Zihark

"I had... I had an important girlfriend before. We couldn't be together because of...complicated reasons... But even now I still think about her. I can't get her out of my mind."

- Zihark talking to Brom in a support conversation

Zihark (ツイハーク, Tsuihāku) was a citizen of Daein during the Mad King's War. He was first encountered as an enemy in Path of Radiance in Chapter 11 and later returned in Radiant Dawn in Part 1 Chapter 5, fighting against Begnion.

Personality
Although he is a citizen of Daein, he dislikes the way the laguz are treated by his nation. He is a brave and kind man, speaking politely to Meg when she came up to speak to him. However, he became quite flustered when Meg claimed that they were getting married. He is also friendly with her father, Brom. It's also shown that he flirts with Ilyana in the chapter that he first appears in, either that or he's just engaging in playful banter, which also confused her, not understanding what he said. He's also very true to his friends, as shown when he joins the Ike's army after talking with Lethe or Mordecai and also Ilyana if they had a support in Path of Radiance.

History
Not much is known of Zihark's past, other than that he was born in Daein, and that he eventually fell in love with a laguz of the beast tribe, despite his homeland's prejudice towards the laguz. However, their relationship did not last, as the stress of being in a forbidden relationship proved too much for her (killed in the Japanese version). Despite the premature ending of their relationship, Zihark felt no desire to enter another relationship, and spent his time as a travelling mercenary to aid other laguz. Zihark was previously assumed by many to be branded, as that would explain his attachment to laguz. It is revealed in a battle conversation with Izuka, as well as many supports, that Zihark's attachment with laguz is attributed solely to his past relationship.

Path of Radiance
Zihark first met the Greil Mercenaries while they were trying to board Nasir's ship. Daein troops had blocked the harbor, and Zihark joined the fight along with a small group of vigilantes. Shortly before the battle, he had a conversation with the vigilante leader to determine if any Laguz were fighting with the Greil Mercenaries. When he saw Lethe and Mordecai, he talked to them and joined the Mercenaries, Ike deeming him to be trustworthy despite having "personal reasons he would not like to share" (this being his past relationship with a Laguz).

Radiant Dawn
After the events of Path of Radiance, Zihark traveled to Daein. In Daein, he joined with Tauroneo and Jill to fight for the restoration of Daein. He is first seen helping Tauroneo and Jill protect the place where Prince Pelleas was hiding. He then joined the Daein Liberation Army along with them. After the Liberation of Daein, he stayed in Daein, helping with the reconstruction.

When the Daein Army goes to fight against the Laguz Alliance, Zihark is at a loss. He wants to fight for his country, but he does not want to fight against the Laguz. He can be recruited to the Laguz Alliance by Ike, Mordecai or Lethe. He can also be recruited by Ilyana if the two had an A support in Path of Radiance or Brom if the two had an A support.

After the last battle, he travels Tellius as a mercenary resolving Beorc-Laguz disputes. It is said that he settled in Gallia. If he talked with either Lethe or Mordecai in Radiant dawn in "A Reason To Fight", he would join the enemy team.

Recruitment

 * Chapter 11: Starts as an enemy unit. Speak with Lethe or Mordecai.

Starting Stats
|Myrmidon |Earth |10 |25 |10 |1 |13 |15 |6 |7 |0 |9 |9 |6 |Sword - C |Adept |Killing Edge Steel Sword Vulnerary

Growth Rates
|55% |45% |15% |50% |60% |40% |30% |20%

Support Conversations

 * Ilyana
 * Brom
 * Muarim

Starting Stats
|Swordmaster |Earth |3 |30 |17 |6 |22 |23 |11 |13 |11 |11 |11 |7 |Sword - A |Shove Adept Critical +10 |Killing Edge Vulnerary

Growth Rates
|55% |35% |10% |75% |70% |40% |25% |35%

Overall
In Path of Radiance, Zihark is an excellent unit to have. He starts at a higher level than Mia, has the much coveted Earth Affinity and has a Killing Edge. If trained his speed, skill, and occasionally strength will cap making him a terror offensively. He can be a bit frail, though his high hp helps balance that a bit. Just give him a good support and he will dodge most attacks anyway.

Radiant Dawn lowers Zihark's physical stats, giving him the strength and defense growths on par with most mages in the game. However, his decent bases, partnered with his earth affinity generous skill and speed will allow him to dodge most attacks directed at him, and retaliate with frequent Adept triggers. His useage reaches an all time high should he be supported with another Earth Affinity unit, such as Oscar or Ike and given a blessed Alondite or Tempest Blade.

