Zagreus

Zagreus has always had a sense that he doesn't belong in the House of Hades. Sometime before the start of the game he decides, against his father's will, to escape from the Underworld—no matter how many tries it might take him. He is aided and encouraged in his journey, primarily by his caretaker Nyx and his mentor Achilles. Others outside the House of Hades, such as Sisyphus, Charon, and the Olympians sometimes offer their aid as well.

Zagreus is met with numerous obstacles throughout the realms of Tartarus, Asphodel, Elysium, and the Temple of Styx. He is mostly faced with various aggressive shades working for his father, but he also has run-ins with the Furies (Alecto , Tisiphone and Megaera), the skeletal remains of the Lernaean Hydra, and the champion of Elysium, Theseus, and his friend, Asterius, in order to arrive at the Temple of Styx. These battles, combined with the dangerous landscape of the Underworld, serve to bring a painful end to Zagreus's escape attempts sooner or later.

Characteristics and Personality[ | ]

Zagreus is the Prince of the Underworld and the rebellious son of Hades. His personality does not reflect anything from the place he comes from. Zagreus is characterized by his good humor, humility, kindness, and relentless persistence, with a tendency towards self-deprecation and a complex about the fact that he "bleeds red." Having spent most of his immortal life enduring frustration and repressed anger from his toxic upbringing, Zagreus is determined and will do anything to escape his infernal prison.

In an existential crisis, Zagreus discovers that his entire life had no purpose, struggling to meet his father's expectations and feeling useless to the House for not being able to contribute to the functioning of the Underworld, feeling distant and alienated among the other inhabitants of Hades and having "nothing to call his own." Despite this, he finds purpose when he discovers the existence of his true mother, long lost, Persephone, and decides to escape the realm of the dead to find answers about her and himself.

Zagreus is an all-loving hero, a social magnet, a charismatic, captivating, and sociable young man, who easily befriends many he encounters, treating those of lower status as equals and often using his own influence to improve their lives, respecting the elders (except his father) and other gods. He is subtle, but his gregarious attitude and desire to please everyone suggest a strong paternal void in Zagreus, a result of his emotionally distant relationship with his father. His desire to form a good relationship with everyone he meets becomes a point of the plot. Zagreus is magnetic and will make friends and allies wherever he goes, leaving a trail of tumult in the Underworld.

Zagreus does his best to get along with everyone and claims not to hate anyone. However, as long as they don't bother him too much like "Theseus," even with Hypnos, confessing that he was mean to him, he is friendlier the next time he sees him. He is somewhat blasé, with his confident sarcasm leading him to offend those around him, often acting without thinking about the consequences. However, he always reflects on his actions and quickly apologizes when he crosses the line. Zagreus is stubborn, and his interactions with Meg and Than tend to exasperate them due to his annoying persistent escape. Zagreus is known for not taking commitments seriously, even joking about it.

Though he is an elite warrior in his own right and takes enjoyment in battle, Zagreus often admits to feeling conflicted when it comes to fighting the inhabitants of the Temple of Styx. This is likely because unlike the other enemies in the game that can be fought who are already dead and will eventually regenerate after being destroyed, the Satyr Cultists and the Gigantic Vermin are still alive, and by killing them he feels that he's robbing them of their lives even though they'll all eventually end up in the Underworld anyway regardless of whether he fights them or not. This shows that while Zagreus enjoys a good fight, he takes no pleasure in the more violent aspects of combat.

Due to his sheltered upbringing, Zagreus is honest and also incredibly naive and innocent about the surface world, to the point of questioning the existence of birds, relying on others to convey information, acquire knowledge, and understand the world beyond his reach.

Before gifting Zagreus his codex, Achilles makes note of Zagreus' apparent love for history. During a fight with Theseus, if a certain Pact of Punishment has been applied, he even recognizes the chariot that Theseus rides just at a glance.

Physical description[ | ]

General[ | ]

Due to his mortal heritage, Zagreus is somewhat small for a god, considerably shorter than Hades and about a head shorter than Persephone. Presumably, he has an average height for a mortal, as he tells the Minotaur that he is the same height as Theseus. He has heterochromia, with one eye being his father's red and the other his mother's green. His black hair is like his father's, but with his mother's spiky texture. His skin is quite pale (tanned by underworld standards), and he is physically strong and muscular. His feet are perpetually on fire. Zagreus is well-sculpted, so much so that even Aphrodite takes note of him. Although he is considered thin for a god and has been called skinny, he would be considered above average in size by mortal standards. It seems he strangely bleeds red.

