— Descent of the Fallen Deity —
The chaotic gray space split apart with a roar that seemed to echo from the dawn of creation.
Through the rupture loomed a towering figure, spanning heaven and earth, its form shrouded in dark violet energy—ominous and divine, like a fallen deity reborn.
Its very presence was oppression incarnate, making everyone gasp as their souls quivered.
"You... what are you? Why can you absorb my resentment?"
A vast voice surged from all directions, each syllable carrying soul-shaking power that made the very space hum.
Johan, Xunhuan Lee, and the others immediately fell into combat stances.
"Lung Pan? Is that you?" Eren fought through the discomfort, looking up at the colossal figure. The face was indeed identical to his classmate Lung Pan's, but its aura was as eerie and profound as an abyssal evil god, deterring any direct gaze—as if a mere look could shatter one's eyeballs with invisible force.
The giant figure fell silent, as if a painful memory had been touched.
Eren spoke urgently, "Lung Pan, I know what the villagers did. I understand your hatred. But you've had your revenge! You shouldn't let that fury consume other innocents!"
"Silence! It is not nearly enough!" the demonic Lung Pan hissed venomously. "The villagers wronged me! Heaven is unjust! Since I have become a Fallen Deity, I will turn this rotten mortal world into a living Purgatory!"
Resentment rippled outwards like a tangible shockwave, violently shaking the space.
"I feel it... within you lies a mysterious and formidable power. Once I refine you, I will possess the power to destroy the world! Then, all of humanity shall become demons and fiends!"
Mysterious power? Could it be the Obsidian Sigil? The thought had barely formed when Eren felt an irresistible force constrict him utterly.
In the next instant, the scene transformed. He found himself in a boundless ocean of blood, reeking of putridity. The sea's surface floated with countless mutilated limbs and bleached white bones, exuding an extreme stench of blood and decay. Foul, corpse-like energies rapidly corroded his body and soul, bringing indescribable, excruciating pain.
"Damn it!" Eren was aghast, realizing he had been dragged inside the Fallen Deity. If he didn't escape soon, he would become just another floating corpse in this sea of blood, utterly refined.
Fortunately, though his body was immobilized, he could still absorb the surrounding corrupt energy at a astonishing rate.
— Call of a Pure Heart —
"Lung Pan, you are wrong."
Eren's voice was not loud, yet it resonated through the void.
"You once said—'The sunlight bathes the land, yet there are corners it cannot reach.' But have you forgotten? Even in darkness, there are still those who light lamps."
He slowly raised his head, his gaze like torches.
"There is indeed greed and betrayal in the world, but that is not all. More people press forward, bearing heavy burdens through the night; they protect their families, cling to kindness, asking nothing in return. That light also comes from the human heart."
Eren's voice grew quieter, yet more forceful.
"You once spared no effort for the village, scrimping and saving, just to give them a better life. You possessed a sincere heart, were once the kindest of souls. Lung Pan, someone like you shouldn't be consumed by hatred."
Those words pierced through the crimson abyss like light.
The giant shadow quivered violently, roaring in agony as if being torn apart by that very light.
"Stop it! Silence!" Lung Pan roared, clutching his ears. "I returned to the village full of passion, only to be met with heartless betrayal! They sank me into the icy river, sealed me forever in the bridge pier with concrete! How ironic! How unjust! I hate! I will destroy everything, let this unjust world vanish completely!"
BOOM—!
The blood sea churned, rolling up monstrous waves as if the heavens collapsed and the apocalypse descended. Eren felt the overwhelming resentment acutely.
I must awaken the goodness in his heart! The fact that Lung Pan alone had spared Feng proved that deep within, he still guarded a pure land.
"Lung Pan, I understand your pain, your bitterness, your hatred. But do you wish to be trapped here forever? Come back! Feng is still waiting for you! You promised to marry her once the bridge was built. The bridge is finished now, and Feng still waits for you, longing! Lung Pan, come back now!" With the last words, Eren employed the power of The Meta Dippe technique, his voice like a great bell cleansing the evil space.
"Feng! Feng! Feng! Ah—!" In that instant, the colossal figure crumbled with a roar, the overwhelming resentment sinking into the blood sea. A thin, plainly dressed figure wearing glasses appeared before Eren—it was the original Lung Pan.
