Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Are you sure you'll be fine on your own? I can always accompany you to the Grove ya know.”

Khaslana eyed Phainon, who was currently curled up on the couch with Fig Stew, the Chimera sleeping on his lap. His younger brother looked and wearily, eyes filled with concern, and rightfully so. It was still cold outside, and reaching the Grove would take around a few hours at most. But Hyacine unfortunately couldn't meet him at the Garden of Life for his weekly check up due to the sudden plethora of patients under her care because of the winter. Breaking the cycles also meant the flow of seasons was back to normal, and the people of Amphoreus would take quite some time to adjust to this new life. 

He knew his limits. Even though it's been almost a year since Khaslana gained a body of his own, his full strength has yet to return. The cracks that once marred his skin were almost gone, and whatever organ damage that remained had been stitched up with healing magic. Still, there were still parts of his body that were brittle and tender that could only be cured through physical therapy. 

Hyacine had given him a full rundown of how the procedure would go, along with the essential oils and potions she'd use to rub out the tension from his bones. She also wrote down his schedule on a piece of parchment for Phainon in case Khaslana accidentally forgets (though that has yet to happen) and also explained to Khaslana she'd be very gentle and would stop whenever he wanted her to. 

“You know I want to make sure all my patients under my care are comfortable,” Hyacine chipped happily, pouring a cup of tea and slicing an apple. She placed a few slices on the free plate and slid it over to Khaslana. “And that includes you, Lord Khaslana. You deserve to be loved and cared for as well.”

Khaslana chuckled drily, nodding his head in a silent thanks. He took a small sip and sighed in satisfaction as the hot liquid hit his throat. “I know…Hyacinthia. That's…what everyone keeps…telling me. Sometimes I feel like…I don't deserve any of this. After…everything I've done to…all of you. It would have been better if…I had disappeared en…entirely.

“But…,” his dull azure eyes flickered left. Next to the potted Star Jasmine sat Phainon, who was playing with Krenabis and occasionally feeding her treats while the little Chimera pawed at his armor. His little brother's giggles warmed his heart and he felt his lips quirk upwards. “Someone…dear to me has reminded me what…life truly…is.” Khaslana took a few more sips of the tea before continuing. “If it…weren't for his stubbornness…and his iron will for me to…live…I wouldn't be here…much less have my own…body.”

Hyacine nodded, dipping a small slice of bread in her coffee and taking a bite. “That's one thing I grew to like about Phai. He's one to speak his mind freely about matters that bother him. He's stubborn like De, but that's because he cares about everyone around him. His heart is big and he gives his love to whoever needs it.”

She shot him a small smile. “You two deserve to be happy after going through all those cycles of endless torture and pain. Allow yourself to rest and let us Chrysos Heirs take care of the rest. I heard from Lady Aglaea the Council of Elders have entangled you in their matters, yes?”

Khaslana heard the concern in her voice and waved it off as gently as he could. “It's…nothing I can't handle. Caenis is not…that hard to…handle.”

“Still…” Hyacine frowned, her gaze cast downwards. Her hands gripped the fabric of her skirt tightly. “Forgive me if I sound crass, Lord Khaslana, but they don't deserve to have you. Those people on the Council, especially Caenis, are exploiting you for their own nefarious deeds. They've always been like that.”

The pure hatred in her voice made him freeze for a moment. Hyacine, in every cycle, had always been a gentle soul–soft-spoken, never one to raise her voice. Even when her patients did something foolish, she’d simply scold them with a quiet sigh before handing over their medicine. But this… this was the first time Khaslana had seen her truly angry, and it made his heart twist. ‘She’s angry for me,’ he realized.

He nearly weeped. 

Leaning over slightly, Khaslana set his cup down and grabbed one of her hands and encased it between his own. The little ‘woah’ that spilt from her lips upon noticing their hand size doesn't escape his ears. “I…know,” he said, bringing their hands to his lap. “Me and Aglaea are…well aware. That's why…she and I go through their…papers and look for any loopholes we can exploit. Remember, Hyacinthia…as long as Aglaea is in the helm…Okhema is in safe hands. The Council can't do…anything to her, nor will I…let them.”

Hyacine’s breathing hitched, those bright turquoise eyes shimmering under the night light. It was the truth, wasn't it? He brought Destruction in millions of cycles, burning the lands and murdering his friends. Preservation, after settling in the Era Nova was a concept that was foreign to him.

But as the months passed and his strength gradually returned–enough for him and Phainon to switch frequently, he found that Preservation came naturally to him. Hands once forged for the destruction of a Lord Ravager now helped mended carts, brushed the fur of Chimeras, and combed through Phainon’s perpetually messy hair. He still summoned his meteors whenever he, Phainon, Mydei, and occasionally Castorice were sent to purge areas overrun with Titankin, but apart from the battlefield, he had learned to protect and heal all over again. He could do anything he wanted without the constant fear of losing control or hurting his friends. 

