Zero

This article contains SPOILERS for book four, Ascension. Traverse at your own risk!
“Sometimes I look at the clock and find half a day has passed without my knowing. My cognition is slipping, and I’m acting on instinct more and more. The slightest confrontation gets my blood boiling, but I seem to have better control over it than you do.” - Zero to Yama
Zero was Yama’s second-in-command to their platoon and her closest ally. He was accidentally killed by Yama during an argument when battle rage overcame them both. He is said to have a past life like Yama.
=== Appearance ===
Zero was a snowy owl and white wolf gryphon, with bright green eyes. He had bat like, leathery wings like most of the other soldiers, and taloned front feet. He was mentioned to have rosettes several times, along with images such as the one above, though Alex has said that it’s an error.
=== Biography ===
==== Personality ====
Zero was a calm and level headed gryphon, and could easily console others, like he often did to Yama. He had a strong sense of right and wrong, telling Yama he didn’t agree with her decision to have Victor killed, and knows that violence isn’t always the answer to everything. He served Yama loyally, suggesting he often tries to see the best in gryphons.
==== Appearances ====
===== In Ascension =====
Zero, along with Yama and their platoon, help overtake the German town they are assigned to. He is quickly chosen by Yama as her second-in-command due to his quick thinking and intelligence, similar to hers. He helps Yama with jobs around the town, such as getting meat from the butcher, and leads the platoon while she visits Greifsburg in search of answers. 
When Yama begins to get her memories back, he adds that he has been going through the same thing, and that they probably had a past life. He is uncertain at Yama’s decision to kill the burly man, but helps clean it up. He supports Yama when Nero tells her to run for mayor, and takes Isabell’s phone for Yama to look at after she fought Anfang. 
When Yama almost kills Nero, Zero interjects, disappointed in her. He says she has not been herself lately. After Yama confesses that she is beginning to have aggression issues, he adds that he has felt the same effects, and it must be because of their first class programming. He says that they must watch themselves and not let it get the better of them.
When Yama is furious at Tera for not responding to her calls, Zero tells her it will be all right, and they will find another way. After Yama puts forward the idea to kill Victor herself, Zero responds with disgust, asking her when will she ever be finished killing to get what she wants. He rejects her confession of love, saying she is no longer the gryphon he thought she was, and that she is a “selfish, malicious bitch.” When Yama decides to kill him, Zero tells her to get on with it. During the fight, he scratches out one of her eyes and laughs, saying that he might get her an eye patch for Christmas. Right after Yama flings him off the balcony, he stares in shock, and dies as Yama sobs over his body.
He is then seen in the epilogue floating in a tank as Nero assures he won’t let Zero stay dead.
=== Trivia ===
* Like Yama, Zero’s appearance gets mixed up several times both in the book’s description and in the images. In the image here, he is shown with rosettes, when he actually has the behind of a white wolf.
* It’s heavily implied that Zero will be brought back to life by Nero and make an appearance in the next book.
* Zero has mentioned that he has a past life like Yama, but the memories have not been described and his past is still unknown.
Category:Characters
Category:Gryphons
Category:Major Characters