SPIRITBINDER: The Boy Without A Mark
Chapter 69: Chaotic Fire

Chapter 69: Chaotic Fire

Morvane stared at Luna, her words sinking into his chest like the slow drag of a dagger. He had always known Luna to speak with precision, never prone to exaggeration. And yet, what she was saying now? It felt impossible.

"What do you mean he’s did something?" Morvane asked, his voice edged with disbelief.

Luna’s face was drawn tight, her dark eyes shadowed with worry. "The village next to ours," she began, her voice trembling just enough for Morvane to catch it. "It burned down to ash in a devastating fire. Completely leveled. And I know you know, Morvane—fire is Esmael’s capabilities. One of the deadliest parts of his power."

"That’s not possible," Morvane shot back immediately, standing so quickly that the chair scraped against the stone floor. "Esmael could never do something like that."

"I know." Luna’s voice softened, but her expression didn’t waver. "I want to believe that too, Morvane. We’ve always been his friends. But one of the survivors from that village... they called out his name. They said it before they collapsed. And now that rumor has spread to Ketamran. People are saying Esmael caused the fire."

Morvane took a step back, his mind racing. "Rumors don’t make it true. Esmael—he’s grieving, yes. He’s struggling. But burning down an entire village? That’s not grief, Luna. That’s..." He couldn’t finish the sentence.

"That’s what I’m afraid of," Luna said quietly. "That his grief has turned into something else. Something darker. I wanted to find him myself, Morvane. To see if the rumors were true. To talk to him, because..." She hesitated, her voice breaking. "Because I know how much losing his mother hurt him. We all do. But..."

"But what?" Morvane pressed, his heart thudding against his ribs.

Luna’s lips tightened into a thin line before she answered. "In another town. Not far from ours. A man was found charred—burned to death. The villagers are saying the same thing. That Esmael was there."

Morvane sank back into his chair, the weight of her words pressing down on him. His hands gripped the edges of the table as if it could steady him.

"The Ketamran guards are hunting him now, Morvane," Luna continued. "I came to Nirvath because you need to know. Esmael’s not just our friend anymore; he’s a target. And if the guards find him before we do..."

Her words trailed off, but the unspoken warning hung heavily in the air.

Morvane exhaled sharply, his mind already spinning with plans. "Then we’ll find him first. We have to. If there’s even the slightest chance he’s innocent..."

"And if he’s not?" Luna asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Morvane’s jaw clenched. "Then we’ll still find him. And we’ll make sure the Esmael we know—the one who saved our lives, the one who fought beside us—doesn’t disappear into whatever this is."

Luna nodded, though her expression betrayed her doubt. "Then we need to move quickly. The guards won’t wait, and neither will the people calling for justice."

Morvane rose from his chair, his resolve hardening. "Esmael is our friend. We owe him this."

Without any hesitation, the two walked towards the huge door.

Morvane and Luna had barely made it to the edge of Nirvath when Vianna appeared, her sharp voice cutting through the cool air.

"Wait, Morvane," she said, stepping out from the shadows of the trees. Her arms were crossed, her expression torn between concern and frustration. "You know you can’t go to Ketamran. Medas banished you—remember that?"

"I don’t care," Morvane replied without hesitation, his voice steady but resolute.

Vianna frowned, her emerald eyes narrowing. "You should care. Medas has tightened the gates of his kingdom. It won’t be an easy task to get in, let alone to move around without being noticed. You’re a marked man there, Morvane."

"I will try my best," he said firmly, his tone brooking no argument.

Vianna took a step closer, her voice softening but laced with worry. "I know you care about your friend. I know that. But... seeing Esmael back then, the way his power flared uncontrollably after his mother’s death... it could be true, Morvane. He might be the one wreaking havoc. And if he is, you’re walking straight into danger."

Morvane turned to face her, his eyes sharp with determination. "We won’t know the truth until we see him. And I won’t abandon him based on rumors." Without waiting for her reply, he turned back to Luna and began walking toward the forest trail.

Vianna’s voice rose behind him, a note of desperation creeping in. "Morvane, I’m warning you—for your own safety, don’t go. I can’t go with you tonight. The path is too dangerous, and the risks are too great. Maybe tomorrow?"

Morvane stopped for a brief moment, glancing over his shoulder. His gaze softened slightly, but his resolve did not waver. "We don’t have the luxury of waiting, Vianna. The guards are already looking for him. If we don’t find Esmael first, they will—and I doubt they’ll give him the chance to explain himself."

