Corien

**Corien** is the original leader of the angels. Corien created the Undying Empire after escaping the Gate.

## Appearance

Corien's original body was stripped away from him after he was thrown into the Deep by the Saints. After escaping the Deep, Corien was determined to pick a beautiful body to inhabit. He has large, piercing, pale-blue eyes, pale white skin, and jet black wavy hair the falls just past his ears. His face is chiseled and his lips are full and cruel. He is slender and tall.

## Personality

Corien is arrogant and ambitious. He hungers for power to use as revenge against humans. With Rielle, he shows a sweeter part of himself. On the other hand, this leads to him being jealous of Audric, as Rielle was seeing them both at the same time. He absolutely despises Ludivine, calling her a rat. His personality morphs into obsessive over the one he desires the most. His need for Rielle stems from one of of revenge, and one of love. He is incredibly charismatic and is an irresistible force. He is a bloodthirsty zealot. Corien "delights in being able to manipulate others, even without using his angelic power." He enjoys hurting humans, and doesn't both trying to hide it.

During the Third Age, Corien's personality is one of madness and pure evil. To pass time while awaiting the arrival of the Sun Queen, he attempts to conquer the entirety of the world. He is cruel and relentless in his journey to subdue human kind. He shows no weakness with Eliana, in fact he displays many cruel taunts to Rielle at various occasions in which he held Eliana.

## Abilities

As a former angel, Corien has the ability of mind-speak and can manipulate others through mind control. He can also mask the presence of himself and others. As a wraith, he can inhabit the bodies of humans.

## Relationships

### Rielle Dardenne

Rielle is conflicted about Corien. She loves, hates, and fears him all at the same time. One moment she despises him, and the next she is aching for him. She often wonders how and why she reacts to Corien the ways she does. Corien, for his part, loves Rielle, but in an unhealthy and toxic way, wanting to possess her. He is entertained by Rielle's conflicted feelings for him. His moods and attitude towards her change frequently and suddenly. One moment he is soft and loving, only for him to become cold, distant, and cruel in the next. He repeatedly claims that he sees her and is not afraid of her or her powers. He tells her that she does not have to pretend with him. After they share a kiss, Rielle feels shameful about cheating on Audric. Corien is incredibly jealous of Rielle's relationship with Audric. He even admits to her that he has watched them having sex. He teases her cruelly about how she wants both him and Audric. One time telling her, "The joy of imagining him finding you in my arms just now will sustain me for a week."

After leaving Audric and siding with Corien, Rielle begins enjoying his displays of power. This delights Corien, which in turn comforts a heartbroken Rielle. The result is a vicious and violent cycle. Rielle craves Corien's approval. In her weakest moment she gives him control over her mind and emotions. He keeps any "troubling" thoughts away, leaving her in a gray fog. Corien manipulates her until she only feels "herself" when he is near. He systematically removes everyone else from her life so that he is the only person left that she believes loves her. When Rielle realizes what Corien has been doing to her, she becomes furious and throws him out of her mind. Despite her anger, she cannot bring herself to truly harm him and admits she still loves him.

## Trivia

* Corien's angelic name was "Kalmaroth."
* Out of The *Empirium* Trilogy characters, Legrand considered Corien the most fun to write, alongside Rielle, Simon, and Remy.

## References

1. ↑ Legrand, Claire (October 13, 2020). *Lightbringer*. Sourcebooks Fire. ISBN 9781492656685. pg. 61.
2. ↑ *Lightbringer*: page 11
3. ↑ *Kingsbane*: page 257
4. ↑ Claire Legrand. Who is your favorite character?. Sourcebooks Fire. Retrieved on April 1, 2021. “Rielle, Simon, Remy, and Corien were the most fun to write.”