Chapter 5 – Fallen and Found (v1)

Shelter and Shadows

Kate’s POV

Stepping into the cabin, I exhaled a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Every crunch of leaves and snap of twigs during the hike had kept my heart pounding, eyes darting at every sound, expecting another demon to emerge from the shadows. But the sight of the shimmering barrier outside made my shoulders drop and my muscles relax. Here, we were safe.

Cyrus closed the door behind us. The soft creak of the wooden floorboards under our feet was oddly comforting. The cabin’s rustic charm, with its rough-hewn beams and flickering lights, gave it a warm, calming atmosphere that was a sharp contrast to the crazy events of the past few days.

“So,” I said, rolling my shoulders to ease the tension while turning to Cyrus, “where do we start? Perform miracles? Revive the dead? Cure cancer?”

Cyrus leaned against the table, his expression thoughtful. “From what little I know, saintly powers can only repair what is broken. Cancer, for instance, is not something broken but something that grows uncontrollably. Healing it would require destroying the excess growth, which your powers aren’t designed to do. And death… death is irreversible. Once the soul leaves the body, it’s final.”

I nodded, absorbing his explanation. “So, I’m more of a fixer-upper than a miracle worker?”

“Exactly,” Cyrus said, nodding. He moved to a nearby set of shelves and began methodically pulling out books and documents. “Let’s see if we can find more specifics about saintly powers.”

After a few minutes of searching, he pulled out a thick, dusty book and opened it. “According to this, it’s been… 112 years since anyone known had saintly powers,” he said, looking up at me. “That’s just what’s been documented. There might have been others who never awakened or… were killed before they had the chance.”

Cyrus shut the old journal with a soft thud, his gaze shifting to meet mine. “Demons are creatures born from the disruption of natural laws. When a core rule of nature is broken, it creates an imbalance that manifests as a demon. They range from wild, monstrous beasts, like the ones that attacked you, to beings that can mimic human appearance and behavior, making them even more dangerous because they blend in.”

I shivered at the thought. The memory of the attack was still fresh, and the idea of demons being able to blend in with humans was deeply unsettling.

“That’s terrifying,” I said, feeling a chill despite the warmth of the cabin. “So, my powers can harm them because they repair what’s broken?”

“Exactly,” Cyrus explained. “Your powers restore balance and heal breaches in nature. Demons are the result of those breaches, so your abilities naturally weaken and repel them. It’s like you’re fixing the wounds they cause in reality itself.”

I drummed my fingers on the table, the rhythmic taps echoing in the quiet room. “So…. my powers are about more than just healing people—they’re about fixing…. the world?”

“Yes,” he affirmed, his eyes serious. “Your powers are incredibly important. They can bring balance back to the world, which is why demons are so drawn to you—they see you as a direct threat.”

I stared at the ancient text on the table. “These books—how reliable are they?”

Cyrus shrugged. “They’re our best shot. Historical records can be tricky, but they hold valuable information. Let’s start by deciphering more of these texts.”

I picked up one of the worn tomes, running my fingers over the faded lettering. “How much do you know about all this? Your training, the resources you have—how prepared are we, really?”

Cyrus leaned back in his chair, contemplating my question. “I’ve been trained since childhood. My parents are both demon hunters, so I learned everything from combat techniques to ancient lore since I was a little kid. But saintly powers are so rare that my knowledge is purely academic. I never expected to actually encounter a saint. It’s been such a long time since the last known case that we assumed those powers were extinct. They were hardly even mentioned during my training.”

I leaned in, resting my chin on my hand, eyes fixed on him with genuine interest. “Is it just you and your family doing this, or is there more to it?”

Cyrus hesitated briefly, clearly contemplating how much he should share, then sighed and began to explain. “The demon hunter organization is spread out, with small groups stationed around the world. There are maybe a few hundred of us in total. We operate in cells to cover as much ground as possible and to stay under the radar.”

“Where are the others? And what do they do all day?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“We have bases in key locations—places with high demon activity or historical significance,” Cyrus explained. “Our main tasks include tracking and eliminating demons, researching ancient texts, and recruiting other potential hunters. We also gather intel on supernatural occurrences and try to predict where the next threats might arise.”

“And how do you earn money?” I asked, realizing I had never considered the practical side of their operations.

“Funding comes from a mix of sources,” Cyrus said. “Some of it is old money—wealth passed down through generations of hunters. We also receive donations from individuals and organizations who know about the demon threat and want to support our work. Occasionally, we take on freelance jobs dealing with other supernatural issues for a fee.”

I glanced around the cabin, impressed by the level of organization. “It’s amazing how organized and well-funded you guys are. What was it like being trained for this from such a young age?”

Cyrus sighed, running a hand through his hair. “My parents drilled everything they knew into me. Combat, strategy, ancient texts—you name it. They were always there, guiding me, but they also pushed me to find my own path within this life.”

