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Chapter 5: Echoes of the Masked One
The forest grew quiet.
As Ji Sok Han, Yeonhwa, and Duri left the moon spring behind, the air felt heavier. The whispering leaves, once curious and playful, were now silent, holding their breath. Even Duri was uncharacteristically quiet, his golden eyes darting to the canopy above.
"I've only seen one vision like that before," Duri muttered. "And the last Guardian didn't survive long after it."
Yeonhwa stopped. "You never told us what happened to the other Guardians."
Ji looked at Duri. "Is that what's waiting for me? That vision?"
Duri didn't answer right away. Then softly, he said, "Maybe. Maybe not. But if that masked figure is who I think it is, we're in more danger than I thought."
They reached a hill overlooking a valley bathed in moonlight. Down below, ancient ruins sprawled like the bones of a forgotten empire. At the center was a crumbling temple — and a flicker of silver fire at its heart.
"That's the Temple of Echoes," Duri said. "It's where the Moonlight Guardians used to train. We need to find the Moon Mirror hidden inside. It might help Ji control his power."
As they made their way down, shadows darted between broken stone. Ji's palm pulsed again. The closer they got, the louder his heart beat.
Inside the temple, moss and moonlight filtered through cracks in the roof. Dust floated in the air like silver snow. They stepped carefully, until they found the Mirror — a tall, cracked piece of obsidian framed in silver branches. It shimmered faintly.
Ji stepped in front of it.
His reflection stared back… and then blinked.
The mirror-Ji smiled — but it was wrong. Its eyes were red. Its aura was dark.
Suddenly, the reflection stepped out of the mirror.
"Hello," it said in Ji's voice. "I'm the part of you that will betray them."
Yeonhwa drew her blade. Duri flared with sparks. The real Ji stumbled back, terrified.
"You can't run from yourself," the dark Ji whispered. "You're not ready. You'll fail."
But Ji clenched his fists. "No. I'm not afraid of you."
Light burst from his hands again — wild, uncontrolled. The mirror cracked further, and the dark figure screamed before shattering into smoke.
The temple shook. Stones fell. Duri shouted, "Out! Now!"
They escaped just as the ceiling caved in.
Outside, Ji fell to his knees, panting.
"I saw… what I could become."
Yeonhwa knelt beside him. "But you didn't let it win."
Duri gave a solemn nod. "The Mirror tested your soul. And you passed… barely."
Ji looked toward the stars. He knew now this journey wasn't just about saving others — it was about mastering himself.
Far away, the masked figure from his vision stood on a cliff, watching the moonlit valley.
"So the new Guardian awakens," he murmured. "Let's see how long your light lasts, Ji Sok Han."
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To Be Continued in Chapter 6: The Masked One's Mark