Zakath

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'Zakath is a fictional character in the series The Belgariad and The Malloreon written by David Eddings. He is the supreme Emperor of Mallorea, and has a reputation as a ruthless politician and person. The ' in Zakath's name is short for "Kal", which means "King and God". In the prophecies, he is known as "The Empty One".

He eventually becomes married to Cyradis, who is no longer a Seeress, at the end of the fifth book of The Malloreon. He also plays a rather large role in The Malloreon, being one of the people chosen by the Light Prophecy.

Originally, 'Zakath was a civilized man who would have made a good Emperor, however, the Murgo King Taur Urgas plotted with members of 'Zakath's lover's family to assassinate him. When 'Zakath heard of this plot, he had the woman and her family killed. When it came to light after their deaths that his lover had not even known of the plot against his life, let alone agreed to be part of it, 'Zakath went into isolation out of grief and emerged a ruthless man bent on exterminating the Taur Urgas bloodline. Through the course of The Malloreon, especially after learning that Urgit is not the son of Taur Urgas and all of Taur Urgas' true descendants had been killed upon Urgit's ascension to the throne, 'Zakath slowly releases the burdens of self-hatred and rage that made him so vicious, and he is able to accept not only the genuine friendship of Garion, Ce'Nedra and their companions, but the love of Cyradis, the Seeress of Kell. He then changes his name from 'Zakath to just Zakath, having given up his bloodlust.