[ Staying neutral would be the most optimal optimon if that were sustainable, but he is of little use to anyone without the Phoenix's gifts nor does he have hope of surviving outside of the cities. His livelihood is too intricately tied to his eikon at this point that being absent of it has left him feeling vacuous, constantly reaching for a hand that isn't there.

He knows himself. He'll align himself eventually, but he's still not sure which would be more tactically beneficial for his own goals. ]

You mentioned there are shards of those we care for, implying they may have survived as well. How would one be able to check? Or does such a request also harbor its own price?

[ He doesn't want to get his hopes up, but if there is a chance someone from his world is among them, he'd like to know sooner rather than later –especially if there is a chance to revive them. ]