Fallen Gods, page 9
He kept telling himself the man he met couldn’t be the one from these ancient stories. There had to be another explanation. He picked up the blade once more and thought back to the battle at the museum, and the reasons why it took place there. The one thing Grace was correct about, the Met was the most unlikely of locations for it to take place.
“What were you doing at the Met?” Aaron asked as he studied the blade.
Chapter 7
“Who will challenge this Titan of the arena?” The commentator roared from within the boxing ring.
Cheers rang out among the bloodthirsty crowd. The canvas was already covered with the blood of previous fighters that evening. A tall skin-headed fighter pranced about the ring. He was fairly well built, tall, and imposing, though not especially muscular. He swaggered about as though untouchable, his long arms had clearly gotten him a long way in this line of work.
“I will!” Thanatos roared.
The room fell silent as everyone turned to him.
“You’re not scheduled to fight, whoever you are,” said the commentator.
“You just asked who will challenge, or is your man not ready to meet any challenger?” Thanatos asked calmly.
Ross leaned in to whisper in his ear.
“He wasn’t looking for a volunteer. The opponent was already picked. This was just part of the show.”
“Who was he supposed to fight?” Thanatos demanded.
“Me!”
Another shirtless fighter pushed several people in the crowd out of the way. He was short but more muscular than the man in the ring, with piercings and tattoos all over his body. He looked furious that Thanatos had tried to interfere with his fight and stormed across the room to get up in his face. But his hands were low as he nudged Thanatos with his head in an attempt to intimidate him.
“You can wait your turn for a beating,” the angry fighter growled.
Thanatos had no intention of waiting for anyone. He twisted his body and snapped an elbow into the man’s jaw with such immense force he was out on his feet. Thanatos followed it up with a straight right that sent him down like he’d been hit by a truck. The crowd was still silent, in awe of the raw display of power. Not even the loud-mouthed commentator had any words.
“Now will your man fight me?”
The crowd erupted into roars of excitement, and the decision had been made.
“Let’s do this!” The fighter in the ring yelled, and the commentator was forced to go along with it.
Thanatos pulled off his coat and shirt, handing them to Ross.
“Hold these for me, will you?”
“We have a new contestant!”
The commentator sounded uncomfortable with the arrangement, yet the crowd would not be abated in any other way as Thanatos climbed into the ring. Despite his chiseled figure, he looked small compared to his towering opponent.
“How much do you get for winning this fight?”
“A thousand bucks,” his opponent smiled.
He was missing a few teeth, and his face was scared from previous injuries, but he looked a robust and veteran opponent.
Thanatos looked to the commentator.
“A thousand for the winner,” he stated.
“We’ll talk about that after the fight.”
“We’ll talk about how you’re going to give me a thousand bucks,” he replied confidently.
The commentator backed away as he went to his crowd once again. They looked rowdy, and he knew he had to get the fight started quickly.
“In the blue corner, the unstoppable Brooklyn Bandit!”
Cheers rang out with excitement.
“And in the red corner, a new challenger!”
The crowed went wild once again.
“What’s your name, son?” he whispered, holding the microphone away.
“Thanatos.”
“Carlos?” He could barely hear over the roar of the crowd. Thanatos yelled it once more, and he nodded in agreement as if he’d got it.
“Cutthroat Carlos!”
Thanatos smiled and shook his head. Not only was it not his name, it wasn’t even particularly creative. He didn’t care. All that mattered to him was the money. The cheering finally settled as the commentator read off the simple list of rules.
“Fight ends when one of you is unable to continue or gives up. No biting, no gouging, you hear me? All right, let’s have a good fight,” he said as they backed off to their corners.
The bell rang, and the crowd came alive once again. Cigarette smoke wafted about the room. It was rancid, especially when combined with the acrid smell of old sweat. It wasn’t pleasant, but he’d dealt with far worse. His opponent ambled about the ring smiling, as if not threatened by the smaller Thanatos at all. Thanatos looked serious and almost concerned, many would even suggest he looked worried. But he was simply cautious. He didn’t yet know this world well, and he was now standing before a well-regarded and experienced fighter. The Bandit let out a shrill cry before storming forward, very quickly for such a tall man. He swung hard, but Thanatos ducked under easily, and his opponent bounced off the ropes, furious he had not found his target. He growled as he came forward with still no respect for his opponent. He was a fighter accustomed to dominating his opponents. He jabbed and hooked, but Thanatos ducked and weaved.
