SPIRITBINDER: The Boy Without A Mark
Chapter 79: The Origins

Chapter 79: The Origins

Morvane, Medas, and Drevon stepped out of the room, leaving the angel woman to rest under the healer’s care. The palace halls were dimly lit, the flickering torchlight casting long shadows across the stone walls.

Medas stopped and turned to Drevon, his expression serious. "Drevon, would you mind telling me everything? I need to know the whole story—the gods, demons, and angels."

Drevon leaned casually against a pillar, his signature smirk still intact. "Hmph. I don’t have the time for long lectures." He paused, then sighed. "But fine, I guess I can humor you."

Morvane and Medas stood attentively, eager to hear what he had to say.

Drevon’s voice took on a rare somber tone as he began. "Back then, there was nothing. No gods, no demons, no angels—just emptiness. But then, two unknown upper beings emerged, ancient and beyond comprehension. They created the Twelve Gods and Goddesses to govern Baltalaha."

"Twelve?" Medas echoed.

Drevon nodded. "Yes. These gods and goddesses were tasked with cultivating the lands, protecting the world, and shaping its existence. They were creators and guardians—but after some time, they found it all... boring."

"Boring?" Morvane frowned.

Drevon’s smirk returned. "They wanted more excitement. Little did they know, the upper beings had also created ten demons—myself included."

Morvane’s eyes narrowed. "Demons were created alongside gods?"

"Contrary to popular belief," Drevon said with a sly grin, "we weren’t made to be their enemies. We were supposed to aid them, balance their existence, and provide the spark they lacked."

Medas raised an eyebrow. "That doesn’t sound like the demons I’ve read about."

Drevon shrugged. "Tell that to the gods. They despised us. Our existence threatened their so-called perfection. So the upper beings had no choice but to create two separate realms—the Upper Realm, known as Heaven, and the Lower Realm, also called Hell."

Morvane leaned forward. "So that’s why there’s a division?"

"Exactly," Drevon confirmed. "Even though the gods were the first beings created, in a fight between twelve gods and ten demons, we were evenly matched. One demon could match one god, and if you do the math, that made us a real threat."

Medas stroked his beard thoughtfully. "That’s why they created the angels."

Drevon’s eyes gleamed. "Bingo. The gods created ten angels to even the odds. They designed angels to be like us, but their powers were rooted in purity and order instead of chaos and destruction."

"And the hearts?" Morvane asked.

Drevon’s smirk deepened. "Both demons and angels have seven hearts. For demons, our hearts represent the seven deadly sins—pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth."

"And for angels?" Medas prompted.

"Their seven hearts signify protection against those sins—humility, generosity, patience, kindness, chastity, temperance, and diligence," Drevon explained. "With their hearts and the gods’ power combined, we demons were severely outnumbered."

Morvane crossed his arms. "Then where do baltalahans fit into all of this?"

Drevon’s expression darkened slightly. "The upper beings eventually created man—all of you Baltalahans. You were meant to be a new hope, a fresh existence free from the gods’ arrogance and our chaos. But the gods and demons couldn’t stay away. Your kind became battlegrounds for our influence."

Morvane’s jaw tightened. "That’s why there’s so much conflict in Baltalaha."

"Exactly." Drevon’s tone was grim. "But remember this: history isn’t as simple as good versus evil. Gods, demons, and angels all have their flaws."

Medas nodded thoughtfully. "That explains a lot about the power struggles we’ve seen over time."

Drevon’s grin returned. "Welcome to the twisted history of existence."

Morvane’s gaze was steely. "If what you’re saying is true, then things are far more complicated than I thought. And that woman—she’s caught in the middle of all of this."

"Exactly," Drevon agreed. "An outcast angel is rare. And dangerous."

Medas’s expression turned solemn. "We need to tread carefully from here on out."

Drevon pushed off the pillar. "Good luck with that. Things are just getting started."

With that ominous parting, Drevon vanished back into the shadows, leaving Morvane and Medas to ponder the weight of the revelations they’d just heard.

Luna rushed into the palace, her footsteps echoing in the grand hall. Her usually composed demeanor was frazzled, the sense of urgency unmistakable. As she reached the doorway, the guards stepped aside, and she immediately addressed them. "What’s happening? The guards told me I am needed here."

Medas, standing nearby, gave her a curt nod. "The woman you’re to heal—she’s in the chamber. You must hurry."

Morvane was already there, standing near the door with a thoughtful expression. He stepped aside to allow Luna into the room, his gaze lingering on the unconscious figure of Meira.

Luna hurried to the bed where Meira lay. Her face was pale, but the worst of the injuries had already been tended to by the healer. Morvane had spoken highly of Luna’s abilities, and now the time had come for her to work her magic.

As soon as Luna’s hands touched the air around Meira, a soft glow enveloped the angel. The energy seemed to flow from Luna’s fingertips, swirling around Meira’s body and settling into her wounds.

It was as if a miracle was happening right before their eyes. Within moments, the deep cuts and bruises that had once marred Meira’s skin were completely healed. The transformation was nothing short of extraordinary—Meira’s skin was flawless once more, and she seemed to exhale as the burden of her pain lifted.

Meira opened her eyes, blinking in surprise, and smiled up at Luna. "Thank you. You saved me," she whispered, her voice hoarse but full of gratitude.

Luna smiled softly, still in awe of the power she’d just witnessed. "I’m glad I could help."

Morvane sat down beside Meira’s bed, his tone gentle but probing. "Now that you’re feeling better, tell us your name."

Meira’s eyes shone with gratitude. "I’m Meira. And... it’s true, I am one of the angels of Heaven."

