After he was born to his prostitute of a mother, Zero had been given to Dr. Katse from his father, Diono Varasta. Diono wanted nothing to do with the child of a prostitute, but he couldn't bring himself to kill his own blood. He told Dr. Katse to do whatever he likes with the boy, but he could not tell anyone, including the child, about his lineage.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMcosdEDXt
After receiving the child, Dr. Katse used him as a prototype for the experiment he was preparing, dubbed Ether Influence. Seeing as he was simply a test for the actual experiment, the boy was given the name ‘Zero’.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALq3upnnKR
Dr. Katse aimed to create something spectacular out of Zero as far as his ability was concerned. With the Ouroboros as its core, he worked tirelessly to put a plan in place to turn Zero into something truly special. The ability he planned for was named Greed. Since it would be a unique ability, he couldn't be sure of how it would work, but he wanted it to take something. Whatever that something was, they would find out when the time came.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3wqzUGnfI
The first 8 years of Zero's life was spent cooped up in MERD's facilities. Outside of the ongoing experiment for Ability Influencing, he was used as a subject for any other tests the facility needed to perform.
.
.
.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO937AzO08D
“Zero, this will be your new home from now on.” Says a young Cem to an expressionless Zero. The petite cabin was situated on the outskirts of a small village surrounded by trees and a single dirt road leading into a likewise small town.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGNDStEr0I
“Go ahead and open the door.” Zero does as instructed and is met by an attractive young woman with shoulder length reddish-brown hair little younger than Cem.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZHSyGU76U
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVPLFj1MQe
“Oh, I didn't know you were bringing… a child with you.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTVPR7XEkK
“Cem, who is this woman?” Zero says, beginning to hide behind Cem.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRCgujqL8W
“This is-
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiHUUVFvQx
“My name is Anri. What's your's?”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DpuOJS63Q
“Dr. Katse calls me Zero.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrp0bxrHgv
“Hmm… Why does he call you that?”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NV8IMYS6F
“I don't know.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiDvhek2qI
“You are quite the kiddo aren't you?”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpd2nRvV16
“Kiddo? What does that mean?”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDYFAoo9GD
She smiles. “It's just another way to say kid. Anyway, are you hungry? I just made dinner.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGxs2n1H8m
“Yes I am.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXDH2hKrdn
“Great, come on in.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQh41C6oYb
Zero walks through a modestly furnished living room and into the kitchen, oblivious to anything but the divine scent of Anri's home cooking. Three plates of roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and buttered bread sit on the dinner table, still steaming.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4FMdGhZ87
Anri was about to say something before being abruptly cut off by a loud stomach grumble.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIh9r1aqgW
She looks at Zero to confirm it was him, but the look on his face said it all. He was staring at the meal in front of him, mesmerized by the aroma.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVw6NxsTJm
“Go on.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tASsPkw3f
He tries to contain his hunger, but he speeds over to the table and sits in the chair nearest to him and begins to devour his plate. By the time Cem and Anri are halfway done Zero had already asked for a second helping. In his eyes, this was the greatest meal he'd ever had. Lab food didn't even compare to the flavors that were coating his taste buds.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMj85pE3XMg
“Looks like you enjoyed it. Did you have enough?”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC1q0Uckd2
“Yes. It was… good.” Zero says, cleaning his hands on a towel. Anri reaches over with her own towel and gently wipes his face. He looks at her and is met by a heartwarming smile. After she cleans him up, Zero lets out a yawn.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAJfeOrzqv
“My mother always said a good meal was the best sleep aid. Ready for a nap?”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05fpD9oK9U
“Yes.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5ccD4fNB8
“Great. Follow me and I'll show you to a bed.” She says while getting up from the table. Zero drowsily follows suit. As she walks past Cem, she tightly grips his shoulder and looks him in the eye before walking off down the hall.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4lTx5FBIy
“Here we are.” She says while pulling the blanket back. “Climb on in.”
