The next few days were grueling. Jin-Seong, So-Ra, Joon, and Lily trained under the rogue warrior's watchful eye, their every movement scrutinized, their weaknesses exposed. The cave became their battleground as they pushed themselves to the brink, each of them knowing that failure was not an option.

Jin-Seong felt the weight of the Blade of the Fallen with every swing, the dark steel both a weapon and a burden. It moved with him, but the toll it took on his body and mind was undeniable. Every time he drew it, he could feel the presence of the phantoms from the vision, lurking at the edges of his consciousness, waiting for him to slip.

"Focus!" the warrior barked as Jin-Seong stumbled back, the blade nearly slipping from his hand. "You're letting it control you! You must be stronger than the sword!"

Jin-Seong wiped the sweat from his brow, his arms trembling from exhaustion. The rogue warrior's training was relentless, designed to push them beyond their limits. He had warned Jin-Seong that the blade would test him at every turn, but the reality of it was more draining than he had anticipated.

So-Ra was faring better with her wind techniques, using the air around her to enhance her speed and agility. She moved like a shadow, her steps light and swift, each gust of wind guiding her attacks. Yet even she found herself panting at the end of each session, her usually confident demeanor strained.

Joon, on the other hand, had embraced the training with reckless abandon. His determination to prove himself showed in every swing of his blade, every step he took. "Come on, Jin-Seong!" he called, grinning despite the fatigue. "We can't let a sword beat us, right?"

Jin-Seong managed a weak smile in return, appreciating Joon's optimism. But deep down, he knew this was no ordinary sword. It had a will of its own, and mastering it would take more than just brute strength.

As night fell, the group sat around a small fire, the rogue warrior pacing back and forth, his eyes glinting in the flickering light. "You've improved, but it's not enough. You'll need to dig deeper if you're going to stand a chance against the Hero Council."

Lily, still clutching her wooden sword, spoke up. "We're doing everything we can! How much more can we take?"

The rogue warrior stopped, his gaze settling on her. "The Hero Council doesn't care about how much you can take. They will crush you if you give them the chance. You want to survive? You want to fight back? Then stop asking what more you can take and start asking how much you can give."

His words hit like a hammer, the weight of the upcoming battles pressing down on them. Jin-Seong stared into the fire, his mind swirling with doubts and fears. He had taken up the Blade of the Fallen, but the responsibility that came with it felt like a mountain on his shoulders.

So-Ra leaned over, her voice soft. "You're thinking too much again."

Jin-Seong looked at her, surprised. "Am I that obvious?"

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She smiled faintly, her eyes tired but kind. "You always get this look when you're overthinking things. We're all in this together, remember? It's not just you carrying the burden."

Jin-Seong wanted to believe her, but the blade at his side reminded him of the growing darkness within him. Still, So-Ra's words offered a small comfort, a reminder that he wasn't alone in this fight.

The next morning, they awoke to the sound of distant voices. Jin-Seong was the first to stir, his hand instinctively reaching for the Blade of the Fallen. The rogue warrior was already on his feet, his posture tense as he motioned for silence.

"They're close," he whispered, his eyes narrowing as he listened to the voices echoing from outside the cave. "The Hero Council's scouts."

Joon cursed under his breath. "How did they find us?"

"They haven't found us yet," the rogue warrior said, his voice calm but firm. "But they will if we don't move quickly."

Jin-Seong tightened his grip on the sword, adrenaline surging through him. "What's the plan?"

The rogue warrior glanced at the group, assessing their readiness. "We fight."

Lily's eyes widened. "Fight? But we're not ready—"

"We don't have a choice," So-Ra cut in, her voice steady. "If they find us, they'll call for reinforcements. We need to take them out before they can report back."

Jin-Seong nodded, his heart racing. The weight of the sword at his side no longer felt like a burden—it felt like a necessity. "Let's do this."

The group moved quickly, following the rogue warrior through the winding tunnels of the cave until they reached the entrance. The scouts were close now, their voices clearer, the faint clinking of armor echoing through the trees.

Jin-Seong crouched low, his breath steady as he surveyed the scene. There were three scouts, each clad in the Hero Council's armor, their swords gleaming in the morning light. They were scanning the area, their eyes sharp, searching for any sign of the rebels.

The rogue warrior held up a hand, signaling for them to wait. He turned to So-Ra and nodded. Without a word, she stepped forward, her eyes closing as she called upon the wind. A soft breeze stirred the leaves, and before the scouts could react, a sudden gust of wind knocked them off balance.

"Now!" Jin-Seong whispered, and the group sprang into action.

Joon charged first, his sword swinging with precision as he closed the distance between him and the nearest scout. The clash of steel echoed through the trees as their blades met, sparks flying.

So-Ra used the wind to her advantage, her movements graceful and swift as she dodged the scouts' attacks. She moved like a whirlwind, her strikes fast and decisive.

Jin-Seong's heart pounded as he drew the Blade of the Fallen, the familiar cold energy coursing through him. He lunged at one of the scouts, their blades clashing with a resounding crash. The scout's eyes widened as Jin-Seong pressed forward, the dark power of the sword overwhelming him.

But as Jin-Seong fought, he could feel the pull of the blade, the darkness within it urging him to strike harder, to go further. His vision blurred for a moment, and in the corner of his eye, he saw the phantoms again, their shadowy forms watching him from the trees.

"Focus, Jin-Seong!" So-Ra's voice cut through the haze, grounding him.

With a sharp breath, he shook off the sword's influence and refocused on the fight. The scout in front of him faltered, and with a swift strike, Jin-Seong disarmed him, sending the man crashing to the ground.

The fight was over as quickly as it had begun. The scouts lay unconscious at their feet, their weapons scattered around them.

"We did it," Lily whispered, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Jin-Seong sheathed the Blade of the Fallen, his heart still racing. "For now."

The rogue warrior approached, his expression grim. "This was just the beginning. They'll send more soon. We need to keep moving."

Jin-Seong nodded, his resolve hardening. The Blade of the Fallen may have tested him, but it had also shown him that he was capable of more than he had ever imagined. The fight against the Hero Council was far from over, but for the first time, he felt ready.