Alicarde sighed. "Well, you heard it here first, folks. That's how I awakened my truena."
"By getting my ass kicked by a horse." He chuckled, attempting to lighten the mood like he usually would. The last thing he wanted was to give them any reason to worry.
"Your truena," Elizalina's voice was soft but cold, her distant gaze piercing into him. "I imagine it was a harrowing ordeal to achieve such a thing."
Leaning back against the cushioned seat, Alicarde let the soft hum of the car engine soothe him. The early morning light spilled through the windows, casting long shadows across the streets. His mind wandered as he reflected on the strange new sensation.
"What even is a truena, anyway?" He finally asked. "I've felt... different since I got mine. And I swear, I heard a voice announcing it. Sothing about a boon or whatever."
Carrisa's voice broke the silence. "A truena is far more than a simple title. It is the embodint of your very essence, the core of your being. To possess a truena is to be acknowledged by the world itself, and those who are Nad are recognized as more significant than the naless. The voice you heard was likely the will of the world affirming your existence."
She turned to face him, her expression unwavering. "Having a truena ans you are no longer invisible to the grand forces that govern all. You are now known to the world."
Alicarde tilted his head. "So, how do you awaken a truena?"
Carrisa's gaze remained steady. "There is no singular path. A truena can be revealed under various conditions, but once the right mont presents itself, the truth of your na will be unveiled."
Alicarde appeared more intrigued now. "So, knowing your truena gives you power, right?"
Carrisa's brow furrowed slightly, a sign of mild annoyance.
"Yes, it grants imnse power. But do not be deceived by that alone—it is a double-edged sword. While the power is significant, the true danger lies in its exposure. If soone learns your full truena, they could wield control over you."
She crossed her arms. "A person's truena consists of four parts. As you may know, the number four is often associated with misfortune—even in certain human cultures where the number is tied to death. Conversely, three is considered a blessing. Yet, every individual has four fragnts of their truena."
Alicarde's brows furrowed. "Four parts?"
"Indeed," Carrisa continued, her tone asured. "Three fragnts are blessings, each bestowing a boon. The fourth, however, is a curse. It is your bane, not a gift."
Elizalina, ever curious, leaned in. "That is the inherent danger. One must guard their truena closely. You have only awakened the first part, but to reveal the entirety of your truena is to invite disaster."
Carrisa's expression darkened. "The most significant risk lies in vulnerability. If an enemy knows your truena, they can manipulate or destroy you. It is akin to handing them the very key to your soul—your bane can be exploited by your foes."
Alicarde felt the urge to inform them he had another cryptic na, it was partially revealed and he did not know if it was supposed to be his bane. but he decided to wait until he got the gist of the situation.
Argint, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "So, how did you figure out your truena?"
Alicarde sighed, his face darkening with the weight of the mory. "It wasn't easy. I had to face the darkest parts of myself—fears, regrets, truths I wanted to bury. It was... brutal. But when it was over, I felt stronger.
Like I had tapped into sothing deeper within ."
Lost in his thoughts, Alicarde absentmindedly brought his finger to his mouth, crushing the bone between his teeth. The loud crack startled the won, but Alicarde seed completely unaware. He repeated the act over and over, his finger regenerating as quickly as he destroyed it.
Carrisa's eyes narrowed, cold and distant as she watched his mind drift away.
Elizalina shared a concerned glance with Carrisa, while Ana opened her mouth to speak but quickly shut it, uncertain of what to say.
Argint scowled, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "What the hell are you doing, you fucking idiot?"
Alicarde blinked, snapped out of his trance. "What? What'd I do now?"
Argint's expression darkened further, her patience thinning.
Carrisa finally broke her silence, her tone sharp. "Your finger, Alicarde."
He looked down at his hand, pulling his mangled pinky from his mouth and waving it in the air. It had already healed without a trace of injury.
"Oh, right... uh, my bad." He gave them a sheepish look before trying to refocus. "Anyway, back to what we were talking about. I've still got so questions."
But the faces around him showed a variety of emotions, all tinged with worry. The tension in the air was palpable as the won looked at him with concern, their flawless expressions betraying the weight of their unease.
Alicarde leaned back against the plush cushions of the SUV, his gaze drifting out the window.
"I still have more questions. What other benefits do truenas have, anyway? Or is it just so kind of power buff?"
