SPIRITBINDER: The Boy Without A Mark
Chapter 81: Light of Desperation

Chapter 81: Light of Desperation

Meira’s condition worsened with each passing day. Her radiant skin had grown pale, and the warmth in her once-bright eyes dimmed like a fading ember. Her breathing was shallow, and every cough seemed to sap the life out of her fragile frame. She lay on her bed, frail and motionless, the vibrant aura that once surrounded her now a distant memory.

Medas had summoned every healer within and beyond the borders of Ketamran, but none had succeeded in treating her. They all left with the same grim expression and hopeless diagnosis. "It’s beyond natural magic," one healer had whispered. "Something divine or cursed binds her suffering."

Morvane’s heart grew heavier each day. Although it had only been a short time since they met Meira, the bond they formed with her was undeniable. Her kind and selfless spirit had touched everyone. Watching her endure this torment felt unjust — like an angel being punished by the heavens themselves.

"This isn’t right," Luna muttered under her breath as she hovered by Meira’s bedside. Her voice trembled with frustration and guilt. "How can someone like her suffer like this?"

Out of everyone, Luna had grown closest to Meira. Her protective instincts flared every time Meira winced in pain. Luna prided herself on her mastery of healing magic, but even she was powerless against this strange affliction. Her magic flickered and dissolved every time she attempted to mend Meira’s body.

"I won’t give up," Luna vowed, her violet eyes gleaming with determination. She pushed aside her doubts and delved into ancient tomes and forbidden scrolls, searching for answers. Every night, she buried herself in books filled with cryptic runes and healing incantations.

Medas watched her with concern. "Luna, you need to rest. You’re pushing yourself too hard."

"I can’t rest, King Medas." Her voice was hoarse but resolute. "If I don’t find a cure, no one will."

A heavy silence hung between them until Medas finally spoke. "If healing magic isn’t working, maybe this isn’t a disease that needs curing."

Luna’s eyes snapped toward him. "What are you saying?"

Medas hesitated before replying, "This could be punishment by gods like what Drevon said."

The words lingered in the air, heavy with implication. If Medas was right, this was no ordinary affliction. It was something darker and more malevolent.

Luna’s resolve hardened. "Then I’ll break the curse. No matter what it takes."

As the moonlight bathed Meira’s fragile form, Luna knew that time was slipping away. But she would not falter. She would find the answer, even if it meant facing the gods themselves.

The stillness of the night shattered with a blood-curdling scream. Meira writhed on the bed, her voice raw with agony. The walls of the room trembled as though echoing her torment. Luna, who had been dozing off by her bedside, bolted upright, her heart racing.

"Meira!" she gasped, leaning over her friend.

Meira’s body convulsed violently, sweat glistening on her skin. Her face was contorted in pain, tears streaking down her pale cheeks. Luna’s hands trembled as she tried to hold her down.

"Meira, please! Calm down!" Luna pleaded, but Meira’s cries only grew louder, piercing the night like shards of glass.

Desperation clawed at Luna’s chest. Her mind raced, searching for a solution, but nothing had worked before. Every spell, every incantation had failed. Yet, she couldn’t stand by and watch her friend suffer.

With a deep breath, Luna placed her trembling hands over Meira’s heart. "I have to try... I have to!"

Summoning every ounce of magic within her, Luna poured her energy into Meira. Her eyes glowed with an ethereal light, and her body lifted off the ground as power surged through her. A radiant aura enveloped her, shimmering like starlight. Her violet hair danced in the air, and sparks of golden magic crackled around her.

The room transformed into a spectacle of pure magic. Walls and ceilings glowed, and intricate symbols of light traced themselves across the air. The sheer intensity of Luna’s magic pulsed like a heartbeat, filling the space with warmth and brilliance.

Morvane, who had been jolted awake by the scream, rushed into the room. His eyes widened at the breathtaking sight before him.

"Luna..." he whispered in awe.

He had always known Luna was gifted, but this was beyond anything he had imagined. Her magic was raw, powerful, and unyielding — a testament to her will and determination. Despite her young age, she had surpassed even the most skilled healers.

The entire room was bathed in light, glowing brighter with each passing second. Luna’s voice echoed softly as she whispered incantations, her tone filled with desperation and hope.

"Please, please work..." she begged, tears streaming down her glowing face.

The brilliance grew until it was blinding, forcing Morvane to shield his eyes. Luna’s magic poured into Meira, wrapping her in threads of light that shimmered like the dawn. The energy pulsed, fierce and relentless, as though it was fighting against an invisible force.

