Zero Isdeth Arc

The Beginning
The sounds of pumps and rustling gears was all that surrounded Zero. He stood strapped to a machine along with all his friends, having no idea what was going on. All he could remember was being in the dining hall like usual, having a great time with his buds. Fear was the only emotion he could make as he saw corpses on the ground and others strapped to machines, to what looked like a large tube was sucking something from them. Feeling extremely exhausted and no strength to get free he began to lose conciousness. Thinking " I have to help them, I have to save them." Slowly losing conciousness he was able to get a quick glance at a screen that had a menacing looking man talking. He was able to hear the word "reborn and power" before his mind began to drift off. Thinking in the back of his mind " is this it, is this how it all ends"  when suddenly the words "I want to live" came screaming out. He instantly opened his eyes to see a golden like bird with beautiful golden flames screeching and creating a huge explosion!

Zero's expression was now pure horror after seeing nothing but, horrid flames all around. Much to his surprise, he himself was engulfed in a terrifying black flame but no visible damage was seen. The  god like monster had vanished and for miles and miles all there was left was a vast wasteland of scorched earth,  As if he was brought to hell itself. His flames abruptly erupting like and angry beast trapped in a cage! Unable to control it, it seemed that every step he took the ground would melt further. Not thinking of a destination he ran, but  wanting to avoid further destruction came short to what looked like a forest. Now realising where he was. The training ground he grew up in. A forest filled with crazy strong monsters of every size. He could not help but feel the malicious glares coming from the forest as he approached it. Without any hesitation he entered the forest only to be greeted by a baffling amount of monsters. Zeros flames seemed to move on their own as it began to engulf the forest and the monster alike. What over came him was rage! Rage from the fact that so many of his family members had their last breaths in this forest.

Without realizing it he was staring blankly at the ocean. He didn't realize what he had done. It seemed he had blacked out and his body moved on its own. Turning around he was met with the image of a burning forest and what looked to be a trail of charred lumps of monster flesh. He had destroyed the place he hated most in an instant. Dropping to his knees and screaming he slammed his fist on the ground creating a small crater. The water from the ocean began to fill the crater, but to Zero's surprise the water could not touch him. It seemed the water was circling around his flames not being able to get thru. In that instant, his training came rushing back to his mind. The harsh day and night training he was put thru with his friends .His family was all he could think of. He calmly closed his eyes and began to concentrate."Make the flames my own" he began to mutter silently. He had to accept the fact that his flames that he was so proud of, that were once a beautiful golden color were gone. Most importantly The fact that his family was gone, his life that he had was gone. Although harsh it was the only happiness he knew. Each and everyone he knew began to flash through his mind. The way they had all been raised together fighting. The way they had all mastered their flames. He shortly after, felt a warm embrace he was familiar with. The warm and loving acceptance his family had giving him. With tears streaming down his eyes he finally uttered " you don't control me, I ....am.... your .....master" he opened his eyes and was met by a now smooth flowing black flame that seemed to drastically decrease in intensity. That seemed to have the old feeling of his own flames. The water now soaking his body, he smiled even if only for a brief moment. He slowly got up and took his first few steps as a new man. Walking back to the burnt forest  he said " thank you all, I swear I won't let this happen again or to anyone else." Zero later came to find that the city now of ash and the burnt forest was kept from the public and only a handful of soldiers and council members knew of it. One thing for sure that weighed heavy on zeros mind was that no golden bird had ever been sighted not even by those few that knew.

The Search
Having traveled for years learning what he can of the world. Everyday he keeps up his training, getting more familiar with his new flames fighting monsters and strong mages alike. Traveling from city to city he looks for clues to his home, but unfortunately Everywhere he goes has been a dead end. Seven long years have passed and Zero now at the age of 22 has traveled to a place that he thinks maybe a clue. He has been hearing about a dark guild that is full of fire mages that are going around and telling people "the world will be saved, a new king will rise and destroy all the injustice in Earthland. Earthland will be Reborn. His power is absolute." Memories of his accident had began flooding his mind remembering that man on the screen and hearing the words, reborn and power. Further investigating led him to the country of Seven where the rumors of the guilds base were a constant.

