Zalxis

**Zalxis** (ザルキシス, *Zarukishisu*?) is an antagonist in the story.

## Biography

Zalxis is the **Death God** (死神, *Shinigami*?).

He is married to Lasa. Their children are referred as the **Divine Child of Death** (死の御子, *Shi no miko*?).

He was the first to create the undead and the spectres.

## History

Zalxis was originally the clerk of Nargol's underground palace in Kutar. His job was to manage the souls of the dead.

### War of the Gods

When Nargol recruited her children to kill Mina and her children, Zalxis responded to her calling and became apart of the Nargolians. He, Diadona and Ferion led the attack on Mina's Children. As the war progresses, Mina's children are killed one after another. The war was in Nargol's favour until Modus defected to the Mina's children side. Zalxis was supposedly killed by Modus. However the truth is that he survived, but he was very weakened and lost most of his powers.

## Appearance

He wore a mask with decoration of a spider and it was eerie. He wore a white vestment. When Lucullus heard his voice, he was seized by freezing sensation, despite his numbness from the drug.

The left half of the face looks like a well-featured human, and the right half is an ugly monster.

His true form is nothing like a human figure. He has a pale hairless skin, with an upper body of a bat and the lower body of a spider. The six spider-like legs are sharp like a big scythe. His body has countless faces of his victims screaming painfully. He has a huge mouth on the stomach. He has twelve red eyes.

## Personality

Zalxis resents the Elios Pantheon.

He wishes to fill the world with death and filled with miasma..

He intends to reclaim two of Nargol's four treasures from Modus and Odis.

### Relationships

***The following section contains spoilers.***

Atlanacha
Subordinate.
Beig
Diadona
Comrade.
Ferion
He believes if the Disaster Beast is unleashed upon the world, the world will be truly destroyed.
Girtalu
Former subordinate.
Karnef
One of his worshippers.
Lasa
Wife. They're separated because of mutual loss of power and also because Lasa had a phase of bad luck.
Kuroki
He has already heard rumours of the Dark Knight, a powerful person who has already defeated Reiji.
He presumes him to be an ugly pig figure like Modus.
Zalxis hates Kuroki as he keeps foiling his plans.
Lavurys
Zalxis dislikes the fact that Lavurys is treating him like a subordinate.
Modus
Zalxis consider him a traitor and resents Modus for betraying their mother.
Nambelet
His chancellor.
Nargol
Mother. He claims to be Nargol's right‐hand man. He intended to resurrect Nargol by using the remnants of Nargol's soul from the Soul Orb and use Motgal as her avatar.
Orua
One of his worshippers.
Zafarada
Daughter.
Zagbar
Son.
Zagero
Son.
Zalbuth
Son.
Zand
Son.
Zasha
Youngest son.

## Story

### The Horn of the Holy Dragon Lord

In Roch Kingdom, he was present when Hyllus used a powerful paralysis smoke-bomb against Lucullus and the Temple Knights. Orua asked for god's instructions. Zalxis pointed out that Orua has been noticed by the Hero of Light's Party. Orua suggest Zalxis to move before he gets noticed. Zalxis agrees and it is time for him to take action, he permitted Orua to extract vengeance on the Hero's party.

He found Chiyuki trying to save Nao in the basement. Chiyuki inquired his identity and whether Zalxis was responsible for Nao's state, Zalxis admits and claims to be her enemy. Chiyuki questioned if he is a Nargolian, and Zalxis nodded in agreement. Chiyuki assumed him to be Modus' subordinate. Zalxis plans to sacrifice Chiyuki and cast magic. Chiyuki tried to stop Zalxis by using " Gravity Destruction", however the magic disappears mid-way towards him. Zalxis explains that anything in his territory would be deprived of power. Chiyuki tries to escape with Nao, but Zalxis used Black Thorns to bind Chiyuki. When Chiyuki cried for Reiji's help, Zalxis explains with heartless words that there is a barrier to prevent communication magic, and Reiji is currently fighting to save Almina. Kuroki saved both Chiyuki and Nao from Zalxis, Zalxis was surprised with his intrusion. Zalxis was surprised that Kuroki was able to move normally inside his barrier. He became cautious and demanded for his identity. When Kuroki transform into the Dark Knight, Zalxis quickly angered for Modus' underling is present. He unleashed the underworld icy hell and Kuroki nullified it with black flames. Kuroki suggest him to surrender, to which Zalxis unleashed a Dragon Zombie against Kuroki. He was astonished when Kuroki free the Fire Dragon's soul from the zombie. Zalxis frustratingly withdraw and teleport away.

