“Cem, can I ask you a question?”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE0W7fhmKv
Cem jolts up out of his seat.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOWLyXogiN
“Oh! I … didn't think you were awake.” Cem says. He'd been sitting in a chair in the living room mulling over the events that had just transpired.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHx5ldcwDL
“I'm sorry if I startled you.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUcelwI38x
“It's fine, I was just lost in thought. What's your question?”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzBSQJ315u
“Why does mo- Ms. Anri treat me the way she does?”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TkSq3bVgR
“What do you mean? Do you think she's treating you poorly?” He says while gesturing to the seat next to him.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V20V1usWB
Zero takes the seat. “It's the opposite really. She feeds me, clothes me, lets me live here with her, and doesn't ask for anything in return. Dr. Katse kept me around while I was still a test subject, and once I wasn't useful anymore, he kicked me out. But now, Ms. Anri takes even better care of me, but I'm not useful to her at all. Why?”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxokPeZP7vL
Cem puts his arm around him. “Well… Let's start with a different question. Why do you have to be useful to be loved?”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnAEMyyVnZ
“Loved? I guess… it would be so the other person gets something for their efforts.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob5SZp96Nr
“See, your relationship with Dr. Katse was built upon an equivalent exchange, and your relationship with Anri is one built upon love.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAs8KvXvrm
“But why is it that way?”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqVbpbRF09
“Hmm… Don't tell her I told you this, but when I initially asked her to take you in, she screamed and threw a fit.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMsdB5ApDt
“Really?”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeRaDlCfJ6
“Yup. She did, not because of you, but because she knows that she wouldn't be able to imagine her life without you. She gets attached easily and fights hard to protect the ones she cares about. Her fuss was to shield her from the pain attributed to loving you. So to answer your initial question, she loves you because it's a part of her nature. Even with that, she finds something new to love about you everyday.”
.
.
.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33I6gzE2Pk
Several years had passed since Dr. Katse's attack on Zero. He hadn’t been seen in or near the village since then. Due to his sudden appearance and disappearance, Anri asked Cem to teach Zero how to fight, more for her sake than his. After their experience with Dr. Katse, she'd do whatever it took to keep him safe. Aside from training, they returned to their normal everyday lives.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvEieGd9SC
“Zero! Are you up yet?! Cem is gonna be here any minute now!” Anri shouts down the hall.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccDbfDtVhU
“Yeah, yeah, I'm up…” Zero says, groggily rolls out of bed.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5lrqFMb0X
“You already made breakfast? You must really be excited.” He says through a yawn as he walks into the kitchen.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdlWx3OWPG
“Morning.” He says while hugging her.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBoXO1jhuU
“Morning.” She turns to kiss him on his forehead. “And ‘excited’ isn't the word I'd use. More like, curious.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXZPBOldg0
Zero takes a seat at his usual spot at the table. Once she finishes cooking, Anri makes three plates and sits at the table.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBNA6y0uLt
“He's late.” Anri says while staring at the clock at the wall. “He said he'd be here at 8:00 sharp.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LpASKDT4S
“Maybe he got tied up with something at work? He did say he’d be in Rahu today.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNBLCrN83K
“If that's the case, it makes me wonder what could tie down someone that can teleport.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYm6aWZkg2
After a while, they decide to eat without him. Minutes turn into hours as they await Cem’s arrival. Late in the night, they hear a knock on the door.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeS5RnpuV7S
“Zero, go get the door.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1Mpjc9u4b
“Got it.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtsKBxN28a
He opens the door to find an empty moonlit porch.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wNSwCYJFJ
“Hello? Anyone out there?”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2INCskAnH
An explosion answers his call, knocking him outside through the doorway.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Kmgfm2DsN
Dazed, Zero looks up at the now flaming house, scanning for his mother.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnu7mOiKUpY
“Mom! Where are you! Are you alright?!” He yells, sprinting into the burning remains of the house.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvXINRjNdB
Where is she? What was that explosion?
