Ana regained control of the SUV and continued driving, though the atmosphere inside remained tense. Alicarde looked around at his companions, their expressions a mix of shock and concern.
Carrisa was the first to break the silence. "Alicarde, you must grasp the gravity of awakening not one but two truenas. The power and potential you possess are vast, yet equally perilous."
Elizalina nodded, her voice soft but serious. "Indeed, while truenas grant significant strength, they are not without considerable risk. It is imperative you comprehend the dangers they present."
Argint crossed her arms, her expression stern. "Let's start with the most obvious vulnerability. If anyone learns your complete truena, they can control you—bend your will, influence your actions, or worse. They could subject you to unspeakable pain or even death. We've already made that point clear."
Carrisa added, her tone grave, "It is of utmost importance that you guard your truena closely. Even those you trust implicitly could turn against you should they gain possession of it."
Alicarde leaned forward, taking in their words. "Yeah, you've said that enough tis. So, why's having a second one such a big deal for ?"
Carrisa sighed in slight exasperation. "It is not inherently a bad thing, but it is unprecedented to awaken two truenas simultaneously. There is no known precedent for such a phenonon."
'Guess I'm better than most,' Alicarde thought with so amusent.
Carrisa placed her palms on his face, her eyes locking with his. "You may currently be changing more due to the influence of your second truena than the first. Alicarde, I must know—what is the strongest desire you feel at this mont?"
Alicarde tried to avoid eye contact, offering a playful smirk. "Honestly? I feel like I need so sleep. If you'd let use your thighs as a pillow, I wouldn't mind."
Carrisa, unimpressed, maintained her cold and serious gaze.
Alicarde sighed, forced to answer earnestly. "I want... I want to kill them. I want to end their lives. The very thought of taking them down makes my heart race. Knowing they're still alive fills with darkness.
It's wrong, I know, but the urge is undeniable. I just want to kill them. And, well, maybe make them bow before , but that's not as strong as the desire to end them."
Carrisa's eyes narrowed slightly as she gently let go of his face. "A truena can indeed have dangerous effects. Your truena could influence you in ways detrintal to the general populace. That is why truenas are both a gift and a curse."
Elizalina placed her hand in his, gently clasping them. "You must understand, the na shapes the bearer as much as the bearer shapes the na. This sudden desire to kill may be the result of your second truena. As for why it remains incomplete..."
She tightened her grip on his hand. "It is likely because you have yet to fulfill a condition required for its full awakening. Once the condition is t, you will know your complete na."
Argint turned from the front seat, her tone more serious. "Until that happens, your truena will continue to influence you, driving you toward the condition for its full awakening. This urge to kill might just be part of that. And trust , there are far worse consequences than that."
Alicarde looked at her cautiously. "How much worse are we talking?"
"Identity crisis, corruption, exposure of your soul, magical backlash—the list goes on. But in your case, corruption and identity crisis are the most concerning," Ana's calm voice cut through from the driver's seat.
"The others can be mitigated with caution. However, resisting the desire to kill is akin to resisting your truena, which is to deny who you are," Carrisa warned, her voice laced with concern. "That can lead to defilent of your identity."
Alicarde nodded. "I get it. So I just have to accept it. Honestly, I wasn't planning to reject it. Plenty of people out there deserve it."
Carrisa sighed, knowing this was his nature. She had vowed to stand by him, no matter how dark the path he took.
Elizalina gently poked his cheek. "You're forgetting sothing worse. Corruption is still a possibility, especially after the ntal trauma you've been through. If your resentnt grows too strong, you could fall into the abyss or, worse, beco a demon."
Alicarde was puzzled. "Corruption? How do I end up as a demon... or fall into an abyss?"
"Not an abyss, the abyss," Argint clarified, her tone blunt. "It ans becoming a corrupt entity. Once you fall into the abyss, you beco mindless. No one can maintain their sense of self after succumbing to corruption. By comparison, becoming a demon is the lesser evil—you may lose your morals, but at least you'll still have so sense of self.
Though, in your case, you're already halfway there, you breast-obsessed perv."
Alicarde clicked his tongue at her words.
Ana, her eyes still fixed on the road, summarized, "In essence, knowledge of a truena can corrupt its user, especially if one is ntally or morally unprepared for the power it brings."
She continued without turning. "Additionally, your truena makes you a target. Those who seek power will co for you. There are countless individuals and organizations who would do anything to control or eliminate a Nad One—particularly one with a truena as unique as 'Aeternus.' My mistress has many enemies in the empire, and your na only makes us a more enticing target."
"Heh, is that so? Well, at least the future won't be boring," Alicarde chuckled.
