She didn't slow down until they reached a nondescript building at the edge of the main street. The structure is old-fashioned, its stones worn smooth by time and covered in a layer of moss that made it appear as if it had been forgotten by everyone but the whispers of the wind.
"Where are we? And how do you know I'm going to the library?" Si-woo asks, tilting his head in curiosity.
Mai pulls out a peculiar key from her pocket, it shimmers the same deep blue as her eyes, as if the key was born from them.
"Um...I,-where else would you be going with pre-midterms coming up so soon? aaanndd I thought we should take a detour," she answers nervously.
She slides the key into the lock, gives it a quick twist, and the door creaks open with an old, complaining squeak and a dull bell ring.
Si-woo throws a skeptical look at her before he steps inside after her.
"What is this place?"
"My dad's shop," she says, voice quieter than usual.
"He used to do hair here. He's… not around right now."
The smell hits him right away: shampoo, a little leather from the old chairs, something clean and familiar. The room is packed: antique barber chairs, big mirrors everywhere, each one throwing back a slightly different version of the two of them standing there. Dust motes float in the soft light from the ethereal pendant lamps.
Si-woo drops into the nearest chair, staring at the floor. Relief washes over him that she'd shown up when she did, but right underneath it was this hot knot of frustration. He hates needing to be saved. His eyes burned; his jaws clenched-he bites his nails, hard to keep anything from spilling out.
"I've been thinking," she says, determination creeping in.
"It's time I take it over. Dad's been too busy with… everything else. This place deserves better."
Si-woo didn't say anything. His brain was still stuck on the sneers, the dare to beg. He watches her move around, graceful even when she bumps into a stool, picking things up, putting them down.
She came back with these ancient-looking clippers, eyes sparkling like she was up to something. "Hold on a sec," she says, stepping behind him.
"What are you—" Si-woo starts, voice jumping as her fingers brushed through his hair.
She held up the clippers so he could see them in the mirror. Metal catches the light. "You need to take better care of yourself," she teases.
"Let me fix this mess a little."
He tenses up fast. Embarrassment rises to his face. "I thought you promised," he says, twisting in the chair to look at her.
"You said you wouldn't jump into my problems."
Mai didn't even blink. She grins wider, mischief all over her face. "What are you talking about? I just came by to see if a friend wanted to hang out. Not my fault, some idiots were blocking the path."
Si-woo let out a long breath, shoulders dropping. She was obviously trying to pull him out of the dark mood.
"Fine," he mutters, swiveling back to face the mirror.
"But if you screw up my hair, I'm never letting you near it again."
Her laugh was light, like little bells. "Relax. I know what I'm doing."
He closed his eyes. The clippers buzz softly, gentle tugs, snips, the chair creaking whenever she shifts. For the first time since the assembly, the knot in his chest loosens a bit. The shop felt safe. Quiet. Like nothing bad could reach him here.
When she finally stepped back, he cracked one eye open, then both. The mirror showed someone who looked… sharper. Hair shorter, neater, eyes standing out more. He ran a hand through it, felt lighter.
"Thanks," he said, trying to play it cool.
"I guess."
Mai smacks his shoulder. "I guess?" She faked outrage.
"If I hadn't found you, you'd still be walking around looking like a spade wolf with a bird's nest on top."
He couldn't help it, he laughs. Real, surprised laugh. The anger from earlier melted away like fog in sunlight.
"Thanks," he said again, quieter. Sincere.
Mai's grin softens. "Anytime. Seriously. It's my pleasure."
Si-woo nods, this warm feeling spreading through him that had nothing to do with the shop's heater. He hesitated, then went for it. "Mai… can I ask you something?"
She pauses mid-cleanup, meeting his eyes in the mirror. "Yeah?"
"You said your dad was a hairstylist. But… who is he, exactly?"
Her expression flickers. She glances toward the window, quick, startled, but not nervous. A hooded figure walked past outside, nothing special, but Mai's whole body tenses.
"I'm sorry," she says suddenly, regret in her voice.
"I gotta go."
Si-woo frowns, turning to follow her gaze. "What's wrong?"
The figure was already gone. Mai shook her head, a small smile forms on her face. "Nothing. Just… remembered an errand. Really gotta run."
"But,"
She was already at the door, bell jingling as she slipped out. "See you later, okay?"
The door shuts behind her. Si-woo sat there a second, staring at his new haircut in the mirror. Curiosity burned; there is definitely something she wasn't saying. But Ondur doesn't seem to be such a shady place as Earth: There's no need to push, I guess. At least not yet.
He sighs, stands up, and steps back out into the street.
The luminous glass windows and buildings reflect the blue sky as he walks on the cobblestone path. The unrelenting market roars around him, merchants yelling deals, voices overlapping, smells of spices and grilled meat everywhere.
He shoves his hands in his pockets and starts walking, the fresh trim feeling strange and new against the back of his neck. Whatever Mai was hiding, it can wait. For now, I'll keep moving.
I have to admit, Si-woo thought, shaking his head a little as he wanders the streets, this city is actually insane. The buildings shoot up forever, covered in these crazy, detailed carvings-wyverns, vines, faces staring down like they're judging you. It's beautiful, but kinda overwhelming.
The smells hit him next, roasting meat dripping fat onto coals, fresh bread straight from some hidden oven. His stomach growls loud enough that he is sure that people nearby could hear it. He stops for a second, trying to remember which way the library was. Left at the fountain? Or was it right after the floating lantern stall?
"I can't believe I'm lost again," he mutters out loud, rubbing the back of his neck.
He turns in a slow circle, and that's when he spots it. A narrow alley, he swore, hadn't been there a second ago. Curiosity tugs at him hard. He took one careful step towards it-
And then a bag slams over his head.
Rough fabric scratched his face. Strong hands yanked him backward into the dark.
"MMMMPPHHHH" He thrashes, kicking, trying to yell, but the cloth muffled everything. Whoever had him was way too strong, trained, precise. No chance to even get a breath for a scream.
Panic floods in. His mind races through the combat drill advice Minho had drilled into him, every muscle tenses, preparing to burst. Power surged in his chest, hot and ready, but nothing came out. Is he preventing me from using serein?
He forces himself to listen instead. Rustling fabric. Footsteps on stone, quick, confident. Then he is shoved onto something big and scaly. A wyvern. Wings beat hard, wind whipping the bag against his face. The air thinned as they climbed, then leveled out. They were descending again, fast. He felt grass brush his legs before the wyvern touched down.
The bag ripped off.
Si-woo blinked against the sudden light, squinting up, expecting some sneering thug, some angry fae with a grudge.
Instead, he was staring straight into the amused face of King Morey. Dark cloak, hood pushed back, eyes twinkling like this was the funniest thing in the world.
"Welcome to my humble retreat," the king says, grin wide.
"Hope the ride wasn't too bumpy?"
Si-woo scrambled to his feet, anger exploding. "Do all Ondurians get their kicks kidnapping kids?"
Morey burst out laughing, real, belly-deep laughs. He even wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. "Feisty. I like that. But relax, this isn't a kidnapping. It's a surprise."
Si-woo glares, but he couldn't help looking around. Emerald grass stretches out forever. Flowers swaying in a soft breeze that smells sweet, like honey and spring. The suns were dipping low, painting the sky in oranges and pinks.
"This is unreal." Si-woo gasps in awe.
"Pretty impressive, right?" Morey asks, still smiling.
