Chapter Text
Flying.
In theory, flying should be easy. All one must do is flap their wings slowly, and they’re off in the air, soaring through the clouds. Ok maybe not up there, and you really can’t feel clouds because, well, they are just balls of water, right?
Anyways, flying! Should be easy to tackle. He’s trained with various weaponry, stared down beasts that would send lesser warriors fleeing, and walked out of battles with nothing but a smirk and a scratch. How hard could flying possibly be? He’ll ace it, just like he aced everything else. His wings were new, but sturdy and strong and could easily support his weight. It has only been a week since he acquired them, but he could say he was doing a fairly good job. Granted, it wasn't as straightforward as summoning meteors or wielding a blade that could rival the Lance of Fury, but he was confident.
He could do it! He can do it!
He was going to show everyone how powerful he was!
He-
CRUNCH!
“Phainon? Phainon! Are you ok?! ”
Ok, so maybe things weren’t exactly going to plan.
“'M fine, Cyrene,” Phainon groaned, sitting upright and leaning against the stone pillar he’d nearly smashed into after his nosedive. He rubbed the back of his head, wincing in pain. At least he couldn’t feel any blood. Carefully, he flexed his wings and let out a breath of relief—no lost feathers thankfully. His head, on the other hand, had definitely seen better days.
Cyrene sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips, betraying the mild annoyance in her tone. “You need to be more careful, you little twat. It hasn’t even been a week since we returned to Aedes Elysiae, and you’re already covered in scrapes and bruises. Are you really trying to push the boundaries of your divinity and see how far you can go?”
Phainon huffed, opening one golden eye. “It’s not like I’m actively trying to kill myself, you know. Plus, it's as you said- it’s been a week. I still have to get this whole flying thing in the bag.”
He cracked a smile. “So, how did I look like tumbling down from the sky? I hope it was at least a little majestic before I ate the dirt.”
She laughed, the sound light and clear like a handful of tiny bells ringing in harmony to Phainon’s ears. “You certainly came down with a bang,” she said, leaning forward to flick his forehead. “Our two Trailblazing companions saw you and Caelus described the whole ordeal as ‘a shooting star, except significantly louder, less graceful, and followed by a lot more swearing.’ I have to say, his words do describe wonderfully what happened.”
Phainon groaned again, burying his face into his hands. So Caelus and Dan Heng watched it too, huh? And they were the two people he vehemently wished who wouldn’t see his mishap, partially because he wanted to surprise them, especially Caelus, considering how supportive he had been after he gained his newfound divinity. “Where are they anyway?”
“By the bridge,” Cyrene said, jabbing her thumb toward the river. “Dan Heng was showing some cool tricks with his magic. The water dragons were beautiful, Phainon! The way their scales glistened in the dying sunlight was a sight to see. Now I understand why you love looking at them.”
She offered a hand, which Phainon gladly took. “Anyways, what are you going to do now, Mr. Demigod of World-Bearing? Going to take to the skies once again or will you remain on the land this time?”
That cheeky smile never left her face, the very same one that once coaxed Phainon into confessing everything under the sun. It was almost surreal, jarring, even, to see her standing there, unchanged, not a day older than when she was slain by the Flame-Reaver, while he stood before her now, an adult shaped by time, battles, and grief. The fact that she was even here at all, and was now a corporeal being after he and the Reaver merged and passed Kephale’s trial…
He shook his head, opting to look at the setting sun. Such thoughts should no longer linger in his mind. Not because he was a Demigod, but he should start living in the present rather than dwell on the ‘what-ifs.’ It was the end of yet another normal day. Well, as normal as things could be.
Such as this. Aedes Elysiae standing once more, proud yet humble as it had in ages past. Something he’d never imagine he’d ever see in this lifetime. Something he has to keep pinching himself to tell himself that yes, this was real .
It hadn't been easy. He nearly had to carry an unconscious Caelus back to his home—his home, the place he'd lived all his life before the heretic Black Tide and that damned Flame Reaver destroyed everything he loved—after Caelus had exhausted all his strength turning back time. If Cyrene hadn't been there to help, he would have passed out cold.
Thankfully he was fine, and after drinking some chicken soup courtesy of Phainon (he was so happy he had the Chrysos Heir cookbook with him. Cyrene was a good cook but he was sure as hell wasn’t going to make her do all the damn work), he had gotten his energy back. After that, they both gave their Trailblazing friends a small tour of the place before they had all retired for the night. Then they all trained, honing their skills and preparing themselves to fight the final battle before Phainon raises his sword and brings forth the blazing rays of sunlight into the new world. The battle for Dan Heng to claim Georios Coreflame and claim its power as his own.
His powers were…to put it mildly, very hard to control at first. From what Dan Heng told him, his abilities matched that of an Emanator, Pathstriders who drew their power directly from the Aeons. He also reassured him that this wasn’t uncommon and that many Emanators go through this.
And he was right. As time passed by, and with Dan Heng’s help he had learned to master them. Some days, he sparred with Phainon using his Cloudhymm and Caelus with his bat and lance, and on other days he sat down and meditated with the Vidyadhara. Caelus at times joked how he was the only Lord Ravager to ever be on the side of good.
(He would forever be on the side of good. No matter how powerful he truly was. And, he also promised he’d make sure the spirit of Trailblazing forever lived on. Phainon could never imagine turning on his friends.)
Cyrene remained as patient as ever as she quietly waited for his answer. Something she did all the time. God, she was right, wasn’t she? He had been practicing non-stop. It was about time he took some time off for himself and the others. He still had his wants didn’t he?
Phainon closed his eyes, allowing the power of the World–Bearer to dissipate from his body, returning him to his normal self. She was right- he needed a break from everything. Despite the world literally ending all around them, they still had time. And he now has a good grasp on his powers. By the time they face Terravox he should be ready.
