Archive of Our Own ^beta

"Mydeimos..." Khaslana whispered, voice sounded weak to speak such name.

In front of him there he was, Mydeimos, the same as in all the cycles, something Khaslana never seemed to forget - his face - fulled by determination and proud... What he'd give to see him in the first cycle once more.

The ambient was quiet, the sound of wind making an seemingly melody as the man stared at each other, "... Your core flame." Khaslana breaks the melody, his voice bepcming rasp suddenly "I'll take your core flame in a brilliant battle... And I shall rise glorious, once more."

Khaslana seemed to be speaking his thoughts, his eyes stared deeply at Mydei no emotion showing, at least that's what he thought.

"You say, Deliverer, that after thousands of cycles... You've become more cold and rash to people, am I right?" Mydei starts speaking, crossing his arms as he raises an eyebrow "If it is the case... Why do I sense some tenderness coming from you?"

Mydei was curious, if this man who called himself 'Khaslana' was really one of his Phainon... How come he still look at him with those gentle eyes that once brought him a sense of security?

Khaslana takes a deep breath, humming in response as his eyes slowly falls to the ground, "Ah..." He answers, becoming more quiet.

"... I suppose I don't have an answer for that, Mydei." He spoke slowly yet, said his name so... gently. Mydei eyes flutters in response, confused then, Khaslana adds "I fear... You're... were... a unique one."

"Unique one?!" Mydei asks rather baffled "Is this another of your cheap fallacies?!"

Mydei uncrosses his arms as he takes steps closer to Khaslana, "You said you've been by this before... All because I'm unique to you?!" He exclaims, stopping infront of Khaslana who stared at him once more.

"It's... not that easy to explain, Mydei."

"Then wield your weapon and explain through a battle! Show me how much of a 'unique' being I am!" Mydei wasn't shouting, he was more determined than ever, trying to impose some of his proudness to Khaslana, who slowly chuckled.

"... After all this time," He said bringing his hand to his face, "You haven't changed a thing." Mydei was taken aback by the reaction of Khaslana, was he... trying to make fun of him? His Phainon would do that.

As he opened his mouth to speak, Khaslana spoke first "You don't know how awful it is to lose you, don't you?" He spoke so sincerely it sounded off, Khaslana took some steps closer to Mydei who didn't move an inch.

Suddenly, as Khaslana stared down at Mydei, he leans in to rest is head on Mydei's shoulder - as much it felt off by the height difference - Khaslana sighed, motionless. Mydei blinked in surprise his head turning quickly to face Khaslana, "What are you doing, Deliverer?!" he asked, his tone showing his own surprise.

Khaslana hands crawled on Mydei - hips to his back - his fingers here rough and calloused, making Mydei shiver in response, "... Your tenth vertebrae." Khaslana spoke, even without looking at Mydei's back, his hands trailed to the exact spot.

"Your weak spot." Khaslana whispered as he leaned deeper on Mydei's shoulder.

"... What are you implying...?!" Mydei asked, as much as he felt weird by the overall situation, he couldn't bring himself to move - matter in fact - Mydei seemed to lean closer to Khaslana fighting back every thought as to 'hold him closer'.

"So many times I had to pierce you in this spot. In this place." Khaslana head moved up, being able to look at Mydei's hair and neck, "And in every time... I felt more... more upset at myself."

Mydei listened, if only this was the first cycle he did that.

"You are a brave warrior, Mydei, truly." Khaslana voice was becoming quieter, the feeling of needing to cry spoke on his head yet the emotion ran away, "... I wished for so long to fight next to you, to be with you, yet..."

"I brought your own demise, your death, I watched countless times you fall under my gaze, my arms." Khaslana sighed "Yet... I never had the opportunity to hold you."

"My hands... My body, everything is washed in blood." Khaslana hands didn't leave Mydei, they seemed to want to pull him closer and closer, to fuse with him and be forever together in the afterlife, "You crowned me in your golden blood countless times."

"... If only I could wash it all away." Khaslana leaned back, his eyes watching Mydei's expression and face, as much as he wanted to - he'd never forget his face. "You never changed to me."

Mydei was quiet and puzzled, his face looking at Khaslana lifeless eyes then at the floor, "Phainon of Aedes Elysiae," Mydei finally spoke, his voice was lower than normal, trying to gather his thoughts in a cohesive way but it's found... inconclusive, Mydei sighs in defeat - perhaps the first time he felt like that, should he... get used to it?

Khaslana neutral face stared at Mydei, his hand slowly coming to rest on his shoulder then neck, his fingers wandered so gently through his skin - like he held something so fragile - Khaslana tried to force himself to smile but it came out as another sigh, his voice becoming for tender for Mydei "And yet... You still act the same."

Mydei stared at him, somewhat pitiful over the man who standed infront of him, his arm slowly and hesitantly rested on Khaslana's hand, "... I may not be the best with words but" He finally speaks, "... Any you it's still you, Deliverer."

Mydei hands came to rest on Phainon's shoulders, sliding to his forearms giving a slight squeeze "But I fear... You're not my Phainon." Mydei said, feeling melancholic. Khaslana stared at him, finally taking the courage to touch his face - and he savour it - Khaslana watching him deeply, hoping to remember this face in every cicle there is.

He sighs "Yes..." He leaned closer, they breathed calmly but Mydei seemed to hold his breath for a while "Yes, I know." Khaslana stops speaking, how he wished and prayed for just this moment, just this ending of a cycle, he could cry.

It felt heavy on him, the Coreflames burning with a lost passion of his long past companions, the feeling of tears filling his eyes for a second then... with a low sizzling sound vanishing.

They were quiet, holding each other in their ways watching the other closely.

"But, just for this moment, may I... take a kiss of yours?" Khaslana whispered softly, his head tilting to the side a bit, his tired blue eyes piercing through Mydei's golden eyes.

He thought for a moment - if this is really about to be his last time breathing, then so be it - Mydei sighs, "... Yes." He mutters.

For a moment, Khaslana doesn't move quickly to steal the kiss of his loved one... He waits for a second, making sure to remember this moment, his face, his voice... and now, his lips.

Khaslana closes the little distance they had, his hand passing by Mydei's hair - feeling each lock of his golden hair - he was patient and steady, Mydei seemed rather surprised by such act.

Mydei hands travelled to his neck, holding him in place, even with such fierce and proud on his heart he was gentle. He was hungry for a moment like this, yes, rather starving for it but he was careful with his speed and actions. Khaslana sighed in the kiss, humming slowly as he breaks the kiss, taking a deep breath as he rests his head on Mydei's forehead.

"... I'll miss you, Mydeimos." He whispered, his hand leaving Mydei's hair slowly as he passes through his face, then finally his hands from him - already regretting such decision.

"You said it was for the best, then" Mydei spoke, taking a step back, the way his hands left Khaslana in a slow speed made his own heart feel heavy, strange. Mydei stood tall on his place, "We shall meet again, Deliverer... Phainon of Aedes Elysiae." Mydei voice sounded strong, full of fervor, yet spoke the name of the man whom he loved to sweetly.

"... Yes, we will." Khaslana answered, looking down.

"Until then, our final battle shall be the greatest. Please, if you are to be crowned in my blood then... Make it worth it." Mydei crossed his arms, his voice sounded so full of himself but his expression... was not a sight Khaslana ever wanted to see.

There was a powerful sadness on his eyes, his eyebrows fighting to stay in place - sadly they lost.

"... Shall we" Mydei spoke gently, extending his hand to Khaslana "Make this... a historical moment?"