"This is where I come when the crown gets too heavy. Even if we fae live forever, well, unless something really nasty takes us out, it's nice to just… breathe sometimes."
Si-woo remembered Princess Deane's hologram lecture, the casual way she'd mentioned eternal life like it was no big deal. Still blew his mind every time.
"Yeah," he says quietly.
"Ha-yoon and I heard about that. Still feels impossible."
He takes a few steps forward, grass soft under his shoes. The air feels cleaner here, lighter.
"I gotta get back to her," Si-woo says suddenly. "She'll worry."
Morey waves a hand. "She's fine. I've got a special op keeping an eye, discreetly. She's probably stuffing her face with street food right now. I hear she's a fan of the sugared berries."
Si-woo giggles despite himself. "Of course she is."
He glances around again. "So… where exactly are we?"
Morey's grin turned mischievous. "Take a few steps forward. You'll see."
Si-woo eyed him warily but did it. Grass gave way underfoot, then nothing. He stumbles, heart lurching into his throat as the edge drops away. But he caught himself, staring straight down.
Floating island. Hundreds of feet up. Ondur spread out below like a glittering toy city, spires, bridges, and floating lanterns just starting to glow as the suns set in the cloudless sky.
"Whoa," he breathes.
Si-woo couldn't look away from the view. The city pulses with light, alive even from way up. A relaxing ease settles over him as if the air itself is magic.
Before Si-woo could dodge, the king reaches over and gives him a quick noogie, ruffling his freshly cut hair.
"Hey!" Si-woo yelped, swatting him away, but he was laughing too.
"You know...sometimes you act more like a kid than I do," Si-woo says, half-smiling.
Morey steps back, expression turning serious for real. "Life gets heavy sometimes, kid. I know that better than most. If you ever need a break, if things feel like too much, just tell me. Or Minho. This site is my sky island, anointed after me. As other sky islands are also named after prominent figures of Ondur. It's open to you, anytime."
Si-woo wipes his eyes, mostly from the wind, he tells himself, and nods. "Okay. I'll… keep that in mind."
The king claps him on the shoulder. "Good. Now come on, let's get you back before your sister eats the entire market."
King Morey steps back without warning and sweeps his leg out-quick, casual, like he was swatting a fly. Si-woo's feet fly out from under him, and he hits the grass hard, landing right on his butt.
"Ow," he groans, rubbing the spot. "Seriously?"
The king's laugh bounced off the rocks around them. "But before we go," he says, still grinning, "show me your serein meditation progress."
Si-woo shoots him a look, but doesn't argue. He takes a slow breath, ignoring the sting, and closes his eyes. He focused inward. felt the familiar coil of energy sitting quietly from deep within, like a snake curled up and waiting. He nudges it gently. It unspooled, slow at first, then faster, threading through his meridians like warm light spreading through branches.
For a second, everything clicks. The island, the sky, the breeze, he feels connected to all of it. Alive in a way he couldn't explain.
King Morey watches, arms crossed, face unreadable. The kid's mending rate is incredible, a fourteenth degree, but he's purging impurities like someone twice his rank. He has no dantian, so how does he have meridian veins? Is it his soul? And his meridian tree's already opened up eighty-six channels out of three hundred forty-six. At this pace… he'll awaken in a couple of years, maybe less. Nearly all twelve of his primary channels have been opened, unlike others who develop them last. No wonder Minho's glued to them.
He claps once, sharp. "That's enough for today."
Si-woo's eyes snapped open, the calm shattering. "Yeah… you say that like it's easy."
"Keep at it with Minho. You're doing well."
Before Si-woo could reply, Morey let out a sharp whistle. From way up in the sky, something red streaked down, a pure crimson wyvern, the same from the public assembly, its wings wide enough to block half the sunset. It landed as smoothly as anything, folding those massive wings against its sides. The king patted its neck as if it were an old dog.
"Let me take you back to Ha-yoon," he says, pulling his hood back up.
The ride back is fast and quiet. Wind roars past, city lights blurring below like rivers of gold. Si-woo grips tight, half-thrilled, half-terrified. They touched down right in front of the library's huge doors. The wyvern barely made a sound.
Morey gave a quick wave, then the red beast launched back into the sky and vanished.
Si-woo shakes himself and steps inside.
There she is, Ha-yoon sits at a big table, surrounded by a bunch of fae kids her age. She's laughing so hard her shoulders shook, whipped cream smudged on her cheek. Books everywhere, but nobody was really reading.
Good, Si-woo thought. I was a bit married, but she's actually making friends.
Her eyes lit up when she saw him. She wipes her face quickly and runs over, throwing her arms around him in a hug that almost knocks him over.
"I thought we were meeting here," she says into his shoulder. "You got lost again, didn't you?"
Si-woo smirks. "Maybe I got kidnapped. And my kidnapper decided a library was a good drop-off spot."
Ha-yoon pulls back, eyeing his hair. "Yeah, right. And while he was kidnapping you, he also gave you a haircut? Nice try."
He laughs. "Mai did it. Don't worry, I'll have her do yours next."
She stuck her tongue out. "How many sweets did you eat today?"
"None," he says, dusting himself off. "How many did you have?"
She grins, guilty. "Who's counting?"
They say bye to Ha-yoon's new friends and step out into the evening. The air had cooled off, lanterns floating overhead like lazy fireflies. Cobblestones still warm from the day.
They walk side by side, quiet for a minute, just soaking it in, the smells, the lights, the feeling that maybe this place could actually be home.
Then a shadow slid over them. Heavy wings beat the air.
They looked up.
Minho, on his sleek black wyvern, hood up, eyes glowing faintly under it. The wyvern's scales caught the lantern light like stars in oil.
"Oh no," Ha-yoon groans. "He found us."
Si-woo's stomach drops. "Run."
They bolted.
Their shoes slapped the stone as they darted through alleys, dodging stalls, weaving between people. Market noise faded behind them.
We have a head start, maybe ten seconds. Si-woo breathes heavily, jumping over karts, but I know it doesn't matter. Minho is a third-degree serein master of fourteen. He could probably see me from a mile away.
They round a corner, hoping for a side path.
Dead end. Brick wall.
Minho's voice echoes off the stones, calm and amused. "You can't outrun a third-degree master, kids."
Si-woo's jaw clenches. "We have to think of something new while chasing us."
They spun back the other way, clear path ahead. Hope flares.
Then the shadow fell again. Lemmy swoops low.
Before they could dodge, Minho shot two small disks that attached to their clothing, and something invisible yanked them up, feet dangling, air rushing past. The wyvern's eyes gleam as if it's having fun.
Minho floats down in front of them, smiling that quiet, dangerous smile.
"I presume your leave was adequate?" he says mildly. "But playtime's over. Time to get back to work."
He snapped his fingers.
The invisible grip tightens just enough to make them squirm.
"Let's begin."
...
After almost two full months of nonstop, redundant bullying, surprise kidnappings by King Morey and Minho, hanging with friends, honing skills in training sessions, connecting with their bonds, cramming every spare second, there was a peculiar buzz building inside them as the pre-midterm placement test crept closer. All the chaos has sharpened them. Not just physical, but internally. The things that actually made them who they are. Minho's brutal lessons and lessons about their bonds had turned some perilous confidence into something solid. Undeniable.
