VANQUISH // exorcism, nayru

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i o t a

IF YOU WANT OFF THIS RIDE [abbr="Oni speech, Oni thoughts, Oni reference"]x[/abbr] info [abbr="speech; self-reference; thoughts;"]x[/abbr] NOW'S YOUR CHANCE

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She was tired.

Tired of the same voices haunting her mind each and every day of her life. Tired of attempting to cope with it but having to isolate herself anyways. Tired of being isolated from her family, her home.

She was tired of it all.

There was no telling what the others at Tanglewood thought of her -- although she SHOULD know, since knowing what they're thinking is pretty much all that's on her mind these days. Perhaps there were still undiscovered crevices of their mind that Iota hadn't yet discovered, and even the thought of that in her head drove her nearly insane. But it was hard not to isolate herself from them these days; not only did the voices in her head worsen while near her clan mates, but her attitude began to worsen as well. She found herself becoming crankier with each passing day, almost to the point of wishing death upon people, although she knew that was wrong. Her inner demons continued to chant to her every day, to unsheath her unused claws and to strike upon her loved ones as they lusted for the blood of the innocent. She was tired of hearing their pleas each passing day, of their undying thirst for a soul.

Their voices rang through her head like the echoes of a canyon, ricocheting off of every facet of her mind. Her head was constantly filled with these... voices. How the fuck wasn't she insane? She may as well have been, considering her oblivious greenery was, to her, her family, and her greenhouse being her nursing home for her "family members." Her plant journal turned into a documentation of her interactions with her plants, about the conversations that the solitary she-cat participated in with her floral arrangements. They were her children, and she wished to protect them, even if it meant dying for them.

Maybe I really am insane.

Iota once again paced around her greenhouse in search of something to keep her mind occupied. Somehow the greenhouse acted as a soundproof barrier -- the thoughts of her clanmates wouldn't be able to reach through the thin glass walls of the conservatory, so it was the only place that Iota could rest her mind and reflect on her past, present, and future. Of course, as long as Oni didn't show up to wreak havoc on her peaceful meditation time. For now, it didn't, and Iota finally had time to herself.

Cherry-red paws feathered through her plant journal to write today's entry. "The plants were quite quiet today. They didn't seem to have much on their mind." As if they had any mind to begin with, right? She closed her journal, a hundred years of abandonment filled the air with specks of dust as the pages made contact. She stretched and made for the door. "I'm insane. There's no going around it."

it's as if you thought a demon could live a life of sanity

What was that it just said? That she was a demon? It's not something that she hadn't heard before -- flashbacks of the Nines speckled her mind with bloodstained memories -- but hearing it come from herself was kind of jarring. That is, if Oni was really a part of her.

She decided not to reflect on what it'd said too much, for she had more important things to think about. Before leaving her conservatory, she scouted her greenhouse again and again to see if her plant life was holding up decently, and as usual, it was ... but her obsessive behavior didn't change her habit of checking them over several times, though. This time was different; recently, Iota began planting medical herbs to give to Nayru to assist her in whatever doctoral needs she had. She really did wish to be useful to the fae, and the rest of Tanglewood. By growing medical herbs, she explained to herself valiantly, she would be finally giving up a long-abandoned life of destroying souls and instead bringing new life to those who need it most. In short, she'd rather save lives than take them.

always going for the "hero" route i see. you're not a hero, nine iota. you're a killer; a cold-blooded blood-stained mercy-withholding slaughterer. that's what you were made for, and that's all you will ever be. when the fuck will you learn to accept who you are?

"I am NOT a killer. That is who I was. Now, I am a different kind; I am whole."

you think that you can just "give up" being a demon? are you out of your fucking mind? you might as well have been born in the fiery depths of hell itself, yet here you are, denying it like you're some sort of saint. you're pathetic.

There's that word again. Demon. Oni had been exceedingly provocative today.

"If I'm such a bad host for you, then fuck off, Oni. Find someone else who will be your slave. I'm no demon."

someone can be born an angel and claim they're a demon, but at the very core they're still an angel. you're no exception to that rule, you disrespectful imbecile.

