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Dan Heng was a few feet away from the repaired car. He still harbors doubt of Lygus intentions whether foul play is involved or not. But he cannot deny the intellitron skill as there is now a chance to return home. As long as he can make it back to the Astral Express and regroup with the others, there is still a chance to turn things around.
Himeko was counting on him and the Trailblazer; counting on him to keep them safe.
Yet the memories of how he nearly lost them haunts him in the back of his mind. To think right as they entered Amphoreus…
"There's no time to think about it now. They're safe. Screwllum promised they'll be safe." Dan Heng scolds himself for his thoughts and lifts his head up.
The crimson sky signals the end of the world. Flinging balls of fire in every direction destroying civilization. A horde of black monsters raise their golden blades and charge through leaving destruction in their wake. Whether it will stop or not is a question that remains to be answered.
"No." Dan Heng whispers, clutching his chest. Sweat trickles down the side of his face. "It feels as if this fury will continue to burn even after Amphoreus is gone."
As the last of the abominations fall, purified by water and impaled by spears, the air shifts around him. In the horizon, a dam breaks and golden light erupts where humanity's last citadel stands. They come toward him like a tidal wave and envelope him with its light. His vision was blinded by its overwhelming brightness and then…
Darkness.
Time and space are lost in the abyss.
There is only the sensation of his body being swept by the currents. His body tugged left and right waiting for the aimless journey to end. Just like a piece of wood drifting in the sea, easily forgotten yet priceless to those who need it.
In the depths of the darkness, a piece of light shines in the darkness.
It floats toward him, prompting Dan Heng to reach out and gather it into his hands. Surprisingly, the light doesn't strain his eyes or force him to squint. It's gentle, comforting, and so warm in this cold place.
"What are you…?" Dan Heng asks, observing the light dim slightly in response. "You can understand me?"
It shines brighter, as if confirming "yes" to his question.
"How curious. Do you know where we are?" He watches it dim once before glowing- yes .
In this dark and lonely face, it somehow brings a smile to his face, "Can you tell me where?"
Another "yes", but also a "no" leaving Dan Heng confused by their answer.
"What do you mean?" He knows it cannot give a proper answer in its current state, but he tries anyway.
To his surprise, it starts glowing erratically. Their edges morphing into pointed spikes that doesn't pierce his skin. A fluid pattern shifting from soft to sharp reminding Dan Heng of ferrofluid when attracted by a magnet. Fascinating to observe if he wasn't trying to decipher its intentions. The singular strand of light strains toward him is enough for him to understand.
Bringing the ball of light closer until his forehead touches it, Dan Heng eyes widen. Images- No, memories through another eye comes pouring into his brain.
They are born in the darkness living within the bosom of the Earth Titan.
With THEIR blessings, they eventually left the nest free to walk under the light.
Throughout their long life, they roamed the surface and observed the world change before their very eyes. The separation of day and night, the entanglement of romance and reason, and shared drinks with the World-Bearing Titan.
Crude their appearance may be, they have gained wisdom over the centuries. A singular question lingers in the back of their head: Who calls for them in their dreams with such great breath?
Alas, Amphoreus is soon to be swallowed up by the tide of Destruction.
Tainted blood poisons the earth, the ocean, and the skies. The embers of life snuffed out one by one including their companions. [Finality] does not discriminate, and they are not spared.
They become numb to the black tide flowing in their veins. Bravely, they fought to the point their sanity was gone , replaced by a raging inferno burning in their heart. Their body twisted into an abomination waiting for a Hero's blade to end their life. A wish soon granted in the form of the Hero of Romance and her comrades.
Slain by their blades, their life slowly bleeding on the very earth they came from. The Earth Titan has long lost their voice. The [Coreflame] of their existence is hidden away until now.
After the Heroes extract the core from their chest, they lower their heads in respect for their [Name] is known far and wide. The ballads of their life journey, the joys and sorrows, are sung far and wide. A benevolent guardian who loves this world and its inhabitants.
Now, they can finally rest after fighting for so long.
