The Hollows
Chaotic rifts tearing reality apart, filled with monsters born from the corrupting power of Etherium.
The Hollows are anomalous spatial rifts that tear through New Eridu and the surrounding world, serving as the primary source of danger and conflict in Zenless Zone Zero. These unstable dimensions act as gateways to chaotic realms filled with Etherium-infused monsters known as Ethers, threatening humanity's survival. While some Hollows are temporary fissures, others have become permanent fixtures, forcing the city to adapt by building protective barriers and establishing specialized agencies like the Proxy Guilds to navigate their treacherous interiors.
- Nature
- Anomalous Spatial Rifts
- Primary Threat
- Ethers (Etherium-based Monsters)
- Key Locations
- New Eridu, Various Hollow Zones
- Countermeasures
- Proxies, Bangboo, Ether-Resistant Tech
- Status
- Active and Expanding
- Origin Source
- The Cataclysm
Lore & Background
For the citizens of New Eridu, Hollows are both a grave danger and an economic necessity. While they spawn monsters that can destroy entire city blocks if left unchecked, they also contain valuable resources and rare materials essential for reconstruction and technology. This duality has given rise to the Proxy system, where skilled individuals guide civilians through these zones to retrieve items or clear paths. However, every expedition carries the risk of getting lost in the distorted space or being overwhelmed by the relentless waves of Ethers that guard the deeper layers of the Hollows.
In Their Own Story
The air inside Hollow Zone 4 tasted like burnt copper and old rain. Kael adjusted his visor, watching the static on his screen flicker as a massive Ether clawed its way out of a wall that hadn't existed seconds ago. 'Stay close,' he muttered to the trembling civilian behind him, raising his weapon. The ground beneath them rippled like water, defying gravity, while shadows detached themselves from the ruins to form jagged, glowing shapes. In this place, reality was just a suggestion, and survival depended on trusting your instincts more than your eyes.
Reader's Guide
The history of the Hollows begins with the Cataclysm, a mysterious global event that shattered the world's stability and unleashed Etherium into the atmosphere. This volatile substance began to warp space-time, creating rifts known as Hollows where reality dissolved into chaos. As these zones expanded, they became breeding grounds for Ethers—monstrous entities formed from corrupted matter and energy. Humanity was forced to retreat into fortified cities like New Eridu, which constructed massive barriers to keep the Hollows at bay while managing the constant threat of breaches. Over time, society adapted by developing Ether-resistant technology and establishing the Proxy Guilds. These organizations specialize in navigating the unstable interiors of Hollows to retrieve resources and clear paths for civilians. Despite these efforts, the origin of the Cataclysm remains a mystery, and the Hollows continue to evolve, presenting new challenges with every passing day.
Did You Know?
- The internal geography of a Hollow can change rapidly, making maps obsolete within minutes of entry.
- Some Proxies use specialized Bangboo companions that are immune to certain types of Ether corruption.
- New Eridu's city planning is heavily influenced by the need to create 'safe zones' away from active Hollow boundaries.
- The intensity of a Hollow often correlates with the concentration of raw Etherium found within its core.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly are the Hollows?
The Hollows are unstable spatial rifts that tear through reality, creating chaotic dimensions filled with dangerous anomalies. They serve as the primary environmental hazard in New Eridu, threatening human survival with their unpredictable nature.
What caused the Hollows to appear?
These rifts emerged following a global disaster known as The Cataclysm, which corrupted the world with Etherium energy. Since then, they have remained an active and expanding threat across the planet.
What kind of monsters inhabit these zones?
Inside each Hollow, survivors face Ethers, which are mutated creatures born from the corrupting influence of Etherium. These monsters vary in strength and behavior, making every expedition into a rift potentially lethal.
How do residents navigate or survive the Hollows?
Citizens rely on specialized Proxies to guide them through these treacherous areas using Ether-resistant technology and Bangboo companions. New Eridu also maintains protective barriers around permanent fissures to prevent further spread into safe zones.
Is the Hollow crisis getting better or worse?
The situation remains critical as new rifts continue to form while existing ones occasionally expand in size and instability. Humanity is currently forced to adapt rather than eliminate the threat entirely.
More in History & The Etherium Crisis
Elsewhere in the Zenless Zone Zero universe
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