Hänsel

''"Hey Father, praise me. I've defeated the witch's henchman too."

- Hänsel

Hänsel was a boy kidnapped and raised by Eve and Adam Moonlit, and the twin brother of Gretel. Born as part of Project 'Ma', the newborn twins were taken by their mother, Meta Salmhofer, to Held's Forest and raised by the Moonlit Family after Eve killed Meta. After being abandoned in the forest during a famine, Hänsel and Gretel murdered their foster parents and split Eve's Original Sin into the vessels of sin.

Project 'Ma'
Hänsel was born along with his twin sister, Gretel, on December 27, EC 0 in the Levianta Royal Institute as part of Project 'Ma'. After birthed by his mother, Meta Salmhofer, Hänsel and his sister were placed in vitro conditions. Celebrated by the people of the Magic Kingdom, their births marked the first year of the new Evillious Calendar. Some time later, they were taken by their mother from the laboratory and hid in Elphegort.

Original Sin
After a year of being hidden by Meta, she carried them to Held's Forest for a stroll. While there, Meta settled them near a tree and left them. Soon after, he and Gretel were discovered by Eve Moonlit. Believing them to be fruit, Eve took them and carried them through the forest as she fled from their mother and eventually killed her. After being greeted by her husband, Adam, he saw the twins in her hands and became horrified by Eve's action. With Meta dead and the twins orphaned, the two woodcutters adopted the children and raised them as their own.

In EC 013, two lights, fragments of the twin gods Levia and Behemo, descended upon the twins and fused with their bodies, making them incomplete copies of the twin gods. In EC 014, Hänsel and his sister were led by their parents deep into the forest on a moonlit night. The curious twin asked his father if God was waiting for them down their path and later wondered aloud why their parents were looking at them with such gloomy expressions.

Eventually, Hänsel and his sister realized that they would be lost if they continued on the path and were soon after abandoned by their parents to die. Seemingly betrayed, Gretel and her brother concluded their parents were actually a wicked witch and her henchman that had tricked them.

Using the glass bottle he had around his neck, Hänsel filled it with moonlight and the two used it to light their path as they wandered together. At last, Hänsel and Gretel arrived back home, recognizing it as the "witch's house". With manic expressions, the twins decided to murder the witch, believing they would become happy if she was gone, and their shadows began spawning tendrils. Knocking at the door, Adam and Eve answered and, while they stared in horror, Hänsel and Gretel grabbed their fake parents with their shadows' spectral arms. Hänsel then happily implored his "father" to praise him for defeating the witch's henchman, laughing.

While Gretel threw the "witch" into the oven, Hänsel murdered Adam. Watching the "witch" burn to ashes in the oven, they witnessed her body become the embodiment of her Original Sin. Using items located throughout the house, the two split it into seven fragments, scattering it across the world so that it could be eventually cleansed. Gretel and her brother enjoyed the confines of the witch's house, sleeping in a chair there for the rest of night, and then decided to go out and search for their "real" mother and father.

Stupid Servant
Main Article: Pollo

Following his death, Hänsel and his sister reincarnated as the twins Arte and Pollo in the Beelzenian Empire during the turn of the fourth century EC. Losing their parents at a young age, the twins became servants to the Conchita family and became obsessively loyal attendants to Banica Conchita. After finding and keeping the wine glass vessel of sin, the two presented it to their dying master in July of EC 323 as a means to save Banica from her eventual fate of overeating.

Once the Duke forged a contract with the Demon of Gluttony, the two supported "Evil Food Eater Conchita" as she began indulging in increasingly disgusting foods, killing any staff that opposed the feudal lord on her orders. As his sister took command of their master's army of undead, the servant helped to do battle against the imperial soldiers sent to subdue Banica. Pollo was later killed and devoured by Banica around August of EC 325, following his sister.

