Zyva
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Zyva (ジーヴァ Jīva), also known by its full name of Ghamidzyva, is a Giga Crystal Titan that appears in the 2022 video game GigaBash. Ever-watchful guardians of the Giga Core, Zyva patrol the Hollow Earth and ward off anything that draws too close to the Giga Core's power, though they occasionally rise to wreak havoc on the surface world.
Name
The origin of Zyva's name was never explained. However, given that the monster was first recorded in the Middle East during ancient times, it is likely based on the Hebrew name "זיוה" (ziva), which is derived from "זיו" (ziv), referring to brightness, brilliance, or radiance, a name the monster possibly earned because those who first saw it described it as possessing a blinding violet "beacon" in front, referring to its glowing core. Strangely, despite being a race of crystalline golems with no confirmed sex, the name "Ziva" and its variants are usually reserved for girls. On the other hand, the Titan's full name, "Ghamidzyva", is likely derived from the masculine "غامد" (transliterated as "Ghamd" or "Ghamid"), an Arabic name that generally refers to strength and bravery, but more specifically, "one who sheathes the sword", in essence, "one who keeps the peace", which may reflect the golem's role as a powerful guardian of the Hollow Earth, protecting the Giga Core — and therefore, the Earth's safety — from intruders.
Development
Various configurations were suggested for Zyva during development. Some concepts gave it a different number of "hands", and even a proper head. Another concept suggested an iridescent look, which was carried over in a sense for its "Bismuth" subspecies (albeit with darkened skin for greater contrast against its light), earned by defeating the three Zyvas equipped with the skin in the 50th and final wave of Onslaught Classic.
Design
Zyva is a living mass of Giga Crystals, shaped into jagged purple rock formations lined with cracks of Giga Energy, held together via telekinesis around a glowing orb-shaped core that serves as its "eye" or "face" in some configurations. Zyva can configure parts of its form or its whole body into in a variety of forms, including a compact resting form, a drill, and even a helicopter-like form as seen in its taunt "Crystals in Disguise".
Zyva's default body bears a forked collar-like rock formation that can be opened and closed, with C-shaped bends in the middle of each side, while its back is formed by an irregular mass of bubble-like pebbles, surrounded by jagged crags. The area where the collar and torso meet is pitted inwards and swirls with Giga Energy. Above the pit floats the spherical core of Giga Energy that serves as Zyva's head, orbited by shattered rock that can shield the core. Its torso, tapering into an inverted triangle just before widening slightly into its diamond-shaped pelvis, glows a bright violet, much more than the rest of the body. In place of arms, Zyva has two large blade-like floating stones, each of which can be split into up to three pieces for manipulation. Its two legs resemble that of a horse, complete with backward-pointing knee-like heels and digitigrade "hooves".
Personality
Zyva are described as being "ever-watchful", using and manipulating their Giga Energy to dispatch anyone that wanders into the Hollow Earth. As explained by Gigaman in The Knight in Lightning Armor, Zyva vigilantly defend the Hollow Earth and its Giga Core from visitors regardless of reason, be it to absorb the power of the core, or due to accidentally wandering too deep, as Zyvas have been recorded pursuing and destroying surveillance drones that entered the bowels of the Earth for research purposes. Despite being typically subterranean guardians, Zyva can appear on the surface and typically attack everything in sight unprovoked, while the "Ascension" event instigated by Rawa drew at least one Zyva to the surface in Yefan City, China.
Origins
Although Zyva likely existed before recorded history, the first known human account was from a highly prosperous kingdom in the Middle East, in the year 782. In one of the kingdom's gold mines, an entity suddenly forced its way through the openings, causing the mine to collapse. All the miners managed to escape with their lives, and described the creature as a giant shadow with large spikes, and a blinding purple "beacon" in front, likely referring to Zyva's core. In the modern day, someone brought this story of "Mysterious Light" to Dr. Kazuo Otoma, even finding the entrance of the fabled mine where "Ghamidzyva" was first seen. Unfortunately, the mines, which show signs of a recent attempt at reopening, appeared to have collapsed, though plans had been made to excavate them with heavy equipment.
