SPIRITBINDER: The Boy Without A Mark
Chapter 87: God Takeshi

Chapter 87: God Takeshi

Luna rushed toward Esmael, her heart torn between anger and pity. He lay on the ground, clutching his side and grimacing in pain. His breaths were shallow, and his eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

"What happened to you?" Luna asked, kneeling beside him.

Esmael glanced at her, his voice trembling with bitterness. "Morvane... he cursed me." He lifted his hand to his face, revealing a fresh, jagged scar running across his cheek. "He did this."

Luna’s eyes widened, and she instinctively reached out to heal him. Her magic glowed faintly in her palms, but when it touched his skin, nothing happened. The wound remained, stubborn and unyielding.

"It’s no use," Esmael muttered bitterly, brushing her hand away.

"Esmael," Luna began cautiously, "you can’t blame him. You took everything from him—his grandmother, his home. He’s angry, and he has every right to be."

Esmael’s eyes darkened as he glared at her. "So, you’re on his side, then?"

"I’m not on anybody’s side," Luna said firmly. "I’m always leaning toward what’s right. And killing someone should never be an option for anything, Esmael."

Esmael scoffed and turned away from her. "Go back to your precious friend, then. Abandon me like everyone else."

Luna’s voice softened, tinged with frustration. "Why are you like this, Esmael? Why are you doing all of this? You’ve already taken everything from Morvane, and now you’ve burned his grandmother’s house too? Don’t you have a conscience?"

Esmael stood abruptly, his face twisted in defiance. "Conscience is for the weak. And I am not weak!"

Before Luna could respond, a slow clap echoed through the darkness. The sound was sharp and deliberate, breaking the tension like a crack of thunder.

Luna and Esmael froze, their eyes darting around the shadows. From the darkness emerged a tall figure dressed in a black robe, his face obscured by a mask. His movements were calculated and graceful, almost predatory. His presence exuded an intensity that made the air around him feel heavy.

"Finally," the man said, his voice smooth and cold. "A worthy one."

Esmael’s fists clenched. "Who are you?"

Before the man could respond, a familiar pink glow appeared behind Luna. Kali stepped forward, her expression unreadable but her aura unmistakable.

"Takeshi," Kali said, her tone sharp, "what are you doing here?"

Luna turned to Kali, confused. "Takeshi?"

The man in the black robe chuckled, a smirk audible in his voice. "Oh, Kali. You’re here too? Are you on your little mission to find Meira’s replacement?"

"Yes," Kali replied, her tone firm. "Haribon tasked me with this mission, and I’ve found her." She gestured to Luna. "This girl has the purest heart and exceptional control over her magic. What about you? What are you doing here, Takeshi?"

Takeshi’s smirk deepened. "Haribon also gave me a mission. I’m here to find the missing demon who slipped from the dark realm."

Kali’s eyes narrowed. "That demon is guiding someone here. His presence is beyond our control as gods."

Takeshi shook his head. "I’m not talking about the demon guiding the Spiritbinder. I’m talking about another demon."

Kali’s eyes widened in shock. "Another demon?"

Before anyone could process the revelation, Esmael stepped forward angrily. "Who are you people?!" he roared, his anger bursting forth.

Takeshi’s hand moved with lightning speed, and with a simple flick, Esmael was sent flying back, landing roughly on the ground.

"Shut up," Takeshi said coldly. "We are two of the twelve gods of heaven. I am Takeshi, the God of War, and she is Kali, the Goddess of Nature and Balance."

Esmael’s breathing quickened as he stared at them in disbelief.

Takeshi continued, his tone commanding. "As you’ve heard, we each have a task here. Kali has chosen this girl to replace the fallen angel, Meira. And you..." He pointed directly at Esmael. "...I choose you."

Esmael’s eyes widened in horror. "I don’t want this!" he screamed, his voice filled with desperation.

Takeshi laughed, the sound low and mocking. "You don’t have a choice. I can see your pain, Esmael. Accept my offer, and I’ll free you from it. Not only that, but I’ll give you power — more power than you can imagine. What do you say?"

Esmael hesitated, his anger and sorrow warring within him. Slowly, he calmed, his voice barely above a whisper. "What... what should I do?"

Takeshi’s smirk returned. "If you want to be as powerful as your friend — the Spiritbinder who wields demonic power — you’ll have to kill a demon yourself. Take its power for your own."

"A demon?" Esmael asked, his voice trembling.

"Yes," Takeshi said. "I’ll give you a mission. Find the demon who slipped away from the dark realm and kill it. Its power will be yours."

The flames of the burning house crackled in the background, their light casting eerie shadows on the faces of those gathered. Luna’s heart sank as she watched Esmael’s resolve harden.

