Zoso

"All magic comes with a price... and now, it's yours to pay."

- Zoso to Rumplestiltskin

Zoso, better known as the Dark One, is a character on ABC's Once Upon a Time. He makes his début, and only appearance, in the eighth episode of the first season. He is portrayed by guest star Brad Dourif.

Before the Curse
The being known as the Dark One is an unmatched sorcerer who uses his powers to force parents to send their children off to fight in The Ogre Wars under the auspices of the Duke of their kingdom. However, despite his abilities, the Dark One is little more than a slave used by the Duke to carry out his brutal will, due to the latter's possession of a magical dagger which is the source of the Dark One's power.

Seeking freedom from the Duke's control, the Dark One manipulates the coward known as Rumplestiltskin by disguising himself as a poor beggar. Rumplestiltskin offers him a meal and shelter for the night. While staying at Rumplestiltskin's home, he tells him of the dagger that controlled the Dark One.

After convincing Rumplestiltskin to burn down the Duke's castle, steal the magic dagger, and keep the Dark One as his own slave, Zoso goes on to viciously insult Rumplestiltskin to the point where he stabbed him in a blind rage.

Before dying, upon reverting to his human form the Dark One laments that his life was a great burden, and that Rumplestiltskin is the perfect pawn in ensuing his death because he, like the Dark One himself, is a desperate man.

Trivia

 * His name is a possible homage to the moniker for guitarist Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin.

Appearances
Zoso