Eternal Undying Chronicles

Chapter 65 The Way Home

The tension in the SUV was palpable. Amena kept her eyes on the road while Alicarde glanced at his companions, their expressions shifting between curiosity and apprehension.

Elizalina's smile deepened, though Alicarde noticed a flicker of hesitation in her eyes, an unsettling undercurrent that betrayed her composure.

She leaned in closer to him, her voice soft but deliberate, just loud enough for the others to hear. "Would you care to know my truename, Alicarde? Hmmm... very well. I suppose it is only fitting. You were kind enough to share yours."

She leaned even closer, her breath brushing against his ear. Alicarde caught the subtle fragrance that accompanied her, his heightened senses alerting him to how quiet her whisper truly was.

Even with super hearing, he barely caught it. He assumed the others hadn't heard a thing.

Leaning back into her seat, Elizalina cast a mocking glance at Argint and added with a smug tone, "Unlike some, I am fortunate enough to possess a name of significance."

Argint's irritation was instant. She attempted to lunge into the back seat, aiming to strike the vampire, but Alicarde quickly intervened, grabbing onto the half-werewolf in an attempt to halt her aggression. However, in his haste, his hands inadvertently landed on her chest.

Argint glared at him coldly. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Sorry, I... I was trying—" Before he could finish, her fist slammed into his diaphragm, cutting off his breath and leaving him momentarily winded.

Despite her brief outburst, Argint returned to her seat, simmering in silent fury.

Alicarde, still recovering from the impact, was intrigued after hearing Elizalina's truename. "Carrisa, do you have a truename?"

Carrisa nodded gracefully. "Indeed, I do. It was bestowed upon me on the very day you sacrificed yourself to save me. My truename is Vindicara, which translates to vengeance."

"Vengeance... that's pretty damn cool," Alicarde muttered, genuinely impressed.

Argint burst into laughter, pointing mockingly at Elizalina. "Look at you, acting all mysterious about your name, while even the princess doesn't hide hers. How pathetic."

Elizalina's smile faltered, her eyes darkening. "You should be silent, you lowly, nameless bitch."

Her words stung, and despite her hesitation, she continued.

"Very well, since the princess has shared hers in good faith, I shall do the same. My truename is Sol, the word for the sun."

Alicarde raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "The sun, huh? That's fitting. Carrisa's truename is Vindicara, and yours is Sol... No wonder you're so hot," he added, teasing her with a grin.

Before Elizalina could respond, Argint chimed in sarcastically, "Stop trying to flirt with her. You'll inflate the parasite's ego."

The two women were soon bickering again, leaving Carrisa watching with a bemused smile. 'She revealed her truename to us without hesitation... Is this an attempt to earn our trust, or is there more to this gesture?'

Unaware of Carrisa's silent thoughts, Alicarde pressed Elizalina for more details. "So, how did you get it, Elly? Your truename. Carrisa got hers when I... well, when I died. I'm curious about your story."

Carrisa frowned slightly at the mention of his death, but said nothing.

Elizalina's expression darkened as painful memories flickered across her face. She hesitated, but Alicarde's presence softened her resolve. Her body trembled slightly, but she masked her discomfort with a seductive smile.

"In my case, it was far from noble. I was burned by the sun. Nothing as extraordinary as your awakening."

"I knew it. You were holding back when you attacked the mansion, weren't you?" Alicarde recalled the assault vividly.

"You didn't use any sun-based powers from your truename," he noted.

Elizalina seemed momentarily unsettled, her voice faltering. "Ah... yes... I did not."

"What kind of powers did you get from your boon, anyway?" Alicarde asked, clearly curious.

Before she could answer, Argint scoffed. "Bet she didn't get any. Sluts don't get boons."

Elizalina glared. "I gained the ability to manipulate the sun and wield its power... among other things."

Argint rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine. You've all got your fancy truenames. Just don't expect me to be impressed."