This was only the beginning, and Luna knew that whatever path Esmael chose, it would lead them all into uncharted, dangerous destiny.

The crackling flames illuminated the tense standoff between Luna, Esmael, Takeshi, and Kali. The air was thick with smoke and tension, each word spoken carrying the weight of destiny.

Luna clenched her fists, her voice desperate. "Esmael, gaining more power is something you can’t control. You can barely handle the power you have now. What will happen if you gain even more?"

Esmael’s lips curled into a dark smirk. "That’s exactly what I want."

"No!" Luna shouted, her voice raw.

Takeshi’s gaze turned cold. "Kali, control her. Don’t let her interfere with him. I need this boy for my mission."

Kali sighed and stepped closer to Luna, her expression filled with compassion. "Luna, I know this feels messy right now, but I promise everything is happening for a reason. Destiny is at work, and we must let it take its course."

Luna shook her head vehemently. "But if we let Esmael gain more power, he and Morvane will clash again. That’s not what I want! I just want peace!"

Her voice trembled with frustration and fear, but before she could say more, a sharp blow struck the nape of her neck. Pain shot through her, and darkness quickly consumed her senses.

Luna collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

"Takeshi!" Kali’s voice was sharp with disapproval. "Why did you do that?"

"She was too loud," Takeshi said dismissively. "We don’t have time for her protests."

Kali knelt beside Luna, her eyes filled with worry. "You may be the God of War, but that doesn’t give you the right to silence her like that."

"She’ll be fine," Takeshi said coldly. "Right now, I have work to do."

He turned to Esmael, his eyes gleaming with purpose. "Now, are you ready?"

Esmael’s gaze was fierce, his expression devoid of hesitation. "Yes."

Takeshi’s smirk returned. "Good. Then let’s find the demon."

The flames around them crackled louder, as if heralding the dark path that had just been set in motion.

Takeshi and Esmael vanished into the shadows, leaving only the smoldering remains of Morvane’s grandmother’s house behind. Luna lay unconscious on the ground, her breathing steady but shallow. Kali knelt beside her, a mix of worry and contemplation on her face.

Moments later, Luna stirred, blinking against the dizziness that clouded her mind. She sat up slowly, pressing a hand to her temple. "I... I have to stop Esmael," she muttered. "I can’t let him do this."

Kali placed a hand on her shoulder. "Luna, not everything you want to happen will happen. Even if your intentions are pure, peace isn’t always achievable."

Luna’s eyes burned with determination. "I know that. But that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try. And as a goddess, shouldn’t you understand that?"

Kali’s breath caught at Luna’s words. Her heart swelled with admiration. She’s young but wise beyond her years, Kali thought. Her principles are pure, untouched by corruption. She truly is a perfect fit to replace Meira.

"I don’t know what I’m thinking," Kali said, her voice soft but resolute. "But I’ll give you a choice, Luna. Accept my offer to become an angel, and I will take you to Esmael."

Luna gasped, shock flickering in her eyes. "Become an angel?"

Kali nodded. "It’s your decision."

Luna swallowed hard, but without hesitation, she said, "Okay."

The moment the words left her lips, a radiant pink light enveloped them both. The world around them blurred, and in an instant, they vanished.

They reappeared within the grand halls of Ketamran’s Palace. The atmosphere was heavy, filled with tension and the unmistakable energy of impending conflict. At the far end of the room stood Takeshi, his black robes swirling around him.

In front of him were Morvane and Drevon, both standing their ground, their expressions hard.

Drevon’s voice broke the silence, sharp and commanding. "What are you doing here, Takeshi?"

Morvane’s eyes widened in shock. "Takeshi? As in the god?"

Drevon’s face darkened. "He is the god."

Before Morvane could react further, Luna rushed toward him, her voice urgent. "They’re here to kill a demon!"

Morvane’s confusion deepened. "Luna? How did you even get here?"

Luna glanced around for Kali, but the goddess had already vanished. "She brought me here," Luna said quickly. "But that’s not important—Takeshi and Esmael are here to kill a demon."

Drevon stepped forward, his stance protective. His voice was filled with authority. "What are you doing, Takeshi? Gods aren’t supposed to interfere in Baltalahan affairs."

Takeshi’s laughter echoed through the hall, dark and mocking. "Don’t worry, Drevon. I’m not the one interfering. It’s this man."

From behind Takeshi, Esmael emerged.

The sight of him made Luna’s heart sink. His face was twisted with a mixture of anger and satisfaction, the fresh scar Morvane had left on his face stark against his skin. His eyes gleamed with a dangerous light, and his smile was cold.

"How are you, Morvane?" Esmael asked mockingly. "Did you miss me?"