History
- GigaBash (2022) - Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
GigaBash
Project P.P.J.U.R.A.S
With its task so close at hand, Pipijuras touched down near the Giga Core, walking towards it. However, one final opponent, the crystalline golem known as Zyva, awakened, transforming from its compact resting form to its combat form to battle the alien, occasionally forcing powerful pulses from the Giga Core in an attempt to disintegrate the invader. However, Pipijuras emerged victorious and began to walk towards its goal. The sentinel, not entirely defeated, absorbed massive amounts of Giga Energy from the Giga Core to transform into its S-Class form. As the two dueled for the second time, Pipijuras eventually gained enough Giga Energy for its ultimate move, "Cosmic Polarity", summoning a black hole to suck in and crush Zyva, killing the guardian by performing the attack twice. Pipijuras, at last free to complete its objective, connected the beacon and Teleporter Module to the Giga Core, explosively warping the entirety of Earth right in front of its race's armada, with the wrecked planet joining several more that were shattered open in previous conquests.
Woolley's Misadventures
After days of adventuring and meeting other Yeti subspecies, Woolley returned to his home in Siberia to rejoin his herd. Just as he approached, a sudden chasm appeared and scared away the other Yetis, allowing Zyva to emerge from the Hollow Earth. Supported only by the commentary of Yeti researcher John Lorenz, Woolley fought off the crystalline Titan and knocked it back into the rift. Undeterred, Zyva levitated to the surface and grew into an S-Class Titan, frightening the Yetis that had came to congratulate Woolley. Woolley fought on, staggering Zyva and inspiring his family and the friends he made during his journey to join the fight. The Yetis repeatedly launched an assault known as "Avalanche Alliance" against Zyva, which, combined with Woolley's strength, forced the guardian to fall back into the pit, this time for good.
The Knight in Lightning Armor
Thundatross arrived in Kimura District and deposited the Artifact into the Teleportation Module. Before the mech could leave, multiple rings formed in front of the Artifact before firing a purple beam, which created a portal that produced Zyva. The Titan immediately began to destroy its surroundings, prompting Thundatross' pilot Yuuki Otoma into action. Despite Thundatross' efforts, Zyva continues its rampage. Gigaman suddenly arrived to assist Thundatross and was surprised by Zyva's presence before offering to take it down together. Yuuki insisted he could win on his own but nonetheless was aided by Gigaman. Their combined efforts staggered the Titan, though two more Zyvas emerged from a portal to aid the first. Despite their increased numbers, the Zyvas were defeated by Gigaman and Thundatross. One Zyva weakly walks back to the Hollow Earth portal, but was slain by Unit-02 just before it could escape. After taunting Yuuki, Unit-02 fled to Hollow Earth via the portal.
Deep beneath Tarabak Island, Gigaman and Thundatross discovered swathes of Zyvas slain by Unit-02; Gigaman lamented their destruction, explaining to Yuuki that the species were guardians that protected the Giga Core from other Titans seeking its power.
A Legend Reborn
A Zyva emerged from Hollow Earth in Yefan City, China, while Thundatross and Gigaman defended it from an onslaught of Titans, instigated by Rawa. Gigaman expressed surprise at this unusual behavior, wondering out loud what the Titan is doing on the surface, so far from the Hollow Earth. As the two heroes weakened the crystal golem, Balzarr lunged in and attacked both parties with its ultimate, "Falling Demon Star", killing the damaged Zyva in the process.
