Chapter IV - Sorrow

Cifer was awaken by a sudden large explosion. It was near their tree house that they lived in. Having awoken with the start, Pahn was suddenly at his door, face paled and was urging hime to come out of their home.

Cifer: Father! What's happening!?

Pahn: Something is attacking the barrier that's surrounding our home. And it's not an ordinary attack, it's powerful magic that is being used.

Cifer: Father, didn't you say that the barrier is connected to you? Is this the reason why your trembling and pale?

Pahn: Do not worry son, I won't allow them to get through!

Cifer: But.. you'll die in this case if you do not release the barrier.

Arislan: Lord Pahn! We are surrounded on all sides. And I detect another being outside the barrier, releasing large amount of mana!

Pahn: Impossible.. is it a celestial?

Cifer: Celestial? An angel... here?

Pahn: It is what I've feared.. their god.. which I believe was Amarok is now impatient. He is intent in destroying me because of his jelousy. But I did not believe they will move this soon..

Aroden: Lord! There is no path to escape.. I will create a path for you away from the celestial.. while you escape.

Pahn: NO... I will not allow you all to die here. Even if we are surrounded, everyone must escape! Do not throw your life for me Aroden, Arislan. You still have a task. You know my condition, it is not worth protecting me..

Cifer: Father.. what condition?

Pahn: Hohohoh.. I am sorry.. son.. I did not tell you one thing. That is.. that I'm dying. Without being within the pantheon that created me.. without having people or creatures to believe in me in my original world, my life is decreasing as I am forgotten..

Cifer: But I believe in you.. we believe in you! Isn't that enough?

Pahn: I wish it is.. I am happy that all of you here.. worries about me.. but soon, son, you'll learn more about the gods.. for now, everyone must escapte! Aroden, Arislan, you know where to meet, in case we are separated, now GO!

Arislan: .... I won't forget this Lord Pahn. This is the second time I'm loosing someone I care about..

Pahn: Hohohoh.. child.. you know what I have told you about.. now go! Where is Etheria? She must escape too!

Etheria: I am here lord Pahn, I will stay with Cifer.. I cannot escape by myself and I feel much safer with him..

Pahn: Very well.. son.. protect her but be careful..

Cifer: But I will stay with you!

Pahn: Now is not the time for this.. Ghhhaaahh... the barrier is almost gone.. let us go son, I will guide you where to go from here..

Cifer: Where are we going?

Pahn: Follow me son..

As the three of them headed towards the large tree that serves as their home, another large explosion occurred. This time, it had cause Pahn to spasm in pain. At the same time, the barrier that surrounds the area had disappeared. Following this event, large amount of arrows flew towards their location. Pahn used his remaining strength to protect Cifer and the fairy princess that is hiding in Cifer's chest. Once the barrage of arrows stopped, a large energy sphere came at them at a blinding speed, impacting the shield that Pahn had conjured. This immediately broke the shield to pieces, flinging Pahn and Cifer, closer to the tree. When Pahn turned a looked at the their attacker, he immediately recognized the celestial that is responsible with the attack.

Pahn: Hadriel?! It's you.. why of all the celestial they sent you?

Hadriel: Greetings lord Pahn. I was ordered by my lord Amarok to assist the elves in slaying you.. you have been a torn on his side for far too long.

Cifer: Father! Do you know him?

Pahn: Yes, son.. he was a celestial, the angel that previously served me when I was still a God.

Hadriel: Right.. and I loathed it too much. The mortals that you've cared for should all perish, but instead you blessed them, you help them.. how despicable!

Pahn: I did not realize that you have that side on you... two sides of a coin. You were very meek when I was in power, never asking and just silently obeys..

Hadriel: That time is done.. now, enough talk, any last words for my previous master?

Pahn: Heh.. How arrogant. You're only able to do this because I am weakened. Cowards!

Hadriel: How dare you fallen god, now DIE!!!

The celestial, along with many elven mage, focus their magic in Pahn and Cifer's direction. Pahn had focused his remaining power to create a shield for his two companions, planning on strengthening the shield for Cifer to survived. Doing this, Cifer's face was masked with shock then sorrow. As the energy from their enemies approach, Pahn smiled at Cifer. Then the explosion occurred.. Cifer lost conciousness after the explosion as last he gazed at was his father's smiling face.

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Pahn woke in a dark place, but remembering his father, he woke with a start. He frantically looked in all direction, but all he can see was darkness. Then suddenly, Cifer saw a small golden light, gradually coming closer to his location. Once the light came closer, he recognized that it was the fairy princess that is the source of the light.