Vianna opened her mouth to argue further but stopped, knowing it would be futile. She sighed deeply, her shoulders sagging. "Fine," she said quietly. "But don’t say I didn’t warn you."

Without another word, Morvane and Luna disappeared into the night, their figures swallowed by the darkened trees. Vianna watched them go, a knot of unease tightening in her chest.

"Children these days huh," she muttered under her breath, though the worry in her eyes betrayed how much she cared.

The moon hung high in the sky as Morvane and Luna approached the towering gates of Ketamran. The once welcoming entrance to the city now looked more like a fortress. Torches flickered along the walls, casting long shadows over the heavily armed guards stationed at every corner.

"It’s true," Luna murmured, taking in the sight. "Medas has turned Ketamran into a fortress."

Morvane’s jaw clenched as he scanned the gates. He had always known sneaking back into Ketamran wouldn’t be easy, but seeing the sheer number of guards drove home how dangerous this would be. Still, he pressed forward, his determination unshaken.

As they approached, one of the guards stepped forward, blocking their path. He was tall, clad in polished armor, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Halt," he barked. "You can’t enter. State your business or leave at once."

"We’re here to see someone," Morvane said, keeping his voice steady.

The guard’s eyes narrowed as he studied Morvane. Recognition flickered across his face. "You..." he said slowly, his grip tightening on his sword. "You’re Morvane. Medas has banned you from Ketamran. You have no right to be here."

"I don’t care about Medas’ decree," Morvane replied firmly, taking a step closer. "This is urgent. We’re looking for Esmael."

The guard’s expression darkened at the mention of Esmael’s name. "Esmael? The same Esmael who’s being hunted for the fires and the death in Shernal? Do you know how serious this is?"

"Exactly," Morvane said, his voice rising. "That’s why we need to find him. He’s our friend, and I need to hear the truth from him. You have to let us in."

"I don’t have to do anything," the guard snapped. "My orders are to keep you out, and I won’t risk my neck for a banished man and his reckless plan."

Luna placed a hand on Morvane’s arm, her voice calm but urgent. "Morvane, we need another way."

"No," Morvane said, shaking her off. He turned back to the guard, his eyes blazing. "You don’t understand. If we don’t find Esmael, innocent people could die. Do you want that on your conscience?"

The guard hesitated, his gaze flickering between Morvane and Luna. For a moment, it seemed like he might waver, but then he straightened, his expression hardening. "It’s not my problem. Leave now, or I’ll have you arrested."

Morvane glared at him, his hands balling into fists. Luna tugged at his sleeve. "Come on," she whispered. "We’ll find another way."

Reluctantly, Morvane turned away, his mind already racing with other possibilities. As they retreated into the shadows, he glanced back at the towering gates, determination burning in his chest.

"We’ll get in," he muttered under his breath. "One way or another."

As Morvane and Luna stepped back from the gate, frustration churned in Morvane’s chest like a storm. The guard’s refusal to let them pass had left him no choice. His fingers twitched as he called on the power within him, the energy buzzing under his skin like a living thing.

"Luna, stay close to me," he said in a low voice.

"Morvane, what are you—" she began, but her words faltered as she saw the subtle glow building in his eyes.

Morvane raised his hand toward the guards, his voice dropping to a calm, almost chilling whisper. "You will all lose consciousness."

The words carried a weight far beyond sound, and the power rippled out like an invisible wave. The guards stiffened for a moment, their eyes glazing over, before they dropped to the ground one by one, slumping into unconsciousness. The air fell eerily silent, save for the distant crackle of torches.

Luna stared at Morvane, wide-eyed. "You used your manifestation..."

"I didn’t have a choice," he replied, his voice firm but tinged with guilt. "We need to find Esmael, and this was the only way. Let’s go before they wake up."

They slipped through the gates unnoticed, their movements quick but cautious. The streets of Ketamran were quiet, the weight of the recent events evident in the somber atmosphere.

Their first stop was the burned village on the outskirts of Ketamran. The destruction was worse than either of them had imagined. Charred remains of homes stood like blackened skeletons, and the air still carried the faint acrid smell of smoke. Luna knelt near the scorched ground, running her fingers over the ash.

"This wasn’t an accident," she said softly. "The fire was too precise, too intense. It had to be fueled by someone’s power."

