Chapter Text
Through the endless cycles,
He despairs,
As he waits for the Dawn,
Hands covered in blood and ash.
So shall he waits,
For Death’s Kiss to embrace him,
When Glory is behold,
The whispers of Dawn pierce through the Dusk.
Now he sleeps,
Thoroughly defeated,
A tragedy,
From loving others but himself.
Era Nova
It had seemed impossible in Phainon's eyes. The deaths, the tides slowly creeping in, but even the darkest cloud has a silver lining. He was grateful for the trailblazers, for both Dan Heng and Caelus. But he couldn't shake the feeling of them knowing more, their eyes telling a different story than the way they act. Steadfast, sure of their movement and motivation. It was as if… They've done it before.
The Deliverer had brushed it off as experience. Caelus had mentioned his past adventures to them on a nice warm day. Exploring planets beyond his imaginations, battling foes who could rival the Black Tide themselves. He never gave it much thought afterwards.
What was important during that time was to usher Amphoreus to her new Dawn, and Dawn indeed came to grace them, akin to a lover embracing their significant other. The coreflames had been returned safely to the Vortex, each demigod standing tall and alive until a flurry of movement caught his eyes.
It was the Flame Reaver, crossing blade with.. Lygus?
Deliverer!
The harsh, quiet tone of the Reaver echoed in the Vortex. Another set of movements caught his eyes, as they widened in disbelief when Caelus teamed up. It was a gruesome fight, sparks flying as blades clashed. A pair of water dragons enveloped them gently, protecting them from the three and his bright blue eyes snapped at Dan Heng.. what seemed like Dan Heng with elegant horns adorning his head and a long translucent tail.
The fight felt like an eternity. Two forms, black and grey parrying and thrusting their swords towards Lygus. The mechanoid never seemed to waver, easily keeping up with the Flame Reaver and Caelus’s clever sneak attacks. Phainon eyes caught sight of the Reaver slowing down and a scream caught in his throat as Lygus’s sword pierced through his arm.
“Do you think you can change fate? It is far too late. Yes.. yes..! He is almost born. Oh how wonderful-” Before he could even finish his speech, a sword made out of molten lava was thrusted into his hollowed chest, blazing with fury. It didn't stop the disembodied laugh.
There is still a way.
Reaver, after making sure Lygus was dead, teleported in front of Phainon. His masked face revealed nothing but Caelus did. Sheer sadness bled through, the massive molten greatsword gripped loosely in his hand. What made him look at the Flame Reaver like that? Was it because of that small team up they did?
Kill me and take Kephale's coreflame.. Deliverer. Usher us into Era Nova and end this endless cycle once and for all.
It was like his body moved on its own. The pleading and screaming of the other heirs were muted, as if he was underwater. His greatsword appeared with a flick of his wrist and thrust directly into the Reaver's heart. Inside, he knew underneath that mask was a smile for him and the quiet thank you echoed gently in his mind.
The rest is history. Amphoreus was still broken but Dawn had come, illuminating softly onto the lands ravaged by the Dark Tide. It was barren, plants were long gone and so were the animals. What lay outside were ashes of bygone pasts. But the world will heal, slowly but surely.
“The prophecy is done.” A voice filled with relief and unshed tears whispered and Phainon couldn't help but gasp. It was Aglaea's voice, finally filled with emotions. She regained them once more. Others had gathered as well before a squeal broke loose.
“I CAN HUG PRINCESS HOMEBODY NOW.”
That was another surprise. The curses the Heirs had since they were born were now gone. Aglaea had gained her emotions and vision back, Castorice no longer bears Thanatos’s touch and Mydei… was no longer immortal. “Good riddance honestly,” Mydei had huffed when Phainon raised the concern, “Now I can be normal. I can live for myself for once.” Despite the changes, they still hold their own divinity, they were still demigods, including Phainon with the worldbearer’s coreflame nestled deep in his soul.
The days were filled with a flurry of movements. Those who were alive made an effort to rebuild Okhema into a home. The Heirs weren’t slacking either. Phainon, Mydei and Caelus were quick to lend their strength in moving boulders and exterminating strayed titankins. Aglaea and Anaxa, both finally managing to get along, already had a rough plan in rescue missions and gathering supplies for the city. Hyacine, Castorice and Dan Heng were tending to the wounds, with Cypher ferrying the injured to them. It was exhausting, it was tough, but their hearts filled with hope and joy.
It took a while longer before Phainon noticed a dull presence in his mind. At first, he had thought it was merely a small headache due to stress. With how everything that relates to battle was now being heavily shouldered by three warriors, it wasn’t a surprise but headaches usually came with pain, this was just a presence. Phainon didn’t know if he should be worried or not but it had not caused harm to him yet. Hyacine and Dan Heng were still busy in the infirmary. So Phainon had made the wisest choice, he ignored it.
Until one faithful night as he slumbered, his peaceful dream twisted into a nightmare. The scenes were vivid as his sword drenched in gold blood, the bodies of his trusted comrades scattered around him and at the end of his sword was Mydei’s limp body, still warm as the light in his eyes faded. The sword clattered as he flinched, his heart beating rapidly. All of this didn’t happen but why… Why did it look so real? He shook his head, bile slowly rising and suddenly, the scene disappeared, replaced by a wheat field and a soft cool breeze. He knew this place well, it was Aedes Elysiae.