He’d no idea what to expect of this man that was hailed as a champion, but he didn’t have the hand speed or skill to land a blow. Yet the crowd loved it, and he was curious to see how hard his opponent could hit. He ducked another and then waited for one big shot to land on him. The blow hit him right on the jaw. It was powerful and knocked his head back a little, but he came right back with a smile, and he could see the fear in the big man’s eyes.
So that’s all he has to give.
It hadn’t rocked Thanatos, and he knew it. He threw a few jabs to try and hide the fact, but Thanatos was just enjoying himself now. He ducked under one of the jabs, and came up with a brutal and perfectly executed uppercut. It lifted his opponent off the canvas and sent him flying in a way none in the room had ever seen before.
The Bandit sailed through the air and crashed to the canvas hard. He slid back under the ropes and barely stayed in the ring. His head hung over the edge, and he was out for the count. The room erupted into applause, and Thanatos could not stop himself smiling. Yet the commentator didn’t look satisfied at all.
“This is more fun that I thought it would be.” Thanatos leaned over the ropes to the man who had become his de facto manager.
“Not bad. The Bandit was a solid fighter, but he’s not exactly their best.”
“I give you your winner, Cutthroat Carlos!”
The crowd was still cheering when he came over to chat with Thanatos. Ross was already rolling his eyes, knowing this was not going to be news they wanted to hear.
“Good fighting. Do you want to take the purse, or gamble it against our champion?”
Thanatos didn’t understand him and looked to Ross to explain what he meant.
“Double or nothing,” he said plainly.
Thanatos smiled. “Bring him out.”
The commentator looked ecstatic that he’d taken the offer.
“Poor fool,” Thanatos said; the smile was still on his face.
“You just agreed to fight the meanest son of a bitch that has ever graced this ring.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Undefeated, he’s put more guys in the hospital than the gangs around these parts, even killed a couple of ‘em.”
“It should be fun, then.”
“I’m not kidding here. You’d better start taking this seriously. You obviously know how to fight as you handled Bandit like he was a bum, but this next fighter. He’s something else.”
“And if I beat him?”
“Then you’ll be a legend here.”
“Good,” he replied arrogantly and bounced nimbly on his feet, loosening up his body again.
“You sure you’re ready for this?”
“Are you?”
“I’m not the one that has to get in there and fight.”
Thanatos shrugged as if he didn’t have a care in the world, although the look on Ross’ face said it all. Whatever was coming next was on a whole different level. Doors flew open with a crash that brought the room to silence once again. In the doorway stood a man, and he took up most of the frame. He looked more like a strongman competitor than a fighter, and he certainly had the respect of the room. He was wearing a loose pair of shorts in the pattern of the Stars and Stripes. He was carrying plenty of fat, but beneath it was mounds of muscle, like an ox. He strode through the crowd, barging many out the way, and towering over them.
“You really sure you want to do this?” Ross asked.
“The money’s good, isn’t it?”
“Double or nothing to fight that monster? No way.”
Thanatos shrugged, still smiling. “It’ll be fun.”
Ross could barely believe it. He’d never known someone face this massive champion so fearlessly.
“Welcome back to the stage, the mighty undefeated champion! Colossus!”
Thanatos smiled again.
“What’s so funny?”
“Colossus? That guy? He’s nothing.”
“He’s a lot bigger than you.”
“Of course, I’m not a giant.”
Ross couldn’t understand whether Thanatos was crazy or just having fun, but he’d never known anyone like him.
“You know a lot of cocky fighters come through here. Many wished they’d never stepped foot inside the ring with him.”
“So, you think I should be getting paid more?”
“A lot more. I wouldn’t step in that ring for a hundred grand.”
“Really? I’d do it for free, but I also need money.”
“What for? What can be so important it can be worth risking your whole life over?”
“Everything in this world is about money. I don’t have any.”
“Plenty of people in this city are in your shoes, but there are easier ways to make a few bucks.”
“Bucks?”
“Dollars,” he replied, surprised he’d to explain it, “Look, no offence, but where are you even from? What rock have you been living under?”
“Not here.”
He bounced around the ring in readiness for the mammoth opponent and task that was before him. The commentator was rambling on, but he wasn’t listening anymore. He was entirely focused on his opponent as he climbed into the ring, as if they were locked in a life and death contest. The man truly was huge, but Thanatos was still smiling as if he was enjoying every moment of it. Colossus, as he was called, was scowling as if to intimidate his man.
