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Ever since he could imagine, there was that nagging feeling deep inside of him. Every single day, he felt restless watching as time slips by his fingers. But why? What was he waiting for?
Phainon couldn't pinpoint what this feeling was or where it came from. It was like a string dragging him along through the ebb and flow of life. If he could just squint, it was like the image of a pink-haired girl at the other end.
But, every pink-haired girl he knew wasn't that girl. No, she meant more to him than anything, right? So why couldn't he remember a single thing?
"Phainon," a voice called. "Are you having trouble sleeping?"
His head lifts up to the door, seeing the Golden Weaver leaning against the doorframe. "Ah, Aglaea, it's the same dream again."
She approached slowly, taking his side as the man brings his hands up to his face. "That girl?"
"Yes, or something like that. I could feel it, something is waiting for me—something needs me," he explained, his voice trembling with the slightest hint of fear. "Aglaea, I can't sit here and do nothing. Not when I feel like this."
"I understand that," she spoke softly, reassuring the poor man. Her hands reached over, slowly lowering his. "But, you can't do anything at your current state. You have not slept a wink in days."
"I just can't," he said. "Not after everything, not when I—"
"Phainon," she interrupted, her face now stern yet gentle. "I insist you get some rest. That way, we can rely on your help for our next step in the Flame-Chase Journey."
He fell silent, her words stirring deep in his heart. She was right, he couldn't do anything as of right now. If anything, he was being a burden; he needed to be the one carrying them, leading the charge. It had to be him—
"Get some rest, Phainon."
A hint of something struck him, eerie yet familiar all the same. His shoulders relaxed as a faint laugh finally escaped his lips. "You're right, Aglaea," he said, "Do you mind… Watching over till I fall asleep?"
A soft huff left her lips, an amusing smile creeping up on her face as she nods. "Of course, if that helps eases your mind."
He slowly leaned into his bed, feeling his head press against the soft pillow. With a deep sigh, he closes his eyes, working to reassure the stirring thoughts deep inside of him.
Was it really ok to rest now? Should he be the one keeping an eye out for the others? Or perhaps working to defend Aglaea's name and honor? Uncover the Flame Reaver's true identity?
"It's ok, you've done enough for now."
Is it really ok?
"Yes, I'll watch over. So, please get some rest, kHaSlanA."
For tonight, he let go of his worries, reassured by nothing but the thought of… Someone.
Standing face-to-face against the Flame Reaver's destructive path dyed by gold, Phainon gritted his teeth as he drew his blade. One strike after another, he fought for his friends; he fought for his fallen comrades; he fought for those who couldn't witness the new dawn; he fought for—
One slash. One slash pierced through the Executioner's chest, drawing one final blow. Phainon's hands trembled against the hilt of his blade, adrenaline slowly calming down. Then, the Flame Reaver's hand reached outward, guiding the man's trembling hand closer to his neck. Then, a ceremonial blade was drawn.
"Wh..What?" Phainon questioned.
The Flame Reaver forced Phainon's hand closer, drawing his last breath. Then, an eruption of glass shattered throughout the empty room.
He remembered everything. Their conversation, their promise, their duty.
Khaslana's head throbbed in pain, memories flooding in like there was no tomorrow. What cycle was this? How many times had he done this? It was suffocating.
Yet, his mind cleared as the Worldbearing Coreflame floated in front of him. Their mission, he couldn't idle when the pages would soon reset. Cyrene, she is out there, waiting for him. He had to go on this painful journey, no matter how long it takes.
They both have to see the dawn of the new day together.
Cyrene stood within the endless space of nothingness, watching as the cycle looped back to the beginning. Her hands trembled at the thought of his suffering. He had killed all of his friends so many times and yet he still continues forward for everyone's sake—but hers in particular. She watched from afar without any role in the upcoming cycles. All she could do was pray, pray and guide both Phainon and Khaslana till a new page has been written.