Luna froze. Her wide eyes met Morvane’s, a mix of confusion and disbelief flooding her expression. She had heard of angels—of course, she had—but to meet one in person, especially one in such a state, was unimaginable.

Morvane noticed Luna’s shock and quickly explained. "Meira’s story is complicated. It’s not something I’m sure Luna knows, but I’ll tell you both what we’ve learned."

He then proceeded to recount Drevon’s tale—the creation of the gods, demons, and angels, the complex balance between them, and Meira’s tragic fall from Heaven. Luna listened intently, her mind racing as the pieces fell into place.

"So, the gods banished you?" Luna asked quietly, her gaze shifting to Meira with sympathy.

Meira nodded solemnly. "I was cast out. I failed their expectations. I dared to question their will, and for that, they took my hearts. Six of them. They left me with one, but I’m not sure how much longer it will sustain me."

Luna’s face softened with understanding. "That’s... that’s awful. But you’re here now. You’ve found a place of safety."

Meira’s lips quivered. "I don’t know if I can ever truly find peace again. Not after what I’ve lost."

Morvane’s voice was calm, yet firm. "You’re not alone. We’ll help you, Meira. There’s still much to be done, and I think your story is just beginning."

Luna nodded, offering Meira a reassuring smile. "We’ll figure this out together. Whatever you need."

Meira looked at them, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Thank you. I... I don’t know how to repay you."

"You don’t need to," Morvane said gently. "We all have a part to play in this world, and right now, we’re here for you."

The words hung in the air, full of unspoken promises and new beginnings. As Meira rested, the tension in the room began to ease, and for the first time since her fall, she felt like there might be a future waiting for her.

The quiet hum of the room was interrupted by the sound of footsteps in the hallway. The door opened, and both Drevon and Medas entered. They exchanged a brief nod with Morvane before turning their attention to Meira.

Drevon’s smirk was ever-present, but his voice carried an edge of curiosity. "So, what really happened in Heaven?"

Meira’s gaze flickered to the demon, her eyes hardening. "I don’t think I should be giving any information about Heaven to a demon."

Drevon leaned against the doorframe, unbothered by her tone. "Relax. You’re protecting Heaven even though they spit you out. I’m just asking out of curiosity."

Meira hesitated, her shoulders tensing. For a moment, it seemed like she might refuse to speak further, but the weight of the situation seemed to weigh heavily on her, and she sighed. "There’s a god in Heaven who’s... hostile."

The room fell silent, each person hanging on her words.

"I don’t know if I should say more," Meira continued, looking down at her hands. "But I tried to question this god’s actions. I wanted to understand why they did what they did, why they acted the way they did... And that’s when the god became angry."

Drevon raised an eyebrow. "That’s it? Gods are really shallow beings, aren’t they?" He chuckled, almost as though this was some small revelation to him. "They only want obedience. Anything less and they lash out."

Medas’s expression hardened. "But which god? This doesn’t seem like a small matter."

Meira’s gaze grew distant, and she shook her head slightly. "I... I can’t say. I’m not sure it matters anymore. I’ve been cast out, after all."

Drevon leaned in, his tone shifting to something more probing. "I have one more question, then. If they took your size hearts, you’re now just as good as a Baltalahan, aren’t you? I mean, you’re left with just one heart. Do you even still have any power?"

Meira looked down at her body, her expression filled with uncertainty. "I don’t know." She hesitated for a long moment, then slowly moved to sit upright. Her limbs trembled as she pushed herself to her feet, a mixture of determination and weakness in her posture.

Suddenly, there was a surge of energy in the room, a soft but undeniable crackle. Meira’s back arched, and the unmistakable glow of angelic power began to emanate from her. Before anyone could react, wings of radiant light, feathered and pure, erupted from her back, stretching wide.

The room went completely silent in awe.

Morvane, Medas, and even Drevon stared, their eyes wide with astonishment. Meira’s wings shimmered with an otherworldly brilliance, the energy pulsing through the air, almost tangible. It was a testament to her power, the divine spark that still lived within her despite the gods’ punishment.

Meira herself seemed just as stunned as the rest of them, her breath catching in her throat. She looked over her shoulder, as if unsure whether what had just happened was real.

"I..." Her voice was strained. "I still have them. The wings. The power of an angel. It’s... still with me."

Drevon’s smirk softened, replaced with a rare look of genuine interest. "So it seems you’ve still got a piece of Heaven left in you." His voice was laced with a hint of respect.

Medas placed a hand on his chin. "It’s remarkable. Even with six hearts taken, you retain the essence of an angel."

Meira’s wings fluttered softly, as if to emphasize their existence. "I don’t understand it. But I can feel the power. I can feel Heaven’s touch still inside me. Maybe it’s not as strong as it once was, but it’s there."

Morvane took a step closer, his gaze thoughtful. "This changes things. You’re not entirely powerless after all. You still have strength, and that means you’re still a threat to those who cast you out."

Meira’s expression softened, her wings folding slightly behind her as she sat back down on the bed. "I never wanted to be a threat. I just wanted to do the right thing."

The room fell quiet again, the weight of her words lingering in the air. Despite everything she had lost, there was still something pure about Meira. A desire to do good, even if the world had turned its back on her.

Drevon broke the silence, his usual mischievous grin returning. "Well, it looks like the gods made a mistake. You’re still quite the angel, despite their little tantrum."

Morvane smiled faintly. "Perhaps. But this doesn’t end here. We need to figure out what’s going on, why this god attacked you, and what it means for the rest of us."

Meira nodded slowly, determination settling on her face. "I don’t know where to start. But I’m not giving up."