“Before you say anything,” he murmured, his back still towards Cyrene, “I’m only agreeing to this because I don’t want to stress myself any further. So you can take that smug face off.”
“Oh?” said Cyrene, not at all listening to him. She stood right in front of him, hands behind her back and grinning widely. “There’s no reason to deflect Phainon. You can always admit I’m never wrong about things.”
“Ha! Like I’d ever.”
“It’ll happen one of these days.”
“Let’s see, Cyrene. Let us see. For now, why don’t we go and see what those two are doing.”
“Sure thing. Ooh! I wonder if Dan Heng’s making more water dragons with those lotuses on their foreheads…”
Phainon laughed as the pair made their way down the path, their footsteps echoing softly against the ancient stone. The sun had nearly set, and in its place, the moon rose, its dim silvery glow casting light and bathing the village. There was no chaos, no dead bodies scattered everywhere and no Black Tide creatures. Cyrene was humming an old lullaby under her breath, skipping lightly beside him.
Orange and yellow leaves flitted by them, the gentle breeze carrying them in lazy spirals as they drifted to the ground. Small piles of dried foliage dotted the plush green grass. The air was rich with the earthy scent of fallen leaves and the subtle aroma of wood, invoking a sense of nostalgia. In Amphoreus, there wasn't a word for 'seasons,' as Caelus had once noted.
But now, with this newfound understanding, he could say with full confidence that autumn was his favorite time of the year.
Phainon’s smile widened as he watched Cyrene leap from one pile of leaves to another, her laughter ringing through the crisp air. He chuckled softly, extending his hand to steady her as she teetered on the edge of a particularly large mound. “Careful there, Ms. Shortie. I can’t have you accidentally sinking into large piles now, can I?”
She rolled her eyes, the smile never leaving her face. “Okay, Mr. Long Legs. Besides, my heart compensates for my height. After all, having my level of compassion is a rare gift. You should be feeling honored standing in the presence of such benevolence.” Cyrene shot him a wink.
“Oh really?” He planted both hands on his hips. “Then should I start offering you flowers every day, cook you breakfast, lunch and dinner, and call you ‘Your Majesty?’”
“Hmm…I’ll accept it only if you give me a proper bow,” she replied, nudging him playfully.
Phainon rolled his eyes playfully and stepped back, giving her an exaggerated bow- the kind actors would perform at the end of a grand play. “I’m at your service, My Lady,” he said with a teasing grin.
They both laughed, clutching their stomachs before resuming their walk toward the river. At that moment, Phainon forgot about his worries. For a fleeting instant, he was simply a boy again, carefree, laughing beside his best friend and chasing fairies under the fading light of dusk. At that moment he wasn’t the Deliverer who was destined to usher in Era Nova, but the seven-year–old who played with wooden swords and ‘slaying beasts’ while helping out the people in the village.
Sometimes, he wished life were simple. Yet, he knows that things would never go back to normal. Not after…all that.
They arrived at the bridge and, sure enough there was Dan Heng and Caelus training, the former using his water dragons to combat the latter’s wide range of weaponry. Phainon could see the sparks flying as Caelus’ flaming lance clashed with Dan Heng’s spear, and could hear the laughter that erupted from the grey-haired man.
He felt something twist his heart painfully at the sound.
Cyrene had rushed forward, waving her hand and calling out their names. Phainon closed his eyes, exhaled slowly, then summoned his signature smile. He broke into a jog, masking the turmoil churning within him. Things had been rough; no one needed to witness his despondency.
And no one needed to know how broken his heart was at the loss of everything- everyone he cared about and cherished were gone, and in their place stood the Titans they now embodied. To slay them again with Dawnmaker would be a cruel fate indeed. That was something he could never bring himself to do. To slay his former comrades…
Hah, fate really was cruel.
“-and after that, we all woke up at the Reverie, and the mess the Order left behind had to be cleaned. Though, thankfully we didn’t have to do much since we single-handedly brought everything down. We left the planet shortly after and decided our next destination was Amphoreus.”
“So that’s how things played out. Dan Heng told me the story of the three Nameless of the past who liberated everyone on Penacony, but he didn’t go into full detail about what you guys did.”
“Makes sense,” Caelus said, stretching his arms and yawning. “Dan Heng was on the Express for most of the time. He joined in on action much later on, so whatever he told you was what March and I told him.”
"Ahh, right, I forgot he mentioned that," said Phainon, shaking his head. He stood up and cracked open the window, letting a gentle breeze drift into the room. Dan Heng and Cyrene had retired for the night, and Caelus had asked him if he wanted company for a bit before heading to bed. And, for once in his life, he let himself be vulnerable and said yes. He was a dear friend of his now, and someone who he now trusts deeply despite the man’s extreme goofiness. That was just how Caelus was.
And he wouldn’t want him to change for anyone.
“So then, the people from beyond the sky are aware of our existence?” Phainon asked, sitting back down.
Caelus shook his head. “Not everyone does. Only a select few know that Amphoreus is a planet residing in the corner of the galaxy. And, the real reason why we came here was because the Express was running out of fuel. If we hadn’t come here, our Trailblazing expedition would’ve ended regardless. The memokeeper, Black Swan, told us that Amphoreus was the answer to our problems.”
Phainon let out a small “oh.” While he and Dan Heng had whole-heartedly committed themselves to helping the Flame-Chase despite everything , he never asked them why they stepped foot here in the first place. They helped them unconditionally to retrieve all the Coreflames and he hadn’t done anything for them…
He wanted to punch himself.
Phainon stared at his boots and he heard Caelus sigh and placed his hand on his, entwining their fingers. “Phainon, you’re doing it again,” he said in a low voice.