For once in his life, in this life, Khaslana felt free.

“I'll be…fine, Phainon,” Khaslana said, reaching over to rustle his hair, chuckling when he let out a small whine. Fig Stew yawned, stretching his little body and jumped from Phainon’s lap. He leaped onto the counter snd curled up, awooing in content. “You should stay here…and rest. You…just recovered from…your fever. I'll wear extra layers. Besides…Mydeimos will be…mad at me if…I take you with me.”

"I can handle him though," Phainon muttered bitterly just as a booming voice rang, "I heard someone calling me?" A second later the very prince they were talking about emerged from the kitchen, holding a spatula with a frown on his face. Behind him stood Dan Heng, eyeing the two curiously, with Vigethos in his hand. The little Chimera was snacking on a raspberry the man was holding in his other hand. He gave him a small smile in greeting, to which Khaslana responded with a small wave and a shy smile of his own.

Mydei crossed his arms. “What's going on now? Phainon? Khaslana?”

Phainon started gesturing wildly at Khaslana. “This man here has to go all the way to the Grove for his checkup today because the Courtyard is currently fully occupied with sick students and teachers alike, and he insists he go by himself! I mean, do you even hear yourself right now?!” He said, now glaring at Khaslana. 

He folded his hands and gave him an unimpressed look. “And you…are not coming with me. You just got better.”

“Three days ago! And besides, it's not that cold outside! I'll be fi– no no no do not give me that look Khas!”

“What…look?”

“Ugh! You're doing this on purpose!”

Khaslana huffed a smile at Phainon’s pout. Truly there was nothing more he enjoyed than teasing the younger Deliverer. And he could say with full certainty the feeling was mutual. In the end of the day they were having fun, and watching his baby brother laughing brightly was all the joy he needed.

Mydei stepped forward and settled on the couch next to Phainon, tossing the spatula on the table and wrapping an arm around Phainon’s waist. “Khaslana’s right Deliverer. We all know how shitty your immune system gets, and your temperature just returned to normal. You know me and him wouldn't allow it.

“That being said, however–” he shifted his attention to Khaslana– “the walk to the Grove is not an easy one, and given the state you're in, it's not safe for you either.”

“I agree,” said Dan Heng, stepping up beside Khaslana. Raising a brow, he continued, “If I remember Hyacine’s words correctly, didn’t she say your metabolism was running low, and you shouldn’t be walking long distances without supervision? Or at least have something to eat on hand, in case your energy dips and you get lightheaded halfway through?”

Those sharp teal eyes bore deep into his dull blue ones, and Khaslana found himself shying away from his gaze, the tips of his ears growing warm. Sometimes he tended to forget the Vidyadhara helped out at the Courtyard, and he had a record of almost every patient entrusted to him by Hyacine herself. Plus, he was currently staying with them for a week and a half while the Express was away on an emergency run. 

One and a half weeks. And Dan Heng had only arrived two days ago. Khaslana couldn't shake off the nervous energy in him.

The room was silent, waiting for his response. He heard Phainon snicker and Mydei whispering something furiously into his ear. Vigethos was letting out small confused awoo's, no doubt wondering what was going on.

“I…wasn't planning on going without a sandwich,” Khaslana finally said, wincing at how unconvincing he sounded. Dan Heng narrowed his eyes even further. 

“Just a singular sandwich?”

“And a bottle…of water.”

“That's not enough!” Phainon yelled.

“Or maybe…even use the Anchors to-”

“Absolutely not!!” all three of them screeched.

Khaslana sighed. “I… really was planning on… not going alone,” he said, the weariness in his voice betraying just how drained he already felt. He really felt touched that the three cared for him, he really did, but this conversation was going nowhere and his muscles were starting to ache again.

He didn't exactly plan on who he was going to go with, and he didn't want to bother Mydei since his hands were already full with nursing Phainon back to health. Tribbie and her sisters would have been his next option, except Trianne would somehow coerce him to use a Century Gate, and travelling through that was somehow worse than using the Space Anchors. Castorice was currently in the Netherworld with Polyxia guiding the remaining lost souls, and Cipher….well, nothing needed to be said about her. Aglaea was out of the question, and Caelus and March weren't even in the area. There was no one to help him to…to…

Oh. 

Oh wait. 

There was someone.

And that someone was standing right beside him. 

Khaslana gulped. It was the very person he had once fought against as the Flame Reaver, but who now stood among the closest to his heart. The dragon whose mere presence made his chest tighten and heart flutter. In recent weeks, they had drawn closer still, sharing quiet conversations in the dead of night when nightmares left them both too restless to sleep. Someone whom he saw himself in, during his days as “Phainon.”

