hnk 95 spoilers
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This was such an incredible moment because in 1 move, it entrenched the prince's goal, reversed phos and kongo's dynamic, and told us what's stored in the future for phos.

This chapter was the culmination of thematic brilliance and character work (Thread)

From the start of the series, we know that Phos wants a purpose in their life and to be useful to both sensei and those around them. A yearning for purpose and a burning desire to protect those around them is what plagues Phos

Recent developments show us that the prince planned to make Phos "human" or as close to it as possible to achieve their goal of being prayed for. Due to some error, Kongo is not performing their duties and only a human can command them.

Phos and all of the gems are thankful to kongo for their lives, all the knowledge they have, and essentially their way of living. They rely on kongo and want to protect them and make them happy. They love Kongo sensei

When Phos is able to destroy Kongo, this comes with the price of taking Kongo's eye. Presumably all the knowledge and power they had but even worse, they have to fill Kongo's role. How ironic for Phos

Phos, who hates and blames Kongo for all of their suffering, for the everlasting war between the lunarians, for the loss of antarcticite and ghost, has to become Kongo

It's so ironic that Phos, suffering from intense feelings of inferiority, hopelessness, and a yearning for greater purpose receives what they wanted initially, perhaps the greatest role one can fulfil in the life of a gem: being kongo

But the cost of having this grand role that only Phos can fill is an inordinate amount of suffering. Lifetimes of suffering that is beyond comprehension. 10,000 years.

Phos is trapped and alone, just like Kongo

I can't overstate how brilliant of a writer Ichikawa is. She did this: turned Phos' initial motivation completely upside down by making the achievement of that goal be the cause of Phos' suffering

Absolutely cannot wait to see the rest of the series play out. I haven't even touched on how ironic the gems transforming into lunarians is but wow. Ichikawa is a genius and HnK is a masterpiece of a story. One of the most intelligent works I've ever had the pleasures of reading