The night before the pre-midterms, Si-woo and Ha-yoon are holed up in their room. Textbooks and notes everywhere. Half-eaten snacks scattered like casualties. Ha-yoon hunches over her book, brow creased, fingers flipping pages like she was on a mission. Their mess felt right, proof they were in this together.
Si-woo is flat on the bed, staring at the ceiling cracks as if they held answers. His brain wouldn't shut off. Combat patterns, serein theory, historical dates, all swirling around like a storm. The test wasn't just a grade. It could decide where they stood in the academy, even the kind of future they got.
...
The next morning, they walk into the academy and split with just a quick nod. No words needed. Si-woo steps into his home room feeling half-nervous, half-hyped. Minho stood at the front, arms folded behind his back, eyes scanning everyone like he already knew who'd crack.
"Four days," Minho says, voice calm but carrying an edge that made them sit up straighter.
"As you come back each day, prepare yourself. Each one pushes you. Cognitive versatility, knowledge, and understanding. You're not old enough for the hands-on aspect, but this lays the foundation for when you will be, at the fifth echelon, these are written. But make no mistake in thinking that makes them easy."
Whispers ripple through the room. Some kids looked cocky. Others were tapping feet, chewing lips. Si-woo adds bite marks to his pencil, two exams each day, for the next four days, although today's exams I'm more familiar with, like math and life sciences, once the exams shift to Ondur specific knowledge, I'm not sure I'll... a light nudge on his forehead interrupts his thoughts. Mai stares at him from the seat in front, sky-blue eyes searching his face. She gave him that small, steady smile.
"You've got this," she whispers.
He takes a slow breath, staring at the ceiling for a second.
"Yeah," he says, even though his stomach was doing flips.
The first two days were brutal. Endless questions digging into cultivation, serein arts, history, and runes. Curriculum that made their brain feel like mush. By day three, everyone looked wrecked: drowsy eyes, pounding headaches, slumped shoulders. But Si-woo kept pushing. Every time he wanted to quit, he thought about Minho's next training session. That kept him going.
Finally, the fourth day ends. The bell rang. Si-woo and Ha-yoon grab their stuff and bolt for the royal palace training grounds. Legs like lead. Heads foggy from cramming and nonstop drills. But the second they saw Minho standing there, tall, arms crossed, same unreadable look, they snapped back.
Minho watched them approach. These two look like they've been swallowed by shadows, he thought. Two months of arduous training, and now their bodies are finally ready for real aerial martial arts. The kind we fae are built for.
"Today we're switching it up," he says, eyes lighting up. Si-woo and Ha-yoon, already half-dead from tests, stare at him, equal parts curious and terrified.
"You've got the basics down in intro class," Minho went on. "Defensive insight. Dodges. Blocks. But that's not enough for you two." He gave them that knowing half-smile. "So I think it's about time I teach you Toeju."
Si-woo's heart slams against his ribs.
"Toeju," Si-woo begins, "The signature fae martial art. I read it runs on specific body statures and three cultivation styles: Total Concentration: speeding up brain, timing, Immortal Combat: constructing muscle cells for pure combat, explosiveness, and reinforcement. And then the third one…"
"Divine," Minho says.
"It combines both. Perfect balance."
Minho kept going. "To pull off divine breathing, it is mandatory for your serein intake to be pure-like. Transparent or white as a mountain bird. Ordinarily, only the Ancient Mu and very few fae of noble blood have it, which brings me to my next subject, Si-woo. The color of your serein is translucent."
The training ground goes quiet. Si-woo's fatigue prevents an external reaction, but the words hung there. Si-woo's serein, cleaner than almost anyone's, suddenly felt heavier.
Ha-yoon stares at her brother. Pride and worry twist together in her chest. "I remember you saying my serein didn't have a color, so how do I know my body stature?"
"Besides the hue of one's serenity, through experienced eyes, a fifth degree or higher will be able to depict the orientation and position of all your meridian channels, displaying your body stature and your cultivation style, now-" Minho edges closer, raising a finger.
"Answer me this, Ha-yoon, all two hundred and sixty-two of your tertiary channels are distributed evenly throughout your body, but your primary channels congregate around your head, while your secondary channels are at the edges of your hands-"
"My body stature is Savage Tiara, and my cultivation is Total Concentration." Ha-yoon breathes, straining her brain.
"Correct, you brilliant lass," Minho smiles.
"But why can't we just master both Total Concentration and Immortal Breathing?" she asks, voice tired but sharp. "Combine them ourselves?"
Minho smiles, "The body, even one utilized by serein, has its limits, Ha-yoon. The two flows fight each other. One floods your brain in a certain direction, the other your muscles. Try to force both at once? You rip yourself apart from the inside. They're two rivers slamming head-on."
His eyes slid to Si-woo. "But for someone whose serein is as pure as the Mu...Divine Breathing isn't inconceivable. It's intriguing."
Si-woo met his gaze. Didn't say anything. Just nodded once.
Ha-yoon swallows. She knew what that look meant. They both were about to venture into something massive.
Despite how wiped out they are, Si-woo and Ha-yoon didn't budge. Their faces stayed blank, like the news hadn't even landed yet.
Minho blinks, thrown off. "Don't let exhaust overcome you; you two should rejoice over tribulation, for it means a chance to gain strength!"
Still nothing. Just quiet stares.
"Si-woo," Minho looks right at him, "The Mu, with similar serein grade and mastery of divine cultivation, were only rivaled by fae of the same. It will be a long journey to mastery since you will have to dabble in both the latter cultivation techniques and make them your own, though in time, the results will inevitably pave the way. "
Question seventeen of the life science exam had me name organelles of random creatures of ondur... I think I got all of them wrong... Si-woo, lost in thought, stares at Minho.
Minho Sighs and slowly shifts to Ha-yoon. "And you, you may not realize it yet, but you're gonna need Total Concentration cultivation to utilize that grimoire down the line."
They nod again, slower this time. They both knew their roads were splitting, but the string tying them together didn't feel any looser.
Minho claps once. "Alright. Time for the final test. This'll show me your body stature, Si-woo. All pure serein users' meridian tree distribution is similar and precise all around; the one differentiating factor is the nature of the serein flow, and in the process, we'll be able to perceive the formations you both will use in this exercise."
"Yes, Master," They both say dreadfully, adjusting their drooping posture.
He raises his hand. Right on cue, Lemmy swoops down from nowhere, landing smoothly on the platform with two massive squirming shapes dangling from his jaws.
Ha-yoon's eyes lit up. "Tic! Tac!"
The spade wolves hit the ground running. They barrel straight for her, tails whipping, tongues out, practically tackling her in sloppy wolf hugs. Licking her face, nuzzling her sides, making these happy rumbling noises.
Si-woo watches, used to seeing such creatures that swallow the light of midnight. Spade wolves were supposed to be these wild, paranoid predators that avoided anything smart enough to be dangerous.And here they are, glued to Ha-yoon like overgrown puppies.
"Your bond with them is truly breathtaking," Minho says.
Ha-yoon scratches behind Tic's sharp ears, grinning. "Where's Spikey? My third one?"
Minho kept his eyes on the wolves. "The warping tetharite's resting. Your connection to the forest is stronger than I thought."
Truth is, Minho thought, I couldn't catch the dang thing. Still can't believe she tamed an aether type creature. And Si-woo somehow found and bonded a whiteblood wyvern? Lady Coraline's report gave me chills.
