You’ve probably seen the memes. The "fishie" who whines when you’re five minutes late or the sassy painter who spends more time bickering with the MC than actually painting. On the surface, Rafayel is the ultimate "diva" of Akso Hospital’s neighborhood. But honestly, if you’re just looking at the surface, you’re missing the most tragic, complicated lore in the entire game.
Rafayel Love and Deepspace isn't just about a guy who likes red paint and expensive watches. It’s about a god who gave up his heart—literally—and has been wandering through 800 years of reincarnation just to find the person who "killed" him.
The "Bratty" Painter is Actually a Protective Sea God
A lot of new players get turned off by Rafayel’s early-game attitude. He’s demanding. He’s needy. He calls you his "bodyguard" just to keep you in his orbit. But if you look at his Siren’s Song anecdote, the tone shifts. Fast.
We’re talking about a survivor of a literal genocide.
Lemuria didn't just "sink." It was destroyed, and its people were hunted by humans for their immortality. Rafayel isn't just a painter; he’s the last Sea God of a dead civilization. When he’s being "high maintenance," it’s often a trauma response. He’s spent centuries being hunted. Of course he has an anxious attachment style.
His Evol is Fire, which is super weird for a sea creature, right? Well, that fire is actually the Sea God's Flame. It represents the life force of Lemuria itself. Every time he uses his powers, he’s basically burning through his own soul to protect a world that already turned its back on him.
What the Myths Actually Tell Us
If you haven’t unlocked his Myths yet—Forgotten Sea and Sea of Golden Sands—you’re playing a different game.
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In Forgotten Sea, we learn the origin of the bond. Rafayel didn't just "fall in love." He was supposed to take the heart of his "follower" (you) to save Lemuria. Instead, he gave you his heart. This choice plunged the ocean into darkness. He chose a single human over his entire kingdom. That’s not just "sassy"; that’s a level of devotion that borders on insanity.
Then you have Sea of Golden Sands. This takes place 30,000 years in the future on Philos. The ocean is gone. It's just desert. And yet, Rafayel is still there, waiting. He’s losing his flame. He’s dying. And he still refuses to kill the MC to save himself.
The 800-Year Memory Gap
There’s a massive debate in the fandom right now, especially following the 2025 and early 2026 main story updates. Does Rafayel actually remember everything?
Some players think he’s fully aware of every past life. Others argue he only has "fragments" or "echoes." Honestly? It’s probably both. In the To Our Yesterday chapter, it’s hinted that his memories are dormant until a catalyst triggers them.
Think about the "800 years" line he loves to throw out. Is it a hyperbole because he’s a drama king? Or is he literally counting the years since he last saw your soul in a different body? Given his Abyssal Witch lore—where the MC was a witch and he was a merman seeking a potion to become human—it’s clear their lives are a recurring loop of "doomed lovers."
Combat Meta: Is He Worth the Diamonds?
Let’s talk strategy. If you’re pulling for Rafayel cards, you aren't just doing it for the "spicy" Kindled moments (though Fires of Devotion definitely delivered on that front).
Rafayel is the king of Pink and Purple Stellactrum stages. His combat style is "High Risk, High Reward."
- Agility: He moves faster than Zayne or Xavier.
- Burst Damage: His skills are designed to nukes enemies quickly.
- The "Abysswalker" Companion: This is still one of the best outfits for the Deepspace Trial because of the vacuum effect that pulls enemies together.
If you like aggressive, fast-paced gameplay, he’s your guy. If you prefer standing back and healing, you’re going to have a hard time keeping up with him. He doesn't wait. He just burns everything down.
Why People Get Him Wrong
The biggest misconception? That he’s "weak" or "feminine" because he cries or gets flustered.
Actually, Rafayel is arguably the most "dominant" character when he stops playing the persona of the ditzy artist. Look at the Fragrant Dream card. When he drops the act, he is cold, calculating, and incredibly powerful. He runs a massive underground network. He knows exactly what EVER is doing to Lemurians.
He chooses to be "bratty" with the MC because it’s the only time he feels like a normal person and not a burdened deity. He’s allowing himself to be "trapped" by you because he spent centuries being free and lonely.
Misconceptions vs. Reality
- "He hates humans." He distrusts them, yes. But he’s fascinated by them. He studied as a professor at Linkon University just to understand the world the MC lives in.
- "He’s only interested in art." Painting is how he records Lemurian history so it isn't forgotten. Every red stroke in his "Unique Vermillion" is literally a tribute to his fallen people.
- "The MC is his bodyguard." No, he’s her bodyguard. He just uses the contract so she doesn't feel like she owes him anything.
What to Do Next in Your Rafayel Route
If you’re feeling stuck or confused by the lore, here is how you should actually tackle his content to get the full picture:
- Read the Anecdotes first: Start with Siren's Song. It’s dark. It’s depressing. It explains why he is the way he is before he meets you in the "modern" day.
- Prioritize the "Fragrance" Series: Watch Your Fragrance, then Dangerously Close, and finally Fragrant Dream. This is the definitive "Sea Witch" arc.
- Watch the micro-expressions: In the 2026 updates, the devs at Infold have added subtle animations. When he looks away after a joke, he’s often checking to see if you’re actually happy.
Stop treating him like a side character or a comic relief. He is a man who has died a thousand deaths just to make sure you get to live one normal life. Next time he complains about you being late, remember: he’s been waiting 800 years. Five minutes is nothing, but to him, every second you're not there feels like another century in the dark.
Keep your eyes on the upcoming 2026 Myth rotations. If the rumors about the God of the Deep card are true, we're finally going to see what happens when the Sea God stops holding back his fire.
Actionable Insight: Focus your resources on upgrading his Solar Pairs (Abysswalker or the newer 2025 God-tier sets). The lore unlocked at Level 60 and 80 for these cards contains the specific details about the "Covenant" that explains why the MC's blood reacts to his flames.