Elen's heart surged with joy. "Lung Pan, come with me. I'll take you away from this endless hell!" He reached out his hand. Lung Pan also slowly raised his hand and walked towards him.
Just as their hands were about to meet, a sudden change occurred! Thick black energy once again eroded Lung Pan's features—the state of resentment had returned!
— Battle of Light and Shadow —
"Lung Pan, hold on! You have a pure heart; you won't be defeated by hatred! Think of Feng! She's still waiting for you!" Eren shouted urgently.
Lung Pan clutched his head, his face contorted. "It hurts so much... Save me..."
His features alternated between light and shadow, one eye glistening with tears, the other burning crimson.
A low, sinister voice sounded from the void: "Lung Pan, the world has betrayed you. Why struggle? Become the Fallen Deity, slaughter them all!"
"No... Feng didn't betray me, Eren didn't abandon me! There is still light in this world!"
"No! This world is filthy and rotten, every human heart is dark! Release it, become your true self! Join me, turn the world into hell!"
"No... There is still... goodness..."
"Have you forgotten those villagers? You saw them as family, yet they pushed you into eternal damnation!"
Lung Pan's face shifted rapidly between black and white, goodness and malice locked in fierce combat. It seemed goodness was on the verge of being completely suppressed.
Eren summoned the Obsidian Sigil, and golden light flared, wrapping Lung Pan in a sphere of sanctified radiance.
For a heartbeat, the corruption recoiled—then it struck back with feral force.
The light shuddered. A wave of rancid hatred burst through, ramming into Eren's body like molten iron.
Eren's left eye turned crimson—resentment flooding his heart.
Voices screamed inside him:
"Seraphine Lark! You betrayed my love!"
"Damien Vale! You set me up!"
"Everyone deserves to die!"
Dark lines crept from his eye down his neck like living shadows.
"Eren, give up, it's futile. Open your heart, accept me, and you will gain unparalleled power. Don't you want revenge? Merge with me, and you will awaken completely, do as you please!" The bewitching, demonic voice incessantly assaulted Eren's final defenses.
— Golden Light Shatters Illusion —
"No! I cannot fall! I won't become a walking corpse, a mere killing machine! Even if I seek revenge, I will do so with my own strength! I will not be defeated by you! You soul-seducing demon, get out—!" Eren's core will suddenly erupted with dazzling golden light—the power born from his unshakable conviction!
Hummm—!
The golden light intensified, vast as an ocean, instantly dispelling all demonic energy from his consciousness.
"Eren—All living beings possess desire and evil thoughts. You are me, and I am you. To destroy me is to destroy yourself. You cannot utterly eradicate me... I... will return..." The enchanting voice gradually faded.
In the churning sea of blood, Eren blazed with golden light, violently breaking through the core of resentment within Lung Pan, and let out a soul-shaking cry: "Lung Pan, come back to me!"
Lung Pan laughed heartily towards the sky, the demonic energy around him completely scattered, infinite evil thoughts evaporating without a trace.
"Eren, thank you for helping me escape this endless hell." He smiled, a peaceful and radiant expression on his face.
The sunny, resilient Lung Pan had finally returned.
Eren smiled in relief. The energy he released might have helped, but the key was Lung Pan's own formidable will.
"Eren, having you as a friend is my life's greatest fortune. Please tell Feng—I am free from suffering, tell her to... live well."
A gentle light shimmered in Lung Pan's eyes, his smile tender and resolved.
In the next moment, his body dissolved into countless motes of shimmering light, scattering into the void with the wind, like stars falling into the night sea.
"Lung Pan... rest easy."
Eren exhaled deeply.
For a moment, even the blood sea fell silent.
Johan, Xunhuan Lee, Nadia, and the others watched from afar, their faces a mix of awe and sorrow—they had witnessed a soul's redemption.
But the calm was brief.
Eren's expression hardened.
In that final connection, he had seen the truth:
when Lung Pan was buried alive beneath the bridge, an alien demonic energy had surged up from the earth and entered his body, amplifying his rage and creating this purgatory.
That energy... was not of this world.
A distant rumble echoed.
Dark mist coiled once more, ghostly wails rising from the abyss.
Lung Pan was gone.
But the Purgatory—was not over.