Irritated with Iota's backlash, Oni again sank down to the darkest depths of her mind, leaving herself to marinate in her own thoughts again for a while.

I've got to do something about this before it gets out of hand.

Recently, Nayru's been taking up magic. Maybe, thought the horned fae, just maybe, she could do something to help... She already had a reason to visit, she had to deliver the herbs.

--

Iota approached the door of the goddess's home, gently knocking on it with her horns as she'd been carrying the herbs. "Special delivery, miss Nayru."

[member=480]Nayru[/member]

[color=#6b7e99]✦ ✦ ✦

[b][color=#6b7e99]"Spirits of my ancestors, I call upon yo-"

Was somebody at the door?

Really? If they came perhaps ten minutes earlier or thirty minutes later, she would have been incredibly happy to play the role of a good host (well, as good a host as the undersized sawbone could be). But Nayru, believing that she would not be disturbed for at least twenty minutes, had broken out the grimoire in some attempt to converse with the spirits of her ancestors- namely, her mother. The spell she had been preparing to chant was one of the more mild-mannered ones that her grimoire detailed, the requirements being only clairvoyance like hers and large, white candles. Upon truly investigating her newly found book, she had been a little surprised to discover how many spells required blood. Without means to practice any of them - both out of her own innate fear and an unwillingness to disturb her clanmates and ask for their blood - she had taken to the ones that demanded of her herbs and candles and her own, strong beliefs.

Anyone that knew Nayru knew of her devotion, that was for sure.

With a little huff, the tiny sawbone made her way to the door, Chad trailing after her. She threw it open half expecting some mortally wounded clanmate who needed her immediate attention but was rather pleased to see that it was only Iota with herbs.  Immediately, her frustration was forgotten, consumed now by the excitement of seeing her friend. [color=#6b7e99]"Iota! Hello!" She greeted amiably, pulling back Chad who, bless his heart, had been attempting to climb up the firebrand's leg. She glanced behind her, realizing that her candles were still burning and the scent of sage mingled with her herb supply lingered in the air. [color=#6b7e99]"You've caught me at a rather strange time," She confessed softly, [color=#6b7e99]"What can I do for you?"

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i o t a

IF YOU WANT OFF THIS RIDE [abbr="Oni speech, Oni thoughts, Oni reference"]x[/abbr] info [abbr="speech; self-reference; thoughts;"]x[/abbr] NOW'S YOUR CHANCE

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”Hey, Nayru.”

Iota knew that Nayru was quite the busy sawbone, which is why she’d hung her head lower, semi-hiding her warmed face in embarrassment. Chad climbing onto her legs was quite adorable; she’d grown to like the tiny reptile a lot. It’s like he was a part of Tanglewood itself — except, of course, for the fact that he can’t speak in their tongue. Nevertheless, the horned fae shifted her focus back to Nayru, hesitating a bit to answer her question.

“I-I brought you these here herbs — you know, for medical stuff...” Her paws shifted nervously on the ground, anxious at how the sawbone would react when she’d plea her for her assistance. She’s a goddess. How would she react if she found out Iota were a demon, of all things? Or at least, half of one? The horns should be a dead giveaway of her origins, but she wasn’t so sure.

“Y-you ever read The Exorcist? It’s quite the... disturbing read, I’d say.” She couldn’t quit beating around the bush. It wasn’t easy to ask her friend to exorcise her, of all things. But, goddess or not, it was clear she’d known of the arcane as she could hear her chanting towards her fellow goddess ancestors before opening the door. It was strange, but no stranger than literally anything else that went on there.

Cut to the chase.

“Nayru, you care about me a lot, right? Like, a lot? Well, I’m kind of in... need of something here.”

She gulped. No turning back.

“I need you to perform an exorcism. On me.”

She stared into Nayru’s pupils, giving off the vibe that this was a serious matter. I just hope she’s at least read The Exorcist.

[color=#6b7e99]✦ ✦ ✦

All was well and good until Iota mentioned the Exorcist.

