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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz1wEr8bmq
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’.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps9thKaVT8
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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hz7e6Vp2J
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.
.
.
.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KCQU518Uz
“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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5ud9ef4oE
“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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6k6fr2ReL
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbOWTVT2ZE
“Oh, I didn't know you were bringing… a child with you.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHutoOSLfo
“Cem, who is this woman?” Zero says, beginning to hide behind Cem.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei3N6dXu5L
“This is-
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dIHuRMksY
“My name is Anri. What's your's?”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz9zrBZzhr
“Dr. Katse calls me Zero.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Fg70SIADk
“Hmm… Why does he call you that?”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwylGf2sb9
“I don't know.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmngQ5k7xI
“You are quite the kiddo aren't you?”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiTsPEuokW
“Kiddo? What does that mean?”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEF1U6dp7d
She smiles. “It's just another way to say kid. Anyway, are you hungry? I just made dinner.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgMJ8J1KGo
“Yes I am.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjVskH9LyX
“Great, come on in.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3Xsk6Idfv
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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DJuVIZIXq
Anri was about to say something before being abruptly cut off by a loud stomach grumble.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVlK0XsktX
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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmbcGFtAf7
“Go on.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWezURhLdAE
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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnSKfHbyPd
“Looks like you enjoyed it. Did you have enough?”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoUUI1KtJu
“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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunwXX2qilB
“My mother always said a good meal was the best sleep aid. Ready for a nap?”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YPLH4N2er
“Yes.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyrceo6Ml4
“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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDd7xvLefm
“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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4WDUhbWpr
“‘Night.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLUqsgmS29
“Goodnight. Thank you for the meal.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o14meOSVs
She closes the door and walks back to the dining room where Cem awaits her return.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjVn1V7dj5
“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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc0ovm57WT
“So about my friend…”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGi4LGp4dpS
“Friend!? That's a child!” She says through a hushed shout.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkit7rRHkVx
“Look, I know how you must feel about this, but-
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GeBw9eVfV
“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-”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGK0CeArd6A
“Anri!” Cem says forcefully.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob4EXAhPlz
“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.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMCUN4wtQM
“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.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikxORnXAj7
“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.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3jzpZqEX4
Her foot tapping slows. “OK, fine.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxL5mjUsiS
“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.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK6M77a2Cx
“What happened to them? Did they drop him off at your door and disappear or something?”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomSFLQ49RO
“No, they dropped him off at M.E.R.D.'s door and disappeared.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0Qs1Ym1IZ
“What does-. Just… keep going.” She cuts herself off and sighs, waving him along.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIzrg6IHXt
“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.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflV4eAUYmk
“Human experimentation? And he's the product of that? You are really dropping a load on me.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fHqHHNx2Y
“I know, and I'm sorry to do it so suddenly.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPegyzgv1h
“So now that I kinda sorta know who’s in my house, how long is he supposed to be staying here?”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0K4EHZslv
“About that…”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVfaz4ArGY
“Cem I swear, if you say-”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90uI9Mb03b
“Permanently.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HsltFLAC9
Cem teleports over to her and covers her mouth with his hand.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNtUVIC8II
She screams something unintelligible before Cem teleports them both outside.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjL5cQ9Mht
He takes his hand off of her mouth.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDC1WX2gwK
“Now that you got that out of your system, will you take care of Zero for me?”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswx8T0fjg5
She steps away from him and stares up at the night sky for a moment.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSDGHc1zpM
“Fine, but only on one condition. You have to come around to spend time with him too.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxPJq5Wyn1
“Why? And why me specifically?”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EOdWi902z
“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.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGl8k5E7nhV
“When you put it like that, I guess I can't really say no. You've got a deal.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo11lvcR7g
“You're lucky I like you…” She mumbles to herself.
.
.
