Zagan the Gravebringer

This is an article about Zagan the Gravebringer a character created by CrimsonFlame2K on 06/27/2014. Not to be confused with Zagano the Echidna. Don't screw with this Hell Creature! Zagan will end you if you do, he can promise you that. He is a Hell Creature taking the form of a wolf, from which he was converted to by Krieg before the events of Darkness Trigger: Savage Retribution, the third and final game of the Darkness Trigger's Hell Prizm trilogy.

He first served as a major antagonist in said game, but as the game progressed, Zagan began to question if what he was doing was right, and found his answer rather abruptly... Almost immediately, he disappeared and resurfaced as an adversary for the Hollow. Since then, he's become a major protagonist of the series.

Pre-Savage Retribution
Zagan looks very much like every one of his Hell Nightmare brethren. Most of his body bears a blood red color with orange stripes and runes around his limbs, chest, and back. Much like the Dark Creatures, they intensify when feeling extreme emotion such as excitement or rage. His eyes are also mainly a mix of orange and white with no pupil, iris, and sclera.

Much of his body is covered in spikes, which are colored a very light shade of orange and sticking out akin to a hedgehog. Two horns sprout from the sides of his head, giving him the impression of a demon. The claws on his hands and feet bear the same light orange shade and are savagely sharp and his teeth are just as dangerous.

Current
Zagan has blood red fur around his body and limbs, while his muzzle, chest, and ears have white fur. His eyes have an orange shade, marking his status as a Hell Creature, and his hair is incredible spiky, reddish-black in color with red streaks around his bangs and held up by a dark red headband. In addition, his hair presumably goes down to his legs if left untied, as he dons a ponytail at the back of his head, giving a rather samurai-esque edge in his look.

Attire
Zagan's outfit consists of a black long-sleeved trench coat with red inner-linings and cuffs and the insignia of the Hell Creatures on the both shoulders, a dark-grey tank top under it, a black belt with a horned skull and crossbones carved on its buckle wrapped around the waist area of his coat, with the backside of it doubling as a carrier for his sword, dark-grey baggy jeans, and dark-red combat boots with black accents. Ever since his incident with his Fafnir Trigger, he sports an emblem, which serves to keep the transformation in check, on the back of his left hand.

Personality
Zagan, in a nutshell, is Blitz if he wasn't a nice guy, being more gruff and far more prone to anger and profanity most of the time. However, he still has a (questionable) sense of humor and can be arrogant at times. However, he was more of a cold-blooded murderer early on during his series debut, rarely speaking a single word and simply following orders. This is later revealed as his way from keeping anyone else from potential danger with the worst of them being his currently-imprisoned sister, Nirvana. After certain events, Zagan snapped, rebelled against Krieg and joined Blitz and co., but only to exact his vengeance against the Hollow.

Since then, he slowly became friends with Blitz and a few other people. While he may initially come off as uncaring, it's clear that he does show genuine concern for them later on. Even so, he still didn't give a damn about the world, saying that he'd burn the whole world into flames if it meant keeping his friends alive. However, thanks to Liam's efforts, Zagan slowly grew a bit more sociable and eventually became more of an admirable veteran warrior than a savage barbarian.

One small bit about Zagan is that he seems to be picky with his food, as he usually prefers meat, usually poultry or beef. Heh. Good thing he swings his sword a lot, huh? Also, he's a little bit of an arachnophobic. Then again, he rarely comes across spiders anyway.... or does he? Another strange thing about him is that he absolutely hates it whenever someone tries to mess with his hair, especially if it's to make it shorter and/or neater.

Creation
(WIP)

Savage Retribution
(WIP)

Age of Genesis trilogy
(WIP)

Swordsmanship
While being very rough, Zagan's swordsmanship is frighteningly precise in execution, making him a very savage fighter. But his attacks start getting crazy once he uses them in tandem with his Infernokinesis and [limited] Void Energy manipulation. In addition, you better say your prayers once he goes over 50% of his full strength. Once he gives everything he's got, it'll be a miracle if you manage to defeat him, let alone survive.

