"How do you know us?" Ha-Yoon said sitting directly behind Minho, her voice filled with wonder. "How did you know were siblings?"
Minho turned to her, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "Princess Deane sent me to find you," he said. "But it seems my search was not swift enough, and you encountered danger. I am truly sorry for that."
"But how did she know?" Ha-Yoon asked, her voice filled with wonder."Is she a spy?"
Minho chuckled, the sound musical and light. "No, she's not a spy," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Princess Deane is our current Prophetess of the Milenia. She has the gift of foresight, and she saw your arrival long before you stepped through the portal."
The siblings exchanged looks of amazement as they soared through the sky on the back of the majestic wyvern, the alien landscape sprawling out below them. Ha-Yoon clutched the creature's spine tightly, the excitement of flying tempered by the gravity of their situation. "But why us?" she asked, her voice barely carrying over the wind.
Minho turned to face them, his expression earnest. "The kingdom of Ondur values the diversity of life and the balance of the universe," he began. "We cannot stand by and watch as your world and its children are lost to calamity. You, Si-woo, and Ha-Yoon, have been chosen as bearers of the serein. Your unique connection to this energy has the potential to heal and protect, and we hope that through your experiences and education here, you can bring that same healing back to Earth."
The siblings exchanged a look of awe and trepidation. The weight of their newfound purpose settled heavily on their shoulders, but the thrill of adventure and the chance to make a difference was undeniable.
"The serein is a powerful force that connects all living beings in Ondur," Minho explained as they flew. "It is the essence of life and energy here, and it is what gives us our abilities. It's rare for anyone to be so attuned to it at such a young age, especially when not born of this world."
Si-woo looked over at Ha-Yoon, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she leaned into the wind, her hair fluttering like a banner of freedom. They were both silent, the gravity of their situation sinking in. They had been chosen for a purpose, and it was clear that this journey was going to be more than just an escape from their destroyed home.
Minho's words echoed in Si-woo's mind. "The pure serein you carry is strong, far stronger than any I've felt from children ever. It's a gift, but it also makes you targets." He could feel the tension in his sister's grip on the creature's spine as she took in the information. "But don't worry about that right now." Minho says "We have other responsibilities to take care of first."
As they approached the city, Ha-Yoon couldn't help but notice the changed terrain of the woods below. The once vibrant greenery looked almost... muted. "The trees, the hills" she murmured, "They're different."
Minho nodded, his eyes reflecting understanding. "Ah, the Sprits that live in the outside forest of Ondur. They are known to shift the landscape to their will. The clear path you took yesterday is now a dense jungle. It's part of their nature, a way to maintain the balance and prevent overuse of the land." He explained, his voice filled with admiration.
"But why would they lead us into danger?" Ha-Yoon questioned, still shaking from the encounter with the creature.
"Even though our people are on better terms than ever with the Sprits currently, our history is riddled with nothing but bloodshed." Minho said, "So unfortunately there will always be some inconsistencies."
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
"Princess Deane mentioned to me yesterday that the ancient Mu would guide you two to Ondur yesterday, but the only way I could foresee that happening is if you followed the fables and the signs in the trees made by them considering it's been thousands of years since anyone has seen them...since I've seen them."
"What is the Mu?" Ha-Yoon questioned, trying to piece together the fragments of knowledge they had been given.
Minho's eyes grew distant, a look of reverence crossing his features. "The Mu are ancient beings, the original inhabitants of Ondur. They are the keepers of the land and the guardians of the serein. It's said that they live in the deepest parts of the forest, where the veil between our world and the spirit realm is thinnest. Their sightings are rare, but when they do appear, it is often a sign of great change or need."
Ha-Yoon felt her heart race at the mention of the creatures they had encountered the day before. "The little iridescent beings in the trees!" she exclaimed. "We saw them yesterday when we first arrived! They were so beautiful, and they guided us from the school!"
Minho nodded, his expression serious. "Those are the Sprits of the Forest. They are ancient and wise, and their guidance is not to be taken lightly. It seems you have already begun to form a bond with the serein and the creatures of Ondur."Minho sighs "But I'm glad my old friends are doing fine." he says solemnly.
The siblings stared at each other. They had been chosen for a purpose, and it was clear that this journey was going to be more than just an escape from their destroyed home.
"We will need to be careful," Minho said solemnly. "Our world is not without its dangers, and there are those who would seek to harm you for the power you possess. If you see the fables in the trees again don't hesitate to follow them, it seems they are for you. I will program the T crystal Princess Deane gave you to lead you to your portal and the path of the trees created by the Mu so you won't get lost."
The siblings nodded, their eyes wide with wonder and fear. They knew that the adventure ahead of them was fraught with peril, but the excitement of exploring a new world, of learning new things, was too great to ignore.
As they flew closer to the city, Minho pointed out various landmarks and explained the history of Ondur. Ha-Yoon listened eagerly, her mind racing with questions and theories. "Also, were you the one who fixed our house too?" she asked, the curiosity getting the better of her.
Minho nodded. "Yes, I was there to oversee the reconstruction. The stones from your world are fascinating. They contain a pure form of 'serein' that we can harness and use to strengthen our own abilities. It's quite rare, and the King was adamant that your house be restored before any other task was undertaken."
"It's a new field of study for us Fae folk too," said Minho "So I was hoping to get answers from you two, regarding the stone coming from your world, but it seems you also didn't know about it either I presume." "If there ever was a stone like that in our world we would know about it," Ha-Yoon said.
"And how did you heal Si-Woo with just a stone?" Ha-Yoon asked, her curiosity piqued. "Well like I said, It's something we're still studying," Minho admitted. "The stones I brought from your world have an unparalleled purity of serein. When I touched it, the energy within me melded with the stone, amplifying its healing properties. It's an unexpected development, but one we're eager to explore."
Si-Woo, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. "What happens when the stone runs out of energy?"
Minho's expression grew thoughtful. "When the stone's serein is depleted, it returns to its natural state. However, if it's exposed to a significant amount of pure serein again, it may reactivate. It's an intriguing mystery, one that could change the way we live in Ondur."
" I apologize if it seems we are taking your world from you," said Minho. "If you want us to stop, I will do everything in my power to convince King Morey."
"You're not taking anything if nothing's there, to begin with," Ha-Yoon said in a soft voice. "Our world, homes, friends, and family are gone," Si-Woo said looking up at the sky.
Minho's expression grew solemn. "I understand your pain, but the serein in your world holds secrets that could be vital to our survival. And perhaps, to yours as well." He urged the wyvern onward, and the siblings could feel the city's energy growing stronger with every beat of its wings.
As they approached the Young Academy of Ondur, "King Morey...is he-," Ha-Yoon was about to ask, but her question was swallowed by the breathtaking sight before them. The city was a symphony of buildings that had an old-fashioned sense but occasionally gleamed with a metallic sheen, and still had the organic warmth of wood. The air was alive with the vibrant hues of the twin suns reflecting off the water below.