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQZWKVkN0u
After digging through the burning rubble, he finds her unconscious with several burns and bruises.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRwqIb8N3O
“Mom, can you hear me?!” He says before getting hit with a hard kick to the stomach.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KWsdJliyw
“Ah, Zero! Fantastic timing!”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPIWy4mIev
Why, why, WHY? Why is he here? Everything was just fine a minute ago… But then he just had to show up and ruin it.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5IqM8pO7O
“I just knew I'd get to see you again!” Dr. Katse exclaims. “How do you like my gift?”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8Agkdx04H
Zero groans in pain as he turns to see Anri awaken. Squinting through the blood, her eyes focus on her son and the madman standing above him.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZygv5FQv4J
“You survived that? You are a hearty one indeed. Zero, pay very close attention.” Dr. Katse says as he pulls a knife off of his hip and walks towards Anri.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6Pkeml0JN
“Stop! Please, I'll do anything!” Zero's pleas fall on deaf ears. “I'll go back to the lab! You can do whatever you want to me! Just don't hurt her anymore!” The tears now welling up in his eyes.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupi4O6Mexv
“I came here today to do one thing. Do you know what that thing is, Zero?” Dr. Katse says squatting down in front of Anri.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr337evx56K
“Please… don't…” Zero whimpers.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPzMUv3G6x
“Sorry to do this to you Anri, but your death will propel my research to new heights.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdYVCNfzW8
“I love you, my dear son.” Anri says faintly, mustering the last of her strength.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mIK1g8iGn
Dr. Katse plunges his knife into her throat, and yanks it out, flinging blood throughout the burning room.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HVv5lqrQr
Zero was filled with a burning rage, but it was immediately washed over by a sea of sadness. The life of the one person he'd love was just taken. His whole world was shattered due to the madness of one man.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13kdShfzss
“Why couldn't you just leave me… leave us alone?!”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2fA3BkIJi
“Why, you ask? It's simple, really. You're an experiment. Unlike you tricked yourself into believing, you never stopped being one.” He turns to Zero, staring coldly.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvC0f6WVPS
“Everything you've felt, all of your experiences, were things I've allowed. Cem picking you up, meeting Anri, having a family. I couldn't take anything from you because you didn't have anything. But now that I've given you something to hold onto, something worth loving, I now have something to take from you.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukbEwI41kz
It was all… an experiment? Science drove him this far?
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXuoy7weTN
Zero starts to feel dizzy before falling unconscious.
.
.
.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbxpOavGnH
“Looks like you can't disregard him and kill me at the same time. You know what to do Zero. Kill him.” Dr. Katse says.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBA34gmDIA
“I will not!”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9gKRzBfRI
“Why? Too scared to kill someone like you? Surely you have the means to do so.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8BhjCxs9b
“Someone like me...” He mumbles.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyenEjljPhT
Maybe he's right. Maybe I do have a soft spot for these kids. However, I do need to take him out of the equation.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOkoDKzESE
“Lord Varasta. With all due respect, I will not allow you to harm Dr. Katse.” Seven says, breaking his silence.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yOEIIFWpM
“So you do talk. Why do you intend on protecting him with your life?” Zero says while picking himself up.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GX8DYfSj4
“Because this is simply what I know. I have one goal in life and that is to protect Dr. Katse. I'll do whatever it takes to ensure his safety.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu3LnrwEqz
“Sounds pretty familiar, doesn't it?” Dr. Katse says.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDNgeivK5G
“I've no idea what you're talking about.” Zero says while fighting his own mind.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmC3lVFO7Gb
“Don't play dumb! He's just like you! He has a goal and he's willing to do anything to get there. You yourself are willing to hire assassins and a pirate to bring down your enemies. You've even attacked royalty to get this far. You're shaping up to be just like your father and his father before him.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2PNfQzJmv
“SHUT UP! I am nothing like them and I will never be anything near what they were! I’m better!”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGqRlRyRja
“Better how? You still do the same things they do!”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAhJDndtwq
“It's not like that! I'm doing what I have to do!” He shouts back at him while swinging in a raging flurry at Seven. Still struggling to keep up, Seven dodges most of them while landing a few hits on Zero.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9zgQvrAoi
“And what do you think they did? Were their actions not necessary? How do you think your grandfather Lord Kraha was supposed to take down a powerhouse like Lord Reeda? What about your father’s many strides in creating MERD?”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mYoTX2YyX
“All of their actions costed the lives and livelihoods of hundreds, if not thousands of innocents! Mine are… are…”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYnlMbzEoh
“Are exactly the same!