Elizalina's eyes flashed with contempt. "Mock me all you want, Argint, but our truenames are part of who we are. They define us in ways your limited understanding cannot grasp. Do I expect you to be impressed? No. I expect you to be consumed with envy."

Alicarde winced internally, feeling the tension rise once more. He tried to lighten the mood with a playful comment.

"Shall I fetch you some ice for that burn, milady? Looks like the sun's bringing the heat."

Argint shot him a cold glare, silencing his attempt at humor. He shrank back, not eager for another punch.

Amena, still focused on driving, added calmly, "Remember, knowledge of a truename is not merely about power. It carries a heavy responsibility as well. It's a double-edged sword."

Alicarde nodded thoughtfully. "I get it. Truenames grant us power, but they also expose our vulnerabilities."

Elizalina smirked, her voice carrying a note of warning. "Precisely. Now that you know ours, guard them well. They are more than mere words—they are the very core of our existence."

'Don't these names also give bragging rights or something' Alicarde thought.

The atmosphere in the SUV remained thick with tension after the recent revelation of truenames. Alicarde sat in silent contemplation, his mind turning over everything that had been discussed.

Breaking the silence, Alicarde spoke up, "I should probably tell you all about the innate abilities I developed even before my truename awakened. They're a result of one of the drugs Victor used on me when I was captured. The first is the ability to control gravity, and the second... well, it's something related to the mind, though I haven't quite figured it out yet."

Carrisa's interest was piqued. "Gravity control, you say? Would you kindly elaborate on its workings? That was the power you were wielding against the chimera, I initially assumed it was a boon, but now I see it was an innate ability after all."

Alicarde nodded in confirmation. "Yeah, I can manipulate the gravitational field around me. I can make objects lighter or heavier and even change the direction of gravity's pull within a certain radius. That's what I've figured out so far."

Argint, her expression thoughtful, leaned in. "What are the limitations of this power?"

Alicarde sighed. "It's tied to my emotional state and concentration. If I lose control of my emotions, the power becomes unpredictable, erratic even. Overusing it also drains me quickly—leaves me exhausted, dizzy, and weak."

Elizalina narrowed her eyes slightly. "And the mind-related ability? What does that entail?"

Alicarde let out a longer sigh. "I'm still in the dark about that one. I can feel it, like it's there, passive. But I haven't fully figured it out. Could be something like mind control, influencing thoughts, maybe even creating illusions. Who knows?

It's a total supervillain power."

Carrisa's expression became more serious. "A supervillain, you say?"

"Imagine what someone morally bankrupt could do with mind control," Alicarde explained. "Society wouldn't stand a chance. Hypothetically speaking, of course. Not that I'm saying I'd do anything weird."

Argint leaned back, crossing her arms. "We don't need to imagine. We already know you're morally questionable. If that power does allow you to control minds, don't even think about doing anything weird, or I'll make sure you become a eunuch."

Alicarde clicked his tongue. "Even if I wanted to do something weird, why would I pick you, you damn furry?"

Argint smirked, leaning closer. "I thought nerds liked animal-eared girls. Is that why you can't take your eyes off me, lecher?"

Maintaining his poker face, Alicarde replied, "I did no such thing. You have no evidence I was looking at your bust."

Argint's smirk widened. "Funny, I didn't mention my bust, but it's good to know where your eyes were."

Alicarde fumbled for a comeback, but before he could respond, Carrisa interjected, her tone cool and composed.

"Using these abilities in conjunction must be incredibly taxing. Have you attempted that yet?"

"I haven't," Alicarde admitted. "Just controlling gravity is tough enough as it is. Every time I push it too far, I get dizzy. Adding an unknown power on top of that would just cause chaos in my head."

Carrisa's gaze turned thoughtful. "It is widely understood that innate abilities often draw upon mental faculties. Excessive use may result in cognitive strain or even deterioration of the mental state. You must exercise caution and ensure you do not lose control."

