Asterios

, Class Name , is a Berserker-class Servant summoned by Ritsuka Fujimaru in the Grand Orders of Fate/Grand Order. He is also summoned by Wolfgang Faustus in the Labyrinth Holy Grail War of Fate/Labyrinth.
==Profile==
===Identity===
A monster (hero) bestowed with the name of Lightning, but he was almost never called by that name. His alias that was widely spread all over the world is , which means the "Bull of King Minos". Born from Pasiphae - wife of King Minos that ruled over the island of - and a Divine Bull, he is a monster from birth possessing the body of a man and the head of an ox.
====Legend====
Minos had exchanged promises with the Sea God Poseidon to sacrifice a bull presented from him, but in a certain year, though he has the valuable Divine Bull for instance that should have been originally sacrificed, he sacrificed a different bull instead. Poseidon, who had his promise trampled underneath Minos' foot, cursed Pasiphaë, the wife of the king, by inducing her in that she will bear sexual desires towards bulls. And like that, so was born Asterios, his name meaning "one who rules the stars", but because he possesses the body of a man and the head of an ox, he was given the name "Minotauros", which means the Bull of King Minos. Greatly perplexed on how to deal with him after the scandal, Minos ordered the famous artisan Daedalus to build "a maze that one cannot get out from" - in other words, the .
It became custom to offer seven boys and girls each as a sacrifice to Asterios because of the king's command. Understandably, it is not good to permit the offering of the people of his own country, so King Minos demanded from the state that he invaded, , to offer sacrifices as compensation.
Asterios in the Labyrinth.jpg|Asterios lock up in the Labyrinth by Minos.
Theseus vs Asterios CG.png|Theseus vs Asterios
HeraclesSeventhLabour.png|Asterios's father, the Cretan Bull
AsteriosBondCE.png|
On the occasion of the sacrifical group being elected the third time around, the Athenian hero Theseus came forward personally for the sake of bringing down Asterios. Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos, fell in love with the handsome Theseus at first sight. Theseus, with the cooperation of Ariadne to acquire an escape from the impossible-to-escape Labyrinth, it resulted in him realizing the defeat of Asterios.
————What a wonderful heroic tale.
It was neither his mother's responsibility nor his responsibility that Asterios became a monster. Even though it was said to be his father's responsibility, for he valued the bull that should have been sacrificed to a god, the boy nevertheless never even blamed his father with a single word.
Asterios concluded that he did not love his father. It is such a strong emotion that can surpass the resentment sealed within himself. His father paid tribute to him with the most important name of all, and he was saved. Someday, with the salvation of him being slain by a hero—he can stand tall and proud, of the name Lightning (Asterios). To a monster like himself, this beautiful name is, to a degree, unworthy for him. At just only that time, he could not be even able to hate his father.
"I want to save you."
Theseus, who noticed Asterios was only a boy, threw these words with his keen thoughts put into it.
The prayer of Theseus is over there, in the distant future. It will become fulfilled, in the endless Okeanos sea. Regarding Theseus' trip by boat, the chat with his fellow comrades about this tale was an important memory, where everything else around them may have visibly shined with the glitter of gemstones.
————Because of that, one should not hesitate to risk their life.
===Appearance===
Asterios towers over most Heroic Spirits, being just under three metres tall. While not a complete hybrid between a man and a bull in appearance, he possesses animalistic traits, such as horns, a mane of wild, white hair, and inhuman eyes.
Asterios is seen wearing iron armor, much like a corset, over his bulky and scarred body, iron rings around his arms, a red piece of cloth from his waist to his feet, split into two sections. Around each ankle is an iron ring with an attached chain, linking heavy, metal orbs which Asterios appears to have no problem wearing. In each hand, he holds an axe with an incredibly long pole.
In his first Ascension, he wears an iron mask resembling a bull's head, reflecting his nature as the Minotaur, and carries axes with straight edges in each hand.
In his second Ascension, the iron mask is removed, revealing his black and red eyes, and the axes he wields are replaced by a pair with rounder edges, named Labrys.
In his third Ascension, Asterios' mane grows even longer and wilder, and his horns turn red and grow thicker.
===Personality===
The outline of Asterios' life was that of a monster that would be defeated by a hero from birth; indeed, Asterios was slain by the hero Theseus, who had sneaked into the Labyrinth. Even if his essence was not wicked, since his deeds were evil, his fate was to be brought down. Even if - what he sought was not darkness, but light. Even if - what he sought was not a gloomy maze, but the refreshing wind of nature and a plentiful forest.
Asterios is a Berserker and his words are faltering, but it is possible to barely come to a mutual understanding with him, so he is by far more docile than the other Berserkers. So long as one perceive Asterios as "Asterios", and not as the "Minotauros", he will not betray them.