Abilities
Physical abilities
Zyva's body is composed of several crystalline rocks held together telekinetically, allowing it configure its body into different shapes to attack in different ways and increase its range past what its initial appearance suggests. It can charge at the enemy by forming a "Battering Ram" wall with its sharp, forked "collar" and a pair of pointed stones (each of which can split into 2 - 3 smaller shards). The latter can also serve as its "hands" to grab the enemy, or stab them repeatedly in a rotary technique called "Colossus Assault", which is finished off with a thrust from its collar. Zyva can also conjure a massive chunk of sharp crystals to batter the enemy from a distance, an attack known as "Pulverize". Additionally, when hitting a grabbed enemy three times with its basic attack, Zyva can spin its hands like a drill for the third blow in order to send them flying, a technique distinct from its ability to form a drill projectile that can also be used at close range.
Giga Energy manipulation
Zyva has mastery over Giga Energy, being a giant mass of crystals held together by that same power. With "Equilibrium Strike", Zyva claps its "hands" against an enemy with enough power to force Giga Energy out of them, scattering the energy across the environment in the form of small orbs, though it can simply siphon the energy directly out of enemies with its grab special. By swirling pieces of itself around its body, Zyva forms a misty violet force field that converts incoming projectiles into Giga Energy for itself via the process of "Transmutation", and, although this force field cannot damage opponents, it can briefly stagger them when formed while in close contact, something the crystal Titan can exploit by repeatedly activating and deactivating its barrier next to adversaries. Through the "Pact of the Sentinels", Zyva stabs the ground to exchange its life force for Giga Energy, though it can also use this move to force the Giga Core to rise and purge excess energy to regulate the core's power, damaging other Titans unless they are in S-Class form, as well as vaporizing lesser lifeforms and objects like surveillance drones unless they take cover behind the "buildings" of the Hollow Earth, which are unaffected by these deadly pulses. Gameplay-wise, this energy-purging ritual is only seen and demonstrated onscreen by the Zyva fought at the end of the Project P.P.J.U.R.A.S. story.
Telekinesis and geokinesis
Zyva mostly uses its telekinesis to quickly configure its body into multiple forms to suit its needs, recover from non-fatal attacks, and even levitate for short periods of time, though it can apply its power more directly in many situations. With telekinesis, Zyva can form portals on the ground, allowing it to directly get to the surface without physically burrowing. It can also use these portals to form "whirlpools" of telekinetic energy on the ground to lift, damage, and throw anything caught in the portal. Zyva can also throw crystals far in this way, as seen in its technique "Crystal Rain", which shoots six crystals out of the ground around it to uppercut nearby foes, with these shards falling down on the closest enemy within medium range. It can form a drill out of parts of its body to catch and damage the enemy (able to increase the drill's size if given more time), or shoot this drill as a projectile. When grabbing an adversary in midair, Zyva's entire body morphs into a massive drill to shred its opponent from above.
Abyssal Incinerator
For its ultimate attack, Zyva stabs the ground with its "hands" like in its "Pact of the Sentinels" taunt, cracking, splitting, and burning the ground with chasms emitting violent torrents of energy summoned from the Giga Core itself.
S-Class
Upon collecting a sufficient amount of Giga Energy, Zyva achieves peak power to grow to massive proportions, gaining great power and enhanced abilities. While Giga Energy can normally be gained by dealing damage to other Titans normally or by absorbing orbs of it from the surrounding environment, Zyva is able to reach S-Class quicker than other Titans given its "Equilibrium Strike", grab special, "Transmutation" barrier, and "Pact of the Sentinels" taunt, with the former two also being useful at depleting the enemy's Giga Energy to hamper their ability to become S-Class.
Weaknesses
Although Zyva excels at mid-ranged combat and repositioning opponents across the battlefield, agile opponents like Woolley, Gigaman, and Balzarr can overwhelm it in close quarters. Zyva also fares less well against foes possessing longer-ranged attacks and faster firing rates like Pipijuras, hence its reliance on the "Transmutation" process to convert projectiles into Giga Energy. However, while it can keep its force field up indefinitely, and it staggers foes when activated next to them, its Transmutation barrier cannot damage opponents nor protect against melee attacks and grabs, massive objects like buildings, sustained beams, or even certain projectiles like the skull shell of Skorak or the durian bomb of R.O.J.A.K.; although it can stop the momentum of the two aforementioned projectiles, it cannot absorb them, and their explosions can still affect Zyva.