Infernokinesis
Being a Hell Creature, Zagan is able to manipulate the flames of hell, which he is able to use greatly. Aside from shrouding his flames into his sword, he can unleashe a variety of devastating attacks. Most of them involve wild punches and notably unpolished sword swings but he does possess some projectile moves, though they're very slow and usually unreliable.

He can give his power a boost through his Fafnir Trigger, which is basically the Hell Creatures' variant of the Darkness Trigger. However, due to its apparent overuse, it's power slowly consumed Zagan, causing him to turn into a large monster (which is never completely seen) when he least expects it. After resolving the whole fiasco, Zagan's Fafnir Trigger was restricted via an emblem on the back of his left hand.

Void Energy Manipulation
Another power that comes naturally to Zagan is the manipulation of Void Energy. However, due to his affinity with hellfire, it is very pale compared to many others, including Blitz and Krieg. The only things he can do with Void Energy is to fuel his Fafnir Trigger form.

Weaknesses
Zagan is a hard opponent to deal with if you don't know what you're doing, especially since the only thing that can douse the flames he unleashes is his will. However, he has clear weaknesses that will leave him open for a world of hurt if exploited.

Being a close-range fighter, projectiles can sometimes prove to be a problem for him, especially if he can't block or dodge them. His direct approach can sometimes lead him to some very dire situations, though he manages to get out of most of them.

However, his most jarring weaknesses lie in his psyche. Zagan is very prone to anger, so it's somewhat easy to lead him towards your position. However, this proves to be a double-edged sword, as you'll either be left a wide opening to get him or a one-way trip to the afterlife... or the hospital, if you're lucky.

Equipment

 * Crimson Dragoon - Zagan's weapon of choice. It's nothing more than a massive slab of metal from the Endless Void shaped into a sword. While it may not look it, the weapon is absurdly sharp... maybe Zagan's strength has something to do with it?
 * Fafnir Trigger - Basically Zagan's version of Blitz's Darkness Trigger, it bolsters his already-terrifying power.

Statistics
Attack: 9 - Zagan can deal powerful blows with his blade while matching them with good speed.
 * Stats are based from 1-10. 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest.

Defense: 5 - Being an offense-oriented fighter, Zagan's defense is pretty meager compared to others.

Speed: 7 - His agility is a suitable compliment to his power. Like Blitz, however, he's nowhere near as fast as Sonic.

Magic: 7 - While he does have mastery over his infernokinesis, Zagan's control over Void Energy pales in comparison to other Dark/Hell Creatures.

Evasion: 6 - Coupled with his speed, Zagan's evasive maneuvers are no slouch.

Intelligence: 6 - Zagan is fairly simple-minded in battle, preferring to smash first without a plan. However, he will stand down if the situation calls for it and has even shown himself to be rather perceptive at times.

Skills: 8 - As the former prime soldier of the Hollow Blitz, Zagan is definitely skilled in using his blade and powers in battle.

Accuracy: 7 - While wild and rough, Zagan's attacks usually seem to make their mark.

Stamina: 8 - Zagan's biology as a Hell Creature means he has more stamina and endurance than others.

Tolerance: 7 - Being a Hell Creature, Zagan has heightened tolerance for pain.