“You can still walk away from this. Keep going, and you might not walk again. This is no boxing match. He’ll snap your spine if he gets half a chance.”
“Good, this should be fun. You know I’m starting to like this place already.”
Ross thought he’d lost his mind, but he’d done all he could do now, as the commentator moved it every closer to crunch time.
“We have a new challenger to the house champion! Undefeated in two hundred and eighteen fights, I give you the mighty and terrifying Colossus!”
The crowd roared with excitement. Thanatos could see they were really here to see him tear apart yet another opponent, and it was easy to see why they would think that. The commentator looked pleased with himself, as if he’d already won back all the money he’d lost on the previous fight. Ross hailed Thanatos over one last time.
“They gamble on their own fights, you get that, right?”
“So?”
“So they’ll gamble when they have a guy take a fall, or when they know for certain whose gonna win.”
“Okay?”
Ross pointed to a line of booths where bets were being taken. The odds for the fight were chalked on a board overhead.
“A hundred to one, that’s what they’re giving you.”
“Yeah? A lot of money to made then.”
“Only if you win.”
“Put a thousand down on me.”
“Are you crazy?”
“Just do it.”
“Why? If you lose, it’ll be me that loses it all.”
“Put the thousand down, and we’ll split the money between us. My winnings, too.”
“Fifty-fifty?”
Thanatos nodded.
“And if you lose? You’ll get nothing.”
“I’m not gonna lose.”
“But if you do, you’re gonna give me another five fights to make it up, if you survive that is, you hear?”
Thanatos shrugged but agreed to his terms. He was brimming with confidence in a way that surpassed even the most arrogant and capable of fighters. Ross still looked deeply uncomfortable with the idea, but the gambler in him wanted to take the chance. Something about Thanatos made him wonder if just maybe he had a shot at winning. He rushed over to the booths and quickly got his bet made in the last moments before it all began.
“Five rounds of five minutes. The fight will not be stopped unless one of you is unable to continue or submits, do you understand me?”
Colossus grunted in agreement as if he were a wild animal.
“How many have made it the distance with this monster?” Thanatos asked.
The commentator laughed.
“Two men have made it past the first round. Nobody has gone the distance with Colossus.”
The hulking fighter smiled at the response, but Thanatos would not be intimidated.
“So this really is going to be fun.”
The commentator shook his head as if he thought Thanatos was delusional.
“Back to your corners.” He pushed them both away, but struggled to move the hulking mound that was Colossus.
“Gentlemen, and ladies. Today we have an unexpected treat for you. Colossus, who was not due to fight this week, has stepped up to face a new challenger! Will this new fighter rock your world, or will our champion crush him like all who have come before?”
The crowd roared with excitement. They wanted their bloodlust filled, and Thanatos was going to give it to them, just not in the way they expected.
“Ready?”
The commentator asked each fighter as he climbed out of the ring. There was no referee to manage the combat.
“Fight!”
The room fell silent once again as everyone held their breath in anticipation of what might come. Finally, Colossus let out a mighty roar and ran forward. He wasn’t any faster than he looked, but he had such weight and power he would go through anything that he hit. Thanatos was strong, but he was no fool as to the weight difference. He could be cast aside by a raging bull, just like any normal man. He waited for the right moment, sidestepped, and came out to the middle of the ring. The hulking fighter hit the ropes with such force as he backed into them; he was catapulted forward toward Thanatos at tremendous speed. It was as if it had been his intention all along, and he’d fallen into an easy trap.
There was no time to respond as the lead hand first landed on his jaw with all the power and weight the hulking champion could muster. Thanatos’ head snapped back, and he was thrown across the ring. He landed hard as if the blow had killed him. His opponent threw up his hands triumphantly as the crowd roared with applause. For a moment Thanatos was rocked. He’d blacked out briefly. It was like being hit by one of the gods. He shook his head and spat out blood. As he looked up, he saw Ross peering back at him.
“Is that a trademark move for him?”
“Yep.”
“Thanks for mentioning it,” he replied sarcastically and got back to his feet.
The commentator was already in the ring holding the champion’s hand high as if to celebrate his victory. But as he turned to present the winner to the crowd, he spotted Thanatos standing and ready to fight. Colossus looked stunned to see he had gotten back up.
