Chapter 47 - Vassal

"H-how?" Bjorn asked looking at Pan and then at the old man. Incredulity etched into his face.

 "You made him use his eyes," Pan replied as if explaining everything. 

 He had been watching Bjorn and the old man since the beginning. He eventually ran into the two of them while looking for the exit and overheard the sound of fighting. Then he approached and waited for the right moment to act. Pan as someone capable of taking heightened sensory abilities knew better than anyone that by focusing too much on one aspect the rest becomes cloudy. The old man died the moment he ascended the orbs to demonstrate his power to Bjorn.

 Not that the man hadn't seen the sword, but as Pan also knew, seeing wasn't the same as being able to react. Pan threw the shot up and out of the man's sight. When he noticed it was already late, it was probably the most desperate moments and at the same time long moments of his life.

 'Imbecile fanatic.' Pan thought, looking at the man with contempt. 'In this world no matter how strong you are, build up too much arrogance and you could end up getting killed by a cripple covered in shit.' Thought.

 Pan's only regret was that a dead man didn't speak. Soon he would never know how he canceled Bjorn's essence. As for why he was doing it, Pan didn't give a damn, in the end, ideas without force are just empty words and empty morals.

 'Justice must be done by force in Lazark.' Pan thought, remembering something from the past. But the subtle glint in her eyes was gone as quickly as it came.

 "How are you alive? I thought you were dead," Bjorn asked, sitting up and still trying to understand what the first answer meant exactly.

 "I swam in shit," Pan replied with disgust and disgust in her voice. 

 "But is it the Siaks?" Bjorn asked with a groan of pain. Pan healed him just enough for him to live and his voice sounded strange from the lack of teeth.

 "They're deaf," declared Pan as if explaining everything again.

 Bjorn looked at Pan with more doubt than clarity after the answer. It was a fact that the Siaks were deaf, but there were dozens, if not hundreds, and they still had eyes that saw in the dark.

 'How did he avoid them?' Thought Bjorn. But he decided not to ask any more, it was clear that Pan wanted to keep her secrets to herself.

 "What is your name?" Bjorn asked thinking of something. There was an uncharacteristic resolution on his face.

 "I think I've already said that," Pan replied in annoyance. He always seemed to be surrounded by imbeciles.

 "No. I mean, your full name, what's your full name?" Bjorn asked.

 Maybe he's not an imbecile after all. thought Pan.

 "Pan Lewis," replied Pan.

 When he finished uttering his name, Bjorn knelt on one leg, lowered his head and placed his right fist on his chest before declaring. "I Bjorn Alara. I declare to serve as vassal of Pan Lewis from this day forward and forevermore. Your battles will be my battles, your grudges will be my grudges. Accept my loyalty!"

 "No fucking way," Pan replied, leaving Bjorn in shock, his toothless mouth gaping in disbelief.

 'Did I speak out loud? A. fuck it.' Thought Pan. He usually kept his thoughts to himself. Nanna taught him that a silent man makes no mistakes and since then he has. But the last few days had drained his patience, swimming in shit and sneaking around in the tunnels wasn't the best of experiences.

 "Please, sir Pan, I ask you to reconsider," asked Bjorn, still kneeling.

 "Don't call me sir, I'm probably younger than you," Pan replied, putting his hand between his eyes. He already had Edward to deal with, he didn't need another one following him around. 

 "Age doesn't determine a man's greatness. You saved my life. It's honored that I live as your vassal," Bjorn replied with what appeared to be bravery. But the lack of teeth took away all the glory.

 "Nah, thanks," Pan replied and turned to see if the old man had anything of value.

 "Sir Pan, you may not know, but I'm first in essence forge class, having me as a vassal is the same as having a future blacksmith of personal essence," declared Bjorn appealing to Pan's greed.

 Something that seemed to work, as Pan turned around immediately, eyes gleaming and shivers ran through Bjorn's body.

 'What is this feeling?' Thought Bjorn. But it was too late.