She creates a small fire at the tip of her finger to light a candle in the room. Zero gets in the bed and she tucks him in, kissing him on the forehead.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFqe6OEoR1
“‘Night.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90EzagVmhi
“Goodnight. Thank you for the meal.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscXkDbM1RW
She closes the door and walks back to the dining room where Cem awaits her return.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl1t3cdd9V
“I'm sure you know what I'm about to say, so go ahead and explain yourself.” Anri sits back down in her seat across Cem.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfIZaHRlHJ
“So about my friend…”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0R8sohzl0
“Friend!? That's a child!” She says through a hushed shout.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkR3NLz4YdQ
“Look, I know how you must feel about this, but-
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMylxJ3zDnU
“But what? You said you needed somewhere for a friend to stay for a while, but you failed to mention that it was a kid! Where's his parents? Who are his parents? Do they know he's here? Why was he with you in the first place? Wh-”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnu9PkskoOX
“Anri!” Cem says forcefully.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqiCpMvI01
“You told me to explain myself, so I will. You're upset, and I understand that, however, you have to calm down before I can tell you anything.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPdIjcvJZj
“I'm not upset, I'm just worried, y'know?” She says while tapping her foot and biting her lip. “I just… don't know anything about this.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOv0WXpNRi2
“How you feel is justified. Here's a forewarning: I can only tell you so much about him due to my position as Madu's teleporter.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4TrNCe62v
Her foot tapping slows. “OK, fine.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzFjZ9RC2l
“Now that we have that out of the way, I'll go ahead and start with the big things. He doesn't have any parents, so you don't have to worry about what they might think about his situation.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnZvOPRBWZ
“What happened to them? Did they drop him off at your door and disappear or something?”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX0SUAGoSx
“No, they dropped him off at M.E.R.D.'s door and disappeared.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTzYOpffWj
“What does-. Just… keep going.” She cuts herself off and sighs, waving him along.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1UlWhC23l
“Once he got to M.E.R.D., a researcher performed several tests on him for the last eight or so years. He performed worse than expected, so he was taken off the roster of test subjects and abandoned. That's when I picked him up and brought him here.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZd9ewu9fj
“Human experimentation? And he's the product of that? You are really dropping a load on me.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZgqPdQynI
“I know, and I'm sorry to do it so suddenly.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e8zHdCOUw
“So now that I kinda sorta know who’s in my house, how long is he supposed to be staying here?”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFaeRU1j1s
“About that…”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHnKL987Nd
“Cem I swear, if you say-”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurCHpu82Vu
“Permanently.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRSWZ0nujp
Cem teleports over to her and covers her mouth with his hand.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B6aPQ0rE7
She screams something unintelligible before Cem teleports them both outside.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2flvFDWmYr
He takes his hand off of her mouth.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjPXvuAC7T
“Now that you got that out of your system, will you take care of Zero for me?”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCa38dwscL
She steps away from him and stares up at the night sky for a moment.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yJffxUqUE
“Fine, but only on one condition. You have to come around to spend time with him too.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4ML9fq6yb
“Why? And why me specifically?”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvdBgSf52B
“At the very least, a kid that's been through as much as he has deserves more than one parent. Besides, it looks like he trusts you.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFmC1jWypy
“When you put it like that, I guess I can't really say no. You've got a deal.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODiayhVEIo
“You're lucky I like you…” She mumbles to herself.
.
.