He let out a quiet, wet laugh. “Doing what?”
“Feeling guilty over something you shouldn’t.” He squeezed his hand, forcing Phainon to look at him. He refused to budge. “Oh, c’mon, are you trying to avoid me right now?”
“Wha- no ! I’d never!” Phainon yelled in horror, finally meeting Caelus’ golden eyes. The man looked like he was holding back a laugh. Phainon glared at him. “Caelus-”
“I know,” said Caelus, bumping his shoulder against Phainon’s. “But don’t blame yourself for everything. You didn’t know, and we didn’t have time to explain anything because, well, there wasn’t any. You were there through it all. None of us had room to breathe. We were tossed into one crisis after another. When was the last time we even got to sit down and just talk?”
And Phainon…genuinely couldn’t remember. Ever since he joined the Flame-Chase he can’t recall when he last sat down and took a proper break . Not even the brief moments of respite he had after his usual spars with Mydei. The nights don’t count either– the nightmares keep him up at times.
Back in his time at Okhema he had his friends to turn to if he was in a pickle. Aglaea would always make time for him no matter how busy her schedule got and listen to his (stupid- very very stupid ) problems. On the days she couldn’t be present the triplets offered him counsel (and dragged him off to play one of their games.)
He and Castorice were close friends, despite her curse. They always kept a respectful distance, yet talked about everything under the sun. In many ways, they were each other’s confidant, therapist, and anchor all in one. After all, she was the first real friend he’d ever made.
As for his relationship with Professor Anaxa, it was no different from that of any other student, except the man always had been a tad bit harsher to him (and he would only realize much much later the reason why), making him write so many essays on various topics (now he knows why he did), and quiz him individually after classes.
He also spent time with Hyacine outside the Twilight Courtyard whenever he wasn’t busy getting himself injured on the battlefield post-graduation or tending to the Chimeras in the Garden of Life. He visited them often, even when she wasn’t around. But when she was, they’d always settle on one of the benches and talk about their day, while the Chimeras tugged at their clothes and demanded head pats.
And Mydei . Sweet, soft-hearted Mydei who stood by him through every high and low. Every time he invited Phainon to spar to get him to release all his pent up frustration and anger. They always lounge around in the baths after one of their “ridiculous” (Aglaea’s words) competitions. Sure, they teased, bickered, and argued like it was a sport of its own, but beneath it all was a bond built on deep understanding and a love that made them an unshakable team. An unstoppable force of nature.
His friends.
But….
Hah.
They’re all gone now.
He was gone.
All gone because the world needed to be reset. They weren’t gone gone, but was becoming a Titan a better fate?
Caelus bumped his shoulder once again. “Phainon? You with me buddy?”
“Ye-yeah,” Phainon gasped, wiping the wetness from his eyes. It hurt, it hurt a lot, and sometimes he wished he could join them in that beautiful Sea of Flowers. But he couldn’t. Not yet. He still had a duty to fulfill, and he would be damned if he left Cyrene, Caelus and Dan Heng all alone. He promised he’d be the blazing sun, destined to carve a path for everyone. He still had friends who wanted him to be with them.
And…right now, he desperately needed an answer to another question.
“Caelus, why do you call me that?”
"Huh?" Caelus frowned, one brow arching in confusion. “What do you mean?”
Phainon swallowed hard. “Phainon...you know that’s not my real name. It’s the one I gave myself after leaving Aedes Elysiae to bury the anger and sorrow that once consumed me. No longer would I be known to the world as █████ , but as Phainon, the man who would bury the old world and rise to become the Deliverer Amphoreus needed. So, why do you still call me that even after you know who I am?”
Why are you still here after I lied to all of you?
But Caelus, the sweetheart he was (and someone Phainon often felt unworthy of calling a friend), looked at him like he’d just spoken in an ancient, long-forgotten dialect. He opened his mouth, hesitated, probably choosing his words carefully. Phainon let him take his time.
Then. “Do you want me to call you █████ ?”
What??
“What?”
Caelus shrugged. “I mean, I figured since I’ve known you as ‘Phainon’ the whole time I was here I might as well continue to call you that. Unless you don’t want me to, then that’s a whole different story, but you don’t mind if I call you Phainon right?”
…That wasn’t the reaction Phainon was expecting from him at all. It was far from it, actually. Caelus…was he being serious? “Are you…-”
“Answer the question,” Caelus nudged him gently.
Phainon rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “I don’t mind you calling me Phainon. In fact I’d actually prefer you’d call me so, but Caelus that…I wasn’t-”
“-Expecting me to say that?” Caleus let out a small chuckle. “I guess, I can relate to that in some ways. And before you say anything, don’t worry Caelus is indeed my real name. I mean when it comes to keeping secrets and wondering how people would react because, trust me, the ones I have are life-shattering.”
Caelus stood up and faced him. “Phainon, you need to understand that not all people are the same. There will be those who understand, like me and Dan Heng. And…while we only knew them for a short time, I can say with full confidence that the other Chrysos Heirs would’ve accepted you for who you truly are as well.”
Phainon couldn’t believe his ears. Yet, if he really thought about it, there was truth in those words. His friends never judged, never turned anyone away. They welcomed all who sought refuge beneath Okhema’s eternal daylight without question.
Aglaea took him in without a single word.
Caelus yawned and made his way to the front door. “But, yeah, that’s all I have to say on that matter, and it is getting pretty late. You should sleep Phainon. I heard from Cyrene you’ve been flying out your window and brooding on top of trees.” He shot him a smug smile. Phainon sputtered indigiantly.
That little backstabber! Oh, Cyrene was going to pay !
He forced himself to put on a smile and replied, “Don’t worry, this time I’ll make sure to stay put in my bed and not move an inch. Cross my heart!”
