Zephon

Zephon (ゼフォン, Zefon) is a major character in Genso Suikoden Tsumugareshi Hyakunen no Toki. He is a mysterious boy and powerful magician encountered at the lake ruins Era Tree.

History
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Best just to experience it for yourself."

- Zephon

An enigmatic youth, Zephon first appeared at the onset of the HIY 300 Teras Pharma attacks at the lake ruins. There, he would introduce himself to the hero and Myra, offering his assistance, much to the other's surprise and suspicion.

Gifting the hero a jewel, Zephon had him touch the Era Tree, introducing him to time travel. From this point on, Zephon would occasionally appear to encourage or guide the hero, always preferring him to experience things for himself, rather than explain himself outright. He could often appear callous or overly cheerful in the face of disaster though this was due to his knowledge that matters could be rectified with time travel and, if not that, then the Infinity itself would continue on.

At Tios Fortress, Zephon would ask for the jewel back, explaining that the hero no longer needed it, or perhaps never needed it. It was implied that this is because of the hero's status as a Starbearer. Once the hero met with Astrid and learned the true nature of the Teras Pharma and the barrier, Zephon would join the Company fully as a comrade.

Though this did not suddenly make Zephon much more effusive. He was still prone to cryptic comments and wry remarks even while lending his services as a powerful magician to the Company. Still, some matters appeared to stump even him. Zephon claimed not to know the origin of the 200-year-old Era Trees or who had manipulated the past to remove the Therbe Village Era Tree.

As a magician, Zephon was particular about who he worked with. He refused to learn from Astrid, merely saying he didn't trust her. He did learn from the refiant Lethe, however, who found something familiar or recognizable about him. Another person who seemed to recognize Zephon was the jongleur Cleion. The two traded barbs with each other immediately upon meeting but denied knowing one another.

When Regius discovered that the Teras Pharma had been disappearing from history following his journey to the Tower of Zoe, Zephon would explain more about the nature of the Infinity and the True Era Tree itself. He would also work alongside Zaveed to verify that Teras Pharma in the past were created by the Yggdrasilian Throne.

At the final battle at the Yggdrasilian Palace, Zephon would journey to the past 300 years ago with the hero and meet with a similarly attired Renefarious, the two obviously familiar with one another. Learning of Renefarious' motives, the group would return to the present and fight Holy Emperor Renefarious, freeing the land from the Teras Pharma and Ionian rule for good.

In a world of the Infinity where the 108 Stars broke the chains of causality, Zephon spoke briefly with the hero, Thorwad Albreck, and Astrid, informing them that they could each explore their futures without fear, and he could finally rest. Zephon would disappear immediately after the final battle and was never seen again.

Trivia

 * Zephon is most likely a refiant, and possibly one of the sages, like Renefarious, who originally established the barrier.
 * Zephon is consistently the highest ranked Genso Suikoden Tsumugareshi Hyakunen no Toki character in the annual Gensosenkyo fan poll with a highest rank of 38th in 2019.