The Evangeline family.
They were figures of great renown in this era of chaos. Essence stones were becoming the backbone of how society operated. People used them for tools, weaponry, and resources like minerals and medicinal herbs. These stones gave those with access an unprecedented advantage in both resources and development.
Near the end of The Crucible, nations that hadn't acquiesced to the bigger powers that thrived throughout the war began to slowly heal and look for any way to gain some semblance of their former selves.
Dynasties often became pillars for these recovering powers, sustaining either their governments or militaries, depending on their unique strengths.
The Evangeline family was one of these dynasties.
Before the accords, Xalta and Varkis were the main powers at war for dominance of the world's resources and fighting power. Much of the end of the war consisted of a back-and-forth between the two, ending in a crescendo of nation-wiping campaigns.
Many dynasties fell during these campaigns, taking their host powers with them. Xalta and Varkis continued to fight relentlessly, hoarding increasingly scarce resources and denying smaller powers desperately needed supplies.
Those who gave in were given their share of resources to maintain their population and a guarantee of safety.
The Evangelines had no such need.
An expedition was rallied and directed by Korrinth Evangeline, the 32nd head of the family. She gathered those seeking resources and habitable land shortly after the war. They set out south, where the Arctic's landmass was mostly uncovered and altered by cascades of nuclear fallout.
The rumors that originated from the southern lands held an enticing promise of change, an opportunity that she would not pass up.
Korrinth understood most war-torn areas would have intense radiation, making the rumors likely false. Still, resource scarcity and growing pressure from migrants forced her hand. The historic records present her expedition as a courageous effort to secure more, specifically targeting the prized stones.
The Evangelines prospered from this discovery. They evaluated the remaining sovereign nations and clans. Those who met their criteria and pledged loyalty were granted direct access to their Essence stone processing methods.
Cassian had no idea how the Evangeline family could use Essence stones so efficiently so soon after their discovery. There was no public record of how Korrinth manipulated their energy; that secret was kept as closely guarded as could be imagined.
Soon after, the Zephir Empire was born. The accords were established to end the war. Korrinth personally brokered deals with Xalta and Varkis in exchange for her services and expertise with Essence stones.
To say that the Empire was a nation of wealth was an understatement; even an offshoot like the Fowling family was drenched in gold.
Arthur Fowling had no direct ties to the main branch; his family had long ceded to Xalta. He was privy to only some insider information because his deceased grandfather was part of the main family and served as a proxy for Xalta. Arthur thanked his luck for this every day.
Cassian, of course, knew the difference in standing between him and Laila. There would always be a gap, a difference in the air they breathed and the quality of life they lived. Still, it was all the same to him. They had been there for each other through many personal issues. Honestly, he wouldn't trust anyone else in the world with his life.
On the same note, she's probably endangered his life more times than he could count; her only redeeming quality in that aspect being how she could get him out of it.
He hoped that was the case with the gala that weekend; a miracle would have to happen for a trouble-free night, knowing the figures involved.
***
[Night of the gala]
Cassian rode in the back seat of an Essence-powered vehicle alongside Laila. Her personal chauffeur and bodyguard, Chris, drove them to the event venue, the council's Parliament House.
"Okay, so the plan is?" Cassian asked while looking through the one-way privacy screen. He glanced at Chris while fixing his collar and tie, trying to mimic his outfit.
"Plan?" she replied with a deadpan expression that made him look at her questioningly.
Even now, she never failed to amaze him with her antics.
"I kinda just hoped things would work out and I could eat some cake in peace," she continued.
Cassian looked back at the screen and sighed.
"Well then, as soon as we can, we get cake and a corner, and call it good as soon as you're done." He said.
He wanted no chance of an issue arising, and though staying out of the way sounded like a good plan, he wouldn't bet on it helping them much.
"Fine by me." She replied as a small container of cookies appeared in her hands, which she promptly opened and began to snack on.
He shook his head as the compound came into view. The Parliament House was used for a range of important events. To the right, Cassian noticed the familiar memorial building.
Cassian was there a few weeks prior to visit his parents' tomb on his mother's birthday.
Biting his tongue, he looked away and cracked the window for some air.
Both of his parents were victims of the war. His mother returned to the front lines after his father disappeared. Lexas Kervar was a specialized scout and was highly respected within the military. At least, his name was whenever Cassian asked about him.
