Debauchery of a Soul-Eating Wraith

The name sparked something in Evian's recent memory. A memory of Myrine making a small mention of her past. With that, he finally realized why the Delegate's brown hair looked familiar; It was the same shade as Myrine's.

Myron spread his arms wide, a 'delighted' smile on his face,

"Sister," he called as he took eager steps forward.

Myrine allowed herself to be embraced and despite the smile on her lips, her expression and her body language made it seem like she was unsure how to react to this surprise.

Evian heard a displeased grunt from behind and he didn't have to turn to know it had come from his Father.

Lord Stygian glared at the embracing siblings with displeasure and decided to repeat his Wife's question- The one that still did not have an answer,

"Myron, why is it you?"

The siblings separated and Myron turned toward the Stygian Lord, a smile on his face but a mocking intention so clear to see and feel,

"Averill," he said as he let his eyes roam over the Lord's impressive frame, "You look well."

Adrian took a step forward, a smile of excitement on his face,

"Uncle," he said, "What a pleasant surprise. You'll be handling my Evaluation?"

Myron raised a hand and moved it fondly through Adrian's hair,

"I am one of the Delegates, Yes. When I heard my little Nephew actually had dreams and aspirations beyond this- this place, I just had to come and oversee it."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lord Stygian asked, "What do you mean, 'this place'?"

Myron rolled his eyes,

"Oh please, Averill. I've long made my thoughts on 'this place' known. Let's not dilly daily on the unimportant. Today is for dear Adrian and him seizing his future like the wise young man that I am sure he is."

Lord Stygian grunted again but whatever differences were between him and his brother-in-law were put on hold when the carriage doors opened and another person made their exit. Appearing to have taken their sweet time to make a more impactful disembark.

The leg showed first, long, smooth, with calves 'to die for', then came the garment of a partitioned gown before another keg followed and the figure's full form came into view.

She was a lady with that aged yet youthful look that accompanied experienced cultivators such as herself. Dressed in a red gown with a long slit, stretching almost to her waist, up her right side, and showcasing her beautiful leg in all its smooth and silky glory.

Her large bust was covered up but only thrust out all the more, calling attention. Other men on the scene might have made sure not to stare but Evian did not. Granted, he let his eyes roam over the lady's clothed body entirely but whenever his eyes fell on the peaks, he allowed himself to observe.

The lady's shiny black hair was only slightly bundled to keep stray locks out of her eyes, and as for her eyes, they were a dark pair with beautiful flecks of amber within and glared with a confidence that always so readily comes along with an impressive cultivation base.

Her red-painted lips tilted up on one side with all the hints of superiority that seemed to come with being a member of the Martial Temple.

Her steps were slow and her heels were sharp against the cobbled stones of the Stygian Estate grounds, soaking all the awe she received.

"You know, Sir Myron, when I afforded you the courtesy of reunion, I did not intend to be kept waiting for so long while you all sloppily sobbed on each other's shoulders."

The Lady's voice was as smooth and commanding of respect as anyone on the scene would have expected it to be.

Myron gave her a small bow as he allowed himself a chuckle,

"I don't think I've taken that long, have I?" he asked when he straightened up about a second later.

"You have," the Lady answered simply as her eyes roamed the standing Stygians.

Myrine's hair and slight resemblance with Myron identified her as his sibling. Lord Stygian's strong posture and his ready release of his Spiritual Pressure spoke easily of his identity and Adrian's excited smile and slightly noticeable nervous twitch told of his anticipation for his evaluation- His shared black hair with the Stygian Lord told of their relation...

... And then there was Evian.

Standing to the side, looking and appearing almost as out of place as the redheaded lady whose hand he held. With his Grey hair and eyes, his relation to the standing bunch was not clear at first glance.

The Lady raised a brow and faced with it, Evian smiled. He knew he didn't look like he fit in with the others so he stretched a hand forward,

"Allow me to introduce myself," he said, "I am Evian Stygian."

That caused Myron to turn to face him.

Lacking any of the discernible features of those he was ready to meet right out of the Carriage, the brown-haired man had not spared a look at his grey-haired nephew. He couldn't fully be blamed... The last time he was in Verdelen City, Evian had brown hair just like his and was much more sickly.

He could remember well how much he had used that condition as an insult to the Stygian genes and the life his Sister had settled for when she left the Martial Temple.

"You got better... And you changed," he mumbled. He then seemed to notice Evian's hand stretched out for a handshake for the first time and his eyes widened as his tone changed to one of urgency,

"Boy, put your hand down!"

"Why?" Evian asked with a shrug, "I'm just being polite."

"Put your hand down and bow!" Myron said through gritted teeth.

The Lady chuckled,

"It's fine, Sir Myron. I sense no disrespect," she said before grabbing Evian's hand in a handshake, "Evian Stygian, I'm Zayda Vi'thar. A Knight of the 1st Rank in the Martial Temple."

*Gasp*

The sound came from Ember by Evian's side and while hers was the most vocal reaction, others on the scene who knew what Zayda's rank meant shared her sentiment and their already respectful expressions kicked up a few notches.

Evian had no idea how the ranks were arranged so his attention was more on the hand he held. The warmth and softness of it as well as the sheer power emanating from that grip- Power close to the precipice of the Sixth Order.

It wasn't a shocking feeling. After all, Evian had held someone just as strong... Actually, he had done more than 'hold'...

"Strong grip," Zayda said, clenching a few times to get a good feel of the strength in Evian's hand, "I'd put it at the sixth step of the Third Order or maybe even higher. And you say you're also a Stygian? Connections can be made, and Rank ascent is likely... Hmm, Are you sure you're not the one I'm here to Evaluate?"

Evian chuckled as they let go of each other's hands,

"Nah, I have no interest in joining the Martial Temple."

Silence...

Everyone stared almost like they were in disbelief at the words that just left Evian's lips and faced with those reactions, Evian looked around confused.

"What?" he asked but even as his question sounded, he got his answer in the disappointment on his Parents' faces.

It was now he understood why his Mother had been so adamant that he be present. Clearly, they had been planning that he get evaluated as well and he likely just threw a wrench in their plans by so vocally claiming disinterest while in the presence of a Martial Temple Knight.

But he wouldn't take it back.

Being stuck in a massive structure and made to study cultivation techniques that would do him no good was not Evian's plan for the future. Not when his hunger for Souls continued to grow. Not when everything he needed to be the greatest Wraith he could be was available to him through his Decadent Assistant.

-chapter

Zayda smiled,

"Why not?" she asked and with a gesture at the welcoming crowd in the courtyard, she continued, "Clearly, your family believes it a big deal and a matter of great honor, why don't you?"

Evian shrugged,

"Because it would be boring," he answered truthfully.

"Boring?" Zayda repeated in disbelief, "You seek excitement over Martial excellence?"

Evian smiled,

"The point is, I'd rather not have to pick between the two."

Zayda nodded,

"I see," she said and her eyes moved.

At first, Adrian thought attention was coming to him, after all, this was his day, this was HIS evaluation but he ultimately felt sidelined when Zayda's attention fell on the Redhead by Evian's side, who was bouncing on the ball of her feet in excitement.

"I take it you want to join the Martial Temple though?" Zayda asked.

Ember nodded, her cheeks a warm red and her eyes beholding a 1st Rank Knight with delightful awe. She didn't have to think too long for an answer. It was already at the tip of her tongue, a mantra she had lived by for quite a while now.

"If it will make me Strong?" she said, "Then Absolutely."