Chapter Text
> Main cast defeated Irontomb with the help of the black swordman
> Irontomb bears Phainon's face btw, though noone knew him in this cycle, except Caelus.
> Black swordman die to protect Caelus. His face never revealed, though Caelus already knew what lied under the mask. His friend.
> Some voice echoed "I don't need to see the dawn. Just knowing that it's possible is more than enough."
> Caelus faced Irontomb
> "Go beyond the grave of iron, and create a future I could not reach."
> Irontomb fell and crumbled to ash.
> Then the dawn came.
> No chrysos heirs remembered that Phainon used to exist, or Irontomb's face used to belong to someone dear to them. They just cheered.
> Cyrene doesn't remember but she still felt incredible sadness upon seeing the man fading away before dawn.
> Caelus hugged her and said he would find him. Because a romantic story should have a happy ending for everyone.
> Caelus came to Herta and begged for help.
> Phainon has fully merged with Irontomb
> Herta: U just spent years trying to bring Irontomb down and now you're begging me to bring him back to life. Not to mention he's anti-erudition so you're begging an erudition emanator bring back an anti-erudition lord ravager?
> Caelus: Yes.
> Herta: Cool, I don't see why not.
> Then Herta said she'll take care of this, just rest for now.
___
> Some timeskip.
> Caelus went to HSS to ask.
> Herta is very busy
> Basically she got some explaning to do to other factions and her fellow geniuses, abt reviving an anti-erudition lord ravager
> Caelus feels guilty
> Herta doesn't take anyone's crap
> She had to prepare for a meeting
> Personally she doesn't think Nous will care, THEY seeked knowledge, and the learning of a lord ravager is worth every risks.
> But pathstriders doesn't understand that. The risk to an Aeon is unforgivable in their opinion.
> As they spoke:
Entity NeiKos496, asking for access to HSS.
Access granted.
Welcome, Lord Ravager Irontomb.
> Phainon materialised, and greet Herta and Caelus.
> Phainon is very gentle with Caelus, and they hugged for a bit.
> Phainon complained to Herta about how the system call him.
> Herta: It will call you by your most renowned name. Either make the name you like more renowned, or become the system.
> Phainon knew that Herta can change the system as she liked, this is most likely an offer. He said that he'll think about it.
> Herta told Caelus to show Phainon around the HSS. She got work to do.
> Caelus showed Phainon around, and asked some questions.
> Main questions: How is his body? (He's just data so he's fine. His physical body is the Specter, and it's Amphoreus so he's kinda like a soul detached from his body) What happened after the before dawn? (Herta found him) Why didn't he come back to Amphoreus? (He killed them too many times to look at them in the eyes now or to live with them, and since they don't remember, leaving is the best for both parties.) What would happen from now on? (Nothing much, he'll probably sticked around until Madame Herta got out of troubles for saving him first, and then he'll go to fight Nanook. He'll very likely die along the process, but as long as the Specter still existed he'll revive again and continue. Caelus: So, another time loop? Phainon: Yes. But it's not so bad as before. He's no longer have to kill anyone, and he can't live on knowing that his enemies still out there. Caelus knew that his core is hatred so it's hard to tell him otherwise)
> Side questions: Does his taste buds still work?
If Phainon crashed out, or got into a huge depression, Caelus might know what to do.
But instead, he's just calmed, and very acceptant. And the worst part was, what he said was true.
Everything turned out like he always desired, it's just that there's no place for him now. Was it a bad ending? Phainon might disagreed.
And when people were content with what they have, whatever you said would be you imposing on them.
"You know Phainon, even though everyone don't remember you, you can still start anew. Or would you like them to remember more? Because you can tell them, if you like I mean. They will understand."
"Ah no, don't get me wrong. I'm aware that they don't know, but if they know they would do anything to have a talk with me. I also know that they love me enough to forgive me for everything I have done. But that's precisely why I won't cross paths with them again. I killed them, over and over, and that's an undeniable truth. Even if they forgive me, I will not forgive myself. My future from here on is not only revenge, but also redemption.
