Chapter Text
When Phainon was still a young boy, the adults have already warned him about venturing out of town alone. Passing merchants, few and far between, always have the same tale of a fearsome being prowling during nights when the "moon" is high in the sky… whatever that is.
"What is such a mythical beast called?" he remembers asking with trepidation.
He has seen the way their eyes shifted, contemplating if they should tell a child about potential nightmare fuel. One of the men bent on his knee to regard him eye-to-eye, "Young one, it is better to warn you now than let your curiosity lead you to danger. This foe is called the Bread Creature."
He would have laughed at the silly name but the atmosphere turned so grim in seconds that it triggered goosebumps along his arms. The severe expression on all of their faces is all he can associate at the mere mention of bread creature for years to come.
Phainon can't help the feeling of certain dread as he makes his way up to the Hero's Bath to answer Lady Aglaea's summons.
It was right for him to feel this special kind of dread. Lady Aglaea has sent him on this mission to "communicate with the bread creature in hopes of gaining a potential ally amidst the threat of the black tide".
"Nothing to worry about, she said. Everything will be fine, she said," Phainon trudges along the worn path towards the alleged domain of a mythical beast trenched in more horror stories than he can count. Nearly a week passes into his journey when he feels the oppressive aura emanating a few leagues away.
There it is, the infamous sign written in otherworldly glowing script. Floating innocuously in bold print above his head, warning him of what little hope he'll find ahead.
"Bread Creature Ahead. BEWARE!!!"
"That's not ominous at all," Phainon comments, staring at the vast nothingness in front of him. "Well, here goes nothi-"
Before he can even finish pepping himself up, the void unceremoniously swallows him whole.
…
Rude.
Phainon jolts awake and brandishes his weapon defensively before he can even properly stand. Mapping out his surroundings, he momentarily gets shocked at the view he was met with.
By his feet are glowing flowers, none of which he recognizes. A path of grass split the field into sections. Vines hang around the ceiling and to his right is a clear shallow stream of water. Round glowing orbs similar to pearls dots the terrain.
"I don't think I'm in Amphoreus anymore," his light commentary has made a comeback. All the foliage in the cavern is luminescent for Titan's sake. Unless he missed vital geography lessons back at the Grove, he doesn't remember the existence of pretty caverns in this side of Janusopolis' border.
"Amphoreus? Where is that, may I ask?" a fairy's voice speaks from behind.
Phainon would swear up and down when he retells about their first meeting that he did not in fact shriek like a banshee.. even when he felt close to doing it. No, sir.
"'Tis quite rude to point your blade at a lady, good sir," a tall and pale black-clad man steps in front of the lady to partly shield her from his sight.
Phainon will also like to add that he did not swoon at the sight of two ethereal beings deigning to grace his mortal eyes with their presence. Definitely not, sir.
What he did though was aim his blade away from them but still ready for a fight if needed, "Apologies for my inattention but I did not mean to ignore you both. I was surprised with sudden company but it is still no excuse for my behavior."
'Diplomacy, diplomacy! It's known that the bread creature/s(?) like politeness and will help in surviving ordeal! Remember all the etiquette lessons, Phainon!! Your life depends on it, Phainon!!!' Phainon fixes his posture to be less threatening and bows in greeting towards the two on the sickle-like gigantic centerpiece structure of the cavern. "I am Phainon of Aedes Elysiae. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
"My name is Kyryll Chudomirovich Flins but you may refer to me as Flins for simplicity's sake," the black-clad man bows back with one hand by his chest and the other behind him. Perfect gentleman's pose in Phainon's opinion. Said gentleman extends his arm towards the lady, "This is Lady Columbina Hyposelenia."
The lady waves at him with a serene smile on her face. Phainon can't help but be reminded of Lady Aglaea but she seems more… harmless. He doesn't dare underestimate them even with how unassuming they look and act.
"Apology accepted if you also accept our apology for catching you unawares considering you are also in unfamiliar terrain," his eyes wander back to Flins when he spoke and Phainon feels a wee lightheaded at the contrite expression the gentleman is wearing.
Let it be known that it should be illegal to look that good when apologizing to a stranger. Flins' non-smile quirk of lips is too devastating. He could probably scam someone out of their house and they would even help him count the ill gotten money.
He clears his throat and mind from any irrelevant thoughts, "Then water under the bridge."
Lady Columbina giggles into her hand. Not finding clues of what could be amusing, he looks back at Flins and notices his gaze lingering on something behind him. He didn't expect to find adorable critters when he turned his head.
Phainon feels the displaced air beside him before he could turn and almost got whiplash from how fast Lady Columbina leaps and glides towards the adorable critters. Flins also jumps down from his perch and approaches the party with grace and elegance, briefly slowing down to nod at Phainon's confused awestruck form when passing him by.
He follows their lead and walks along the path of grass until he was at the edge of the flower field the two were interacting with the critters. Before he can even begin to ask about said critters, Flins gestures at him to come closer. He cautiously moves closer to them, close enough to see that the critters are more adorable at second glance but far enough not to intrude upon their gathering.
"These little ones are called kuuhenki, all of them are my familiars," Lady Columbina glides to his side, "Everyone, this is Phainon of Aedes Elysiae. He is a guest from afar so please don't trouble him too much."
If he is going to die here, he would like to make his epitaph be "I'm sorry dear chimeras but the kuuhenki's cuteness has gotten to me -Love, Phainon."
Phainon doesn't know how much time has passed since he entered the cavern as he played with the kuuhenki, walked and retraced paths with Lady Columbina and made small talk with Flins. His clouded judgment born from the situation's absurdity never cleared.
"I must really be going," Phainon reluctantly bids the cavern's inhabitants farewell, patting a wilted looking kuuhenki on the head, "I really enjoyed my time here but there's still the threat of the black tide out there."
The two ethereal beings holds a silent conversation before turning to him. Flins bows in farewell, "It is regretful that you cannot stay any longer but fear not, only a short time has passed outside."
Lady Columbina holds out her hand to him and he can feel the same feeling of being teleported when he entered a while back.
"Farewell, Phainon of Aedes Elysiae. Send Lady Aglaea our regards and inform her of our future visit."
"Wait, wha-"
The void unceremoniously swallows him whole. Phainon probably should get used to this.
"Sunny, you're back so soon! Did you not find the bread creature?"
He should be glad he is standing this time and not laid out on the ground like a sad sack of potatoes. At one of the entry points of Marmoreal Palace was none other than Lady Trianne.
"I think I did…?"
"I like that one. He seems nice," Columbina nods at the spot Phainon previously stood at.
"He was also kind and indulgent with the kuuhenki. I think they adore him already, Lady Columbina."
She reaches up to boop his cheek repeatedly, "Why didn't you introduce us as siblings? If I didn't know any better, it almost seems like you don't want me as one." She didn't pout but she may as well have with how her hair accessories drooped with her mood.
"Perish the thought, dear sister. I am a devout follower of the Moon Goddess and she has fortunately graced me with the blessing of being a family. My very dear sister, the Moon Goddess herself, is such a magnanimous being that she would surely forgive me for this unintentional slight," Flins bows dramatically for effects.
Columbina removes her eye mask to stare at him unblinkingly, "I will disown you."
"Regretfully, I must reject such a heartbreaking proposal."
Thus, another day dawns upon the found siblings who unknowingly entered another universe long ago.