I tilted my head, curious. “Did you ever think about doing something else? Something… normal?”

He smiled, a faraway look in his eyes. “Sure. But every time I considered it, I’d think of the people who rely on us. The lives we touch.” His fingers absently traced the edge of the table, a moment of silence stretching between us as if he was imagining a different life. “It keeps me from walking away.”

I blinked, the realization striking me suddenly. “Wait a second…. Something doesn’t add up. Last night you said demons usually leave humans alone unless they sense powers like mine. But if that’s true, why are demon hunters needed? It seems like most people wouldn’t be in any real danger.” I stared at him, my eyes filled with doubt and suspicion, challenging him to explain.

Cyrus frowned slightly, as if he had not anticipated the question. His expression grew serious, his gaze locking onto mine. “It’s not that simple, Kate. Demons might not always attack humans directly, but they can still influence the lives of normal people. They can stir up natural disasters, drive people to violence, spread diseases—things like that. They can even possess people and corrupt their minds. Our role is to step in and keep things from getting out of hand.”

I stared at him, the gears turning in my head. “Okay, but how exactly do you fight them? Do you just track and kill any demon you encounter? That sounds risky, especially if some demons can look like humans. Wouldn’t that cause a lot of issues?”

Cyrus sighed again, leaning back in his chair. “It’s definitely complicated. We don’t just go around killing any demon we come across. First, we gather information. We track unusual patterns and look for signs of demonic influence. It could be anything from a sudden spike in violent crime to strange weather patterns. We have to be careful. When we suspect demonic activity, we conduct an intense investigation. If a demon is possessing someone, we have to find a way to exorcise it without harming the person.”

I nodded slowly, absorbing his words. “That sounds really complicated. How can you be sure someone is possessed and not just a jerk or acting weird? What if you think someone is possessed but they’re not?”

Cyrus tried to keep a straight face, but a slight smirk slipped through. “It’s definitely not easy, and we have to be very careful.” He paused, clearly trying to stay serious but then a boyish grin broke through. “There was this one time, though…” He started to laugh, the sound deep and resonant, his striking blue eyes sparkling with amusement. “We thought we were dealing with a possession. The guy was acting crazy, speaking in tongues. We were ready for a full-blown exorcism, holy water and all… Turned out he was just really, really into method acting for a play he was in!”

His tall, muscular frame shook with the force of his laughter, making him seem momentarily less intimidating. The fabric of his white shirt stretched over his broad shoulders and chest as he slightly bent over, laughing. His tousled brown hair fell over his face, momentarily obscuring his sharp, chiseled features. Despite the serious nature of our conversation, his face softened, revealing a more relaxed side to his usually commanding presence. For the first time, I truly saw him as a person and noticed details like the slight stubble on his strong jawline, adding to his rugged charm.

I couldn’t help but laugh, picturing the scene. “Oh my god, that must have been so awkward!”

Cyrus grinned, shaking his head. “You have no idea. We learned to do a lot more groundwork after that. It’s all about being absolutely sure before taking action. Signs of possession are pretty distinct when you know what to look for—unnatural strength, speaking in languages they’ve never learned, aversion to religious objects. But yeah, we definitely have to be careful not to jump to conclusions.”

As his laughter subsided, I felt a sudden flush of embarrassment. Here I was, suddenly hyper-aware of his broad shoulders and the way his shirt clung to his chest and arms. His genuine laugh and piercing blue eyes only added to his charm, and I felt self-conscious for noticing. I glanced away quickly, hoping he hadn’t caught the shift in my attention.

With the laughter dying down, Cyrus leaned back, his expression curious. “Enough about me. What about you, Kate? How did you end up in archaeology?”

I shifted in my seat, feeling more at ease. “It runs in the family. My dad is also an archaeologist. Growing up, I spent a lot of time on dig sites with him. My mom was an anthropologist, so our dinner conversations were always fascinating.”

Cyrus nodded, clearly interested. “Sounds like you had quite an adventurous childhood. Did you always know you wanted to follow in their footsteps?”

I chuckled, thinking back to my younger years. “Pretty much. I was always more comfortable digging in the dirt than playing with dolls. My parents encouraged my curiosity. They even let me help out with small tasks on the digs. I guess you could say I was destined for this path.”

Cyrus’s suddenly frowned as a thought struck him. “What about your mom? You mentioned she disappeared when you were fourteen. Do you think there’s any chance her disappearance could be related to what’s happening now?”

The question made me freeze, my mind racing. I hadn’t considered it before, but now that he mentioned it, a shocking possibility began to take shape. “Oh my God, I hadn’t even thought about that… I always assumed that she got into some kind of accident and that’s why she couldn’t come back to us. But with everything that’s happened in the last two days, what if it’s connected?”

