Author's Note: Hi everyone! I wanted to clear up a little bit of confusion about the power-system revolving around fate. This note explains details that might help, but it does have a tiny bit of spoilers, so please read with care!
I'm also really sorry if this explanation causes any head-scratching or brain damage … I promise I'll make the next auxiliary much clearer. I'll also be releasing another note soon, a bit more about the world.
Thank you so much for reading and for sticking with me! You're the best!
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STAGE OF THE ENLIGHTENED/ILLUMNATE
The Illuminated are divided into four categories, representing growth and mastery over Fate Essence and the influence of rifts.
The Latent
A Latent is considered Illuminated after being touched by the rifts opposing the Thread's of Fate, yet remains mostly mundane.
Latents are irresistibly drawn to rifts; resistance is futile. Entering a rift leads to one of three outcomes: awakening, ascension, or death upon failure.
Some are born Latent and are especially susceptible; others become Latent by disturbing the threads of Fate, intentionally or accidentally, allowing rift power to seep into their threads.
A Latent's faith is present but weak, moreover as they are not an Awakened nor an enlightened their faith runs fully wild in all directions not set in a single thread which gives them freedom, however it barely guides their potential toward awakening or ascension as their faith even though free is relatively weak. The rifts' absence of faith draws in this weak chaotic faith regardless of willpower.
The Awakened
Awakened are those who survive a rift's first trial, advancing from Latent and are closer to mother's fate envisioned physique. They can shape, absorb, and wield Fate Essence.
They lack the Specter, the white shadowy matter inscribed with black letters and runes used by Enlightened to perceive titles, ranks, Fate Essence pools, and inherent traits, so they rely on instinct rather than full knowledge.
Awakened cannot channel large quantities of Fate Essence; doing so risks severe bodily harm or total soul ruin.
They also cannot enter certain rifts, though others may still draw them. Their threads remain partially set, and superior beings can influence their faith, potentially creating rifts that destroy or corrupt their own threads.
The Enlightened
Enlightened surpass the Awakened in power and understanding. Still bound to Fate, their connection is refined, flexible, and enhanced by rifts. Across cultures, rift-touched beings are often called "enlightened," though the true term is "Illuminated."
They possess the Specter, granting full perception of Fate Essence, inherent traits, Enlightened title, and rank. Unaffected by rift pulls, they may enter rifts at will; their faith is absolute. Power varies by rank, meaning Enlightened are not truly untouchable and can suffer defeat to a highly experienced Awakened.
1. Initiate
2. Ascendant
3. Eminent
4. Archon – The gap between Eminent and Archon, and Archon and Primordial, is vast.
5. Primordial – Highest rank.
Touched physically and spiritually by rifts, Enlightened gain true free faith and slight freedom from Fate. Up to Eminent, they remain slightly bound to Mother Fate, until then Carpe Diem's gift begins to emerge. Beyond this, they may embrace or defy Mother Fate. Those accepting Carpe Diem's gift access Kairos, a force distinct from Fate Essence.
Regardless of embracing or resisting Mother Fate, they remain Enlightened. Embracing Carpe Diem wish diverges from the traditional path, offering a unique route beyond ordinary Enlightenment.
Despite their power, Enlightened are mortal, some are exceptionally resilient, and far more durable than Awakened or Latent, resisting physical, spiritual, and Fate-thread harm, yet some who are beyond Eminent rank can often be half deities and fallen deities.
Arbiters of Fate
Arbiters stand beyond standard Enlightened. Reaching this tier requires absolute, unparalleled faith, in oneself or a goddess. They can bend others' Fate threads, especially Awakened or weaker Enlightened, through sheer will and influence.
Depending on alignment with Mother Fate or Carpe Diem, they embody perfect acceptance or defience, leaning heavily into either Fate Essence or Kairos. Much about them is unknown, though sone historical rulers were Arbiters, which is why some knowledge of them exists.
Arbiters embody their philosophy, ultimate freedom and defiance or acceptence and surrender, shaping reality through belief and faith, sometimes acting as rulers.
Ranks of traits and attributes
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The Enlightened wield Traits, manifestations of their inherent talents, skills, and inner nature. Some Traits can be inserted, while others must be learned. A Trait often represents an individual's fears and the symbol that keeps those fears at bay.
Traits are ranked similarly to Fallen and Unfaithful Beasts:
F / E / D / C / B / A / S / U / UR / X
Each Trait contains Attributes that shape its function. While some Attributes may appear random, they possess key connections that allow the Trait to function as a cohesive whole.
Every Trait also has a description, serving as its source and symbol, often carried through the threads of Fate.