While it is not necessarily fragile, being crystalline, Zyva is prone to being permanently shattered by strong hits, as demonstrated by Thundatross Unit-02 when it came crashing down on a weakened Zyva trying to return to the Hollow Earth. Although it cannot be exploited gameplay-wise, destroying Zyva's core kills the Titan, demonstrated by Balzarr and Guiron in the launch trailers of the Mighty and GAMERA -Rebirth- DLCs respectively.
Despite being a powerful monster, the official Passion Republic Games site rate's Zyva's dominance at 4/5. It can still be manipulated by the calls of a superior Titan, as one was summoned and driven berserk by the roars of Rawa (whose dominance is rated 5/5) when he orchestrated the "Ascension" event in A Legend Reborn. This can also be attributed to the fact that Rawa consumed a Giga Crystal and boosted his power, allowing him to also influence even Skorak and Rohanna, both of which also have a dominance rating of 5/5. It is likely that the consumption of the Giga Crystal allowed Rawa to approach the level of influence of his original form, Zargorah, who, being the source of almost all Giga Energy on Earth, holds command over it and all those who hold the power, most especially Zyva given its nature as a living mass of Giga Crystals.[2]
Gallery
Icons
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Killfeed Icon -
Character Selection Icon
Subspecies
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Sentinel -
Amber -
Garnet -
Sapphire -
Quartz -
Topaz -
Beryl -
Oblivion -
Ghamidzyva -
Bismuth
Miscellaneous
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Extras Snapshot
Roar
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Trivia
- Not counting S-Class forms, Zyva is the second tallest original playable character in GigaBash at 56 meters, topped by R.O.J.A.K., which stands 20 centimeters taller. King Ghidorah is the tallest playable Titan, only exceeded by Rohanna's Royal Warden and Zargorah's Ultimate form. At 550 metric tons, Zyva is also one of the heaviest original playable Titans in the game, second only to Zargorah, who weighs 666 metric tons in his normal form.
- Not counting gameplay-depicted defeats as well as mecha destructions, Zyva is one of only two Titans in the game to be shown dead onscreen, as several are slain in The Knight in Lightning Armor by Thundatross Unit-02, and two were killed in the launch trailers of the Mighty and GAMERA -Rebirth- DLCs. The other is Rawa, who is undead, depicted being killed by Skorak via murals in The Knight in Lightning Armor, and self-destructs using his "Demicate: Supernova" attack in the beginning of A Legend Reborn.
- Zyva is also killed onscreen by the "Cosmic Polarity" black hole ultimate of Pipijuras in Project P.P.J.U.R.A.S. and also destroyed by Balzarr's "Falling Demon Star" ultimate in A Legend Reborn, though no bodies are shown in the aftermath.
- Except for The Knight in Lightning Armor story, all of Zyva's defeats in Story Mode are due to ultimate attacks, having been slain in the aforementioned Project P.P.J.U.R.A.S. and A Legend Reborn, as well as being forced back to the Hollow Earth by Woolley's "Avalanche Alliance" at the end of Woolley's Misadventures.
- Zyva does not lose health when performing its "Pact of the Sentinels" taunt when powerups appear after set amounts of waves in Onslaught Mode. It is unknown if this is intentional or not, but regardless, this can be exploited in order to refill Zyva's Giga Energy bar between battles, and thus allow it to assume its S-Class form more readily.
- The taunt in which Zyva transforms into a helicopter, "Crystals in Disguise", is a reference to Transformers, often known as the "robots in disguise".
- Despite appearing to fly off of the ground, Zyva's hitbox does not change when doing this taunt, and is thus still vulnerable to ground attacks or other low hazards.
References
This is a list of references for Zyva. These citations are used to identify the reliable sources on which this article is based. These references appear inside articles in the form of superscript numbers, which look like this: [1]
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