Realm of Ash Series: Soul Bond (Book 1)

Before the Mortal Age, Demon giants and Elder Lords clashed in a war-torn realm. Among them were demi-god halflings, cursed with mortal blood, and spirits of the Elder Goddess Ena, who fought against Darthuum's corrupting forces. To protect the realm, Ena created Avala, a powerful descendant, but Darthuum countered with the Soul Keeper's Amulet, wielded by the giant, Groll.

Avala, in a desperate gamble, cracked the Amulet, freeing the spirit Otharok, who allied with her. Their secret bond prolonged the war, but as Avala sought peace, she turned to Ulrath, a half-human warrior. Together, they conceived Balmarg, a hybrid destined to protect the Mortal Realm.

Otharok, driven by jealousy, formed an army and tried to kill Avala but ultimately failed. As chaos ensued, Avala's forces drove the darkness back into the Void. In a final act, Otharok trapped Avala in a jade statue.
Ena and Darthuum agreed to the Rite of Banishment, forbidding deities from entering the Mortal Realm in a civil agreement to end the chaos.

Ulrath's tears revived the land for his fallen love, and their offspring, Balmarg grew to protect these new mortals. With the war over, the realms of light and dark remained separate, and the Mortal Age began, safeguarded by Balmarg's dormant power and the unbroken Rite.

But in this new realm of Mortals we find not all had truly been banished and banishment may have only prevented the inevitable.

Falling to the young hunter Kri and his multi-clan companions to fight back the evil laying dormant.