Double Debut for the Gods: Thanatos vs Zagreus

The islands inhabitants and visitors packed the seats of the Rose Hall as the ring was set for a double debut for two brand new wrestlers to grace the scene. And they weren't the only new faces around, there were several other new wrestlers that had yet to hit the stage and the island was positively bustling with activity. As the lights go down in the arena, all eyes turn to the ramp as the first man makes his appearance.

Dark smoke starts rolling out from backstage and the overhead spotlights converge on a single hooded figure. Rising music sets an ominous atmosphere a choir of chanting monks in ancient Greek fades in. The figure holds an ornate looking scythe in one hand and makes one slow sweep as he points at the audience. With a quick swing of the scythe the figure is unhooded and he throws the cloak back to reveal a handsome figure with a solemn expression. He's wearing a set of purple robes trimmed in gold and he holds himself with high regard, giving the audience the impression that he's important and he knows it. At this point the music uplifts with trumpets and takes on a regal orchestral note as a staff member clad in white robes and adorned with a laurel comes to take the scythe from him.

'θænətɒs' is displayed in big letters on the jumbotron for a few moments before it morphs into a more recognizable alphabet as 'THANATOS'. He begins to head for the ring and reaches for his shoulder, undoing a clasp that lets his robe fall away to reveal black speedo trimmed in gold just like the robes, and rather than boots he's wearing golden gladiator style sandals. Thanatos ascends the stairs at the corner of the ring and slips into the ring between the top and middle ropes.

Than runs a hand back through his hair as he rests against the ropes. The lengths he went to in order to appease his brother were sometimes ridiculous. That whole overdramatic entrance routine had been his devising, as part of the gimmicky background he had chosen for the two of them. At least the payout was going to be good, and if their recruiter was to be believed, the action was going to be as well.

Thanatos watches the debut appearance of his opponent and is surprised to find that he too has been billed with a greek mythos background. Clearly this man and his brother had been exchanging notes on dramatic flair as Zagreus hammed up his appearance with far more gusto than he had. Than is impressed at the least, and regards him with a bemused smirk as he steps into the ring. He's able to look him fully up and down now -- taller slightly, a bit heavier too, and well-muscled, he ought to be a fine opponent.

"You'll be remembered at the least..." he snarks back as he examines the ends of his fingernails. His golden eyes flick upwards to catch Zagreus's gaze. "...though not for winning. Maybe for copying my gimmick, I'm not sure? In any case I'll be taking this debut match, hope you don't mind."

Than shrugs and rolls his shoulders as he steps forward to the center of the ring. He stood with arms crossed lightly over his chest and with his weight slightly resting on one leg, as casually as if he were waiting in line at the bank rather than in the middle of a wrestling ring. He gets inspected the beefcake of a ref and given a brief rundown of the match -- traditional rules, winner by pinfall, submission, or KO. Than rolls his eyes impatiently and strums his finger against his arm as he waits for the checkerstriped himbo to finish up his explanation and call for the match to begin.

Than regards Zagreus with amusement as he responds to his smalltime tease with an even more exaggerated taunt right back. He was right of course, the whole death angle had been played out by too many movies and tv shows, professional wrestling didn't need another iteration either, yet still, here he was, playing the part. He says nothing in reply of course, 'Death' was stoic and unimpressed, he came for everyone and none would escape him in the end. He starts to break character just a bit when the dollar store goth comment comes out, he has to bite back his smirk from consuming his whole face.

"Is that so? Even the so-called 'Prince of the Underworld' cannot cheat Death" he replies with a mirthful sigh, as if he was Zagreus's superior and was about to school him like an elementary aged child. The bell then rings and the himbo referee backs away as the gods begin to clash. Zagreus seems to challenge Than with a lock up, but he seems entirely disinterested as he comes out swinging.

Than goes for a quick jab to the left pec followed by a second jab sent up towards the chin quickly after. This is to prepare for a low-sinking right underhook aimed for the gut when Zagreus's gaze was still distracted from the second hit, and he'd finish his opening gambit by lifting his foot up and kicking straight forward at Zag's chest like he were trying to break down a door.

Thanatos remains poised as he puts Zagreus in the corner with his finishing kick and rights himself slowly with purposeful motion, like a zen master after delivering a precise blow. His opponent seems quite alright with having been kicked in the chest like a mule, he was even smirking about it. It didn't matter whether he was a masochist or just another brainless himbo, Than was going to take him apart piece by piece till there was nothing left of his resistance nor willpower.

Zagreus's recovery is similarly smooth as he exits the corner with style and grace. He approaches Than quite casually actually, and this immediately makes him suspicious. He was either an incredible idiot, or it was more likely that he really confident in his abilities, and that made him dangerous. Than raises his guard as Zagreus lunges for a strike, but its not a punch that comes but a brutish shoulder. "Hrgg!" he exhales sharply in a grunt as a shoulder blasts his gut. Zag's arm then tries to loop his head in for a side headlock.

Than is not pleased at all by this development, and he's not going down without a fight. His right hand grabs the back of Zagreus's kneecap and his left the front of the knee. As Zagreus tries to maneuver him into position for a bigger move, Than thrusts his hands in opposite directions to create rotational force on Zag's knee and tries to force it to buckle under the stress. It would hopefully take Zag down, and maybe even Than with him.

Though valiant as his efforts are, Zagreus proves to be a greater foe and an incredibly athletic one at that as he performs the DDT even after being downed to one knee. Than grunts softly as he's slammed to the mat and his brain is rattled around the good ol' skeleton cage called the skull. He rolls twice away from Zagreus and shoves up to his hands and knees, taking just a second to rub the side of his head with a grimace.

Alright then. The game is afoot.

"The Underworld" he replies with snark and starts to hoist himself up to his feet. Zagreus rushes him before he can complete the motion, and Than is forced to throw himself in retreat to land flat on his back. He lies there prone for a brief moment as he bounces once, but once his back is firmly rested upon the canvas again, Than goes on the defensive. He shoots his legs out and aims to scissor Zag's ankle, and if successful he'd twist his hips and legs violently to one side in attempts to bring this prince falling onto his face.

Thanatos' scissor takedown attempt comes close, but ultimately Zagreus is able to see through his move and hop right over him. His legs land back down on the canvas with a small bounce and Than re-stabilizes himself by sitting up on his elbows. He's breathing in quickly through the nose and out through the mouth in a tactical effort to keep himself from wasting any unnecessary energy on respiration. Zagreus was behind him now, so he quickly turns his head to find out what he was up to. Than finds his opponent already perched atop the second rope and it straining under the weight.

"!!!"

Than quickly flips over onto his chest and finds Zagreus's feet leaving the ropes. He shoves upwards and laterally to propel himself into a roll, hoping to evade Zagreus's quickly approaching and quickly falling body weight.

Thanatos is relieved to have escaped the lionsault by the narrowest of margins of safety, and pushes up to his knees as Zagreus starts to recover. The man is over onto his back and then begins to roll away from him. Thus Than is prompted to shove up to his feet in quick pursuit.

"Running are we, oh Prince of the Underworld?" he jokes as he lines his next move up mentally. He has to account for Zag's escape roll and then factor his own speed into it to make sure he'd strike him while he was back down face up. Than then leaps into the air and gets horizontal as he aims the pointed sharp curve of his elbow down and hopes to land his elbow drop in dead center of Zagreus's pectorals.