Cyrus’s expression turned serious, a mix of realization and concern crossing his face. He straightened, his posture tense with urgency. “What was she working on before she disappeared? Anything unusual or potentially connected to the supernatural?”

I struggled to recall the details, my heart pounding. “She was an anthropologist, really passionate about ancient cultures and their rituals. She had a particular interest in some old Dacian sites, which is also why I was excited to join this project. I remember her talking about a dig with some really unique findings, but I was too young to understand the significance.”

Cyrus’s gaze sharpened, his focus intense. “If she uncovered something related to your powers, or maybe even had powers herself, that could explain why she was targeted.”

The thought sent a shiver down my spine. “I always admired how passionate she was about her work, how she saw connections no one else did. If she discovered something important… or if she had powers like mine…”

Cyrus reached out, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “We need to look into her research. There could be clues there that help us understand what’s happening now. We’ll find out if there’s a link between her disappearance and your powers.”

I nodded, feeling a mix of hope and dread. “Thank you, Cyrus. This means a lot to me.”

He gave me a reassuring smile, though his eyes remained serious. “Speaking of understanding, what about your dad? How’s he handling all of this?”

I took a deep breath, thinking about my father. “He’s strong, but he buried himself in his work after Mom disappeared. It was his way of coping. We got closer because of it, but he’s never stopped missing her.”

Cyrus nodded, empathy in his gaze. “It must be tough for him. I think it’s best we don’t tell him anything about what’s happening yet. We need to understand exactly what’s going on and how it might affect him before we bring him into this. Once we have a clearer picture, we can decide the best way to approach him.”

I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. “You’re right. I don’t want to worry him unnecessarily.”

Cyrus gave me a reassuring smile. “Let’s focus on figuring this out first. We’ve got a lot of research ahead of us.”

We spent the rest of the day pouring over the ancient texts and scrolls. The cabin was filled with the soft rustling of pages and the occasional clink of tea cups as we tried to stay focused. The sun climbed higher in the sky and then began its descent, casting long shadows across the room.

Most of the documents Cyrus had were focused on demon hunting and demon lore. I read about different types of demons, their origins, and their weaknesses. There were stories of fierce battles fought by past demon hunters, and the sacrifices they made to protect humanity. I learned about demons that could possess people, distort reality, and even shape-shift into human forms. Each new tidbit was both fascinating and terrifying, a reminder of the dangers we faced.

However, information on saintly powers was sparse. We found a few scattered references to healers who could mend wounds and cure illnesses, but nothing offered a complete picture of my abilities.

The hours slipped by as we worked, the daylight slowly fading. I glanced out the window and noticed the sky turning a deep orange, the sun beginning to set.

“There’s so much here about demons, but hardly anything about saintly powers,” I said, feeling a surge of frustration. “We need more information.”

Cyrus nodded, looking equally tired and focused. He set down a particularly old book, rubbing his temples. “We should take what we’ve found and start some practical training tomorrow. Based on the fragments of information we’ve found, we can begin to understand your abilities better through practice.” He gave me a tired but encouraging smile. “We’ve made some progress today, even if it doesn’t feel like it.”

I nodded and turned my attention back to the book I was holding, finishing it quietly. Afterward, we tidied up the table, stacking the books and scrolls on one side.

I got up and walked over to the window, looking out at the darkening sky. It had gotten surprsingly dark already, and the protective wards around the cabin were glowing softly. The forest outside looked menacing in the fading light, but the cabin felt like a small, safe bubble in a dangerous world. My mind was buzzing with everything we had found and the many questions we still needed answers to.

Turning back, I nearly bumped into Cyrus, who was suddenly standing right behind me. I could feel the warmth radiating from his body, and my heart skipped a beat. He was looking out the window too, his eyes narrowed and focused.

“It’s getting dark,” I said, my voice hitching slightly with flustered nerves. “We should get some rest and be ready for tomorrow…”

Cyrus didn’t answer right away. His gaze remained fixed on the dark forest outside, his jaw clenched. “Something’s not right,” he murmured, his tone tense. “Stay close.”

The warm, cozy feeling of the cabin suddenly felt fragile now. The wards flickered, casting strange, dancing shadows. My unease grew as I looked back out the window, trying to see what Cyrus had noticed.

Cyrus stepped away from the window, his movements tense and deliberate. “Get ready,” he said quietly, his eyes scanning the room. “We might have company.”

The evening’s tranquility shattered as the reality of the danger outside sank in. My pulse quickened, and I looked around the room for anything I could use to defend myself. My heart pounded as I recalled last night’s demon, its menacing figure looming over me, ready to attack. The safe bubble of the cabin felt like it could burst at any moment.

Cyrus grabbed his sword which was leaning against the wall near the window, his movements swift and practiced. The soft glow of the wards seemed to waver, reflecting the uncertainty and tension in the air. Something was out there.