.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB8i89f09N
“Morning kiddo.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDKxgY2bBI
“Good morning Ms. Anri.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevPkAhX0BX
“Y'know, it's been six months since you got here. You don't have to call me Ms. Anri anymore.” She says while sliding a plate of food over to his seat at the table.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYSuZ24o7z
“What do you want me to call you?”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7FHeGRA81
“It doesn't matter as long as it's not Ms. Anri. You can figure it out later, just don't forget.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j5OH0mH49
“Yes ma’am.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3UaRp7QRs
“When you're done eating can you go into town and get some more eggs from Mrs. Jensen?”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCN3lQoV8V
“OK, are you coming with me?”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXbSUWWveS
“Nope. I've got some laundry to do before Cem gets here, so I'll stay home this time. You should be able to do it on your own. I believe in you.” She says, tapping him on his chest.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRNUwuodNk
He finishes eating and heads into town. They had been in town together multiple times before so he knew his way around. Some of the townsfolk remembered his name and even gave him snacks on a few occasions.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifZFx4FpxI
The walk there was about an hour as per usual. Zero was greeted at the town gate by a few of the townspeople and they pointed him in the direction of Ms. Jensen's farm.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDytDBnhiL
“Thank you.” He says before continuing on to his destination. After another 30 minutes, he arrives at the front gate of the farm. Once inside he walks to the barn situated in the center of her land.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ2r0Joes1
“Hello? Is Ms. Jensen here?” He shouts into the slightly open barn door.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFh1qGCHxxm
“Oh my! Is that you, Zero? You scared me!”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSUjNpISQK
“I'm sorry.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5RLR1rKxD
“Oh it's fine. More importantly, where is your mother?”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoJuUuuXcF
“My mother? I don't know. I've never met her.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsjCLHUXLH
“Then who is Anri to you?”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRk8RfHn0V
“My Caretaker.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0qg7jQSsk
“Really? Well, if you say so. Anyways, what can I do for you today?”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYXX8TulT0
“Ms. Anri said she needs two dozen eggs.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaVzOuvzRX
“OK, coming right up.” She turns around and grabs two rectangular boxes of eggs out of a trunk and hands it to Zero. In exchange, he hands her four gold coins.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5nFji4jgo
“Thank you.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBx75bWXZt
“No problem. Next time, tell your mo- Anri to come with you.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAgWYmpfZs
“Yes ma'am. Goodbye.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScg16bmi2c
Zero walks out of the barn and starts to head home but stops when he sees an all too familiar face.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjclKEfBuW4
He dashes over to the nearest alley and ducks into it. He can feel himself panicking. He had just started to get comfortable in this town. The people were nice. Anri made the most amazing food for him everyday. Cem came around every so often and trained with him. He actually had a life here and he refused to get wrapped back up with the researchers of M.E.R.D.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98LKnWk2Ha
“Ah, Zero! I've been looking all over for you.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUVi0u7yv8
Zero looks up, horrified. It was Dr. Katse.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeWHCZ7TUp
“Come now, let's go. You haven't had a check up in months.” Dr. Katse says, grabbing Zero's hand and pulling further down the alleyway.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JN5nQxk1B
He tried to resist, but he couldn't get loose. Dr. Katse's grip was too tight, and at this point Zero was being dragged away. He tried to scream, but was quickly struck in the head, forcing him unconscious.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YGshVPoa3
.
.
.
Anri shoves the tavern door open.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSa78K5skx
“Hey, have any of you guys seen Zero around here? I sent him to get some eggs a few hours ago but he hasn't come back home yet.” Asks a worried Anri.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz7D1KV9wB
“Oh, he got the eggs from me, but I haven't seen him since then.” Says Mrs. Jensen.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGf1TA5tzm
“I saw him earlier with a tall older gentleman.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDyyyiZRMT
She slams on the table. “Who was that man and where did they go?!”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArC0jihf5n
“Woah there! When he was here in the tavern before that, he said he goes by Dr. Katse. It sounded like he's some big name researcher from M.E.R.D.. They went towards the Southern end of town.” Says the Bartender.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RHIKLVEJK
“Dr. Katse from M.E.R.D.. This couldn't get any worse.” She mumbles to herself as she sprints through the door of the tavern, now on the hunt for Zero.
.
.