Morvane’s jaw tightened. He didn’t want to believe it, but the evidence was mounting. "Let’s keep moving," he said. "There’s someone we need to see."

They traveled to Morvane’s village, weaving through familiar paths until they arrived at a small, weathered house on the edge of the forest. The sight of it brought a pang of nostalgia to Morvane’s chest.

When they knocked, the door creaked open, and there she was—Morvane’s grandmother, a petite woman with silvery hair and kind eyes that lit up in surprise at the sight of him.

"Morvane?" she gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.

"Grandma," Morvane said, his voice softening for the first time that night. He stepped forward, and she pulled him into a tight embrace, her frail arms trembling with emotion.

"I thought I’d never see you again," she whispered, her voice cracking.

"I’m sorry, Grandma," he said, holding her close. "I didn’t mean to stay away for so long."

She pulled back, cupping his face with her hands. "What brings you back here? Is everything all right?"

Morvane hesitated, glancing at Luna. "Not exactly. We’re looking for Esmael."

His grandmother’s face fell, her expression clouding with worry. "Esmael? I’ve heard terrible things... Do you think he’s really responsible?"

"We don’t know yet," Luna said, stepping forward. "That’s why we need to find him. We’re hoping you might have seen or heard something."

His grandmother sighed, leading them inside. "Come in. We’ll talk. But if you’re here, Morvane, it means trouble is following close behind."

The weight of her words hung in the air as they stepped inside, knowing the path ahead would only grow more dangerous.

As the three spoke in hushed tones around the dimly lit table, a sudden knock echoed through the small house.

Morvane’s grandmother frowned, rising cautiously. "Who could it be at this hour?"

She opened the door slowly, and there stood Esmael. His clothes were torn and filthy, his face smudged with ash, and his eyes hollow with exhaustion. He swayed slightly, as though he hadn’t slept in days.

"Esmael?" Grandma gasped, her voice trembling with shock.

"Please," Esmael rasped, his voice barely audible. "I didn’t know where else to go."

Morvane and Luna rose to their feet, their hearts racing as they faced the friend they had been searching for.

The shadow moved closer to Morvane, its form shifting until it took on a startlingly familiar appearance. Morvane’s eyes widened in shock as he recognized the figure—how ot stand, the colors, and the posture.

"Drevon?" he whispered.

The shadow grinned, its expression twisted. "Wrong! Hahaha"

"Are you a demon like Drevon and are the the one from earlier back in the village?" Morvane demanded, his voice sharp despite the unease creeping into his chest.

It laughed, a low, chilling sound that seemed to echo endlessly. "Yeah, you’re right! I’m the one in the shadows right before King Medas came."

"And of course I am a demon," the shadow replied. "Also, I can feel my brother with you, so you must be the Markless, right? The one granted the power of a demon?"

The words sent a shiver through Morvane, but before he could respond, the shadow spoke again.

"Drevon, are you there? Show yourself brother! Or are you still resting because of your lat battlem"

As if summoned, Drevon suddenly appeared, his form materializing beside Morvane in a shimmer of light.

Drevon stared at the shadowy figure before him, his expression shifting from confusion to disbelief.

"Eliad?!" he exclaimed. "How the hell are you in Baltalaha? What are you doing here? Did you cause another trouble again?"

The demon, now revealed as Eliad, chuckled. The sound was deep and resonant, but it quickly faded. His laughter ceased abruptly, replaced by a more serious tone.

"I don’t know either," Eliad admitted. "I was enjoying my time in the Lower Realm when, out of nowhere, a light burst through."

Morvane and Drevon exchanged a glance, their attention fully on Eliad. They listened to him intently.

"When I looked up," Eliad continued, his voice steady but edged with curiosity, "I saw something—a tear in the air. It was shaped like... well, a tear—it looked like it was cut. And to no surprise, when I came through it, I found myself here. In Baltalaha."

Drevon’s eyes narrowed, his voice rising with disbelief.

"That’s impossible! There’s no way for a demon to enter Baltalaha—unless..." He paused, his tone turning cold. "Unless you were chosen to be the guide for the new Markless which is obviously not also possible since I am the demon that is chosen to guide the markless one in this generation."

Eliad tilted his head, his grin returning but with less malice.