Overall: 70%

General

 * Hades Flare: Zagan's Trigger move. He unleashes a sword strike imbued with hellfire. If it hits, whether blocked or not, the flames give a small amount of his HP back.
 * Havoc Fang: Zagan dashes forward and strikes with a punch imbued with hellfire.
 * Hellfire Sword: Zagan follows-up with an upward sword swing.
 * Vulcan Fury: Zagan leaps forward before swinging his sword downwards.
 * Rapid Scorch: Zagan performs a high-speed slide kick imbued in hellfire.
 * Dreadnaught: Zagan jumps forward and unleashes a devastating punch wreathed in hellfire.
 * Savage Roar: Zagan fires a blast of hellfire by swinging his sword upwards.
 * Gotcha!: Zagan fakes a Savage Roar. If hit while the frames are active, Zagan will counterattack with a burst of hellfire.
 * Nightmare Razor: OK in midair. Zagan sends his foe into the air with a rising slash. He can immediately follow-up with either a sword strike that sends the opponent to the ground or a straight punch wreathed in hellfire that knocks the opponent backwards.
 * Bahamut Razor: Zagan slides forward while wreathed in hellfire, finishing it with a rising slash. The hit count can be increased by rapidly inputting the analog stick forward and back while mashing the C button.
 * Riot Slam: Performed in midair. Zagan performs a devastating dive kick wreathed in flames, unleashing a wave of fire upon landing.
 * Demon Warp: Zagan creates a small portal behind him and enters it before reappearing behind the opponent.
 * Who Said I'm Done!?: While his opponent is down, Zagan grabs his opponent and unleashes a painful body blow.
 * Howling Dragoon: One of his Critical Triggers. Zagan swings his sword upwards and fires a large projectile resembling a dragon's head that deals considerable damage.
 * Armageddon: One of his Critical Triggers. Zagan dashes forward with his fist out, wreathed in hellfire. After hitting his foe a couple of times, he quickly grabs them and unleashes a massive blast of Void Energy.
 * Nightmare Destroyer : A hidden Critical Trigger available while Fafnir Trigger is active where Zagan performs a devastating and rapidly-hitting rising sword slash wreathed in hellfire that carries both him and his opponent off the screen before falling back down to the ground.
 * Dance of the Conquering Hell: This Deadly Rave-esque Death-Or-Glory Attack of a Adrenaline Mode-only Critical Trigger has Zagan perform a series of attacks culminating in him trapping his helpless foe on the ground by throwing his sword right at them before unleashing a massive stream of hellfire as he briefly reverts to his Hell Nightmare form. If it fails, however, Zagan is left wide open for a counterattack.
 * Hellfire Oblivion: Zagan's Overkill finisher. He performs a series of various attacks and thrusts his sword through the opponent's gut. A large stream of fire then bursts through the opponent, effectively finishing them once all is said and done.

Other

 * Fafnir Trigger: Zagan's Limit Break where, in addition with buffed up attack, the health-steal factor of his Trigger move is doubled.
 * Hand of Punishment: Zagan has only used this move once. Wreathing his hand in hellfire, he clutches the soul of anyone of his targets and has them feel the pain of those they have harmed, severely crippling them by taking away any outside source of power that let them commit their sins. In Krieg's case, this was the Hell Prizm Shard in his possession and his super form.
 * Cerberus Millenium : A technique used only once with both Blitz and Krieg to put an end to Genesis' threat once and for all. The move fires out a large beam of Void Energy wreathed in fire, ice, and lightning that utterly decimates its target in one shot while a Cerberus that stands behind the three wolves roars. However, it's only effective when the target is too stunned or hurt to move and it takes a while to charge.

Friends and Allies

 * Blitz the Noisemaker - A former foe, Zagan is now close friends with Blitz. Though their personalities may clash often, they always have each other's backs in battle. Overtime, Zagan grew to consider Blitz the brother he never had, as much as he didn't want to admit it. To this day, Blitz does not know this.
 * Knockout Shadeclaw - Zagan first runs into Knockout as one of Krieg's servants. However, after finding out of Chasm's demise, he abandons Krieg and joins Blitz and co. While the others were somewhat skeptical (especially Rho), Knockout was quick to accept Zagan as an ally and friend, even if he didn't exactly want it. Much like with Blitz, they always have each other's backs in battle.
 * Whirlwind Mason - Much like with Blitz, Whirlwind served as a mentor figure to Zagan when the former accepted his offer to join their side.
 * Liam Scarlet - The secretary of Whirlwind whose kindness knows no bounds and a prominent ally for the heroes. When Zagan met her, he initially had no opinion of her beyond her being a temporary ally. When Zagan went to take care of an escaped convict from the Endless Void (actually his sister), Liam chose to follow in spite of the risks...
 * Chasm the Hell Nightmare - Zagan's only friend and partner throughout his days in the Endless Void. After a failed assault on Blitz and co, who were his enemies then, Zagan came across a hidden room filled with dead bodies of many Hell Creatures, in which one of those bodies belonged to Chasm. Feeling a surge of rage, he destroyed everything in the room, believing that it was a disgrace to themselves.