.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YAB9fwkNE
Zero awakens to a painting of the Ouroboros. Immediately afterwards, he feels his arm and leg restraints chafing his wrists and ankles. He tries to look around the dark room and finds nothing but more images of the Snake.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeKTcWQ9wY
A door opens. A bright light blinds him for a moment. His eyes adjust to see Dr. Katse walking in.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSkWKmjCyv
“Ah you're awake.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAJfDmWq9s
“Where's Anri?!” Zero says while glaring at him.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDciygOIems
“I see someone's gotten a little feisty since the last time I saw them.” Dr. Katse says with a chuckle.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7YMrluo4W
Zero scoots away from him as he walks closer to him.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8cPqEnwnT
“Would you like me to let you in on a secret?
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8vEfKywMy
“Stay away from me!”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabHj18pzAp
“Well since you're so enthusiastic about it I will. Previously, if a child reached eight years of age without awakening an ability, they would live the rest of their lives without one. However, a young man named Faust Von Tyrol just awakened his ability at the ripe age of 16. Do you know what this means for you, Zero?”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFKzpYQMV8
Zero’s lip quivers. “I don't… want to leave.” He says, beginning to cry as the few but fond memories of his new life rush into his mind.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡta8byN7zm8
“Did you say you ‘want’ to stay here? That's the first time I've ever heard you ‘want’ anything. You must really like it here. Too bad I'm taking you back to the lab with me.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WHAylWaqB
“NO! I want to stay here with Anri!” He shouts at Dr. Katse.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp0p4ypL6a
“Again with the wants. This isn't a choice, boy!” He says as he swings, hitting Zero squarely on his chin, dazing him on contact.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMbojMlfqN
A muffled woman's voice comes from behind Zero.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtErO26WQg
“Zero… Zero… Where are you!…”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUtfyMReC9
Still staggered, he lets out a shout. “I'm HERE!”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy8YOgDgug
“What are you screaming for? No one is going to hear-”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWW3enSjlU
An explosion. It happens a few feet away from Zero, blasting a massive hole through the wall, blowing flaming debris across the room.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMFV5aE4ad
“Zero!? Are you here?” Anri says, stepping into the now burning building.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTcgzguFlz
“Ah… you must be… Anri. Dr. Katse says through coughs.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3TwjNK3i4
“Who are you and what did you do to Zero?” She runs in front Zero and glares at Dr. Katse.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxK7yFOEYu
“Nothing much. Just a little rough-housing. But I'll be taking my leave now. Remember our conversation, Zero. You wouldn't want this precious life of yours to be taken from you.” Dr. Katse says before dashing out of the building and leaving town.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OavCxHMdA
Anri pulls Zero close to her chest and runs out to the street. Once outside, she burns the ropes off of his wrists and ankles.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eH9cYmSOO
“Did he hurt you? Do you want me to go hurt him back?” She says while wiping tears and dirt from his face.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIGPg09TpL
“You'd do that for me?”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Fo66CrDIV
“For my son, I'd do anything.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRpVbaHmQ2
'Son?' Is that… true?
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qpEP023tP
He examines her face closer and sees faint tear stains on her cheeks.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdN8FTmksE
Was she crying… for me?
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lU1r9YUMi
“Do you… really mean it?” He says with more tears welling up in his eyes.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj7HkTrmRT
“Of course I mean it. For you, my son, I'd take on the whole world if I had to to see you again. I love you kiddo.” She kisses him on the cheek and pulls him close.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4fhkoZRfs
She loves me…
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVsDQTYmDz
He couldn't hold it back anymore. He bawls out in his mother's chest, sobbing uncontrollably and hugging her tightly.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPL3sxZOYUk
“I was so scared! Dr. Katse said he was gonna take me away from you!” He cries loudly. “I never want to leave you!”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpEUU2zsSX
“Don't worry, I'll never let anyone take you away from me for as long as I live.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipCKHR9l3t
“You promise?”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrjz9TgNnP
“Yeah, I promise.” She kisses him on his forehead.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1RppID8cc
“I love you, mom.”
ns3.22.242.110da2
然後按「加至主畫面」