Due to his blood as a human being slightly remaining, a conversation is possible, but it is only a small chance for it to happen. Asterios is intelligent like a child, but he is extremely wise. He also understands ethics, common sense, etc., as a human being, and for that reason, he always lives while holding feelings of guilt towards his very existence itself.
Asterios usually loiters around Chaldea, playing with Euryale.
====Relationships====
;Euryale
:"With Euryale around... It's so much fun"Asterios' Fate/Grand Order voice lines 
:A goddess who is a godsend of brilliance, communicated her affections, and engraved an unforgettable memory to Asterios. If she laughs and appears to be having fun, he will somehow find it enjoyable for himself too.
;Stheno
:"With Stheno around... ...Euryale seems to be having so much fun." 
;Medusa /Medusa (Saber) / Medusa (Child)
:"With Medusa there... Euryale and Stheno seems to be having a lot of fun." 
;Theseus
:"It's Theseus! Are you okay? Are you hungry?" 
:A young man who became a hero and defeated Asterios. On the verge of his death, Asterios talked together with Theseus of the blessings and curses they received reciprocally. Theseus did not see Asterios as a monster.TYPE-MOON Ace 11 - Heroic Spirit Lore ～ Asterios ～, p.061-067, Small Note by Master of Chaos at Beast's Lair.
;Circe
:Circe is Asterios’s maternal aunt, with her being his mother’s sister. Asterios is noted to treat and address her politely and calls her “Auntie”, much to the latter’s embarrassment. Circe has shown to be fond of her nephew.
;Ritsuka Fujimaru
:Fundamentally obedient, Asterios does not interfere with his Master nor does he ignore them as well. As long as his Master treats him as Asterios as much as possible, he is in good spirits.
==Role==
===Fate/Grand Order===
====Third Singularity: Okeanos====
Chaldea confronting Asterios.jpg|Asterios fighting Chaldea.
Euryale defending Asterios.jpg|Asterios being defended by Euryale.
Minotaur and Euryale joins the crew.jpg|Asterios and Euryale joining Chaldea and Drake's crew.
Asterios acts as Euryale's protector, having constructed a Labyrinth as well as a Bounded Field around the island they're on to protect her. When Ritsuka, Mash Kyrielight and Francis Drake enter the Labyrinth, Asterios attacks them, believing that they've come to capture Euryale. However, he is severely wounded in the battle, which prompts Eurayle to stop any further fighting before he is killed. Asterios and Eurayle agree to come with the group, and Asterios disables the Bounded Field around the island.
However, soon after departing the island, the group is beset by Edward Teach and his crew. Asterios tries to fight Eric Bloodaxe to protect Euryale, but Mash stops him by fighting Eric Bloodaxe instead. When Francis Drake's ship is heavily damaged by Edward Teach's ship, Asterios dives underwater and carries the ship with his massive strength to a nearby island despite his wounds not being healed yet.
Later on, during the second battle with Blackbeard's forces, Hector manages to kidnap Euryale from Asterios, escaping with both her and the Holy Grail. The party manages to track down Hector, who had escaped onboard the Argo, led by Jason. Jason sends Heracles and Medea Lily to fight the party, with Asterios engaging in a battle with Heracles. During this battle, Hector uses his Durindana to impale both Heracles and Asterios, attempting to take down Asterios while Heracles would survive through his God Hand. However, Asterios instead jumps into the ocean with Heracles, allowing for his allies to escape, while fading away himself.
==== Christmas Event: The Second Generation is Alter ====
Asterios allows EMIYA, Nursery Rhyme, and Jack the Ripper to spend Christmas in his labyrinth this year. He apologizes to EMIYA that the labyrinth couldn't be quiet like he wanted. But EMIYA tells him not to worry as he got roped in too. He also tells him to embrace Christmas wholeheartedly, even if it is foreign to her. He then finishes cooking when Asterios senses someone nearby. After the girls run off to see who they assume to be Santa, EMIYA gets a confidential message from Chaldea. He and Asterios are thus made aware of Ritsuka's plan to help Jeanne Alter Santa Lily.
Alter Lily believes Asterios doubts she's Santa because she's a child. She tells him that she is indeed Santa and demands to know what he wants. Asterios answers he wants fun days like today to last as long as possible. Alter Lily realizes she cannot grant such a wish. She then runs away upon realizing her gift to Jack and Nursery, a hermitage, wouldn't be good for them. Asterios asks what they should do, seeing it is a problem.
Asterios later joins his fellow co-conspirators as they watch Alter Lily look at the sea with her newfound friends. Jeanne d'Arc apologizes to for getting him involved, but he doesn't mind since Alter Lily’s wish was granted. Alter Lily then comes to talk with Ritsuka, so everyone except Ritsuka hides.