“Good. Because we have a long day planned tomorrow that requires you to be 10 feet up above the ground. So rest well!” Caelus shot him a mock salute and shut the door behind him.
Silence. Phainon gulped.
‘Well, I’m screwed,’ he thought miserably. ‘Cyrene, you’re going to pay bigtime you little-’
He pulled the blankets over him and let sleep claim him.
“Phainon? Are you still sleeping in there, you cheeky little thing?”
“I- Agl..aea?”
“Snowy! Come play with us! It’s been so long since we played hide-and-seek with you!”
“Tri-bbie?”
“The weather is lovely today, don’t you think so too, Lord Phainon?”
“Cast..orice?”
“I see you’re sleeping again in my class, Mr. Phainon of Aedes Elysiae. Unless you want to write a report on the Elements of Alchemical Reactions I suggest you sit and listen young man.”
“Prof-Professor Ana-xa?”
“Phainon! The chimera’s miss you a lot! How about after I’m done with my work at the Twilight Courtyard we look after them together?”
“…Hyacine.”
“Come on, Boy Saviour, that’s not the best you can do and you and I know it. Now come at me again!”
“Become the Dawn… Deliverer .”
“ MYDEI !” Phainon gasped, jolting upright as he clutched his blanket so tightly it nearly tore in his hands. Sweat slicked his skin, chest heaving with each frantic breath as his heart pounded like war drums. His wings flared open behind him and his claws unsheathed with a sharp snap. His molten gold eyes darted around the room, wild and searching for the voices- the faces of those he loved oh so dearly with his human heart. The ones he swore never to forget, no matter how inhuman he became.
But there was no one there.
Was his mind playing tricks?
‘Or it was all just a dream?’ Phianon thought, shaking his head. Yeah, that had to be it. They were gone. They were the Titans of this world now, all their memories of their past lives now gone. The only remaining fragments of their humanity resided in the deepest parts of Styxia where he could not reach them. Now wasn’t the time to let the past haunt him. Tomorrow was going to be a long day, and he needed all the rest he could get.
But first, he had to get rid of the wings. And his halo and claws.
He closed his eyes and focused on Kephale’s power thrumming steadily through his veins. His wings gave a few slow flaps before dissolving into a shimmer of golden light, vanishing bit by bit. It was, exasperatingly, a slow process, because while Phainon had a decent handle on using his powers, switching between forms still took a toll. And yes, he was getting better at it, but it always left him both physically and emotionally drained. Not to mention every time he shifted, he had to literally rip his heart out– hence the gaping hole in his chest and the golden blood pooling out of it, which had once nearly made Caelus pass out. But that was a story for another time.
Thankfully, luck seemed to be on his side for once—the transformation was progressing much faster than usual. His wings were almost gone and so were his two halo’s. Just a bit more and…
“ Really, Deliverer? You’re gonna hide that form from me now only after I just saw it?”
What the…
Phainon cracked open his eyes, grumbling under his breath about how he had to repeat the sequence all over again and scanned his bedroom. There was no one. But then why did that voice … from where had it come? Was he really imagining it? Was his subconscious really trying to tell him something or had he actually heard those words?
There was only one way to find out.
“My..Mydei?”
“About time,” a gruff voice huffed near his ear. “I was beginning to think Aglaea and Castorice were right and that you couldn’t hear us. It turns out our beloved Deliverer is scared of a few voices.”
Phainon yelped and spun around, only for tears to spring to his eyes the moment he saw what—or who—was behind him. So, his brain wasn’t playing tricks on him. The only question that kept replaying over and over in his head was, how ?
Mydei stood before him, arms crossed and wearing that familiar gentle smile. He was ghostly pale (because duh! He’s a ghost now!) and nearly transparent, yet he looked exactly as he had the last time Phainon saw him- when he ordered him and the Trailblazers to escape through the Century Gate while he and Castorice fought off the Flame Reaver.
Phainon gaped at him, frozen in place, unsure if he should even try to stand. He was almost certain his legs would give out beneath him, sending him straight to the ground. But Mydei…he was somehow right there . He wanted to say something, anything , like how much he fucking missed him, how he almost lost it when he heard it officially from Krateros that he wasn’t going to come back to the mortal plane.
Instead, all that came out of his mouth was a sob.
He gasped and slapped a hand over his mouth in a lame effort to cover his cries up, but of course they slipped out as those unshed tears started to pool out of the corners of his eyes. He was pretty sure Mydei was going to start to either tease him or scoff at him in mild disgust (the real Mydei would never do that, but right now his thoughts were all over the place). He turned to the side to avoid eye contact because Titans, this was so embarrassing !
He heard a soft sigh, and out of the corner of his eye, caught Mydei walking toward him- walking ! Phainon had thought ghosts floated or hovered or something. Then again, knowing Mydei, he’d probably declare flying overrated or something. Now, with Mydei crouching right in front of him, there was no way Phainon could avoid meeting his gaze.
Ugh! That’s why he hated the man!
(That was a massive lie. Sadly.)
“Phainon?” said Mydei, and oh, could Phainon hear the teasing lilt in his voice in his effort to calm him down. It’s only making him want to cry even harder. If he had enough strength, he wished he could use his wings and shield himself so he wouldn’t have to face the ghost of his best friend. Or maybe he could shield them both and hold onto him and never let him go.
Hah! If only he had stayed back…
“Phainon,” Mydei called again, and now he felt something cold graze his cheek, startling him once more. He had expected Mydei’s touch to be bone-chilling cold- but instead it felt kind of…warm. Pleasant even. Was it because of Kephale’s divinity? His body temperature was hotter than usual ever since he finished his Demigod trial.