The soulscape
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A Soulscape is the representation of an Enlightened/Illuminated's shared consciousness and inner soul-space. It can be entered through deep meditation by the Awakened, and physically by the Enlightened. The Soulscape reflects the true state of the soul, hidden desires, clarity, and will, appearing as anything from a star-lit sky to an endless ocean or void.
Within it, one can observe their soul and the threads of Fate spanning the space; the thicker the threads, the stronger the soul, reflecting one's Enlightened state.
An Enlightened may share their Soulscape with another without causing harm to the other, though a significant level of trust is required beforehand.
Where Alice and Lucid Stand
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Alice is a being without a fixed form. She places her trust in Lucid, using his mortal shell as her Illuminated vessel.
Lucid appears weak because he is, but not in the usual sense. He is not Awakened, not even Latent. By the system's rules, he is entirely unawakened. Placed beside Alice, who is, in theory, the highest rank of Enlightened, the gap between them is cosmic and unavoidable.
Alice possesses an unlimited flow of Fate Essence. Lucid cannot handle it. He is like a dam holding back an endless river: stable for now, but destined to fail. This is not something he can train or overcome. The longer Alice inhabits him, the more her presence erodes his foundational Fate structure, preventing natural awakening rather than enabling it.
If Alice granted him unlimited Fate Essence or free Trait manifestation, Lucid would face no struggle and thus no growth. Instead, her presence overrides all potential awakenings, ascensions, and rifts that would test his faith. Nothing can reach him while she is within him making not much better either.
In essence, Lucid houses a living bomb. He acts as its conductor, but cannot fully influence it, only channel fragments of Alice's power through her Traits that do not consume Fate Essence. Her true power remains beyond his control.
This weakness is intentional, both narratively and in-world. Lucid does not follow the standard path. Though he technically holds the highest rank of an Enlightened stage, it exists only on paper. His faith is externalized, anchored entirely in Alice, making him appear dependent, fragile, and incomplete.
Lucid's rank is theoretical, not expressive. Advancing would require redefining or severing his bond with Alice, yet that bond is also what keeps him alive, sane, and intact.
Alice is not a crutch. She is an anchor. Without her, Lucid might ascend, or unravel, overwrite himself, or collapse reality around him.
Lucid is not weak because he lacks power.
He is weak because his power is contained, delayed, and bound to another's existence.
And if that bond ever changes, Lucid will no longer resemble an Awakened, or even an Enlightened. With all of the fallens/Unfaithfuls slain all the rifts conquered in Alice's title, who knows how much accumulated Fate essence Lucid has, the system itself will not know what to call him.
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DESCRIPTION OF KEY ELEMENTS
Mother Fate Alisia
The absolute goddess who created all the things in the Scattered Realms. She fuels every being's thread, acting as both a being devoid of empathy and a benevolent force. Revered across cultures in many forms, her presence is absolute and inescapable. Now her presence is shattered into fragments representing her desires and wishes hiding amongst kingdoms and cultures a like to evaluate if this world truly is pure or not.
Carpe Diem
Once an ordinary human, he rose from the bottom society and found the greatest empire in the Scattered Realms, Materna. Witnessing Mother Fate's ruthlessness, he seized the day, granting freedom through rifts across dimensions, and an alternate form of Fate Essence kairos. He hoped that one day someone might surpass him as Enlightened and reclaim Fate from Mother Fate.
Faith
Faith is the inner conviction that shapes potential. It strengthens Fate threads, opens the soul to Kairos and Fate Essence, and guides choice, willpower, and resilience. In a sense, it is a supporting factor for fate Essence and kairos, manifested through one's own will or by another's faith in them, which can boost their power. Giving or receiving faith is immensely potent, and Enlightened can share it with their subjects. Faith also serves as the main conduit for rifts; without it, lands corrupt and rifts open.
Fate Essence
The energy flowing from the tapestry of Fate from mother fate, binding all beings to their threads. It can be shaped, absorbed, or wielded by the Latent, Awakened, and Enlightened. It is pure often time considered magical energy and can be called mana in some cultures
Kairos
The power of the present moment, born from the rifts. It grants true freedom, the ability to choose outside predetermined threads, and the potential to rewrite reality itself. Like fate Essence it is pure energy that can enhance the user, an energy that can be absorbed and wielded. It is the embodiment of users true self and free spirit.
Destiny
Some say that it's different from fate and kairos, some say that they are the same. But it's still an unknown, unmovable factor beyond comprehension or control. Destiny manifests as the culmination of threads, choices, and events, often revealing outcomes no being can fully predict that yet sometimes follows Fate and kairos but also still manages to deviate from both Fate and kairos. It is revealed to be a theortical controllable factor that no one in the history of the scattered realms nor earth have succeeded in doing so.