Zayin



Zain is a major character in Shin Megami Tensei II. A devoted knight to the Temple Knights, he view only in black and white and not in shades of gray, and will not hesitate to strike down anyone who opposes the law.

Appearance

 * Shin Megami Tensei II: Major character

Shin Megami Tensei II
A commanding officer for Aleph, Zain is first shown searching for Aleph, who was better known as Hawk due to his amnesia. Upon finding Aleph, Zain restores his memories, and coerced Aleph back into the Center. Throughout the story, Zain serves as a mentor-figure towards Aleph, following the events of the appearance of Betelguese, Zain orders Aleph to the colony of Arcadia. In there, Zain helped Aleph in retrieving the entrance password, which is needed to unlock the gates of Arcadia.

However, while they were in Arcadia, the demons managed to enter the Center, led by a 'False Messiah'. Zain hurried back to the Center, hoping to defend the Center. Zain would later arrest Hiroko for breaking the law of the Center-leaving the city without permission. Regardless of Aleph's alignments, he will have to battle Zain to free Hiroko. Later, when Valhalla was devoured and destroyed by Abaddon under to actions of the Center, Zain became suspicious of his superior, and began harboring a sense of digust towards them.

Later, rumors regarding Zain's betrayal towards the Center began to spread. In the broadcasting, Zain delivers the truth behind the Center's central motive and goal- they are planning to create the Million Year Kingdom, a place in which only a handful of chosen people will live. Millenium, in the first place, was constructed as a tool for selection of the people who will be permitted to live in the Thousand Year Kingdom. When that is done, Millenium will be obliterated. He also reveals that the reason Valhalla was destroyed only simply because the Canter does not need it anymore, and later, the Millenium Kingdom will also suffer the same fate.

Zain would later question whether Aleph hears him, and tells Aleph that he no longer longed the Center. Zain then rebels and dedicates himself to spreading the truth about the Center's machinations. Zain would later reappear in the Factory area of Holy Town, where he plans to liberate the people locked inside. He asks for Aleph's assistance, and continues venturing into the Factory. Upon reaching to the people, however, Zain is confused why the people wouldn't leave. Suspicious, he went up to the watchtower, and was knocked down by Belphegor. When Aleph finds Zain, Zain tells him to be careful, and wonders what the Center was thinking.

Later, the Center demands that Zain to be reported back to the main area. Noticing the senate has finally made his move to initiate Thousand Year Kingdom, Zain decides to fight the Senate alone, and bids farewell to the party. His attack, however, failed, and was turned into a gold statue by the Senates. The Senates themselves would later reveal their identities as Raphael, Uriel, and Michael. Once Aleph defeats them, Zain will be restored. He thanked Aleph, as by defeating Micheal, he is truly liberated.

Zain's true nature, is later revealed to be something far more horrible than he anticipated. He is an incarnation of Satan, an instrument of YHWH's will sent to judge all creatures on Earth; both men and demons alike. Revealing his true identity to Aleph, he fuses with his second half, Set, and transforms himself into Satan.

In the Neutral and Chaos alignment paths, he attempts to use the Megiddo Arc (a powerful laser weapon within Eden) to destroy all life on the planet as his judgement. He is killed by Aleph before he can carry out his plans, and his death prompts the appearance of YHWH. In the Law alignment path he joins forces with Aleph and Hiroko to defeat YHWH after it wipe out humanity on Earth. Afterwards, having killed his creator, he crumbles to dust.

Zain is named after the seventh letter in the Hebrew language, Zain (ז).