“Do you want to die in here, little man?”
“I didn’t come here to lose.”
The huge sweaty powerhouse of a man pushed the commentator to the ropes. He quickly got out of the ring as the two went at it once again. Thanatos was angry with himself for having taken the hit. He’d let his physical superiority get the better of his judgment. He may be stronger than a human, but he was dealing with someone exceptional here, of strength and skill. He shook his head, scolding himself for being so naive.
“Let’s try that again, shall we, big man?”
Colossus came forward, leading with his left as if to pin his target before battering him with the right. But Thanatos ducked under it and delivered a hard punch to his gut. The blow staggered the massive fighter more than he’d ever experienced before, but he still swung a heavy-handed blow in response. Thanatos ducked that, too, and came up the other side to throw a brutal shot. It caught him on the chin. Gasps echoed out across the room as the giant fighter stumbled back, rocked by the huge blow.
“Where is this coming from?” Someone called out from beside the ring.
Thanatos closed in on his opponent, leaping to one side as the huge man tried to keep him at bay, but he delivered a salvo of four punches into his flank and finally right on the nose. He was thrown back onto the ropes once again, but this time, not of his own making. He used the spring of the ropes to come forward as he had before, but with only half the speed he’d exhibited in that ferocious attack.
Thanatos took the man’s lead hand, turned, and levered him over his shoulder, throwing him with all his force. The mighty giant hit the top rope and went right over it, crushing a table beside the ring. Amazingly, the tough fighter got back up, but looked shaky on his feet. He slid back through the ropes to go right back to the fight, and nobody tried to stop him. Thanatos was enjoying the whole thing as the crowd marveled at what they were seeing. Many had their jaws on the floor in astonishment at the display of power from the newcomer and far smaller man. Little did they know he was no man at all, despite his appearance.
The massive bloodied and angry fighter came charging at him with no technique at all, trying to swing everything he had to end the fight in one. Thanatos jabbed a brutal blow to his face that broke his attack and rocked him. He followed it with another and then two straight rights. The blows were hitting like a freight train as the hulking figure fell back against the ropes once more, but Thanatos was not done. He launched one final massive blow that snapped the giant’s head back, and he was out cold. He flopped forward and collapsed like a fallen timber. Thanatos simply stepped aside and let the body slam hard into the canvas. It bounced a little before coming to a stop.
“What were you doing at the Met?” Aaron asked as he studied the blade.
Chapter 7
“Who will challenge this Titan of the arena?” The commentator roared from within the boxing ring.
Cheers rang out among the bloodthirsty crowd. The canvas was already covered with the blood of previous fighters that evening. A tall skin-headed fighter pranced about the ring. He was fairly well built, tall, and imposing, though not especially muscular. He swaggered about as though untouchable, his long arms had clearly gotten him a long way in this line of work.
“I will!” Thanatos roared.
The room fell silent as everyone turned to him.
“You’re not scheduled to fight, whoever you are,” said the commentator.
“You just asked who will challenge, or is your man not ready to meet any challenger?” Thanatos asked calmly.
Ross leaned in to whisper in his ear.
“He wasn’t looking for a volunteer. The opponent was already picked. This was just part of the show.”
“Who was he supposed to fight?” Thanatos demanded.
“Me!”
Another shirtless fighter pushed several people in the crowd out of the way. He was short but more muscular than the man in the ring, with piercings and tattoos all over his body. He looked furious that Thanatos had tried to interfere with his fight and stormed across the room to get up in his face. But his hands were low as he nudged Thanatos with his head in an attempt to intimidate him.
“You can wait your turn for a beating,” the angry fighter growled.
Thanatos had no intention of waiting for anyone. He twisted his body and snapped an elbow into the man’s jaw with such immense force he was out on his feet. Thanatos followed it up with a straight right that sent him down like he’d been hit by a truck. The crowd was still silent, in awe of the raw display of power. Not even the loud-mouthed commentator had any words.
“Now will your man fight me?”
The crowd erupted into roars of excitement, and the decision had been made.
“Let’s do this!” The fighter in the ring yelled, and the commentator was forced to go along with it.
Thanatos pulled off his coat and shirt, handing them to Ross.
“Hold these for me, will you?”
“We have a new contestant!”
The commentator sounded uncomfortable with the arrangement, yet the crowd would not be abated in any other way as Thanatos climbed into the ring. Despite his chiseled figure, he looked small compared to his towering opponent.
