Zahalkro

* Post-Brandshock
* Pre-Brandshock
* Kezhalkro

**Zahalkro** (Zuh-HAHL-crow) is one of the main characters of Stars Below. Once a metal Vani assigned to the team invading Earth, he defected for unknown reasons, and now works alongside Zone-B to put an end to their genocide.

## History

### Background

Zahalkro was raised only by his father, Ezylkro, as his mother died very early on into his life.

### Post-Brandshock

Zahalkro previously participated in a mercy mission on a planet called Kezelvi as a spawner. During this mission, he believed he sensed the death of his father, twisting him into the vicious **Kezahalkro** as he went on a murderous rampage. He has since recovered from this.

### Stars Below

Thousands of years later, Zahalkro would go on another mission, this time on Earth as a communications handler. He defected very early on, however.

Sometime after defecting Zahalkro began to send Morse code radio transmissions to Zone-B, sending them several taunts and eventually a set of coordinates to a link. Zone-B would send Null to the link, which transported her to Zahalkro's location on the moon, Titan, and he challenged the organization's top soldier to a friendly spar. After admitting defeat, he requested to join Zone-B, a request initially met with hesitation, but was eventually accepted.

## Personality

Zahalkro is a loud, boisterous, and sometimes thick-headed individual. He often puts up a "tough guy" persona to intimidate those who might be a threat to him, but is ultimately a kindly soul. Should he make a mistake or hurt one's feelings, he'll try his best to make amends. He is a bit cowardly, but can and will swallow his fears for the sake of those he cares about.

Zahalkro has an immense interest and knowledge in human culture and history. He seems to especially take interest in punk and scene aesthetics, which he modeled his outfit after. Though he tries his best to mimic human ways, his lack of social skills sometimes hinder his efforts.

As Kezahalkro, he was incredibly violent, volatile, and relentless in pursuit.

## Abilities

As a metal Vani, Zahalkro possesses control over metallic objects. His magic primarily manifests in the form magnetism, using it to push or pull these materials, as well as bend them. He also wields a pair of circular saws on chains as a non-magical weapon.

Outside of combat, Zahalkro has shown experience in tailoring clothes, such as with his own outfit. He is also a skilled musician capable of playing various string instruments.

## Relationships

### Ezylkro

Ezylkro is Zahalkro's father and, due to Zynlahar's death, was his only caretaker. He taught Zahalkro to play stringed instruments and even gave him an instrument he had once hand carved himself.

Zahalkro sometimes reminisces about him, often with a sorrowful tone. He's unsure of his dad's current wellbeing, and tries not to dwell on it in case the worst case scenario comes to light.

### Zynlahar

Zahalkro's mother. Due to her dying when he was still a newborn, Zahalkro never really knew her.

### Bellojey

Zahalkro's crush. Initially one of his childhood friends, he eventually began to develop a crush on the music Kraizen. Even after they grew distant due to Bellojey's parents forbidding them from talking, Zahalkro still seeks him out. However, he doesn't have the guts to confess his feelings.

### Verrevyl

Zahalkro's best friend growing up. He sometimes thinks about her and wonders how's she doing.

### Charlotte Kingsley

Charlotte is Zahalkro's tether. Though they are known to butt heads on occasion, the two get along very well. Zahalkro thinks of Charlotte as the sibling he never had.

### Target

Zahalkro butts heads with him very frequently, even more so than with Charlotte. He harbors an almost rival-like view of Target, but nevertheless considers him a friend.

### Madeline Karazell

A teammate and close friend of Zahalkro. He's stated to be really close to her and respects her greatly.

### Deneko

They are on friendly terms with one another.

### Atlas

He is wary around them, despite being allies. He feels as if Atlas will try to attack him at any given moment.

### The Pacifist

Due to his guilt over his role in Kezelvi's destruction, he feels extremely nervous towards the Pacifist. He tries to avoid them whenever he can.

## Trivia

* Zahalkro's design is inspired by humans, beaked reptiles, punk fashion, and common depictions of the devil.
* He once had breast removal surgery to make his body more masculine in appearance.
* He is currently the only known Vani to recover from Twisting.
* His violent demeanor as Kezahalkro earned him the title of "**Magnet Demon**".
	+ The name Kezahalkro translates to "Zahalkro of Kezelvi."
* Much like Deneko, Zahalkro's brand represents his guilt over past actions. It only spanning the tip of his tail as opposed to the entire thing symbolizes regret over a single past event, unlike Deneko, who is remorseful of his entire past.
* In an image table for a very early draft of Vanishing World, Zahalkro and Bellojey are named as one character.
	+ This one character's name is stated to be "Jaljabra", and his codename is stated to be "DJ-5T3114R" (DJ Stellar).

## Gallery

Post-Brand Zahalkro without clothes.Pre-Brand Zahalkro in Beltasian clothing.Original render for post-Brand Zahalkro (No clothes).Updated Zahalkro portrait.A Zahalkro silhouette.Icon for Zahalkro's Toyhouse page.Sketch of ZahalkroSketch of Zahalkro (Pre-Brandshock)Zahalkro glyph (Clothed)Zahalkro glyphKezahalkro killing an Omni.A series of Zahalkro icons depicting various states and emotions. From top left to bottom right: Defeated, neutral, corrupted,sad, angry, happy, sick, damaged, confused.Zahalkro confronts Null on Titan.Zahalkro in MacGuffin in the LimelightZahalkro and the remaining Earth team members (Minus Luktreal).Fully-rendered redraw of a scene from the Other Side of Paradise animatic.