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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn39OVCURq8
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’.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kKwDESlLW
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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNnqF0l2DC
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.
.
.
.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KsPLNGVmH
“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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIRhL1HzNP
“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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXAekq9pgs
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBUpBsBnOR
“Oh, I didn't know you were bringing… a child with you.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOnuNvWrd7
“Cem, who is this woman?” Zero says, beginning to hide behind Cem.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0JF6CIgOJ
“This is-
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCfzv3ufCa
“My name is Anri. What's your's?”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZdtqsMHB8
“Dr. Katse calls me Zero.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIHITp3p9x
“Hmm… Why does he call you that?”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpxbBgpziT
“I don't know.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzeaBTP2LD
“You are quite the kiddo aren't you?”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eG6XeXmDG
“Kiddo? What does that mean?”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAaTnAzTcq
She smiles. “It's just another way to say kid. Anyway, are you hungry? I just made dinner.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KydnDQB1t
“Yes I am.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTP2ag1Wecb
“Great, come on in.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aYkOyQHss
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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOdzoLMqaV
Anri was about to say something before being abruptly cut off by a loud stomach grumble.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQB43xtlVvS
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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5sdkqFwai
“Go on.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0I9O6pk3b
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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqExvGXyug
“Looks like you enjoyed it. Did you have enough?”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0WZlGmTjQ
“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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBxEJaAJdl
“My mother always said a good meal was the best sleep aid. Ready for a nap?”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvGht1gAyM
“Yes.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrZPES3F3o
“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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWNlwevU7m
“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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJpIx1xS6X
“‘Night.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6S2wDp1oI
“Goodnight. Thank you for the meal.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyItJvhliA
She closes the door and walks back to the dining room where Cem awaits her return.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAz5snYIwgq
“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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqP2e3Yi2V
“So about my friend…”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7Sm4ScX1J
“Friend!? That's a child!” She says through a hushed shout.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIcBhfBWfY
“Look, I know how you must feel about this, but-
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQzAyNj5Lf
“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-”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwl8VGEHrJ
“Anri!” Cem says forcefully.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9kYo97My7
“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.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZu1fMQilhb
“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.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfpcmwlONv
“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.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYrkl7GMIY
Her foot tapping slows. “OK, fine.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7Kr0zk9P9
“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.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWgNz1Jf7b
“What happened to them? Did they drop him off at your door and disappear or something?”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUunNHv57c
“No, they dropped him off at M.E.R.D.'s door and disappeared.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw94Wh09gK
“What does-. Just… keep going.” She cuts herself off and sighs, waving him along.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yporY1MS0
“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.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvu0QKF8Kn
“Human experimentation? And he's the product of that? You are really dropping a load on me.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJFMp36xgA
“I know, and I'm sorry to do it so suddenly.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGacXnZq9W
“So now that I kinda sorta know who’s in my house, how long is he supposed to be staying here?”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTb766exxZ
“About that…”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8dQidoeBw
“Cem I swear, if you say-”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyEJysTkwQ
“Permanently.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1H99xKWPBl
Cem teleports over to her and covers her mouth with his hand.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQC8Yetfn1
She screams something unintelligible before Cem teleports them both outside.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxMs2j3841
He takes his hand off of her mouth.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ivNdj3Ssz
“Now that you got that out of your system, will you take care of Zero for me?”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuf8X5yz9Hg
She steps away from him and stares up at the night sky for a moment.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjk4wUPOCzH
“Fine, but only on one condition. You have to come around to spend time with him too.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBibft67IR
“Why? And why me specifically?”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf3K8tb1N5
“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.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw55iY6Ti5k
“When you put it like that, I guess I can't really say no. You've got a deal.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3JhhQQSyq
“You're lucky I like you…” She mumbles to herself.
.
.