Si-woo shakes his head. wolves is one thing, but a warping tetharite… from the same era as the whitebloods... I still can't wrap my head around it." I read theyre one of the only creatures that have the 'Mark of God' or the aether spatial mark on their body. Allowing them to travel through space...
"Yeah," Minho says, nodding slowly. "Known to be extinct. Means your sister's tied directly into the history of this place. She's not just a serein user, she's a walking force."
Si-woo glances over. Ha-yoon is whispering to the wolves now, eyes glowing just a little. Tic and Tac barked back in short bursts, heads tilting like they were actually having a conversation.
"What about me?" Si-woo asked, curiosity mixing with a tiny spike of nerves.
Minho's face got serious. "Your bond with Z isn't there yet, not as deep as hers. But don't fret. It'll come. For now, we're working with something more… solid. We will focus on your individual growth before incorporating Z into toeju. "
"Subsequently, you meet the basic requirements," He tosses something through the air. "Here."
Si-woo catches it one-handed. Eternity, King Morey's gift. The white stapped hilt felt cool, almost alive, while the titanium-white cloth flowed from the pommel. As soon as his fingers closed around it, white light traced glowing paths along the blade, pulsing in time with his heartbeat. It hums, low and steady, as it recognizes him. The weight vanished; the sword felt like an extension of his arm.
"Master," Si-woo says, voice steady even though his brain was racing, "what's your body stature?"
Minho paused, a quick flash of amusement in his eyes before it turned serious. "Berserk Body Stature. Force everything to the complete limit, offense, speed, endurance, then even more. Long, unpredictable bursts. Costs defense and vitality, but when it strikes… nothing stands."
Si-woo nodded, feeling the weight of it.
"But of course, yours will be different," Minho went on. He looks at Ha-yoon. "With your knowledge, your nature bond, the savage tiara stature fits you perfectly. Manipulate serein to control, to create. Your body will have to undergo a remarkable amount of training to handle such precise movements. Due to its uniqueness, most people who walk this path self-teach the later stages; it's too complicated for anyone else to guide."
He nods toward Tic and Tac. "Those two? They're not just pets. They're extensions of you. They'll fight with you, read your thoughts, protect you with everything they've got."
Ha-yoon's chest tightens. I wish I could use Oblivion, but I'll wait a little longer. She rests a hand on each wolf's head, feeling their warmth.
Minho steps back, stance loose but ready. "Now, come at me."
Si-woo and Ha-yoon locked eyes. They'd been through hell together, but this felt different. New.
Ha-Yoon took a breath, whispered something low. Tic and Tac howled, short, fierce, and their eyes lit up with the same fire she had.
"Use everything," Minho called. "Teamwork. Hit me together."
Si-woo hesitates, then slips Eternity's hilt between his teeth, clamping down to focus. A wild, excited grin broke across his face.
Ha-yoon stares at him in disbelief, then abruptly jolts towards Minho. She and the wolves surged forward as if they'd rehearsed it a hundred times. Tic and Tac went low, teeth flashing, aiming to tangle Minho's legs and throw him off balance.
Si-woo broke right, zigzagging fast, closing the gap. He wasn't dumb enough to charge straight in, not yet. Watch. Learn. Wait for the opening.
Minho just stood there, smiling as if he was having the time of his life.
...
The suns have already dipped low, turning the sky a mild mix of orange and deep purple as they climb onto Lemmy's back. Minho's wyvern spread its massive wings, gave one powerful push, and they were airborne, cool night air rushing past, whipping through their hair.
Divine medium is a body stature that allows for unparalleled defense, protection, and intervention. a style that has been lost to time. sounds complicated. Si-woo's grip tightens, grinning despite his exhaustion. This never gets old. The city shrank below them, lights twinkling like scattered stars. He leans toward Ha-yoon, yelling over the flap of wings.
"How do you think you did on the pre-midterm placement tests?"
Her cheeks were still pink from all the training earlier, but she shot him this huge, excited grin. "Better than I thought!" she shouted back, eyes still bright like she was reliving every dodge and strike.
"You?"
Si-Woo sucked in a breath, city smells mixing with the sharp, clean mountain air up here. "I've got a ton left to learn," he admitted, thinking about the book he'd left half-read in the library.
"But… I did my best."
…
Next morning, the academy is buzzing. Whispers everywhere, kids hyped and nervous about the placement results. Si-woo and Ha-yoon walk the halls side by side, still sore from yesterday but both trying to play it cool.
The grand hall is packed, first echelon through third echelon students from every corner of Ondur crammed in, chattering, fidgeting.
Princess Deane steps up to the stage, staff following behind. She waits until the room goes dead quiet.
"Welcome to the scoring ceremony of the pre-midterm placement tests," she says, clear and calm. "This is where your efforts are measured, and where your strengths are displayed."
Her eyes swept the crowd, lingering just a second on the siblings. Ha-yoon's stomach flips. "Ugh, my stomach huurrts," she moans, holding her gut.
Si-woo rubs her neatly braided peach hair, "You'll be fine."
Three massive scrolls with small levitating mechanisms attached to each one hover behind Deane, unopened, glowing faintly, one for each level. The whole place felt electric, right before a storm.
Deane kept going. " Now, remember, scoring this is simply the pre-midterms; no matter how poorly you score, you will remain in your echelon, though the standard spectrum does still apply for those who score within the specific ranges. On the standard midterm placement tests, if you score seventy to ninety-four percent, you've shown real dedication. You'll stay in your current echelon until the time comes for your class to graduate or move up in seniority."
She pauses. "Ninety-five to ninety-nine? You'll move up an echelon. Sixty-nine to fifty-one? You'll drop one. Fifty and below? You'll fall into two echelons. Though if you score a perfect one hundred percent, you'll jump two echelons. "
The room sucks in a collective breath. Ha-yoon's palms were sweaty. The tests were nothing short of brutal compared to Earth's. Score over ninety? not happening, getting a hundred? A fantasy within a fantasy.
"And remember for future reference," Deane adds, "You'll only get one attempt per year for the fifth echelon through seventh, consequently it's best to accustom yourself to the experience while you can. Make the first one count."
The tan scrolls move up and across the ceiling and start to unfurl in a slow, dramatic, classic, elegant manner. Names and scores appeared one by one. Whispers died down fast.
First scroll: Third echelon. Top name, Dori, 84%. Cheers and relaxed gasps let out as the scroll continues to unfurl.
Second scroll: Second echelon. Mai's name pops up first, 90% Si-woo's heart did a little happy jump for his friend. Whoa, I knew she was smart. Ha-yoon elbows Si-woo with a grin.
Then Si-woo saw it: his name.
In second place, one point behind Mai's, 89%.
His cheeks go pink, but then he catches Sol in the corner of his eye, glaring at him. His name wasn't even in the top ten. Degrading insults stab straight to Si-woo's heart. Earthling daring to shine? Unacceptable.
No time to dwell, the third scroll is rolling open. First echelon
names scrolled by, Ha-yoon's eyes dart, heart hammering.
Then her eyes focus. Right at the top. 95%
A gasp rolls through the hall. Heads turned. Whispers exploded.
Ha-yoon stood frozen, staring at her own name as if it belonged to someone else.
"For a first-year. From Earth. Impossible," voices ring out as each person slowly draws their attention to the scroll.
The room goes quiet for a beat, then her friends shove through the crowd like they'd been waiting for this.
