Chapter Text
The snot being smeared all over the front of his shirt is not something Mydei particularly enjoyed. He was a child like any other, but even at seven he understood the importance of personal hygiene. Someone else's snot all over his shirt was not hygienic.
A similarly statured boy was sobbing into his shirt, crying about losing his parents. Mydei did his best to console the other, patting his back and promising to help find them. The park in Castrum Kremnos wasn't that dense or large, they should be able to find them easily.
"What are their names?" Mydei asked the other boy. He deciphered earlier that the boy did not speak Kremnoan but did understand the common Amphorean language.
Through stuttered breathing and hiccups caused by the boy's crying, Mydei could make out two foreign syllables. He did his best to repeat the sounds the boy said and yelled them out, praying to Nikador that someone would come and relieve Mydei of the gremlin clinging to him.
The sun was still high, indicating to Mydei that lunch would be ready soon. At the very least, he could take the boy to his parents or uncle. They'd probably be better at finding the boy's parents.
Mydei kept shouting to an imaginative pair of parents of a child that was being dragged behind him, unwilling to let go of his single source of comfort in these trying times. His uncle found them first, kneeling onto the grass in front of Mydei to see what all the fuss was about.
"You've found a leech," Krateros observed.
The boy cowered behind Mydei, attempting to become one with his shadow.
"He lost his parents," Mydei explained. "I was helping him look for them." His common was limited, so he and Krateros exchanged their words in Kremnoan. That probably didn't help the boy feel better, but Mydei's language skills weren't the best.
"What's your name, boy?"
Mydei translated the sentence, knowing full well Krateros could speak it himself, but decided it was quicker to just translate as a way to explain.
"Phainon…" the boy muttered into the back of Mydei's shirt.
"How exactly do you plan to find your parents with your face tucked away, Phainon?"
The child had to admit his uncle had a point. However, Phainon just glued himself deeper into Mydei, his face pressed against the boy's neck.
Seeing as he wasn't going to get the lad to speak to him much, Krateros turned to Mydeimos. "Let's go back to your parents. I'm sure the lad's parents are looking for him as well."
Krateros stood to his full height and held out a hand that Mydei accepted. To encourage and comfort Phainon, Mydei latched on to his hand too, pulling him along.
His parents weren't far away, just on the other side of some trees. As they rounded the corner, Mydei took notice of a couple chatting quite desperately to his parents. Before he could process who they were and why they looked so distressed, Phainon dropped Mydei's hand and ran towards the couple.
Krateros and Mydei followed at a more subdued pace.
"I believe that's the lad your looking for!" Eurypon exclaimed.
Phainon had launched himself into the arms of his mother, clinging to her clothes like he had been to Mydei's just moments ago.
"Where did you run off to!" His mother reprimanded him. "We told you to stay close! We are strangers in Castrum Kremnos, you have to be careful!" She wiped away his tears and checked him over for any injuries, of which there were none.
"Are you the one who found him?" The boy's father asked Mydei.
To that, Mydei could only shrug. Technically speaking, Phainon had found Mydei and decided to mark him as his savior.
"Well thank you for keeping him company while we found each other."
Mydei nodded.
"Not much of a chatter, is he?" The boy's father asked his own.
Eurypon laughed, a loud thing that echoed in the clearing. "That's an understatement! He's my own son and he's spoken maybe five words to me! You'd think he'd hate his papa!"
Mydei flushed in embarrassment and looked away. He hated when they talked about how quiet he was.
Krateros dropped his hand as Mydei's mother approached to fuss over imaginary dirt on his clothes. "He just doesn't waste his breath," his mother explained. "He doesn't have many friends his age."
"Oh?" Phainon's mother questioned. "Will he be attending the Warrior Camp this summer? Admittedly, we are visiting to get Phainon used to the place. He really wants to join that summer camp."
Eurypon and Gorgo brightened at the mention of the camp.
"Not only will our beloved Mydeimos be attending the camp," Gorgo explained. "Eurypon and I actually run the camp. What did you say your names were again?"
The boy's father pointed towards himself. "Hieronymus, and this is my wife, Audata." He stuck his hand out and Eurypon shook it firmly.
"Ah! I believe I remember to application. Was it Aedes Elysiae?"
"Precisely!"
"We don't get many applicants from outside our great city," Gorgo explained. "Seeing someone from Aedes Elysiae was a first!"