.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YWKICO3w2
“Morning kiddo.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoRST02ky7
“Good morning Ms. Anri.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAu01MOA1Q
“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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3A0QUWSu2
“What do you want me to call you?”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ESpcgF2Q4
“It doesn't matter as long as it's not Ms. Anri. You can figure it out later, just don't forget.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKLTTDHmft
“Yes ma’am.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAExVcqAqIk
“When you're done eating can you go into town and get some more eggs from Mrs. Jensen?”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH72iGwMbI
“OK, are you coming with me?”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBBuyKa2fs
“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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsh5q5WQpa
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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6jY3IMHu3
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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2VwVwvDUt
“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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DG1ASS5H9
“Hello? Is Ms. Jensen here?” He shouts into the slightly open barn door.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSNeLiDILZ
“Oh my! Is that you, Zero? You scared me!”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY3SdLj4hb
“I'm sorry.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBfaltIVuD
“Oh it's fine. More importantly, where is your mother?”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDYWbG1iOu
“My mother? I don't know. I've never met her.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgzSKVzjQs
“Then who is Anri to you?”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpqMvhRwq2
“My Caretaker.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RLNMFLYjT
“Really? Well, if you say so. Anyways, what can I do for you today?”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41UA4o40GH
“Ms. Anri said she needs two dozen eggs.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1eVuPg098
“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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXFv5UZM9t
“Thank you.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGoaN5SG9N
“No problem. Next time, tell your mo- Anri to come with you.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZIo1lbiso
“Yes ma'am. Goodbye.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3IKFdXohp
Zero walks out of the barn and starts to head home but stops when he sees an all too familiar face.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXDWeFWjbf
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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3DJuQ4WwJ
“Ah, Zero! I've been looking all over for you.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVL2Fgrvf8
Zero looks up, horrified. It was Dr. Katse.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Bj2ZKC87D
“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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPQkYIpFq8
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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJ1YBKX5Cl
.
.
.
Anri shoves the tavern door open.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFNnRbXEvx
“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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAjvXftZTY
“Oh, he got the eggs from me, but I haven't seen him since then.” Says Mrs. Jensen.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VMDPjW3c5
“I saw him earlier with a tall older gentleman.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ238JvSwgUw
She slams on the table. “Who was that man and where did they go?!”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TfVTGz5wH
“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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g10rgA7tj
“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.
.
.
.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAcWDE4wnh
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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH1ZiwDl14
A door opens. A bright light blinds him for a moment. His eyes adjust to see Dr. Katse walking in.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSt8Kzcft3
“Ah you're awake.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr54CRAKk2L
“Where's Anri?!” Zero says while glaring at him.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqNRjuplkv
“I see someone's gotten a little feisty since the last time I saw them.” Dr. Katse says with a chuckle.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodbaUwdnXe
Zero scoots away from him as he walks closer to him.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡea5MIJZ5OQ
“Would you like me to let you in on a secret?
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUxjAmtElJ
“Stay away from me!”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BFaHHDViD
“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?”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8KcxRJ09O
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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWTP5LWXTt
“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.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡra5z8nuXKD
“NO! I want to stay here with Anri!” He shouts at Dr. Katse.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkWZq2erN6
“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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN0mOkIWBC
A muffled woman's voice comes from behind Zero.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfrcE9gXDR
“Zero… Zero… Where are you!…”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaJr4V85TJ
Still staggered, he lets out a shout. “I'm HERE!”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcZMpgV1bO
“What are you screaming for? No one is going to hear-”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bcGDufAzy
An explosion. It happens a few feet away from Zero, blasting a massive hole through the wall, blowing flaming debris across the room.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9K3hJw97Jt
“Zero!? Are you here?” Anri says, stepping into the now burning building.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡho0T5NN2T6
“Ah… you must be… Anri. Dr. Katse says through coughs.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fDMwRAxqD
“Who are you and what did you do to Zero?” She runs in front Zero and glares at Dr. Katse.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkdGrJ6FGb
“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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp1y7QU5UE
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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPn00auZzG
“Did he hurt you? Do you want me to go hurt him back?” She says while wiping tears and dirt from his face.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9stcdlEySI
“You'd do that for me?”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULyhLmNDRi
“For my son, I'd do anything.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GqIu2D1Xe
'Son?' Is that… true?
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHirgdcXa17
He examines her face closer and sees faint tear stains on her cheeks.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgtHwQU78R
Was she crying… for me?
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6dgho7cPP
“Do you… really mean it?” He says with more tears welling up in his eyes.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYfupz6vad
“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.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGGzpHhzGV
She loves me…
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAihyl5b8R
He couldn't hold it back anymore. He bawls out in his mother's chest, sobbing uncontrollably and hugging her tightly.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuM8BbxZdwv
“I was so scared! Dr. Katse said he was gonna take me away from you!” He cries loudly. “I never want to leave you!”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6BzXq9ZN5
“Don't worry, I'll never let anyone take you away from me for as long as I live.”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOcjhp2FOw
“You promise?”
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73szFVJSzK
“Yeah, I promise.” She kisses him on his forehead.
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatEKqQhRff
“I love you, mom.”
ns3.135.224.139da2