"You did it!" Seon yells, cheeks flushed, grabbing her in a hug. "We knew you would!"
Chiu was right behind her, eyes shining. "That's insane, Ha-yoon! You blew everyone away!"
"I'm so proud," Seon said again, squeezing tighter. "This is just the beginning. You get to move up now."
Ha-yoon laughs, shaky, disbelieving, but her eyes kept finding Si-woo. He was standing a little off to the side, smiling that quiet, proud smile he always got when she succeeded.
They'd started in the same broken place. Same fears. Same fight.
And here she was, top of the list.
She wished she could drag him into the hug pile, share the rush. But the look in his eyes said he felt it too. The win. The weight. It's an odd mix of happy and bittersweet.
She mouths "We did it" across the crowd.
He gives a small nod back. Yes, we did.
It's okay, I did my best after all, a sting lingers inside Si-woo. Ha-yoon's score really shows off her hard work. We were up late nights, buried in books, pushing hard. And, I guess a tiny part of me feels… small next to her. Like I'm playing catch-up.
Mai's eyes flicked to Ha-yoon's crowd of friends, then back to him. "It's not a race," she says softly.
"You're both killing it. Seriously."
Si-woo lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"Yeah. I know." His voice came out rougher than he meant.
"Thanks, Mai. You're… you're pretty amazing too, you know."
She grins, bumping gently into his shoulder.
"We all should grab Yoani cakes sometime soon. Celebrate surviving this."
Si-woo winces inside. Yoani cakes. Ha-yoon could smell them from a mile away and always dragged me to get a stack. Way too sweet, made his teeth hurt, but she loves them...
"Sure," he says, faking enthusiasm.
"Sounds fun."
Princess Deane's voice booms through the hall right then.
"If you will please listen, we do have a student that will be moving up a echelon, with a record-breaking ninety-seven percent in all of first echelon history… Ha-yoon!"
The room explodes into cheers and clapping. Ha-yoon stood there, face flushed, this huge grin breaking across it. I really did it. I proved I belong here, in a place that used to make me feel like an outsider. Every. Single. Day.
...
The ceremony concludes, everyone spills out into Ondur. The four days of brutal testing have exhausted them all, but the results lit them alive. Ha-yoon is swarmed by her friends, laughing, hugging, demanding every detail about the questions and puzzles that had almost broken them.
I'm glad Minho canceled training after yesterday's session. Si-woo thought, wandering, if the world were ending, he would still find time to tear us up. The festive energy from the other academy students energized the air. He slips away from the crowds, hands in pockets, letting the cobblestone streets pull him wherever.
The fae lanterns flow overhead, adding life to the environment. Laughter bounced off the walls, groups of friends clinking drinks, sharing stories. Si-woo watches, envying them.
He spots an armory tucked between two massive buildings. Weapons gleam in the windows, swords, spears, armor polished to a mirror shine. Above the door hung this heavy emblem: a hammer smashing a fiery anvil, surrounded by intricate rune language.
Tov, ancient Mu script, Si-woo observes closely, runic magic in the form of symbols that the Mu species used. Though now it's unidentifiable since they've all died.
He was still staring when a shadow fell beside him.
He turned. Mai. Eyes bright, practically bouncing.
"This is the best armory in Ondur," she whispered, like it was a secret. "The legendary Hemeraldo's forge."
Si-Woo raised an eyebrow. "Legendary?"
She nodded fast. "It's documented that his bloodline is full of the most remarkable blacksmiths of Yohen. They're the ones who forged soul weapons. Weapons that could move mountains."
Si-woo felt a little spark despite how tired he was. "Soul weapons? Like my kunai, Eternity?"
Mai's eyes went wide. "Exactly like that! There were only seven ever made. They only pick owners whose heart and spirit match. It's rare. Really rare."
"Guess it picked right, then," he said, smirking to shake off the weird feeling.
Mai tilts her head. "Your sister isn't here, so I guess we can't grab yoani cakes, or she'll get mad, though what are you doing out here, you know you get lost easier than anyone."
Si-woo shrugs, half-grinning. "Doesn't matter. I'll probably get kidnapped again sooner or later."
She giggled, light, easy. "You and your crazy adventures. But seriously, Si-woo. Be careful."
"I'm fine," he said, trying to brush it off.
"I can handle myself."
Her smile faded a little. "I know you can. But the city's not as safe as it looks. And senior kids still eye you… just...I'm just a bit worried."
"Got it. Thanks."
Mai's hand lands on his arm, stopping him before he could step inside. "Actually… I just came to say hi. I've got some stuff to handle. See you later?"
His face fell a fraction. "Yeah. Sure. Have fun."
She flashed one last smile, silver hair fluttering around the lantern light as she slipped into the crowd and disappeared.
Si-woo pushes through the armory door alone.
The smell hits him first, hot metal, coal smoke, the sharp tang of oil. Hammers rang out in a steady rhythm somewhere in the back. The place felt alive, like the weapons were waiting to be woken up.
He walks up to the counter. A fae looked down, with a wild gray beard, eyes sharp and curious under thick brows. He studies Si-woo for a second, like he was sizing up more than just a customer.
"A new face here," the old man rumbled, voice like gravel. His voice was rough but not mean.
"Welcome, son. What brings you to Hemeraldo's forge?"
"Just looking," Si-woo said, eyes sliding over racks of swords, axes, shields, some glowing faintly, others plain and brutal.
"Heard this place is famous. Owner's name's Hemeraldo, right?"
The fae's eyes narrowed, sizing him up. He nods slowly. "You must be the otherworlder the boss mentioned."
Si-woo winced inside. Otherworlder. Same crap Sol and his crew threw at him. "Yeah… guess so."
The fae tilted his head toward the hilt sticking out of Si-woo's pants. "The one with the whiteblood wyvern. Wait here."
He disappears through the back doors without another word.
The forge noise filled the silence, clang, hiss, clang, like the place had its own heartbeat. Si-woo shifted on his feet, nerves buzzing. What would a legendary blacksmith even think of some kid from another world?
The doors groaned open again. Heat rolled out stronger, and then he stepped through.
Hemeraldo.
Towering, wild brown hair and a beard that looked like it'd been hammered out of molten bronze. Eyes bright orange, sharp enough to cut steel. He stares down at Si-woo, taking him in head to toe.
"So," the blacksmith rumbles, voice deep enough to rattle Si-woo's ribs, "you're the new owner of Eternity."
Si-woo swallows. "Yeah. It's… an honor to meet you." Si-woo slightly bows.
Hemeraldo grabs his hand, shaking it, calluses rough as sandpaper. "Honor's mine, kid. Been waiting to meet the one Eternity chose. Never thought it'd be someone of a different nature such as yourself." His mouth twitched into a real smile.
"Unprecedented. Tell me, want to hear how Eternity, Breaker of Mercy, came to be?"
Si-woo's eyes lit up. "Yeah. Please."
"Follow."
Hemeraldo leads him deeper into the forge. Heat pressed in, sweat already beading on Si-woo's neck. Anvils, bellows, glowing crucibles everywhere. The blacksmith moved fast for his size, precise, practiced.
