"I think... we, and Amphoreus, at what seems like a dead end, all have another choice.
A choice not bestowed by gods, but one that truly belongs to Amphoreus itself."
Her fingertips gently brushed against Phaethon's cheek, her eyes shimmering with a soft light:
"Since more than one Aeon has turned their gaze upon this land... then why can't we, ever so slightly, borrow a bit of their power? ♪"
She began to outline that grand and astonishing plan, her voice gentle yet carrying an unquestionable certainty:
"Phaethon, we only need to weave a long, long dream for 'Amphoreus'. Make it deeply believe that the cruel experiment is not yet over, that data collection is still ongoing, that all cycles are still running on their normal tracks…Then it will temporarily maintain its operation, instead of heading towards final collapse and oblivion."
"And then..." Cyrene's smile was like the first ray of sunlight piercing through dark clouds, warmly shining upon Phaethon,
"You can use all of this time in the eternal recurrence, to continue the interrupted, unfinished calculation of Amphoreus... To deceive the lofty gods above, to deceive the entire world... until, for all of us, you solve for a truly our own, radiant answer."
She paused, her tone deepening, as if recounting a predetermined fate, yet determined to make a rebellious flower bloom within it:
"Just as Lygus said, Amphoreus may have been nothing but an experiment from the start. We who are caught within it seem destined to follow the set trajectory towards an ending already written by the Aeons..."
"But!" Her voice suddenly grew firm, filled with the resilience and defiance of life,
"A story's ending should never be singular!"
"This time, we will write an ending of our own!"
"And all it requires is a little sacrifice, and a long, long wait spanning countless cycles."
"The power of the 'Time' Coreflame in my hands alone is certainly insufficient for such an immense deception," Cyrene admitted candidly.
"But... I thought of that cold, mysterious prophecy from the 'Sky Father.'
Perhaps it is not a declaration of despair, but another, hidden path for Amphoreus."
"That is—for you, Phaethon, to personally interpret the 'true meaning of life's flight,' to answer that initial question—'What is the Prime Mover of Life?'
And then, to be witnessed by an Aeon, and ascend to become true life."
"As for how to specifically weave this long dream that sustains the world's existence..."
Cyrene's gaze became incredibly clear and resolute. She had already seen the only path,
"Now, I can be certain: 'Time,' in its essence, is the page used by the Aeon of 'Remembrance,' Fuli, to record all of Amphoreus's data. If this vessel carrying all the laughter, tears, sacrifices, and hope were to suddenly vanish from the world..."
Cyrene's voice was calm yet held a tremendous resolve for sacrifice:
"Then, that Aeon who presides over 'Remembrance' would surely turn Their gaze... here! That would be a glance spanning endless time and space, containing supreme power—"
"And this glance," she looked deep into Phaethon's eyes, laying her final choice bare before him.
"It will become an 'anchor,' allowing every future 'me,' at the beginning of every cycle, to become your source of power to reset the Time and sustain the eternal recurrences.
The method is: to 'kill' me, the 'Time' Demigod, at this moment. To create... an endless Flame Chase Journey, brimming with infinite possibilities."
As she spoke, Cyrene slowly placed her ritual sword, which emitted a soft power, into Phaethon's cold, trembling hand, guiding him to grip the hilt.
Phainon also stepped forward at this moment. He placed his hand heavily on Phaethon's shoulder, his eyes like unquenchable flames, stating firmly:
"And I... through who-knows-how-many cycles, I will stay by your side and keep walking forward. Even if the road ahead is darkness with no end in sight, I will burn myself to become the firelight illuminating the path beneath your feet."
"Rather than letting the Coreflame become sustenance for the Black Tide's evolution, let me become their vessel, to prevent the 'Re-Creation' from arriving!"
"Even if it means burning this flesh to ashes, so be it! As long as my will remains unextinguished, the Flame Chase Journey... will never end!"
"But..." Phaethon's heart felt clenched tight. Looking at his two closest friends before him, willing to give everything for the world, immense grief and reluctance threatened to drown him. He wanted to refuse, to find another way.
But Cyrene extended a finger, gently yet firmly pressing it against his lips, stopping his unspoken words.
"Listen to me, little Phaethon," her smile was like a blooming flower, without a trace of shadow, only complete trust and expectation,
"There's no need to grieve for us. I learned all about your actions in the Nether Realm from Castorice, and I know of your incredible ability. I believe, when all of this is truly over. When you succeed in breaking the deadlock, receive the Aeon's gaze, and become a true, free life..."
Her eyes sparkled with the most beautiful vision of the future:
"You will definitely bring us... bring every person you cherish, to a newer, better, and vaster world, right?"
"A world where even the most ordinary seed can freely choose whether to sprout, freely choose what to grow into."
"A new world without predetermined fates, filled with infinite possibilities."
Her voice was like the sweetest song, soothing Phaethon's torn heart.
"As long as you never forget us, as long as we still exist in your memories and in your heart... then, that new world will eventually arrive."
Cyrene smiled happily, a pure and hopeful smile, as if she could already see that bright future.
And in this moment, she was using this unreserved trust and love to infuse Phaethon with the courage to face the endless cycles.
Phaethon slowly closed his eyes, forcefully suppressing the surging tide of emotions within. When he opened them again, his eyes held only a calm resolve.
"Alright. Then cast me into Amphoreus's calculations, to write a new chapter for the answer that truly belongs to it."
Phaethon solemnly promised Cyrene: "Cyrene, rest assured. I promise you, you only need to sleep a long, long sleep. When you wake and open your eyes, you will live in a new world, one truly bathed in warm zephyrs, full of infinite possibilities and freedom. I swear it."