The morning sun cast a pale glow over the remnants of the once-great Azure Peak Sect. Jin-Seong stood at the edge of the mountain, staring into the distance where the sky met the earth. The air was crisp, yet it held the weight of countless memories—a testament to the centuries of history that had passed through this place.

The sect's destruction had left deep scars, not just on the land but in Jin-Seong's soul. It had once been a sanctuary of peace and learning, a stronghold where the arts of the Heavenly Blade and the powerful Azure Blade techniques were passed down through generations. But now, all that remained were crumbled walls, scattered debris, and the occasional faded banner that fluttered weakly in the breeze.

He clenched his fists, the familiar rage bubbling just beneath the surface.

How could they?

The Hero Council, once protectors of the realm, had grown corrupt, twisting justice to serve their own desires. The council's ambition had led to the purge of any who could oppose them, and the Azure Peak Sect had been their primary target. Jin-Seong had watched helplessly as the council's elite forces, led by Jang-Tae and his lackeys, descended upon the sect like vultures, reducing it to ashes.

The battle had been swift, brutal, and unforgiving. His brothers and sisters, his mentors—all gone. Jin-Seong had barely escaped with his life, forced into hiding as the world turned its back on the sect's legacy.

Yet amidst the ruin, Jin-Seong's thoughts often returned to one particular night—the night he had first glimpsed the power that would save him. Or doom him.

The Dark Sword Art.

Forbidden, dangerous, and lethal. It was said to corrupt the soul of any who wielded it, and yet it had been his only salvation when the council's forces cornered him. The art had allowed him to cut through his enemies with terrifying ease, turning the tide of battle in his favor—if only for a moment. But the darkness that had filled him during that time still lingered, whispering temptations of power and vengeance.

"I won't let it control me," he muttered under his breath, as if trying to convince himself.

Behind him, a soft voice broke the silence.

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"Still brooding over the past, huh?"

Jin-Seong turned to see So-Ra, her long black hair whipping in the wind, her arms crossed in that familiar defiant stance. A rogue wind warrior, So-Ra had left the Hero Council after seeing their true colors. She had been one of the few allies Jin-Seong could trust in these dangerous times.

"Do I have a choice?" he replied, his voice flat. "This… this is all I have left."

So-Ra glanced at the ruined buildings, her expression softening. "You're not the only one with a past to bury, you know." She stepped forward, her gaze meeting his. "We'll rebuild. You and me. We'll make sure they regret what they've done."

Jin-Seong didn't answer right away. Rebuilding the Azure Peak Sect was an idea that filled him with both hope and dread. The sect's legacy deserved to live on, but could he shoulder that responsibility? Could he guide others while struggling with the very darkness that had nearly consumed him?

"So-Ra," he said quietly, his tone uncertain. "What if the Dark Sword Art… What if it—"

"I don't care," she interrupted, her voice firm. "The council deserves to be brought down, and if the Dark Sword Art is the only way to do it, then so be it. You're stronger than it, Jin-Seong. I believe that."

For a moment, Jin-Seong felt a flicker of warmth at her words. So-Ra had always been brash, unyielding in her beliefs, and it was that fire in her that made him want to believe too. Still, the darkness within him whispered louder each day, testing the limits of his control.

"We need to be careful," Jin-Seong said, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the horizon. "The council won't rest until they've wiped out any trace of the Azure Peak Sect. That means they'll come after us."

So-Ra smirked, drawing her blade, which gleamed with a faint silver hue. "Let them come. I've been waiting for a good fight."

Jin-Seong couldn't help but smile at her defiance. "And Yeon-Hwa?"

"She's still training," So-Ra replied. "The kid's got potential, but she's too eager. If she keeps rushing into things, the Dark Sword Art might be more of a curse than a blessing."

Jin-Seong nodded. Yeon-Hwa, his first disciple, was young and brimming with talent, but she lacked the discipline to control her powers. Teaching her the ways of the Azure Blade was one thing; teaching her the dangerous Dark Sword Art was something else entirely.

"We'll need to guide her carefully," he said, his voice thoughtful. "I can't let her fall into the same traps I did."

So-Ra sheathed her sword and rested her hand on his shoulder. "You're doing fine. She'll learn. We'll all learn."

Jin-Seong took a deep breath, turning once more to the ruins. The past would not be forgotten, but the future still had possibilities—if they could survive long enough to see them.

"We start tonight," he said, his voice filled with new resolve. "The council will pay for what they've done. But we'll do it on our terms."

So-Ra grinned. "Now that's the Jin-Seong I know."

As the two of them began their descent from the mountain, the wind carried with it the echoes of battles long past. But it also carried the promise of a future—one where the Azure Peak Sect would rise once again.

And this time, no one would stand in their way.