Shit. If there was one thing Khaslana prided himself in, it was his ability to remain composed under any situation. After living through thirty-three million cycles, his resolve hadn’t wavered. His hatred for the Destruction, his anger and fury at the Gods, at Nanook only fueled his drive. Never did he falter, even when his heart told him to rest every time he found himself back at the beginning in Aedes Elysiae.

However, if that resolve hadn’t been tempered by countless cycles, he would’ve been a stammering, blushing mess right about now.

What should he do? Ask Dan Heng right to his face if he could accompany him to the Grove? He just got here! The man had barely set foot back here, and the entire reason he was even staying in their house was to recover before the next trailblazing mission. He heard from Caelus the Vidyadhara had nearly overworked himself to a stupor from updating the Data Bank and assisting some friends of his from the Luofu. He and March found him nearly passed out in the Archives, curled up in bed, horns and tail fully manifested in exhaustion. The call he got afterward nearly had him bolting out of bed, ready to race straight for the Express in the dead of night.

So there was no way he was going to ask the person he does not have a little (huge) crush on to come with him when said person was sleep deprived. If he had to make the trip alone, so be it. Khaslana could handle the lectures that would inevitably be thrown at him. If it meant the people around him were getting adequate rest it didn’t matter what pain he went through. But even if Kepale themself demanded him to, he would refuse to ask Dan Heng to walk with him to the Grove because he knows the man would agree without hesitation, and did Khaslana mention the man was sleep–deprived? He did not want to live with that kind of guilt. So, all he had to do was walk around the market, find someone who he knew well and hope that they could help him and get him to the Grove before Dan Heng could get a sentence out his mou–

“I'll accompany you Khaslana. That is, if you don't mind.”

–and his problems had just been solved with that one sentence. 

Well fuck.

On one hand, Khaslana was relieved that he hadn’t made a fool of himself and handed Phainon yet more ammunition to tease the living daylights out of him. On the other, when he glanced at Dan Heng, whose face remained carefully neutral, he caught the faintest dusting of pink along the man’s ears, and his own heart stuttered. 

But… “are you…sure?”

Dan Heng nodded. “I have some herbs for Hyacine I’ve been wanting to give her, and it would be nice to go for a small walk and stretch my legs. Plus, no one else is free to take you there and I…I don’t want to let you go by yourself.”

Oh…

That was…that was sweet. 

“But I’ll come only if you want me to. If you want someone else, I can call–”

“No, no!” Khaslana nearly yelled and cringed internally. In a lower voice he added, “It’s…fine. I don’t mind…I want you to come with me.”

“Ok. Alright.” Dan Heng brushed his fingers against his arm with a tiny smile. “I’ll go grab my bag and we can leave. Be back in a minute.”

Once Dan Heng left the room, Khaslana let out a small sigh of relief. While they are comfortable around each other, sometimes when there are others around, things tend to get…awkward…to say the least. At least he made it awkward, and others use that to their advantage.

Alright, that was a huge lie. It wasn’t everyone.

Phainon coughed loudly and giggled like a ten year old. Mydei shook his head, shooting him a warning glare. “Deliverer,” he growled.

“Whatttttt? Can’t I not feel happy that my dear older brother is experiencing what I went through when I first laid eyes on you?” Phainon pouted, cheeks puffed up. “Now you can't say I'm the only emotionally constipated person here.”

Khaslana scoffed. “Its not…the first time, remember?”

“...Oh, right. But still! Watching someone else go through the five stages of falling in love is so much fun! And it's even more entertaining because it's Khaslana. And everyone who knows us knows the two of us are alike in almost everything.” Phainon snickered and nudged Mydei’s arm. “So, how long do you think it'll take those two to confess? I'm betting a whole year.”

Mydei narrowed his eyes. “Phainon, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep your mouth shut. And I’m not taking part in your ridiculous little betting game.”

“Oh, come on! There's no harm in having a little fun. I’m gonna text Caelus later and ask him for his input. He knows Dan Heng best, and maybe even get March’s opinion. I heard those two went on a few missions before Cae joined.”

“Phainon-!” Mydei hissed, eyes darting between Phainon and Khaslana nervously. “Kindly shut the fuck up right now !”

“Huh? Why are you looking at me like that? Uhhh, ok why are you dragging me out of the–hey, hey hey that hurts Mydei stop stop STOP HEY THAT’S MY HAIR YOU DUMBASS!!!”