"Tens of Millennia ago," Hemeraldo starts, voice cutting through the roar, "when the Mu and other remarkable creatures such as your whiteblood wyvern roamed the lands, my ancestor, Dorok, got a vision from God. He wrote it down so it'd last. Said the all-mighty gave him a revelation of a weapon that would be gifted to the pure-spirited Mu. Masters of it would either be a defender of realms, a peacebringer... or bring ruin to them. The vision showed a great tilt in the balance of Yohen," Hemeraldo went on, eyes locked on Si-woo.
"A returning, unrelenting darkness would try to swallow everything. And Eternity would be a light, a guardian to protect and serve the lot of us."
"What does that mean for me?" he asks, voice small against the forge noise.
Hemeraldo's gaze got intense. "Means you've got a hell of a burden, kid. One that could decide a lot of fates."
Si-woos eyes drift to the wooden-planked floor.
Hemeraldo's smile came back, big, warm. He clapped Si-woo on the back so hard his teeth rattled. "No need to be squeamish. Worlds aren't ending today. Right now? Let's focus on what we can do."
He turns to his anvil, already moving. "How about armor? Something to keep you alive when things get ugly. Something that screams potential."
Si-woo blinked. "That'd be… amazing. Thank you."
Hemeraldo waves it off. "My gift. To both of you. Gotta make sure tomorrow's champions are ready." His eyes twinkled.
"Orichalcum is perfect for high-end work anyway. And I heard your sister's got fire in her, too. I'll craft hers when she's ready. Might take years, good thing we fae don't run on time."
Si-woo stares at him with a are you serious expression. "I have a question, sir."
"Call me by name, son,"
Si-woo adjusts his posture, "Okay, Hemeraldo, the ancient script on your emblem is Tov, right? Do you know what it says?"
"Of course not. Only the Mu knew of the depictions of their runes. But that emblem did serve a purpose. When gifted Eternity, the Mu carved runic symbols into that everglade tree plank to serve as an impending warning for all creatures of Yohen that no mercy will be given if any of this forge is harmed."
"Wow, the Mu were really honorable," Si-woo states. "
"Were there really that many dangerous creatures around?"
Hemeraldo scratches his beard, "Hmmm, back then, there weren't as many of us, although we were very formidable and accomplished combatants; the intelligent species quantity sometimes outweighed our quality."
Si-woo tilts his head in curiosity. "But shouldn't there be manuscripts or books deciphering the runes?"
"That's assuming that we're able to decipher it just by investigation."
"Huh?" Si-woo lets out.
"Tov is such an intricate and delicate magical language that the investigative branch of the knowledge familia suggests a condition inscription is the utilization of both mana and serein from one vessel."
"Meaning that only the Mu can use them," Si-woo finishes.
"Correct, you're asking all the right questions, son," Hemeraldo stares at him, deep in thought.
"Once you're twenty years old, come back. Your armor'll be waiting."
Twenty years old? Si-woo left the forge in disbelief. Hemeraldo's words sat on his shoulders like a new weight.
Across the street, he spots Ha-yoon right away. She was in the middle of a cluster of classmates, laughing, gesturing wildly. She's probably telling some exaggerated story. Though they all looked happy. Normal.
He pushes through the crowd, thoughts spinning. Destiny. Prophecies. Worlds on the line.
They hadn't talked much about home lately. Ondur's magic, the floating islands, the power they were gaining, it swept them up. But underneath? Earth was still there. Their old homes, the earthquake scars, the people they left behind. That pull never really went away.
As soon as she sees him, her face lights up. She quickly says something to her friends, waves, and jogs over, dodging a cart full of exotic fruit.
"Hey," she says, that soft smile she saved just for him.
"Mai told me you were around. Wanted to make sure you didn't get lost again."
Si-woo rolls his eyes, but he is grinning. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
"By the way," he adds, raising an eyebrow, "how many Yoani cakes did you actually eat today?"
Ha-Yoon giggled, cheeks going pink. "Only… one. Or eight. Maybe nine. Don't judge."
Si-woo groans dramatically, clutching his stomach. "You're gonna turn into one giant cake. I've been thinking, we should explore more of the city. But right now? Home. I'm beat."
They start walking together through the crowded streets. Ondur felt alive around them, tall buildings with carvings that looked like they were moving if you stared too long, ancient stone mixed with glowing metal that hummed faintly. Voices overlapped in Hoken, a million conversations blending into this weird, comforting music. The energy in the air made the hairs on Si-woo's arms stand up every few steps.
"You're really gonna move up a level," he says, bumping her shoulder lightly. "I knew you had it in you."
Ha-Yoon beams, but then her smile wobbles a little. "Thanks. But… what if I mess up? What if I can't keep up with you guys?" Si-woo slung an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in close. "You won't. You've got the brains and the stubborn streak. Emphasis on the stubborn."
She leans into him, eyes shining. "You always say stuff like that."
"Because it's true."
They kept walking, the evening light turning everything soft and golden. Ha-yoon feels a quiet pride settle in her chest. They'd come so far from the boring streets back home, dreaming about adventures. Now they were actually living one.
…
Back in Seoul, moonlight spills over every mountaintop, turning the grass silver. Si-woo steps inside the gate and prays over his mom's sapling.
Before entering the house, Si-woo pauses. Something feels… off. The air carried a heavy, anticipatory feeling, a calm right before a storm.
"What's wrong?" Ha-yoon whispers behind him. He tenses, hand on the door.
"I don't know. Just… stay behind me." He pushes the door open slowly. The creak is way too loud. Then hands grabbed him from the dark. He was yanked inside so fast he barely had time to yelp.
"Si-woo!!" Ha-yoon screams. She bolts after him, heart slamming, shoes slapping the floor. She burst into the living room ready to fight, then skids to a stop.
The room was glowing softly. Familiar faces everywhere, all grinning like idiots. Her two spade wolves sat by the door, tails thumping, tongues out in big goofy smiles. Spikey, the tiny, fairy-like warping tetharite, hovers above them, twinkling like a purple sparkler.
"Surprise!" everyone yells at once. Ha-yoon's mouth drops open. Princess Deane, King Morey, Mai, Minho, and Z, curled up in Si-woo's lap while he laughed so hard he could barely breathe. The wolves took the distraction as their cue. They launch at Ha-yoon like furry missiles, black clouds of fluff knocking her flat. Teeth flashed, but it was all slobbery licks and happy whines.
"Eiiiiiii", she squeals, trying to shove them off while they rolled her around.
"Guys, stop, okay, okay!" she gasps between laughs. Mai steps in, smiling gently.
"Congratulations," she says, offering a hand. The wolves weren't done yet, though, tails still going like helicopter blades.
"You even perform like a queen," King Morey adds, "impressive indeed."
"Mmhmm," Minho puffs his chest out with pride.
"Thanks," Ha-yoon manages, finally pushing free and standing up.
"This is a historical day," Princess Deane stepped forward, eyes warm.
"You should be proud, Ha-yoon. Advancing an echelon at your age, this soon? Your beauty shines through."
Ha-yoon blushes, brushing wolf fur off her shirt.
"Thanks. But… what happens now? Will Si-woo and I still be in different classes?"
Deane shakes her head. "Starting next term, you'll be in the second echelon and your brother will be right there with you."
She turns to Si-woo, who was still wiping tears of laughter from his eyes as Z nuzzles him.
"As for you, young one… your skills are coming along nicely. But maybe it's time we push you a little harder." Si-woo's heart did a flip. He remembered every brutal training session, the fae instructors who never let up, demanding perfect form, perfect serein control. Wooden swords that felt heavier every day.