Those familiar gauntlet-clad hands gently guided his face until their eyes met. Phainon let out a defeated sigh, steeled his nerves, and lowered his hand from his face to meet Mydei’s gaze properly. If this was indeed the last time he would see him, then he wanted to face his fears head-on. He wanted to say goodbye properly to him- something he hadn’t done yet.
Phainon met those fiery sunset eyes and they looked the same as he last remembered them. They might have been dulled a little but the love and passion remained the same. He sniffed and wiped his eyes, forcing a smile on his face. “You’re here,” he croaked out.
Mydei huffed a laugh. “Shocking, I know. Honestly, I didn’t think departed souls like us could wander in the mortal realm. But when Professor Anaxa proposed a theory-”
“Anaxa? Wait, all of you are together?” Phainon interrupted, eyes wide. So, they’ve all reunited in the Sea of Souls?
Mydei raised a questioning brow. “Yes, we are. Why do you ask?”
“It’s because I assumed that, since the Sea of Souls is expansive, you all would be separated for quite some time.”
“Ah. Well, if it weren’t for Castorice we wouldn’t have gotten together. The Sea of Souls is…a peaceful place, Phainon. There are a bunch of tormented souls that lay there, but when you look past that, it is indeed that beautiful sea of flowers Castorice always described it as. So rest easy, Deliverer. We’re all resting peacefully.”
He moved to sit beside him and gently placed a hand over Phainon’s. The simple touch made his throat tighten and his eyes sting all over again. “As for why I’m here,” Mydei continued softly, “it’s because Anaxa had a theory. One drawn from his visions while he was alive and what Castorice told us about Styxia. That place doesn’t just hold the sea- it carries a strange kind of magic tied to Thanatos. I think... if you close your eyes and drown out every other sense, you should be able to feel it. But, don’t do it now.
“We still don’t understand the nature of this magic, but I can safely say it’s not dangerous. But, you know how books say that a spirit wanders in the land of the living when they have unfinished business? Well, we all didn’t have any regrets so we assumed we couldn't go back and see you one last time. That is, until Anaxa mentioned he had been to the sea in his visions and realized another reason why that was happening to him was because he made a connection with that magic during one of his alchemical experiments. It’s…a little hard to explain, sorry. I’m still not sure about it. The only thing I know is that I can only project myself here for a short period.”
“No, it’s ok, I think I get it” Phainon replied, shaking his head. He knows how… wordy Anaxa got with his explanations. He was his student for ten years after all in the Grove. It was safe to say he knew the man very well. He did his best to ignore the last part as he said, “So, you discovered this weird magic, and Anaxa theorized that since he was able to enter the Netherworld when he was alive, ghosts could do the same to momentarily visit the real world?”
“I guess that’s what he was trying to say, yes,” said Mydei, lost in thought. “But of course, someone had to test this theory, and Aglaea suggested we visit you first. And naturally, I was the first candidate. But we had to find you first, and Titans that took forever! We figured you, Caelus and Dan Heng made it out of Okhema after the city went dark, but we never imagined you’d be here. Are we where I think we are?”
He never thought he’d guess it. “It is indeed,” said Phainon, a bit surprised he remembered. He got up and beckoned Mydei to follow him outside. He grabbed his house key, unlocked the door, and stepped outside.
He heard Mydei gasp, and he bit his lip to hold back laughter. Right, it has been forever since the esteemed prince last saw the night skies. The way the stars gleamed under the moon’s light was indeed a sight to behold.
“What do you think?” he asked gently.
Mydei opened his mouth a few times, unsure of what to say before finally settling on saying, “It really is beautiful. More beautiful than how the books ever described it.”
That drew a laugh from Phainon. “How strange. I thought you said Kremnoans considered poetry ‘weak literature,’ and yet here you are, telling me there are books about the night sky.”
“My mother used to read books to me to help me sleep. She always sang out the stanzas in a soft tone whenever I had nightmares. I still remember how the poets described the moon and the stars, and the inky black sky that envelops all equally.”
“Did you…?”
Mydei shook his head. “Not yet. But I haven’t lost hope. Castorice is helping me track her down.”
“That’s good,” Phainon said, giving his wings a few strong flaps as he lifted off the ground. He hovered in front of Mydei with a warm smile. “You deserve to see her after all this time. I’m happy for you, Mydei.”
“And I’m proud of you,” Mydei replied with a bright smile, making Phainon falter just a little. “We’re all proud of the person you’ve become. Aglaea was right to place her hopes in you. You’re doing a good job, Phainon. Don’t let doubt cloud your judgment from here on out. You have Caelus and Dan Heng to stand by you until the end. And when the next cycle begins- when you break the curse– we’ll meet again beneath a sky just like this one, and be together, forever.
“Plus, I gotta admit. Divinity suits you well, Deliverer, especially those wings and halo of yours. I just noticed Kephale’s symbol.”
“Are you trying to make me cry on purpose?!” Phainon nearly yelled, sniffing and wiping his eyes fiercely. He heard Mydei let out a wet laugh. Dear Titans, how long has it been since the two of them stood together like this and talked? How long has it been since they last saw each other before Okhema fell?
‘Too long,’ his brain helpfully supplied. ‘Much, much too long.’
Gods, Phainon missed them all far too much. He missed them so fucking much that some days he wanted to rip his own heart out just to stop the pain. Cyrene had been helping him work through the grief, but there was simply too much of it. Every time he was alone, he saw their faces. He heard their laughter. He remembered their smiles. And each memory carved another hollow space inside him.
“All shall bid farewell to one, and they alone will witness the Miracle.” Why did it have to be him? Why did everyone else have to die? Why couldn’t the Miracle extend its mercy to them? They had done nothing. Nothing except follow the Flame-Chase! So why…
Phainon swooped forward and pulled Mydei into a bone-crushing hug. Bone-crushing for him at least.