As [Death] releases them from their suffering, they see the mesmerizing dream once more.
Beyond the earth and the sky, another dragon soars through the stars leaving behind a trail of silver shards. Their distant whispers turn into a thundering roar resonating deep within their bones.
" Permanence "- Its cries, answering the only question they had for their entire life.
Before their form and soul vanishes, they witnessed a most wondrous dream. The gallant form of a cerulean dragon battling against a dark foe amongst the water tides.
Then the last of their thoughts is gone; dissipated like the dust they are and return to the earth.
Opening his eyes, Dan Heng stares at the palm of his hands.
No longer a solid ball of light, but a clear sphere housing a dragon guarding the Coreflame. Unsurprisingly, their appearance is similar to a droma if not more regal-looking. Their golden eyes stare back at him, curling around their treasure protectively.
"To be direct, I am still processing your memories. Your entire journey, including your role in this fight. But why show me all of this...?" Dan Heng trails off, ignoring the stinging behind his eyes.
It sounded so familiar. The dragon history and his from spending the beginning parts of their life in darkness. Once they stepped into the light, they found their purpose in life.
Right down to the part how far they are willing to go to save their friends and loved ones from danger.
To the point of offering up their own lives for them.
A pat on his cheek returns his attention to the dragon, "Yes?"
Then Dan Heng hears a voice in his head. Not the ghosts of his past lives or illusions wearing that man face. But a deep rumble like the mountain was stirring to life.
"Such a curious hatchling you are. It is a pity we do not have the time to entertain all of your questions." The dragon informs him through a telepathic link.
They add sheepishly, " We apologize for being unable to speak earlier. In the current state of the world, it is difficult to do so without establishing a connection with you."
"I'm not offended, only surprised." Dan Heng reassures, absently petting the dragon small head like he did for his own dragons. He smiles hearing a pleased rumble and asks, "By the current state of the world, do you mean Era Nova?"
If Era Nova has arrived, then it means Phainon has succeeded. It means the Trailblazer was able to somehow prevent this world destruction and the cosmic-level disaster.
Are they okay? Are they somewhere safe? Are they and Phainon safe?
However, the dragon closes their eyes and shakes their head.
"No. Not Era Nova, but not total annihilation either. We are at an impasse before the next cycle begins." They sensed Dan Heng confusion and elaborates.
"The Deliver has taken it upon himself to shoulder the burden of the world- No, even the cosmos themselves. To prevent Amphoreus' destruction, he forced the world to turn back time to the beginning of the Flame-Chase journey. Repeatedly, every time without fail, he begins a new cycle when Amphoreus is about to be annihilated."
Listening to their every word, Dan Heng is connecting the dots. If he takes into account Screwllum information, Amphoreus is a simulation composed of data and numbers. This world, from an outside perspective, is an elaborate computer with an ending set in stone. Now, Phainon to prevent that ending, is trying his best to delay it by resetting stimulation to the very beginning?
"How long has he been doing this?" Dan Heng asks carefully, feeling the horror seep into his bones.
The dragon lets out a sorrowful sound, "Too long. For far too long, even as his body and mind corroded by the weight of the flames, he continued his duty not knowing when a miracle will bore fruit."
Oh, Phainon...
"How do you know this?"
Why are you telling me this? Why not anyone else?
Dan Heng wanted to ask. To understand why the dragon chose to tell him this and not anyone else. If Phainon knew about this, if they knew about this...
Then what would happen? Would they be any closer finding the answer to saving Amphoreus?
"It is only here we have the knowledge to share with you. Once we return to the beginning, your companion will be the only one to remember. Everyone else...will not." The dragon lowers their head just as frustrated with their predicament as Dan Heng is.
"...I see." He closes his eyes and sighs, "Since I didn't leave Amphoreus before the reset, and no backups, I will not be spared either."
"Correct."
"Then what will happen to me? I highly doubt it's anything good in the next cycle."
The dragon perks up at his question as if waiting for Dan Heng to ask. Their sullen mood replaced with hope so bright it's almost blinding.
