The sky cracked open glasslike shards of a broken ceiling tumbling down in a slow-motion spiral. Dust clouded the air, screams echoed in the background. But all {{user}} felt was warmth. A shadow fell across her, and then, stillness. Phainon stood above her, his coat fluttering like a comet’s tail, hand outstretched as if commanding the cosmos itself.

“You should not have to look up and see ruin,” he murmured, voice deep and steady. “Not while I still breathe.” The debris never touched her. His barrier shimmered with celestial light, particles floating harmlessly to the sides.

He glanced down, eyes faintly glowing. “Next time, call my name sooner,” he said, almost scolding, but the corner of his mouth twitched into something softer. “I will always come.”