"Since little Phainon and Mydeimos will be attending together over the summer, why don't you guys join us for lunch? The boys can get to know each other and we can show you around, make you more comfortable about leaving your son in our care."
"We would truly love and appreciate that," Audata responded kindly. "Our little brat has already met your son so good luck getting him to leave poor Mydeimos alone."
Gorgo laughed and escorted them all over to a picnic area. "Nonsense. If Mydeimos truly minded he would have left your son to drown in the creek."
Mydei wasn't sure how that was supposed to comfort the boy's parents, but they laughed like it was some kind of joke and continued talking about their children. Meanwhile, Mydei looked over at Phainon who was slowly making his way back over to him.
"You've been to the camp before?"
Mydei nodded. While he hadn't been an active participant before, he would follow his parents around on the campgrounds and watch. This was the first year he'd be old enough to participate.
"What's is like?"
"Really cool," Mydei replied. "We'll get to do a lot of fun stuff. Do you do any martial arts?"
Phainon's head made an exaggerated up and down movement. Mydei feared his head would fall off.
"I really like studying different kinds! The traditional Castrum Kremnos fighting style is so fun!"
Mydei had to agree with that. "We should spar some time," he offered. "Not many kids can keep up with me."
Any trace of fear and uneasiness completely flew from Phainon's eyes. "You're on! I bet I could beat you!"
"HKS," Mydei's eyes narrowed. "Let's go!"
"Hey!" Gorgo interrupted the boys from their competition. "Neither of you will get very far without eating first!"
Mydei, head down, shuffled to the table and properly sat. "Sorry, mother."
Phainon, on the other hand, scrambled up to the table and started stuffing his face immediately. Mydei looked on in awe and disgust for his poor table manners.
"I'm gonna finish before you!" Phainon proclaimed with a toothy grin, mouth full of food.
And those were the magic words. All previous airs of decorum fluttered away at the offer of a competition. Both boys began stuffing their faces with their lunches, their parents looking on in pride or resignation.
*
By the time the sun was setting in the horizon, the two families bathed in a golden light, the boys were covered in all kinds of dirt and scrapes from their escapades. Gorgo had invited Phainon's family over for dinner, allowing the boys to play in the yard while the adults made conversation.
"Phainon, sweetie," Audata called out to him. "It's time to go!"
Tears welled up in the little boy's eyes at the mention of having to leave his new friend. "What! But the sun is still up!" Never mind that the boy was rubbing away the sleepiness from his eyes.
Audata hummed at her son. "And we still have to go back to the hotel, get you a good scrubbin', and call Cyrene and her parents."
At the mention of his other friend, Phainon perked up. However, his fist still found its way to the hem of Mydei's shirt. "Can we see each other again tomorrow?"
Gorgo, ever the shit stirrer, extended an invitation to breakfast. "It is nice to see Mydei make such a good friend. Let's give them some time to know each other before the summer."
Phainon's parents accepted the invitation and went on their way. Not without a snotty Phainon barely holding back wails of deep agony and loss.
Mydei watched on, holding his mother's hand as the family left.
"What do you think, Mydeimos?" His mother asked. "Think you found a lifelong friend?"
Mydei shrugged. There was no telling what the future would bring.
And true to form, the boys were glued to each other when summer camp finally arrived. For the next five years, they attended the camp together, pushing each other to new highs and setting camp records together.
*
Their first summer together was eventful. Gorgo had never seen her camp counselors so run ragged. She stifled a chuckle behind her hand as she watched a counselor try to separate Mydei and Phainon.
The two boys never fought but they sure did love to wrestle each other. In all honesty, Gorgo saw a lot of improvement in both the boys since they started sparring. Though due to their age and advanced skills, it often meant they were paired up. Neither seemed to mind that fact, however, as it meant they got better together, growing simultaneously.
"Who cares if you can climb faster! I bet I can swim faster! I go swimming in the lake all the time!"
At this provocation, Mydei flinched, allowing the counselor to finally get between the two children. A storm gathered in his eyes, made up of equal parts competitive spirit and paralyzing fear.
Phainon, unable to interpret his friend's expression, still noticed something was wrong when Mydei went very still.
"Mydei?"
"The storm from last night filled the river pretty high," the counselor between them said. "It wouldn't be safe to swim with the currents. How about you boys go play some basketball with the others?"
Mydei's stature relaxed. "She's right, HKS. The river is too dangerous, even for grown-ups."
