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Does Dan Heng still have his Coreflame?

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Does Dan Heng still have his Coreflame?

One of the intriguing yet persistent questions that I've come across on social media is the question of whether or not Dan Heng still possesses Georios' Coreflame, if he's still the Demigod of Earth, or if he can still transform into DHPT outside of Amphoreus. All of these ask a question that's the same at its very root, and it's not a wrong one to ponder. 

As an overview, I want to start by breaking this down into two parts: part one will cover the nature of Amphoreus' rebirth and the conversion of data into memoria, and how this contributes to the preservation of that data that prevents "data loss" in spite of Irontomb's destruction. My goal is to hopefully clear up any confusion where it concerns the condition of Amphorean elements like the Coreflames.

The second will then cover bits and pieces relevant to Dan Heng, specifically, and the evidence that seems to confirm that he still possesses Georios' Coreflame and how that relates to Amphoreus' preservation and eventual rebirth. 

Clarifying discrepencies 

One of the reasons this breeds doubt is because of the nature of Amphoreus' rebirth. After the defeat of Irontomb, one of the fanon misconceptions that was spread initially was this idea that Irontomb's destruction meant that none of the Chrysos Heirs retained their Coreflames has widely been in circulation, with mixed opinions over what's the truth. And, indeed, some of the Heirs have lost their divinity.

According to Aglaea's NPC dialogue, this seems to be the case. This is also true if you speak with Polyxia, who states Castorice no longer has to keep her distance from living beings. However, when it comes to Dan Heng, is seems to be the opposite.

If you speak to Terravox, he states how he can finally put down his burdens since passing on the Coreflame of Earth to Dan Heng, and that Dan Heng is indeed the new demigod of Earth. 

In conclusion? It's a yes and no answer; while some have lost their demigod status (Aglaea & Castorice/Polyxia), some have passed the torch (Terravox -> Dan Heng). However, since this is about Dan Heng, this will be expounded on more later on.

The aspects of Amphoreus' rebirth

What should be cleared up is the nature of Amphoreus' rebirth, how its data has been preserved, and how it's reemerging in the newly awakening world. I believe this is important simply because explaining why Dan Heng still has his Coreflame requires understanding how this process is operating and why it matters.

Based on what I've seen, I have reason to think that some have come to the conclusion that, because Amphoreus is more or less being made over from nothingness, aspects like the Chrysos Heirs and their demigodhood isn't necessarily going to carry over. While not unfounded (as I've gone over quickly, above), it does gloss over some parts and confuses others. 

To begin, the easiest way to summarize what occurred is that the memories [data] of all 30 millions ERs saved the memories [data] of Amphoreus, and in saving it, allowed those memories to resonate with Cyrene's power of Remembrance (as a Pure Child of Anasrava) and go on to create a means by which those memories could incarnate in reality, a power said to be possessed by Fuli.

In Great Tomb, Hide the Secrets of Incarnations from Back to Earth in Evernight, when the AE trio finally venture into the Tomb of the 13th Titan after rescuing the Trailblazer, it's there that Dan Heng summarizes this process best. 

In Cyrene's second, third, and forth Character Stories (respectively), it goes on to say how the memories from these thirty-three million+ Eternal Recurrences became the seeds from which Amphoreus can flower in a manner similar to Fuli's eventual Pure Land: by mirroring the Amphoreus that existed as a simulation, that simulation is reflected as memories, and the memories are gradually becoming real. 

In As Tomorrow Becomes Yesterday, within Silver Chariot, Part With That Humanity's Epic, Herta further explained to Cyrene how a memory develops and why she has to remain in the past. The past creates memories, and these memories become the building blocks that will rebuild Amphoreus.

This process is clarified even better for us in the adventure mission, As I've Written. When the Trailblazer makes it to Herta Space Station, they meet up with Herta and she gives them a thorough explanation as to the process taking shape, such as how Cyrene was able to bring Amphoreus to life via the surge of Imaginary Energy that Irontomb's defeat caused. This is validated when they finally reach the Dome of Stars in the Eternal Page where a view of the budding Amphoreus can be seen.

To bring this already long explanation to a close, with its birth into the cosmos, Amphoreus will not be reset. More than that, it opens the door of possibilities and what this might mean for the Chrysos Heirs and the abilities they wield. While it's in limbo for now, with some like Aglaea and Castorice losing their demigodhood, the emphasis on everything being remade as it was originally (aside for some differences, like Trailblaze replacing Destruction as its Prime Mover of Life) means that much of it will preserved. Some, as is the point of this meta, never went away at all.

Why Dan Heng is still the Demigod of Earth

One of the reasons so many call Dan Heng's demigod status into doubt is because the Coreflame of Earth is inextricably connected to Amphoreus, and that Amphoreus was a simulation that died with Irontomb. So, if he received a simulated Coreflame from a simulation, that shouldn't that power have dissipated along with it? Theoretically, I'd agree, but Dan Heng retains powers that were granted by the Coreflame.

In DHPT's messages, he tells us how he's now able to speak with different species across the universe. As the requirement above proves, this is after the Battle of Amphoreus and well after the simulated world was destroyed. And yet, he retains his ability to speak to animals when he never demonstrated this power before. If his Coreflame were truly gone, then this ability should've disappeared with it.

Not only that, but he outright speculates that this and a newfound ability to adapt quickly to different lifestyles (i.e. sleeping on grass) is a consequence of the power of the Coreflame of Earth he states is still active within him.

In DHPT's forth Character Story, he experiences a dream featuring Long the Permanence (likely supposed to represent himself), it details how this dragon utilized both the powers of water (DHIL) and earth (DHPT) without losing one or the other, and is likely meant to be symbolic of the new power that Dan Heng has attained from Georios. 

Indeed, for in Earth, Bear the Suffering of All in Back to Earth in Evernight, Dan Heng doesn't just assimilate the Coreflame and becomes a demigod; it becomes part of him, much in the way that DHIL did before he was born. Whether you can call it part of his arsenal or not, Dan Heng assimilated the Coreflame of Earth into his being and can call upon this power again, presumably.

Other sources, such as DHPT's voicelines and I'd Move Mountains For You (Chrysos Heir magazine, vol. 12) also see him detailing as much, but one of the most curious and powerful aspects of his demigodhood isn't just the ability to speak to animals or sleep in odd places, but the manifestation of Amphoreus' virtual species become real that originate from his power, not Cyrene's. 

In Dan Heng's portions of chapter 4 from As I've Written, Amphoreus' Saga of Heroes, these chapters go into great length to not only expound on the reason why Amphorean species have been appearing within the cosmos, but attribute it to Dan Heng and his power of Permanence that assimilated with Georios' Coreflame. 

In this Reddit thread, there's a part regarding another Long's Scion from Hi3 who calls herself "a star dragon that summons life." Considering the fact that this new lore drop came months before 3.6's release, it fits with how it is Dan Heng has been this bridge allowing the rebirth of Amphoreus' species in the first place. 

If you've gotten to 5-4 within the fifth part of chapter 4, what's utterly clear to me is the fact that it occurs well after the Battle of Amphoreus when the simulation was destroyed for good. Not only that, but Dan Heng muses how the heat is still present in his chest: the heat of his Coreflame. 

Conclusion

While we won't know for sure until it's apparent in-game, based on the lore that's already there, I have every reason to think Dan Heng still possesses his Coreflame and is still the demigod of Earth, and that it exists alongside his abilities as Imbibator Lunae. Based on this mountain of evidence (pardon the pun), I think we'll find out the truth of this true enough.

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