teach Dabi more about his father's legacy and the royal family's history.

As the sun set, Dabi felt a renewed sense of purpose.

The path ahead was fraught with danger, but for the first time, he wasn't walking it alone.

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