|
|
|
|
|
|
- It goes without saying I'll find a way to retrieve memories of my past life. Besides, I still have you, don't I?
- —Anaxa reassuring Phainon
Phainaxa is the slash ship between Phainon and Anaxa from the Honkai: Star Rail fandom.
Canon[]
Phainon first met Anaxa at the Grove of Epiphany at the school of Nousporist, where Anaxa was his professor. Phainon was simply reassigned to Nousporists at first; it was not his choice to join there.
His first impression of Anaxa was that he was eccentric, marked by his rigid formality, theatrical manner of speaking, and overly serious approach to teaching. Despite this, Phainon eventually became Anaxa’s most exceptional student. Although he ultimately triumphed and secured his tenth consecutive debate victory, Phainon took longer than the typical four-year academic period, suggesting he remained at Nouspirits under Anaxa’s mentorship for approximately five to ten years.
Light Slips the Gate, Shadow Greets the Throne: Passages, Knocking Echoes in Dreams[]
Phainon and Anaxa meet again after a long time. Phainon reminds Anaxa of the time he caused trouble during a lecture, and Anaxa remembers him clearly. Although Anaxa is cautious at first, he realizes that Phainon is not just there to talk. Phainon wants to learn more about a powerful enemy, the black-robed swordmaster, who destroyed a sacred place and killed many people.
Anaxa shares what he knows. He says the swordmaster uses strange weapons and has power that not even a Titan could defeat. Phainon is serious about protecting Okhema, the city he serves, and Anaxa can see his honest intentions. Because of that, Anaxa agrees to help him. They both think the swordmaster, now called the Flame Reaver, is collecting Coreflames, which are connected to the Titans.
They talk about where the Flame Reaver might strike next. Anaxa explains the possible targets and what kind of defenses they have. Even though they think differently, Phainon and Anaxa work together to plan what to do next.
Through the Petals in the Land of Repose: Spindle, Laboring to Weave the Tapestry of Time[]
Phainon expresses concern that the Council of Elders might exploit Anaxa due to his curent condition and possession of the Coreflame. He worries about the unknown consequences of removing the Coreflame from Anaxa. Phainon admits Anaxa is more interested in research than politics, making him vulnerable to manipulation by those offering safety or freedom. Though he acknowledges Anaxa doesn’t share the group's beliefs, Phainon clearly doesn’t view him as a traitor. Instead, he fears a painful split between former allies if others misjudge Anaxa's intentions. Dan Heng asks if there's anything they can do, and Phainon responds with a plan to buy time by appealing to Aglaea.
Through the Petals in the Land of Repose: Spindle, Laboring to Weave the Tapestry of Time: Olive, Cast To the Conference Chair[]
Anaxa awakens to Cerces, who informs him that his consciousness is deteriorating rapidly due to the Coreflame’s incompatibility with a mortal vessel. When asked how much time he has left, Cerces estimates only fifteen more days. Anaxa downplays the urgency, stating that even fifteen days feels excessive for a single goal. Cerces teases him about growing attached to life, but Anaxa remains detached and focused. Anaxa coldly replies that loyalty was never part of the equation. When Cerces brings up Phainon’s reckless devotion, Anaxa offers a smile and warns that blind faith always comes with a cost, implying that Phainon, too, must learn this hard truth.
Through the Petals in the Land of Repose: Citizen, Listen to Those Roaring Tides[]
Anaxa watches as the weight of the world’s fate is placed on Phainon's shoulders, showing subtle pride in how far his former student has come. Anaxa offers Phainon no comforting answer about whether Aglaea’s trust in him is justified, instead pushing him to shift perspective and consider what he should do to guide the world forward. Phainon, though overwhelmed, still seeks reassurance from the person he trusts most, revealing how much Anaxa's opinion still matters to him. Anaxa, in his usual blunt style, refuses to coddle Phainon but gives him exactly what he needs: a challenge to think for himself and stand on his own convictions.
When the crowd later calls for Anaxa’s death, Phainon's worry is palpable, showing that despite everything, their connection runs deeper than roles or ideologies.
Through the Petals in the Land of Repose: Scholar, Let Us Meet Again Before the Gates of Truth[]
Phainon visits Anaxa on the eve of his execution, still struggling to understand his professor’s motives and the meaning behind his actions. Despite the gravity of the situation, Anaxa remains calm, even sarcastic, brushing off Phainon’s concerns with familiar confidence. Phainon questions Anaxa's decision to become a god, knowing it will cause him to lose all memory of his past life. Anaxa answers with quiet confidence, saying he will eventually find a way to recover those memories. Anaxa replies, "It goes without saying I'll find a way to retrieve memories of my past life. Besides, I still have you, don't I?", even if memory fails, even if the world changes, he believes Phainon will remain.
It is not just faith in a student’s strength, it is trust that Phainon will carry his identity, even when Anaxa himself no longer can. Their farewell isn't an end but a quiet promise: Anaxa will forget, but Phainon will remember. And through that memory, they will meet again.
Quotes[]
- “Anaxa, I swear to you. I'll lead everyone to our reunion in the new world.”
- — Phainon's promise to Anaxa in his final moment
Fanon[]
People started shipping Phainaxa ever since they were revealed as members of the Chrysos Heirs. Many shippers pointed out the similarities of their characteristics, aka being the variants of Kevin and Su from Honkai Impact 3rd, another HoYoverse game and their respective ship that has gained much traction in the Honkai Impact 3rd fandom, KevinSu.
