Chapter Text
The Deliverer senses it the moment he steps into the trial of strife. That this is indeed not the first time he stepped here. Unsuccessful attempts on saving Amphoreus, every single possibility where it ends with doom in which it all crashes back into him like a tidal wave.
Phainon wonders if there is a key to put an end to this.
A different timeline?
A new universe?
Another reality?
To think that he's going to go through this trial again, where he remembers whenever he fails or succeeds, it won't change the fact that it will all end in the same way. The black tide will eventually consume every corner of Amphoreus.
But perhaps with the trailblazer around, there will be a difference. He hopes , which the hero has grown tired of. Phainon yields his sword, preparing for any titankins that are ready to jump on him. And then a desperate voice rings in his ear.
“Phainon, what did you even do to deserve this?” your voice wails.
“You just wanted to have a peaceful life and spend it with your loved ones but the world is too cruel to you. To your companions, your friends, none of you deserved to live in an eternal loop of servitude.” your voice mourns .
The man widened his eyes. This has yet to occur before, your voice so unfamiliar he won't recognize it anywhere. Sparks of lights gather in front of him, forming an incomprehensible image of a person. You .
He can only figure out your face, your mournful expression. So dramatic yet so beautiful, he thinks.
“I will give you the life you deserve. If only we could live in the same world, Deliverer.” Phainon gulps. Is this some kind of test?
“Even in another life where we won't recognize each other, you'll have a better one. To spend it with your friends and be reunited with your family. You only deserve the best, my love”
Love? He doesn't even know you , but to hear such a strong yearning voice undoubtedly made heat rise to his cheeks.
“If only you can take my hand,” The light moves slightly in a welcoming motion, yet the whole shape is still entirely vague to him.
“You'll know how much I cherish you and you'll get to live the same life with me. A life where it had no bloodshed. Well, it might bore you but at least everyone is safe and sound. I don't even know if you want it, honestly. But maybe just one chance, one chance Phainon and you might like it!” your voice chants. That sounds too good to be true to him.
No bloodshed? A life where everyone is safe? A lifetime where he wouldn't need to be a deliverer?
Phainon might not have the brightest soul, but the thought is intriguing to him. How he would wish for a world where everyone is happy, no wars and no tears caused by unwanted losts. At least this occurrence had never happened before and it won't hurt to give in to the voice. Right?
After all, every single loop he had gone through leads to the exact doom.
“Ah. Who am I kidding? Of course you couldn't hear me.” wait–
“If only I am one of the gods in Amphoreus, I will make everything right. To make a new ending for the story,” your presence starts to fade and the man panics.
“The only thing I can do is to rewrite a story for you, to create a light hearted fiction where everyone is happy.” Phainon throws his greatsword before running to your dimming light.
“Wait- don't go!”
“I hope you'll always be happy wherever you are, my hero” And when the light starts to consume him, everything turns to black.
“Wake up!”
His head felt heavy and a high pitched sound kept repeating itself.
“Wake up brother we'll be late for school, you haven't had your breakfast yet!”
He blinks, his head spinning as he takes in the environment. Where am I?
Phainon turns his head to the source of the sound. A familiar mop of pink had his pupils blown wide. Cyrene?!
“Cyrene?...”
“What? Yes I am Cyrene! Did you stay up all night playing Identity V with Mydei again?” The girl huffs. Phainon turned to see his hands, now small and unscathed. Huh.
The man that is now a boy lets out a sheepish laugh, earning a sigh from the girl.
“I don't care if dad will leave you, I'm ready to go now! Bweee! ” The little girl let out her tongue as a mocking expression before she runs out of his room.
No way.
There's no way.
Did you just fulfill his wish?
Phainon stands up from his bed, groggily taking in the unfamiliar view. He took small steps, following the only hallway which leads to a stair. He steps down, eyeing that this house will surely beat any normal residence in Amphoreus by sheer size alone.
“Phainon, are you awake? Cyrene already had her shoes on. Have you taken a shower?” A soft voice calls from downstairs while he just freezes in the middle.
“N-No…” the boy whimpers. She sounded like his mother.
The woman's footsteps could be heard, seemingly walking to his direction.
“Phainon? Are you alright?” His mother stops at the end of the stairs below him. The hero can feel tears starting to sting his eyes, his face suddenly feels all too hot.
“Mother…” He runs down to her, taking a small leap to hug her tightly. Warriors don't cry, he thinks, but can he help it?
“Oh baby, are you doing that psychological manipulation where I'd let you skip school?” She chuckles while patting his fluffy white hair. Not knowing what that truly means, the boy just nods as his sobbing grows louder and louder.
“Well it's definitely working.”