Fifth Pierrot
Main Article: Lemy Abelard

In EC 595, Hänsel's soul was reincarnated as Lemy Abelard; abandoned by his mother, the boy grew up in an orphanage before being adopted by the millionaire Julia Abelard at a young age. Raised kindly but firmly by his mother, Lemy grew completely devoted to her and would do anything she asked. At the age of seven, the boy discovered the Glass of Conchita in his mother's treasury and began telepathically communicating with the spirit of Gretel inside the glass, referring to herself as "Ney."

After killing his childhood friend Rin Chan's manager, Ton Corpa, with the aid of the glass, Lemy was brought into his mother's criminal organization Père Noël as "Fifth Pierrot". In EC 610 he went on a killing spree under Julia's direction, murdering prostitutes to locate Seventh Magician. Later, he was approached by the organization's new Seventh Magician and asked to flee with her; reporting the traitor to his mother, Lemy continued his work until being shot by Eighth Sniper in winter of that year.

World's End
Afterwards, Hänsel's soul was merged with the Glass of Conchita and his combined incarnations returned to serving Banica as the Demon of Gluttony. During his service, Hänsel learned about his master's ambition to find the "graveyard" where the technology of the Second Period was located. He also learned about how the Clockworker's Doll was burned and lost power after birthing Irregular.

After the Third Period's destruction and subsequent merging with the Hellish Yard in EC 998, Hänsel and his twin joined Banica at the Conchita Mansion in Gasto, cooking and serving her desired meals in the forms of Arte and Pollo. When the Demon of Gluttony later agreed to the sun god's request of having Allen Avadonia meet with her among other demon contractors, Hänsel was sent to meet with the other boy with the Glass of Conchita and escort him to his master.

Traveling to the site of Sateriasis Venomania's mansion in Lasaland, Hänsel approached Allen and the Demon of Lust with the wine glass in hand and greeted them, giggling. Asked why he was there instead of the Demon of Gluttony, the boy laughed again and reminded Allen that the demon had been eaten by his master. Asked where Banica was, Hänsel explained that he would take Allen instead of the demon, noting that Gretel was anxious to see him.

As the Demon of Lust departed, Hänsel grabbed Allen's left arm and flew to the site of the former Conchita mansion. Leaving Allen to wait for Conchita, the boy visited Michaela and retrieved the Four Mirrors of Lucifenia for Allen's next visit, passing the vessel of sin over to Gretel after he returned. Later on, the two leaned against the closed doors of the dining hall and listened in on Allen and their master's conversation. When Banica left after telling Allen to see Arte, Hänsel pulled on his sister, telling her to hurry.

As they struggled, the doors suddenly opened and the two fell onto the floor, greeted by Allen. Getting back to his feet, the servant sat down at Banica's now vacated spot at the table and began eating her food while Allen spoke with his sister and then departed. Some time later, as the Sleep Princess began putting souls to sleep with her Eighth Gift, Hänsel decided to help put a stop to her and so visited the Millennium Tree Forest again to take the Clockworker's Doll.

Reunion With Mother
Receiving the vessel from Michaela, Hänsel, now transformed into his Lemy Abelard persona, stopped Clarith and Allen on their way to Toragay. As their mount, Josephine, came to a stop the boy requested to ride with them and was told by Clarith that he and the Sleep Princess shouldn't see each other. Asking if that was Michaela's intention, he was told that meeting her would only lead to further chaos and rebuked the former nun, saying it was his duty to clean up after his fellow members of Père Noël, as well as that he took pains to deliver the doll to them both as a tool.

When Clarith, in response, told him the doll was only a husk, the pierrot chastised her for not knowing how to use it and was again denied permission to come with them. Hänsel became incensed at "Michaela's servant's" attitude and questioned if he should come using force. Before he could fight with Clarith further Allen intervened; Hänsel listened as the boy told them he had his permission to come, but that there was no room for him on Josephine. Hänsel told his "lookalike" that he understood and then conceded when Allen insisted he was his lookalike. He then showed Allen the doll and pointed out that it looked exactly like Michaela.