Ending
Zihark traveled Tellius as a mercenary, resolving beorc-laguz disputes. Some say he eventually settled in Gallia.
 * Blade of Unity - Zihark

Lethe Recruited
Lethe: Grrrr! Die, human! Zihark: Hold on! Please! ...I am not an enemy to laguz. Lethe: L-laguz...? How do you... Zihark: I joined this vigilante group because I knew it would afford me a chance to help you flee. Listen, I'll distract the townspeople. While they're worried about me, you can make good yours escape. Lethe: I cannot trust the word of a human. Zihark: ...I see. Well, if I cut down these vigilantes, will you believe me? Lethe: Huh? Zihark: One? Two? All of them? How many do you want? Just give the word and I'll start the cutting! Lethe: Hssss! Quiet! Why, why would you... Zihark: I want to help you. ...That's all. Lethe:... I see... You're not an enemy. That much I'll believe... Zihark: Thank you. Now, you must hurry away from this place. Lethe: No, I cannot flee. I have fr-friends that I must board a ship with. Zihark: Will you not desist? It's much too dangerous. The vigilantes and the Daeins want nothing more than to kill laguz! Lethe: I'm not leaving. Zihark: I see... If that's your stance, then I've no choice. Lethe: Hm? Zihark: I will join your group. Lethe: Don't, don't be ridiculous! Zihark: What's your name? Lethe: I am Lethe, but-- Zihark: That's a good name. Lethe: That's beside the point! You-- Zihark: I am Zihark. Well met, Lethe! Whoops! I don't think we have time for formal introductions. Let's hurry! Lethe: H-hold it! I have not agreed to this!

Mordecai Recruited
Zihark: Ah! Mordecai: You are a vigilante. We must avoid vigilantes. You should flee. Zihark: You would speak so to the vigilante group that's hunting you? You're kind laguz, aren't you? Mordecai: Hm? My word are not good. You must go quickly. Zihark: No, you are the one who should flee. Leave the rest to me. I'll confuse the townsfolk and give you time to run. Mordecai: What? Why? Zihark: I don't want to see any laguz harmed, so joined these vigilantes as a double agent. Mordecai: Hmm...? I am confused. But... you do not smell like an enemy. Our group must get that ship. We are taking it to Begnion. Zihark: Will you desist? It's much too dangerous. The vigilantes and the Daeins desire nothing more than to kill laguz! Mordecai: Even so, we will go. Zihark: I see... If that's your stance, then I've no choice. Mordecai: ... Zihark: I will join in your group. Mordecai: You will betray your friends? Zihark: I told you, they're not my friends. I am an ally to the laguz. What? you need proof? There! Mordecai: Why do you drop your blade? That bright metal tool is your only fang. Zihark: I want you believe me. ...Please. You must believe me. Mordecai: ... I believe you. I am Mordecai warrior of Gallia. Who are you? Zihark: I am Zihark. Well met, Mordecai! Whoops! I don't think we have time for formal introductions. Let's hurry!

Death Quotes
"So this is the...end. Now...I go...to..."

- Zihark's death quote in Path of Radiance "I guess this...is the end... of the line...for me... ... Thank you. I'll...be waiting..."

- Zihark's death quote in Radiant Dawn

Trivia

 * An early picture shows Ike fighting a "Deros" (possibly later named Daein) soldier. That soldier bears a resemblance to Zihark, as well as being equipped with a Killing Edge.
 * In Radiant Dawn, if you choose to fight Zihark with Ilyana, Zihark will not fight back, regardless of your support level with her.
 * Zihark, along with Edward, are the only two characters that can reach a SS weapon rank as a second tier unit.
 * Though in the English version, Zihark's girlfriend left from pressure, the original Japanese version he doesn't elaborate on what happened to her. The artbook confirms that she was killed.

Etymology
Zahhak' is a character in the Persian poem ' Shāhnāma ' by Ferdowsi, written in approximately 1000 A.D.. The character has its sources in early Iranian mythology as 'Aži Dahāka.' In the poem, Zahhak is a handsome, good person who is easily swayed by evil counselors, particularly a character named 'Ahriman,' who first convinces Zahhak to kill his father to gain the throne. Gradually, through Ahriman's influence, Zahhak becomes more and more evil and corrupted. It is interesting, though, that Zihark from the games seems to follow the opposite progression, growing up in a prejudiced and cruel country whose influence he later successfully rejects.

As a note, 'Deros' in the above trivia is equivalent to 'Delos,' which is the Greek island where Leto gave birth to Apollo and Artemis.