Upon arriving though he learned that the people spreading the word were just victims of the guild. They had been tortured and told to spread their message or they would die. The only thing zero was able to learn was the name of the guild "Phoenix Rising". The name of the members or its guild master were unknown and the people who were tortured said "they wore disguises the whole time." Zero decided to comb the country for anything relating to this guild when he finally arrived at an abandoned part of town almost like he was led there for some reason. Having traveled to the center of town he met a peculiar looking man who looked to be 6"5 with white silver hair, a large scar across his neck, who wore a tight black long sleeve shirt that had a gold bird on the left side of the shirt and black pants with two small chains around his thighs. Without having to ask he gave his name to Zero. He explained that his name was Gore and that he was waiting for him. He walked closer and gave Zero a folder containing pictures and letters. 'This is what the council has kept quiet about' he said. Gore took a few steps back and said "King is waiting for you" before completely vanishing almost as if he was carried away by the wind. Inside the folder he found pictures of the accident 7 years ago. He found notes about a dark guild called "Phoenix Rising" and there plans to use humans as part of there experiments. Their laboratories all across Earthland, but no clues as to what they are making or where they are. He also found a document about the city now just ash, that it was already abandoned before it was obliterated. The citizens had been moved to another location, but where no where to be found. This information was only obtained after a civilian from the city had somehow found his way to the council headquarters with the word 'King' engraved to his back. The civilian was relocated shortly to Onibus a town in Fiore by a special officer of the council. His protection is now over seen by the newly formed guild KOMA INU.

The Guild and Purpose
All that was heard through the hall was the loud screams of Zero saying "where is your guild master." Everyone looked surprised as they saw a young man standing to a now burning doorway. Zero had been a little too excited having finally arrived at his destination. Everyone pointed to Zero's  direction, but before anyone could say anything, Zero was immediately smacked in the back of his head! Then he heard someone say "what are you doing moron." Zero quickly turned around to see a beautiful young girl before him. He replied saying "I have no business with you girl now run along I need the guild master." She immediately raised her fist and smacked him in the head again, saying  "you don't have to burn down my doors to speak with me stupid." Zero looking surprised said "their is no way you are the guild master! You are too young, they are supposed to be old and extremely powerful. Raising her fist again and about to make her remark she was  interrupted by a tall well dressed man who explained that she had important visitors waiting for her in her office. With a big smile she replied "thank you shifuku, I will be on my way." She turned to zero and gave him a quick glare then walked away. While almost out of sight she looked back and shouted "oh yeah welcome to Koma Inu!" Shifuku now with a worried look said "you have some business with miss anari don't you?"  Zero left speechless just nodded. "Would you like to wait for her" he said. Zero nodding yet again began to follow Shifuku, who in an instant created two stone doors in place of the doors Zero had burned down.

Two hours had passed by while zero sat quietly waiting and observing the guild thinking that they were so care free and happy remembering his days with his family, when suddenly he heard "so your still here." Turning around to see Samarra standing there with here arms crossed." So what business do you have with me" she asked. Zero bolting up to his feet immediately bowing his head and said "my apologies for the way I acted and for burning your door, but I need to know of a man that your guild has been recently tasked with taking care of a, man that has "King" engraved on his back." Looking surprised, but sad she replied "he is no longer with us he was very Ill the engraving was infused with special magic that was slowly sucking away his life." Before continuing she asked "wait how do you know of him." Zero again being left speechless clenched his fist while an eruption of flames came from his hand shouting "dammit what now." A small heat wave began to hit the room which seemed to come from Zero as he began to walk out. Inari shouting "wait where are you going, come back!"

Zero wandered thru town only thinking that his only clue had vanished. when he finally saw that he had come to some rocky area outside of town, almost like he was led to that place. The man who he met before was just standing there with a sinister smile on his face. Gore spoke "do not worry, I will help you find the answers you seek. The Master will explain everything to you, but first you must destroy that guild, you must destroy Koma Inu. Zero shouting "what the hell are you talking about,as a matter of fact who the hell are you, who the hell is Master!" In an instant Gore appeared behind Zero and picked him up by the neck saying "Your destiny is set you, will help to liberate this world! You have but one task. Zero struggling to get free creates an immense heat that  loosens Gores grip and Zero taking advantage flips forward kicking Gore in the chin knocking him back. In a split second Gore was behind him again and swinging his fist down. with barely anytime to react Zero dodged and grabbed Gores arm and tossed him. Gore landing on his feet says "you will stand by his side as the great savior and burn all of the injustice from this wretched world. Zero prepared his budo flames and decided to attack but every attack was easily parried by Gore. Multiple kicks and punches  were useless till Gore struck back with a kick. Zero having avoided it by jumping over his kick landing two of his own to the face of Gore  ,but to no avail as Gore quickly grabbed Zero's leg pulled him close, stepped to the side and kicked zero upward  then quickly grabbed zeros head and slammed it to ground to only seconds later kick him away then jumping and landing on Zero crashing him to the ground shattering it with incredible force.