Clothing Description[ | ]

Zagreus wears a red and black toga, hanging over his left shoulder with his right chest exposed. He also wears a white belt, visually resembling bone, with skulls carved into it. On his left shoulder is a metallic shoulder plate resembling the three heads of Cerberus biting onto his shoulder. He has red ribbons wrapped in an x-pattern on his right arm and two thin leather bracelets on his left forearm, one near his wrist and the other near his elbow. He also wears blood red trousers. On the crown of his head is a small laurel wreath, starting as red at the base of his head and turning to golden yellow near the front. The front yellow leaves of his laurel wreath are often depicted floating around his head.

History[ | ]

Before Hades[ | ]

Hades and Persephone attempted to have a child, but with the Fates' prophecy declaring that Hades could not have an heir, Zagreus died during birth. Persephone, distraught, left the Underworld. Without her knowing, Nyx was able to revive him and convinced the Fates to let him live. From here, Nyx had Zagreus believe that she was his mother.

At some point, Hades, worrying that Zagreus had no firm direction in life, had the hero Achilles take him as a student and teach him how to fight. Here, he became skilled in combat.

He also appeared to have caused strain in his relationships to Thanatos and his then partner Megaera, who, by the events of the game, he is no longer in a relationship with.

After convincing Hypnos to put everyone but him in the House of Hades to sleep, Zagreus searched through his father's desk and found a letter from Persephone about her leaving the Underworld. The Narrator unintentionally reveals to him that Persephone is his mother, and while trying to confront his father, finds Nyx instead, who then reveals the truth to him and aids him in his journey to find Persephone by contacting the Olympians for their support.

Hades[ | ]

Following the events prior, Prince Zagreus now wants more answers than more questions. He’s now found his purpose: to find his true mother and escape the place where he was raised, in the depths of hell itself.

While preparating to depart, Zagreus tells everyone he’s going to seek out his birth-mother, Persephone, and in hopes of doing so, bring her back to the House of Hades. The prince eventually tells his father that he will stay determined to do whatever it takes to get a glimpse of Olympus and the lush, beautiful surface. Even disobeying his father orders won’t stop him in his tracks.

After failing numerous of times, he wouldn’t give up, but he would still have a chat with other shades and people. He first goes to Nyx for advice and guidance, with her confidence about Zag’s lamented journey, even to the point where she inevitably turns on Hades, whom she once worked with while she was keeping watch over the House. She essentially tells Zagreus to “give him what he deserves” and “destroy him.”

After the tenth visit to his mother, he is finally able to convince her to come back and they are thus carried by Charon to the House.

Epilogue[ | ]

His unwavering escape attempts, a challenge to his father, and jumping into trials of powerful enemies sent by him, even after countless deaths, do not deter him from continuing to pursue his goal and he never shows any sign of doubt in the outcome of his efforts. Even in the face of his father's wrath, he stands his ground. His determination has earned him the respect of his father, and he has been hired by Hades as a tester of the underworld to prevent any escape, and Zagreus embraces his role, becoming the "God of Blood".

Codex entry[ | ]

'...Take one look at him and I think any questions of his parentage are soon resolved. He never seemed to like it much, there, growing up within Lord Hades' well-appointed house. One day I took him on as a disciple, under orders from Lord Hades; the Master worried that his heir lacked any firm direction in his life. And, indeed, Zagreus took well to the martial ways, and I am proud to say now that he was my student.'

Completing the Epilogue will unlock the complete Codex Entry.

'He was never insubordinate with me, despite his reputation. Perhaps my own lack of decorum in my youth made it easier for us to get along. He learned quickly, exhibiting his father's might, and even greater swiftness. Yet, he soon showed a quality that startled me much more. Forgive me, O gods! You are not known for your kindness. But this son of Lord Hades always regarded me, a mere shade, with respect; and the congenial manner of an old friend. Rumors swirl about the lad; about how he bleeds red like a mortal does. Well, if there's a trace of mortality in him, I am certain he is better for it. I should know.'