### The Evil God's Labyrinth

Zalxis travels to Lavuruntos and informs Lavurys about what happened in Roch Kingdom. Lavurys was uninterested until he heard about the relationship between Rena and Reiji. Lavurys angrily strangled Zalxis and demanded further details. He orders Zalxis to bring the Hero of Light to the labyrinth. Lavurys yells and trembled in fear when he'd heard Zalxis' remark that only Modus can defeat him in the labyrinth. Zalxis appeases Lavurys by saying killing Reiji would make Rena realises who is more suitable for her.

When Kuroki was reading in the Heaven Realm's Library, he was briefly mentioned in the emerald tablet. Though Kuroki questions whether the history is authentic, as Zalxis was still alive.

Zalxis returns to Lavurys and plans to capture the Hero's party at the fifth floor in the labyrinth. Lavurys learns from Zalxis that Rena has appeared above ground. Lavurys orders Zalxis to contact Atlanacha and insist that Atlanacha must capture Rena intact and he would provide Minotaur soldiers to assist her.

Zalxis arrives to Lavurys' throne and complains about his intention with the Hero's party. Lavurys refuses to hand over the Hero's party to Zalxis because he rewarded Euria with Reiji, as she succeeded in luring Reiji and the girls. Zalxis questions if Rena doesn't comply to his demands and Lavurys will simply send the beheaded Reiji to Rena. When Zalxis say he would give up on the party, Lavurys orders him to capture the escaped Hero's female comrade. Zalxis informs Lavurys that he was contacted by Diadona, and he'll be absent for a while because he is going to see Diadona.

When Diadona and Zalxis arrives on a Ruk, everybody stopped fighting. Diadona saves Lavurys and they all escapes.

### The Beast God Desert

He was surprise to learn the Dark Knight has defeated Alphos.

Karnef notified Zalxis that Zafarada wishes to meet him.

He orders Karnef to destroy the black pyramid. He summons Eclipse.

He persuade Diadona to kill the Dark Knight. Zalxis orders Eclipse to weaken the enemy.

Zalxis panics as Eclipse doesn't listen to him. He order Eclipse to swallow the Dark Knight again.

Zalxis couldn't believe the Dark Knight has stolen Eclipse from him.

Rena reports to Elios about the revival of Zalxis.

### The Phantom Death Capital

He returned to Motgal.

Zalxis stands on the top floor of his temple, which is located centre of Motgal. He plans to make Motgal working again by placing the Soul Orb on the altar, he watches the souls injected into the Soul Orb. He is greeted by Zafarada and her vampire subordinates. Zalxis asked for Zafarada's report, to which Zafarada reported Alphos and the Dark Knight is nearby. Zalxis noticed Jushio and Zafarada introduced him to Zalxis. Zalxis orders Jushio to kill yarves and spread death.

Zalxis noticed an intruder in Motgal, so he orders Zalbuth to capture the intruder.

When the Dark Knight saved the angels. He confronted the Dark Knight.

He shouts at Nambelet for losing track of the dark knight and the others.

Zalxis pursues Kuna, but was stopped by Alphos.

Zalxis manage to evade Alphos and caught up with Modus' group. He unleashed Níðhöggr and Kuroki countered by summoning Eclipse. Zalxis summons Motgal as the super demoniacal phantom colossal Deity. Zalxis was surprised when Kuroki and Kuna had placed him, Motgal and his kin in a sorcery barrier. Although his power was weaken, he was still able to fight. He swore to kill Kuroki someday.