Neutral

 * Rho the Great - Zagan is very well-aware of Rho's dislike towards him. He's completely fine with that, given the fact that he did work for Krieg before, which he'll never be able to live down, no matter how little mention of it is made... Just don't expect him to follow the Noble King's orders.
 * Lockdown Clarke - Let's just say that this hyena better say his prayers if Zagan catches him doing any funny business with Liam...

Enemies

 * Krieg the Hollow Blitz - Zagan's former master, who brought him into his service after transforming him into a wolf-like Mobian. Zagan served him dutifully, until the torture and eventual death of his best friend, Chasm, made him see the truth behind Krieg's plans and prompt him to defect to the heroes. Even after defeating the Hollow and watching him go back to the Endless Void, Zagan's hatred of him continued to burn intensely, even when he came back to try and make amends, particularly to Blitz (for betraying him in the first place), Knockout (for being the root of her tribe's near-extinction), and the Gravebringer himself (for killing Chasm).
 * Genesis -

Savage Retribution
"I LOST CHASM, DAMMIT! He was my best friend! ...My only friend... That son of a bitch took his life along with many others just because they screwed up! If anything, he should've taken me with him! You never had to go through the displeasure of losing someone close to you! You never lost anything you ever loved! But me... I lost the only thing I ever cared about... Do you still think I have no reason for wanting to take Krieg down!? CAN YOU STILL FUCKING THINK THAT, EMILE!?"

- Zagan to Blitz when the latter states that he sees no particular reason for his fighting against Krieg

"Hey... I have a question... (...) ...Why did you, of all people, accept me with no second thought when I was the one who burned your tribe to ashes? Don't feel any trace of hate towards me? Don't you want to avenge your people?"

- Zagan to Knockout when he the latter visits him

"Hmph. This should be fun."

- when selected

"Move or you won't live to regret it."

- before starting a match

"Well... That was a pain."

- winning a match

"If you think I'm gonna act like your best friend or somethin', think again."

- before starting a match against Blitz "You're gonna pay for what you did to Chasm, bastard!"

- before starting a match against Krieg

"I don't give a shit about what you think of me... but if you're looking for a death wish, you've found it!"

- before starting a match against Rho "I'll make your death slow. Very. Fucking. Slow."

- winning a match against Krieg

"Don't make me tear you apart, asshole..."

- winning a match against Rho "It's over."

- when starting up his Overkill "Now... BURN IN HELL!"

- when delivering the final blow "HELLFIRE OBLIVION!"

- Calling His Attack "What a waste of time..."

- after finishing his opponent off "Time to go to sleep!"

- when starting up his Overkill against Blitz "Tch. We're you even trying, dumb*ss?"

- after finishing Blitz off "Let's see how 'great' you really are!"

- when starting up his Overkill against Rho

"Heh... what a pushover."

- after finishing Rho off

Misc.
"Hah! You never had a chance."

- Getting an S-Rank

"Heh. Just like that."

- Getting an A-Rank

"I'm fine with this."

- Getting a B-Rank

"Hmph. Guess that'll do."

- Getting a C-Rank

"The hell!? Ugh..."

- Getting a D-Rank

"Goddammit!!"

- Getting an E-Rank

Nothing Helps by One OK Rock
This song serves as Zagan's main theme in Savage Retribution, representing his personal struggles and his identity.