She silently pondered further. 'An elixir capable of awakening innate abilities… this could be quite the discovery. The potential applications are endless. I must uncover its secrets.'

Alicarde nodded, considering her advice. "I'll be careful. Don't want to lose my mind just yet. Thanks for the sage wisdom, grandma... I mean, thanks."

Carrisa frowned slightly at the mention of "grandma." "I am not old," she muttered under her breath.

Alicarde didn't bother reacting, continuing to ignore her mild irritation. Elizalina, meanwhile, smiled at Carrisa's display, enjoying the rare glimpse of the princess's vulnerability.

She then turned her attention back to Alicarde. "It's essential that you maintain control of your emotions. Losing control could have catastrophic consequences."

Carrisa added, her voice gentle yet firm, "Indeed. Rest assured, we will be here to assist you. And for the last time, I am not an old woman."

With that, Carrisa gently pulled Alicarde's head onto her lap, stroking his hair. He looked up, slightly bewildered. "Why am I suddenly receiving fan service?"

Carrisa smiled warmly. "Did you not express a desire to use my thighs as a pillow earlier? Or have I misremembered?"

She leaned in closer, her voice a soft whisper. "Do I still look old to you?"

Alicarde straightened up with exaggerated urgency. "Old? Who called you old? I'll hunt down that mad bastard right now! The audacity of it!"

The others rolled their eyes at his transparent attempt to flatter her, while Carrisa beamed with satisfaction.

"By the way," Alicarde said suddenly, "what happened to my car? I haven't seen it since I parked it outside the hospital."

Without taking her eyes off the road, Amena chimed in calmly, "It blew up."

Alicarde's heart sank at the thought of losing such an expensive car. He turned to Carrisa, who appeared entirely unconcerned about the loss of a luxury vehicle worth at least three million dinars.

'Damn, that car was a luxury brand… how many dinars just went up in smoke?' He wasn't sure of the exact value but knew it was significant.

Amena wasn't finished. "And there's more. Your phone was inside the car when it blew up. Along with all your unsaved gameplay data."

Alicarde's eyes widened in horror. "My phone... and my game data?!"

Amena's voice carried a hint of amusement. "I did warn you to back up your data, master."

His expression darkened. "Amena, turn this car around. I'm going back to kill that doctor. He ruined everything."

The others watched in confusion. Did a lost game really mean that much to him? Amena, however, seemed to find his reaction amusing, her eyes glinting with subtle mirth.

"There's no need for that," she said smoothly. "I foresaw this possibility and took the liberty of backing up your data. You're welcome, master."

Alicarde lifted his head from Carrisa's lap, glaring at Amena. "Amena, darling... what the fuck? Couldn't you have led with that? You damn heartless maid! Heartless kitchen wench.

"

Amena's stoic expression barely shifted, though her eyes held a hidden smile. This was the Alicarde she knew well.

Argint interjected, shaking her head. "That's no way to speak to a lady."

Alicarde shot back, "Shut up, you feral wench."

Argint's eyes narrowed. "Feral? Oh, you're dead when we get out of this car."

Sensing his impending doom, Alicarde decided to go all in. "So you're more offended by being called feral than by being called a wench? Typical."

Argint's tone was slow and deliberate. "I am going to kill you."

Elizalina seized the moment, siding with Alicarde. "It seems Alicarde sees you for what you are."

Before Argint could reply, Alicarde spun on her. "Nobody asked you, thirsty wench."

Elizalina blinked, confused. "What? I was on your side."

Alicarde raised his chin, smirking like a thug. "You think I can't fight my own battles? I've got a mouth, and I'm not afraid to use it."

The low-brow banter continued, with Alicarde managing to irritate every woman in the car. Even Carrisa, who had initially stayed out of it, found herself dragged into his relentless teasing. Yet, despite his shamelessness, she let him get away with it—for now. After all, she had her own reasons for observing him closely. She needed to fully gauge how his awakening had affected him.