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedXSeXaAbZ
“SHUT UP!” “I hate to have to use this on you, but you are in the way. I'm sorry.” Zero says as he rushes at Seven.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzpTLpsOTZ
For the first time in their battle Seven is wary of his opponent. Perhaps he could feel the difference in Zero’s approach. Maybe this time, an attack would come that he couldn't afford to take.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoLkxoKYa4
Zero swings with an exaggeratedly wide right hook. For the first time in this battle, Seven leans back to dodge the telegraphed punch. However, this was exactly what Zero had anticipated. He jumps over Seven, grabbing his neck and throwing him over his shoulder, leaving him face-down on the floor. He quickly hops on top of him.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vV7uBYvWT
“For your own sake, please do not resist. It will only make this worse for you.” Zero says as he starts to pull Seven's ability out of his back.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihUlpZO73T
Dr. Katse stares at him in wonder. Despite he and Zero’s long history with each other, he had never actually seen the ability he toiled so long and hard for.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYHqUD4tQK
“See that? Told you you could do it. Now all you have to do is finish him off. Kill him.” Dr.Katse
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm52bunAS2T
“I refuse.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtNk2i9mFR
“And why is that? Your father and grandfather would’ve done it without hesitation.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1D4NSYFnEL
“I’m here for you, not him.” Zero says before dashing over to Dr. Katse and swinging wildly.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQxGb2dmxW
His fist stopped inches away from Dr. Katse.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPV5lFY5Dw3
“This was the last thing your father helped create before his untimely demise. An artifact that can absorb ether and expel it as a shield.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvfT4UPfDA
“And how many lives did this take?”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTrKMhJcia
“Dozens. More specifically, the life of every failed test subject.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18DmNQLSjJ
Zero continues to swing at the shield.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ByGSRFrvW
“Since it looks like I won’t be leaving here anytime soon, we may as well continue our chat. Do you remember what our nation’s crest is?”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVChjjm4OX
“Of course I do. Thanks to someone, I was shown the Ouroboros countless times.” He says through gritted teeth as he beats on the shield.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGjl80jBcM
“Yes, the Ouroboros initially stood for Infinity, or a continuous state of life. In other words, Madu would never cease and would always have what it needed to survive.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nephlyPh1
Zero doesn't respond, but continues to strike the shield. As Dr. Katse speaks, Zero can feel his strength growing weaker after every passing second.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0HGVx2sUh
“I see your strength is starting to wane. It seems you know when I'm getting at.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwUqwog7lw
“Shut up and die already!”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpoN1OVgh0
“I'll keep going. Once your grandfather, Kraha Varasta, took office, his actions as king would go on to dishonor the crest, leading to new meaning amongst the people: Madu was a greedy snake that would consume everything until there was nothing left but itself to devour.” As he finishes speaking, Zero breaks through the shield, but Dr. Katse catches his hand before he can strike.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4QhtKaQSw
“You're starting to behave just like that snake, taking everything that you can.
“And with this you'll be able to see exactly what you are.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85s8alveoC
Dr. Katse lets go of Zero’s hand, allowing it to go straight through his chest.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66gsxRBE2J
He's dying. By my hand at that… Something's wrong.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh5wNMfP7L
“Just like your father…”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSBH0SxPuU
No…
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL8NGu28UD
“And his father before him…”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9UF9AM4ty
No, no, no…
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhzGJ8yh2D
“You became… a king, a snake, and a villain.”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNM3lOHZ6Gz
“No! You're wrong! I'm…”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpMYmqROfq
“It took 19 years… for you to… get to this point. I'm so very proud… of you… Test Subject Number… Zero.” Dr. Katse says through coughs as blood leaks from his mouth.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzWY3M8Jdu
He gives one last, wicked smile before passing away.
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuyVGL3CwC
“You're wrong! They're the bad ones! Not me! I just want our nation to be better! For us to no longer be a breeding ground for wicked people like you and my father… and myself…”
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqRMkj5utv
Just like my grandfather. Just like my father. I really am a villain.
然後按「加至主畫面」