### The Fairy Forest

Zalxis has exhausted his magical powers when fighting Kuroki and has not recovered yet. In the first place, it was an incomplete revival, and it seems that he had done too much. In fact Zalxis was in a state that he couldn't move.

Dahāku doesn't know about his whereabouts. Odis is cautious of Diadona and Zalxis, he notes that he needs to be vigilant with Zalxis regaining his former power.

### The Magecraft Academy

He speaks to Lasa through magical imagery.

### The Winds of the Prairie

The Queen of Serpents Diadona visits the Death God Zalxis at the palace of Apophis.

## Abilities

Chiyuki felt mighty magical powers from him.

* **Night Robe** (夜の衣ナイトローブ, *Yoru no iNaitorōbu*?) - Zalxis can cast a barrier over a country, in this black mist barrier, the living loses power. The only exceptions are those are protected by the god of death and those with the power of Nargol such as Black Flames. Black mist absorbs the vitality of the people of a country and restores the users.
* **Black Thorns** (黒き茨いばら, *Kuroki ibara*?)
* Zalxis can call the ice prison of the underworld. It is the pinnacle of Freezing Magic.
* **Thousand Preta Bullets** (千列の餓鬼弾サウザントプレータバレット, *Sen-retsu no gaki-danSauzanto Purēta Baretto*?)
* ~~Eclipse~~
* Níðhöggr
* **True Soul Decay Pustule Blue Flash** (真霊腐瘡蒼閃, *Shin rei kusa kasa ao sen*?)
* Larvae
* **Flame Skull: Skull of Flames** (炎の髑髏フレイムスカル, *Honō no dokuroFureimusukaru*?)

He tamed a Fire Dragon into a Dragon Zombie.

### Equipment

Zalxis has one of Nargol's four treasures, the **Soul Orb** (冥魂の宝珠ソウルオーブ, *Mei tamashī no hōjuSouru Obu*?).

Zalxis wields the **Galient Sword: The Sword of Sin** (罪の剣ガリアントソード, *Tsumi no kenGarianto Sōdo*?) on his right hand. It is a twisted curve sword that can stretches out like a whip. Kuroki describes that receiving the blow of the whip-like sword is like a blunt weapon causing his body to stagger a little.

## Etymology

**Preta** (プレータ, *Purēta*?), also known as **hungry ghost**, is the Sanskrit name for a type of supernatural being described in Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Chinese and Vietnamese folk religion as undergoing suffering greater than that of humans, particularly an extreme level of hunger and thirst. They have their origins in Indian religions and have been adopted into East Asian religions via the spread of Buddhism. Preta is often translated into English as "hungry ghost" from the Chinese and Vietnamese adaptations. In early sources such as the *Petavatthu*, they are much more varied. The descriptions below apply mainly in this narrower context. The development of the concept of the preta started with just thinking that it was the soul and ghost of a person once they died, but later the concept developed into a transient state between death and obtaining karmic reincarnation in accordance with the person's fate. In order to pass into the cycle of karmic reincarnation, the deceased's family must engage in a variety of rituals and offerings to guide the suffering spirit into its next life. If the family does not engage in these funerary rites, which last for one year, the soul could remain suffering as a preta for the rest of eternity.

## Development

The name originated from the Dacian god; **Zalmoxis** (ザルモクシス, *Zarumokushisu*?).

Takeru Nezaki said that Zalxis is equivalent to *RuneQuest's* three gods of impurity; **Vivamort** (ヴィーヴァモート, *Vuīvuamōto*?). As for *Warhammer's*, it would be **Nurgle** (ナーグル, *Nāguru*?).

In the newer version, Takeru Nezaki has renamed the magic **Never Eater** (ネバーイーター, *Nebāītā*?) to **Preta** (プレータ, *Purēta*?), also known as **hungry ghost**,.

