Learning the Exorcism spell…

Lady Iris retrieves the Libram of Forbidden Gospel from an antique bookcase – one of many in the room holding the Ecclesiarch’s personal collection. Like its fellow librams, its deep blue hardcover bears the golden runes of the Order of Selene.

This particular Libram, however… it’s not found in the Chantry’s library. Only the Ecclesiarch – and, by extension, the Executor, has access to it. And for good reason. It’s not like the others; there’s a spell bound within its words of Enochian, one that conjures two waves of illusionary skeletons to attack the mind of any Paladin seeking knowledge of Exorcism.

It’s a test – a trial by fire to prove one’s readiness. Exorcism is a Paladin’s divine weapon, using Mana to disrupt the dark energies of undead and demons. Its power can utterly annihilate one target, or it can be spread across a whole group of them, wounding them all evenly. These creatures don’t belong in Nisha… and Exorcism destroys the magics anchoring them here.

However, Exorcism is brutally taxing on one’s Mana, and paladins aren’t exactly brimming with it – unlike the healers they protect. But when it’s cast? Oh, it really turns the tide against the undead and demons. Especially demons! I’ve seen it first-hand, one timeline ago… from none other than this green-eyed Paladin standing before Lady Iris and me.

Opportunities for a Paladin to safely learn such a spell are practically non-existent, though. Undead and demons remain formidable foes for mortals, even after overcoming the initial, paralysing dread of standing in their presence. And so… this will have to do. Even then, only paladins who have completed the Trial of the First Saint are permitted to undertake this lesson under the Ecclesiarch’s strict supervison.

“Tell me, Anna – are you prepared to face the undead? ” Lady Iris asks, handing her the Libram of Forbidden Gospel. “This Libram is unlike the others – it will immediately grant you knowledge of the spell you seek, and you are expected to use it to survive its test.”

“I’m prepared to do my best and succeed,” Anna answers solemnly, taking a deep breath. “For you and Arisa… and the Order of Selene… I’m ready.”

“Hell yeah!” I chime in, grinning. “You’ve got this!”

“Already on it!”

Without struggle or hesitation, the Libram of Forbidden Gospel opens to Anna, its secrets laid bare – like, well… an open book. Few librams surrender their knowledge so easily and quickly… but as I said before, this one plans to test her immediately thereafter.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

I remember asking Anna about it in the previous timeline. She told me it contained the tale of a lone Warrior – a Hero who left her village searching for vampires, seeking their blood as part of a miracle cure to a terrible Blood Plague afflicting her people. For one year, she hunted and slew many a Vampire lurking in the shadows of Nisha, gathering their accursed essence.

It was her Prophecy to save them. But every Vampire she felled, every drop of blood spilt by her axe… tainted her. The blood made her stronger and more powerful. But in return… had cursed her flesh and her very soul.

Until, at last… blinded by corruption, scarred irrevocably in body and spirit… she forgot who she was. Forgot why she ever left her village in the first place.

This Libram’s story is… well, something. I get it.

“How do you feel?” Lady Iris asks, watching Anna look up from the Libram of Forbidden Gospel, her green eyes still shimmering with magic and Mana. “Stronger, I trust?”

“Umm… was I dreaming just now?” Anna murmurs, her voice unsteady. “Mom, Arisa… when I read those pages… it felt like I wasn’t here anymore.”

Lady Iris nods. “You were – within the space of your mind. Tell us, what did you see?”

“I was in an empty room… and saw a Skeleton coming for me. It was creaking loudly as it shambled forward – hands outstretched, fingers reaching for my eyes…”

“And what did you do?”

“I stretched out my hand. I wanted to destroy it before it could hurt me. And as I focused on that thought… on that desire… it crumbled to dust before me. I thought I was safe, but then… more of them appeared!”

“And you destroyed them as well?”

“Yes, I did!” Anna answers with quiet determination, nodding firmly. “I focused once more, this time on all of them at once. It was exhausting, far more than the first, but I held my focus… and they crumbled to dust together.”

“Sounds about right,” I say brightly. “Good job!”

“Indeed. This is but the first step towards mastering Exorcism,” Lady Iris says gently, nodding in approval. “But now, this spell is a part of you, and it always will be.”

“In that case… I’ll wield it with everything I’ve got!” Anna declares, smiling and winking at me. “With it, I’ll keep Arisa safe and out of trouble.”

“Hey, I feel safer already!” I add cheerfully. “Damn demons and undead won’t know what hit them.”

“Oh, Arisa…”

“Keep your sword arm steady and your spells close to your heart and mind,” Lady Iris advises. “It is the strength and burden of a Paladin.”

Then, her gaze falls upon me. “As for you, Lady Ishii… I have a spell for you as well.”

“Wait, what?”

“Indeed. Clairvoyance allows us to use Mana to have our consciousness traverse the realm of light to gaze out into the world, yes?”

“It does!”

“I have given that spell further thought since you shared it with me. The realm of the dead is but another plane that can be traversed, is it not?”

“Just like the realm of dreams…” I muse, cupping my chin. “And the realm of the living…”

“Precisely. And now, Lady Ishii,” Lady Iris says warmly. “We shall embark upon the realm of the dead – peering into the liminal space between life and death.”

My heart skips a beat, and my eyes widen joyfully as those words reach my ears. Oho! Is this what I think it is? Because if it is… this day is about to get even better!