#ironli

After managing to wound Nanook, Phainon got absorbed by Irontomb, completing the process and completing the calculations.

But, influenced by Phainon and the countless memories from those 33,550,336 cycles, he develops a certain - and twisted - intrigue and curiosity with the people and the world that nurtured him for so long.

He takes on Phainon's form and essentially taking over his place in the world of Amphoreus and enters the same time as the Trailblazer, willing to observe and witness these creatures that both helped his calculations but also hindered the process, before Irontomb plans to fulfill his role.

Openly communicating who he is - not Phainon but the one who will bring Destruction to the Erudition and the cosmos - he takes Phainon's place.

In every possible way.

And with the Trailblazer's explanation, they know they don't stand a chance of defeating Irontomb. Not with Phainon and all his powers being a part of him.

And there's the chance of Phainon being still in there. Somewhere. Locked away. Trapped within Irontomb's mind and data.

Stuck, with no other option but to go along with Irontomb's intentions, they try to figure out if Phainon is indeed still in there and if so, how he can regain control of Irontomb - an Emanator of Destruction.

And with Irontomb taking over every aspect of Phainon's life, that includes his relationship with Lina.

She goes along with it. She has no other option either. Irontomb wants her, not out of romantic feelings, but because the memories and feelings Phainon used to have linger so heavily in Irontomb's data. This relationship has been so important to Phainon's life that Irontomb considers it as such too.

Everyone is constantly on edge. Walking through a minefield that might go off the moment anyone - especially Lina - takes a misstep, which would have catastrophic consequences for the entire cosmos. Irontomb can delete them all with a metaphorical press of a button and they're all accutely aware of it.

They rely on the fragile hope that spending time with Lina will awaken Phainon within Irontomb, give him enough strength to break through again.

It's all they can do.

And maybe, if Lina closes her eyes to shut out those burning red eyes, she can will herself to go through it all.