Connection to Character

 * It's because of you I'm standing here with you... - Zagan believing that the strings of fate wanted him to join the heroes, as much as he hates to admit it.
 * Oh yeah, okay, I've got bad days, so caught up in my mind and I'm not really sure who I am! And nothing seems to go my way at all! - Zagan feeling that he may be a threat to Mobius, despite his allegiance.
 * Then I hit the stage, and remember... why I'm here... I'll be the voice to those who don't have one! - Zagan becoming a hero like Knockout says he'll be.
 * No, Nothing Helps! We won't stop right now, we did it on our own! Nobody else! It's because of you we've finally came this far! - Zagan giving thanks to Blitz and Whirlwind (among others) for allowing him to carve his own path in life.
 * There are things I always remember... forever... Oh no! How can I walk this rocky road? - Zagan never forgetting the ill deeds he has done and finding it difficult to get past that.
 * I'm by myself! Stuck inside my throat, the words, they won't come out! - Zagan not exactly communicating what's wrong to others.
 * Oh, what the hell! Why don't I just leave, give up and let it go away... - Zagan debating whether he should just give up or keep on fighting.

Built for War by Megadeth
Zagan's theme in the Age of Genesis trilogy. It represents his undying will to fight against his foes, even if all seems lost.

Connection to Character

 * Built For WAR! / What do you think your fists are FOR? - Zagan being one of the strongest characters in the Darkness Trigger series.
 * Listen, I didn't start this, / Believe me, I will finish it! - Zagan doing all he can to disregard his dark beginnings
 * Nothing is gonna stop me! / Until then, better watch your back! - Zagan warning his foes that he won't stop until his goals are put into fruition
 * There is no retreating! / I will cut you down to size! - Zagan relentlessly facing against all odds, even at the cost of his life
 * Yield to a new dimension, / Hell's coming, better say your prayers! - Zagan bringing hell to those who get in his way
 * Fear not as death surrounds you! / B*tch all you want! But here it comes! - Zagan being hellbent on taking down anyone who opposes him

This Day We Fight! by Megadeth
Zagan's VS theme with Krieg in Savage Retribution. It represents his dark days serving Krieg and turning on him, leading to his heated showdown with the Hollow.

Connection to Character

 * For this, I was chosen, because I fear nothing! / With confidence, I tread through the dead of the night! - Zagan being chosen as "the flame that will burn all of mortalkind".
 * Off to another war-torn, far-away battlefield... / Wherein lies a demonic, enemy horde! - Zagan fighting off Krieg's forces
 * On this day, I decide to anoint my fists! / Engaging them in the mode of power, and war! - Krieg and Zagan preparing to face off, intent on destroying the other.
 * Sent, on an unholy quest, to reduce all those who resist, / To the size of their shriveled-up souls, and scatter them like grist! - Zagan being Krieg's most prized weapon at first before his betrayal.
 * Come tomorrow, I may lay down and die! / But not this day! This Day We FIGHT! - Krieg and Zagan getting ready for battle

Trivia

 * Except for his first theme, Nothing Helps by ONE OK ROCK, every single one of Zagan's themes are by Megadeth.
 * Megadeth seems to be his signature band as well, much like Blitz with Motorhead.
 * His public identity, David Burnley, is a reference to Megadeth's two current members, Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson, and the lead vocalist of Breaking Benjamin, Benjamin Burnley.
 * Breaking Benjamin is one of Crimson's favorite bands.
 * Uses a weapon with a blunt edge? Wields fire? Fights with a rough and unpolished fighting style? Tell me Zagan isn't Sol Badguy turned into a Mobian and I will fry you.
 * On that note, Zagan has traits similar to Ragna the Bloodedge from the BlazBlue series, even sharing his voice actor, Patrick Seitz.
 * Only a while back did I realize that Patrick Seitz also voiced Mortal Kombat's Scorpion, another hellfire user.
 * Zagan's appearance a mishmash of Reboot!Dante's, Sol's, and Ragna's appearances.