Khaslana watched in muted amusement as the king all but dragged Phainon off the couch by his blanket, hauling him toward their room while the white-haired man screeched and yelped for Mydei to put him down before the blanket strangled him to death. Oh, this was priceless. Phainon, the master of smug one-liners, finally getting a taste of his own medicine. As much as he adored his twin, watching him flail and sputter like an offended cat was something he needed to see more often. If only Khaslana could laugh without triggering a coughing fit…

The soft click of the door shutting made him snap his head up just in time to see Dan Heng smoothing down his coat, his bag slung over his shoulder, with Vigethos nowhere in sight. He glanced around the room once, then raised a questioning brow. “Where are Phainon and Mydei?”

“They–” Khaslana coughed softly into his hand, “-had something else… to attend to. Where's...Vigethos?”

Dan Heng snorted. “That would explain the yelling, and don't worry about him, he's in the guest room. Ready to head out?”

“Yes. After you.”

As they stepped out of the house, Khaslana tried to keep his composure, though he couldn’t, once again, quite steady the quiet flutter in his chest at the sight of the Vidyadhara. Maybe he’ll have to ask Hyacine about that later.

Chapter Text

The walk to the Grove was quiet.

It wasn’t the suffocating kind of quiet. It was familiar, comfortable. But it wasn’t complete silence, either. 

“How…are you feeling?”

“Pardon?” Dan Heng raised his brows.

“After…waiting for two thousand years for…your friends to free you from the…cycles. I…never got to ask you if you…were alright.”

“Ahh.” He turned his head away, but Khaslana saw him biting his lower lip. They were nearing Hyacine’s office, threading their way through the massive roots that twisted into winding corridors. A few students passed by, books in hand, offering cheerful waves before vanishing toward their next class.

Surprisingly, his body was holding up far better than before, though he still had to pause now and then, sitting on the floor with a chocolate chip cookie (courtesy of one of Dan Heng’s friends. If memory serves him correctly, it was one of the Galaxy Ranger) and a sip from his flask. The dull throb in his muscles lingered, but it was nothing like the agony he’d felt when he had first gained his body.

Suffice to say, Khaslana was holding up fine, but Dan Heng seemed more…quiet than usual. One look at those stormy grey eyes and he could see something was disturbing him. That his thoughts were taking him somewhere far away where no one could reach.

Fortunately, finding a way into those places was something Khaslana was rather good at. Plus, he had a pretty good idea of what he was thinking of.

Reaching out he brushed his fingers against Dan Heng’s, light and gentle, careful not to startle him. The man blinked once. Twice. Then turned his head. He brushed their fingers again, a silent invitation for him to continue.

“Oh. Oh, right…the cycles…” Dan Heng trailed off. He closed his eyes. “The memories of that long wait are…fuzzy, at best. With Era Nova's arrival, the only thing I remember clearly is my time spent during the 33,550,336th cycle, right up until I…fought you.”

This time, Dan Heng brushed their hands together and let the touch linger. Khaslana laced their fingers and gave his palm a small squeeze.

“Yet, as the memories of Amphoreus resurface, I find myself recalling moments from a life I never lived. Terravox was his own person in every cycle, and the Coreflame of the Earth has carried those memories forward. They aren’t… pleasant, to say the least. But they aren’t overwhelming either. As long as I can tell reality from dreams, I don’t mind inheriting them.”

That was another thing Khaslana had worried about, for both Dan Heng and Caelus. They had each inherited the Coreflames of World Bearing and Earth from the final cycle, and after the initiation of Era Nova, the Chrysos Heirs had retained their abilities. Aglaea’s golden threads still wove through the city, now serving to keep the Council in check. Cipher still possessed her hyperspeed, Tribbie and her sisters could open Century Gates with ease, Mydei’s blood crystals remained nearly unshatterable, and Hyacine continued to conjure rainbow bridges linking sky and land. And so on, and so forth.

The same applied to them, bounding them to Amphoreus, except Caelus had given up that duty to Phainon a few days after the final battle, entrusting the younger Deliverer with the task he was destined to have. Albeit with much hesitation he accepted after Khaslana himself had convinced him that he was the right person. 

The Coreflame of Earth remained in Dan Heng's position, and much to Khaslana’s shock and relief, the Vidyadhara was able to travel to the Express and back without any problems. The earth remained intact during his absence, and he had once mentioned a little squirrel companion of his that watched over the land of Georios and begged him for acorns every time they stopped by.

Huh.

He never would have imagined the demigod of Earth would be so gentle with creatures smaller than him. 

Khaslana cleared his throat. “You’re brave for…that, you know?”

Dan Heng made a questioning noise. “Brave? What do you mean?”

“You could’ve handed over that…authority to someone else. Like…a mountain dweller for…example. Yet you chose to…keep it. Even though you’re…not from Amphoreus, and you have no ties…to this planet.”

