Debauchery of a Soul-Eating Wraith

An Eldritch Spell Circle appeared behind Evian and out-charged the Reaper chains all poised to stab through their target and considering Evian's current distracted state, the chains appeared to be attacking on their own. They acted as one without the unique singularity that should have accompanied Evian's active control.

Astrid shoved Evian back but the chains still stabbed out. They covered the distance (which was already not that large considering the limitation of the space they were in) and aimed at vital spots/organs.

With the flash of her weapon's blade the only sign of her movement, Astrid parried the Chains aside while cackling.

"Yes, more of that!"

By now, Evian had regained his senses and he seized control of his chains. His control was still not as refined as would be required for individual control of every single one of the chains but he grouped them well enough. He had one group hang back while the other drew Astrid out of her comfort zone looking to create a crucial opening.

Astrid crossed her sword in front of herself and began to spin it. Because it looked like she was about to attempt a parry, Evian controlled his Chains to avoid her spinning sword so that they attacked her at a different angle.

He made sure to change the direction of his attack at the last minute to catch Astrid off guard but when she still didn't move her weapon, even for a futile attempt at defense, he knew something was up.

As Astrid spun her sword, a mysterious energy began to seep from it. It wasn't Spiritual energy.

It was an energy that was thick with comprehension and every tiny wave felt like it was composed of hundreds of sword strikes/jabs/slashes…

[Sword Energy!]

Evian was surprised to hear his Assistant proffer a description without being prompted but was even more surprised when the necessary information flowed into his head so he inexplicably understood what 'Sword Energy' meant.

It was an ability that could only be showcased by a Swordmaster. An ability that required the development of a 'Sword sense' which was only achievable when a wielder became in tune with their weapon- Becoming one with it through years of use.

It was an ability that could only really be manifested through constant battle and even then, only a very select few had ever managed to manifest it.

Evian remembered hearing Astrid was the youngest to have ever done it in the Verlice Kingdom for many centuries and it put even more into perspective the existence that had demanded to fight him.

There was an equivalent of Sword Energy for other attacking weapons but of course, Evian was far from developing a 'Spear Sense' much less making use of 'Spear Energy'.

The Sword energy seeping from Astrid's weapon kept the chains from striking her body by congealing into a shield of consistent overpowering sword slashes.

Astrid took a second to look at Evian, she winked and then shifted from defense to offense by sending her Sword energy to wreak havoc on his body.

Evian retracted his Reaper chains to conserve Eldritch Energy just so he could let out a wave to slam into the oncoming force. Alas, Sword Energy was not Spiritual energy which he could repel just by being its opposite. He had to parry every one of the slashes that were composed in the Sword energy before they struck and cut him up.

His Eldritch wave parried a tiny few and he met the rest with his Spear. Spinning it with increased expertise but after getting slashed Ten times, he gave up and Phased his body through the ground so that the sword energy's multitude of sword slashes went on to strike and dispel against the space's barrier.

As for Evian, he was glad to discover that there was 'ground' to phase through but then he discovered the Space Astrid had trapped them in was spherical. It extended down the battlement they were on and once he struck against the boundary, he was repelled back to the surface where his opponent awaited him.

It was like Astrid had known exactly where he would surface because she was quickly jabbing her sword at him before he had the chance to catch his breath from just surviving her barrage of Sword Energy.

Evian's instincts guided him for a few timely dodges but he only managed to parry Astrid's Sword after she had slashed his side and again drew blood.

*Clang!*

As he had put in every bit of his strength behind the parry, Evian managed to push Astrid back a few steps. She recovered and came for his neck only for her eyes to widen when a chain wrapped around her wrist and pulled her arm back.

"What's this?" she asked, looking down to see the Spell Circle at her feet. More chains emerged and wrapped around her to keep her trapped.

"Such a— versatile Spell you have," Astrid told Evian with a smile when the attacking chains appeared behind him and prepared to be unleashed.

Evian said nothing and sent his attacking chains to finish the job while he retained the distance between them.

In the second before the chains stabbed their opponent, Astrid unleashed a golden glow that caused cracks to appear on the chains before shattering them. With her hands free, she snapped her fingers and Evian watched as his attacking chains slowed while Astrid let out an amused laugh,

"Since you've shown me a Spell, I should show you one of mine as well!"

As she spoke, Astrid drew her sword in an arch and the golden light of her absurdly Pure Spiritual energy followed her sword's path before congealing into a miniature 'Temple of Superb Righteousness'.

That was exactly the name of the spell and Evian knew this because it was information that got slammed into his mind causing his psyche to shake and get bowed over as the Temple demanded his respect for its conjurer.

With cold sweats starting to appear on his forehead, Evian resisted the mental 'push' and was able to view as the Temple let out a suction force that called Evian's slowed Reaper chains over and absorbed them.

Normally, something like this should have just canceled the spell but, things were not so simple. Evian's connection with the Chains remained intact and he felt it as they were purified. That purification then used the chains as a channel to invade Evian's body.

With his eyes widening in realization of what was to come, Evian tried to cut off his connection with the spell but the decision no longer lay with him. He could do nothing but get slammed with a 'Righteous' force that attempted to undo him at a fundamental level.

"Ahhhh—" Evian doubled over and his legs shook as his body was set ablaze by a 'fire' that aimed to end his existence.

[You're dying!]

'Shut up!'

Even though he retorted, Evian knew his Assistant was right. He WAS dying but he felt no reason to panic.

[You have a Plan?]

'You sound worried,' Evian replied with mild amusement. Taking a break from enduring the pain wracking through him.

The Assistant had indeed sounded concerned and Evian knew why. He had suspected it long before today but had not really cared to think of it.

This entity in his head, the one that had introduced and guided him on his Decadent path was more than just an impasioned, sometimes mechanical voice. It was an entity that was tied to him and needed him to live. Needed him to advance on the Decadent path.

That much had been clear from the moment he first arrived in this world and it began to push him to consume Souls before he had even settled into his new reality.

He also knew it was an entity that was limited as far as Assistance went. When he had neared death because he got stabbed in the heart, it had not proffered a solution— because it had none.

All the Assistance the Decadent Assistant could provide had already been provided with the Decadent Store and it was up to Evian to use that to ascertain his survival. Their shared survival.

He wondered how that felt for his Decadent Assistant. After all, it couldn't be easy to have your existence tied to a Wraith who lacks the sense or strength to preserve its life and be powerless to assist.

Did every other Wraith have an Assistant? Evian wondered but quickly shut that off to the side.

It was a matter for another day.

Ignoring Evian's amused question, the Assistant asked again;

[Do you have a Plan?]

'Well, of course,' Evian replied,

'She has many years of combat experience over me and despite the locks that have lowered her strength, she is still an existence who has reached the Seventh Order… She's an existence stronger and more scary than her mother, the Renan Lordess.

If I even have a shot at victory, I need to be ready to go all out quickly. I need to end this fast before she gets used to my rhythm which stands as the only advantage I currently hold.

She's underestimating me and thankfully, that has caused her to make an error I would only be foolish not to exploit.

After all, this Forced Connection she has forged goes both ways.'