He ignored the startled cry Mydei let out. Ignored how cold the man felt beneath his touch. He just wanted- needed - to feel him one last time. Their last embrace had been before Mydei left for Kremnos to fight the Black Tide, nearly a year ago. Since then, they’d barely seen each other, with Phainon taking on more missions now that he was the only one left to bear the weight they once shared. He still made some time to visit, and those were very short.
For heaven’s sake, Phainon wished his last memory of Mydei wasn’t of him locked in battle with the Flame-Reaver. He never got a chance to see his body one last time before the Kremnoan Detachment buried him. And as he sobbed quietly into his shoulder (which only became louder when Mydei hugged him back and gently threaded deft fingers through his hair) he wished, more than anything, that things had ended differently.
But now that Mydei was here, he was determined to end things on a different note. He could finally have good memories before they meet again in the next life. The night was still young, and they had enough time before Mydei’s soul was pulled back into the Netherworld.
For now, he’d rather stay like this- holding him close as Mydei leaned down to press a gentle kiss to his forehead. The sun could wait a little longer to rise.
‘If there’s a chance in the next life, you should come visit my library.’
‘It’s a date, Mydeimos.’
‘It’s a date.’
Chapter 2
Notes:
AHHHH I'M SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG! I wanted to get this chapter done faster but then college life screwed me over and then 3.4 REALLY SCREWED ME OVER ANYWAYS HOW DID YOUR PHAINON PULLS GO I GOT HIS E1S1 AND E0 TRIBBIE I WAS SO SO HAPPY DFESGEHERH
Anyways, I need more Demiurge Phainon and God King Mydei fics so badly you have no idea-
Chapter Text
“Deliverer, I don't think you're supposed to flap your wings when you're gliding against the current.”
“Since when were you an expert in flying?”
“It's common knowledge Phainon! Have you never seen how birds fly?”
“I don't think I've ever seen them glide before! And when have I ever had the time to watch birds ya big doofus!?”
Mydei looked like he was about to burst a vein. His arms were crossed, and the occasional finger twitched as he tried to stay calm. Meanwhile, Phainon was struggling to stay upright and started flapping his wings very hard to ensure he didn't accidentally fall and hit his head again. The strong wind made his eyes water.
The earpiece crackled to life once more. “For the love of Nikador, keep still! You'll come crashing back down if you try to resist any longer!”
Phainon wanted to listen to him. He really wanted to, but the irrational fear coupled by the harsh breeze only made him flap his wings even harder. His eyes were sealed shut with tears forming at the edges. Even if he wanted to fly back to the ground, he'd end up smacking right into the tree.
But Mydei had a point- he had to learn to hold himself against wind currents. Flying along them wasn't enough, and it was something Cyrene had pointed out to him. Facing off against Terravox was going to require Phainon to push his abilities to the max. He was a Lord Ravager for crying out loud and supposedly one of the strongest ones among the seven.
Phainon needed to be at 100 percent.
And training with Mydei always seemed to help him improve his strength. Back when Okhema was called the Eternal City the two sparred for hours on end with weapons and their fists, trading both blows and words of advice. They helped each other get stronger and grow into seasoned warriors. Even after Mydei had left for Kremnos to play his part for the Flame Chase, they still found the time for Phainon to journey over to the floating city using the Space Anchors set up by Caelus and Dan Heng. Time was short, but they made use of every single second.
Right now, though, he really wished Mydei could fly because he had no idea how much longer he could hold on.
Actually, you know what? He didn’t want to continue anymore. For fuck sake he was a Lord Ravager! Since when did he need permission to do or not do things? He could just teleport if he wanted to.
With a grunt, Phainon flexed the fingers on his right hand and a burst of gold light enveloped his whole body. A second later he’s on his knees next to Mydei, breathing erratically. Small drops of ichor dribbled down his chest from the cracks as new ones formed and mended themselves, his body caught between a tug of war of destruction and creation.
Mydei dropped down to his level and placed a gauntlet-clad hand on his shoulder. “That could've ended worse,” he muttered, his thumb running soothing circles on his waxy skin.
Phainon let out a sharp laugh. “Of course that’s what you’d say.” He stretched his wings slowly, working out the soreness. “Good to see that even death hasn’t changed you, Your Highness.”
“ Hah! Nothing will change me,” Mydei smirked. “I'll still forever be the ‘stubborn brat’ that beats your ass every time on the training grounds.”
“Hey! I'm more powerful than any Demigod. I'm now one of the most feared beings in the entire galaxy. You ought to fear me, Mr. Demigod of Strife. Something tells me shaking off an entire planet won’t be easy even with that immortal body of yours.”
“And I still wouldn't be scared,” Mydei said, his tone casual like they were discussing what they were going to have for breakfast. It made Phainon’s metaphorical heart stutter a little. “You weren't afraid to spar with me after I had ascended, right?”
He chuckled at that, averting his gaze with a soft smile. He remembered it as clearly as day. The day after Mydei’s trial, Phainon had all but begged him for a quick spar before they parted ways for good. He’d even sworn to be careful not to aggravate the voice that now whispered constantly in his mind. At first, the man had been hesitant and rightfully so, but something shifted the moment Phainon said he fully trusted him not to deal a fatal blow.
“That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard you say, Deliverer.”
“But it's the truth. You've been fighting for years without those nifty blood crystals. I know you won't lose control.”
After those words came out of his mouth, Mydei had instantly agreed, and the next thing he found himself in the Chrysos Heirs training ground with his greatsword, exchanging blows with his best friend, who countered his every move with both his fists and blood crystals. The battle had been exhilarating , the way their bodies moved, his sword meeting his gauntlets after he sliced those crystals. He enjoyed watching Mydei's shocked look after he constantly managed to break free from his fiery red cage, and relished the way it slowly morphed into a satisfied smirk as their ‘battle’ raged on.
