Debauchery of a Soul-Eating Wraith

–Hours Later–

There was only so much Aren could push back her responsibilities as a Priestess and only so much she could rely on the intensity of the events of the night before to stretch out her time of rest.

"So?" Aren asked.

"So… what?" Evian asked with a smile and his brow raised.

"So, meeting Cardinal Krion?" Aren asked him, pouting sadly at how easily her words appeared to have skipped his mind.

Evian acted like he hadn't seen that and laughed to himself,

"Oh, right," he said slowly, "When is that happening again?"

"Now is good," Aren said giving him one last look before returning her attention to the large desk in her private study littered with documents she was sifting through.

"Alright then. Now it is," Evian said with a shrug.

A few minutes later, Aren put some of the documents aside in a box locked with a special sequence of Spiritual energy before sending the chosen bunch into her Spatial ring so she and Evian could be on their way.

Outside the Private study doors, there were Arcanists already moving about the Sanctorum. A lot of them raised brows at Evian and the fact that he and Aren had exited her private study but they were much more invested in his looks than they were in why he came to be with the Priestess. Although to be fair, there was hardly anything inherently suspicious about a private meeting.

More halls were traveled and more stairs were climbed until then they arrived at an almost all-together separate section of the Sanctorum.

Even with the large ornate double doors closed, Evian could tell this section was segmented into various rooms all in the domain of the Cardinal, and that was proved when magical Arcane symbols glowed on the doors and the arch that surrounded them before they pulled open and revealed a study that made Aren's look like a dingy cupboard.

The study was massive and decorated with all manner of Magical equipment that hummed with passive Spiritual energy with more than a few looking like they were itching to unleash active attacks so long as their wielder said so.

'Imagine if any of this even showed up last night,' Evian thought and then he frowned.

It didn't matter if these random magical equipment were not in any way powerful enough to pose a danger to a Wraith King, the fact that Krion could have them all strewn around as decoration was a testament to prestige and status that must reward her with more than enough financial benefits to afford what could pose a threat to a being like Agenon.

So why did none of that show up?

"Ah, Aren," Cardinal Krion's silky voice called out as her eyes went from her protégée's face to Evian's,

"And what is this? You brought a guest."

"Evian Stygian greets you, Cardinal Krion."

Evian gave a small bow with the most amicable smile he could muster which was not all that hard because no matter what doubts or thoughts were currently going through his head, he was still in the presence of a beauty.

It appeared as though wearing Cardinal robes last night had been a matter of official appearance because Cardinal Krion was dressed much more comfortably. A silk gown covered by a thin but still wide and expensive-looking robe etched with Arcane symbols consistently charged with Spiritual energy.

A cleavage that gleamed and rose and fell gently according to the Cardinal's calm breathing. Her hair was held up in a bun at the top of her head and was that— dew dripping just behind her hair.

'Ah,' Evian thought as he took a discreet breath and drew in the scent of flowers in the hair, 'She just had a bath. Must have been soothing.'

"Oh? You greet me with such respect and then ogle me?" Krion asked and then chuckled, "Bold."

Evian's eyes widened for a second and then they relaxed. Of course, she would have sensed it. What others would consider a fleeting observation must have been far more intense to the senses of an Arcanist of her caliber?

Evian smiled,

"I was merely appreciating such a radiant beauty. Surely, there's no fault in that."

Again, Cardinal Krion chuckled and leaned forward with her elbows resting on her desk. As she moved, Evian noticed a slight wince but the Cardinal carried on so naturally, he wondered if he had not seen it right.

"Your words are sweet. A shame they are wasted on me though."

"How so?" Evian asked with a raised brow.

"Um, Evian," Aren said by his side and nudged at him with her elbow but whatever she was going to say, the Cardinal beat her to it,

"I just don't swing that way, Sir Stygian. I prefer the fairer sex," The Cardinal said with a kind smile.

"Oh, I see," Evian told her with a smile but there was not even the slightest change in the look in his eyes. Is lips did stretch almost infinitesimally tongue point where only Cardinal Krion's heightened senses picked it up.

Krion raised her brow at that,

'Hmm? What is this? He's not put off? What's that look in his eyes… Why can't I describe it?' She thought and then looked away from Evian and back to Aren while picking up a scroll from her desk,

"Aren, your assignments. There is much to do in the aftermath of last night's ordeal," she said.

"Of course, Your Excellency," Aren said with a bow while stepping forward to receive the scroll.

"You should get to it now," Krion said.

"And Evian?" Aren asked. She had brought Evian here for a reason and seeing as that conversation had yet to happen, she wondered if she was to leave with him or…

"Leave him here with me," Krion said, "I'd like time to have a word. Once you've spoken to Priest Hardlett, be sure to report back."

"Of course, Cardinal," Aren said, and with a final bow, she turned around and walked away.

Krion watched her leave with her eyes especially focused on her backside.

"She is beautiful, is she not?" Evian said gently once Aren was gone and the study doors closed.

Seeing as Krion had been comfortable enough to 'stare' with him right there, he felt he might as well be comfortable enough to address it.

"She is," Krion said calmly.

"Developed a crush perhaps, Cardinal?" Evian asked with a smirk.

"Well, I would be blind not to," Krion said, "But I respect that that is not her way. I have enough lovers to sate my desires to not manipulate someone who had put her trust in me."

As she spoke, Krion leaned back and she winced again. This time, Evian was sure he had not seen wrong because the Cardinal rocked her shoulders a few times as though trying to work out some kink that was causing discomfort.

"Anyway, that is a personal matter we need not discuss. I'd like to ask you, Evian Stygian, what did you think about last night's occurrence?" Explore more at m,v l'e-m|p| y r

Evian furrowed his brows at what he noticed but remained invested in the conversation enough to answer,

"Apart from it being a horrible experience that could have gone a lot worse?" He asked, "What more will there be to think?"

"So you aren't even curious as to if it was an isolated event or a long-standing predicament?" Krion asked with an intrigued smile.

"Forgive me for saying, but there are very few people I care about within the Arcane Faith and besides taking them to safety, I find it difficult to invest in matters regarding the Church," Evian said with a small bow.

"Tch, you sound cold. But I can't fault you. You are involved with that Daria girl, are you not? Oh, don't be surprised. That little act of unfamiliarity when you first arrived at the hall might fool others but not me.

Anyway, the Leader of your Knightly Delegation has gotten you all an indefinite stay until the matter is resolved so you should care a bit more.

This all started a week ago when Sacrosanct was attacked by a Wraith with some Zombification ability. In the chaos, an explosion resounded at the Pontiff's office within the Sanctorum and he tragically lost his life.

We have no idea who killed the Pontiff but we have enough reason to think they are connected to the Wraith. Daria herself fought the Wraith and will probably be able to tell you more.

What I'm saying is, clearly there are enemies that want to see the end of the Church by taking out all the Officials after which the Arcanists will be next if they don't already lose their lives in the fray.

These enemies managed to get behind our walls and if they are still here, we can't even find them so if you care about any member of the Arcane Path, you are now involved.

So I ask again, what did you think about the events of last night?"

Evian let a few seconds of silence pass and then,

"I really don't have any thoughts. If it comes, you— We fight it. More urgently though, are you suffering an ache, perhaps?"

"You noticed. It's been a thing since last night but it will pass."

"Maybe," Evian said, "But I can help it pass faster. If I have your permission of course."

"How?"

Evian slowly raised his hands and a smile that gave off an intention Krion could not quite place,

"With the magic of a massage."