"Is this an underground fight club?" Atlas said as he collected the black mask and stared at it with rapt attention.
Apollo nodded elaborating the situation of the large fight club.
"It's owned by a mysterious being with strange powers and is actually one of the few establishments not under my father's control. I heard that even my father couldn't figure out some of the secrets behind this place but he doesn't like stuff like that to spread so I'm not sure."
Atlas listened attentively as he plotted deep within his mind palace. He wasn't foolish enough to tell Apollo his plans.
He donned the black mask as he listened to Apollo. It was a frustrating situation to be in. He had never participated in illegal activities except being the getaway driver in the robberies conducted by Thomas before he died, but robbing a bank was a whole different field of expertise compared to running an illegal business.
The mask was a black demon-like mask. It depicted a face with twisted features and a frown that revealed its sharp teeth. It had shades of red on this side but it was mostly black.
Apollo took Atlas to the side and whispered.
"Get some new clothes too. You'll only use these clothes when participating in normally frowned upon activities,"
Atlas understood as he nodded but underneath the mask, he was frowning.
'I don't like this feeling of not being able to make my own decisions. It's crippling. These Gods know what they're doing. I'm nothing more than a puppet in their eyes,' he thought staring into Apollo's wise eyes.
One could instantly tell that the god had lived an incredibly long life.
"Let's go and register you,"
They went over to a small booth by the side where a large man wearing glasses was recording some things on paper.
"New fighter," Apollo said as he slid a wad of cash into the opening.
The man wearing the glasses looked up and smiled amiably. The scene made Atlas frown even more.
'Money makes the world go round. I'm also supposed to be the God of Money,'
He noted the small details while paying attention to his stifling surroundings.
"Name?" the man in the booth asked.
Apollo replied instantly with the nickname Atlas had been given since ever he could remember.
"Titan!" The words carried an unbelievable amount of weight that contorted the bespectacled man's expressions.
He nodded and put it down on paper. After that, he didn't talk to them again. Apollo knew why as he dragged Atlas closer to the pit. There were new opponents in the ring but the fight quickly finished with a jab to the throat.
"Winner- Evil Claw!"
A voice announced the man's victory causing some spectators to cheer and others to yell after losing money in bets.
Apollo shook Atlas by the shoulders and quickly instructed him on what to do.
"You have to be careful. While some of these people are random street fighters, some are actually martial arts masters or worse… mythical beings. The owner doesn't prevent any deaths even if the fight isn't fair."
When he finished saying this, he pushed Atlas into the ring.
Atlas was able to react and use the push as a force to propel himself to look like he was running.
"A new challenger has appeared from the shadows. His monochrome outfit and mask only say one thing and that is: he isn't here to play. He is Titan!"
The announcer spoke in a dramatic fashion as he introduced Atlas who hid his face underneath the demon-like mask. Some spectators looked curiously, while most others just placed all their money on Evil Claw.
"That kid's gonna lose. Evil Claw is a martial arts master."
"Yep. I'm gonna strike it big tonight!"
"I'm gonna get me the best girls at The Spider's Web!"
Many voices and some irrelevant information later, Atlas learned that his opponent was actually a banished martial arts master who was exiled from his school for killing innocents. It sounded like something straight out of a comic or a martial arts movie, but so did gods and demigods.
Atlas didn't believe it was a coincidence, though. One look at Apollo's cold dead eyes told him that it wasn't.
His thoughts spun in full gear as he contemplated how to get rid of The Greek Gods or at the very least, minimize the amount of control they had on his decisions.
'They're master manipulators and have entire pages written on how they disguise themselves like chameleons. Zeus himself is a total horndog and had a lot of children back then. It's hard to tell how many he has now. Similarly, although Apollo is the God of Healing time may have changed him.'
He spaced out and lowered his guard in the battle, giving the opponent an immediate upper hand.
"Hyah!"
Evil Claw struck, his palm in the shape of claws. Atlas dodged just in time but the power of the opponent's strike managed to cut a bit of his skin.
"Blades?"
He jumped back and observed the opponent's thin figure from afar.
'Just because he's called Evil Claw doesn't mean he uses only his claws and palms to fight. I need to make sure not to get too close to him. And as for those blades, they were my mistake. These fights are non-sanctioned, it's a free-for-all.'
Atlas knew that this fight only had one rule. And that rule was 'As long as you don't bring guns then use whatever you want if it's hidden.'
Meaning to say, as long as you can hide a sword in a finger, then the sword could be used!
He ignored the implication and launched forward, legs whipping towards Evil Claw. His kick was blocked by a single hand, causing him to retreat warily.
Evil Claw took the opportunity and dashed forward as well, unleashing multiple claw strikes onto Atlas.
Atlas was able to keep up with and block most of them, but a lot still passed through his defences.
Evil Claw jumped back as soon as he was finished and began showboating.
"Don't overestimate yourself, kid. I've learned over twenty different martial arts and know how to wield all types of weapons. You're just a bitch-boy!"
His words riled up the crowd and simultaneously pissed Atlas off.
'This cheater!'
He wiped off all the blood on his face as he felt the energy that he trained boiling up to the surface.
"HA!"
With a yell, he brought his fist down into the ring, causing the entire place to shake. Several cracks spiralled all over the ground as they headed for Evil Claw who was stuck in place.
"Ahhh!"
Somehow, the cracks didn't affect the rest of the ring and only opened up a hole where Evil Claw stood. The whole was shallow but not shallow enough that he could survive it.
Ordinary people wondered what was going on while those with the supernatural in their blood quickly grasped the situation.
"W-w-winner- TITAN!"
****
Author's Note: Follow my Instagram @purplemidnightnovels
For more updates on God Of Gangsters and access to short stories, go to my p.a.t.r.e.o.n: Purple_Midnight