"Alright, that's enough," Minho called out, his arm dropping to his side. The rubber balls in his hand ceased to glow, returning to their mundane state. He looked at the siblings with a mix of pride and concern. "Good job," he said, his voice tight.

Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon stood panting, their bodies slick with sweat and their hearts hammering in their chests. They exchanged exhausted smiles, their bond stronger than ever. The fear that had once separated them now felt like a distant memory.

"Training session is over," Minho announced, his voice echoing through the deserted alley. "Good job, both of you. But remember, we've only just begun."

The siblings looked at each other, their eyes filled with a mix of excitement and dread. Si-Woo was the first to speak up. "But we're not done yet, are we?" he asked, his voice laced with determination.

Ha-Yoon gave him an 'Are you serious?' look. "These kids have a frightening progression rate, at this speed I foresee them becoming monsters." Minho thought and chuckled, amusement sparkling in his eyes. "Oh, you're far from it," he said, his voice a mix of pride and caution. "But tomorrow morning, you must be at the royal palace for an announcement."

"An announcement?" Ha-Yoon echoed, her skepticism plain on her face.

Minho nodded. "It's important," he said. "All Ondurian citizens are required to attend."

Si-Woo's stomach tightened with anticipation. An assembly? What could it be about? He had so many questions, but he knew better than to push Minho for answers. The fae was as enigmatic as the city itself. "We'll be there," he assured him.

Minho nodded. "Good. Now, let's return you to your earthly realm," he said, raising his arms. The air around them surged with energy as Lemmy, the beast with shimmering black scales, descended from the sky and flew them home.

Once back in the safety of their home, Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon took turns in the shower, washing the grime of the day off their bodies. The warm water cascading over them brought a sense of comfort that washed away not just the dirt but also the weight of the day's revelations. They ate a simple meal of bread and cheese, their appetites not quite matching their excitement.

After dinner, Ha-Yoon retreated to their room, her mind racing with all she had learned. The books whispered secrets of power and history that she had never dreamed of. She lay in bed, her eyes tracing the patterns on the ceiling, her thoughts as tumultuous as the storm that had ravaged their world.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Si-Woo, too, found sleep elusive. He was plagued by a strange dream, in a field of grass, A man with long dark hair and a face that remained frustratingly blurry. The man spoke, his words echoing through Si-Woo's mind like a mournful lullaby."Have you ever pondered the most daunting aspect of life?" he inquired. A heavy silence lingered, almost suffocating, before the man spoke again. "It's death. It marks the end of life's journey, and it's the only milestone that holds real significance."

Si-Woo felt his heart sink, his voice trapped in his chest like a bird in a cage. "What would you do if you saw your fate?" the man asked, "How the world around you burned to the ground, how everything you worked for had blown away like it never belonged?" His eyes pierced through the fog of unconsciousness. He took a step closer, his features sharpening for a brief moment before the fog closed in again. "What would you do, Si-Woo?"

The man's voice grew softer, more urgent, "If you knew your end, would you still strive for the fleeting moments of joy? Would you still hold onto hope like a leaf in a storm?"

Si-Woo took a step closer, his mind racing. The man's features began to sharpen, and for a moment, Si-Woo thought he could see the piercing eyes. But as he reached out to touch the figure, it dissolved into a cloud of mist reappearing out of reach, leaving him standing in an empty field of grass that rippled in the breeze.

"It's time to wake up, Si-Woo," the voice called out again, more urgent this time. "Wake up."

Si-Woo bolted upright, the images from his dream fading like the morning mist. He blinked, looking around the dark room. It took a moment for the reality to sink in. Ha-Yoon was standing over him, her face etched with worry.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice thick with sleep.

"It's time," Ha-Yoon said, her voice echoing with the same urgency as the man in his dream. "The assembly. We have to go to Ondur."

The words snapped Si-Woo out of his slumber like a whip crack, the vividness of his dream fading away. Ha-Yoon's face was a mask of concern in the morning light, her eyes wide with excitement. He nodded groggily, the weight of the dream clinging to him like the sticky residue of a nightmare.

They dressed quickly, pulling on the clothes they had washed and laid out to dry the night before. The fabric felt stiff and unyielding, a stark reminder of the harsh realities they had left behind. As they walked towards the portal, the air grew cooler, carrying with it the scent of dew and the promise of a new day.

The city of Ondur was bustling with activity as they emerged from the borders of the Northgate entrance. The spires of the royal palace gleamed in the early morning light, a beacon guiding them through the crowded streets. The Fae they passed by offered nods of disgust, curiosity, and respect. Some even recognize the siblings as the newest members of their world. Ha-Yoon felt a swell of pride as they walked side by side, her hand tightly gripping Si-Woo's.

As they approached the grand square in front of the palace where the assembly was held, they could see a podium had been set up, flanked by an array of important-looking individuals with pointed ears and regal attire. The air was charged with anticipation.

The siblings pushed their way through the throng of fae, their eyes wide with curiosity and a touch of fear. Ha-Yoon had never seen so many fae in one place before, and the sheer variety of them was overwhelming. The murmur of the crowd grew louder as they approached the front, a cacophony of whispers and speculations about what the announcement could be.