Python

**Python** is a serpent-like monster that was shunned by both the Gods and Humans for his appearance.

It is said in legend that he was slain by Apollo but in actuality, Apollo befriended the serpent and was the only one who accepted him as being beautiful, not for his looks, but for his soul. Python would be the one to build the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, engraving it with the words, "Know Thyself."

## Appearance

Python is a large, humanoid serpent. Because of how monstrous he looks, Python was discriminated against by Gods and Humans alike. Whenever he would go to terrorize Human settlements, Python would always wear a large cloak that had spikes along the back and a mask that would obscure his face, only leaving his eyes and mouth visible.

## Personality

Because of how everyone around him would always outcast him, due to his appearance, Python became very bitter and would frequently attack Humans, as well as defeat any Gods that came after him. Despite maintaining a menacing attitude, Python doesn't actually harm any Humans and when it comes to any soldiers of the Gods, he simply knocks them all down without killing them.

Python is also a bit self-loathing, due to the fact that everyone always treats him badly because of his appearance.

Out of all the Gods, Python most notably hated Apollo, as it seemed like Apollo was the complete opposite of himself: beautiful, admired and always relied upon. Thus, when Apollo came down to Earth to stop his rampages, even though he kept getting beaten in a single punch, Python would relentlessly challenge Apollo every day. But after Apollo revealed he wasn't always a great God and that he only became recognized through effort, Python's attitude towards Apollo softened, to the point where he even cried over his past actions.

## Plot

### Past

Some time ago, Python lived in Valhalla with the other Gods, but due to his appearance, the Gods and residents of Valhalla mocked him and drove him out of Heaven. Due to being driven out, he went to Earth, but he ended up facing the same cold treatment, all because of how he looked. Angered, Python would go on to attack many Human settlements, accepting his perceived role as a "monster."

### Know Thyself

One day, Python was tormenting the citizens of the village of Delphi. The Divine Vanguard of Ares came to exterminate him but Python defeated them all with ease, mocking them for being nothing but fake Gods. He was about to continue his rampage when he saw a mother hugging her scared child inside a house. This seem to dissuade Python from continuing to attack as he left right after.

Later on, as Python slept at his hideout, he was awoken by Apollo, who came to defeat the beast in order to live up to Ares' expectations. Python was giddy upon seeing it was Apollo who came after him and he wanted to crush the Sun God, only to go down when Apollo punched him in the face once. Python couldn't move after that but he kept trying to get back up and yelled about how he wouldn't lose to someone like Apollo. Intrigued, Apollo said they should carry on tomorrow and slept in Python's bed, telling him to find somewhere else to sleep.

After that, day after day, Python kept challenging Apollo but would always go down. On a particularly rainy day, when Python was desperately trying to get back up after Apollo punched him, the Sun God decided to ask Python why he keeps fighting him. Python divulged to Apollo that he was always oppressed because of his appearance and he even went on to cry about how he didn't ask to be born like this. When Python said he couldn't bear to lose to someone like Apollo, who's the complete opposite of himself, Apollo suddenly called him beautiful.

Python initially thought Apollo was mocking him for his horrid appearance but Apollo clarified he wasn't talking about his appearance: what he found beautiful was Python's soul and the way he could fight with such vigor. Apollo then revealed to Python that he was once a mediocre God but became recognized as a great Sun God through his own efforts to change himself. He encouraged Python to take pride in his beauty of knowing himself but Python lamented over how he hurt so many people. Apollo didn't hold that against him as he was acting out of self-defense and the two parted ways, with Python promising not to lose and Apollo calling that beauty.

From that point onwards, Python would stop attacking Humans and out of respect for the Sun God, he built a temple for Apollo in Delphi. Python engraved the temple with the words, "Know Thyself," and he would go on to guard that temple.

## Abilities

* **Demonic Physiology:** As he is a demon, it can be assumed that Python possesses physical abilities far greater than that of a human.