rambling about phaiblazer again because I love them so much...
All of these are just things off the top of my head that I needed to write down somewhere before I combust... I used Cae's name because he is my Trailblazer but of course all of this counts for Stelle too.
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From the very beginning they had this instant dynamic. I especially loved the moment in Castrum Kremnos where they were already goofing around and joking the entire time while trying to beat Mydei. It immediately showed how well they complement each other and match each other’s energy. (Also the way Phainon talks to Caelus specifically, the softer and excited tone (big thank you to the va), the little smiles, the teasing… T-T)
And almost right away Phainon becomes protective of him, like when he vouches for Caelus in front of Aglaea.
They have always trusted and relied on each other while fighting back to back. (I love this screenshot)
This hits even harder when you remember that Phainon has always been seen as the chrysos heir without flaw, that he was supposed to be a perfect hero — the deliverer who carries everyone’s future and wishes. Then Caelus shows up, and suddenly Phainon gets to want to be saved himself. (And that’s just in this cycle, without even getting into the whole eternal recurrence itself.)
Of course Caelus answers that and gives it all for the Flame Chase too, even going as far as becoming the demigod of time without knowing how that might affect his future as a Trailblazer.
They both know the other is more than capable and strong, and yet they’re still willing to do whatever it takes to protect each other. Like when Phainon tells Caelus that if anyone wishes him harm, they’d have to go over his dead body first.
They really believe so much in each other and also comfort and reassure the other in times of doubt or trouble.
Then in 3.3, Phainon literally prioritizes Caelus’s safety over the fate of Amphoreus. They have no idea what might happen to Caelus if he stays for the Era Nova, even though he is the demigod of time and supposed to become the new time titan if Anaxa's theory is true. And Phainon tells him that no matter what happens, no matter what he becomes, he will always carry Caelus in his heart and never forget him (which turns out to be completely true btw).
At the same time though, he clearly doesn’t want to be alone. He wants his partner beside him. That part in his letter says everything:
In 3.4 when Phainon regains his memories and becomes Khaslana again, a form he’s only ever used to fight and kill, one of the first things he does is gently smile and protect Caelus while entrusting the fate of his beloved homeland to him.
After that, Caelus spends so much time defending Phainon, making sure everyone understands how much he sacrificed and that he’s the one they should be thanking. And the way he also only found the comfort and strength to go on when standing at the docks in Aedes Elysiae looking at the same view Phainon did in between every cycle. If that’s not soulmates behaviour then idk anymore.
Phainon even makes it so the seals containing Irontomb can only be broken by Caelus. And when Caelus finally reaches him and has to destroy him, Phainon doesn’t fight back. He just smiles and encourages him because, in his own words, he doesn’t want to see Irontomb exploit Caelus’s hesitation and love.
And I haven’t even mentioned the part where the image of Caelus that Cyrene sends back in time is literally the reason Phainon managed to last as long as he did. The promise of a tomorrow where Caelus arrives is literally what kept him going for millions of cycles. Cipher even taunts the Flame Reaver that she has been seeing him staring at the sky many times… (add to that the fact that Cae’s and Stelle’s names literally mean sky and star in all languages…)
On top of that Caelus is called Phainon’s most important companion or even his best companion by Phainon himself. Even Phainon’s parents love Caelus and always want him to come over. When all the Chrysos Heirs were in the train everyone knew those two needed a reunion and pointed Caelus towards where Phainon was waiting, just to talk about how the express feels like a true home and how they want to travel together.
Phainon also gave Caelus a wheat wreath which in Ancient Greece was something done between newlyweds.
Last but not not least this part in his second letter that seemingly talks about Dawnmaker but sounds very suspiciously like he is talking about himself.
"Finally taking shape under your gaze"
I couldn't write a better love story if I tried.
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