“I would say you're wrong about that,” countered Dan Heng, walking a little faster and carefully tugging Khaslana's arm until they reached the door to the office. They stopped right outside, his eyes trained on their hands. “I do have ties to Amphoreus, as do Caelus and March through our Trailblazing journey. Through all the Chrysos Heirs. To you . My friends are my anchors in all my travels. I keep visiting worlds the Express has been to before to meet the companions I’ve made, and Amphoreus is no exception.”

“Oh…” he never thought about it from that perspective. He read about the Trailblaze and the other Aeons during his last visit aboard the Express, and one line had caught his attention: ‘ The Nameless help out those in need, not for fame not fortune. Whenever there's a world in distress, they arrive and bring peace and prosperity.’

It would appear those words were true after all.

“Hard to believe, isn’t it?” Dan Heng smiled softly. “I was in your shoes once, long ago until two people took me in, and two others dear to me reminded me that I wasn’t as alone as I thought. That there were people who cared.”

He knocked softly on the door. “We can talk about that once we’re home. For now, all that matters is you getting better, and making Phainon smile.”

And all Khaslana could do was nod weakly and follow the man inside, a small, yet genuine smile creeping up his face. The sincerity in Dan Heng’s voice was not helping his heart. Not at all.

But was it ok for someone like him to love again?

“Dannie! You’re finally here!! And Lord Khaslana’s here too!”

“Doot doot doot doooooot!!”

Hyacine shot up from her chair and nearly knocked Dan Heng off balance as she swept him into a hug, while little Ica fluttered onto his shoulder and nestled there with ease, nuzzling his cheek. Her short stature meant she had to stand on her tip-toes, so Dan Heng crouched down a little after he regained his balance. Khaslana chuckled as he moved to stand next to him, ruffling the Priestess’ bubblegum pink and turquoise hair.

Dan Heng smiled and caressed her back. “It’s been a while, Hyacine. I’m sorry I’m not able to visit more often after my departure.”

“No need to apologize for that.” Hyacine pulled back, the sparkle in her cyan eyes glowing. “I understand that the life of the Trailblaze is all about work and adventure, so it makes sense for  you to be focused on that once again. However, I’m so happy you’re here, even if it’s only for a few hours.”

He hummed, walking over to the table and setting down his satchel, tilting his head to give Khaslana a knowing look. He rolled his eyes and raised a brow, but took the hint. “Not exactly…Hyacinthia.”

“Huh?” Hyacine moved to the shelves, grabbing bottles of crushed herbs and scented oils and poured them into the mortar, preparing the ointment. Her eyes darted between him and Dan Heng in confusion. “I don’t understand. Lord Khaslana, what are you saying?”

“I mean that…Dan Heng will be visiting you more often…this week, because he, Caelus and March are staying…at Mydeimos’s house this week. So he’ll be dropping by often.”

“...Really!?” she squealed, eyeing Dan Heng excitedly. The Vidyadhara laughed, petting little Ica as he sorted through the vials and organized them. Little Ica moved to sit on his head, letting out a series of happy doots and chirps. 

He nodded his head, grabbing a biscuit from his bag and feeding it to Little Ica. “He’s right about that. The Express is busy on a small run, and Himeko didn’t want us to get bored while they handled all the ‘grown-up stuff,’ as she put it. Me, Caelus and March recently visited the Luofu and Belebog and Sunday is currently in Penacony, so we decided to come here and see how all of you are doing.”

“And it isn’t because Phainon texted little Grayie saying how much he missed you guys?” she teased, shooting Khaslana a sly glance. “He hasn't said even a single word about how he wanted to see his dear partner again?”

Khaslana rolled his eyes. “Believe me when I say…he wouldn't stop talking about them…at all. Mydeimos nearly tied his mouth and said…he'd call the Express personally and ask those three to visit if it meant…he'd shut up.” 

However, he'd be lying if he said he hadn't missed them either. The Astral Trio weren't just Amphoreus’ saviors–they were their friends. Trusted allies who stood alongside them and vowed they'd help the Chrysos Heirs adjust to their new lives and aid the citizens. They helped him recover from something he had once thought no one could save him from. So many lifetimes he lived in in pure rage and agony, and they only knew him as the Flame Reaver.

And yet.

They didn’t lash out at him or spit harmful words. Khaslana had braced himself, ready to shoulder their scorn and distaste–but nothing, absolutely nothing, could have prepared him for the concern that instead poured from the other Heirs. He remembered dreading the day he would meet Aglaea, Tribbie, and the rest, clinging to Phainon’s silent encouragement that things would turn out alright. And they had. More than alright. So much so that he nearly fainted in the meeting, overwhelmed by the sheer kindness he was shown. Kindness that his heart (or rather, Phainon’s heart at the time) could endure.