Pointing out that it also didn't have much power, Hänsel stripped the doll and showed him the burns on its stomach. When Allen asked if it was due to Punishment, Hänsel explained that it was something more terrible that occurred before then, from inside the doll. Hinting to the other boy what the cause was, he then told them he would catch up, being unable to fly currently. As Clarith and Allen departed, Hänsel got into another tense exchange with the former nun and then watched them take off, following behind on foot.

Finally arriving in the ruins of Toragay, Hänsel saw Allen succumbing to the Sleep Princess' Gift, while Clarith stood back unable to intervene. Criticizing their incompetence, he announced it was his turn to be the star and floated down with the doll. Saying they were now attending the show of the magnificent Lemy Abelard and ignored. Allen's declaration that such was dangerous. As the mist of the Eighth Gift approached, the boy raised the doll and the poison began to enter into it instead, remarking on the usefulness of the "Soul cage" he brought despite it being in tatters.

He then told the shocked Sleep Princess to be relieved as she wouldn't go into a furnace this time and raised the doll higher, sucking the deranged soul inside. As she was trapped in the doll, he welcomed his "mother" back before looking back at the others and stating he was successful. As Allen humbly deprecated himself, Hänsel reassured him and reminded the other boy that cleaning up mismanagement of Père Noël was his duty.

Asked then if he got the doll from Michaela, he confirmed it and saw Allen become despondent at the revelation; putting a hand on the former servant's shoulder, Hänsel told him it was no time to be depressed. He then pointed out that Envy was next and that the contractors from this point on would all be more difficult, still insane due to Ma's intervention. Once Allen asked if there was any point to meeting them, Hänsel admitted he didn't know, but that the sun god had told him to meet everyone. Encouraging him, Hänsel then said he would need to return to his Lord Banica, feeling tired.

He then remembered that he needed to return the doll before then, reassuring Allen that he would take responsibility if the Sleep Princess when on another rampage before flying to the forest. As he was about to return the doll, however, Hänsel instead followed Allen to Gallerian Marlon's USE courthouse appearing in Jakoku. Sneaking into the courtroom, he placed the doll on the defense's seat and hid under the desk. Hänsel then watched as Allen intervened in Kayo Sudou's farcical trial and, as a result, was made by Gallerian to take her place on the guillotine.

As the other boy was to be brought to his punishment, Hänsel imitated Michelle's voice and used ventriloquism to speak as the doll, commanding her "father" to stop. As Gallerian paused and called for his daughter, Hänsel told him that he was hopeless and couldn't kill someone without going through the proper procedures and judging his crimes. Once Gallerian agreed and began to set up a trial for "Irregular," Hänsel spoke as the doll and declared he would be Allen's defense. Hänsel then observed as Gallerian was sent to the bowels of the Hellish Yard by the Master of the Hellish Yard, coming out from hiding.

Search For Nemesis
Once the Master of the Hellish Yard sent Allen through a hole in the ground to meet with Nemesis Sudou, Hänsel followed down after the other boy. Landing on a pile of rubble, Hänsel walked with Allen until they reached the edge of a cliff and he remarked on their arrival, recognizing their new location as the Grave Yard Banica sought.

As Allen asked if the gears and tombstones they saw were illusions, Hänsel corrected him that everything there was real and confirmed they'd escaped Punishment's destruction. He then mused how Banica would be overjoyed to see this sight and explained to Allen how this was the resting place for the legacy of the Second Period. When Allen wished to confirm if this was the wreckage of the previous civilization that Banica sought, Hänsel did so and reminded him that it was pointless now that the world was destroyed.

The boy then pointed out that they should go, Nemesis somewhere around in the wreckage according to the Master of the Hellish Yard. When Allen questioned if that woman was really her Hänsel affirmed it, though admitting he didn't know if being so was her intention or the mask manipulating her. Suddenly, Hänsel declared Nemesis was likely at the bottom and ran off through the black gravestones in the space.