As for another time loop, it's quite alright.
Don't pity me too much, because this is my happy ending I chose on my own accord. Don't feel guilty for bringing me back either. You give me a chance to see the dawn you brought for Amphoreus. I couldn't beg for more. You're my hero."
Caelus knew that if he asked, Phainon would do anything, including going back to Amphoreus. But was it a right choice then, to force Phainon to do so? What even is the right choice at this point? Phainon said he chose this on his own free will. Caelus could not take it away.
> Then they parted way. Caelus came back to Herta looking like a kicked puppy. Herta didn't ask, just sighed and said she'll take care of that.
> Caelus said there's no way for everyone to be happy. He felt like he's imposing his own definition of happiness on Phainon and others.
> Herta: "That, my dear test subject, is because you are not a genius like me."
___
> Soon the meeting came.
> Caelus came because he thinks he should, since he asked Herta to save Phainon.
> Phainon nowhere to be found
> Herta too busy so Caelus didn't dare to ask her
> Herta called the new HSS AI assistant "Lana" and asked them to send announcement and guide other geniuses to the meeting room.
> Lana also guided Caelus to another resting room, and assured him everything will be okay. Lana can broadcast to him what happened in the room if he liked.
"Did Herta tell you to do this?"
"No." The mechanical voice answered him. "But anything for you, partner."
"..."
"..."
"Phainon is that you?"
"Yes, it's me." Then Phainon appeared before Caelus, they hugged again. They hugged a lot lately. But it's not everyday that whom you hold dear died and once again came back to your arms.
"Why did she call you Lana? I thought you were a female AI like mini Herta on auto mode or something."
"Technically, I am an AI, Caelus. Or worse, just a bunch of data. The system here was with by female voice, so I just use this for now. I'll look on that later. As for the name Lana that madame Herta just called, I was going to register me as Phainon, but data-wise, I'm Khaslana."
"Like 'As I've written' right?"
"Yes. I can use Phainon as nickname, but the system will record me as my data name, which is Khaslana. Madame Herta said it was too mouthful, so she called my Lana instead."
> Then Caelus asked about why he works at HSS now.
"It was business. At first I only intend to stick around for a short while..."
___
Flashback
> Back to the day Caelus and Phainon reunited.
> Caelus left after his brief exchange with Herta.
> Phainon came back.
> Herta looked at the man, didn't even ask what happened or what he intended to do. She just said: "So?"
> Phainon said what he had told Caelus his plan from now on.
> Herta: "Smart. Run away from the consequences of your own making and charged right into another repeated deaths and revives. Perhaps I should recommend another position in Genius Society for you. You really opened my eyes about stupidity."
> Phainon just sighed: "Madame Herta, you know provoking doesn't work on me."
> Herta: "Don't be conceited, I'm just insulting you, though I assume you don't care either. You perceive pain the same way you perceive pleasure. That's the only explanation why you would go right back to Nanook's abuse after all the troubles I have been through. Remind me again, why did I bother saving you in the first place?"
> Phainon: "I don't know what you want me to say, Madame Herta."
> Herta: "Of course you don't. Say, what is your grand plan to kill Nanook on your own? Because from what I have learned in the Specter, you just die a lot. No matter how much an ant tries, it will never be able to lift an elephant, engrave that in your mind. Unless you just get addicted to the abuse they has inflicted on you, then sure, suit yourself."
> Phainon: "What are you trying to say here?"
> Herta: "I don't have to say anything to you. Who do you think you are? Who do you think I am? I am THE Herta. Now you go away, I don't need you here tainting my grand plan to get back at Nanook for almost killing the Mechanic Head."
> Phainon: "..."
> Yes her provoking did work.
___
> Back to present
> Phainon: "So here I am. I'm now the HSS's new AI assistant."
