SPIRITBINDER: The Boy Without A Mark
Chapter 74: The Ascension

Chapter 74: The Ascension

The garden, usually a serene haven, was now shrouded in a menacing black barrier that pulsed faintly in the moonlight. Medas arrived, his chest tight with unease. Guards stood at a distance, their weapons useless against the dark force surrounding the garden.

"What is this?" Medas demanded, his eyes locked on the strange phenomenon.

One of the guards stepped forward, bowing his head. "We don’t know, Your Majesty. It appeared out of nowhere. We’ve tried everything—fire spells, wards, even elemental magic—but nothing works. It’s as if it nullifies all magic."

Medas narrowed his eyes, extending his hand toward the barrier. Concentrating, he summoned his telekinetic ability, a ripple of invisible energy surging forward. The barrier didn’t so much as flicker. It stood defiant, unmoving.

Lowering his hand, Medas clenched his jaw. He studied the blackness carefully. Its tone, the way it emanated a cold, oppressive aura—it felt familiar. His mind raced back to Morvane, to the way his shadowy power had twisted through the air.

"This... this is just like Morvane’s power," Medas muttered under his breath. His heart pounded as a thought formed. He needed answers, and he needed them now.

Without another word, Medas turned on his heel and hurried back to the cellars.

In the Cellars,

Morvane leaned against the cold wall of his cell, his arms crossed and his gaze hard. His grief was a storm he kept just barely contained, but his anger burned brighter than ever—anger at Medas, at the kingdom, at everything.

Medas stormed in, his voice sharp and urgent. "Morvane, what is that thing in the garden?"

Morvane didn’t so much as lift his head. "I don’t know, and I don’t care."

"You do care," Medas snapped, stepping closer to the bars. "I know it’s your power—or something like it. Tell me what’s going on!"

Morvane’s eyes finally met Medas’, cold and unforgiving. "I don’t owe you any answers. Not after everything."

"This isn’t about me!" Medas shouted, desperation creeping into his tone. "There’s something out there, something we don’t understand, and if we don’t act, it could destroy everything. Morvane, I need your help!"

But Morvane only scoffed, turning away. "I’m done listening to a prideful king who only cares about himself. Find someone else to solve your problems."

"Damn it, Morvane!" Medas slammed his hand against the bars. "Stop thinking about your hatred for me and think about the kingdom! Think about what Hiraya would have wanted—"

That was too far. Morvane spun around, his eyes blazing. "Don’t you dare use her name to manipulate me!"

"I’m not—"

"I don’t care what’s out there," Morvane interrupted, his voice cold as ice. "I’ll never follow the orders of someone like you."

Without another word, Morvane turned and walked to the far end of the cell. Shadows curled faintly at his feet, his body tense with barely suppressed rage. Then, with a sharp motion, the shadows grew, coiling around him.

"Morvane, don’t you dare—" Medas started, but it was too late. The shadows enveloped Morvane, and in a single heartbeat, he was gone.

Medas stared at the now-empty cell, his chest heaving.

"Where the hell did you go?" he muttered to himself, fury and panic warring inside him.

Above, the dark barricade loomed over the garden, waiting.

Medas returned to the garden, his steps heavy with frustration and confusion. The dark barricade still loomed over the area, unmoving and impenetrable. He was out of answers, out of plans.

But then he froze.

There, near the edge of the barricade, was Morvane. He wasn’t walking—he was floating, his feet just inches above the ground, as if the ground itself refused to touch him. His body was eerily still, moving forward with unnatural grace. His eyes... they were entirely black, devoid of any emotion, any humanity.

"Morvane!" Medas shouted, his voice echoing through the tense silence.

Morvane didn’t stop. He didn’t even flinch.

"Morvane! Answer me!" Medas yelled again, panic creeping into his tone.

No response.

Medas ran forward, calling his name over and over, but Morvane didn’t acknowledge him. It was as if he couldn’t hear—or didn’t care. His movements were slow, deliberate, and unshaken by anything around him.

Medas’ heart raced as Morvane drifted closer to the dark barricade. The barrier pulsed faintly, as if alive, its dark energy radiating a strange, malevolent pull.

"Stop!" Medas shouted. He extended his hand, summoning his telekinetic power. A force rippled through the air, aimed to hold Morvane back. But it did nothing. Morvane moved through the invisible push as though it wasn’t even there.

"No, no, no!" Medas growled, trying again, pouring more energy into his ability. Still nothing.

Morvane’s body reached the barricade, and Medas’ stomach dropped. He braced for chaos, for some catastrophic clash. But instead, Morvane passed through the barrier effortlessly, as if it had been waiting for him. The barricade pulsed brighter for a moment, then settled, as if pleased.

Medas’ breath hitched. It was as if the barricade had called to Morvane, beckoning him inside.

Inside the barrier, Morvane continued drifting forward, untouched by its dark energy. At the center of the garden, surrounded by wilting flowers and twisted vines, Morvane stopped. He remained floating, his feet never touching the ground. His head tilted slightly upward, his black eyes unblinking.

Medas stood frozen just outside the barrier, his mind racing with questions and fear. What was this? What was happening to Morvane? And why did it feel like the garden itself had been waiting for him?

Morvane’s floating body suddenly dropped to the ground with a dull thud, limp and lifeless. Medas gasped, his breath caught in his throat.

"Morvane!" he shouted, rushing toward the barricade, but he still couldn’t pass through.