If it hadn’t been for Phainon catching him as he nearly fell into their mindscape he would’ve hurt himself badly again.

The Astral Trio had known exactly who he was, yet they helped him bring down Lygus without a moment’s hesitation, and without them, he never would have had the time to convince Phainon to drive the blade into him and set Era Nova into motion. They left a little while after, around two weeks after things had settled and their visits had been sporadic with how busy things had gotten for them. 

Khaslana would make sure he spent as much time with them as possible.

Hyacine grabbed a wooden stool, placed it next to her table and motioned Khaslana to come forward. “You know the drill, Lord Khaslana. Where shall we begin today?”

“Just…the shoulders and my back. I feel better, but I’d rather not wake the pain again.” Khaslana rasped as he unbuttoned his shirt and let it pool down to his waist. The numerous scars and blemishes marring his skin on full display. 

She nodded, grabbing the mortar and started to pour a few drops of oil and grounded the herbs. “Of course! I’ll be as gentle as possible so as to not aggravate the pain. Remember, if you feel even the slightest bit of comfort, let me know, and we’ll take a small break. Are you ready to–”

“Hyacine? A moment please?”

Both Khaslana and Hyacine snapped their heads up, one in confusion, the other in silent questioning and saw Dan Heng standing before them, holding a vial filled with what looked like glistening seawater. Its turquoise hue shone under the soft light, and if Khaslana squinted he could see small bubbles.

That was…if Khaslana’s memory served him right was water drawn from his homeland. Water from the ancient sea, used by Vidyadhara healers to close wounds, mend shattered bones, and regenerate destroyed cells. Dan Heng had admitted once the gift of rejuvenation had not been passed down to him, yet still he studied with diligence, guided by someone he cherished as both friend and younger sister. Under her tutelage he learned to tend injuries, starting from the simplest cuts and slowly working his way toward the more complex art of healing. He still wasn’t a master at it, but anyone would be a fool not to notice the improvement.

Hyacine took the vial and studied it with great care. “Dannie, was this the water that you mentioned in our texts a while back? The one from your home on the Luofu? It looks pretty!”

“It is indeed,” Dan Heng nodded, accepting the vial from her and popped it open. He poured a few drops into the tincture. “I imbued a bit of my own power into it to help speed up the healing process, hence the teal glow. I also got some herbs I’d like to try and add next time if that is alright with you.”

“Of course! If you think they'll work then be my guest. Khaslana, are you ok with that?”

Khaslana’s eyes flickered between her, Dan Heng and the vial in his hands and nodded without any hesitation. He trusted their judgement–if they think it'll work, he'd take his chances.

So, he slowly nodded and said, “I’m fine with…anything you do. I trust you two. Even if something goes wrong…I will not fault either of you.”

They began their work. Hyacine methodically examined Khaslana’s arms and back, asking him to point out where the pain was sharpest, while Dan Heng carefully compounded the herbs into the water with the pestle. Little Ica and Krenabis were playing with a ball in a corner, pausing now and then to curiously watch the healers at work.

“Dannie?” Hyacine called out to the Vidyadhara. “Is the tincture ready? I have an hour with you guys before I have to tend to the other patients. Clementine and a few others are the only ones at the infirmary.”

“Almost. I just got to one last drop of my magic to finish it and… done.” Dan Heng set the mortar on the table. “Oh, and there’s also something I’d like to ask the two of you, mainly you, Khaslana. That is, if you do not mind,” he added, his gaze lingering on him. A faint pink blush dusted his pointed ears, the golden Dromas horns now crowning his head. Heat stirred in Khaslana’s own cheeks, and it took every ounce of willpower not to avert his eyes. Instead, he gave a small nod, a silent invitation to continue.

“This time, is it ok if I…if I try massaging your shoulders?”

Yep.

Nope.

Khaslana’s brain started to malfunction. His mind was starting to make those crash noises Phainon said the older modelled computers made when they were pushed to their limits. 

Thankfully, Hyacine (bless her, she always knew the perfect moment to swoop in and take charge of any situation) tilted her head at him questioningly. “Now that is an interesting request. Any particular reason Dannie?”

He cleared his throat, the blush not quite leaving his face. “Ah, there’s something I failed to mention, but Vidyadhara magic isn’t really something anyone can handle, mine especially. There are faint traces of both the Permanence and Destruction in the tincture, which someone of my physiology can handle, but not you. I’m still working on a more delicate mixture that you can work with. But for now, I want to check and see if this works.”

Dan Heng shifted his attention to Khaslana again. “Nevertheless, I’ll only do it if you want me to. I’ll make a new tincture for Hyacine if you want her to continue. The choice is yours, and know I will not take offence if you choose to say no.”