As Allen followed, Hänsel heard him remark on the graves they passed and he told him not to touch them or risk getting shocked, giggling. While Allen complained about the size of their location, Hänsel told him to only go on patiently and that Nemesis might be on the other side of the space, though admitting there was no logic to this line of thought. Finally, Allen asked Hänsel if he could just fly and the boy affirmed he could.

When asked why he didn't just fly and look for Nemesis, the spirit admitted that was a good idea and did so, spotting something moving around a defunct clocktower. The two boys then approached the viewing platform and spotted Nemesis, Hänsel confirming it was her. While Allen was puzzled to see her not dressed in her Tasan Party attire, Hänsel reminded him this wasn't unusual for spirits and wondered himself what she was doing in this place.

After Allen speculated her reasons, Hänsel noted it would be easier to just ask and finally hurried to the tower. Meeting with Nemesis, the boy soon heard her reasons that she was looking for her mother and pointed out there was no one but her here. He then added that he he didn't think ordinary souls could reach this area, despite Nemesis' own appearance there. As Nemesis insisted her mother was alive, Hänsel scratched his head and announced she was crazy.

After Allen and Nemesis' conversation, Hänsel watched Nemesis flee and, startled, grabbed Allen and leaped off the platform after her. Muttering in irritation as the former party leader disappeared, he agreed to Allen's suggestion that they return to the ground and walk on foot. While walking, Allen asked Hänsel what the machinery in the Grave Yard was for and Hänsel told him it wasn't important for him to know.

After a while of searching, the boy caught sight of a tree on a hill with fresh fruit of the Grave Yard and expressed his wish to get one as a souvenir for Banica; ignoring Allen, Hänsel ran up the hill until running into another boy sharing his likeness. Recognizing Irregular, he greeted the boy and then Allen as he caught him, explaining who the other child was. In response to Allen's surprise, he explained how the child died before forming an ego and as a result now wandered aimlessly.

Noticing Irregular's interest in the Clockworker's Doll as his "mother," Hänsel raised it up higher and remarked on how it, after all, was the thing that gave birth to him before saying it was already being used. Refusing to give the other boy the doll, Hänsel heard Allen say he should lend it to him and chastised his partner, reminding him of the vessel's power. He then ran up the hill, Irregular in pursuit, and advised Allen to ignore the other child, scoffing at him for his sympathy.

Seeing the fruit of the tree, Hänsel declared it looked delicious, the color of blood. Seeing that there was another boy by the tree, he remarked that the child seemed to be expecting them and pointed with the doll. When Allen asked if the boy was also Irregular, he corrected that it was another person entirely and then, noticing Nemesis with the Punishment and Golden Key, rushed Allen to take them from her. Although running at the former dictator, he was easily dodged. Hänsel was then enveloped in the light emitted by the fourth boy as he declared punishment was mete out.

Legacy
In several cases, Hänsel's reincarnations maintained some of his memories and characteristics, including loyalty to matriarchal figures who resembled his mother, Meta. Due to the disruption of fate caused by Abyss I.R. and Queen Prim, Hänsel's reincarnation wasn't born into the world, though the originally intended reincarnation, Prince Alexiel, continued to share his visage. Around December, EC 610, Hänsel's soul merged with the Glass of Conchita and his degraded will manifested as the male servant centuries later, serving the Master of the Graveyard.

The playwright Ma wrote several screenplays involving Hänsel and Gretel and adapted them into films. While watching the films with an intruder to Evil's Theater, Ma questioned if the twins even existed, since they seemed to be hidden so well by their parents that no documents recording them existed. While reflecting on the "motions" of the Master of the Court, Gammon Octo noted how Hänsel's reincarnation, Lemy Abelard, was uncharacteristically born without a Gretel counterpart. Gammon also wondered what became of the twins, questioning if they needed to ask the Master of the Hellish Yard to find an answer.

Personality and Traits
As a child, Hänsel acted kind and innocent alongside his sister and appeared obedient to their parents. They weren't naive, however, and realized when the forest path the family took would inevitably get them lost. After being abandoned by their mother and father, Hänsel became embittered by the event and concluded that Adam and Eve weren't their real parents at all, simply a witch and her henchman that had tricked them.