Then, Morvane’s head tilted back sharply, his lifeless gaze fixed on the darkened sky. His mouth opened wide, unnaturally so, and from the depths of his throat, a black smoke began to pour out. It moved unnervingly slow, twisting and curling in the air like it had a mind of its own.

The sight sent chills down Medas’ spine. The smoke exuded an ancient, malevolent energy. As it rose, the dark barricade surrounding the garden began to tremble, then fade. Piece by piece, the barrier dissolved, until it was gone entirely.

Medas didn’t hesitate. He ran to Morvane, who now lay still on the ground, his body eerily quiet.

But before Medas could touch him, the black smoke turned, as if aware of his presence. It coiled tightly around Morvane’s body, consuming him like a living shadow. Medas stepped back, his heart pounding in his chest.

"No!" Medas shouted, extending his hand as if to pull Morvane free, but the smoke was relentless. It wrapped around him entirely, swallowing him whole.

For a moment, there was nothing but silence. The black smoke pulsed once, twice, and then with a sudden burst, it vanished into the air.

Medas’ eyes widened. The figure lying on the ground was no longer Morvane.

It was a woman.

Her hair, long and flowing, shimmered in the faint moonlight. Her features were delicate, her presence ethereal. She was familiar—achingly so.

"Hiraya," Medas whispered, his voice trembling.

He took a cautious step forward, his mind spinning. It couldn’t be her—it shouldn’t be her. But there she was, unmistakable, lying motionless where Morvane had been.

The world around him seemed to hold its breath as Medas knelt beside her, his hands hovering uncertainly over her form. Was she alive? Was this real?

"Hiraya..." he said again, his voice cracking.

Her chest rose and fell with a soft breath.

Medas knelt beside Hiraya’s fragile form, tears streaming down his face. Her eyes fluttered open, glistening with unshed tears of her own. Slowly, she reached up and touched his cheek with a trembling hand.

"Hiraya," Medas whispered, his voice heavy with guilt. "I now know the truth... what truly happened. I... I’m so sorry."

Hiraya gave him a faint, bittersweet smile. "Medas, it’s alright. I now feel at peace. My death... though unexpected and painful... it brought clarity. Knowing Morvane was innocent... it makes all the difference. But," her voice softened, "it hurts that it had to be you."

Medas sobbed, lowering his head. "I didn’t mean to... I never meant to hurt you. Hiraya, I’m so sorry."

She brushed her thumb gently across his face, her expression full of understanding. "It’s okay, Medas. I forgive you. We were all part of the prophecy... and my role was always to die. I can see that now. This truth, though difficult, lets me finally rest."

"No," Medas cried, shaking his head. "I want to make it up to you. Please, there has to be something I can do."

Hiraya’s gaze grew more tender, her hand falling from his face. "It’s not me you need to make it up to. It’s Morvane. He didn’t deserve the suffering and hatred thrown at him. He lost the most important person in his life... and I cannot undo that pain."

Tears spilled freely from Medas’ eyes as he lowered his head, unable to speak.

Hiraya closed her eyes, her body glowing faintly as her spirit began to separate. The shadowy energy surrounding her dissipated, revealing Morvane’s true form lying motionless on the ground. The spirit of Hiraya, now ethereal and glowing softly, floated above them.

Morvane stirred, his eyes fluttering open. He groaned, slowly sitting up, his gaze unfocused. "What... happened?" he murmured.

Then he froze. He saw Medas kneeling before him, tears staining his face, and above them both, Hiraya’s spirit hovered, radiant and calm.

Medas, his voice cracking, bowed deeply. "Morvane... I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I was blind, prideful, and cruel. I hurt you, and I hurt Hiraya. Please... forgive me."

Hiraya drifted closer to Morvane, her own eyes brimming with tears. "Morvane... please forgive him. I know he doesn’t deserve it yet, but on his behalf, I ask for your forgiveness too. He didn’t mean to let his pride destroy everything."

Morvane clenched his fists, his pride warring with the raw emotion building inside him. But as he stared into Hiraya’s tearful eyes, he couldn’t hold back any longer. He broke, tears spilling down his face as he sobbed.

Hiraya leaned closer to him, her voice soft and warm. "My time here is done. I need to go now. But before I leave, I owe you something, Morvane. A gift, for the strength you’ve shown through all of this."

She took a deep breath and blew softly toward him. From her lips, a wisp of black smoke emerged, twisting and coiling until it solidified into the shape of a sleek black crow with glowing red eyes. The creature perched on Morvane’s shoulder, its presence comforting yet powerful.

"This is my shadow beast," Hiraya said gently. "It will be your guide, your protector. Let it remind you of the strength and love you carry within you."

Morvane nodded, his voice trembling. "Thank you... Hiraya."

Hiraya’s gaze turned to Medas, though he couldn’t see her. Her expression softened with love and sorrow. "Morvane," she whispered, "tell Medas something for me. Tell him... I love him."

She knelt beside Medas, who still wept, and placed a hand on his bowed head. Though he couldn’t feel or see her, the gesture was filled with all the warmth she had left.

Morvane wiped his tears, his voice steady but pained. "Medas... Hiraya wants you to know that she loves you."

Medas looked up at him, his eyes wide and searching. He reached out, as if trying to feel her presence, but there was nothing. His hands fell to his sides, trembling.

Hiraya smiled softly, her spirit beginning to dissipate. Her glow grew fainter as she ascended, her final words lingering in the air.

"Goodbye... and thank you."

Then, she was gone, her light fading into the sky.

Morvane and Medas were left alone in the garden, the weight of her words and actions settling heavily on their shoulders.

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