The author is uncertain whether to continue using the **Galient Sword** (ガリアンソード, *Garian Sōdo*?) name.

The author sad he was suffering from **chūnibyō** (中二病?, lit:middle two disease), while writing the fight scenes of Zalxis against Kuroki. He further says the techniques are chūnibyō.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 *Dark Knight Story Setting Collections* - Apophis Pantheon: Deities Name Record 2 Zalxis, Death God
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 *Dark Knight Story* - The Magecraft Academy: Chapter 12 - The Queen of Strega
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 *Dark Knight Story* - The Phantom Death Capital: Chapter 17 - The Death Feast
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 *Dark Knight Story* - The Phantom Death Capital: Chapter 22 - The Holy Knight VS The Death God
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 *Dark Knight Story* - The Phantom Death Capital: Chapter 16 - Motgal the Phantom Death Capital
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 *Dark Knight Story* - The Evil God's Labyrinth: Chapter 02 - Heaven Realm's Book Library
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 *Dark Knight Story* - The Horn of the Holy Dragon Lord: Chapter 23 - The Black Fog pt.02
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 *Dark Knight Story* - The Beast God Desert: Chapter 20 - The Resurrection of the Death God
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 *Dark Knight Story* - The Horn of the Holy Dragon Lord: Chapter 20 - Those who lurk in the Shadows
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 *Dark Knight Story* - The Beast God Desert: Chapter 23 - Illusions of the Past
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 *Dark Knight Story* - The Phantom Death Capital: Chapter 18 - The Death Capital Mayhem
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 *Dark Knight Story* - The Phantom Death Capital: Chapter 29 - The Great Witch of the Swampland VS The High Priest of Maggot Flies
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 *Dark Knight Story* - The Phantom Death Capital: Chapter 30 - Motgal the Super Demoniacal Phantom Colossal Deity
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 *Dark Knight Story* - The Phantom Death Capital: Chapter 32 - The Dark Knight VS The Death God
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 *Dark Knight Story* - The Winds of the Prairie: Chapter 01 - The Plotting and Scheming
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 *Dark Knight Story* - The Magecraft Academy: Chapter 30 - The Peace in the Magecraft City of Saria
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 *Dark Knight Story* - The Horn of the Holy Dragon Lord: Chapter 24 - The One Who Clear Away the Darkness and The One Who Illuminate the Light pt.01
18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 *Dark Knight Story* - The Phantom Death Capital: Chapter 19 - The Escape Journey
19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 *Dark Knight Story* - The Evil God's Labyrinth: Chapter 01 - The Plot of the Evil Gods
20. ↑ *Dark Knight Story* - The Evil God's Labyrinth: Chapter 17 - Lavuruntos the Labyrinth City pt.03 Towards the Underground Labyrinth
21. ↑ *Dark Knight Story* - The Evil God's Labyrinth: Chapter 23 - Lavuruntos the Labyrinth City pt.09 Temporary Withdrawal
22. ↑ *Dark Knight Story* - The Evil God's Labyrinth: Chapter 42 - Lavuruntos the Labyrinth City pt.17 Escape from the Labyrinth
23. ↑ *Dark Knight Story* - The Beast God Desert: Chapter 01 - The Apophis Serpents
24. ↑ *Dark Knight Story* - The Beast God Desert: Chapter 12 - The Black Pyramid
25. ↑ *Dark Knight Story* - The Beast God Desert: Chapter 21 - The Goddess of Victory Arrives
26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 *Dark Knight Story* - The Beast God Desert: Chapter 22 - The One Who Devours Lighteater
27. ↑ *Dark Knight Story* - The Beast God Desert: Chapter 24 - Premonition of the Barren Land
28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 *Dark Knight Story* - The Phantom Death Capital: Chapter 31 - The Black Rose Garden
29. ↑ *Dark Knight Story* - The Fairy Forest: Chapter 03 - Changeling
30. ↑ *Dark Knight Story* - The Fairy Forest: Chapter 26 - Return From The Forest