"Well," Eliad said, "I’m as surprised as you are. But here I am." He folded his arms, his form flickering slightly in the dim light. "And before you start asking more questions, let me make one thing clear—I don’t want the other eight demons knowing about this. That’s why I covered the tear with black energy, to conceal it."

Drevon’s jaw tightened, his mind racing. Morvane, standing silently, tried to process the weight of what he’d just heard.

Morvane broke the silence, his voice tentative yet firm. "Is it bad? I mean another demon in Baltalaha?"

Eliad turned his gaze to Morvane, his sharp features softening for a moment before he burst into laughter. The sound echoed through the air, not as ominous as before but still unsettling in its resonance.

"Bad? Oh, don’t worry, little Markless," Eliad said with a smirk. "I won’t bother anyone or anything. I’m not here to start trouble." He leaned back, his shadowy form flickering as though caught in a breeze. "I’ve got my own problems to worry about. If the gods find out I’m here, I might be in serious trouble."

Morvane furrowed his brow, unsure whether to trust the demon’s words. Despite Eliad’s relaxed demeanor, there was an uneasiness that lingered in the air.

Drevon crossed his arms, stepping closer to Eliad, his spectral form glowing faintly in the dim light. "Eliad, let me make one thing clear," he said, his voice sharp and commanding. "If you so much as think about causing trouble, I’ll beat you up myself. Don’t think I’ve forgotten what you’re capable of."

Eliad’s grin widened, his sharp teeth glinting as his shadowy figure seemed to ripple with amusement. "Oh, Drevon," he said, shaking his head, "you haven’t changed a bit. Still so serious, still so protective. That’s cute haha." He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper. "But don’t worry, brother. I’m not here for a fight. Like I said, I need to lay low. Let’s just say... I’ll keep out of your way if you stay out of mine."

Drevon glared at him, his fists clenched, but he said nothing further.

Morvane shifted uneasily, feeling the tension between the two. "What happens now?" he asked, looking between them.

Eliad straightened, his grin fading into something more neutral. "What happens now, Markless, is up to you. I’ve done my part. The tear is concealed, and I’ve got no intention of sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong." He gave a dramatic shrug. "For now, let’s just say I’m... a temporary resident of Baltalaha. Nothing more, nothing less."

Drevon didn’t look convinced, but he finally turned to Morvane. "We’ll keep an eye on him," he said firmly. "For now, we have bigger things to focus on."

Eliad chuckled, his shadowy form beginning to fade into the darkness. "Relax, brother. You’ve got nothing to worry about—yet."

And with that, Eliad vanished, leaving Morvane and Drevon standing in the silence of the forest.

Morvane and Drevon finally reached Nirvath once again. The city’s familiar stone walls and glowing lanterns offered a sense of safety, a stark contrast to the ominous encounter they had just left behind.

Vianna was the first to greet them at the gates, her usual calm expression tinged with relief.

"You’re back," she said with a soft smile, pulling Morvane into a quick embrace. "How was the journey?"

"It’s... a long story," Morvane replied, glancing at Drevon, who floated silently beside him.

Vianna seemed to sense the weight of his unspoken thoughts but chose not to press further. "Come inside. You both look like you could use some rest."

The days that followed passed peacefully. Nirvath was as tranquil as ever, its streets bustling with merchants and townsfolk, the gentle hum of life filling the air. Vianna ensured Morvane was well-fed and had time to recover from whatever ordeals he’d faced.

Yet, despite the calm surroundings, Morvane’s thoughts remained elsewhere. He often found himself staring out of the window of Vianna’s home, his gaze distant. Images of his grandmother in their village haunted him—her warm smile, the way she always seemed to know what to say. He wondered if she was safe, if she was thinking of him as much as he was thinking of her.

One evening, Vianna noticed Morvane sitting on the porch, his shoulders slumped and his expression clouded. She walked over, her footsteps light against the wooden floor.

"You’ve been quiet these past few days," she said gently, taking a seat beside him.

Morvane hesitated before speaking. "I can’t stop thinking about my grandmother," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I left her behind in the village. What if something happens to her while I’m here? I should be there to protect her."

Vianna placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, her eyes warm and understanding.

"Your grandmother is stronger than you think," she said softly. "And you’re not alone in this, Morvane. We’re here to help you, and everything will be alright. She’d want you to focus on what you need to do here, not to worry yourself sick over what might happen."

Morvane nodded slowly, her words bringing a small measure of comfort. "Thank you, Vianna. I just... I don’t want to think that she is alone."

