Cliff could not accept what had been done to Vagner, someone who had treated him so kindly.Why would anyone cut off another person's limbs? he thought, while already beginning to plan his revenge.Even though Vagner wished for God to punish them, he knew there was no way he could convince Cliff.
Turning to Cliff, Vagner said one last thing:
"Cliff, son… don't you believe in God?"
The terrifying smile returned to Cliff's face as he looked at Vagner and said:
"Vagner… what is God to you? Who is God?Actually… wrong question. Who are the gods? What do they do, where do they live, who do they help?Believe me, Vagner… the gods don't care about you in the slightest.But I am different, Vagner. I am both His greatest friend… and His greatest enemy. I won't leave things to that damn old geezer — I'll do my own work.I will help you, and I'll gather those who share your fate at my side."
Vagner was both horrified and, in a way, beginning to see things more clearly. Vagner then asked:
"Why the clown mask?"
Cliff replied:
"Because my job is to entertain them."
"And why is half of it broken?"
"Because I won't only make them laugh anymore. Things have changed, Vagner… some things disturb me.In my head, I constantly hear the orders I've been given, the insults from humans and other beings like them.Why would God's creations treat God's friends like this? Your god is flawed… and I am no longer an ordinary clown."
Although still tense and surprised, Vagner could tell Cliff wasn't an evil man.It was obvious he was simply someone abandoned by the side of God.Maybe everything he says is true… I suppose I have no choice but to trust him.
"Cliff, when do we begin?"
Cliff began to think and decided he wanted to meet Vagner's other friends as well.He asked:
"Can you call them for me, Vagner?"
Vagner agreed, threw on his coat, and headed for the square.Meanwhile, Cliff was thinking about how to exact his revenge.He knew he would have to form another circus — and everything he would do would happen inside it.An idea formed in his mind… and he was determined to carry it out, no matter how much it angered God.
Not long after, Vagner and his friends arrived.As soon as they walked in, Cliff's eyes scanned them one by one.He was now certain — what he saw was not normal.Vagner seemed to be in the best condition among them.In the very back stood a short, long-furred rabbit-like being — one eye gouged out, ears cut halfway, right shoulder severed, and missing fingers on his left hand.Cliff's terrifying smile stretched further.
While Vagner's comrades whispered among themselves, wondering who this man was, Cliff stepped in front of them, clapped twice, and began:
"Welcome, my dear guests. Today I've come to deliver you great news — I am God's messenger.It is time to punish those who did this to you. But I will need your help for something."
Vagner interrupted:
"And what exactly do you need help with, son?"
Cliff yelled:
"We're going to start a circus!"
Everyone froze for a moment, then asked why they would need such a thing.Cliff simply answered,
"For power."
Then he turned to Vagner:
"Let's gather a few young people from the city. We'll entertain them, and through the circus, we'll punish those who wronged you."
Vagner went to fetch an old horse cart from behind his house.Everyone climbed into the small trailer and set off together.Along the way, Cliff learned some of them had children.This only angered him more — that their children had been forced to witness such horrors.His rage grew steadily… though he still didn't know who the culprits were.When he found out, the shock would be great.
After about an hour, they arrived at the Green Isle Kingdom.Vagner had stayed here before and knew people who could help set up the circus — big, burly lizard-men.While Vagner went to speak with them, Cliff began to wander the marketplace.Stalls and shops lined the streets.One peculiar place caught his attention — a toy shop filled with handmade goods.
Cliff still loved toys, so he decided to buy a few for his utopia.But then he thought of Thalifa and the others… would they be upset if he only bought for himself?After a moment's thought, he decided to get each founder a gift:for Thalifa, a rag doll; for Fred, a wooden sword…
Just then, Vagner entered and told him everything was ready — they only had to wait for the tent to be set up.
Suddenly, a sound was heard:
"Grrrrooowp"
Even under his mask, Cliff's face flushed red — he hadn't eaten in almost two days.Vagner put a hand on his shoulder:
"Come, son. Let old Vagner cook you some meat."
They went to a restaurant, ate some meat, and drank some beer.
When they returned to the circus grounds, the tent was complete.At the entrance hung a red ribbon — for Cliff to cut as part of the opening ceremony.Somewhat pleased, Cliff took the scissors, cut the ribbon, and opened the circus.
The air filled with cheerful songs, the smell of delicious food, laughing children running about…and at the center stage, performing magic tricks, stood our not-so-ordinary clown — Cliff.
The circus went on until late at night.Eventually, the townsfolk, disturbed by the noise, called the royal soldiers.It wasn't long before a battalion arrived to shut it down.
Seeing them, Vagner and his friends froze in horror.Cliff noticed their fear and asked what was wrong.
Vagner's voice trembled:
"It's them… these are the ones."
At that moment, Cliff realized these were the people who had tormented them — and he was ready to act.
Turning to the soldiers with his frightening smile, he said:
"Why don't you join our circus? Just one last show, and then you can do whatever you want."
The soldiers discussed it and decided it wasn't such a bad idea — after all, such an opportunity wouldn't come twice.
And so… terrible things began to happen.
The soldiers entered, found seats, and waited.The lights went out, and a voice echoed:
"CLIFF!"
When the lights came back, Cliff stood at the center stage, terrifying grin on his face, holding a deck of joker cards.
He handed the cards to the soldiers and told them to think of a number between 1 and 12.Without them saying their number aloud, he told them to look at the cards in their hands.Though they all held jokers at first, the cards suddenly transformed into the numbers they had chosen.
As the soldiers applauded, Cliff called the holder of the number 1 card to the stage.He clapped twice — and both he and the soldier appeared inside a small cage, invisible from the outside but perfectly see-through from within.
To the audience, it was just a magic trick.For the man inside… it was anything but.
Cliff asked him:
"What is your greatest fear?"
"Snakes," the soldier replied.
With a snap of Cliff's fingers, tens of thousands of snakes filled the cage.The soldier screamed as the snakes devoured him — while his comrades only laughed.Moments later, nothing remained of him.
Cliff stepped out of the cage and called the number 2 card holder.Same question.
"Spiders."
A snap — the cage flooded with thousands of spiders.They wrapped him in webs as the others laughed, not knowing what was really happening.
One by one, the soldiers inside died, their numbers steadily dwindling.
At last, only one soldier remained.By now, he was beginning to understand… and terror consumed him.
Cliff asked:
"What is your greatest fear?"
"God, sir…" he replied.
Cliff looked straight into his eyes:
"Then fear the man standing before you… for I am God Himself."
A horrific scream rang out from inside — and then all the soldiers were gone.
Cliff stepped outside to tell Vagner that his revenge was complete.Vagner and his friends were drinking beer outside when Cliff called him over:
"No one will trouble you again. And I have an offer…Come with me to my utopia. My army needs training from good soldiers, and I trust only you."
The old Vagner discussed it with his friends — and they agreed.The next day, they gathered at Vagner's home, ready to depart.
Cliff removed the chain necklace from his neck, held the key into the air, and spoke:
"Tsu no sekai no shinseina kagi ga mon o hirakimasu."
With a burst of wind, a gateway opened.All that was left was to step through… and return to his utopia.