The ceremony began at sunset. The lights of the spiritual lanterns floated gently through the village, casting delicate shadows on the walls of the houses. Jin was at the center of the ceremonial square, kneeling before the Altar of the Nine Souls. Around him, monks, elders, and villagers observed the rite in respectful silence.
Patriarch Jin Haeryeong began reciting the ceremonial prayers, his voice echoing throughout the square. Jin kept his eyes closed, feeling the warmth of the spiritual tea in his hands. His father's words sounded distant, almost like an ancestral chant carried by the cold wind.
Suddenly, a scream echoed from the north side of the village. Everyone turned in the direction of the sound. Monks ran to investigate, but before they could act, a powerful explosion resonated, shaking the ground beneath their feet.
— ATTACK! — shouted one of the temple guardians.
On the rooftops, hooded figures began to emerge. They were soldiers of the Scarlet Alliance. Their black robes fluttered in the wind, and their eyes glowed a deep, ominous red. In the center of the square, Bae Shiran, the Blood Eye, descended gracefully from a rooftop, wielding his spiritual whip made of coagulated blood.
— Jin Sohyeon! — he bellowed, his voice reverberating like thunder. — Surrender the book, and we will spare the village!
Patriarch Haeryeong stepped forward, creating a spiritual barrier around his son. Monks and guardians positioned themselves, forming a defensive circle.
— You shall not pass — Haeryeong declared, his eyes locked onto Shiran.
The first strike was devastating. Bae Shiran lashed his spiritual whip toward the barrier, which trembled under the impact. Other soldiers advanced, hurling spheres of corrupted Qi at the monks. The square turned into a battlefield, with screams and explosions echoing from all sides.
Jin tried to move, but his body was paralyzed by shock. He watched helplessly as his friends and neighbors fell one by one. Smoke rose thickly, obscuring his vision, and the scent of blood and ash filled his nostrils.
Amidst the chaos, Jin saw Hwa Yun fighting two soldiers beside the Altar of the Nine Souls. His mother moved with skill, but she was outnumbered. Jin's heart pounded, and he tried to rush forward, but an explosion threw him to the ground.
— MOTHER! — he screamed, but his voice was swallowed by the roar of battle.
When the dust settled, Jin raised his head. The altar was destroyed. His father was fighting Bae Shiran, but the spiritual barrier was beginning to crack. The remaining monks retreated, trying to protect the elders, but they were surrounded by more Scarlet Alliance soldiers.
Jin forced himself to stand, his knees shaking. Something was pulsing in his chest. A heat so intense it was almost unbearable. He felt the energy flowing uncontrollably, but before he could understand what was happening, the ground beneath him cracked, and he fell into darkness.
The last thing he saw was the face of Hwa Yun being dragged away, her eyes fixed on him, filled with pain and despair.
The world went dark in a sea of shadows.