Hänsel could act extremely devious as well, murdering Adam with smile on his face, all while mocking his foster parent. Likewise, he and his sister became determined to find their real parents, despite not knowing who they might be. He also appeared particularly supportive to Gretel, often holding her hand and leading them onward while they were lost, and enjoyed playing with her.

Skills and Abilities
After being fused with a fragment of Levia-Behemo, Hänsel became an imperfect copy of one of the dragon gods. As a result, the young twin's shadow could come to life and manifest in dark, twisted forms, such as arms, hands, or other appendages, and be freely manipulated by him. Hänsel also showed some other magical capabilities, taking a bottle they found and filling it with moonlight; similarly, he was able to split the Original Sin into seven pieces and scatter them across the world.

It also allowed Hänsel to reincarnate every few centuries, his soul fated to be reborn in an identical body every few centuries, typically with his reincarnated sister as a twin. However, if either of the boy's fated parents had children with someone else before his intended birth, Hänsel could instead incarnate as one of those children instead or not incarnate in that particular reincarnation cycle at all.

Character Connections
Meta Salmhofer: Hänsel's real mother. Hänsel didn't remember Meta, growing up in Eve's care, but he later expressed a wish to go find his "real" mother after Adam and Eve were dead. He passed on a fanatic loyalty to Meta to all his reincarnations, showing this loyalty to anyone resembling her.

Eve Moonlit: Hänsel's foster mother. Hänsel grew up thinking of Eve as his mother, however he became convinced she was a wicked witch after he and Gretel were abandoned by her and delighted in bringing about her death. He later considered her to be a pretentious and troublesome woman, discovering her Original Sin among her ashes.

Adam Moonlit: Hänsel's foster father. Hänsel grew up thinking of Adam as his father, however he became convinced he was the wicked henchman of a witch after he and Gretel were abandoned by him. After killing Adam, Hänsel delighted in his accomplishment and gave him no more consideration after discovering Eve's Original sin.

Gretel: Hänsel's twin sister. Hänsel loved his sister and was always beside her if he could help it, holding her hand to comfort her while lost in the woods and leading the way with the bottle; later he would aid her in defeating their foster parents. Hänsel continued to stay with Gretel after Eve's death and would usually be by her side in their reincarnations.

Pollo: One of Hänsel's reincarnations. Hänsel's appearance and soul passed on to Pollo's, and with it he passed on his loyalty to anyone resembling Meta, such as Conchita.

Lemy Abelard: Another of Hänsel's reincarnations. Hänsel's appearance and soul passed on to Lemy Abelard, and with it he passed on his loyalty to anyone resembling Meta, such as Julia.

Male Servant: A remnant of Hänsel born from the Glass of Conchita. Made from residual traces of Hänsel, the Servant shared his appearance and his loyalty to anyone resembling Meta, such as the Master of the Graveyard.

Allen Avadonia: One of Hänsel's intended reincarnations. Due to the disturbance of fate caused by Abyss I.R. and Prim Marlon, Hänsel wasn't born as Allen, or at all, during this period.

Conceptualization and Origin

 * Hänsel is inspired by the character from the Brothers Grimm's tale "Hänsel &amp; Gretel".
 * In the original story, Hänsel is depicted as a gluttonous child, strengthening his link with the Demon of Gluttony.
 * Hänsel's name is derived from German, meaning "Little Hans"; the name Hans comes from the Latin name Johannes, meaning "graced by God".
 * Hänsel's status as a ghoul child may be a reference to the sin of Gluttony and his reincarnation's service to Banica Conchita; ghouls are undead spirits or demons usually depicted as scavengers and human flesh eaters, often associated with graveyards and burial grounds.

Curiosities

 * When plotting to kill his foster father, Hänsel's shadow manifested as a physical, shape shifting entity around him.
 * He shares the same birthday (December 27) with his Vocaloid.

Gallery
Songs=