I know a lot of people view ‘Khaslana’ as Phainon’s real name but TBH TBH I could never see it that way. (Mini analysis?)
Phainon as a name is especially precious to me because, even with all the talk about a “destined Deliverer” and prophesies, Freedom and choice are extremely important themes that play into Phainon’s character.
‘Phaenon’ of mythology is a beautiful youth created by Prometheus (Kaphale of HSR), Prometheus initially wished to keep Phaenon for himself, but Eros (the god of love) reported it to Zeus, who then sent Hermes to persuade Phaenon into ascending to mount Olympus, placing him among the wandering stars.
This mirrors Phainon in the way he was just a regular farmer boy from an isolated village, who chose to become a hero when the world called for him. He wasn’t destained for greatness in the way other heirs were.
Examples: Castorice being the sister of Thanatos, Hysilens was a sea princess, Mydei is the prince of Kremnos, Tribios being the holy maiden of Janusopolis, Hyacine’s supposed connections to Seliose, these are the ones I can recall at the top of my head but you get the jest of it. Most of them had some sort of close ties to the coreflame they ended up with. I’m sure Cipher, Aglaea, Cyrene and prof Nax follow that pattern one way or another, I just haven’t stopped to think about how to phrase my explanation for them yet.
But the point I’m trying to make is that Phainon doesn’t really have a CLEAR connection to Kaphale the way other heirs do with their titans. Even he points out that he lacks special qualities compared to his peers.
But later on Aglaea points out to him that he is the most perfect successor for Kaphale, because of his ability to love, to find the most precious qualities within people unconditionally. Just as Kaphale recognises the imperfections of their creations and still “chooses” to offer them protection with unconditional love.
And that love is exactly what motivates Phainon on his hero’s journey. ‘If You Are Destined to Become the Blazing Sun...’ is a cycle where Khaslana chose to protect his sense of self, only for that self to have the exact same wish. That being the desire to protect those precious to him. Even in a world where Phainon isn’t actively partaking in the flame chase, his reason to hold a sword is still love. (Thus Eros the snitch)
All this emphasis on him becoming ’Khaoslana’ – the bearer of chaos – instead of it being something he was tied to from birth. The emphasis on CHOICE, not fate. Just as he said in Flares of the blazing sun: “No fate. No king. No god.”. It is not a name he was born with, but one he chose to fulfill.
(One thing I want to point out is that ‘Hatred’ being his Primum Mobile absolutely makes sense. He can only hate so much because he loves so much. In my eyes, the ‘world bearer’ doesn’t only hold the memories of his loved ones, but also the grudges against those who wronged them, thus the revenge themes going on for him. It’s all so perfect I could cry)
Also this description of his month, a period where people can focus on things that aren’t ‘required’ of them. Yet again, emphasis on choice.
So yeah.
‘Phainon’, the ordinary guy who chose to become Amphoreus’s sun out of love is something I hold way too dearly to dismiss as an alias. It’s too neat to be anything else. Simply put, no other name could dream of being as perfect. (especially considering there are other mythological figures who also play major role into his writing and role).
That and the fact that ‘Khaoslana’ being a title is lowkey a reference to Homura (Madoka Magica you will always be famous.), where she mentioned that she isn’t as cool as her name, only for Madoka to tell her that she should make it her life mission to become as cool as her name. Just as Cyrene inspired Phainon to become a deliverer and accept a new world to be his home. (i am working on a comparison analysis of how Madoka Magica influences Phainon and Cyrene’s writing, but it’s taking too long…)
Anyways, that’s all for my ramble. Am I insane? Absolutely. And I am not saying that my specific interpretation is correct while everyone else’s is wrong, that is not the case at all. Just details I think are super neat and deserve more attention. I feel so deranged when I overfocus on little things like this but it’s okay. I love yapping about Phainon. He may be my second fav character of all time after Childe.
Look at my Phainon gooo (yes I am flexing)
Edit: (rereading this after I took a little break I noticed I could have explained this a little better, I’m return for it later tho.)