His tone was soft, his gaze gentle, and Khaslana found himself unable to refuse. A small, rational part of him wanted to protest since Dan Heng must still be tired. But he knew he wouldn’t have offered if he couldn’t do it. 

Plus, the determination in his eyes–that showed that he wanted to help Khaslana get better 

Oh, and he also should have been wary of his strength as the demigod of Earth, but for some reason that thought never once crossed his mind.

So, Khaslana cleared his throat in an effort to ensure he didn't sound like a babbling mess and said, “I don’t mind at all. Like…I said before, if you think it will work…then by all means, go ahead.”

And he, in fact, did not sound like a babbling mess. Success! 

Dan Heng nodded. “Alright. I’ll leave the two of you detailed instructions on how to apply the tincture without triggering any harmful effects. As I mentioned before, even the faintest trace of Destruction can cause irreversible harm to whatever it touches. And as for you Hyacine, go and tend to the patients in the infirmary. Start your shift early. I can handle this.”

“Are you sure?” Hyacine didn't look nervous, but her tone betrayed her weariness. “I have full confidence in your abilities, but are you sure you don't need help in case things go south?”

“I won’t,” he replied, just as Khaslana muttered, “he will not.” Their eyes met, both flushing furiously. Hyacine’s curious gaze flicked between them, and Khaslana quickly turned away, coughing into his fist and silently praying to every Titan that she wouldn’t say a word about this to anyone.

…Though, knowing her she might go and tell Castorice…who may or may not tell Cipher…oh fuck .

If he were the Flame Reaver he would have eliminated them all.

The Sky Priestess giggled, her curls bouncing and with a bright smile said, “Ok! Since you two are insistent, I shall take my leave. But if you need anything, give me a call and I’ll be there in a jiffy! Come on, little Ica and Krenabis, we’ve got somewhere else to be.”

The pegasus dooted happily and swooped the Chimera onto his back before gliding out through the doorway. Hyacine followed, closing it behind her with a soft click.

The room was deathly silent for a few minutes. Neither of them said anything.

Then, Dan Heng tapped his shoulder thrice and pointed at the mortar. “Shall we begin?”

Khaslana nodded, getting comfortable. “Yes, please.”

The man nodded and stepped behind him, dipping his fingers into the mortar and gathered some of the tincture. He placed his hand onto Khaslana’s shoulders and took in a deep breath “Remember, tell me to stop when the pain gets too much.” he whispered

“I will.” Khaslana nodded.

And then relief, unlike anything he had ever felt in his life hit him hard as Dan Heng rubbed the tincture on his skin, seeping deep into his weary bones. He barely managed to bite back a groan as he started to knead his arms, massaging the sore spots that had been giving him much trouble the past week. He slumped in the chair, relaxing and closing his eyes as pleased hums escaped his mouth. Faintly, he heard Dan Heng chuckle.

“Does it feel good?”

“More than…good. Is it because of the water?”

Dan Heng hummed. “That’s one reason, yes. But it’s also because of the power of both Permanence and Destruction. One force threads its way through the knots, unraveling them, while the other soothes and mends to ease the pain. My people call it a poetic blend. Two paths you would never expect to harmonize, yet they do.”

“Oh, I should have mentioned this earlier, but before you ask,” he added, pressing the base of his palm into a stubborn knot, “the Destruction in your body and the one infused into the tincture won’t interact with each other, thanks to the Permanence. And even if they did, it would only pose a risk if the concentration in the medicine were far, far higher.”

…How could Khaslana overlook something important such as that? He had let it slip from mind that an Aeon’s power still coursed through his veins, though it was no longer as strong as it once was. The fact that Dan Heng didn’t and was fully confident in his abilities while taking care of his fragile body…

Khaslana wasn't a crier, but at that moment he was so close to.

The urge to rise and pull him into a hug was almost overwhelming, and the only thing keeping him anchored to his chair was the steady pressure of Dan Heng’s fingers working into the tension points along his back. This was different. So very different. Hyacine’s tincture, the one she often used for easing the elders’ aches, had always been effective, though she herself admitted the recipe was a little old-fashioned. It worked well, but it wasn’t quite hitting the spot like he had hoped it would.

Then again, Hyacine never had magic water to spare now, did she?

“You’re good…at this,” Khaslana commented, hissing under his breath when Dan Heng pressed a tad bit too hard on a particularly sensitive spot. “Is this…really your first time massaging?”