Phainaxa currently has 501+ works on AO3.
Fanon Interpretation[]
In fan-content, Phainaxa shippers enjoy portraying the two as a dog and cat shipping dynamic. Phainon is widely regarded as a dog, white dog or a Samoyed, and Anaxa is nicknamed 'Mint Kitty'. This also gave rise to many shippers alluding the ship to another popular danmei pair Mo Ran and Chu Wanning from The Husky and his White Cat Shizun, which is also a teacher-student pairing. Thus leading to a fan-favorite ship name 'The Samoyed and his Mint Cat Teacher'.
Fan Theories[]
May Contain Spoilers Ahead! Many fans have a theory that the Flame Reaver and Anaxa have a secret collaboration, owing to the two incidents that happened in the game where the Flame Reaver could not win both his fights against Anaxa, despite Anaxa being smaller in size compared to the Flame Reaver. It is also a popular theory among Honkai Star Rail fans that the Flame Reaver was a version of Phainon from another cycle.
Trivia[]
- In Anaxa's Chrysos Heir Interview, Phainon is featured as one of the former students giving his thoughts about Anaxa. When asked what led to him choosing to join Anaxa's school, the Nousporists, he said he got reassigned to it. However, later Phainon expressed he was totally impressed with Anaxa's debate skills and his courage.
- Anaxa believes Phainon to be an outstanding student. He also wrote a card for Phainon for his graduation, although he kept the card and never gave the card to Phainon. On the card, he wrote: "As alchemy teaches, a blank slate holds infinite potential."
- Phainon usually calls Anaxa by his name 'Anaxa'. Despite Anaxa insisting that everyone should call him by his full name, he lets Phainon get away with calling him 'Anaxa' and still responds to him when he's called.
- In the official promotional CN video titled "虚一直构 | 灵魂物理学入门" or "The Perpetual Construction of the Void | An Introduction to Soul Physics" - Phainon is spotted to have a pair of matching dromas plush toys with Anaxa on their tables. In the same video, Anaxa is spotted to own a book that has yellow and purple droma colors, similar colors to the clothes, Phainon wanted to wear (as mentioned in Aglaea's Chrysos Heir Interview).
- In one of the official CN advertisements for Anaxa, which is "No.976 那刻夏老师小课堂" (Professor Anaxa's Little Classroom), Phainon was mentioned to call Anaxa '夏老师' or 'Professor Anax'.
- On the official commission from AU series "Technical Director Anaxa", Anaxa's hoodie has the word 'LovE' written on it, with 'E' written in capital letters. (Phainon's name in Chinese is 白厄 (bái è), thus it turns out “love 厄” and next to it is a blue droma. There is also an inscription "Snow" on the pillow. "Snowy" is Phainon's nickname given by Tribbie.
- In the 4 million followers Honkai Starrail Weibo Celebration Art, Phainon and Anaxa were featured as part of the Nousporists Group. The two were sharing their hobbies to each other. Phainon was sharing his antiques to Anaxa who was showing his dromas toy. The two also had a conversation: Phainon: "Professor Anaxa! You're here at the... festival too." Anaxa: "Personal comments are prohibited. Also..." Phainon: "I know, I shouldn't call you Anaxa!"
- In the character relationship chart on the Chrysos Heirs Wiki on Hoyolab, Anaxa regards Phainon as an 'Unforgettable Student' and Phainon regards Anaxa as his 'Trustworthy Teacher'.
- When Phainon describes Elysia Eides, he uses the word “薄荷” – “mint”: “我的故乡哀丽秘樹,那是一处被时间遗忘的村落。那里的好风如薄荷般清新,麦浪宽广到能连上海洋...我曾坚信,自己会在那与邻里亲友永享安宁。” «Aedes Elysia, my hometown, is a village forgotten by time. The breeze there is as refreshing as mint, and the wheat field is so vast it could merge with the ocean... I once firmly believed I would live therein peace with my neighbors and friends.» Tribbie compares Anaxa to mint ice cream, besides, Anaxa's favorite drink is “fizzy wasabi vinegar” and it tasted kind of like a mint-lemon soda.
- In Asian countries, it is considered disrespectful to call a teacher/professor solely by their first name, but Phainon made multiple attempts to call Anaxa simply Anaxa, then hurriedly adding «professor» (after an ellipsis in subtitles). Due to the different word construction, this nuance is overlooked in English. (Professor Anaxa vs «那刻夏....老师» / nà kè xià....lǎoshī / Anaxa… professor). This suggests that Phainon had always wanted to be closer to Anaxa than Anaxa permitted. In 99% of cases, Phainon addresses Anaxa using the informal “你” (you) instead of formal “您”. Phainon wasn't impolite, but it appears that there aren't many rules or politeness between them.
Fandom[]
- FAN FICTION
- Anaxa/Phainon tag on AO3
- Anaxa & Phainon tag on AO3
- Phainaxa posts on Twitter
- Phainaxa hashtag on Twitter
- ไผ่อัน hashtag on Twitter
- ファイアナ hashtag on Twitter
- ファイクス hashtag on Twitter
- 厄夏 hashtag on Twitter
- 파이낙사 hashtag on Twitter
- 厄夏 on Weibo
- BILIBILI
- 厄夏 on Bilibili
Gallery[]