.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWrxiehRLs
“Morning kiddo.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUB9zkRXABT
“Good morning Ms. Anri.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqAB06v47J
“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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzejas8nfn
“What do you want me to call you?”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShXaFGosPt
“It doesn't matter as long as it's not Ms. Anri. You can figure it out later, just don't forget.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiP0wsAVppl
“Yes ma’am.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Q4xRMbp0d
“When you're done eating can you go into town and get some more eggs from Mrs. Jensen?”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJL2qkhedb
“OK, are you coming with me?”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9rcR3zyX4
“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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmHbkNDj6V
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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrjrvfk0UT
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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOvUceQqbY
“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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3vxaBtJ4m
“Hello? Is Ms. Jensen here?” He shouts into the slightly open barn door.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2Onvbuplj
“Oh my! Is that you, Zero? You scared me!”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkg8nTmaFFe
“I'm sorry.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO2WOelJTV
“Oh it's fine. More importantly, where is your mother?”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgusvLOT1q
“My mother? I don't know. I've never met her.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNd6mOaaWw5
“Then who is Anri to you?”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPevgIkLZR
“My Caretaker.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPiuEQ7X7K
“Really? Well, if you say so. Anyways, what can I do for you today?”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrA2kxxBNX
“Ms. Anri said she needs two dozen eggs.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpAnRDKGY4
“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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLfK0qbzh5
“Thank you.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbnsOSsTfd
“No problem. Next time, tell your mo- Anri to come with you.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5caEzQiCa
“Yes ma'am. Goodbye.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivYTvStqvN
Zero walks out of the barn and starts to head home but stops when he sees an all too familiar face.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkx79fwBHb
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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8HxJqucqf
“Ah, Zero! I've been looking all over for you.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh9DylXhKx
Zero looks up, horrified. It was Dr. Katse.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AVUpGU7dR
“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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPx3wdxoYG
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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGydAr2g85
.
.
.
Anri shoves the tavern door open.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBrTD2M7xA
“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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJGHnKwZ9p
“Oh, he got the eggs from me, but I haven't seen him since then.” Says Mrs. Jensen.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jJZdiQFoq
“I saw him earlier with a tall older gentleman.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGiE8WigVb
She slams on the table. “Who was that man and where did they go?!”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgEreSyq9f
“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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcjIwe1Jhl
“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.
.
.
.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhOQCoNzc8
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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA1mcw5Rin
A door opens. A bright light blinds him for a moment. His eyes adjust to see Dr. Katse walking in.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmR8r3Rvilh
“Ah you're awake.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXk5OWvPNo
“Where's Anri?!” Zero says while glaring at him.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlZnbmFdbx
“I see someone's gotten a little feisty since the last time I saw them.” Dr. Katse says with a chuckle.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtEFQ7ilqR
Zero scoots away from him as he walks closer to him.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf94sV0J0jg
“Would you like me to let you in on a secret?
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwTxlG3GM1
“Stay away from me!”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEW7SWPlLQ
“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?”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtvdBDof3g
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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5EBz64eNt
“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.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s5jpVejbw
“NO! I want to stay here with Anri!” He shouts at Dr. Katse.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomLnAfPc7A
“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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5pda13kn4
A muffled woman's voice comes from behind Zero.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYNk5mImpR
“Zero… Zero… Where are you!…”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BSfHdrelU
Still staggered, he lets out a shout. “I'm HERE!”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLy5pza2Xk
“What are you screaming for? No one is going to hear-”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbVTVQ7vzQ
An explosion. It happens a few feet away from Zero, blasting a massive hole through the wall, blowing flaming debris across the room.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCIPMiY76R
“Zero!? Are you here?” Anri says, stepping into the now burning building.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LZk8FG1cf
“Ah… you must be… Anri. Dr. Katse says through coughs.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmc1rtK2N6
“Who are you and what did you do to Zero?” She runs in front Zero and glares at Dr. Katse.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfU2sIBrKF
“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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kNYhjQTOE
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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx1HlIEwBn
“Did he hurt you? Do you want me to go hurt him back?” She says while wiping tears and dirt from his face.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5rJP1kHWr
“You'd do that for me?”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA41GgwTcD
“For my son, I'd do anything.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYV0NcsEOE
'Son?' Is that… true?
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmARYabMfUd
He examines her face closer and sees faint tear stains on her cheeks.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsWL3QI5SJ
Was she crying… for me?
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIN5MNWxe1
“Do you… really mean it?” He says with more tears welling up in his eyes.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBUUYyCYHu
“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.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbAJkteL8S
She loves me…
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxn0uvdYgH
He couldn't hold it back anymore. He bawls out in his mother's chest, sobbing uncontrollably and hugging her tightly.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYC1vXoMi5Q
“I was so scared! Dr. Katse said he was gonna take me away from you!” He cries loudly. “I never want to leave you!”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4AWDDrxa2
“Don't worry, I'll never let anyone take you away from me for as long as I live.”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGewQfFQfvz
“You promise?”
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpqEJJpHfe
“Yeah, I promise.” She kisses him on his forehead.
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MhalCDoY6
“I love you, mom.”
ns216.73.216.134da2
and then Add to home screen.