"Language, Mydei," the counselor reprimanded.
"Sorry," Mydei immediately apologized and ducked his head. "Leonnius wanted us to meet some of the kids he knows. Let's go find them." He quickly grabbed Phainon's hand and left the counselor behind.
"We should still race later!" Phainon suggested. "I won't be happy until we've tested every sport!"
"Just let it go," Mydei sighed.
They quickly found Leonnius who introduced them to four others he knew from school. Mydei would be joining them in the fall and Phainon felt sad that his friend wouldn't be going to school with him. He had to make the best of the summer while he had him!
It also meant he very much did not let it go.
The last week of camp, Mydei had gone that far before Phainon brought it up again.
"Come on," Phainon goaded. "The water level is down, surely it's safe enough to swim in."
Mydei huffed. "If you want to get in trouble again, go ahead."
Phainon frowned, scrunching up his nose at the idea. "No one has to know! You can swim, right?"
"Of course!" Mydei defended himself. And he did, technically speaking, know how to swim. He just… didn't care for the water. "Who makes it to seven without learning how to swim? I'm not a baby!" His cheeks puffed up in indignation. "You're just mad I'm still one point ahead of you and can't find anything else to tie us up."
"It's not just that! Mama said we have to be best friends and best friends are equal!"
Mydei didn't know if that was true or not, but he did like the idea of Phainon and him being best friends, being equal. It's what his parents call each other all the time. Their equal.
"Fine," Mydei finally relents.
Phainon cheers as Mydei leads them away from the crowd and towards a more secluded part of the river.
"We just swim across to the other side," Mydei explained the rules. "We take the bridge back."
The other boy agreed and they did their "secret" handshake on it.
Mydei's eyes traced the waves of the water with great trepidation. The current didn't look too strong, but he felt warm and his hands took on a subtle shake. Everything in his gut screamed wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong.
"On three!" Phainon announced, catching Mydei off guard. "One… two... THREE!"
Phainon jumped into the river like he was born for it, Mydei not far behind, thrashing more than swimming. Not seeing Mydei in front of him, Phainon kept pushing, pleased that the win would be his to claim.
The river fought against him a little bit, but his instincts and years of practice kept him in control. He reached the other side of the river and climbed up onto the bank. Breathing heavy, he turned to the river to gloat at Mydei.
Only, Mydei wasn't there. Phainon's smile dropped as he looked for his friend. He wasn't on land… either next to Phainon or on the other side. He wasn't in the river either, he couldn't see anyone swimming. Did Mydei run away? Phainon was so sure he felt him splash in next to him…
"Mydei?" Phainon yelled out. "Mydei!"
Finally, a head shot up out of the water, only to get dragged right back down.
"Mydei!" Phainon dived back into the water without much thought.
He swam to where he last saw Mydei pop up, but the water was fighting him, dragging him downstream. A gasp could be heard behind him. Phainon rotated himself to face down the river, where at the last second he saw a hand descend into the water again.
Phainon stopped fighting the current and swam with it to get to Mydei as quickly as he could. His legs kicked and arms pumped, pushing him closer and closer to the boy.
He came up for air briefly to see a large rock in the middle of the river. Hopefully, Mydei would be able to latch on to it. His blue eyes watched as Mydei surfaced once more, back facing the rock.
No matter how many times Phainon replayed the event, he remembered seeing it in slow motion. The exact moment Mydei's back slammed against the rock, the back of his skull meeting the harsh surface not much later, Phainon's eyes went wide and something completely different took over his body. He didn't remember doing so much as witnessing.
Mydei wasn't resurfacing, Phainon had to get to him. There was no one else there. When Phainon's hand finally grasped Mydei's wrist, a small part of him released some tension. The hard part was over. Now he just had to drag himself and Mydei to land.
It took longer and Phainon's arms were getting sore from all the aggressive swimming, but he finally dragged Mydei up onto the bank, far from where they first started. Tears fell down Phainon's cheeks as Mydei laid there, unresponsive. He was bleeding from the back of his head and Phainon couldn't see the rise and fall of his chest.
Not knowing what to do, he screamed. He picked Mydei up from the ground and ran in the direction of the camp, calling for any grown-up he knew to come help Mydei.
"Phainon?" Eurypon was the first to stumble upon him. "What—Call for the medics!" Eurypon barked the order at a counselor. He took Mydei from Phainon and laid him on the ground.
