The smoke cleared, revealing Zero.
But he was no longer the Zero he had been. He was Dark Zero, his entire body radiating a dark aura.
Back when Zero had transformed into his Shining Form, a fragment of Belial's shattered soul had remained inside him, lying dormant.
But after Zero used the Belial Capsules to strengthen himself, the long-dormant soul fragment gradually awakened and began repairing itself.
Later, after absorbing Zero and Shinji's rampaging power, Belial had stayed hidden.
This time, Sahaquiel's mental attack, strengthened by Galberos's energy, had awakened him completely.
That was why Hayato had chosen to flee outright rather than seize Zero's body.
He did not want to get tangled up with Belial.
Dark Zero raised his hand and released a burst of black-and-purple energy at Sahaquiel.
Under the glow of that energy, the scars on Sahaquiel's body healed completely.
At the same time, Sahaquiel looked even stronger...
"Enjoy it. Now you'll have to obey me..."
Dark Zero transferred some of the Reiblood Factor within himself into Sahaquiel, strengthening Sahaquiel once again.
This also allowed him to command Sahaquiel.
Sahaquiel moved to stand beside Dark Zero.
A phantom image of Belial hovered over Dark Zero's body.
"Belial?!" x2
"F-Father?"
Hearing Geed call him Father, Dark Zero tilted his head.
"Father? Oh, so that's why you've got my aura on you, kid..."
"Looks like I'll have a son in the future~~~~"
(Note: Belial's soul still had only his memories from the Saga era, so he didn't know Geed, but he worked out that Geed was his son.)
But Dark Zero's voice was also filled with utter disgust.
"But why do you have the aura of light on you, kid?"
"Looks like you betrayed me... and joined the side of light..."
"And those who betray me only get... hehahahaha!!!"