Morvane’s breath hitched as he watched Luna’s unyielding resolve. If anyone could save Meira, it was her.

Luna’s magic reached its peak, the light flaring so intensely that it shook the very foundation of the room.

Then everything went still.

The light flickered and dimmed, leaving behind an eerie silence. Luna collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, her body drenched in sweat. Morvane rushed to her side, steadying her trembling form.

"Luna... are you okay?" he asked, his voice thick with concern.

"I... I don’t know," she whispered, her voice weak. "Did it work?"

Their eyes turned to Meira, who lay motionless on the bed. Her breathing had steadied, but her expression remained unreadable.

"Luna, you did everything you could," Morvane assured her.

"I won’t stop," Luna vowed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I’ll save her... no matter what it takes."

As the first light of dawn crept through the windows, one thing was certain — something had changed that night. Whether it was enough to save Meira, only time would tell.

Soft rays of morning light filtered through the windows, casting a gentle warmth over the room. Meira, for the first time in days, managed to sit up in bed. Her pale face still carried traces of exhaustion, but the improvement was undeniable.

Luna entered the room with a tray of breakfast, a small but hopeful smile gracing her lips. "Look at you," she said cheerfully. "Sitting up is a small progress, but it’s a great one."

Meira returned a weak smile. "Thank you, Luna. For everything. I know you’ve been exhausting yourself trying to heal me. I feel bad for making you feel responsible for me."

Luna set the tray down on the bedside table and sat beside her. "Don’t say that, Meira," she said firmly. "You’re Morvane’s friend and my friend too. I’m just glad I can use my magic to help you."

She hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Healing magic gets ridiculed a lot, you know? People say it’s weak because it can’t be used for offense. But it’s so important. And using it now—helping you—it feels like my purpose."

Meira’s eyes softened, and she managed a genuine smile. "You’re incredible, Luna."

But the warmth in her gaze soon faded, replaced by a solemn expression. "But I think I have to say something... You need to stop."

Luna’s eyes widened in shock. "What are you talking about?"

"You’ve poured so much time and energy into me, yet nothing has worked," Meira said gently. "I don’t want to see you waste yourself on something that may be impossible."

Luna’s voice trembled with conviction. "We will still try. We can’t give up, Meira."

"I’m not giving up," Meira said softly, her words carrying a weight that made Luna’s heart ache. "I’m just stating the inevitable. The gods may not want me to live. If that’s their will... then there’s nothing we can do. So please, let’s spend whatever time I have left with a bigger purpose."

The room fell into a heavy silence until Morvane entered, his presence steady and reassuring. He had heard everything. His expression was a mix of frustration and determination.

"Meira," he said firmly, "we’re not losing hope or giving up. Even though we’ve known each other for such a short time, we care about you deeply."

Meira’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I know that. And I’m grateful for all of you. I’m glad that you were the ones who found me... who saved a broken angel."

Her voice broke slightly. "But we can’t fight the will of the gods. If they want me dead, it’s going to happen."

Morvane clenched his fists. "I refuse to accept that," he said fiercely. "We will fight this, Meira. We’ll find a way."

Luna placed a hand over Meira’s. "He’s right. You’re not alone in this. We’re not giving up on you."

Despite her doubts, Meira felt a flicker of warmth in her chest. Their determination was unyielding, and though she still believed in the will of the gods, she couldn’t help but feel a sliver of hope.

"Thank you," she whispered. "For not giving up on me."

The three of them sat in quiet solidarity, the morning light casting a hopeful glow over their fragile but unwavering bond.

As the tension in the room settled into a fragile peace, shadows flickered at the edge of the walls. The air grew colder, and an unsettling presence filled the space.

From the darkest corner of the room, a figure emerged — tall, cloaked, and shrouded in an aura of mystery. His eyes gleamed like embers in the dim light. Drevon.

Luna’s body tensed, and Morvane instinctively positioned himself protectively between Meira and the enigmatic figure.

"You," Morvane growled. "What are you doing here?"

Drevon’s lips curled into a cryptic smile. His voice was barely a whisper, low and menacing. "I come with a message... one that concerns Meira."

He stepped closer, his presence like a shadow that threatened to consume the room. Morvane narrowed his eyes, ready to confront him. But before he could speak, Drevon leaned in and whispered something into his ear.

Morvane’s expression shifted from confusion to disbelief. His eyes widened, and his voice erupted with shock.

"What?!?!"