Nayru, who had immediately brightened upon realizing that the herbs were for her, deflated, that spark of intrigue in her cerulean eyes morphing into confusion. Fear. She wasn't much of a fan of horror novels, that was for sure, and the idea of exorcisms in general frightened her. Whether that was because of her own status as a goddess of what, she did not know. What she did know, though, was that whatever the reason truly was, it made her lack any and all interest in even picking up a book that had to do with expelling demons. [b][color=#6b7e99]"Um..." Breathed the Sawbone quietly, lips coming together to form something akin to a pout, [color=#6b7e99]"I'm not really that big of a horror fan."

What a lame answer. She mentally berated herself for that one, suddenly preoccupied with the sight of Chad to meet eye contact anymore. One could only imagine her surprise as Iota asked if she cared about her. [color=#6b7e99]"Yes of course I care about you!" Nayru exclaimed loudly, too loudly admittedly. Red instantly colored her cheeks and embarrassed, the undersized medic found that she had even more of a reason to keep her gaze trained on her alligator. She didn't even want to think about Iota's expression right now - couldn't fathom even a thought about it.

It was when her friend asked her to perform an exorcism on her that she stiffened, that sea-colored gaze rising from the ground to stare intently into Iota's eyes. She saw the seriousness in them, detected it also within the shift of her aura. Oh Goddesses... this was really happening, wasn't it? [color=#6b7e99]"Iota... I..." She trailed off, mind suddenly going a million different directions a minute. She couldn't turn down her friend, that wasn't an option. And as much as exorcism frightened Wisdom, she would still do it if it ensured that whatever malevolent soul that haunted Iota would be dismissed. The one issue that Nayru found that she was encountering was her own lack of skill. She'd need to possibly prepare a host body and then beg the ancestors to help and expel the demon. On top of that, she would need Iota's blood and holy water.

At least she had candles, right?

Stepping back inside her house a little bit, the cream tabby beckoned her in. [color=#6b7e99]"Come along... If we're going to do this, we need to get started now."

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i o t a

[b]☾ IOTA [abbr="Oni speech, Oni thoughts, Oni reference"]x[/abbr] info [abbr="speech; self-reference; thoughts;"]x[/abbr] FIREBRAND ☾

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Her legs shook, tears welling up in her eyes as her friend had -- reluctantly -- accepted her call for help. Who knows what the fae was thinking? Too many other things were on her mind to want to peer into Nayru's thoughts. She'd finally be rid of it. It was truly a dream come true for Iota. One less voice in her head, one less demon to deal with. It almost seemed too good to be true.

Iota's usual smug and cocky attitude turned into one of pure affection towards the cream-colored tabby, the welled up tears beginning to stream one-by-one down her pastel cheeks, emerald eyes becoming washed with the promise of rebirth. "Oh, Nayru..." Her voice quaked, unable to contain her composure as her friend was ready and willing to rid her of a lifetime's curse. "I cannot even begin to express the gratitude I have for you doing this." She'd be forever in her debt, but that's okay. There's nowhere else she'd rather be.

Nayru had been waiting for her to enter. She'd been too busy pouring out her emotions that she was only burning daylight. "O-oh, yes, of course! I'll be right behind you!"

This would be her ultimate gift for those she'd slain prior; she would finally become pure, and the evil would finally be vanquished from this world.

Redemption.

"I'll do whatever I need to assist you in undertaking this daunting task. Just say the word and I'll be at your beck and call."

[color=#6b7e99]✦ ✦ ✦

Nayru, for the most part, remained silent as she worked. She had a good deal of candles already lit but figured, for the sake of doing this properly, that a few more wouldn’t hurt. Once that had been squared away, she retreated into a backroom full of more ”magical” herbs, only returning once she had found the sage, rosemary, and verbana that the spell required. The sawbone would not lie: she was nervous. This was Iota, for Goddess’s sake, and if she were to somehow mess up and drive an ancestral spirit into her friend... she’d never forgive herself. She would just have to try her best and hope and pray that she would not be forsaken for her efforts. Magic was a touchy thing too... oh no. Oh no. Oh no.

