akittenwithatemper

[akittenwithatemper]

Rafayel, Portrait of a God

Author's note: This is my first post about Love And Deepspace and also the very first analysis of one of the LI I have ever written. It is quite long and very detailed. The shorter version can be found on my Instagram. Feel free to have a look and let me know what you think of it (especially regarding the theories mentioned) and if you want other analysis :)

Because of his eccentricity and unapologetically flamboyant, diva-like flair, Infold arguably makes Rafayel the most amusing ‘love interest’ in LADS. However, his humor isn’t mere comic relief—it evokes the personalities of Greco-Roman gods. This analysis will delve into the parallels between Rafayel and ancient gods, in order to unravel the complexity of his character and possibly speculate on the future direction of LADS. 

1/ The archetype of an Olympian

Despite their differences, the Olympian gods share some core personality traits: huge pride and ego (hubris), extreme passion and intensity, impulsivity, very creative vindictiveness and long-lasting grudges and of course their tendency to get involved in human affairs often using deception.

Those traits can be found in Rafayel’s personality. 

a) The consequence of the divine pedestal : pride and loneliness. 

Rafayel’s personality is marked by arrogance, self-confidence, and narcissism. He frequently boasts about his “dashingly good looks” and seems to carry a god complex—or at the very least, a deep sense of superiority. He despises being laughed at, readily critiques human behavior, and is quick to point out others’ flaws, including MC’s. Notably, he consistently refers to others as “humans” rather than “people,” subtly rejecting any sense of shared identity with them, even though he lives among them.

Although he is Lemurian and expresses affection for his homeland and people, Rafayel never quite fits in. After meeting MC, he begins to view the deep sea as “a prison” (cf: Night Stroll), and his aunt Talia observes that he tends to “drift in and out of people’s lives,” always ready “to disappear without a trace” (cf: Video Call - My Anchor). This sense of detachment may stem from the way Lemurians revere him—as a deity. Their idolatry has always isolated him, creating in him a deep sense of loneliness. Rafayel often confesses to feeling lonely, underscoring the isolation that comes with the pedestal he’s been placed on. He views his divine status as a burden and never really embraces it. He even rejects it by refusing to sacrifice MC in Forgotten Sea and even denies the existence of gods in Ivory Nightfall. It’s as if he wishes to be just Rafayel (the way MC sees him, hence why he feels good in her presence). He perfectly embodies the expression “it’s lonely at the top”, the top being where the gods resides.        

b) Deceptive nature: a tool to get involved in human affairs.

Despite his disdain for humans, Rafayel frequently involves himself in human affairs—whether out of curiosity or for personal benefit. As a child, he left the ocean in search of something less monotonous than the deep sea, only to end up stranded on a beach due to his reckless curiosity. Later, echoing the Olympian gods who often used metamorphosis to walk among mortals—and sometimes to seduce them—Rafayel adopted various disguises. For instance, he wore a mask to attend the Sea God ceremony in the surface world in Forgotten Sea, pretended to be an illegitmate nephew / opera singer at a masquerade ball in Land of Secret Flames and eventually found a way to pose as a university professor at the university where the MC studied (cf: his anecdotes).           Plus, like the gods of myth, Rafayel keeps a watchful eye on the MC, observing from a distance much like the divine beings who monitored the lives of mortals.

Furthermore, Rafayel exhibits a distinctly deceptive and manipulative streak. He lies with ease, finds joy in pretending and acting, and remains a deeply enigmatic figure—it’s difficult to tell where the performance ends and the truth begins. In Omnipotent Perception, he declares, “She (MC) doesn’t understand me. She thinks she does but …”—a statement that creates doubt about the authenticity of the persona he presents to MC. It suggests that much of what he reveals might be carefully constructed, a mask concealing his true self and blurring the line between illusion and reality.       Flamboyant and theatrical, Rafayel often reacts with exaggerated drama to trivial events, portraying himself as fragile, helpless, and in distress—when in truth, he is anything but. Beneath the performance lies a being who can be cold, calculating, and extremely dangerous. His Evol is fire—one of the most destructive forces on Earth. He doesn't need a “miss bodyguard” to save him; on the contrary, he’s fully capable of unleashing devastating power on his own.

c) The embodiment of divine retribution

This brings us to Rafayel’s darker, more vengeful side. Like any Olympian god, he can be merciless and creative in his pursuit of retribution, with a form of revenge so intricate and almost supernatural that it could be described as “divine retribution.” As the God of the Lemurians, he feels entitled to their protection. As he says in Ivory Nightfall, “If there really are gods in this world… they should help people live happier lives.” When his people are in need, he is there for them; when they are persecuted—or worse, killed—he uses every ounce of his power to make those responsible suffer.           In the current timeline, Rafayel goes so far as to murder Raymond by using his own art after discovering that Raymond owns a Lemurian skeleton in a tank. In the Sea of Golden Sand myth, Rafayel vows to bring back Lemuria and schemes to get MC’s heart to achieve his goal (hopefully for her, he changes his plan).        Rafayel also holds onto long grudges. He has never truly forgiven MC for forgetting him and failing to return to him as promised when they were young. His resentment is also encapsulated in the infamous line, “It’s been 800 years… and finally, you remembered me!”

d) I shall do what I want!