They were Chrysos Heirs with golden blood searing through their veins, the mark of D̵̞̐̚ͅe̴͇̖͍͂͝͝s̸̥͊̿̈́ṭ̸͆̇r̵̺͉̈̈́́ų̶̞̰̌̚ç̷͚̒ṱ̵̩̾̑ḭ̵͇̘̽̃͌ŏ̶̮̙̔̾n̶̨̧̯̐͊̓ that allowed them to transcend beyond the limits of the common folk. The gap between an Heir and a Demigod wasn't that far off. Phainon could only wonder who would win this time if Mydei were alive.
He shook his head and snorted. “Honestly, I don’t know what possessed me that day, but I don't have any regrets asking you for that final spar. It was the best one we ever had.”
“Now that's something we can agree on,” Mydei laughed, eyes sparkling. “It got extremely boring at one point, fighting all those mindless creatures that I could end instantly with a flick of my wrist. I had yearned for a proper challenge. Someone who could keep up with me rather than disintegrate the moment my fists connect with their body. Oh, and to clarify, that wasn't exactly our final spar, Phainon.”
“It was our final one in Okhema,” Phainon shrugged. “And since when did you get all technical?”
“I always have been. And since when did you start asking questions like that, Deliverer? What kind of a question was that?”
Phainon laughed, sitting down on the ledge and swinging his legs. He patted the ground, eyes crinkling in fondness. “It's the kind of question your precious Deliverer would ask. But…”
Mydei moved to sit down on the soft patch of grass. “But what?”
He sighed and grabbed his hand. His golden wing was draped around them. “I'm no longer the Deliverer anymore,” he started to say in a quiet voice, staring wistfully at the village. “I still must bring forth Era Nova, but ultimately it's Caelus who'll do the main work. There's…a lot that happened Mydei. A lot that happened the past few days after my ascension.”
‘The Flame Reaver being me, telling me the truth of our home. The number of cycles we've all lived through, and how I now remember each and every one of them. The way i slaughtered you all like animals just to keep Amphoreus safe. How I'm carrying almost forty million Coreflames, causing this hollow shell of a body to crack and sprout golden crystals, similar to the blood ones you wield in battle.’
Mydei watched him in silence, tilting his head slightly– a quiet signal that he was listening. His eyes tracked Phainon’s every move: the twitch of his fingers, the subtle flicker of his glowing eyes, the small spasms in his wings, and the gold blood illuminating the cracks in his skin, casting his body in a gentle, molten light. Suddenly, Phainon became acutely aware of every movement he made. And yet, he wasn’t nervous. Not when it was Mydei watching him. His best friend. His other half. He doesn’t know what to say. After everything Lygus revealed…
No. He wouldn’t say it now. He’ll wait for the right time.
“But something tells me you’ll figure it out yourself in due time,” he said, closing his eyes as he let himself return to his usual form. This time, his wings and halo faded without much resistance, and the familiar weight of his coat settled comfortably around his shoulders once more. He snickered at Mydei’s shocked look. “Once Amphoreus has truly welcomed the new dawn, all the answers should naturally present themselves. And if they don’t, Caelus said he’ll show you his book and the notes he’s taken over the past months.”
Mydei nodded slowly. “Alright. I’ll be looking forward to that day. Well, Anaxa would. Something tells me your teacher would be ecstatic, plus act all smug if his theories have been correct all along.”
“That’s Professor Anaxa for you,” Phainon laughed. He closed an eye and pressed a finger to his lips. “And before you ask, no, I won’t reveal anything now. You’ll have to wait… about maybe a month or two. That is until the Coreflame of Earth returns to its true owner.”
“And it's Dan Heng? ” Mydei raised a brow.”
“There’s a connection between the Dromas and The Permanence. We’re still not sure how, but all we know is that Dan Heng is the right person to bear the Pillar of Stone. And as for Caelus…his situation is weird. I can’t explain it, but the Authority of Time is…gone? Relocated? It’s not with him anymore. We’re trying to find it, but the search is taking longer than we thought.” Phainon sighed. “But once we get it and Georios’ Coreflame, everything will be set.”
He leaned against Mydei’s arm. “After that, there won’t be Titans ruling the world anymore, keeping us trapped here. Amphoreus won’t need the Chrysos Heirs to sacrifice themselves for the Flame Chase. We’ll finally be free to live normal lives and do the things we want, without fate constantly rearing its ugly head.”
Mydei hummed. “It would be a wonderful world to live in, wouldn't it. Of course, it'll also be a restless world, since there will no longer be Black Tide creatures for us to fight. A life of peace…would be a hard life to live for quite a while.”
That… was something Phainon hadn’t considered. Then again, all his thoughts had been consumed by the goal of bringing about the true Era Nova. Only once that was done would he let himself think about what came next. Even if he was ready, would his battle-worn body be? His sharp and strategic mind?
Scratch that. He had no idea if they would all retain their Demigod powers after the new sun rises. They've all been shackled for centuries by their Coreflames, with them paying a price. Their sacrifice. Aglaea's waning humanity, Tribios’ soul splitting into a thousand fragments, Castorice’s curse. Would they retain that? Or would their powers be reborn into something much more beautiful?
‘Fuck,’ Phainon thought miserably, biting his lower lip. ‘I hadn't thought about it at all. He was so excited about breaking this purgatory they were all in that he never stopped to ponder even once about the next immediate step . Wonderful. What kind of a leader was he?
All Phainon could do right now was meekly nod his head. Ugh! He was doing the one thing he promised Caelus he wouldn't do.