She couldn’t do this.

But looking upon the face of her friend, knowing that Iota needed this to potentially be happy and live the life she wanted to, Nayru knew that she didn’t have an option- she needed to try. And so, she leapt upon her table and thumbed through her Grimoire until she found something that she believed would work- a purification spell. All she would need to do was constant the ancestors and ask them to purge Iota of the demon, sending it into a host body that she would establish with a few words and incantations.

[b][color=#6b7e99]”Um...” Nayru softly began, finally breaking her silence to let a hesitant stare meet Iota’s, [color=#6b7e99]”Are you ready?” She had only ever contacted the ancestors, never asked them of any favors. What if they disliked her? What if they were opposed to assisting her? What if they laughed in her face when she asked them to save Iota from a demon? Her nerves and self doubt had all but suffocated her now, anxiety washing over her in angry, brutal waves. She swallowed hard, claws scraping against the soft wood of her desk as she attempted to ground herself.

For Iota.

For Iota.

For Iota.

For the girl that was possibly her best friend.

You can do this, Nayru. You’ve just got to believe in yourself.

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i o t a

[b]☾ IOTA [abbr="Oni speech, Oni thoughts, Oni reference"]x[/abbr] info [abbr="speech; self-reference; thoughts;"]x[/abbr] FIREBRAND ☾

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Tears streaming down her eyes, Iota answered Nayru's question rapidly, almost instantly, her voice shaking intensely. "Yeah, I'm ready. Let's do this."
Anxiety coursed through her veins even now. What if she messed this up? What if I can never go back? She shuddered, wondering if she'll ever really be pure, or if some unlucky force will just keep her the way she is: an unholy amalgamation.
No. That won't do. I have to have trust in Nayru. I know she can do this. I know she can help me become something better than I once was.
She breathed sharply, her breath cutting her lungs like silk. Blood pulsed through her veins at rapid speed, her navy blue life fluids surging from her heart and into every sector of her body, and then right back to her heart. She could suddenly feel every part of her body, like she were holding onto her life as if her heart were made of pure glass. She had 100% faith in Nayru, but after all the torment she went through in her life, anything like this sounded far too good to be true.

Breathe in, breathe out.

She could suddenly feel the weight of her horns atop her forehead as if they were brand new, placed upon her head like a crown of burdens. Not for long.

Breathe in...

Memories coated her body like the blood of the ones she killed. Every droplet was a different murder, a different innocent soul devoid of life after Iota slew them. She shuddered again.

Even if I have to endure the most excruciating pain possible in this exorcism to atone for my sins, this won't even be enough. I'll return the favor someday.

Breathe out...

I promise.

Her cheeks were now damp from her tears. She looked at Nayru in the eyes. Her true friend. One that would help her no matter what she is or what she used to be. So, this was what love felt like, huh?

She gave her a brief nod. She was ready indeed.

[color=#6b7e99]✦ ✦ ✦

[b][color=#6b7e99]”Ancestors, I am the Goddess Nayru, wisdom incarnate. I ask that you heed my words and drive the demon from my friend’s body. I shall prepare another host body for the thing to be placed into.  Phesmatos Manex, Un Domo Hax, Fero Adiuvex.” Nayru spoke slowly, softly, her eyes long since having slid shut. Around her, she could sense the auras of her ancestors as they heeded to her call, dotted with curiosity and intrigue for, why was a child, of all things, performing an exorcism? She continued to chant ancient invocations, eyes opening only briefly to drop some herbs into a bowl and crush them. There. The host body was ready.

[color=#6b7e99]”Iota, they’ve agreed,” She murmured softly, feeling the whispers of the dead all around her. They were in awe, never before having seen someone so young but so divine attempting to rid a body of a demon. She felt a surge of satisfaction but was forced to remind herself not to get distracted. The moment her mind wandered anywhere else, the connection could be broken. [color=#6b7e99]”Phesmatos Tribum, Nas Ex Veras, Uenes Phesmatos Et Sonos. Ex Tutam Exum Lamia Matus. Demon, remove yourself. It’s too late. You can longer remain linked to Iota!”