Ana, ever patient, decided to answer. "The amplification isn't the sa for everyone. A truena grants an overall enhancent—strength, speed, mana, agility—all aspects of a person are increased." She turned the steering wheel with ease, taking a smooth turn as they made their way ho.
"Then there's the truena-specific boon," she continued. "That's an ability unique to the truena itself. For instance, a truena that ans 'rock' could bestow the power to beco as solid as one or even to manipulate mountains. It varies based on the truena."
Carrisa, sitting elegantly beside him, added to the explanation, "Though I may not use terms like 'buff,' I can affirm that the effects of a truena are far more profound than physical improvents. It influences every aspect of your existence. My older brother, Kaiser, bears the truena 'destroyer.' His power increases significantly when he engages in acts of destruction."
Alicarde nodded, starting to grasp the gravity of it all. "So, soone with a truena that ans 'luck' would have an abundance of it. But if soone had a truena that signified 'misfortune,' they could either bring misfortune upon themselves or others, right?"
Elizalina's lips curved into a soft, seductive smile. "Indeed. One of the most basic advantages a Nad One possesses is protection. A truena can shield an individual from various threats—magic, soul, mind, and physical attacks. Even curses can be rendered ineffective. It is a considerable blessing."
Not wanting to be left out, Argint added her own insight, her competitive spirit evident. "Nad Ones are revered because their truena reflects their potential and latent abilities. Even if one lacks talent, their truena alone ensures their growth."
Her smirk deepened as she shot a smug glance at Elizalina. "What that vampire slut failed to ntion is that a truena can bind others to your will. However, be cautious—if soone learns your entire truena, they could exert control over you or make you more vulnerable to certain magical or spiritual assaults."
Argint's stern warning hung in the air, and only after Alicarde nodded did she finally offer a smile.
"Good. Don't forget it," she said, her mocking gaze never leaving Elizalina, who glared back.
Carrisa, taking a more asured tone, addressed Alicarde directly.
"A truena also provides clarity and purpose, guiding you toward your destiny. Perhaps your newfound desire for vengeance stems from the interplay of your boons and your bane. The curse of one of your truenas may be influencing your actions in ways you have yet to realize."
Her piercing gaze t his. "Rember, once all four fragnts of your truena are revealed, you must discern which is the curse and which are the blessings. Upon completion, you will receive a final gift called a fantasia. But before we go into that, what is your truena, Alicarde?"
Without much thought, Alicarde replied, "Oh, right. My truena is Aeternus. It ans eternal or immortal."
Carrisa's gaze hardened, her tone sharp. "Did you conveniently forget what we ntioned about not revealing your truena to others?"
Alicarde blinked, looking at the others. Each of them wore an expression of disbelief, as if he had committed so grave error.
"What? She asked . Are you serious right now? You guys are ssing with , right?"
Carrisa's lips curved into a faint smile at his indignant response.
"Relax, dear Alicarde. We were rely teasing. However, it is vital that you guard your truena carefully. The closer soone gets to piecing together the entirety of your truena, the more perilous it becos for you."
She smoothed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "That said, revealing the first part of your truena is not necessarily unwise. In fact, it can earn you respect. A Nad One commands far more reverence than the naless. However, your truena, Aeternus, is particularly rare. No eternal or undying has ever possessed a na that ans 'eternal.'"
A brief frown marred her flawless face as she continued.
"You are the first. Depending on how things unfold, you may be venerated within the empire—or hunted rcilessly. Be cautious about whom you trust with this knowledge. While a Nad One can lie about their status, a naless individual cannot feign having a truena. This fact alone makes it dangerous if soone clever enough attempts to deduce your na."
Unfazed by the ominous warning, Alicarde shrugged. He had little fear of death, and if soone tried to take his life, he would fight back with all he had.
"Ah, right," he added, "I think I might have a second truena too, but I haven't figured it out fully yet—"
Before he could finish, the car jolted as Ana slamd the brakes, bringing the SUV to an abrupt stop.
A stunned silence followed.
"What? What's going on? Are we under attack?" Alicarde asked, confusion written all over his face.
The others stared at him, wide-eyed. Even the normally composed Ana seed montarily shaken.
"You... you awakened not just one but two truenas at the sa ti?" Carrisa's usual composure faltered for a mont, her voice betraying her astonishnt.
Alicarde tilted his head, seemingly oblivious. "Yeah, I think I got a second one, but I don't know all of it—just a fragnt."
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