"You should not think negatively," Vianna assured him, her tone steady. "Have faith. Sometimes, the people we care about are stronger than we give them credit for."

For the first time in days, Morvane allowed himself a small smile. The weight in his chest didn’t disappear entirely, but Vianna’s words gave him the strength to carry it a little longer.

As Vianna’s soothing words settled over Morvane, their conversation was interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps approaching the porch. A woman clad in the guard uniform of Nirvath stopped before them, her expression serious but laced with urgency.

"Lady Vianna," the guard said, bowing slightly before turning to Morvane. "A girl is at the gates asking for Morvane. She says it’s urgent."

Vianna’s brows furrowed slightly. "Who is it?"

The guard glanced at Morvane, then back at Vianna. "She says she’s a friend of his. Her name is Luna."

Morvane’s eyes widened. "Luna?" he repeated, standing quickly.

Vianna raised a hand in a calm gesture. "Let her enter," she said to the guard.

The guard nodded and rushed off. Moments later, Luna burst through the entrance, her face flushed, her breath ragged as though she had run the entire way. Her eyes immediately locked onto Morvane.

"Morvane!" she called out, rushing toward him. "I have something to tell you..."

Morvane turned as hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor. Luna emerged from the shadows, breathless, her cloak barely settled from the speed of her arrival. There was urgency in her eyes, something that made him tense.

"What is it? What do you have to tell me, Luna? Did something happen?" His voice was steady, but there was a sharpness beneath it.

Luna pressed a hand to her chest, steadying her breath. "It’s urgent," she said, her tone laced with urgency. "I traveled here as fast as I could because... Esmael—"

Morvane’s expression darkened. "What about Esmael?"

She hesitated, as if searching for the right words, before finally meeting his gaze. "His power... his fire magic... it’s uncontrollable."

Morvane exhaled sharply, his stance relaxing slightly. "He’s always like that."

Luna shook her head. "No, Morvane." She took a step closer, voice low, almost pleading. "This time, he wreaked havoc."

Morvane’s eyes narrowed. "Wreaked havoc? What do you mean?"

Before Luna could answer, Lady Vianna, who had been standing quietly at the side, stepped forward. Her voice was gentle but firm. "Luna, sit down for a moment. Are you alright?"

Luna shook her head, still catching her breath. "Thank you, but we don’t have time. We need to go to Ketamran as soon as possible."

Morvane stiffened. "But I’m banished from there."

Luna’s gaze was unwavering. "That doesn’t matter right now. Esmael— we need to find him."

Morvane’s jaw clenched. "What exactly did he do?" His voice was quieter now, but there was a weight to it, an unspoken tension lingering in the air.

Luna shook her head, frustration flickering in her eyes. "I have no time to explain." Her voice was urgent, breathless.

Morvane exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples before turning to Lady Vianna. "Okay, we’ll talk about this tomorrow."

But Luna took a step closer, her tone pressing. "I’m sorry, but I’m in a hurry. Esmael... he might do it again."

Morvane’s gaze darkened. "Do exactly what?"

Luna hesitated, her hands clenching at her sides. Morvane studied her face, searching for an answer, then sighed, his tone edged with impatience. "Did he accidentally burn down someone’s house again?"

Luna swallowed, her expression growing graver. "No... not just a house."

A chill settled over the room. Morvane felt a slow dread creeping up his spine. He straightened, his voice lower now. "Then what, Luna? What did he do?"

Luna met his gaze, and for the first time since she arrived, there was fear in her eyes. "He burned an entire village."

"Whatttt?!" Morvane shouted after hearing what Luna said...

Luna took a shaky breath, her hands tightening into fists. "Not just that... there’s more."

Morvane’s eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

Luna hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "No one died in the village, but—" she swallowed, her expression tense. "The fire wasn’t normal. It spread too fast, too wildly. People barely escaped, and now... they’re afraid."

Morvane crossed his arms, his voice skeptical. "Afraid of what? Esmael’s lost control before."

Luna shook her head. "Not like this. His fire didn’t just burn—it moved, Morvane. Like it had a will of its own."

Morvane frowned. "That’s impossible."

"I thought so too," Luna admitted, "until I saw the scorch marks. They weren’t random. They formed symbols."

A heavy silence hung between them. Morvane exhaled slowly. "Where is Esmael now?"

Luna looked away. "No one knows."