Phainon wasn't sure what Mydei's dad was doing, pounding on the boy's chest and blowing on his face, but he didn't want to ask. He just wanted Mydei to be okay.
Eventually, a bunch of water came up from Mydei's mouth and he started coughing really hard. Phainon called out to him and tried to reach out but was blocked but Eurypon's arm.
"Stay back," the adult stated. "Give some room for the medics."
Mydei, amidst all his coughing, was clearly groaning in pain as he rolled onto his side. Phainon and Eurypon both stepped back as the medics checked on Mydei and got him secured to a stretcher. The boy continued to cry out in pain and cough roughly.
"Is he going to be okay," Phainon asked Eurypon as they watched him carry off his son.
Eurypon didn't answer right away, instead taking some time to breathe in and out really slowly before kneeling down to Phainon's height. "Why don't you tell me what happened?"
Phainon replayed the events to Eurypon, unable to look the man in his face. "I'm sorry, sir. It's all my fault. I'm so sorry. I promise I won't do it again. Mydei will be okay, right?"
Eurypon stood, ran a hand down his face, and heaved a great sigh. "Go find your counselor, Phainon. We will send word back to the cabin when we hear what's wrong."
Going back to his camp group was one of the last things Phainon wanted to do. "Can I go see Mydei with you? I promise I won't hurt him! I'll stand very far back. I won't be in the way."
Again, Eurypon breathed deeply and slowly before responding. "Phainon. It would just be easiest if you went back to your counselor and waited. We will call you over when it's time, okay?"
Phainon nodded. Something about the way Eurypon was carrying himself just then made Phainon nervous. He walked over to where the other members of his cabin were waiting.
"Don't go walking off again," the counselor reprimanded. "You've learned your lesson already, so I won't lecture you," she said. "But I need you to stick close to me the rest of the day." She held out her hand and Phainon gratefully took it, appreciating the small comfort it brought him.
It wasn't until after dinner that Phainon was finally called to the medic's cabin. Mydei was laying down on his stomach, discomfort clear as day on his face. Phainon rushed over to be on the opposite side that Eurypon and Gorgo were sitting.
"I'm sorry, Mydei," Phainon blurted out before anything else. "That was all my fault, I won't do it again. Please don't be mad at me."
Mydei blinked. He wasn't sure how to handle such an apologetic Phainon. "You won," Mydei said in lieu of acknowledging the apology. "We're tied again."
"I don't…" Phainon kneeled next to the cot and latched on to Mydei's hand. "I don't really care about that. I just want you to be okay again."
"I'll be fine." Mydei squeezed his hand. Never mind that they said there was some nasty damage to his spine, he wasn't coherent enough to tell Phainon that, nor did he want the other to worry about it.
Gorgo cleared her throat. "Thank you for your apologies, Phainon. Mydei, don't you have something to say?"
Mydei's face warmed. "I-I am also sorry," he muttered. "I should have said I don't like the water."
The young boy squeezed his friend's hand tightly. "You don't have to be sorry. And-and you won't ever have to go back in the water as long as I'm around! Even if you lose something in the ocean, I'll dive in and get it for you instead!"
"Worry about yourself," Mydei said in response, flustered by the care and intensity in Phainon's eyes.
Seeing his friend be his normal, somewhat grumpy self made Phainon smile. He already couldn't wait until next summer, and the one after that, and the one after that. When he left camp, he made sure Mydei's parents had the phone number for his house, just as Mydei made sure to write theirs on a piece of paper for Phainon to dial once they got back home safe.
The last day, Phainon wrapped his arms tightly around Mydei, careful to avoid the part of his back that was bothering him. "You have to call me every day! Otherwise, you'll forget me!"
Mydei returned the hug, albeit not as hard. "No one could forget you even if they wanted to."
Taking that as a compliment, Phainon laughed. "I'll see you next summer, right? And you'll visit Aedes Elysiae someday?"
Mydei hummed. Those summers spent in heavy competition with each other were the very foundation of their friendship. Neither boy was very willing to let go, but every year they would, the promise of seeing each other again repeated again and again until Phainon was dragged away.
*
The year they turned thirteen, the world changed.
They called it the Black Tide. It was a parasite that fed on one's deepest, darkest desires, or their most regrettable moments. Once it appeared in its host, it was too last. The host would lash out, killing and harming indiscriminately.