==="You have no way to fight what you are, destroy them and find your true purpose"  he began to rant. Zeros flame began to engulf them both, but Gore quickly getting some distance. Zero began to get up slowly all beat up and bloody he began to say "I dont know what the hell you're going on about, but I can tell you that no one decides for me! No one will decide what I will and will not do." Zeros flames now colossal in size creating such a heat that even the ground it's self began to catch fire. Zero now laughing menacingly charges towards Gore. Gore retaliated with a swift kick but gets caught by zero who then spins him twice  dragging him on the floor before throwing him, then running towards him and kicking him upward. Then delivering a powerful combo of kicks and punches leaving burn marks with every contact. Gore trying to fight back,but unable to hit his mark. Gore throwing punches so fast they seemed to disappear. Zero dodged them all with ease. Zero continuing to laugh almost uncontrollably punches Gore in the stomach making him bend over then delivering a knee to Gore's face, then grabbing his head and slamming him repeatedly to the ground. Breaking the ground more and more with each slam. Zero picks up Gore by the neck and begins punching him on the stomach with out letting go just laughing while he does it. Pure rage could be seen from Zero's eyes. Putting Gore on his feet Zero jumps back and screams "Reapers Fire!!" === ===Creating a massive scythe of black wild flames he charges at Gore with a powerful swing. Everything in the scythes path burned immediately and the ground shattered beneath it. Before the scythe could reach Gore, what seemed to be a white fox, intervined knocking gore away from the blast. The fox disappearing, Inari had arrived looking worried she tried to talk to Zero but no response not even aknowledging her presence. She tried to get close but Zero then created a huge fire wall in front of Inari to distract her then immediately grabbed and picked up Gore again this time saying "black death" a summoning circle  appeared beneath Gore. Then a beam of fire shot straight up hitting Gore directly. Before being incenterated he smirked and said you know what you have to do, the phoenix will rise you cant escape who you are. With Gore gone, and only a circle of fire remaining, Zero passed out shortly. === ===Hours later he woke and saw two familiar faces. "What happened?" he asked but Inari and Shifuku had no words."We heard about a huge fire taking place outside of town so we rushed over only to find you fighting someone." She explained that it seemed he had lost control like someone else was fighting. Zero began to explain everything to Inari and Shifuku with tears streaming down, not knowing exactly why he was. Zero of course  leaving out the part about destroying the guild and the giant golden bird. After he was done he looked to inari who now had a sad face and she.gave him a hug saying your okay now. It's all okay now. Shifuku pondering and proclaiming  that he has never heard of Phoenix Rising and Inari saying the same. Although she was part of the elite retrieval force for the council.she.never knew of the incident. Inari.began to explain that she had to seal my flame for a bit although  passed out your flames.seemed to increase and had no signs of  dieing out they were getting out of control. He instantly replied could you keep it sealed or at least put a limit on it. She said it might be possible. He explained that he needs a way to control his power. He can never fight anyone seriously for he is afraid to cause irrepreble damage To lose himself again. "You saw what happens when I do!" he said. All his fights he makes sure to limit his use of power to not let the flames go berserk. He told her of a story of him trying to hone the flames at max power but ended creating a shockwave that ended up burning down a whole island which he also replied that he made sure it was abandoned. "I need you. I need you to use your power to control mine!" saying it tearfully. "I'll do what I can." she replied. Having been left to rest for two days he recovered and talked to Inari again explaining he needs to find a base of operations for his search and asked "let me stay here?" In reality wanting to stay incase they decide to attack and why they targeted this guild not knowing that later he would find his reason for living would become the guild and all its members. "Well I came with the same thought in mind!" She then said with a smile on her face, "Join us; we will find an answer together." extending her hand. Zero reached out shook her hand and whispered "Flames from God I summon you meet your Family" "What was that?" Inari asked. Zero replying, "my flames can never hurt you, I give to you my weakness and ask for your strength in return." With a big smile on his face he finally says "Family!" ===