Soft footsteps were heard approaching him and he looked up, immediately taken aback. The person in front of him was a copy of himself. The same body, the same face but with a twist. This version of him appeared wary and tired, the vibrant blue eyes that Mydei used to call them blinding were soulless, empty and his form were littered with cuts and ichor leaking sluggishly out from them. What caught his eyes the most were the tattered wings, trying desperately to curl around his sides. He looked extremely beaten and Phainon’s heart ached.
Sorry… memories… couldn’t control it.
A hoarse, soft voice echoed the space. Phainon knew it belonged to the figure. It was terrifying to hear his own voice like that, deep, slow and so tired.
Will… fade away… soon…
Wait no!!
Alright, maybe shouting in this space was not the brightest idea as the echo almost deafened the two of him. He could already spy a shy smile from the other Phainon. Huh, so he did have emotions.
Stay, Phainon insisted, I want to learn more from you. What you did for us, your sacrifice. I knew something was up. Sure, everything is alright now but I want to know the truth too. Excitement might have leaked through because he swore he saw those dead eyes twinkled in amusement.
Better… for me to stay… dead.
What if I want you to live?
Nothing… good will come out… if… I… stay…
The space trembled, the dreamlike Aedes Elysiae slowly dissolving and he watched in horror as the other Deliverer collapsed before he woke up to reality once more. His heartbeat felt loud in his ears, adrenaline pumping. What happened to the other Phainon? Will he be able to see him again? So many questions swirled in his mind but the most important one was-
I wonder if he’ll be alright if I call him big brother?
The prospect of having a big brother excited him. He should probably fear him, the Flame Reaver but it had never crossed his mind. Once upon a time, he had wanted revenge on him for what he did to his hometown. He saw the imposing figure slaughtering everything dear to him, from his friends to his own family but now that he was calm, he knew the other didn’t do it out of malice. In a twisted way, it was to protect Phainon from killing them himself. It was at that moment he was intrigued by the Flame Reaver.
Now he was living rent free in Phainon's body and looked eerily like him. What was his story exactly? Who was he? Was he Phainon as well? He had heard Professor Anaxa's theory about the cycles. So him being another version of Phainon never seemed too far fetched. He felt eager and bedtime had never been more appetizing than now.
From that day on, Phainon would mentally poke the presence but it was never reciprocated. It didn't deter him however. Everyday, nonstop he would try to get the other's attention, sometimes even chatting softly about his day. About the competition he had with Mydei on who could build a house faster, to his attempts to knit a scarf for a chimera he saved. He never ran out of topic to talk about. The presence had been static, had never replied nor done anything in particular but he knew the other was listening.
He never bothered Mydei much anymore for the ungodly bath hours, much to Mydei's surprise. The last bath he took with him would always be 7:00pm now, with a strict 10:00pm to bed. The moment his head hit the soft pillow, he tried to conjure the wheat field once more, remembering the cool breeze of his hometown but it always failed, only being met with darkness. It took a full month of trying that it finally happened. He woke up in the middle of the wheat field, his head cushioned by the Reaver's lap.
Victory!
He let out a small cheer as the other let out a small sigh of resignation. Luckily Phainon was used to such a sigh. Mydei tended to do it often when they are together. The same with Professor Anaxa and Aglaea.
Why didn't you ever reply to me?
Sorry… sleeping… tired
Oh- He must be very exhausted then if he was constantly sleeping during those few months.
So, who are you exactly? Phainon started, poking the thigh lightly. Rough fingers pinched his right cheek as a warning, making him wince slightly.
I am.. you, a compilation… of the past cycles of Phainons but… you may refer to me as… Khaslana
At least one of the theories was right. How Professor Anaxa would have a field day later once he told him.
Khaslana? Why did you change your name? What exactly happened?
A.. lot happened
Exhausted. The voice sounded extremely exhausted and quiet still. Phainon had to strain his mental ear to catch the wisps of whispers. Why was he still so tired? Did he have to ask for help for him?
Will you tell me your story?
….
Khaslana?
That was the end of their first real interaction as Khaslana dozed off sitting up and the dreamlike world ended once more. At least now whenever Phainon started to talk into their little space, Khaslana would reply. His voice was always soft, so much more different than his. Sometimes he would help Phainon with certain mental tasks or even give him wise advice. Othertimes, he would just be quiet and let Phainon go about his days. There were times he could hear the longing and anguish in Khaslana's voice when he shared a sliver of his past. Phainon never pushed again, letting Khaslana set the pace between them instead.
Meeting each other in their space, mindscape, as Khaslana likes to call it, was almost daily now, much to Phainon's delight. He could see the changes to Khaslana. His wounds no longer weeping ichor but the cracks were still there, jagged and ugly. Tiredness still clung to him like a second skin but he no longer fell asleep randomly. It was nice seeing him healing.
You’re always tired and you sleep constantly
Mhm.. It has.. been a long.. time..
Long time?
Long.. time.. How I’ve forgotten
Then he went quiet again, with a faraway look in his eyes. The patting stopped and the warm hand was placed on his forehead as the younger Deliverer nudged and nuzzled it. Sometimes, Khaslana just never made sense, feeling like a puzzle needing solving.
One day.. you’ll meet the heirs. I want you to meet them, Khaslana because.. I know you missed them.
Not now Phainon.. I’m not ready to face them
They’ll forgive you
I’m.. ashamed for what.. I had to do.. to them
They’ll understand!!
Phainon..
Khaslana..
… Please?
He hated how big his heart was and he knew, his occupant knew as well. He was a Phainon.
Just this once Khaslana but next time, you’ll be meeting them.
Phainon never got a reply.