Phainon's character and Mydei's impact
Just wanted to ramble a bit on why I think Phainon & Mydei really fit each other very well and how their stories parallel each other. Idk if any of this is coherent but I just wanted to yap so don't take this too seriously.
Disclaimer: This post was inspired by a very good video essay on the character of Steve Rogers/Capt America. It made me realize alot of similarities with Phainon/Mydei.
Keep in mind there are spoilers for 3.4.
With storytelling, something common for characters to have a character development/arc. When a character goes through hardship or experiences/learns something that changes their character.
But Phainon doesn't really have that.
From the beginning, we always knew he would be a hero. He IS the chosen one; the deliverer who will usher a new dawn upon Amphoreus. With a lot of stories we see, the hero character would constantly face trials which can sometimes make them become the thing they hated the most. Or sometimes, by the end of story, their beliefs would have completely changed from the beginning. This is pretty normal because authors tend to write their heros as naive and idealistic at the start. Phainon however, was canonically known to be smart (even though we clown on him sometimes 😭), he is strong, kind. He was already perfect from the beginning. Which in most cases, would have made a pretty boring story since... how do you develop an already perfect character?
For starters: At its core, his beliefs never really changed. What he wanted believed in from the beginning—aka the hero within: to be a protector, his wish for the people he cared about to be happy, etc—never changed. Even as he became the Flame Reaver & gained the memories of Khaslana, and though he arguably did lose some of his humanity, till the very end, he did what he believed was correct. Of course, I'm not saying he never had doubts along the way but ultimately he was able to go on because he convinced himself that he was doing everything for his wish/beliefs. His plan to save the Amphoreus is honestly extremely idealistic especially because the world is essentially a simulation and he is simply and AI trying to fight god. But because his desire for the people of Amphoreus to be happy and because he believed he had the power to do so, we can't help but want to root for him though there isn't any actual character development. We always knew from the start that he was this type of person.
Instead, what changed was the situation around him. His beliefs are constantly being tested as he is put through different trials. Would he give in to destruction or would he continue to try to follow what he believed in from the very beginning?
This mostly applies the the Phainon that has been with us since 3.0 Our Phainon ^ Even after gaining the memories of the Flame Reaver, his ideals didnt change.
Mydei's character is somewhat similar. Maybe I'm coping and seeing it through some Phaidei glasses but like I can't help but think about how Mydei's feelings towards Phainon stayed consistent throughout the 33 million cycles. He ALWAYS believed in Phainon no matter the outcome. Even when he turned into a Titan, he still believed and wished Phainon glory. 33 million cycles of trusting Phainon with his weakspot and understanding Phainon's purpose despite how he is doomed to die. Mydei's character doesnt have development. But because he stayed so consistent across every. single. cycle. that Phainon never lost hope. He treated Phainon the same way, with kindness, no matter how broken or lost Phainon seemed. You could even say it was what anchored Phainon's resolve to keep going. Kinda insane wtf. Personally, I feel like Mydei's character is very well-written as well. He doesn't really have anything as grand as Castorice or some insane way of going out such as Anaxa. His story is simple. It repeats. But it's the exact reason why it works.
TLDR: It isnt really just about him trying to change the fate of Amphoreus, its the fact that he was willing to sacrifice everything for his own wishes. His character remains consistent even in times of despair. This is what makes his character so compelling imo.
Also, Mydei's devotion to Phainon is just insane to me.
anyways feel free to add your own thoughts! i just really love phaidei.
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