Let’s not forget that Rafayel has little regard for rules. He’s the only love interest who cheats during Kitty Cards—a playful yet telling example of his disdain for structure. Rules are to discipline humans, not gods who are known to be impulsive. They do what they want regardless of the consequences. Rafayel is guided solely by his own whims. Impulsive and headstrong, he follows his heart rather than logic. In Ivory Nightfall, he initially refuses to repair the damaged statues, unmoved by the townspeople’s desperate pleas. His swift dismissal mirrors a god’s indifference to unanswered prayers—he hears you, but he doesn’t care because and what he thinks should be will be.         

e) A figure of worship

Like a deity, Rafayel is worshipped—both in his myth and in the current timeline. Whether as a god or an artist, he is constantly praised. In ancient stories, he is revered as a God; in the modern world, he is an extremely famous and admired artist followed by paparazzi and fans. His art is also worth millions.

f) A divine passion and intensity

Speaking of art, Rafayel’s creations are a direct reflection of his emotions. As he puts it in When Light Falls, “Colors have emotions.” For him, “love and art are intertwined”, and in Intertidal Zone, he reveals, “I thought only pain could bring me inspiration.” Therefore it is obvious that Rafayel’s art is born from the depths of his feelings, and when it comes to emotions, he always feels intensely and deeply. This is why his Evol is such a perfect representation of him. Like an Olympian god, he is driven by passion, with no emotional middle ground. He fully embraces his emotions, even when they threaten to consume him (cf: Intertidal Zone, “Even if (…) they burn me instead, I still want them with every fiber of my being.”)      When Rafayel feels melancholic, it’s not a fleeting mood, he grieves; when he hates, his vengeance can be more brutalthan anyone could imagine—making your death a traumatic event. And when he loves, he does so with an intensity that could lead him to sacrifice everything, himself and even the fate of Lemuria, for the one he loves. He is a deeply devoted lover, and when his devotion isn’t reciprocated in the way he expects, or when he feels he isn’t his lover’s priority, his frustration becomes palpable.

2/ Resembling Poseidon ...

A major god in Ancient Greek mythology, Poseidon is best known as the god of the sea, but he also holds dominion over earthquakes and natural forces. His deep connection to the ocean makes him an evident mythological parallel for Rafayel, the god of the sea and tides in LADS.

a/ Ethymology 

Interestingly, the etymology of Poseidon's name —potei meaning “husband” and da meaning “earth”—can be interpreted as “Husband of the Earth,” a reference to his ability to shake the ground and stir nature’s most powerful elements. While this might seem like a stretch at first glance, LADS appears to intentionally weave this symbolism into its narrative. Rafayel is deeply in love with the MC, and they are portrayed as bound by an eternal connection like a husband and his “beloved bride”. Moreover, the MC was involved in the Gaia research project��as a child—Gaia being the personification of Earth in Greek mythology. This subtle link reinforces the idea of Rafayel as a Poseidon-like figure who is not only tied to the sea but also bound to the Earth through his connection to the MC.      We can now explore the more obvious parallels between Poseidon and Rafayel.

b) Poseidon v. Zeus / Rafayel v. Astra ?

In Greek mythology, Poseidon is the brother of Zeus. He was granted dominion over the seas while still subject to his brother’s ultimate authority. A similar hierarchy appears to be at play in LADS, where we are introduced to two divine figures: Rafayel, the God of the Sea, and Astra.  Though Astra’s exact domain remains unclear, his portrayal suggests an overwhelming power—greater even than Rafayel’s current power. He exudes a sense of omnipotence, with the ability to control fates and impose divine punishment on those who merely disobeys him without even appearing. Much like Zeus, Astra appears to occupy the highest position in the divine hierarchy, and his name—derived from the Greek astron, meaning “celestial body”—further hints at his possible identity as the God of the Sky, Zeus’ domain. A rivalry between him and Rafayel is suggested by the ominous reference to “a fierce battle between the sky and the ocean” in the climax of Land of the Secret Flames.     If we follow the theory that links Astra to Ever, this rivalry between the two gods is already present in the current timeline. Ever placed a bounty on Rafayel due to the fact he murdered members of the company. Plus, in Land of the Secret Flames, Ever’s presence on an island that was once the place holding Lemuria’s Temple provokes Rafayel. He’s acutely aware that Ever (that he explicitly calls ‘his enemies’) seeks something that does not belong to them— an Aether Core (or perhaps the Tome of the Sea God?)— in a place where they should not be and he refuses to allow it. This confrontation is what drives Rafayel to fully awaken his divine power. In a chilling display of wrath, he enters “God Mode” by absorbing the power within the tome, and mercilessly drowns the intruders in the blue hole—divine retribution carried out with unsettling ease. Lemuria is the Sea God’s domain, and Rafayel makes it clear: Ever, or Astra—the Sky God—has no place there. (We’ll return to Astra and his mythological implications in a separate analysis.)

