Theseus

An ancient Greek hero, said to be related to Heracles.

Thēseus was a seasoned adventurer who even spent time aboard the Argo.

In one of his most famous exploits, he ventured into the great labyrinth of Crete to slay the Minotaur. After defeating the man-eating monster, he went on to perform many more heroic feats which would in turn be recorded in legend!

That's where it all began.

...But all I sought was justice.

Height/Weight: 183cm, 77kg

Origin: Greek Mythology

Region: Europe

Alignment: Lawful-Good

Gender: Male

He may be a Saber, but he's not picky with his weapons. He'll use whatever's to hand.

Thēseus was a relative of Heracles. His capacity for heroism was identified at a young age. For example, when Heracles brought back the hide of a Nemean lion, Thēseus drew a weapon, ready to attack the beast, while the other children fled in fear.

Thēseus is the son of King Aegeus of Athens, but because he was born when the king was out on a voyage, he grew up not knowing his father. Later, he obtained King Aegeus's sandal and sword after lifting the enormous rock under which they were hidden. He then decided to go on a treacherous journey in search of his father. While a journey across the sea would have been easier, a journey by land would be much more dangerous, made so by the many evils one would have to face and overcome. Thēseus believed taking the difficult route and destroying evil was his duty as a hero. And so he defeated Periphetes the bandit, Sciron, a Crommyonian Sow, and many other wicked people and monsters on his journey to Athens, where he ultimately reclaimed his birthright.

Ariadne's Prayer: C

Prayers that guide one to the right path and place. Relying on these prayers as well as his Intuition, Thēseus almost never hesitates in his actions. The effects become even stronger when combined with his Noble Phantasm.

Intuition (Labyrinth): B++

The ability to sense the best outcome for oneself during combat. Thēseus's Intuition typically stays at B rank, but sharpens considerably when he enters a labyrinth. Even should darkness obstruct his vision, the skill allows him to fight normally.

Martial Arts Retribution: B

A sublimated version of Thēseus's legend in which he seized an adversary's weapon and used it to fight back. This skill lowers the opponent's ATK while increasing one's own ATK at the same time. With the skill at B rank, it's possible even to seize the weapons wielded by a hero. However, sacred swords, demonic swords and spears, and Divine Constructs cannot be seized.

『Ariadne Apolyto Hades』

Rank: C++

NP Type: Anti-Personnel

Range: 1-3

Maximum Targets: 2

Thus the Thread Leads to the Terminus.

Ariadne's thread, which enabled Thēseus to reach the monster known as the Minotaur (Asterios) and later escape, sublimated into a Noble Phantasm. The thread is a type of cursed Mystic Code that both paves the way to glory and victory, but also sends the user deep into the abyss if they step off the path. The thread does not wrap around enemies to disrupt their movements, but it can pinpoint ways to defeat the opponent and lead the wielder to a possible breakthrough.

Combined with Thēseus's skills, his deadliness against Giants increases considerably.

『Dyskolía Speira』

Rank: B

NP Type: Anti-Personnel

Range: 1

Maximum Target: 1

Precipitous Spiral of Fate.

The arduous journey Thēseus made on his way to becoming a hero sublimated into a Noble Phantasm. While different in scale, it's considered the kind of Noble Phantasm as Heracles's God Hand. After defeating a succession of notorious men who blocked his path, Thēseus finally battled Asterios, but in that fight, suffered a wound that would never heal for as long as he lived.

Thēseus's journey was based on retributive justice; those who attacked their fellows with a club were in turn struck by a club, while those who fed others to a giant sea turtle were in turn ground into feed themselves.

As a result of this myth, this Noble Phantasm is considered a counter which reflects the opponent's attacks. It is typically not used in this game.

The Day the Hero Died

Word arrived from King Minos of Crete demanding sacrifices (seven boys and seven girls) to the bull monster Minotaur. An angry Thēseus volunteered as a sacrifice and set off to the Labyrinth to slay the Minotaur.

But this adventure would ultimately lead to catastrophic heartbreak for Thēseus, forever destroying the optimistic outlook of a hero who believed he only ever fought villains and monsters. From that moment on, he drifted between just and unjust, forever trying to behave like the proper hero he once was, in spite of having lost his way. Gradually, his life moved from days of glory and splendor to setback, and finally unending grief. This tragic trajectory culminated in him losing his throne, facing scorn in the lands where he took refuge, and ultimately being murdered.

I no longer knew what was right.

I no longer understood what was wrong.

This was just the kind of sad, ordinary memory anyone might have.

...And I remain lost.

About Ariadne

Thēseus avoids talking about Ariadne. He only ever speaks her name if it slips out in the heat of battle or when he refers to the thread. Forgetting and abandoning the woman he supposedly loved left a deep scar on Thēseus (though it was his own misdeed).

This is why he doesn't talk about Ariadne, why he doesn't believe he deserves to speak her name.

But if he were to talk about her...it would be proof that he gained something positive from his second life.