"I had to admit," Si-Woo thought," This city is truly breathtaking, the buildings are tall, with intricate carvings of Ondur." The air was filled with the aroma of roasting meats and freshly baked bread, making his stomach growl in protest of their hasty departure. He paused for a moment, trying to remember the way to the library.

"I can't believe I'm lost again," Si-woo said. As he turned around, his eyes fell upon an unassuming alleyway that he hadn't noticed before. Curiosity piqued, he took a tentative step towards it, only to be yanked back by an unseen force. A rough bag was thrown over his head, and he was dragged into the alley with surprising strength. Panic set in as he struggled to break free, but whoever held him was too skilled, too powerful. He couldn't even make out a sound to call for help.

Si-Woo's mind raced, replaying every lesson on combat and serein he had learned in his short time at the academy. His heart pounded in his ears, and he could feel his serein surging, eager to be released. But something held him back. He knew that using his power in such a way, in such a public place, would only bring more trouble than it was worth. He had to rely on his wits and instincts.

He tried to listen for any clue as to who had taken him, but all he heard was the rustling of fabric and the faint sound of footsteps on the cobblestone streets. His breaths grew shallower, his chest tightening as the panic began to set in. He felt himself being pulled onto a beast, a wyvern the air growing a little thinner and more aggressive they descended in what felt like grass.

Finally, the bag was yanked off, and Si-Woo's eyes had to adjust to the sudden onslaught of light. He blinked, looking up at his captor, expecting to see a malicious grin or a twisted expression of cruel amusement. Instead, he found himself staring into the amused face of none other than King Morey in a dark cloak. "Welcome to my humble retreat," the king said, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "I trust your journey was uneventful?"

Si-Woo's anger flared up, and he sat up, ready to lash out. "Do all Ondurians find joy in kidnapping children?" he snarled.

King Morey's laughter didn't falter, his eyes crinkling in amusement. "Oh, you're feisty," he said, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. "I like that. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. This isn't a kidnapping. This," he spread his arms wide, gesturing to the lush, floating island around them, "is a surprise."

Si-Woo took a deep breath, his eyes widening as he took in the breathtaking view. The sky was a canvas of swirling blues and oranges as the suns dipped onto the horizon. He felt a strange mix of awe and dread.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"It's magnificent, isn't it?" the king asked, his laughter subsiding into a warm smile. "This is where I come to think, to escape the weight of the crown. Even though we fae live forever, Sometimes, you know, it's just nice to take a breather from work."

Si-Woo, momentarily overwhelmed, nodded in agreement. "I recall the holographic Princess Deane mentioning that fae live eternally unless faced with a life-threatening force, to Ha-Yoon and me. Yet, it seems almost unbelievable each time I hear it," he reflected. Lost for words at the splendor before him, Si-Woo observed the grass, greener than any he had ever seen, and inhaled the air, fragrant with the sweet scent of blossoming flowers that swayed in the gentle breeze.

"So much time has passed," Si-Woo said. "I have to get back to Ha-Yoon,"

"Don't worry," the king reassured him. "Your sister is safe. I've sent a guard to watch over her, and she's busy exploring the city with her new friends. I've heard she's quite the fan of our Ondurian delicacies."

"Of course she is," Si-Woo muttered, unable to hide the hint of annoyance in his voice. "Where are we?" he asked, glancing around at the seemingly endless field of emerald grass that surrounded them.

The king's expression grew enigmatic. "Take a few steps forward, and you'll see," he said, his voice a blend of amusement and mischief.

With a wary eye on the king, Si-Woo did as instructed. His bare feet sank into the plush grass, the blades bending under his shoes as he walked. The horizon grew closer, and with each step, his heart beat faster. Suddenly, the ground gave way, and he stumbled, his breath catching in his throat. But instead of falling into the abyss, he found himself standing at the edge of a cliff. He looked down, his heart racing as he realized they were on an island floating high above the city of Ondur. The sprawling metropolis lay below them, a tapestry of buildings and bridges, all bathed in the golden light of the setting suns.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" The king's voice was gentle now, his earlier playfulness gone. "as I mentioned, This is my sanctuary. Whenever the burdens of the realm become too much to bear, I come here to find peace."

Si-Woo nodded, unable to take his eyes off the breathtaking view. The city of Ondur sprawled out below them, a dazzling display of architecture and lights that seemed to pulse with life. He felt a strange calmness wash over him as if the very air was suffused with wonderous energy. "I can see why," he murmured. " Sometimes you're more of a child than I am," Si-woo retorted.

King Morey chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. He walked over to Si-Woo, and before the boy could react, he gave him a noogie, a playful gesture that made Si-Woo's eyes water. "I know life can get hard sometimes," the king said, his tone suddenly serious, "but if you ever need to escape, if you ever need to find peace, just let me or Minho know. This place is as much yours as it is mine."

Si-Woo nodded, wiping his eyes and trying not to laugh at the king's antics. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, feeling the tension in his body begin to ease. "All right," he said, "I'll keep that in mind."