When the news first spread, many cities closed their gates in an attempt to keep the Black Tide out. However, smaller towns and villages had no such luxury.
Aedes Elysiae was one of the first to fall. Mydei remembered wanting to cry when the news broke. He dialed the number to Phainon's house time and time again but got no response. As the news coverage carried on, any small hope that his friend was still alive burned to ash.
A flashing "no survivors reported" is what finally caused Gorgo to turn off the television.
For Mydei, it was the first loss of many to the Black Tide.
*
For Phainon, it meant the start of his journey as Amphoreus's famed Deliverer.
In the horrific blazes of fire tearing down his village, all Phainon could taste was the awful smoke in the air. He repeatedly called out to his parents all over the homestead, praying to anyone who would listen that they were okay.
"Mom! Dad!" His throat was raw, cheeks stained with tears as he ran all over the place.
He watched as the barn collapsed, screaming as the house he grew up in became nothing more than a pile of burning wood. When he ran back to the main part of the village, he saw people lashing out at each other, inhumane screeches leaving their mouths. He had heard about this… the Black Tide. Black goop oozed out of the people's mouths, eyes, noses, ears… their minds taken over by the parasite within them.
In the midst of all of it, he noticed Cyrene. She was running away towards the woods that bordered Aedes Elysiae. Just as he took a step forward to chase after her, he heard it. A familiar voice erupted in such an eerie screech.
Phainon flinched at the sound, covering his ears and turning his head to take a look. Despite the heat, the flames, the burning sun of late spring, ice cold washed over Phainon and froze him in his tracks.
Black Tide creatures not only fought innocent, untainted citizens, but also each other. Though the creatures took on features that were inhumane, they were recognizable for up to a few hours before they were completely changed.
What Phainon saw wasn't just two mindless Black Tide creatures victim to each other. No. He saw what he knew where his friends, possibly even family, slaughtering each other. They didn't care who was dead or alive, they wouldn't stop until all around them were wholly taken over by the Black Tide.
He couldn't take his eyes off of the scene. The killings weren't slow, there wasn't any struggle, it was swift as the creatures moved on to others. On one hand, he was grateful to see them not suffer a slow and painful death. Seeing it happen so quickly, however, ingrained the fragility of life deep within his bones. It rattled him. Rattled him just enough to get his legs moving.
His arms pumped at full speed, his breathing erratic as he chased after where he saw Cyrene run off to. He couldn't save them. He couldn't save anybody. He was supposed to protect them. He promised. Cyrene heard all of his promises, she was surely to be disappointed in how he chose to run.
He ran and ran and ran. Until his lungs burned, until his eyes blurred to deeply to see, until he tripped over a root and his legs gave out. Exhausted, his body was unwilling to get up to continue.
"Phainon?"
Phainon tilted his head at the call, looking just beyond where he'd collapsed onto the ground. "Cyrene?"
"Phainon!" Cyrene rushed over to him to help him up. They latched on to each other, relieved to find somebody they know.
"What… what are we supposed to do?" Phainon sobbed into Cyrene's shoulder.
The girl, just barely older than Phainon, shook in her own terror. Tears pooled in her eyes and she squeezed the poor boy harder. He had grown taller than her by now, but he would always be smaller in her eyes. This was someone she had to protect.
"There has to be something," Phainon continued to plead. "I can't just let that happen."
He was right. Cyrene shushed his crying and tried to whisper comforting words.
Cyrene, though a realist, didn't like to voice those particular thoughts. She couldn't say something like, We can't save them, all we can do is end their misery, and perhaps our own in doing so. Those words weren't helpful, they were the words of someone who had already decided to go down fighting.
But really, she didn't want to go down at all, and that meant Phainon too.
Then came the thoughts of running away. Impossible. Everyone they knew and loved was in danger. Neither Cyrene nor Phainon were that cowardly.
What they needed now, more than anything, was help.
A miracle.
The first few chirps didn't register to either child, both preoccupied in their sorrows and devastated planning.
However, the chirps persisted. They grew closer, louder.
Confused at the odd noise, Cyrene pulled away from Phainon to glance at the ground. She startled a little at the surprise of a newcomer. A fluffy, pink little thing. It appeared to be somewhat like a chimera, a mythological creature with many legends across all of Amphoreus.
Phainon jumped along with her, also in shock of such an adorable creature appearing out of seemingly nowhere.
