Atan

Atan is a former disciple of Chromile and the adoptive father of Mihile.

Story

Disciple of Chromile

Many years ago, Atan's only son was killed by wolves and Atan, distraught at the loss of his child, sought to find a way to revive him. After years of chasing rumors, Atan learned about the existence of a gemstone called Shinsoo's Teardrop, which had the power to grant any wish. As the jewel was protected by the Knight of Light inside their Soul Shield, Atan traveled to Ereve and became a disciple of Chromile, the Knight of Light, in the hope of becoming his successor.

Despite being low-born, Atan trained fervently in order to be chosen as the next candidate to become the Knight of Light. Nevertheless, he grew furious when Chromile never once considered him and instead passed him over in favor of presenting the Soul Shield to other candidates in order to determine whether it would react to them.

Realizing that he would never be chosen by Chromile, Atan attempted to steal the Soul Shield in the middle of the night. Just then, however, he was caught by Chromile, who had been expecting Atan's betrayal. Atan asked Chromile why he had never once allowed him to even hold the Soul Shield when so many others had been permitted. Chromile told Atan to consider the difference between him and the others. When Atan remained silent, Chromile told him that if he didn't know the answer, then he ought to put down his sword and return back home.

Chromile then told Atan that he had always seen his obsession with the Soul Shield, adding that Atan's obsession with it, far from creating light, would only shackle him. When he once again ordered Atan to return home, Atan begged Chromile to at least let him use Shinsoo's Teardrop before his banishment, explaining that his only wish was to bring back his son .

Though Chromile sympathized, he explained that he could not grant Atan's request, as Shinsoo's Teardrop could not be used for the wish of a single individual. Chromile then declared that though he had determined that Atan was unqualified to be a knight, it had been Atan himself who had relinquished his qualifications as a person and as a father.

A Family Broken

Infuriated, Atan formulated a plan to steal the Soul Shield while Chromile had gone away on a trip with his family. In the middle of the night, Atan broke into their house, where he came across an infant Mihile sleeping in his cradle. While searching the room, however, Chromile's wife, Rickella, came in to check on Mihile. Atan immediately drew his sword and ordered her to give him the Soul Shield in exchange for Mihile's safety. Rickella reluctantly handed over the shield, but when it had come into the proximity of Mihile, a great flash of light had emanated from it.

Furious, Atan struck down Rickella, just as Chromile rushed into the room. Atan told Chromile that he was surprised that despite Chromile having a son of his own, he had still been unable to sympathize with Atan's situation. He then threatened to kill Mihile unless Chromile extracted Shinsoo's Teardrop from within the Soul Shield. Chromile attempted to reason with Atan, asking whether his son would thank him for bringing him to life at the cost of having taking someone else’s.

Chromile then told Atan that even if he were to obtain Shinsoo's Teardrop, Atan would never be able to make a wish with it. Furious, Atan attacked Chromile and the two began to fight, which resulted in Chromile leaving a scar across Atan's right eye. During the battle, however, Mihile awoke and began crying, which caused Chromile to grow distracted from the battle while looking to his son, giving Atan the opening to fatally wound Chromile.

Raising Mihile

After Chromile passed, Atan took the Soul Shield and kidnapped Mihile, hoping that the boy would awaken as the next Knight of Light and extract Shinsoo's Teardrop. He took Mihile to a remote farmland and raised him as his own son, tricking him into believing that Atan's deceased son was his older brother. Mihile grew up training as a warrior, hoping to use Shinsoo's Teardrop to revive his 'brother'. Atan also placed well-trained dogs around the perimeter of the grounds in order to keep Mihile from leaving.

Over the years, Atan trained Mihile to become a knight, using the same lessons that Atan himself had learned from Chromile, including the three rules of knighthood: to always look out for what was true, to respect those weaker than them, and to always protect loved ones. Atan also instilled a fear of the wild dogs in the area to Mihile in order to ensure that the boy wouldn't escape the farm by explaining that his son had been killed by monsters like the wild dogs.

Final Confrontation

One day, Atan went out on business and left Mihile alone on the farm. During this time, Mihile inadvertently stumbled across Empress Cygnus and Neinheart. Atan returned to find a letter from Mihile, who had written that he had gone to Ereve in order to awaken as the next Knight of Light. Furious to know that his plans were about to be ruined, Atan immediately stormed the island.

Atan cut through the Piyo soldiers and held Cygnus at swordpoint, just as Mihile rushed to the scene. Just as Atan swung his blade, Mihile rushed to defend Cygnus, causing the Soul Shield to shatter. Atan then attempted to manipulate Mihile into extracting Shinsoo's Teardrop, weaponizing Chromile's teachings and claiming that protecting family was more important than anything else.

After Mihile gave him the gemstone, Atan attempted to use it to revive his son. To his shock, however, Shinsoo's Teardrop - which was actually the Seal Stone of Ereve - refused to grant his wish, as the Seal Stones would only grant the wish of a population. After collapsing in disbelief, Atan angrily rebuked Mihile, revealing the truth that he had kidnapped the boy from his real family.

With nothing left to live for, Atan attempted to kill Cygnus, but Mihile quickly rushed to her defense and fought his adoptive father. Their battle resulted in Atan falling off a cliff, but to his shock, Mihile saved him, claiming that no matter what, he still saw Atan as family. Filled with remorse, Atan chose to let go of Mihile's hand and plummeted to his death.

Gallery