Cifer: Etheria! Where's father!

Etheria: Cifer... Lord Pahn.. he's..

Etheria led Cifer to Pahn's location. When Cifer saw the state his father is in, he broke down in tears and sorrow. Pahn was beyond saving. Full of wounds, missing limbs and his wise and knowing eyes are gone. Pahn senses Cifer close by and called out weakly.

Pahn: Son... are you.. there...?

Cifer: Yes.. father.. I'm here.. please don't speak too much.. we'll get help..  Arislan an-and Aroden.. they'll come! You'll see..

Pahn: Son.. listen to me.. I am already dying.. as you have heard earlier.. not being within the pantheon... that created me.. and sustain me.. I will cease to... exist anyway... right now.. you must listen... (cough!)

Cifer: Father! Okay.. I'm here..

Pahn: This place.. we are in.. is suppose to be.. where we should .. escape.. for this.. is a dungeon.. created to seal.. another fallen.. this .. is beneath.. our home.. but the elves.. or even the celstial ... does not know... of...

Cifer: A dungeon? Then that means.. it's still dangerous here?

Pahn: Yes.. it is dangerous... but for .. you.. it can become a ... training ground.. this dungeon ... is deep.. (cough!) I want.. you to reach the.. bottom... and free the... fallen that is sealed... within..

Cifer: Yes! I'll do what you ask... but.. please.. don't leave me!

Pahn: Hoho..hohoh.. (cough!) This time.. I cannot stay.. I'm sorry.. that our time are .. so short.. but you must do something.. for me..

Cifer: Anything! Anything you want father..

Pahn: I need you... to care for this.. egg.. Another... god gave me.. this.. but all those time.. it never hatches... but it's alive... please.. care for it for me..

Cifer: A god? An egg.. this.. I will take care of it father.. don't worry anymore..

Pahn: Good.. that god.. was eccentric.. and liked to fool around.. he said that that egg was his.. son.. hohoh..ho.. Now.. I want you to ... do me one last.. favor...

Cifer: Yes.. what is it that you want.. If I can do it for you..

Pahn: Good.. I want you.. to...  (cough!).. DEVOUR me..

Cifer: W-what!? Why would you want me to!?

Pahn: Hohohoh.. I'm sorry to have you.. do this.. They.. might still sence my .. life force.. here and ... follow.. but the reason.. I want you to is.. to .. be .. a part of you.. I want.. whatever.. skill.. you can use.. I can .. give you.. (cough! cough! hack..!) Hurry!.. I'm almost..

Cifer: Father.. I...  very well..

Pahn: Do not.. be sad.. this way.. I will be with ...  you.. I... am.. lucky.. to...... have.. ... you......... son....!

Cifer: NOOo! FATHER!! NO!... Uuuaahhhhh!!!

As Pahn breath his last, Cifer's sorrow had reach the limit. He cried for hours and grieve his lost. After Etheria told him that Pahn's essence may leak disperse outside, Etheria told Cifer that it will make their enemies above know their location. with the mention of enemies, Cifer came through. With revenge now deep in his heart, he promised to Pahn's lifeless body that he would come back to the surface and take his revenge.

Cifer: Father.. I promised you.. I will avenge you! I'll kill them all! The elves! That celestial! and that god Amarok!! I'll devour them all!!

Etheria: Cifer... you..

Cifer: Don't worry princess.. My mind is now clear.. My eyes are opened.. once I'm done with them, I will help you reclaim your home. I hope Arislan and Aroden are still alive. I wish to help them too, in place of my father.

Etheria: (sigh) I understand. Thank you Cifer..

As Cifer promised, he said goodbye one last time to his father. Then afterwards, he activated his skill "Devour". Pahn was the first god that he devoured but not the last. Whenever he activate his skill, hunger envelope his being, but this time, only sorrow and sadness run through him. After devouring the remains of his father, Cifer got a notification.

"For devouring a god, you gained a title: God Eater"

"You have obtained a gift from the God of the Wild"

"Abnormal status resistance +5%"

"Nature/Spirit/Wind/Earth resistance +10%"

"Vitality/Intelligence/Wisdom/Luck + 50"

"Acquired Skill from Fallen God, Pahn: Wild Aura"

"Acquired Skill from Fallen God, Pahn: Summon Treant"

"Acquired Skill from Fallen God, Pahn: Nature Barrier"