#khazard

I think I agreed with Respen when he said “you’re not him..” when facing off with hypogean Khazard ):

Imo Khazard is still soft on the inside. Now that we have Granit's story confirming that the elementals are affected by what happens to their element, it makes me want to believe in Khazard even more. Without his knowledge, there was this ancient evil polluting the ocean pretty much his whole life and he was able to withstand it and remain kind and sweet the entire time without even knowing about it.

Furthermore, Khazard’s reason to becoming a Hypogean is very different from others who used to belong elsewhere. Khazard didn't want power or revenge. He wanted to LIVE. He loved life so much that the thought of dying was torture for him. And what was the first thing he got after his transformation? A snake. A living being.

Speaking of the snake, Khazard has multiple interactions with it where he treats it as a pet or a companion – his victory animation has him affectionately stroking its head! He may not be an elemental anymore but Khazard still has firm ties to the land and its creatures.

And when it comes to Respen's story, even there he isn't just cold and cruel. He laments that Respen doesn't see the world the same way he does and even says he wishes for it. He doesn't attack right away but first asks Respen what he wants to do. And even after they start fighting, his first instinct isn't to kill – it's to trap Respen instead. And then he taunts him, "accidentally" giving away what does Respen need to break free.

Khazard is undeniably a demon right now, but he's still a soft person, albeit deep inside. He can't afford to be kind in the same way he used to be anymore but he found his own ways of kindness, subtle and mostly hidden, but they are still there. I don't think Khazard will ever forget where he came from or why he became a Hypogean in the first place, and therefore he will never lose that speck of kindness inside of him.

Wilder Khazard? Sure! I’ll try my best!