Inside the pavilion.
Phainon looked grave.
"You're saying... this black-robed swordsman is connected to the Black Tide and has been hunting Core Flames?"
"That's the most likely explanation," Anaxa said calmly.
"First, he has a vessel for Core Flames."
"Second, I'm one of his targets."
"As for the first point: that strange Ritual Sword of his can interact with Core Flames. The pull I felt when it pierced my chest proves it."
"I suspect the sword can sense and absorb Core Flames... perhaps even contain them."
"The second point is more straightforward: when he fought The Nameless earlier, he was distracted at times, but his eyes stayed on me from beginning to end."
"Or rather, on Cthulhu inside me."
Phainon snorted. "So he's a Fire-stealer."
"But..." Phainon frowned, puzzled again.
"If he really survived, as you say, won't he come for Okhema soon?"
"The Genesis Vortex Heart is full of the Titans' Core Flames."
Even setting aside those in the Genesis Vortex Heart, Anaxa was in Okhema, and so was Cthulhu's Core Flame.
If the Fire-stealer still hadn't acted, didn't that mean he had died beneath that terrifying divine punishment?
"Not necessarily," Anaxa said.
"For now, let's call him the fire-stealing mutt. Assuming our theory is right, he has three possible targets..."
"Wait." Phainon cut him off.
"Why give him such a crude name, Teacher? We could call him the Flame Reaver."
"?" Anaxa stared at Phainon in surprise.
"You beast, let me remind you: he's the enemy."
"A warrior shouldn't give an enemy a flattering title."
"And don't interrupt me."
Phainon: "..."
Anaxa continued.
"He has three possible targets."
"First, me. Second, Oloronis, who has yet to fall. Third, Okhema and the Genesis Vortex Heart, where the gods' Core Flames are kept."
"But I doubt Okhema will be his