After searching for a few months, his mother had to give up and return to base with whatever findings she had. Funnily enough, she had been looking around the Arctic Circle. On the trip back, she was attacked by a group of well-trained mercenaries. They were later hunted down and interrogated to no avail.
The sedan rolled to a stop in front of the main building.
Cassian sighed as he exited the car and went around to open Laila's door. He may not like such social events, but he at least had enough mind to keep up manners under watchful eyes.
The two ascended stone steps to a walkway leading to the main building from the valet's roundabout. The compound was a masterpiece. Despite the recent territorial conflicts, the influence of an architect was evident in the area's design.
As they walked on the stone path through a luxurious garden, the two couldn't help but look at the designed shrubbery and monuments throughout the landscape. Whoever was in charge clearly had eccentric taste. Every other bush looked like an animal, either hunting or hiding throughout the compound.
"Great use of our taxes by the way."
Laila dug her nails slightly into Cassian's arm as she walked, clinging to his side.
"My dad is only interested in business, and this is clearly someone's private issues on public display. Not the same." She said, tilting her head slightly with a smile towards him.
She let go of him as they reached the front and saw guards checking IDs.
"Laila Fowling, and my depressing plus one" she said as she continued without pause past the two.
"R-right this way, miss Fowling" one managed to get out as they passed.
After moving through the screening chamber, the two were led through a hallway and into the grand foyer. The room was decorated with honored members of both the military and the council alike.
Pictures of Korrinth and the council chair side by side were hung above the entrance, displaying the harmonious relationship between the two nations.
"Wow, that's pretty new." Cassian started, "The council sure has a way of showing gratitude. This feels like such a waste of this 'relationship' we have with the empire. I wonder who those accords really benefited anyway" he said sarcastically.
All of a sudden, there was a strong grip on his shoulder and an even stronger slap to the back that followed.
"That, my boy, is the question of the century, and you don't even know it GHAAHAHAH"
A grizzled man towered over Cassian's right side and bellowed out a great laugh, as if Cassian had just told the funniest joke in the world.
He turned to face the man who had just lit up his back. A wiry-looking elder faced him in turn; his face was riddled with age, although he clearly had lived a long life, he was brimming with vitality. His deep green eyes held an unfathomable sense of weight, and those same eyes were piercing back into Cassian's, searching, analyzing, and concluding all at once.
"Hmm, I wonder... what exactly could have transpired that day. Well, I do know actually, but that doesn't really answer your question, does it? Yes, yes, why exactly are we doing all of this? These events are so cliche, really, if you ask me, but then again, what do I know?" The man continued, staring at Cassian.
Cassian had never been more confused. "Uhh."
"Well never mind that, your name boy, what is it?"
"Cassian?"
" ... is that a question or a statement? Full name, if you would be so kind."
He hesitated but felt his lips move on their own.
"Cassian Kervar" He replied.
"... interesting, interesting indeed."
Cassian felt a shift in the air; the man seemed more serious than he initially appeared. The latter turned to look at Laila, who during all of this, stood back, bewildered at his appearance alone.
Something that doesn't happen often.
The man's face immediately turned from questioning to disappointment.
"So much waste in one area, truly saddening " he muttered to himself.
Laila managed to gather herself and moved to greet the man, only to be ignored and cut off.
"Kervar was it. Here, take this. It is only right that you are given what is owed. Although this is only a small appreciation of what's to come, I feel you will find yourself lacking without it. A shame indeed."
Cassian felt a small stone being placed into his hand, warm to the touch. It felt heavy yet light all the same.
After inspecting the contents of his hand, Cassian lifted his head to look back at the man, only to find emptiness in the spot he was in.
"What the actual fuck just happened?" Cassian looked at Laila, who couldn't seem to focus on anything in particular at all.
"Huh? What? What's going on?" She asked in confusion.
"Yeah, I just asked that buddy. Where the hell did he just go?"
"Where did who go? Wait, stop wasting time, c'mon, we gotta make it to the ballroom and find a seat. You can fill me in on your weirdness later, and when you picked up a random pebble from the garden, you weirdo." She said, grabbing his open hand and pushing through the crowd towards the ballroom entrance.