Si-Woo's fists clenched, his body taut with the anticipation of a fight. But he knew he couldn't win, not here, not now. He had to be smart. He took a deep breath and stepped aside, trying to diffuse the situation. "I'm just here to clean up," he said, his voice even. "You can have the bathroom."

Sol didn't move, his smirk growing wider. "What if I don't want you to clean up?" he taunted, cracking his knuckles. The sound echoed in the tense silence. "What if I don't want you to leave?"

Before Si-Woo could respond, Sol's fist shot out like a rocket, "BOK" connecting with his cheekbone. The impact was like a thunderclap, and Si-Woo's head snapped to the side. He tasted copper, the sting of pain bringing him back to reality. His vision swam with stars, and he stumbled backward, the marble wall cold against his back.

Sol stepped closer, his friends circling like vultures around their prey. "You think you're so special because you can answer a few questions?" He spat. "You're nothing but a transvestite freak from the dead lands."

The barrage of blows began, each one aimed with precision and power. Si-Woo's mind raced as he tried to remember the martial arts he had learned from his brother, but the punches and kicks were unlike anything he had ever seen, they came too fast. He could feel the energy draining from his body, the laughter of the bullies ringing in his ears. Time stretched out into a blur of pain and humiliation.

Finally, the beating stopped, and the door to the bathroom slammed shut, leaving Si-Woo alone in the echoing silence. His body ached, and his vision was swimming with stars. "uuhgg" he cried out. He staggered to his feet, his cheek throbbing, and made his way to the sink. The water was cold, and it stung as he washed the blood from his nose and mouth. He rummaged through his backpack and pulled out a clean shirt, pants and mask changing quickly. The sunglasses from the lost and found would have to do to hide his black eye. He didn't want to give Sol the satisfaction of seeing him hurt.

Wiping away the last of the blood, Si-Woo took a deep breath and looked into the mirror again. The mask was a good fit, hiding the bruises that had started to blossom like dark flowers. He pulled on his sunglasses, the dark lenses hiding the tears in his eyes. "You can do this," he whispered to his reflection, trying to convince himself.

Leaving the bathroom, he walked through the empty hallways, his heart a drum in his chest. The academy was eerily quiet, the only sound the distant echo of laughter from outside. He made his way to the front of the school, his steps slow and deliberate, trying not to betray the pain that each one brought.

As he approached the grand entrance, the doors slid open with a gentle hiss, revealing Ha-Yoon and Minho waiting outside. Ha-Yoon looked up, her eyes widening when she saw her brother's bruised face. "Si-Woo, what happened?" she gasped, rushing over to him.

Si-Woo forced a smile, his hand gingerly touching the sunglasses that obscured his swollen eye. "It's nothing, really," he lied, his voice a careful blend of casualness and pain. "Just got a little too careless in martial arts class."

Ha-Yoon's eyes searched his, doubt clear in her gaze. Then she playfully flexed her bicep, a fiery determination in her eyes. "I'll beat them up if you want me to," she said, her voice a mix of bravado and genuine concern.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Si-Woo couldn't help but smile, his cheek stinging with the movement. "Thanks, Ha-Yoon," he said, his voice a little shakier than he'd liked. "But then who is going to save them from you."

HA-YOON

(laughing)

I'll save them with my elegant kicks, of course!

Si-Woo's laugh was genuine this time, a rare occurrence these days. It felt good, a warmth spreading through his bruised body.

MINHO

(impatiently)

Guys, come on! We're going to be late.

Walking towards Minho Ha-Yoon asks "Where are we going?"

Before Minho could speak, Lemmy came swooping down from the sky landing ever so gently behind Minho.

HA-YOON

(exclaimed)

Lemmy!

The large wyvern wings flapped with excitement, the wind from them ruffling Si-Woo's hair. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy at the sight of Minho's bond with his creature.

MINHO

(turns to Si-Woo)

Are you ready? We're going to the royal palace to meet the king and queen. It's long overdue.

The mention of the royal family brought the gravity of their situation back into focus. Si-Woo nodded, swallowing his pain as he stepped out into the sunlight, the cold droplets mixing with the sweat on his forehead.

They mount Lemmy and set off for the Royal Palace.

The castle was a behemoth, a testament to the grandeur of the realm of Ondur. Its spires reached for the heavens, a blend of ancient beauty and modern innovation that made Ha-Yoon and Si-Woo's jaws drop. The stones shimmered with an ethereal light, as if alive, whispering secrets to the clouds above. The archways were adorned with intricate carvings, each telling a story of the realm's rich history and the valor of its heroes. The grandeur was overwhelming.

As they approached, the sunlight brightened abruptly, as if the sky itself had recognized the importance of their visit. Dismounting from Lemmy, Minho handed over the passes, the guards' eyes widening at the sight of the rare paper. They whispered to each other; their curiosity piqued. One guard stepped forward, a man with skin-like carved jade and hair that flowed like a river of starlight. "Welcome to the Royal Palace of Ondur," he announced, his voice deep and resonant. "Your presence is expected."

Minho looked back at the kids, his eyes twinkling. "See?" he said, giving them a wink. "They're not so bad." But the kids could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his hand hovered near his weapon. The guards might not be as terrifying as the ones at the gates, but they were certainly not to be underestimated.

They followed the guard through the grand corridors, their footsteps echoing off the gleaming marble floors. The walls were lined with portraits of kings and queens from centuries past, their faces stern and unyielding. The air was heavy with the scent of incense and power, and Si-Woo felt his heart racing. Was this where they'd find the answers they needed?

Finally, they arrived at two massive doors, tall enough to swallow them whole. The wood was adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures, their eyes seemingly watching their every move. The guards flanking the entrance nodded to Minho, their expressions unreadable behind their stoic masks. With a deep breath, Minho pushed the doors open, revealing the grand throne room of the Royal Palace.

The room was cavernous, with a ceiling so high it was lost in the shadows. The walls were lined with gleaming suits of armor, their swords drawn as if ready to protect the king at a moment's notice. The light from the windows danced across the gleaming marble floor, casting a kaleidoscope of colors that led to the throne. And there he sat, the king of Ondur: King Morey, a man of immense power and wisdom, his eyes a piercing blue that seemed to see straight through Si-Woo and his hair a silver waterfall that cascaded down his back.

Beside him stood Queen Elara, whose beauty was so dazzling it nearly blinded. Her skin possessed the warmth of honey, and her eyes mirrored the gentleness of moonlit waters. Her gown, a work of art made of floating silk, wafted about her as if she were enveloped in a cloud. The vision of her stole Ha-Yoon's breath, giving her the sensation of having entered a fairy tale, with eyes as white as her hair.