“How much do you get for winning this fight?”
“A thousand bucks,” his opponent smiled.
He was missing a few teeth, and his face was scared from previous injuries, but he looked a robust and veteran opponent.
Thanatos looked to the commentator.
“A thousand for the winner,” he stated.
“We’ll talk about that after the fight.”
“We’ll talk about how you’re going to give me a thousand bucks,” he replied confidently.
The commentator backed away as he went to his crowd once again. They looked rowdy, and he knew he had to get the fight started quickly.
“In the blue corner, the unstoppable Brooklyn Bandit!”
Cheers rang out with excitement.
“And in the red corner, a new challenger!”
The crowed went wild once again.
“What’s your name, son?” he whispered, holding the microphone away.
“Thanatos.”
“Carlos?” He could barely hear over the roar of the crowd. Thanatos yelled it once more, and he nodded in agreement as if he’d got it.
“Cutthroat Carlos!”
Thanatos smiled and shook his head. Not only was it not his name, it wasn’t even particularly creative. He didn’t care. All that mattered to him was the money. The cheering finally settled as the commentator read off the simple list of rules.
“Fight ends when one of you is unable to continue or gives up. No biting, no gouging, you hear me? All right, let’s have a good fight,” he said as they backed off to their corners.
The bell rang, and the crowd came alive once again. Cigarette smoke wafted about the room. It was rancid, especially when combined with the acrid smell of old sweat. It wasn’t pleasant, but he’d dealt with far worse. His opponent ambled about the ring smiling, as if not threatened by the smaller Thanatos at all. Thanatos looked serious and almost concerned, many would even suggest he looked worried. But he was simply cautious. He didn’t yet know this world well, and he was now standing before a well-regarded and experienced fighter. The Bandit let out a shrill cry before storming forward, very quickly for such a tall man. He swung hard, but Thanatos ducked under easily, and his opponent bounced off the ropes, furious he had not found his target. He growled as he came forward with still no respect for his opponent. He was a fighter accustomed to dominating his opponents. He jabbed and hooked, but Thanatos ducked and weaved.
He’d no idea what to expect of this man that was hailed as a champion, but he didn’t have the hand speed or skill to land a blow. Yet the crowd loved it, and he was curious to see how hard his opponent could hit. He ducked another and then waited for one big shot to land on him. The blow hit him right on the jaw. It was powerful and knocked his head back a little, but he came right back with a smile, and he could see the fear in the big man’s eyes.
So that’s all he has to give.
It hadn’t rocked Thanatos, and he knew it. He threw a few jabs to try and hide the fact, but Thanatos was just enjoying himself now. He ducked under one of the jabs, and came up with a brutal and perfectly executed uppercut. It lifted his opponent off the canvas and sent him flying in a way none in the room had ever seen before.
The Bandit sailed through the air and crashed to the canvas hard. He slid back under the ropes and barely stayed in the ring. His head hung over the edge, and he was out for the count. The room erupted into applause, and Thanatos could not stop himself smiling. Yet the commentator didn’t look satisfied at all.
“This is more fun that I thought it would be.” Thanatos leaned over the ropes to the man who had become his de facto manager.
“Not bad. The Bandit was a solid fighter, but he’s not exactly their best.”
“I give you your winner, Cutthroat Carlos!”
The crowd was still cheering when he came over to chat with Thanatos. Ross was already rolling his eyes, knowing this was not going to be news they wanted to hear.
“Good fighting. Do you want to take the purse, or gamble it against our champion?”
Thanatos didn’t understand him and looked to Ross to explain what he meant.
“Double or nothing,” he said plainly.
Thanatos smiled. “Bring him out.”
The commentator looked ecstatic that he’d taken the offer.
“Poor fool,” Thanatos said; the smile was still on his face.
“You just agreed to fight the meanest son of a bitch that has ever graced this ring.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Undefeated, he’s put more guys in the hospital than the gangs around these parts, even killed a couple of ‘em.”
“It should be fun, then.”
“I’m not kidding here. You’d better start taking this seriously. You obviously know how to fight as you handled Bandit like he was a bum, but this next fighter. He’s something else.”
“And if I beat him?”
“Then you’ll be a legend here.”
“Good,” he replied arrogantly and bounced nimbly on his feet, loosening up his body again.
“You sure you’re ready for this?”
“Are you?”