c) Failure to protect cities

            Poseidon is also remembered for his repeated failures to become the protector of cities and, more significantly, for his role in the destruction of Atlantis—the legendary sunken island that clearly inspired Lemuria in LADS. This mythological aspect aligns closely with Rafayel’s own story: he ultimately fails to protect Lemuria, becoming responsible for its downfall.       Poseidon also appears frequently in myths centered around vengeance, a trait we’ve already identified in Rafayel. Like the sea god, Rafayel’s anger is poetic yet merciless—his retribution as devastating as it is symbolic.

d) Same places and methods of worship

Moreover, Poseidon was widely worshipped, with temples often built in remote, sea-facing locations—on cliffs, islands, or near the shore—reflecting his dominion over the ocean. This mirrors the worship depicted in the Forgotten Sea myth, where a temple perched on a cliff serves as the center of reverence for the Sea God. Coastal communities celebrate him with statues, festivals, offerings, and even sacrifices. In the present timeline, Rafayel’s Mo Studio echoes this sacred architecture: situated on the beach, crowned by a bell tower reminiscent of a chapel.

e) The true powers of a god of the sea

Now moving on to Poseidon’s powers—he is famously known for commanding storms, causing earthquakes, and unleashing the full force of the sea. Interestingly, while this is only my theory, there are numerous instances throughout LADS that suggest Rafayel’s emotions may be directly tied to the weather, echoing Poseidon’s elemental influence. When Rafayel’s godhood awakens in Land of the Secret Flames, the sea grows restless and a storm starts to gather—nature itself responding to his divine presence.          Even in quieter, more emotional moments, weather shifts seem to mirror Rafayel’s internal state.  For example, in Ocean at Night, the wind appears to behave almost as an extension of Rafayel’s mood. When he resists the idea of going to watch the lanterns with MC, the wind lashes out. But as his demeanor softens and he begins to feel joy, the wind mysteriously calms, as though attuned to his emotions.   In Myths and Omnipotent Perception, Rafayel’s connection to the rain becomes even more apparent. In Myths, rain begins to fall unexpectedly, and Rafayel casually remarks, “Whoops, didn’t expect it to fall so quickly,” weirdly implying he may have inadvertently triggered it. He embraces the downpour with childlike delight, splashing through puddles and confessing he’d “always wanted to do this.”          In Omnipotent Perception, the sky is initially clear and the forecast promises sunshine—yet when MC pushes Rafayel to open up about his pain and isolation, the weather abruptly turns. Rain begins to pour, thunder rolls overhead, and the storm intensifies with his emotional vulnerability. Later, when MC initiates a more intimate moment in the bathtub, the storm rages again—only to gradually subside once their passion is spent, as if his volatile emotions have been soothed.         Finally, in Ivory Nightfall, Rafayel’s connection to natural disasters is brought to the forefront when he arrives in the aftermath of a tsunami—a catastrophe born of the sea itself—suggesting not only his domain over the waters but a divine responsibility in moments of crisis. This elemental harmony between Rafayel’s emotions and nature reinforces his mythic parallel with Poseidon, portraying him as not just a god of water, but a force of nature whose heart can quite literally change the weather.

f) Marine attributes

In terms of attributes, Poseidon is famously described by Aristophanes as “the mighty master of the trident, the fierce shaker of earth and sea.” He is often portrayed wielding a trident and surrounded by sea creatures—dolphins, fish, sea monsters, and Nereids—all symbolic of his absolute dominion over the ocean.

In LADS, while Rafayel doesn’t physically wield a trident in the current timeline, it is referenced in Deep Sea Promise. The quote “Cumbersome. I dislike it,” suggests that Rafayel once possessed a trident but rejected it—possibly due to its symbolism or the burden of divine responsibility. 

