Intermission #1: Etana

Etana scratched at her neck, feeling the constant irritance of her necklace against her skin. After revealing herself as Trina and demonstrating her bond with an aspect before the committee, word spread like wildfire: Trina had returned. Was it mere coincidence that the world quest updated when she absorbed the Aspect of Senses? Or was she truly the reincarnation of Trina?

Standing in front of a mirror, she considered her reflection. Her fellow Committee members were also shaken by witnessing her bonding and the ensuing world notification. It was supposed to be all for show, but the system proved it was something more. Etana grappled with self-doubt, but the conviction in the eyes of those around her was hard to ignore. They genuinely believed she was the returned Trina.

As Etana prepared for her tour through the Stigandorian City of Randar, she donned Trina’s traditional dress once more, meticulously fastening each golden button. The young woman who looked back at her from the mirror had shoulder-length brown hair and stood at an above-average height of five foot eight inches, much like Trina herself. An icy white dress clung to her form, modest yet striking, and the four red stones of the necklace she wore remained fused to her skin. She could understand how someone might mistake her for the Trina of the old tales, yet to her own eyes, she was but a pale imitation of the revered figure. A pit of guilt formed in her stomach, the thought, "How dare I impersonate her?" echoing in her mind.

Etana wasn't certain she was ready to embrace Trina's identity, yet it seemed like the most effective way to gather more aspects and save her sisters. If people believed Trina was truly back, they might willingly return their aspects to her. With these aspects, she could truly stand a chance at rescuing her sisters from The Watch.

Although she knew through her Aspect of Travel that Ann was currently in the City of Halos, she had no means to reach her. The portal rings were disabled, and Etana had never visited the city herself. Similarly, Vina's travel patterns were entirely unpredictable, with the last notification Etana received showing Vina near the very prison where she had first arrived far to the southeast.

There was a tap at the door, but Etana sensed the person approaching long before the sound reached her ears. The Aspect of Sensing amplified her senses, allowing her to perceive everyone in the building at that moment. The sensation was unfamiliar, almost overwhelming, but she was adapting to this new reality. “Being Trina is overwhelming,” she mused.

Removing her slippers, Etana remembered Trina's preference for barefoot travel. "Come," she called out. Sairena, one of her fellow committee members, entered. "Lady Trina, the sixth refuge has been notified of your return. Will you visit them today?"

Etana was growing accustomed to her colleagues treating her differently. They were incredibly disciplined and had adopted the habit of addressing her as Trina. "I will," she answered, trying to mimic Trina's distinctive manner of speaking. Historical accounts portrayed Trina as a woman of few words, but when she spoke, her words carried great weight. She was doing her best to emulate Trina’s terse responses.

When it was time to leave, she was grateful she didn't have to walk. The Aspect of Travel allowed her to simply step through the air, materializing in the heart of the City of Randar. Although she had never been to the local refuge in question, she intuitively knew it was nearby. The maps in her mind were completely revealed now despite not traveling through them.

As she moved through the crowd, it was clear the news of Trina's return had traveled beyond her organization. Whether the public truly believed the claims of the covert committee was uncertain, but they had undoubtedly heard the news. Now, they saw a woman embodying Trina's image, adorned with her necklace, and walking barefoot toward Trina's Refuge. The crowd started to gather around her.

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The crowd's murmurs and exclamations washed over her, and her heightened senses dissected each whisper, each uttered question. She was no longer Etana merely overhearing random chatter. She was bombarded with a flurry of voices, understanding every word, every undercurrent of emotion. A child's wonder, a man's shock, a woman's skepticism – each sentiment was as clear as if voiced directly into her ear. As she raised her hand, the crowd parted, and Etana found herself pondering just how much of this unexpected deference was orchestrated by The Committee’s agents.

Arriving at the refuge, the doors swung open to welcome her. An elderly woman, her face lined with years of worry and hope, stepped out. "My lady. Welcome to Trina’s Refuge," she uttered, her voice barely a whisper. Yet, to Etana, it was as if the woman had shouted directly at her. The woman's gaze, filled with hope and stunned disbelief, scanned Etana's face.

Overwhelmed by a wave of emotions she didn’t understand, Etana managed to say, "Thank you for caring for my people in my absence." The woman's ecstatic reaction and subsequent kneeling sent a pang of guilt through Etana.

“Oh Lady Trina! I never thought you’d return in my lifetime!” the old woman rejoiced. With shaking hands, she pulled out a box from her pocket. “Lady Trina, we have kept this safe until your return.”

When she opened it, a stone leapt from the box and immediately embedded itself in Etana’s necklace.

You have been bonded with the Aspect of Names. Attunement 100%. Trina Detected. Names and life experiences for all sentients are now available.

Upon receiving the Aspect of Names from the elderly woman's box, her world shifted. She felt the weight of the stone in her necklace pull her downward, and a torrent of information flooded her senses. She was on the verge of being swallowed by the wave of names and histories of those around her when she realized something. There wasn’t a world notification.

She still had a choice. She didn't need to be Trina. A flicker of hope ignited in her heart. She could prevent the disappointment and hurt that would inevitably follow this grand deception. Yet, before she could voice her thoughts, the world quest updated again, casting a shadow of doubt over her relief.

World Quest Updated: Return the stolen Aspects 2/127 World Quest Updated: Destroy the fake Aspects. Fake Aspects remaining 321,426,132

The collective gasp from the crowd morphed into a uniform chant, "Trina! Trina!" Etana stood shell-shocked, absorbing the enormity of the situation. The intricate web of life of the refuge’s Professed unfolded before her eyes - the celebrations, the sorrows, the mundane and the extraordinary. Tryssa was no longer a stranger; she was a lifetime of experiences, etched into Etana's memory.

Gratitude and reverence filled Etana's voice as she addressed the Professed before her, "Tryssa, you have been faithful to your promise. Thank you for protecting my refuge." A barrier of protection sprang into existence around them, further validating her transformation into Trina.

As she held Tryssa's hand, a wave of joy washed over her. A joy mirrored in Tryssa's radiant smile and triumphant declaration, "She has returned!"

Etana stood silently, her senses overwhelmed by the intimate glimpse into each life in the crowd. Their traumas, their victories, their life's tapestry laid bare before her. She was filled with a powerful urge to protect them. Had she not been so overwhelmed, she would have wept for the profound connection she felt towards them. At that moment, she was Trina, and she was there to protect her people.