Spiritbound [Spirit Magic, Military, Progression] (Book 1 Complete)

Tucker's footsteps echoed through the broken stone corridors. Every few paces, injured soldiers could be seen resting. Some had their arms bandaged, while others were slumped against the walls from sheer exhaustion. Their ragged appearances and tattered bodies were enough to show how devastating the battle was at the inner gates. How heavy the losses were.

He continued down the hallway until two familiar figures caught his attention. Jones was scratching his dirty blonde hair with a rare crease of concern on his brow, while Liam was leaning back with his charcoal hair falling to the side of his face. Both of them caught sight of Tucker and waved, signalling for their captain to come over.

"Captain… we have an issue," said Jones.

Tucker raised an eyebrow. It was the first time seeing him like this. The focused gaze and stern voice were unusual, but seeing how Jones was standing beside a disheartened Liam, he could roughly guess what had happened. Someone had died and now his friend was grieving.

"Liam has fallen in love," Jones whispered.

The Captain blankly stared at them. "What?"

"Yeah, I know it was a shock to me too, but Liam got saved by that one medic watchman and seems to have fallen head over heels." Jones glanced over his shoulder and pointed at the embarrassed Liam with his thumb. "I never thought spring would come to this guy, much less in a place like this."

"I see… and why are you telling me this?" Tucker asked in a flat tone.

Jones gave a hopeful shrug. "Well, I thought maybe you could help him."

He stared at Jones and narrowed his eyes. "…How?"

Jones grabbed him by the shoulder. "Captain, there's no need to be humble. You're a pretty handsome fella. So I'm sure you've broken a few hearts in your time."

Tucker rubbed his eyes with his forefinger and thumb, thinking back to his tragic academy days. He gave a faint chuckle. "Jones, quit fooling around and follow me. We have work to do."

"We do?" Jones tilted his head.

"Yes, now let's get going." Tucker continued past Liam, but after a few steps, he stopped. Without turning around, he spoke. "Oh, by the way, us watchmen don't talk much about our personal lives, but when I saw Pathfinder's mission records, it seems like she constantly took missions without rest. No breaks. No gaps."

"Ah, yes?" Liam met Tucker's gaze. "But how does that help me?"

"Think about it and do what you will with that information." Tucker waved his hand and walked on, just as Jones hurried to catch up behind him.

After leaving Liam to his fate, Jones walked beside Tucker and grinned. "As expected of my captain, even out of combat, you're still helping your men."

"I hardly count this as helping." Tucker sighed at Jones' shining gaze. "Now, let's focus. We still have a war to win."

Jones's cheerful smile dropped in an instant. He narrowed his eyes and stood straight. "I don't suppose you called me here for a simple chat. Are you checking the status of the Thirty-First?"

"You've gotten sharper."

"I have an excellent mentor." Jones guided Tucker past the white banners and blue crosses of the medical ward. "If I'm being honest here, most of the Thirty-First are in awful shape. Physically and mentally."

"Can…" Tucker masked his expression and bitterly clenched his fists. "Can they still fight?"

Jones hesitated before revealing a faint, weary smile. "I don't know…. We fought nonstop when those jerks locked us out in the outer perimeters. Thought I was going to die out there and, honestly, I burned through every drop of aura I had. Most of the guys in the Thirty-First did too. We'll probably need a few hours of rest before we're of any use."

Tucker didn't respond. He didn't need to. Every word rang true. Even he had emptied his reserves, his aura, his spirit essence, everything. The Thirty-First wouldn't be able to join the next engagement, not in their current state, and if they did, it would be suicide. Maybe Luka or Benjamin could still fight, but Tucker would only allow it if they agreed. There wasn't a chance in hell that he would follow orders again if it meant his men would die for nothing. If the cause didn't justify the means.

But even so, what was this bitter and aching feeling in his chest?

His gaze slightly fell, but it was at that moment that something caught his eye. A soft translucent light piercing through the corridor ahead. It wasn't sunlight or torchlight. Instead, a gentle warmth caressed his body as he drew near. It was something sacred. Familiar. Divine.

Jones followed Tucker's gaze and slowed. "Ah… sir that's…"

He stopped mid-sentence. He didn't need to finish, Tucker already knew.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Without a word, the captain stepped into the enormous stone chamber that had once been used for prayer. Rows of wooden pews were pushed aside. The air was still. At the far end of the room, beneath a soft halo of light, stood a statue carved of marble. A man in flowing robes and hands outstretched in benediction. The craftsmanship used to create the sculpture was so intricate, so delicate, that each strand of hair seemed to shimmer with life.

Tucker stood still, staring up at the silent figure. And for a moment, all the noise of the world seemed to fade away. The statue was Solas, the God of Light. The only divine figure that Tucker had an ounce of faith in. All the other divine figures only cared about the sanctified souls of the Souldom, while Solas had always extended his miracles across the continent.

A light for the living, not just the dead.

He looked around the rest of the chamber, at the fallen bodies that were covered with white sheets. Through the thin fabric, he could make out the green tabards beneath, each marked with four silver stars encircling a crown. The very emblem of the Thirty-First. A symbol his men had worn with pride even until their last moments.