"What is that?" Phainon asked.
"A chimera," Cyrene whispered in wonder. She let go of Phainon to crouch down in front of the creature. It chirped and purred, nuzzling into Cyrene's hand easily.
"Cyrup, huh?"
Phainon glanced from Cyrene to the chimera, confused. "Does it have a tag?"
Cyrene shook her head. "It said its name is Cyrup."
"It… spoke to you?"
Just then, another chirp was heard from behind a few trees. A gray blur bounced around before skidding to a stop in front of the other three. It chirped incessantly, urgently.
The others didn't do anything, just stared at the newest addition to their survivors.
A great, surprisingly loud squeak left the chimera's mouth. It even began aggressively pawing at Phainon's feet.
"Ow! Hey, hey! Okay!" Phainon crouched and offered his hands to the chimera, which promptly hopped into them like it was meant to me.
Vigethos.
… Phainon wasn't sure how to process the voice he had just heard in his head. Everything happening was so weird.
"I… should we take them somewhere safe?" Phainon asked Cyrene.
Cyrene, however, seemed focused on something Cyrup was trying to say.
"Cyrene?"
Abruptly, the girl stood. Her shoulders were back, her stance was tall and confident, eyes narrowed in determination, but bright with hope.
"I accept."
Cyrup bounced and chirped happily before both chimera and girl were shrouded in bright light. Phainon squinted and held Vigethos close to his chest. As the light faded, Phainon hesitantly opened his eyes.
"Cyrene? What's happening?"
Before him wasn't Cyrene, though. The person stood a little taller, covered head to toe in a spandex suit. Their faces were completely covered. Their hands moved, flexing in the material covering their body. They jumped a few times, as if to calibrate the feel of everything.
After a moment, a sigh escaped the newcomer. "Trust me, Phainon," came Cyrene's voice. "I think we found our help." She started walking back towards Aedes Elysiae, pace picking up the more steps she took. "Talk to the chimera. Come help me when you’re done!"
"What? Cyrene!" Phainon watched Cyrene leave and then looked back to Vigethos in his arms. "What just happened?" Cyrene transformed into… something. It didn't look anything like the black tide, so surely it was safe… right?
Would you like to save the world, Phainon? Would you become Kephale and bring forth a new dawn for humanity?
Phainon blinked. What?
I can grant you special powers, but only for a few hours at a time. With these powers you can rid this world of Titankin and save the world!
Phainon looked up at the place where Cyrene had disappeared off to. Would he experience a similar transformation? He'd become someone who could save everyone?
"Let's do it," he said to Vigethos, eyebrows set and determined.
Let's go!
Phainon didn't feel anything until it was already over. His body was covered in a material similar to Cyrene's new getup, just in a different color and design. He moved his limbs experimentally for a few moments before sprinting towards where Cyrene went. He'd help her. He'd save the village. They both would.
His body felt lighter as he ran, and he was much faster. Before he knew it, he was back int he main square of the village.
A light flashed and speared a Titankin (the word Vigethos used to describe them) right in the head, pinning it to the ground in a quick second. Phainon looked up to see Cyrene poised on top of a stone pillar with a bow, loading another arrow. By the time she released and shot another Titankin, Phainon charged at the nearest one to him.
If asked, Phainon would have said he knew exactly what he was doing in that moment. The truth, however, was that his plan faltered when he realized his initial plan was to just tackle the Titankin to the ground. In that moment of realization, a bright, blazing sword manifested in his hand. It felt like instinct after that. Natural.
He swung the sword with a single arm, creating an arc of light that crashed into the Titankin, slicing it down the middle. The Titankin turned to ash as another one broke through and swiped a large claw at Phainon. He dodged, though just barely, and swung his blade through this one's torso, killing it cleanly.
Between the fiery blazes burning down the village, the setting sun, and the two young teens swinging their bright weapons around, the whole scene was bathed in deep orange broken up by bright white.
Eventually, the last of the Titankin fell. Cyrene floated down from her position on the pillar to stand with Phainon. The strange clothes on their bodies blinked, fading from existence slowly, leaving them in their tattered village clothes. Phainon felt something leave along with it. Energy, adrenaline… bravery… Whatever it was, he collapsed onto the ground when it left.
Cyrene followed him. Tears pooled in their eyes.
"Did… did we kill them?"
Cyrene's breath hitched. "I don't… Did we have a choice?" She whispered it, almost like it wasn't meant for Phainon to hear.
