The Soul Stealer tells David that he needn’t worry so much over Laurel since she’s not even human anyway he shows David her true form, she appears as an energetic radiating feminine form. He goes to explain that she only comes to Earth when someone has been touched as he had touched David, he also says that every one who works in his service has regained their soul, the markings remain to signify that they are his property. Because without a soul, you belong nowhere. The deadline in important because if you go a year without regaining your soul you would be trapped between the two worlds, not fully in one or the other. Without a soul you are no use to either side, his or God’s, because you cannot choose. His soul is the coin he brings to the bargaining table, they want to make sure you have it in hand when it comes time.
So, the choice is this: David can have his soul back and he would retain the markings of a Walker and remain in his service, but he would be whole again, he would live as long as the Other Guy does and when he no longer required his service his life would be his own. Or, He could give his soul to Laurel and end her cycle of pain, for she is not human and quite soulless. But, with a soul she could be born as any human would and live in hope and misery for a lifetime as any other human. But if he gives his soul to her, he will forever be a wanderer, trapped between worlds, the markings would fade, and he would no longer belong to the Other Guy, he would not belong anywhere. Today. Tomorrow. To the end of time itself.
