When the Land meets the Sky: A Tail of Two Mages

Chapter 37 - Ephemeral (Battle Pt. 8)

Oiamh's Perspective

Finally, it was time to draw Baal out of my father's body, which was laid upon a table. He was still bound by the magical chains and gagged to prevent him from spewing curses and speaking honeyed words to a naïve guard to let him free. No, we were taking no chances with this demon. Surrounding the table were Shino, Shay, Rosetta, Esterra, and myself. I looked over to Shay and nodded to begin the exorcism.

"Before we begin," Shay stated, "I want to express that this demon is not one to be trifled with. I do not know if I'm up to the task of expelling it, but I will try." With that he closed his eyes and gently pressed his palms against my father's chest. Shortly following, the body began to convulse violently. Without hesitation, Shino followed suit with her brother as she placed her palms on the back of his hands. It was clear that this demon was out of even Shay's league and even with the power of both of them, the demon fought back hard.

"Baal is pushing us back!" Shino declared. "I'm afraid we may not succeed at this rate."

I could not believe what I was hearing. We were so close to giving my father closure. No, we were not giving up. I was willing to give up everything to see this through. "Rosetta, you know how to bind a spirit to another, yes?" I asked.

"I... do. What are you proposing?" she responded quizzically.

"What must I do to possess my father's body? I wish to weaken Baal from within," I said.

"You cannot be serious, Lady Oiamh. This is madness. This is too dangerous!" Rosetta insisted.

While Shay and Shino were focused on the body, Rosetta and Esterra both eyed me. I knew this was a risky endeavor, but I wish to see this through to the end. "I am aware of the dangers. I only wish to save my father."

Esterra spoke up calmly. "Are you absolutely sure you know what you're doing, Oiamh? You are suggesting we sever your spirit temporarily. If anything should become of you while away from your body, we may lose you forever."

"I do."

"Then there is nothing more to say," she responded and looked over to Rosetta, who couldn't argue with the outcome.

Visibly frustrated, Rosetta submitted. "Lay on the table next to Trodaí and take hold of his hand," she told me, and I did so. His hand was so uncomfortably cold. "Alright, let me warn you, Lady Oiamh. You will have nothing to protect you once you're inside. You will be nothing more than a spirit. For all I know, you may not even look like yourself in that form. If for any reason you need to retreat out, close your eyes and will your spirit back to your body."

"I understand," I replied. "I'm ready."

With a deep breath and sigh, I could tell she was still frustrated that I even suggested such a thing. She grabbed my other hand and closed her eyes. "You need to force your spirit to travel through your hand and into Trodaí," she commanded. I began to feel Rosetta's hand radiating a gentle warmth and for a moment I could swear my body was going limp. I felt my consciousness slip into my father's hand for a moment, but a sudden abrasive wave of static pushed me back. The next thing I knew, I was sitting up on the table, breathing heavily. "What happened?" Rosetta asked.

"I-I'm not sure. I felt for a moment that I was about to enter his body. I was almost... welcomed? But then, I felt rejected." I wasn't sure what this feeling was, but my hand instinctively raised to the locket around my neck. The selfsame locket my father gave me years ago when I was just a pup. I think my father's spirit recognized it when I tried to enter him. I removed the locket from around my neck and placed it in my father's hand. "Let's try once more," I urged. "I'm sure I'll succeed this time." I lay beside my father and held his hand once again, this time with the locket within each of our embraces. I felt Rosetta's hand become warm once again and my body felt limp. This time my consciousness slipped, and my spirit was welcomed in. As I entered, my mind blanked.