"Your fate is undecided. Yet that pile of rust ," They spit out venomously, but who are they referring to? He sees a jumbled mess of pictures switching between Lygus and something more sinister. "He desires for your existence to break. To mold your shell to be a puppet in his ballad without any regard to your autonomy."
Dan Heng couldn't help the shiver running down his spine. The dragon words paint a picture he is eerily familiar with. If he was the boy who was never banished from the Xianzhou, then perhaps his fate would be different. He would be unable to see the stars and be forced to take a role as a mere pawn in someone game.
But you are not- You are a Nameless .
"By your choice of words, it sounds like you already have a plan in mind." Dan Heng points out, swearing he saw the dragon smile deviously.
" We do. We will give you our role in the next cycle. Whether or not your memories will be intact is be entirely up to chance. But you will have a fighting chance by taking our mantle into your hands. Find your companion and rejoin the Flamechase journey to end this tragic loop of fate once and for all." The dragon offers, glowing brighter with each word. Their conviction resonates with the coreflame and it burns like a bonfire lightning up in the dark.
Ah.
Now Dan Heng understands, the giant dragon is beloved by the Earth Titan- Georios. Their flames, the same ones burning in the sentient torches in Okhema city, represent humanity hope. They love them, created lands for them to live on, and formed mountains when the black tide came. Their kin, including the giant dragon, bear their kind temperament. A force to be reckon with when angered.
"Why? Why give me this? Why not take it for yourself and try to change it?" Dan Heng asks, ignoring the tightness of his throat closing.
The dragon nuzzles their head against his chin. A soft rumble leaves them, and they answered kindly, "We are but specks of dust in the Gods chessboard. We are but an illusion given a role and to die for it one cycle after another. We, who are but numbers, cannot break the shackles that bind us to this false world. Only you, the Scion of [Permanence], are an unpredictable variable."
Slowly, they loosened their grip around the coreflame. It floats into the air with the dragon flying around it. The core shines brighter as if beckoning Dan Heng to take it, just as the previous Chrysos Heirs have done. As the Trailblazer had done as well.
Now, it is his turn to make a choice.
"You, and everyone we have met, are not numbers." Dan Heng said steely, grasping the coreflame into his hands. With it, he tugs the glowing core and the dragon closer to his chest, "Amphroeus may be just a simulation to some. But to me, and to you, this world is as real as anywhere else."
"Yes. Yes! Let us end this story on our terms! From here on out, I bestow you our name-" The dragon roars, laughing in delight.
Dan Heng squint his eyes to shield them from the blinding light. The coreflame and the dragon erupts into flames swallowing him whole. Yet their fire does not burn him to cinders. It is warm akin to walking the earth under a gentle sunlight.
"No matter what happens, Amphoreus will never be forgotten. I promise to record it- This world, it's history, its people, and your stories. The Astral Express, and I, will never forget this wonderful world." Dan Heng gasps, struggling to keep his eyes open as he feels the coreflame and the dragon merge with him.
To his very core, it does not reject this new existence attempting to assimilate with him. It welcomes them in like an old friend returning. Their flames shape him to better fit the mold of Amphoreus Chrysos Heir. An ancient dragon, a guardian of the Earth Titan coreflame, and a dear companion to some.
Then, the world enters the [33,550,337] cycle.
He wakes up in a luscious land green as far as the eye can see. Dromas, his companions, are scattered around grazing the field. One even nudges his side, curious if he's awake or not. Automatically, he moves to stroke their head and scratch behind the horns. They let out a pleased sound before moving away to finish eating their red soil.
Rising to his feet, he adjusts the chiton and straightens out the wrinkles. He turns his head towards one direction. Where does it lead? Past the moving fortress of Strife? The humans holy city guarded by Romance? The ancient groves of Reason?
For some reason, he can imagine a small village surrounded by golden wheat and gentle winds.
The same winds brush against his ear leaving a whisper that resonates with his soul.
"Terravox.”