“Cem, can I ask you a question?”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFDqJlYv8a
Cem jolts up out of his seat.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡae7pJw8nf0
“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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgczbfTZye
“I'm sorry if I startled you.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRlxAwvDOR
“It's fine, I was just lost in thought. What's your question?”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwTLPqz0tE
“Why does mo- Ms. Anri treat me the way she does?”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoHpILzoe3
“What do you mean? Do you think she's treating you poorly?” He says while gesturing to the seat next to him.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXils8gDA9d
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?”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceVhYUqeI1
Cem puts his arm around him. “Well… Let's start with a different question. Why do you have to be useful to be loved?”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N1WQMIGgB
“Loved? I guess… it would be so the other person gets something for their efforts.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHD3WFedwR
“See, your relationship with Dr. Katse was built upon an equivalent exchange, and your relationship with Anri is one built upon love.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEI9dJ36kX
“But why is it that way?”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD6WKbkeHY
“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.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OVAK9339V
“Really?”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC02BySxt2D
“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.”
.
.
.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwHAbusNoV
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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3VN952QpH
“Zero! Are you up yet?! Cem is gonna be here any minute now!” Anri shouts down the hall.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uCwiDLhqO
“Yeah, yeah, I'm up…” Zero says, groggily rolls out of bed.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyHNZoSUkK
“You already made breakfast? You must really be excited.” He says through a yawn as he walks into the kitchen.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6Yg6EQKNP
“Morning.” He says while hugging her.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MrkPXIDso
“Morning.” She turns to kiss him on his forehead. “And ‘excited’ isn't the word I'd use. More like, curious.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKk5vdfIs6
Zero takes a seat at his usual spot at the table. Once she finishes cooking, Anri makes three plates and sits at the table.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLyklqqpen
“He's late.” Anri says while staring at the clock at the wall. “He said he'd be here at 8:00 sharp.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8Cs1Cjgyz
“Maybe he got tied up with something at work? He did say he’d be in Rahu today.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlCTbF0BEe
“If that's the case, it makes me wonder what could tie down someone that can teleport.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuwXcCO8WM
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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcJdSrxDgo
“Zero, go get the door.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvPLJN8aRQ
“Got it.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs01032tOB4
He opens the door to find an empty moonlit porch.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVqXMBmh1f
“Hello? Anyone out there?”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMKuFxLfzO
An explosion answers his call, knocking him outside through the doorway.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxHg3Lo6Ml
Dazed, Zero looks up at the now flaming house, scanning for his mother.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeDF50fbgp
“Mom! Where are you! Are you alright?!” He yells, sprinting into the burning remains of the house.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFtW4RHMLa
Where is she? What was that explosion?
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7Go8MgiLJ
After digging through the burning rubble, he finds her unconscious with several burns and bruises.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPGt77aQRm
“Mom, can you hear me?!” He says before getting hit with a hard kick to the stomach.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uERdR9r2R
“Ah, Zero! Fantastic timing!”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO93Benxnz5
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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDt3LTjWA7
“I just knew I'd get to see you again!” Dr. Katse exclaims. “How do you like my gift?”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhv06f4Lhy
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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEO1rCd13q
“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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUmGENJ0oE
“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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEk8pqaaoC
“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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpxsYPYVwu
“Please… don't…” Zero whimpers.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWBAATufY0
“Sorry to do this to you Anri, but your death will propel my research to new heights.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5ZicVBEAF
“I love you, my dear son.” Anri says faintly, mustering the last of her strength.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0IGssH1Bm
Dr. Katse plunges his knife into her throat, and yanks it out, flinging blood throughout the burning room.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfprcsQLZgn
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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr4ii853qJ
“Why couldn't you just leave me… leave us alone?!”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO1ZtsXfkQ
“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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRDft3FO1B
“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.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnpD6mBs9P
It was all… an experiment? Science drove him this far?
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G70iQzTO5
Zero starts to feel dizzy before falling unconscious.
.
.
.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcpJXybFZ6
“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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PWMimNGL1
“I will not!”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEtT5ksxU6
“Why? Too scared to kill someone like you? Surely you have the means to do so.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImMVC98WnM
“Someone like me...” He mumbles.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTg1bT6RJx
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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkqb5rCJBf
“Lord Varasta. With all due respect, I will not allow you to harm Dr. Katse.” Seven says, breaking his silence.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8hcIFn7Wv
“So you do talk. Why do you intend on protecting him with your life?” Zero says while picking himself up.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfAumAMeeG
“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.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2YvaAMkqS
“Sounds pretty familiar, doesn't it?” Dr. Katse says.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhotOWPAnt
“I've no idea what you're talking about.” Zero says while fighting his own mind.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP0pqMszI3
“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.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7f6KSNLps
“SHUT UP! I am nothing like them and I will never be anything near what they were! I’m better!”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6b4JMMACB
“Better how? You still do the same things they do!”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp5VOv7t1v
“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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT1DKXf7vv
“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?”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzFeaqtJby
“All of their actions costed the lives and livelihoods of hundreds, if not thousands of innocents! Mine are… are…”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsY4Rs45iE
“Are exactly the same!
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6IuzDzVBw
“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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIL7mgOiUU
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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtXfnpBM1P
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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9kUKmie5R
“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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSesnIETGf6
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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE82GWHsHf
“See that? Told you you could do it. Now all you have to do is finish him off. Kill him.” Dr.Katse
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RmjV2TBiu
“I refuse.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ottnUcTJ3
“And why is that? Your father and grandfather would’ve done it without hesitation.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkVnfcDvZs
“I’m here for you, not him.” Zero says before dashing over to Dr. Katse and swinging wildly.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgWPTZbeQC
His fist stopped inches away from Dr. Katse.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmCeZ5Nels
“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.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkh9HRA9vH
“And how many lives did this take?”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3AVApLVAa
“Dozens. More specifically, the life of every failed test subject.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGRkJ14PmX
Zero continues to swing at the shield.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcfEJvig56
“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?”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrfVtEMM5c
“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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx7mmhLwBF
“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.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOILEC9uHpV
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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3hdRj1M3N
“I see your strength is starting to wane. It seems you know when I'm getting at.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27QWqIzgKT
“Shut up and die already!”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgs7jHghL0
“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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ2CCvOcMI
“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.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG7odnw1Ct
Dr. Katse lets go of Zero’s hand, allowing it to go straight through his chest.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUyXq56KZD
He's dying. By my hand at that… Something's wrong.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iLQxSHrDZ
“Just like your father…”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZ7DWv4bxO
No…
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W21WEhTi1
“And his father before him…”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAyrr2jRMq
No, no, no…
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4L8yUZ5eB
“You became… a king, a snake, and a villain.”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt69AZD1um2
“No! You're wrong! I'm…”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcsm2OXTep
“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.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL3tWbsEgh
He gives one last, wicked smile before passing away.
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX8IILqhWC
“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…”
466Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIB2xm3RzjF
Just like my grandfather. Just like my father. I really am a villain.
and then Add to home screen.