Lancer (Fate/Crossover - Zasalamel)

**Lancer** (ランサー, *Ransā*) is the servant of ??? in the ??? Holy Grail War.

*"Let the power of my words sink into your soul."* — Zasalamel

## Profile

### Identity

Lancer's true identity is **Zasalamel**, a man with no allegiances except to himself. Zasalamel was born into a clan called the Guardians of the Spirit Sword. Though an excellent warrior, he was arrogant, and broke his clan's rule never to use the sword after which they were named. As a consequence of his disobedience, both his arms were fractured, and he was cast out. Still he remained defiant, and began gathering knowledge of the ancient arts in the hope of discovering the secret of resurrection. Over time, Zasalanel became the greatest wizard of his generation. However, he had made a grave misjudgment about what exactly resurrection entailed... The pain of death at the moment of each rebirth was far more intense than any he had imagined. Alas, even death itself was to be no release...

The cost of immortality was never knowing the sweet release of death. Over time, Zasalamel forgot the feeling of joy, until all he desired was eternal rest. In the hopes of escaping the endless cycle, he once wielded Soul Edge. However, the spell was still not broken, and he once again returned to the land of the living. Around that time, his family, who had sworn to protect the spirit sword, had weakened and fallen apart. Soul Calibur’s whereabouts were a mystery. But the newly reborn Zasalamel knew that the sword was not lost. If he could get his hands on both the blade and the cursed sword, he could finally taste a real death. In order to fulfill his aims, he operated in secret. All the while, though, he had a feeling he could not shake… Someone or something was urging him to live… In the short moment between life and death, he saw a bright future for the world, and it brought hope to his heart. He wanted to see that bright future realized. It was time to stop fixating on death. Though it was only his intuition, he now saw before him in a world full of potential. Perhaps his beacon of hope was a “memory” of sorts, a gift to himself sent back from the future...

### Appearance

Zasalamel, in his current incarnation, appears as a bald dark-skinned man of above average height with a muscular build. His left eye glows yellow as means of containing his ever-reincarnating soul.

### Personality

To everyone he meets, Zasalamel displays an aloof yet cunning personality, mainly showing that he is neutral in the ongoing conflict and gives information only to those he considers worthy, regardless of their own moral alignment or motivations. But in reality, he has an ambition to be a leader for mankind, thanks to the visions he received from his original future self. Thus, Zasalamel is not afraid to manipulate others for the sake of his goals.

In Libra of Souls, Zasalamel initially acts as a guide the Conduit to stop Azwel. But afterwards, he starts to reveal his own agenda for helping them on their quest.

### Relationships

#### **Revenant**

He is the master of Revenant as his guardian over the Clock Tower.

## Abilities

Zasalamel's self-taught style takes full advantage of the scythe's length in order to be deadly at any range. The key to victory for its practitioners call for a unique dependence on curses to draw their enemies in, as well as magic that can stop the time flow.

Zasalamel’s fighting techniques originates from those passed down by the Guardians of the Spirit Sword. However, he has refined his technique over the course of countless lives and innumerable battles, to the point where it’s difficult to detect any trace of his style’s origins.

Although the dignified sweeps of his massive scythe are what first impresses about his form, he also makes use of his extensive knowledge of magic during battle. The ancient curses he weaves around his enemies are impossible to detect until their power is at its peak—but by then, it’s far too late, and with a snap of his fingers it ushers his victims to their demise. In short, Zasalamel’s unique style is all his own, and likely impossible for the average person to master.

Zasalamel likes to carefully evaluate his opponent, all while slowly, ever so slowly, backing them into a corner from which they cannot escape. The methodical way he stalks his prey, and the inevitable conclusion to finding him your foe, makes his seem like an incarnation of the Grim Reaper himself. If, somehow, an opponent is able to escape Zasalamel’s many curses and traps and even land a blow, they may end up witnessing the terrifying abyssal form that Zasalamel keeps locked hidden within.

### Noble Phantasm

#### **Kafziel; "Scythe of Ancient Beyond Death"**

No matter how many lives he lives, Zasalamel can always be seen with a scythe in hand. Whenever he is reborn and the memories of his past lives return, he collects Kafziel, which his previous incarnation has always hidden away. The weapon’s name means “angel of death,” and its curved edge has tasted oceans of blood in the service of his master.

Zasalamel is the mastermind behind a thousand and one plots and intrigues, but he does not just pull strings from afar—whenever something needs doing, he does it himself. Any who believe themselves clever or strong enough to meddle in the currents of history will find themselves at odds with this seasoned manipulator. But pawn or king, Zasalamel will not hesitate to bring his scythe to bear and eliminate a piece he deems irrelevant to his intricate plans.

#### **Gate of Meslam; "Banishment into Nothingness"**

Zasalamel knocks his opponent back and starts drawing a symbol in the air. A void appears behind the opponent and Zasalamel throws them into it, shouting "Vanish into the void!", and ending his Critical Finish with a "Goodbye!"

#### **The Voice from the Abyss; "Miasma of Space and Time"**

While slow to activate, it destroys guarding properties. Even if the opponent tries to defend themselve, the user will get to react before them, giving a good opportunity to curse them by dragging an opponent close from a distance and then strike. But if the opponent anticipates the strategy, and performs a quick attack, they can defend against it.

Zasalamel unleashes a cursed shockwave that stops time while his opponent is airborne. He then slashes his scythe leftwards, faces away from the opponent and snaps his finger to resume time, triggering an explosion and damaging the opponent in the process.

## References

https://soulcalibur.fandom.com/wiki/Zasalamel

https://vsbattles.fandom.com/wiki/Zasalamel