Much like Poseidon, Rafayel is constantly surrounded by marine life. These companions range from fantastical beings like the Lemurians (mermaids) to actual sea creatures such as fish, whales, sharks, and even sea monsters. In the Forgotten Sea myth, he parades with them during the ceremony like a sovereign god. He also actively interacts with them, ordering fishes to race alongside  MC or communicating with whales as though speaking to kin.

Additionally, Rafayel’s ability to manifest fish illusions further illustrates his mystical connection to marine life. These illusions are not just playful tricks; they carry emotional weight, particularly the fish that represents his long-standing promise to the MC. And then, of course, there’s Reddie, his and MC’s small yet meaningful fish companion.

3/ … while being very Apollo

a) Ethymology and epithets ; the image of the Sun

By studying the etymology of names and Apollo’s epithets, we can trace compelling parallels between the Greek God and Rafayel. The name Rafayel clearly draws from the Hebrew רְפָאֵל (Rafa’el), meaning “God heals” (refa – “to heal,” and El – “God”). Healing is one of Apollo’s central divine functions. But this god can also bring destructionwhen angered. This destructive aspect is symbolized through Rafayel’s evol, fire, which he references repeatedly in battle with lines like: “Creation and destruction go hand in hand,” and “Everything will turn to ashes.”   Furthermore, Apollo’s epithet  φοῖϐος (Phoibos) — from which his Latin name Phoebus derives — means “bright” or “radiant.” It was often used by poets as a synonym for the sun.    The sun plays an important role in the Forgotten Sea myth. Not only it is the theme of conversation the Temple’s Sunsetmemory but it is also the “symbolic of Lemuria as a whole”.  Known as the Sun Below the Waves, this sun is a divine flame, creation of the Sea God and it is the source of Lemuria’s prosperity and protection. As revealed in the Tome of the Sea God, this “ancient flame has burned in Whalefall City’s temple for thousands of years” and is tightly linked to the Sea God’s life. If the flame dies, so does the Sea God (and vice versa)—and with him, Lemuria. The bond is cyclical, sacred, and irrevocably divine.        This solar flame, much like Apollo’s radiant presence, represents not just light and fire, but knowledge, vitality, and divine illumination—all elements necessary to sustain civilization and consciousness. And who are the two gods that represent them: Appolo in Greek Mythology and Rafayel in LADS. 

b) An artist god

Apollo is also known as the god of the arts, particularly of music, a divine function that finds clear echoes in Rafayel’s character. Renowned for his talent in painting, photography, and music, Rafayel mirrors Apollo’s artistic brilliance and creativity.            In classical depictions, Apollo is often shown surrounded by the Nine Muses, daughters of Zeus and goddesses who preside over the liberal arts and inspire artistic creation. In LADS, this role of muse is embodied by MC, who frequently inspires Rafayel. Whether it’s a painting sparked by a shared moment or a song, MC consistently fuels Rafayel’s creativity.      Additionally, Apollo is traditionally represented holding a lyre. While Rafayel is never directly seen with a lyre in LADS, we see him play various musical instruments—a flute, a harmonica—which reinforces his connection to the divine realm of music. Interestingly, the lyre itself is mentioned in the Forgotten Sea myth as the instrument played during the surface-world festival honoring the Sea God. Though subtle, this reference places the lyre within Rafayel’s mythos, further deepening the parallel between him and Apollo.

c) Similar personality and tragic love stories

Personality-wise, Rafayel and Apollo share striking similarities. Both are proud, confident, intelligent, and capable of deep vengeance when wronged. In appearance, too, they reflect the archetype of idealized male beauty—youthful, slender yet athletic, adorned with delicate features and a luminous presence. 

Another poignant parallel between them lies in their tragic experiences with love. Despite his charm, Apollo is notoriously unlucky in romance. Many of his relationships end in heartbreak or death, and he frequently falls in love with mortals or nymphs rather than fellow deities. This mirrors Rafayel’s doomed yet passionate bond with MC—a star-crossed love story between a Lemurian god and a human.

d) The role of prophecies

Moreover, Apollo is the god of prophecy, associated with the Oracle of Delphi and the sacred Pythia who channeled his divine foresight. Prophecy plays a central role in Rafayel’s myths and his relationship with MC. The Tome of the SeaGod, an ancient divine artifact, contains visions of Lemuria’s fall and potential rebirth. A new prophecy appears after each reincarnation of the Sea God. For instance, it stated that Rafayel would be the last god of the sea. But, not only the tome foretells events but it also contains the power of the Sea God. After absorbing the power within the tome and thus inherited the Sea God’s full powers in Land of Secret Flames, we can wonder if Rafayel has inherited the gift of prophecy.   If so, this would place him on equal footing with Astra—or any other god-like 6th love interest—shaping him not just as a god of sea and art, but one of divine knowledge and fate.