Sixty-seven of them were here, resting far from home.

But even in death, they had been treated with care. The sheets were clean, not a single smudge in sight. The bodies laid with dignity by those they fought beside. And not just the Thirty-First, Tucker could see soldiers from the other platoons too, each one honored in their final repose.

He took off his hat and held it against his heart.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you," Tucker softly said.

It was a heavy regret that filled his heart. One he wouldn't forget, no matter how much time passed. After a long moment of silence, Tucker placed his hat back on his head, carefully adjusting it. Footsteps echoed softly behind him. It was probably Jones who also came to pay his respects, but when he turned around, it wasn't him.

A figure in a white hood stood behind him. The darkness concealed their face, but Tucker knew it was a priest from the divine energy that lingered from their body. Even the golden embroideries around the ends of the seams radiated with golden light.

"My, it seems we always meet in the most unexpected places."

The familiar voice caused Tucker's eyes to widen in disbelief. He met her violet eyes, noticing the short obsidian hair that stopped right before her shoulders.

"Bishop Mary?" he said, barely believing it.

"It's been a while, Tucker," she replied with a soft smile, folding her hands in front of her and offering a slight bow. "I see you've matured a bit."

Tucker couldn't believe she was here right now. He tightly clenched onto the fabric of his sleeves. "With all due respect, Mary, but what are you doing here? The current situation is a bloody mess and for your safety, you need to leave."

Mary blinked, taken aback by his tone. But she could tell from his posture that the worry was genuine.

"You don't need to worry about me," she said gently. "The Souldom has already established a contract with both nations. We're a neutral party providing medical services. If either side lays a hand on us, then not only would they lose our services, but they'd also risk us entering the war."

Tucker fell silent. He had forgotten that the Souldom's clergy were tending to the wounded on both sides. "Then… how long have you been here?"

"Not for that long. I arrived two days ago with several other priests." Mary walked over to a row of pews on the far side of the room, away from the fallen, and sat down. Her robes shifted quietly with the movement as she gently tapped the spot beside her, gesturing for Tucker to take a seat.

Tucker hesitantly stared at her, but soon joined her. The wood creaked faintly beneath him. "So… I take it you've spoken to Charles and Adira?"

"I have. They miss you quite a bit. Especially the young one." Mary revealed a soft smile. "You should write the child a letter."

"I still haven't read the letter they sent me. I doubt I'd write one before then."

Mary turned to him, examining his conflicted expression. "Why?"

Tucker fell silent, thinking about the reason. The silence stretched as he searched for the right words. Parts of him were scared to read it. Afraid of the feelings that would arise if he read the contents, and how it would change his decisions. Right now, he didn't feel the attachment and desperation to live. Only the desperation to protect those around him. But the letter written by Adira and Charles could easily change that.

"I'd rather not say," he muttered at last. "I just need time to think about it."

Mary studied him for a moment and fell deep into thought. She wanted to help him, but pressing harder would only make the wall that Tucker had built taller. Sometimes, the only way to help someone was to meet them where they were and wait.

"That's fine," she said softly, leaning back against the pew. Her gaze drifted toward the statue. "Though I do have some good news for you."

Tucker glanced at her while cupping his hands on his lap.

"Do you remember when you asked me about how to kill a demon?"

"I do." Tucker nodded. "You told me I would need divinity or destroy the catalyst."

"Exactly." She reached into her pocket and retrieved a small silver ring. Etched into the surface was the symbol of a sun flanked by ivory wings. She held it out in her open palm. "Well… I figured I'd help you a bit in your endeavors. It isn't much, but it should allow you to wield divinity. Even though it's only once."

Tucker stared at the ring in the palm of Mary's hand. "Isn't this something precious?"

"Maybe it is," she said with a playful smile. "But consider it a gift."

He looked up at her. "Why would you go so far for me?"

Tucker knew from a glance that the ring before him was something that would be very difficult to acquire. Artifacts that could bestow divinity were rare, and most wouldn't see such a thing in their lives. It didn't make sense for her to give him something so precious. Especially not a ring with Solas's insignia.

"I just happen to like your character."

"Just because of that?"

"Mhm…" Mary kept her hand out. "You know, it's rude to make a lady wait."

Tucker slowly reached out and gently took the ring from Mary's hand. He was never the type to wear jewelry, so he wasn't sure what to really do with it. It was too small to fit on his pinky and would only get scratched on his index and thumb. And he was fairly certain that if he placed it on his middle finger, then it would be very rude. With no other option left, he wore it on his ring finger on his left hand.

"Eh?" Mary blankly stared at his choice.

"Yes?" Tucker returned the gaze.

She hesitated. "It's… nothing…"

"I see, well..." Tucker rose from the pew and offered her a faint smile. "Thanks. I'll never forget this favour."

Mary gave a small nod as the corners of her lips curled upwards. "Don't worry about it, just stay safe."

He gave one final nod before walking towards the exit. From afar, Tucker could see Jones peering over the ledge of the door. And despite not being able to see his expression, something told him Jones was grinning like an idiot. But for now, he decided to ignore it.

There were more important things to focus on now, such as rest, recovery, and their next move.