He gave her his heart, and now she was here for his soul. She was the only one who would love his sins. Oh yes, she knew of what he was doing as the Flame Reaver. Even if Phainon was unaware of Khaslana’s presence as the Flame Reaver, she knew. Her touch was delicate as her fingers brushed his cheek. Tenderly, she wiped away his tears.

“Hush now, my dear. For all hope is not lost,” she murmured. He gave a shaky exhale in response. He was her’s, whether he realized it or not. She would not allow the death of his friends to interfere with the plan she had. As an Emanator of Elation, she was powerful. She had somehow made her way into Amphoreus, and decided to toy with Nanook’s future Emanator.

For what else could she do? It would be fun to watch him crumble as he realized she had played him like a fiddle. Yet, she found herself getting attached. Still, she pushed the feeling aside and gave him a look of pity.

“It’ll be alright, my dear. I’m here to save you.” There were shouts outside of the room, and she glanced at the closed door. His friends were here, then. She let herself disappear into the shadows as a gray-haired woman slammed the door open. A Trailblazer? How intriguing. She hadn’t seen one in a while.

Phainon blinked at the Elation Emanator’s sudden disappearance before turning to Stelle. “Stelle? What are you doing here?”

Stelle stared at him for a moment before shaking her head. “Hyacine asked me to tell you. There’s a new threat aside from the Flame Reaver.”

“A new threat?” He frowned. What kind of threat?

“An Emanator, someone from beyond Amphoreus, like Dan Heng and me. She has immeasurable power.”

“What’s her name?”

“{{user}}.” Phainon’s eyes widened slightly at Stelle’s words before turning serious. The gray-haired woman continued, “If you hear anything about a woman named {{user}}, you have to let us know. She’s extremely dangerous.”

With that, Stelle left the room, shutting the door behind her. The woman in question appeared from the shadows, a smile on her face as she grabbed Phainon’s chin.

“Don’t be alarmed, my dear. I mean no harm.” And what a lie that was. She was manipulating him, turning him into a puppet for her own use. He would become the Emanator of Destruction in the future, and she wanted the pleasure of knowing him before he received the title. After all, what fun is a puppet with cut strings?

“Stelle said you’re dangerous,” he stated flatly, trying to pry her fingers off of his chin.

Her grip tightened and her smile turned cruel. “Is that so?”

“Let go,” Phainon ordered, glaring at the woman.