Was it working? She didn’t know. Her head was pounding though and blood flowed heavily from her nose, trailing down her pale face and staining the cream colored fur red. She had no idea what was going on and if her words meant anything. The ancestors were still here though, presumably trying to cleanse her friend. She was still painfully uncertain, even as the room spun around her and she was forced to dig her claws into the wood of her table.

A tiny groan fell from the lips of Nayru and then, everything stopped. A breeze ran through her home and immediately exstinguished the candles, causing the Sawbone to frown. Was it over? Did they do it? [color=#6b7e99]”Iota? How do you feel? Did I do anything? Iota... please, answer me.”

(i’d like to thanks the vampire diaries wiki for hitting me up with the stuff they use on the show i love a good wiki page)

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i o t a

[b]☾ IOTA [abbr="speech; self-reference; thoughts"]x[/abbr] info [abbr="attacks"]x[/abbr] FIREBRAND ☾

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Her consciousness collapsed, her expression comatose. She laid lifelessly on the ground where Nayru had been chanting towards the goddesses, pleading them for their assistance in freeing Iota of her demonic shackles.

For a first exorcism, it might not have gone as well as they’d hoped.

Lifelessly, her eyes stared into Nayru’s ceiling. She hadn’t been dead, no. But her soul...

It was elsewhere.

Floating helplessly like a ragdoll in space, the pink feline’s soul couldn’t move. It couldn’t speak. All it could do was listen, listen to the echoes of time and space rushing past her incorporeal self second by second. It looked like her, but it for sure wasn’t her full self.

The soul awoke, emerald eyes casting a gaze deep into a white void. Silence all around her; its presence was deafening. Shiny green orbs locked in place, she could only stare straight into the void, her muscles lacking any sort of power in this state.

All she could do was float lifelessly.

Am I dead...?

Surely she wasn’t. But how could she know? She never once strayed toward the path of death, her once-mutilated body being a freak of nature, restoring itself from injury in a matter of seconds. So no, she didn’t know what death felt like.

Is this what they felt? The ones I all murdered?

Her voiceless questions met no answer. The only thing accompanying the soul here was the omnipresent silence.

I deserve this, don’t I? I deserve to be dead. I didn’t deserve a second chance. It was over from the start. It was wrong of me to ask such divine deities for redemption after so much torture and hurt I put people through. This is the ultimate price. I deserve this.

She shut her eyes, her soul unable to shed tears in this unearthly realm.

I deserve this.

Her soul finally rested, freed from its demonic shackles at last. The deed was done.

—

Voices. From every which corner of the void. Muffled as they were, Iota’s soul flicked its ears at their speech, trying to eavesdrop on their discussions. Who are these people...?

She listened closely to the voices, trying to make out as much as she could.

“This one... She deserves another chance. We shall give her the gift of rebirth, and her duty will be to look after the world’s vegetation.”

What...? Are they talking about me?

“I agree. She is deserving of redemption. Perhaps granting her the powers of a demigod will allow her to realize that we’ve watched her, and that we know how much she’s changed.”

“It was never her fault. The suffering, the anguish, none of it. What sorts of gods would we be to not have mercy on such a pure soul?”

“She deserves to live again. She deserves to see her friends once more, her family.”

“Let us relieve this one of the burden of death. She has gone through so much already at such a young age for it to end here so suddenly.”

Who are they—

Iota gasped as she finally regained her vision of the room. The ceiling, the walls, the... well, everything really. But most importantly, she could see her cream-colored friend who so selflessly assisted her some hours later.

“Nayru...?”

She could feel something on her head break. Bones. She should have been in agonizing pain, but she was not. Pieces of crimson rolled off her forehead and onto the ground in front of her.

“What is happening...?”

In the place of where her horns had been, as well as across her body, several hibiscus began to bloom, their velvet reds bringing out new color about her body, new beauty being born.