"I'm sorry that I worried you. That was very rude of me. Admittedly, I wasn't very smart, and also not in my right mind. I was stupid, yes. Thankfully madame Herta has smacked some sense into me. If I have to fight Nanook and dies, at least I'll die actually harming THEM, and hopefully repaying madame's generousity."
> Caelus cried, at least Phainon now wouldn't be hurted anymore, even by himself.
> Some noises on the screen attracted their attention.
> The meeting on the screen continued with arguing and yelling up and down.
> There were 3 groups divided in that room. 1. Herta's faction, basically the Simulated Universe squad, siding with Herta herself. 2. The opposing, they deemed her plan to risky, and Irontomb should be eliminated completely to avoid anything bad happening to their aeon. 3. The neutral, don't care who won this debate, they just think abt their own benefits here.
> Herta: "Aren't you all cute, getting ahead of yourself. You want to eliminate Irontomb? Sure. Lana, come here."
> Phainon materialize in the the room, right next to Herta's seat, in his Khaslana form. The room erupted.
"Herta, what's the meaning of this?"
"Oh shut it. You want to kill Irontomb off, I save you the time to find him. Now, come forth, if you can I mean."
Phainon looked at Herta's hand gesture and took out his greatsword.
"An entity that has the capability of taking down Nous himself." Someone mumbled in awe.
> Noone moved.
> Herta drank her cup of tea, look at it and brought it to her side where Khaslana stood. "Lana, another cup. My throat is a bit dry."
Khaslana looked at her empty cup, and then his form reversed back to Phainon. Amidst the uttered silence where you can hear a tiny pin dropped, Phainon brought the teapot up and poured Herta another cup. "At once, madame."
> Herta took a sip, then said: "So, where were we?"
> After witnessing the scene, people were too stunted to speak.
> The rest is history.
___
> The meeting went *well*
> It's not usual to see an anti-erudition lord ravager poured tea for an erudition emanator.
> After that absolute domination, noone questioned Herta's methods anymore.
> She got busy again, so both Caelus and Phainon didn't find a chance to talk with her.
> Either way, it's good that things are settled.
> Mini Herta appeared and scold Phainon to make him go to work, and tell Caelus to go home, this place is too busy to indulge him.
> Phainon smiled apologetically and told him they would hang out later.
> Caelus wanted to have another chance to convince Phainon to at least go back to Amphoreus once, but he couldn't voice it out. He didn't want to impose on Phainon.
"Everyone are happy, what else do I even want..." Caelus thought to himself.
> Phainon probably knew what Caelus was thinking, but even him didn't know what to say. Phainon pat his shoulder and left.
> Mini Herta watched their whole exchange and let out a dramatic sigh. She gestured for Caelus to lean down which he did.
"Listen, you have your own problems to take care of. You done your part, so suck it up and return to the Astral Express, or give Amphoreus a heartfelt speech about deliverance or something. Stop ruining their party by sulking, they deserves some celebration too.
As for Lana, not everything about him is predetermined like computer's data. Hasn't he proved that already? So, eventually he'll suck it up and make some decisions with his binary brain not-detacted."
Caelus: "..." He didn't know what to do with that information.
Herta sighed: "Still not get it? I mean he can change. Once a life is born, no matter it made out of flesh or 1s and 0s, their fate is in their own hand. Even though his core motive is hatred, deep inside he still wants to love and be loved. Just give him time and leave it to me, for that he's now in my hands. You, return to your family at once, they have been worried enough."
That's true. He was so worried about Phainon that he made them worried too. The express crews didn't voice it out, but they are concerned about his strange demeanours. It's not their fault that they didn't know. Yet it's his fault that he didn't speak up, and left them in the dark.
"You know, miss Herta? I know you have heard this too many times, but I still want to say, you're truly the genius among geniuses."
> Mini Herta heard that, do smug face, swayed her hair and laughed: "Of course I am. Who do you think you're talking to? I'm THE Herta, after all."