The Dark Trials Begin

The Dark Clan courtyard was bathed in an eerie twilight, the air heavy with tension. Today was the day—the start of the Dark Trials, where the next generation of leaders would be chosen. My heart pounded in my chest as I stood at the edge of the crowd, watching as the disciples gathered in clusters, speaking in hushed voices. The weight of the moment pressed down on me, yet it also fuelled the fire inside.

At the center, the heirs stood tall, radiating arrogance. Ren Ma, Seon Ma, Ara Ma, and the twins, Dae Ma and Joon Ma, were all present, their faces set in stone. They didn't even acknowledge me. Why would they? I was an outsider, the son of a concubine—a mistake in their eyes.

But not for long.

I clenched my fists, feeling the calluses formed from years of secret training. Countless nights had been spent perfecting the movements I'd observed in the shadows, practicing the basics of the Dark Clan's techniques. The Shadow Stance, the Serpent's Strike—these had become second nature to me. But even with all my progress, I knew today would be the true test.

The whispers around me grew louder as Cho Ma, the leader of the Dark Clan and my father, made his entrance. He was flanked by the elders, their dark robes trailing behind them like shadows. The crowd fell silent as his gaze swept across the courtyard, pausing only briefly when it landed on me.

Nothing. Not a flicker of recognition.

He spoke with authority, his voice booming across the courtyard. "The Dark Trials are not merely a test of strength. They are a test of will, of cunning, of one's ability to wield the darkness within. Five will be chosen to carry the future of the Dark Clan."

He gestured to the massive stone platform in the center of the courtyard, where the trials would take place. Stone pillars stood around the platform, etched with ancient symbols representing the clan's martial arts.

I noticed that, as the elders spoke, no one else stepped forward to challenge. Not out of fear of the trials, but of the heirs. Ren Ma, Seon Ma, Ara Ma, and the twins were standing there with such confidence, it was as if they already knew the outcome.

Ren Ma, the eldest heir, stood at the forefront. His presence dominated the courtyard, every move he made deliberate, calculated. His mastery of Qi was unparalleled among the younger generation, and he knew it. Ren carried himself with the arrogance of someone who believed he was destined for greatness, and no one had ever challenged that belief.

Beside him was Seon Ma, the second heir. Unlike Ren's cold and measured demeanor, Seon was all sharp edges and ruthless intent. He spoke little, preferring to let his actions do the talking. His strikes were quick, brutal, and always efficient. Seon was the type to finish a fight before it even began, cutting down any opponent who dared to stand in his way.

Standing a little further back was Ara Ma, the only daughter of Cho Ma. Her movements were graceful, almost effortless, but there was a sharpness beneath the surface. She wielded her weapon like an artist with a brush, each strike precise and lethal. Ara had no need for words—her silence was more intimidating than any threat she could voice.

Then, there were the twins, Dae Ma and Joon Ma. They stood shoulder to shoulder, their expressions unreadable, as if the world outside their bond didn't exist. In battle, the twins moved in perfect harmony, their attacks synchronized, each compensating for the other's weaknesses. It was no wonder they were seen as an unstoppable force—together, they were more than just two skilled fighters; they were a single, devastating unit.

These were the heirs of the Dark Clan—the ones everyone expected to win. The ones no one dared to challenge.

But I was different. I was here to take what was mine.

An elder stepped forward, his voice cutting through the silence. "Step forward, those who wish to challenge for the honor of representing the Dark Clan."

My heart raced as I took a step forward, joining the line of contestants. My legs felt like lead, but I wasn't going to back down. Not now. Not after everything I had worked for.

The crowd gasped.

I could feel their eyes on me—disbelief, scorn, mockery. I was the bastard son, the one meant for servitude, not greatness. Seon Ma's sneer was audible, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

"You? Really?" he scoffed. "Do you think this is a joke?"

Laughter rippled through the crowd, but I kept my face impassive. The old me might have crumbled under that kind of pressure, but not now. Not after years of training in the shadows.

"Enough," Cho Ma's voice commanded, silencing the murmurs. "Let the trials begin."

My eyes shifted to the stone platform. The duels would decide everything—skill, strategy, and willpower would be tested to their limits. My fists clenched at my sides. I knew I could win. I had studied them all—Ren Ma's arrogance, Seon's impatience, Ara's precision, and the twins' reliance on each other. They all had weaknesses, and today I would exploit them.

The first match was announced.

"Jin Ma versus Dae Ma."

A ripple of excitement coursed through the crowd. Dae Ma, one of the favored twins, stepped forward with a smirk. His movements were graceful, practiced, like a predator sizing up its prey. But I wasn't intimidated. I had seen him fight countless times and knew how he relied too much on his perfect synchronization with Joon. Without his brother, he was vulnerable.

We stepped onto the stone platform, facing each other under the watchful eyes of the clan.

"You don't belong here," Dae Ma taunted, his voice dripping with disdain. "This is a competition for the strong, not for low-born bastards."

I didn't respond. Words were meaningless. Only action mattered now.

The elder raised his hand, and with a sharp motion, the duel began.

Dae Ma lunged forward, his speed impressive but predictable. I sidestepped his attack, my body moving in perfect sync with the techniques I had spent years perfecting. His next strike came faster, a sweeping kick aimed at my legs, but I was already anticipating it. I dropped into the Shadow Stance, allowing his kick to pass harmlessly over me.

Frustration flickered across his face as he realized I wasn't the easy target he had expected. He launched a flurry of strikes, each one faster and more aggressive than the last. But with each move, I saw the gaps in his technique, the moments where his reliance on his twin made him sloppy.

Then, I saw my opening.

As he overextended on a strike, I moved. My fist shot out in a precise motion, aiming for the weak spot in his defense.

Snap!

My fist collided with his nose, the crunch of cartilage shattering under the impact.

Oh, that felt good. I thought, relishing the moment. Breaking that fucker's nose...

Dae Ma staggered back, clutching his face, blood pouring from his broken nose. His once-arrogant expression was twisted in pain and disbelief.

I didn't stop. The Serpent's Strike followed, fast and lethal. My fist connected with his chest, sending him sprawling to the ground.

The courtyard fell silent.

Dae Ma lay on the ground, gasping for breath, his once-proud expression shattered. I stood over him, my chest heaving with exertion, but my mind was clear. I had won. I had proved them wrong.

The elder stepped forward, his voice ringing out across the courtyard. "Jin Ma is victorious."

I met Ren Ma's eyes across the platform, his face a mask of shock and anger. Today wasn't the end. It was only the beginning.

The Dark Trials had truly begun.