"I could have… there has to be another way!" Phainon abruptly stood. "We can't just kill them off because of…" He trailed off, not sure of his words.
"Phainon, we don't know what's happened," Cyrene stated, trying to pull herself together for both of their sakes. "Maybe there is a way to bring them back. Those creatures… The Titankin, what… what was all of that?"
Phainon sniffed, tears making steady streams down his face.
"First," Cyrene began. "I think we need to call for help."
*
Aglaea got the call early in the morning. Two kids found in Aedes Elysiae.
"They need somebody," Lady Tribios said into the phone. "They are like you and me. Chrysos Heirs."
She didn't need convincing, but that fact certainly changed the context. "What happened?"
"They are back," Lady Tribios's voice shook. "The Black Tide has once again made its way into our world."
Aglaea held her breath. She, personally, had yet to deal with the creatures that spread the Black Tide, Titankin. However, her teacher had gone on extensively about it, saying that the Chrysos Heirs existed to chase away the Black Tide, to rid their world of the dark decay that threatened their lives.
"They will need someone to explain everything to them," Aglaea shifted into her problem-solving mode. "You are entrusting the task to me, Teacher?"
"Please," Lady Tribios pleaded. "I need to investigate the gate."
"Of course," Aglaea quickly responded. "I will do my best. Have someone bring them here."
"Thank you, Aggie." Aglaea heard Lady Tribios sniffle. "They are so young…"
Aglaea herself made the contract to become a Chrysos Heir when she was seventeen. In her mid-twenties now, she could only imagine how young those kids were, how lost and alone.
"It will be okay, Teacher," Aglaea spoke softly. "We are stronger together. I promise to support them."
The spoke briefly about the arrangements before hanging up. Aglaea hated leaving the job to some children, but they were chosen for this responsibility, they each had their role to play.
Thankfully, Lady Tribios and Aglaea held decent wealth. They quickly purchased a home that could fit herself and the children, giving them a yard to grow up in rather than her penthouse apartment with only stiff businessmen occupying the other apartments below.
The children themselves were quiet at first. Once they settled in and Aglaea was able to properly introduce herself as a fellow Chrysos Heir, the bearer of Mnestia's coreflame, the children started asking her questions left, right, and center.
She did her best to explain.
"A very long time ago, the Black Tide rolled in and could possess any number of creatures, making them indifferently violent and bloodthirsty," she began. "Unfortunately, once possession sets in, it is impossible to dispel it. The universe takes care of us though, and when evil enters our world, so too does good to keep the balance. The coreflames appeared to us in the form of chimera's." She leaned back in her chair and cupped her hands.
The kids eyed her hands in wonder as a miniature very of Aglaea's chimera, Oatmeal, manifested in her waiting palms. It yipped a few times and danced around, happy to be out and about.
"So, there are others like us, with creatures like Cyrup?" Cyrene attempted to call forth her chimera just as Aglaea did with no success.
A patient smile spread across Aglaea's face. "Indeed. And as you and your chimera grow closer, the more powerful you will become, so be sure to foster a great relationship with them."
Phainon remained silent, as if waiting for more.
"Do you have any questions, Phainon?" Aglaea coaxed. "It is okay if you have too many. We will go over all of them in time."
Phainon's bright eyes met her vacant stare. "There's really no way to save them?"
Aglaea's smile fell. "I am afraid that is correct," she stated. "In a way, Phainon, we are saving them. We are saving them from living as mindless pawns of the Black Tide, we are saving them from killing their loved ones, saving them from spreading this decay endlessly." She paused, giving him a moment to let it all sink in. "We may not be able to revert their state, but we can save them the pain of living like that, save them the grief of causing harm to others."
Phainon fidgeted with his hands under the table. "Okay."
He'll come to terms with it eventually, Aglaea thought to herself. None of us have a choice in that matter.
"Thank you, ma'am," Cyrene spoke up again. "For taking us in and explaining things."
Aglaea's smile returned. "You are quite welcome. We will have daily lessons when you two return from school in the afternoon. Write down any questions you have for me throughout the day, and we can go through them together."
The children nodded at her, their new legal guardian, teacher, and mentor.
"Welcome to your new home, children," Aglaea finally said. "I know it isn't under the best circumstances, but I hope you will be comfortable enough here. Additionally, welcome as the newest members of the Chrysos Heirs."