"Welcome," the fae said, his voice gruff but welcoming. "What brings you to Hemeraldo's forge?"

"I'm just looking," Si-Woo said, his eyes scanning the racks of weapons and armor. "I heard this place is famous for its owner 'Hemeraldo'."

The ancient fae's eyes narrowed, and he nodded. "You' must be the otherworlder, the boss told me about," he said, his voice gruff.

"Otherworlder?" Si-Woo echoed, feeling a bit embarrassed remembering the names Sol and his lackeys called him.

The ancient fae nodded, his gaze fixed on Si-Woo. "The one with the white-blood wyvern," he specified, gesturing towards the hilt of Si-Woo's spirit weapon protruding from his uniform. "Wait here for a moment." With that, the fae disappeared through the doors behind the counter.

In the ensuing silence, the clangs and hisses of the forge grew louder, filling the small space with their rhythmic dance. Si-Woo felt a mix of curiosity and trepidation, wondering what this legendary blacksmith would make of him. The doors swung open with a heavy groan, and a figure emerged, his silhouette framed by the fiery glow of the forge.

The fae returned with Hermeraldo. Hemeraldo, the legendary blacksmith, was a towering fae with a wild brown mane of hair and a beard that looked like it had been forged from the same fiery metals he worked with. His eyes, piercing orange, bore into Si-Woo, scrutinizing him from head to toe. "So, you're the Master of my creation, Eternity'," Hemeraldo said, his voice a deep rumble that seemed to resonate in the very air around them.

Si-Woo nodded, a mix of excitement and nerves coursing through him. "It's an honor to meet you," he managed, his hand shaking slightly as he offered it for a shake.

Hemeraldo's grip was firm, his hand calloused from years of shaping metal. "The honor is mine," he said, his smile genuine. "I've been wanting to meet you for a while now, to have one of my weapons bond with something of your nature is... unprecedented. Tell me, young one, would you hear how Eternity, Breaker of Mercy came to be?"

Si-Woo nodded eagerly, his curiosity heightened. "Follow me," Hemeraldo said. Hemeraldo guided him through the forge, where the heat from the blazing fires warmed his face. The blacksmith's actions were quick and precise, each movement deliberate as he recounted the legend of the soul weapons. "Millennia ago, during the fae world's bleakest era, the gods bestowed a vision upon an ancestor," he started. "In the ancient writings of my forebear, he documented the vision so it would endure through the ages until Eternity selected its champion. It is inscribed, 'A figure with lengthy dark hair and an indiscernible face presented me with a vision, a vision of a weapon that could govern even other realms and instill peace or wreak utter devastation and ruin, contingent on its bearer.'"

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Si-Woo felt his heart quicken as the words echoed in the forge, resonating with a dream he had long ago. The same dark-haired man had visited him in his sleep, speaking of life and death. He had dismissed it as mere fancy, but was it really just a dream, it seemed impossible he thought.

"The vision spoke of a time period when the balance would be at risk, when darkness would threaten to engulf the world," Hemeraldo continued, his eyes never leaving Si-Woo's. "And in that time, Eternity would find its true master, a guardian who would wield it to maintain the harmony of the cosmos."

Si-Woo couldn't help but feel a shiver run down his spine as the words of the prophecy aligned with his own experiences. He had never shared his dreams with anyone, not even Ha-Yoon, for fear of sounding delusional. But here was a legend that mirrored his own subconscious whispers. "What does that mean for me?" he asked, his voice barely audible over the forge's roar.

Hemeraldo's gaze grew intense. "It means," he said, "that you carry a great burden, one that may very well determine the fate of many worlds."

Si-Woo swallowed hard, his hand brushing against the hilt of Eternity.

Hemeraldo's smile grew as if understanding his apprehension. "Don't worry, young one," he boomed, smacking Si-Woo's back with a force that sent a shockwave through his bones. "The fate of the worlds is a heavy burden, but it's not one you need to bear today. For now, let's focus on what we can do in the present."

The blacksmith turned to his anvil, his movements surprisingly nimble for his size. "How about I craft some armor for you? Something that will protect you when the time comes, but also serves as a symbol of your potential?" His eyes glinted with mischief.

"That would be amazing," Si-Woo said, his voice filled with a mix of awe and gratitude. "Thank you, Hemeraldo."

The blacksmith's smile grew warmer. "Think nothing of it," he said, waving a hand. "It will be my gift to you both, to ensure that the champions of tomorrow are prepared for what awaits them." His eyes twinkled with mirth. "Besides the new serein stones are some of the best materials for making high-end armory. I also enjoy a challenge, and your sister's potential is quite also intriguing. I will dedicate many years to crafting this armor as I watch you mature, and I will create one for your sister when she reaches maturity as well."

"I'm glad you Fae live forever, You're going to need it," Si-Woo says.

Hemeraldo laughs, the sound like thunder in the confined space. "You're a funny one," he says, his eyes twinkling with glee. " "Once you've graduated from the academies, you can come to receive your gift."

With a newfound sense of purpose, Si-Woo left the forge feeling both lighter and heavier, the weight of Hemeraldo's words pressing down on his shoulders. As he exited, he saw Ha-Yoon across the bustling street, surrounded by a group of students from their class, all of them laughing and sharing stories of their recent successes.

He made his way through the crowd, his thoughts racing with the revelations of his destiny. The siblings hadn't talked about their longing for home much since arriving in Ondur. The magic, the beauty, and the promise of power had swept them away. But the reality of their situation remained unchanged: they were still strangers in a foreign land, and Earth was where their hearts truly belonged.