==== Final Singularity: Solomon ====
Asterios is amongst the "Okeanos" Singularity Servants to aid Chaldea against the Demon Gods Pillar.Fate/Grand Order - Salomon: The Grand Time Temple - Act 04: III / Observatory Forneus
====Interlude====
===== This Hand, For You, =====
Asterios, Ritsuka, and Mash end up inside of a labyrinth, unable to contact Romani Archaman. As the group searches for an exit, Asterios realizes that they're inside his labyrinth. He escorts the others deeper in, and soon they encounter another Asterios killing and eating children. Asterios goes to stop it as it is his past. The other Asterios state, though, that he is nothing but a Minotaur. Asterios rejects him by saying his True Name aloud. As long as people call him by his True Name, he will reject himself as the Minotaur. After the other Asterios is defeated, he wonders if Asterios can reject himself, believing it to be a fate worse than death. Asterios answers that rejecting and abandoning everything about himself is both his punishment and atonement. After the other Asterios disappears, Asterios leads the others to the exit. He remembers that he wanted to hold someone's hand as he did now with Ritsuka.
===Fate/Labyrinth===
Asterios appears as an incomplete Servant summoned by Wolfgang Faustus. He helps Faustus hold back Caster, Archer and Assassin, but is eventually destroyed when Norma Goodfellow (with some help from Manaka Sajyou) destroy the Subcategory Holy Grail, causing him to fade away.
==Abilities==
Asterios was a Magical Beast and Anti-Hero from birth. A monster who committed evil deeds that was ultimately slain by the hero Theseus. When comparing him to strong greek heroes, his power falls a bit short. In the Okeanos Singularity, when even having the aid of Fujimaru's party, Asterios is barely able to kill once Berserker Heracles. It is also mentioned that had Heracles not been focused on retrieving Euryale during their fight, Asterios wouldn't have stood a chance against him.Fate/Grand Order - Okeanos: Section 10 World's Oldest Pirate Ship
===Class Skills===
*Mad Enhancement (B Rank): Rank up for all parameters, but takes away most of sanity.
===Personal Skills===
*Monstrous Strength (A Rank): Temporarily amplifies one’s strength. An offensive special characteristic possessed only by monsters and Magical Beasts. Increases one’s Strength parameter by one rank upon usage. The duration for this increase depends on the rank of “Monstrous Strength”.
*Natural Demon (A++ Rank): A Skill endowed to those who were given birth as a monster rather than to a hero or god that has fallen down to the level of a Magical Beast. Asterios has attained a Rank of STR and END that is absolutely impossible for a human body.
*Labrys of the Abyss (C Rank): The pair of giant axes he owns. It's the symbol of the Labyrinth and the root of that very word. It was originally a two-bladed axe but Asterios rearranged it into two axes.
===Noble Phantasm===
Asterios' Noble Phantasm is Chaos Labyrinthos, the materialization of the labyrinth that secluded him when he was alive. A greater magecraft almost equal to a Reality Marble, it is built in the underside of the world. Asterios only needs to remember "the place where he used to live", and once it is manifested it takes form with a difficulty according to the degree of fame of the concept of "labyrinth". Once manifested, it will not disappear until either Asterios is defeated or Asterios eliminates all his opponents. Even if it disappears, it is possible to build it again after some time. However, if it doesn't take a different form from the anterior one, one would most likely be able to just walk out of it. A labyrinth that has been already solved is not something where one can get lost.Fate/Grand Order material II - Asterios, p.120-129, translated by Kinalvin
==Development==
===Creation and Conception===
Asterios was designed by Shima Drill in Fate/Grand Order. His scenario writer is Yuuichirou Higashide in Fate/Grand Order.
==References==
vi:Berserker (Fate/Grand Order - Asterios)
Category:Servants
Category:Berserker-class Servants
Category:Greek Servants
Category:Mixed-Blood
Category:Cattle
Category:Demi-Humans
Category:Magical Beasts
Category:Anti-Heroes
Category:Characters in Fate/Grand Order (Part 1)
Category:Characters in Fate/Labyrinth
Category:Chaotic Evil Servants
Category:Earth Attribute Servants
Category:A++ rank Strength Servants
Category:A++ rank Endurance Servants
Category:C rank Agility Servants
Category:D rank Mana Servants
Category:E rank Luck Servants
Category:A rank Noble Phantasm Servants
Category:Demons
Category:Children Servants
Category:Giant Servants
Category:Demonic Beast Servants
Category:Animal Characteristics Servants
Category:Introduced in 2015
Category:Voice - Kohsuke Toriumi