A cold hand slipped through his fingers and squeezed his own, making him look at Mydei, who was regarding him with a tiny frown. “Phainon,” he said, sighing, “don't overthink it. Honestly, you can't go on a day in your life without those heavy thoughts weighing your mind can't you?”
Phainon sputtered. “It- it really isn't like that!” he said weakly.
“Oh, really?” Mydei said, deadpanned. “Deliverer-”
“Please don't call me that.”
“Phainon. Remember what we all used to tell you? Calm your body and mind. Thinking too hard about this isn’t going to get you anywhere. Remember, you’re the leader of the Flame Chase now. While yes, Caelus is our saviour, he still needs someone to guide him. That someone is you. You’re the one that’ll lead everyone in the end.”
Phainon knew. He knew ever since he took on the mantle of ‘Deliverer.’ Everyone around him made it abundantly clear what he would face once the Flame Chase started to near its end. Every cycle, every Eternal Occurrence he faced, those same words would be uttered all the time. Yet this was the first cycle he heard Mydei say it.
In every cycle, Phainon–or rather, Khaslana–would lie atop the third house near the fruit market with Mydei after a long spar, where the view of Kephale stretched clear before them. The game was always the same: a contest to see who could draw first blood. And in every cycle, it was Mydei’s gauntlets that sliced Khaslana’s neck, tearing the choker and cutting a small, clean line, and golden blood seeped down the lowest rays. After they cleaned up the wound, they would share a small quiet moment, staring up at the clear blue f̶͙̹̗͕̝͕̗͛̽͆a̵̰͉̐͑͝l̷̝͙̺͉̮̮͇͖̀͜͜s̵̡̨̼̺̗̯̼̼͖̫͙̐̍è̸̢̍̈̂̆́̈́͛̈̈́̕ sky before heading to the baths, where their usual banter would start up again.
And every single time, they found themselves spilling out secrets they had buried deep within themselves. Khaslana could never figure out what prompted that conversation, but it was he who always initiated it. He shared his doubts about himself and the title of Deliverer, and in turn, Mydei would talk about his time in the Sea of Souls and squeeze his hand gently before they jumped down.
Of course, that wasn’t the only time Khaslana sought his comfort. Every time they were alone in the private baths or one of their rooms, they would talk and talk until words ran out, and all they could do was hold each other in silence, letting the quiet say the rest.
Heh. This cycle was proving to be the exception of all exceptions.
“This is the first time I'm hearing you talk like this,” Phainon smirked. “You were never the sentimental type, even when we were to ourselves. Always bold and sometimes harsh with your words. What changed now?”
Mydei scowled, punching Phainon’s chest. “Nothing, you imbecile. You've already gone through a lot of shit after Okhema’s fall. The last thing you need is some spirit yelling in your face. And look at how you responded to me saying something so tame.”
“All right, all right!” Phainon giggled, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Point taken, Your Highness. I was only joking. And here I thought you’d recognize my teasing tone.”
“Since when did you have a teasing tone!?”
“You don’t know?” Phainon placed a hand on his heart, wiping away fake tears. “We’ve been together for years! I know almost everything about you and here you are wondering if I have a teasing tone .”
“You better shut your mouth before I punch you, you little HKS!” Mydei growled. “This is why I don’t say nice things and instead beat the living daylights out of you.”
“Oooh, freaky. You could’ve worded that better, but you said it like– AHH OK, OK I’LL STOP, I’LL STOP!”
Phainon screeched and scrambled back as Mydei raised his fists and began throwing playful punches. They tumbled into the grass, laughing and clawing at each other in mock battle, rolling through the dirt until they were both laughing, tangled in a mess of limbs, with Phainon lying flat on the ground and Mydei towering over him, wearing a smug smile. And…
Oh.
Oh.
Oh.
So this is what it felt like to be free of burdens, if only for a fleeting moment.
They stayed like that for a few minutes, catching their breaths (well, only Phainon) and staring into each other’s eyes. Then Phainon smiled and gave Mydei’s hip a light tap. Mydei stood and helped him up, pulling the prince into a hug. “Thank you,” he said, ignoring the startled shriek that escaped the man’s mouth. “I– I know you’re on borrowed time right now, but I’m glad you’re here and showing me that all is not lost right now. I’m happy now, for I know I’ll see you all again soon.”
“Of course you will, you dumbass,” replied Mydei, who was now hugging him back. “We’ll return to your side once more, and we’ll face the new tomorrow together. We’ll do everything together. See things we’ve never seen before. Spar with even more vigour. We’ll do it all.”
‘Together, huh?’ That didn’t sound so bad. Phainon couldn’t wait to bring all this to an end. “Together, Mydei. And once we meet under the stars, I’ll tell you–”
“My true name. The one I was given at birth.”
AcaciaMoon12 on Chapter 1 Sun 08 Jun 2025 11:21AM UTC
Comment Actions
AnodeAntarcSkywalker on Chapter 1 Sun 08 Jun 2025 11:37AM UTC
Comment Actions
AcaciaMoon12 on Chapter 1 Sun 29 Jun 2025 11:54AM UTC
Comment Actions
AnodeAntarcSkywalker on Chapter 1 Sun 29 Jun 2025 02:25PM UTC
Comment Actions
Pyro_Skykid on Chapter 1 Sun 08 Jun 2025 02:31PM UTC
Comment Actions
AnodeAntarcSkywalker on Chapter 1 Sun 08 Jun 2025 03:11PM UTC
Comment Actions
Rayaxizzy on Chapter 1 Thu 17 Jul 2025 11:14AM UTC
Comment Actions
AnodeAntarcSkywalker on Chapter 1 Thu 17 Jul 2025 11:52AM UTC
Last Edited Thu 17 Jul 2025 11:53AM UTC
Comment Actions