“I’m not the one that has to get in there and fight.”
Thanatos shrugged as if he didn’t have a care in the world, although the look on Ross’ face said it all. Whatever was coming next was on a whole different level. Doors flew open with a crash that brought the room to silence once again. In the doorway stood a man, and he took up most of the frame. He looked more like a strongman competitor than a fighter, and he certainly had the respect of the room. He was wearing a loose pair of shorts in the pattern of the Stars and Stripes. He was carrying plenty of fat, but beneath it was mounds of muscle, like an ox. He strode through the crowd, barging many out the way, and towering over them.
“You really sure you want to do this?” Ross asked.
“The money’s good, isn’t it?”
“Double or nothing to fight that monster? No way.”
Thanatos shrugged, still smiling. “It’ll be fun.”
Ross could barely believe it. He’d never known someone face this massive champion so fearlessly.
“Welcome back to the stage, the mighty undefeated champion! Colossus!”
Thanatos smiled again.
“What’s so funny?”
“Colossus? That guy? He’s nothing.”
“He’s a lot bigger than you.”
“Of course, I’m not a giant.”
Ross couldn’t understand whether Thanatos was crazy or just having fun, but he’d never known anyone like him.
“You know a lot of cocky fighters come through here. Many wished they’d never stepped foot inside the ring with him.”
“So, you think I should be getting paid more?”
“A lot more. I wouldn’t step in that ring for a hundred grand.”
“Really? I’d do it for free, but I also need money.”
“What for? What can be so important it can be worth risking your whole life over?”
“Everything in this world is about money. I don’t have any.”
“Plenty of people in this city are in your shoes, but there are easier ways to make a few bucks.”
“Bucks?”
“Dollars,” he replied, surprised he’d to explain it, “Look, no offence, but where are you even from? What rock have you been living under?”
“Not here.”
He bounced around the ring in readiness for the mammoth opponent and task that was before him. The commentator was rambling on, but he wasn’t listening anymore. He was entirely focused on his opponent as he climbed into the ring, as if they were locked in a life and death contest. The man truly was huge, but Thanatos was still smiling as if he was enjoying every moment of it. Colossus, as he was called, was scowling as if to intimidate his man.
“You can still walk away from this. Keep going, and you might not walk again. This is no boxing match. He’ll snap your spine if he gets half a chance.”
“Good, this should be fun. You know I’m starting to like this place already.”
Ross thought he’d lost his mind, but he’d done all he could do now, as the commentator moved it every closer to crunch time.
“We have a new challenger to the house champion! Undefeated in two hundred and eighteen fights, I give you the mighty and terrifying Colossus!”
The crowd roared with excitement. Thanatos could see they were really here to see him tear apart yet another opponent, and it was easy to see why they would think that. The commentator looked pleased with himself, as if he’d already won back all the money he’d lost on the previous fight. Ross hailed Thanatos over one last time.
“They gamble on their own fights, you get that, right?”
“So?”
“So they’ll gamble when they have a guy take a fall, or when they know for certain whose gonna win.”
“Okay?”
Ross pointed to a line of booths where bets were being taken. The odds for the fight were chalked on a board overhead.
“A hundred to one, that’s what they’re giving you.”
“Yeah? A lot of money to made then.”
“Only if you win.”
“Put a thousand down on me.”
“Are you crazy?”
“Just do it.”
“Why? If you lose, it’ll be me that loses it all.”
“Put the thousand down, and we’ll split the money between us. My winnings, too.”
“Fifty-fifty?”
Thanatos nodded.
“And if you lose? You’ll get nothing.”
“I’m not gonna lose.”
“But if you do, you’re gonna give me another five fights to make it up, if you survive that is, you hear?”
Thanatos shrugged but agreed to his terms. He was brimming with confidence in a way that surpassed even the most arrogant and capable of fighters. Ross still looked deeply uncomfortable with the idea, but the gambler in him wanted to take the chance. Something about Thanatos made him wonder if just maybe he had a shot at winning. He rushed over to the booths and quickly got his bet made in the last moments before it all began.
“Five rounds of five minutes. The fight will not be stopped unless one of you is unable to continue or submits, do you understand me?”
Colossus grunted in agreement as if he were a wild animal.
“How many have made it the distance with this monster?” Thanatos asked.
The commentator laughed.
“Two men have made it past the first round. Nobody has gone the distance with Colossus.”