Elizalina sighed before continuing, "Furthermore, the awakening of a truena can attract the attention of formidable beings. Entities of great power, whether mortal or otherwise, are often able to sense the ergence of a new truena, particularly one as distinctive as yours. You may find yourself pursued by those who perceive you as either a threat or a valuable asset.
Do not expect your future to be uneventful or free of hardship—it will not be."
Alicarde's expression grew more serious, but he remained silent, absorbing her words.
Carrisa's gaze softened as she spoke, her tone asured.
"There is also the matter of your own strength. The awakening of a truena can be overwhelming. The influx of power and abilities may prove difficult to manage. If you are not cautious, you could inadvertently harm those around you, or even yourself, especially with your unknown, aggressive second truena. Controlling its effects will not be easy.
You must temper your will and exercise self-control, or you risk becoming a slave to your own power."
Argint chid in, "And let's not forget the psychological toll. The process of awakening often forces one to confront deeply buried fears, mories, and truths about oneself. It can be ntally and emotionally draining, even for the strongest individuals. While so awaken their truenas effortlessly, others struggle, as you did.
I've even heard of a housewife who went to sleep and woke up the next morning with her truena, having experienced no hardship. Each person's awakening is different."
"Just waking up with a truena? That's unfair. I went through so serious B.S to get mine," Alicarde muttered indignantly.
Argint chuckled. "Do you understand now?"
Alicarde nodded slowly, his mind racing with the implications.
"Yeah, having a truena isn't just about gaining power. It cos with responsibilities and brings its own challenges and dangers."
Elizalina smiled gently. "Precisely. It is a double-edged sword. A truena can elevate you to unimaginable heights, but it can also bring you to your knees if you are not cautious."
Ana glanced at Alicarde through the rearview mirror. "You must remain ever-vigilant, Ali. The power you wield is both a blessing and a curse."
Carrisa leaned back, her expression contemplative. "A truena is a part of who you are. It defines you, but it does not control you. You hold the power to shape your own destiny, but you must tread carefully."
"What about this 'fantasia' you ntioned earlier?" Alicarde asked.
Carrisa nodded. "When one fully awakens their truena, they are faced with a choice. They must decide which of their four nas will beco a bane. Upon making this decision, they will receive a final boon, which—"
"They decide?" Alicarde interrupted.
"Yes, they decide. Among the four nas, the right to determine which will be a curse lies with the individual who bears the truena. You can only choose one, and once it is acknowledged as your bane, it becos your weakness. No one ever discloses which na they have chosen as their bane."
"A fantasia is the final boon granted—a unique ability that cos with its own distinct chant, allowing you to wield formidable power," Carrisa explained.
"A chant, like a spell?" Alicarde asked.
"Not precisely a spell, but similar in nature. It grants you the ability to distort and influence the world within your sphere of power, creating a domain under your control," Elizalina added.
"I still don't get it," Alicarde admitted.
Ana sighed. "It's basically a domain expansion, nothing more."
"Really? We get that? Aweso." Alicarde turned to Elizalina and then back to Carrisa.
"You could've just said that! Sotis I swear I don't understand half of what you say in that fancy, princess-like tone."
Carrisa smiled faintly. "I am sorry if I caused you confusion. That was not my intent."
"Yeah, you better be," Alicarde teased, half-jokingly.
Elizalina smiled, a hint of amusent in her eyes.
Alicarde leaned back, deep in thought. The weight of their words pressed down on him. His journey was far from over, and the road ahead was certain to be hellish. But he was resolute, determined to face whatever lay ahead with the knowledge and power of his truena.
"Thank you," he finally said, his voice steady. "Despite everything I've said and done, I appreciate your guidance. I will be careful."
They all nodded in acknowledgnt, sensing the sincerity in his words. While Alicarde was often playful, he was no fool. Ignoring their advice would be a dangerous mistake.
"Out of curiosity, do any of you have truenas?" Alicarde's question seed to catch them off guard.
"I do not yet possess a truena," Ana responded calmly.
Argint turned her head, scowling. "You really shouldn't pry into others' nas, genius."
Alicarde nodded. "Fair enough, but I already told you all mine. Knowing the first part isn't a big deal, right?"
"I don't have one yet..." Argint muttered, her voice low and tinged with embarrassnt.
Alicarde nodded, but Elizalina seized the mont, smirking.
"How pathetic. Not only are you a dog, but you're a naless dog as well."
"Silence, you parasitic whore!" Argint shot back, her temper flaring. "I don't suppose you have a truena?"
Elizalina's smirk widened. "As a matter of fact, I do possess one."
"Liar!" Argint snapped, her frustration boiling over.
"If I didn't have one, I wouldn't be able to lie about having it. Or have you forgotten that little fact, you naless cur?" Elizalina taunted, her smile deepening.
"So, what is your na?" Alicarde asked, his curiosity piqued.
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