He groans. "There was no need to say that, Princess Deane." Everyone laughs again. Even the wolves seemed to grin wider.
Ha-yoon glances around, curiosity winning out.
"Where's Queen Elara?"
The king's smile dipped just a little. "Ah, the queen." He leans back in his chair.
"Our laws are strict, as you've probably guessed. A millennium prophetess can't leave her land. Ever. But she sends her affections, she's eager to meet her champions again when the timing's right."
He waves a hand. "And since we'll be making Earth home soon enough, that won't be a problem forever."
Mai bounced on her toes. "Grandpa, come on—tell them already!"
"Grandpa?!" Si-woo and Ha-yoon blurt at the exact same time.
King Morey blinks, then bursts out laughing again.
"Oh. Right. Should've led with that." He gestures toward Mai, eyes shining with pride.
"Mai is my granddaughter. The next millennium prophetess."
Si-woo and Ha-yoon just stare. The room fills with soft chuckles as the secret lands.
Mai's cheeks went pink. She stares at her feet, suddenly shy.
"It's… an honor," she mumbles, "to carry the bloodline. To have the connection to the ancestors."
A spark of awe strikes Ha-yoon. The girl who was always glued to Si-woo's side, laughing and teasing, was really a princess this whole time.
King Morey's voice drops, getting serious.
"You two need to understand the full picture. Mai isn't just family business. She's the key to Ondur's future. That bloodline holds prophecy—wisdom that's guided us for many years. A prophetess only ever has one daughter to pass it on. If the wrong people ever got hold of that knowledge…" He lets the sentence hang.
"Catastrophic. But we trust you. You're close to us now. Family."
Si-woo and Ha-yoon exchange glances. The fae world had always felt layered, Si-woo pets Z, on top of its head. Full of hidden rules and old grudges, but this? This seems sacred.
"If she's your granddaughter," Si-woo starts, "then that means-"
He cuts off when Minho and Princess Deane share this quick, loaded glance. The air in the room thickens.
Princess Deane took a slow breath, smiling softly.
"It's true," she says.
"Mai isn't just the next prophetess. She's my daughter."
She turns to Minho. His eyes prideful, and something deeper, something Si-woo couldn't quite name.
Minho steps forward, calm as ever. "And, I, her father."
The words drop like stones into still water. Ripples everywhere.
Si-woo's brain short-circuited.
"But… how?" He couldn't even picture it, rough, battle-scarred Minho and the elegant, perfect Princess Deane.
Ha-yoon snorts. "You seriously can't tell? It's so obvious when you look."
"How did you know?" Minho asks, eyebrows up.
Ha-yoon smirks arrogantly. "I had a feeling, just wasn't sure why no one was saying anything about it. You two remind me of my mom and dad."
Si-woo's face heats up.
"I had zero clue," he admits. Then, quieter: "Wait… so Minho was the owner of that barber shop."
Mai looks up at him, eyes sharp, "Of course you didn't."
King Morey chuckles. "Ha-yoon's sharp as ever," the king says fondly.
Z flies off Si-woo's head as King Morey makes his way over. He reaches out and ruffles Si-woo's hair, hard enough to make him duck.
The Queen says you have a...familiar way to yourself." he gives Si-woo his signature noogie, knuckles grinding in.
"Your way is the wrong way, the amount of times I've caught you wandering, nothing familiar about that."
"Hey, your fingers are rocks!" Si-woo yelps, squirming free but grinning despite himself.
The room cracks up.
"Ah, youth," King Morey says, stepping back with a grin. Then his tone shifts.
"Now, the real reason for tonight. I had a long meeting with the five headmasters of Ondur. In short, we discussed the future. The big picture."
He pauses.
"No academic studies for fourteen days."
Si-woo and Ha-yoon's jaws drop.
"Fourteen days?!" Ha-yoon echoes.
The king nods, looking pleased. "Messages have already rung out via the cheg devices to all elders of Yohen about the immigration. We're at a turning point. The non-traditional, elderly fae, the ones who've lived dozens of thousands of years here, their hearts are tied to the Yohen realm. They chose to stay. But the young ones? The best of us? Your futures aren't chained to the past."
Minho nods, eyes flicking to Mai. "Seoul will be a place to grow. Young minds shaping tomorrow, without old traditions dragging them down. Guided prime fae."
King Morey snaps his fingers. "Oh, and you'll meet the other headmasters soon. Outside the academy."
Minho let out this low, evil-sounding chuckle.
"Which means…" His eyes light up. "Training will be of another level. No studies to exhaust your body, the Lord couldn't have given a more optimal opportunity to strengthen your weaknesses, and test your limits."
Si-woo and Ha-yoon share a look of pure dread. The no-school joy evaporated instantly.
Princess Deane steps forward, eyes sparkling. "But before we eat, Ha-yoon, we have something for you."
Mai stopped messing with the spade wolves, dusted herself off, and grabbed Ha-yoon's hand.
"Come on! Let's go see!"
They follow Minho and the others outside. The night air hit cool and sharp after the warm room.
Something light lands on Si-wo's head, Z's wings folding as he settles in. Ha-yoon smiles when she feels the same gentle weight of Spikey on hers.
"Tonight's stars couldn't have shone brighter," King Morey says, his piercing blue eyes gazing into the sky as moonlight coats the flailing strand of his silver hair.
Si-woo stares at him for a moment, then into the night sky, encapsulated by the view.
"Come on you two," Princess Deane yells from ahead, the stars will always be here."
"She's always paced," King Morey begins walking, "slowing down once in a while is good for the soul, Si-woo, keep that in mind."
Si-woo nods, then looks in front of him at Mai and Ha-yoon conversing, the wolves paddling beside. It makes sense now, how Mai would show up conveniently out of the blue. Princess Deane probably plays a hand in our relationship.
Minho leads them across the yard. Lemmy lay coiled in the center, her dark scales gleaming under the moon.
"Is it really okay for you to be out in the open like this? Especially with your family?" Si-woo asks, looking up at King Morey.
He shoots Si-woo a sly look. "Don't worry. Even though I'm really not supposed to be away from Ondur. We're keeping it quiet. And trust me, hidden royal guards and Minhos special ops are everywhere around here."
Si-woo blinks. "Everywhere?"
King Morey just smirks, "Everywhere."
They all climb onto Lemmy's back, King Morey bringing up the rear.
"Where are we even going?" Ha-yoon asks, half-shouting over the wind as they lift off into the night.
Princess Deane glances back, eyes sparkling like she was holding in the best secret ever. "It's a surprise," she says with a quick wink.
Seconds later, Seoul was shrinking behind them. The wolves are full on sprinting, keeping not too far from them. The countryside rolls out below, big patches of silver moonlight on fields and dark forests stretching forever. Ha-yoon squeezes the protruding spine as the wind tears past. It felt exactly like that first rush when they'd arrived in Ondur, pure, wild freedom.
They begin dropping toward a hill. Ha-yoon's heart slams harder the closer they get. The old ruins of their house had been this ghost in her head for so long, crumbled walls, broken everything. But as Lemmy touched down, she froze. "My house, it's… whole again."
The burgundy tiled roof is perfect again. Walls are straight and strong. The front yard garden bursts with green like nothing had ever happened. Like the earthquake never touched it.
They slide off Lemmy's back. The wyvern stretches its huge wings once, then settles down like a giant cat, rumbling low.