The hulking fighter smiled at the response, but Thanatos would not be intimidated.
“So this really is going to be fun.”
The commentator shook his head as if he thought Thanatos was delusional.
“Back to your corners.” He pushed them both away, but struggled to move the hulking mound that was Colossus.
“Gentlemen, and ladies. Today we have an unexpected treat for you. Colossus, who was not due to fight this week, has stepped up to face a new challenger! Will this new fighter rock your world, or will our champion crush him like all who have come before?”
The crowd roared with excitement. They wanted their bloodlust filled, and Thanatos was going to give it to them, just not in the way they expected.
“Ready?”
The commentator asked each fighter as he climbed out of the ring. There was no referee to manage the combat.
“Fight!”
The room fell silent once again as everyone held their breath in anticipation of what might come. Finally, Colossus let out a mighty roar and ran forward. He wasn’t any faster than he looked, but he had such weight and power he would go through anything that he hit. Thanatos was strong, but he was no fool as to the weight difference. He could be cast aside by a raging bull, just like any normal man. He waited for the right moment, sidestepped, and came out to the middle of the ring. The hulking fighter hit the ropes with such force as he backed into them; he was catapulted forward toward Thanatos at tremendous speed. It was as if it had been his intention all along, and he’d fallen into an easy trap.
There was no time to respond as the lead hand first landed on his jaw with all the power and weight the hulking champion could muster. Thanatos’ head snapped back, and he was thrown across the ring. He landed hard as if the blow had killed him. His opponent threw up his hands triumphantly as the crowd roared with applause. For a moment Thanatos was rocked. He’d blacked out briefly. It was like being hit by one of the gods. He shook his head and spat out blood. As he looked up, he saw Ross peering back at him.
“Is that a trademark move for him?”
“Yep.”
“Thanks for mentioning it,” he replied sarcastically and got back to his feet.
The commentator was already in the ring holding the champion’s hand high as if to celebrate his victory. But as he turned to present the winner to the crowd, he spotted Thanatos standing and ready to fight. Colossus looked stunned to see he had gotten back up.
“Do you want to die in here, little man?”
“I didn’t come here to lose.”
The huge sweaty powerhouse of a man pushed the commentator to the ropes. He quickly got out of the ring as the two went at it once again. Thanatos was angry with himself for having taken the hit. He’d let his physical superiority get the better of his judgment. He may be stronger than a human, but he was dealing with someone exceptional here, of strength and skill. He shook his head, scolding himself for being so naive.
“Let’s try that again, shall we, big man?”
Colossus came forward, leading with his left as if to pin his target before battering him with the right. But Thanatos ducked under it and delivered a hard punch to his gut. The blow staggered the massive fighter more than he’d ever experienced before, but he still swung a heavy-handed blow in response. Thanatos ducked that, too, and came up the other side to throw a brutal shot. It caught him on the chin. Gasps echoed out across the room as the giant fighter stumbled back, rocked by the huge blow.
“Where is this coming from?” Someone called out from beside the ring.
Thanatos closed in on his opponent, leaping to one side as the huge man tried to keep him at bay, but he delivered a salvo of four punches into his flank and finally right on the nose. He was thrown back onto the ropes once again, but this time, not of his own making. He used the spring of the ropes to come forward as he had before, but with only half the speed he’d exhibited in that ferocious attack.
Thanatos took the man’s lead hand, turned, and levered him over his shoulder, throwing him with all his force. The mighty giant hit the top rope and went right over it, crushing a table beside the ring. Amazingly, the tough fighter got back up, but looked shaky on his feet. He slid back through the ropes to go right back to the fight, and nobody tried to stop him. Thanatos was enjoying the whole thing as the crowd marveled at what they were seeing. Many had their jaws on the floor in astonishment at the display of power from the newcomer and far smaller man. Little did they know he was no man at all, despite his appearance.
The massive bloodied and angry fighter came charging at him with no technique at all, trying to swing everything he had to end the fight in one. Thanatos jabbed a brutal blow to his face that broke his attack and rocked him. He followed it with another and then two straight rights. The blows were hitting like a freight train as the hulking figure fell back against the ropes once more, but Thanatos was not done. He launched one final massive blow that snapped the giant’s head back, and he was out cold. He flopped forward and collapsed like a fallen timber. Thanatos simply stepped aside and let the body slam hard into the canvas. It bounced a little before coming to a stop.