Dan Heng let out a low chuckle. “Actually, no. I’ve helped out Mr. Yang and Caelus more times than I can count. Some nights after a long day they’d call me and ask if I could help get rid of their pain. Well, Mr. Yang mostly, given his age. And…some memories from my past life also help me…

He trailed off, his voice faltering near the end, and Khaslana’s brow furrowed. He knew just how deeply his predecessor’s memories still weighed on Dan Heng–how every night he’d have nightmares about his friends from the Quintet dying over and over again and how he, or rather Dan Feng was powerless to do anything and could only watch their flesh rot away, leaving nothing behind but their bones as they screamed it was his fault. It was rare for him to have pleasant dreams, and when they did they always ended in disaster.

The last time Khaslana heard Dan Heng scream in his sleep, he and Caelus had nearly been thrown halfway across the room in their frantic attempts to wake him. He told Caelus to go back to sleep and hadn't left the Archives the whole night, opting to make sure Dan Heng got decent rest.

As if he could read his thoughts, Dan Heng placed a cold palm on his forehead and whispered, “it's ok. I'm doing better now. You do not have to worry about me. Focus on yourself first.”

“It's kind of hard…not to,” Khaslana replied, eyes still shut. “I said it before and…I'll say it again. I hate to see my friends…suffer, and that includes…you. I don’t care if you are used to it. You…shouldn't be.”

He didn't have to say how standing in the sidelines, being powerless to do anything worked out for him in his cycle. How he had to watch everyone die and then kill them over and over because that's all he could do. This new life has given him a chance to make amends and fix what he had burned.

He felt Dan Heng’s sigh, warm breath ghosting across his face, but the man said nothing, only reapplied the tincture to his back with quiet focus. Frustration welled up inside Khaslana, yet it wasn't directed at Dan Heng. Life was never fair, but it's ugly claws tore open a hole so deep he wasn't sure how long it would take for them to climb out.

They had both carried their burdens for so long, each silently bearing more than anyone should. But now, neither of them stood alone. Khaslana had the unwavering support of the Chrysos Heirs and his younger brother. Dan Heng had the Express Crew, and the friends who he made in his long journey across the stars. In many painful ways, they were alike. And once upon a time, Khaslana could only wish for someone like him–someone who could truly understand, someone he could finally talk to.

Khaslana wanted to scream. To climb the highest peak and shout until his lungs gave out and his throat was left raw and burning. He wanted to curse Nanook and his lackeys known as the Lord Ravagers for putting him through endless cycles of torture to halt their plans. He wanted to find Zandar's remaining bodies and pulverize them over and over and make him feel how he had.

And now, he wanted to carve a hole into Phantylia's chest. Into the sternum of that swordmaster and rip his heart out. It would be a fruitless endeavor, but one he would undoubtedly relish.

But for now, he'd rather enjoy the peace that Amphoreus finally found with his brother and friends. As Aglaea told him, revenge would get him nowhere. The day would come when he would meet his Creator and fight THEM, and when it did he would do it with everyone. Together.

Dan Heng was muttering something under his breath and Khaslana couldn’t stop the small smile that grew on his face. “Louder. I…can’t hear you.”

He sucked in a breath. “I’m happy to be here. With you I mean. It has been a while since we last talked face to face. And you have gotten stronger too. It makes me feel happy that you’re doing well these days.”

“I could say the same…about you,” he quipped, eyes flicking open as he twisted to catch one of his hands. “I’ve noticed that the…nightmares have decreased since last time. You have been sleeping peacefully and...only woke up to drink water. I am glad to see…you are doing good these days…as well.”

“It is a good thing we are both slowly recovering,” he laughed, giving Khaslana’s shoulders one last rub before stepping back to let him button his shirt. “

And while I was speaking the truth earlier, and you have seen it yourself that I’ve been getting better, I’m thankful that you…that you care. It does feel nice knowing that there’s someone other than Caelus, March, Himeko and Mr. Yang who wants to check up on me now and then.”

Khaslana felt his heart warm up at those words and pulled Dan Heng into a hug, the Vidyadhara’s tail coiling around his leg. Tucking his head into the crook of his neck he croaked out, “of course. I’ll always be there…for you, no matter…what. Remember that you have…all of me, just as what you have…done. If you ever need me for anything, I will…always be by your side.”

Dan Heng cuddled closer, a soft grin pressing onto his shoulder blade. “That does sound nice, doesn’t it?”

Khaslana’s wings appeared and enveloped both of them. “Trust me…it does.”

It took him months to understand, and now that he does, he could show it to those who had a hard time. Especially Dan Heng.

And in that moment, a thought flickered into his mind. One that sent warmth blooming through his chest and flooded him with pure, unfiltered happiness. It caught him entirely off-guard, for he never imagined such a notion would appear so suddenly, so unbidden. Yet it did, and almost instantly his mind leapt to wondering how Phainon might react to it. 

‘Yes. You are allowed to love again. Just like how loves you.’