Asterius

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“	Life isn't particularly fair, short one. Nor death. I'd have expected you to know as much. But here, have your fair fight.	„
	~ Asterius

Asterius, also known as the Minotaur, is a bull-headed demi-human who was recruited by Hades to help prevent Zagreus's escape. In life, Asterius was locked in a labyrinth by his step-father, King Minos, only to eventually be slain by Theseus. In death, the two are apparently comrades.

Asterius is a potential mid-boss encounter in Elysium, as well as always appearing as the final boss of Elysium, alongside King Theseus in the Elysium Stadium.

Characteristics and Personality[]

The figure of the Minotaur was feared along the entire coast of Greece. Thrown into the Labyrinth against his will, the terrifying monster persona is actually a lie, as Asterius possesses a chivalrous and intelligent personality.

His formidable appearance doesn't reflect his true nature. Asterius is the complete opposite of his companion Theseus; he is more sensible, he knows how to read him very well and prevents him from acting inappropriately. He remains calm, modest, rational, and emotionally balanced, knowing when to lose and not taking his fights personally like Theseus does.

As Zagreus continues to invade Elysium, he manages to make Asterius laugh with a joke, revealing a more reasonable side. The battles become more competitive, yet cordial and respectful. Zagreus invites Asterius to hang out and have a drink together, but Asterius declines due to work commitments.

A learned and powerful warrior in his own right, Asterius and Theseus form an unbeatable team. Although he swears loyalty to Theseus, he often loses patience because of his lack of listening and carelessness in important matters. Asterius is noble and seems to have found redemption in him, although Theseus' incalculable actions often leave him exasperated with him. He appears to be the only one who can tolerate Theseus, as he is immensely grateful to him. After being defeated by Theseus, he became his vassal, sharing the Champion's title, and an unlikely friendship between the two was formed.

Physical description[]

He and Theseus wear matching outfits, and like Theseus, he wears a short chiton with a large belt around his waist. Asterius is a large, brown humanoid bull. Asterius has a crest with a tuft of hair, adorned with blue laurel wreaths around his massive horns that have magenta colors at the top, and he wields a huge battle axe. He will also switch his cloak for a suit of pure gold armor.

History[]

Past[]

Born out of Poseidon's punishment to Minos, Asterius is the son of Queen Pasiphaë and the Cretan bull. Although his mother cared for him for a while, as he grew, he came to be seen more and more as a beast and grew more ferocious, forcing Minos to order Daedalus to construct the famous labyrinth that housed him ever since.

Following the defeat of Athens to Crete in a war, King Minos required that several Athenian youths be brought to Crete to feed the Minotaur. And it was like that for years. Until one time, a young Theseus came among the youths with the intend to kill the Minotaur and save his people from this suffering. With the help of Ariadne, Asterius's half-sister, Theseus managed to find his way around the labyrinth and defeated him bare handed.

Following his death, given his beastly nature, Asterius was sent to Erebus. However, much time later, following Theseus death, the former King of Athens, using his influence, managed to convice Hades to have Asterius in Elysium, arguing that he was his most formidable foe in life. The two have shared the title of Champion ever since.

Hades[]

Zagreus can come across Asterius's solo arena and both engage in a fight. He will always find him in the stadium alongside Theseus, ready to stop him from advancing further.

Taken notice of their disparing personalities, namely Asterius's much more approachable and noble aura in contrast to Theseus' boasting, Zagreus will often question why he stays with the King and offer to join him instead. Asterius will always refuse his offer, claiming loyalty to Theseus only since he saved him.

Epilogue[]

Asterius, as well as Theseus, will keep trying to hold Zagreus from reaching the surface.

Affinity[]

Asterius cannot be given Nectar or Ambrosia.

Codex entry[]

'...In life, the wretched abomination known as the Minotaur was feared across the coast of Greece; those cast into the Labyrinth in which he, himself, was trapped had no hope of escape. That was until the young hero Theseus entered the Labyrinth voluntarily, and slew him in what was, by most accounts, a spectacular battle. A famous tale -- but what happened when they reunited in death needs to be told, as well. Here, they say Theseus again discovered the Minotaur, whose soul had lingered restlessly at the edge of the Underworld, and Theseus took pity on him. Though, I think there is more to it than that. I think Theseus saw in the bull-man Asterius his greatest rival. Thus he offered Asterius a seat of honor in Elysium alongside him; a just result, for their fame and glory are intertwined.'

Trivia[]

As an Easter egg, Theseus and Asterius, with identical designs from Hades, were honored at the 2023 DC Comics event 'Lazarus Planet' in 'Lazarus Planet: We Once Were Gods,' appearing as undead, fighting against Wonder Woman and the Amazons.
Asterius mentions Theseus defeated him bare handed. This is, in fact, one of the many versions it's said he was defeated. More specifically, Theseus killed him with his horn that broke during their fight, a reference to the then moral code Theseus followed of killing others in their own way.
He brandishes a labrys, the Minoan double-headed axe.
Asterius appears to not have met his sister Ariadne, but will nonetheless defend her honor. In Greek Mythology, Ariadne was allowed to visit Asterius, and he would not attack her. She was thus associated with mazes and labyrinths, and even referred to as the "Mistress of the Labyrinth".
- Futhermore, their sister Phaedra is said to sometimes be among the ones Theseus rescues from the maze, which further demonstrates a soft side of the Minotaur towards his own siblings.