Ha-yoon just stares. "This… this is for me?" Her voice cracks.
"Of course. No one's more qualified than you." King Morey says.
Princess Deane nods, smile soft. "We figured… down the road, you might want a place that's yours. Something that keeps the past but lets you build a future too."
Ha-yoon takes one shaky step forward. Her eyes locked on the front yard, two little everglade saplings standing there, leaves rustling in the breeze, with sunflowers surrounding them.
The princess's eyes grow glossy, compassion glazing over, "With a little help from Si-woo, we gave your parents a proper burial, honoring your realm's customs by adding the deceased ones' most prized flowers," she says quietly.
"The everglade saplings are, of course, how we fae honor the ones who've passed. They become part of the land, the tree grows in symbolization of the nature of their love for those who still remain. Producing life as the've produced you."
Ha-yoon's vision blurs. Tears spilling over before she could stop them.
"Thank you," she manages, voice thick, the spade wolves come in quick, slowing down to nuzzle against her.
Mai moves after, arms wrapping around Ha-yoon in a big, tight hug.
"You're welcome," she whispers. "We know how much they meant. And we're here, okay? We're your family now, too."
Princess Deane steps in, pulling them both close. The hug felt warm, solid, like it could actually push some of the hurt away. "You're not alone anymore," she murmurs.
"Not ever."
Si-woo stood there, looking at the two graves. There've been nights when I've wondered about my dad, convinced the guy just walked out on us. But the way my mom used to talk about him… soft, sad, full of love… He didn't leave; the Lord took him. He smiles at those gathered around her. I'm glad Ha-yoon didn't have to grow up without one.
He didn't realize King Morey and Minho were watching him until a hand landed on his shoulder, firm, grounding.
"Hey," Minho said, voice low. "We've got one more thing to show you two."
Back on Lemmy. The wyvern launches with a deep wingbeat that shakes the air. They fly past the edges of Seoul mountains, and woods rising darker and thicker, air turning crisp and thin. Stars pop out brighter than Si-woo had ever seen them. The lights from the animals and creatures below faded until it was just black ahead.
Ha-yoon squints into the distance. A faint glow flickered on the horizon.
"What's that?" she yells over the wind, pointing.
Minho's voice carries back, full of quiet awe. "That's water."
They flew closer. The darkness wasn't empty; it was a huge, glittering sheet of water stretching out forever. Moonlight dances across it like spilled silver. Ha-yoon blinks hard, as if she couldn't trust her eyes.
"But… it looks like it's below us," she whispers.
"Ah, just wait and see," King Morey lets out.
Si-woo leans forward, heart pounding. I'm confused too. If we're going north, we should be seeing North Korea...or whatever's left of it. But instead it looks like a vast sea. Si-woo observes his left and right, and it looks as if we're slowly being surrounded the closer we get.
The wyvern dips, wings cutting the air, and suddenly, the full view hits them.
There it was, Seoul, hanging in the sky, hundreds of meters above dark, endless water. Moonlight washed over the floating land like silver paint. Towers, bridges, glowing lanterns, surrounded by vast mountainous woods that seemed to illuminate from within.
"No way," Si-woo and Ha-yoon exclaim.
King Morey gazes at their expressions, "Your land, Seoul, wasn't always above water, was it?"
"What?" Si-woo yells back.
"No!"
"Exactly," Princess Deane said quietly, staring down at the water.
"Ever since the rift to Yohen opened, our realm's gravity and essence have been affecting yours in Seoul."
Ha-yoon tore her eyes away from the view. "What do you mean?"
"Yohen harbors serein, an energy used for most of its life forms," the princess explains, moonlight catching in her eyes.
"That essence has been seeping through the rift. It's why your parents' saplings can actually grow here now, why your bond with the Spade Wolves is so strong."
Minho nods, turning on a stern expression, "It appears that the earthquake was just the beginning. Earth is changing. Our worlds are intricately intermingled."
Mai, who'd been quietly scratching the whiteblood wyvern perched on Si-woo's head, spoke up. "This place would be impossible for most mainland species to reach anyway," she said, a little wistful.
Si-woo leans forward, curiosity burning. "Mainlands?"
King Morey cuts in. "War. Big one. Last scraps of land down there, resources and energies nobody's ever seen. Everyone's fighting tooth and nail for what's left. Sad, but it's reality. Our priority is keeping Seoul safe. Protecting our people."
Mai glances down at the dark water. "But with orichalcum… we can start rebuilding our society, building a bridge between worlds."
"A bridge that doesn't need to be crossed today," King Morey adds.
"The sprits have taken it upon themselves to cloak Seoul in a vigorous spell, warding off anything that makes it near."
Mana spells are the sprits fortè, Si-woo ponders, although they're unable to use serein, they have to be just as amazing with mana. I would love to see them use it.
"Has anyone tried to?" Ha-yoon looks behind at King Morey
"Not yet, but until we're ready, and things are settled down out there, there is no need for communication and interaction."
Right then, Ha-yoon's stomach let out the loudest growl ever.
Everyone froze.
Ha-yoon looks at Si-woo, face red, they both crack up.
King Morey laughed so hard he almost fell off his Lemmy. "Looks like someone's stomach cares more about dinner than worldly politics."
Minho glances over his shoulder. "The palace maid should have departed from cooking at the house. Guess we should head back before we witness the real Ha-yoon,"
They all laughed, real, easy laughs, as Lemmy banked and dove toward the city. Wind rushed past, hair whipping everywhere. The house came into view below, warm lights glowing in the windows.
Ha-yoon feels a weird mix: excitement bubbling up, but a little scared too. Whatever came next, it was big.
They touched down. The spade wolves are coming in from behind. The second they stepped inside, the smell hit: roasted meat, spices, fresh bread, something sweet underneath it all. The kitchen table is buried under food.
Ha-yoon's stomach growls again. She didn't even care this time.
Mai grabbed plates and started piling food on for both of them. She gave Si-woo a soft, almost sisterly smile, "You know… I didn't stay behind because I couldn't advance."
Si-woo looks up from his plate, mid-bite. "Huh?"
Mai's eyes sharpened. "I've been going easy on you."
He swallowed the chunk of meat, took a sip of the fizzy purple drink that tickled his nose. "What do you mean?"
She leans in closer, smile turning a little fierce. "You've had your adjustment period. You know Ondur now. The people. The rules. So no more holding back."
Si-woo raised an eyebrow, challenge sparking. I guess I was right.
"Bring it."
Mai's grin widens. "Good. Because from here on out? I will. Don't fall behind."
Adrenaline hit him like a shot. Yeah, I've been the new kid, the one catching up, the one getting saved. But not anymore. Bullies at school, the migration, all of it, I can do this.
"I won't," he says, meeting her eyes.
The meal flew by, laughter, old fae stories, someone spilling a drink, and everyone cracking up harder. Ha-yoon felt a warmth settle in her chest, listening to tales of adventures and dumb mistakes. This... this really does feel like home.
When the plates were finally cleared, King Morey got serious. "Tomorrow's the council meeting. Migration prep starts in earnest. The future of Ondur is here."
The next week blurred.
Fae poured in from everywhere, families, creatures, all carrying their most important stuff. Lands fill up fast. New homes sprouted like weird glowing flowers.
Si-woo and Ha-yoon stood outside their home sometimes, just watching it happen.
Everything was changing.
And they were right in the middle of it.