Trivia[ | ]

Zagreus has heterochromia, having inherited an eye color from each of his parents (his red eye from Hades and his green eye from Persephone).
Except for Hermes, who often travels to the realm of underworld, the other Olympian Gods were not aware of Zagreus' existence until they were contacted by Nyx, whom they believe to be Zagreus' mother.
Dionysus comments that Zagreus is his favorite demigod, while Aphrodite refers to him a younger god and Artemis calls him a "half-god", all implying that Zagreus is not seen by the Olympians as a true god, possibly because Nyx is not seen as a true goddess.
Despite Zagreus' insistence that he is not "the god of anything", Achilles maintains that every god, by definition, must be the god of something; as such, he theorizes that Zagreus might be the god of blood and, by extension, life. According to Achilles, this would explain the special bond Zagreus shares with Thanatos despite their apparently incompatible personalities. Sisyphus implies he may have some power to summon those close to him via companions, which would indicate him to have rule over companionship. Post-epilogue dialogue seems to support all of these theories:
- Upon giving Ambrosia to Demeter following the feast, Zagreus will say that he believes some of his grandmother's powers over life were passed onto him.
- There is a pre-run piece of dialogue in which Hades disparages Zagreus as being the 'god of nothing', to which Zagreus himself responds "I am the god of blood." as he lands in Tartarus.
- Dialogue with many Olympians, including Hermes, Athena, and Poseidon imply or outright state that Zagreus' presence and existence has eased tensions on Olympus in a way none of them had seen.
In Greek Mythology, Zagreus is a very mysterious figure himself, but is mostly associated with Orphic Dionysus as an early incarnation of the god and thus sometimes referred as the god of rebirth.
- This version of his myth is referenced in Orpheus's Hymm to Zagreus.
Zagreus's name means "hunter", a detail pointed out by Artemis.
- For this motive, he was referred as the "Hunter of the Underworld" sometimes.
Zagreus doesn't know what birds are.
Zagreus feels conflicted about fighting the living things in the Temple of Styx, confiding in Achilles that killing the Satyrs and Vermin on the surface feels different than fighting the wretches which already reside in the Underworld.
Zagreus likes history, especially heroic tales. It's unclear how much he knows and how exactly did he obtain such information.
- He seems especially aware of those who've entered and then left the Underworld, as he mentions Heracles, Theseus, Orpheus and Odysseus have done so, and inquires Hades why he can't do the same.
Upon catching a Flameater, Zagreus might sing its name in the tone of "Snake Eater" from Metal Gear Solid 3.
If Zagreus's codex entry is viewed in the game's files, there is additional text that does not appear in the game. Like the other content of the codex, it appears to be written from Achilles' point of view. More text is occasionally added along with major updates:

Spoilers Ahead!

'Listen, Mortal. You are not supposed to be reading this. You are most bold, or most unwise, to have been digging through these arcane texts, or to have gleaned the knowledge from someone who has. Sometimes, herein, you may find traces of the weavings of the Fates. That is true. At other times, however, your attempts to glean the future shall be thwarted. Best not to spoil the surprises that the Fates may have in store for you, if you ask me. For the Fates work in mysterious ways, and defy prediction; remember that.

We all sprang from Chaos, did we not? They offer us as suitable an explanation for the sheer improbability of life and consciousness as ever I have heard. Chaos fundamentally is unexpected and inscrutable; know that it is their workings that shall forever frustrate your attempts to make predictable the ever-changing aspects of the Underworld. The days and seasons may be following a seemingly set path -- but the Underworld shall evolve as it is meant to, and by no other means.

We all are mortal and immortal, save the gods, who only are the latter. Some say that mortals flow from Dionysus from another life, for he is partly mortal from the details of his birth, and yet very much immortal in his station and his disposition. So, then, should it not be possible for other gods to be part-mortals, too? And, are we to take the stories of their ancestry at face value, unquestioningly always, even when the details of their origins are far too absurd or scandalous to be believed? Truly does the god of wine hold sway upon our minds, if such tales of their exploits are to spread unchecked, as fact.

Though I digress; let us discuss, for this one moment, Death. Death is the most expected of the gods among mortals, is he not? Entirely expected, and yet capable of striking during unexpected times, and taking unexpected forms. Yet even Death is subservient, here; Death almost never saw the light of day. Imagine, then, how empty this place would have been, how paradoxically devoid of warmth, had Death remained obscure. You are to be commended for keeping his secrets.

And when I think on Death, my mind wanders, so often as it does, to someone else, and Fear. Fear is for the weak; yet, I fear so much when it comes to him. That I may never see him again. That he shall be remembered not for all his grace and brilliance, but because he died because of me. I shall commemorate him here. He was my world. When he perished in the blasted war, because of all my stubbornness, I shortly followed him, of course. Though, somehow I knew I'd not see him again. It is not my place to say anything more, except for this: I pray that he forgives me, for all that I have done. And may he bask forever in the glory of Elysium, a paradise that ought to be for men like him.

Additional notes[ | ]

For additional information about Zagreus that does not pertain to Hades, see Wikipedia's article: Zagreus.