Hercules vs Antaeus - 4. The slick move

Then, with the cunning of a seasoned predator and the ruthless efficiency of a force of nature, Antaeus played dirty again. Taking advantage of the strength and stability he drew from the earth itself, he subtly shifted his weight, summoning additional power from his connection to Gaia. With a swift, unexpected movement, he raised one leg, his powerful muscles coiling and uncoiling like springs, and delivered a vicious kick to Hercules' stomach. The impact was brutal, a sharp, searing blow that sent a wave of pain through Hercules' body. He gasped, his breath knocked from his lungs, his mighty frame collapsing to the ground with a resounding thud. The crowd erupted in a mixture of gasps and cheers to the unexpected turn of events.

Seizing the opportunity presented by Hercules' momentary incapacitation, Antaeus swiftly transitioned to a position of dominance. He knelt down, his powerful legs bending with surprising grace, and planted one knee firmly on Hercules' back, pinning the demigod to the ground. The weight of Antaeus' massive leg, amplified by his connection to the earth, pressed down with crushing force, effectively immobilizing Hercules. From this position of absolute control, Antaeus unleashed the "oil check" on Hercules, a move so vile and underhanded that it left even the hardened spectators gasping. A cruel smile twisted Antaeus' lips as he watched Hercules' face contort in shock and agony. He reveled in the demigod's pain, a savage satisfaction evident in his eyes. His fingers, ruthless and precise, probed the innards of Hercules, a deliberate and extremely painful strike to inflict maximum agony and humiliation.

The searing pain shot through Hercules, a wave of agony so intense that it momentarily paralyzed him. He gasped, a strangled sound ripped from his lungs, his mighty frame convulsing under the sudden, excruciating blow. The roar of the crowd was momentarily silenced, replaced by a stunned hush as the spectators witnessed this act of brutal savagery. Antaeus, meanwhile, continued to savor the moment, his pleasure in Hercules' suffering palpable. The match, already brutal, had reached a new level of depravity, laying bare Antaeus' ruthless determination and his willingness to exploit any advantage, no matter how vile. Despite his legendary strength momentarily compromised by the searing pain, Hercules used his mighty arms to try and push himself up, to escape the agonizing pressure. But Antaeus, sensing his opponent's struggle, only increased the intensity of the oil check, he inserted one more finger for more vicious twisting and probing. The added pressure sapped Hercules' remaining strength, leaving him utterly helpless. The demigod's body trembled, his breath coming in ragged gasps, his face contorted in a mask of pain.

Knowing that Hercules had suffered enough of this torment, Antaeus abruptly withdrew his fingers. With a chilling display of calculated cruelty, Antaeus stood up, his massive form looming over his fallen opponent. He moved before Hercules could even breathe, a blur of terrifying speed. He leaped high into the air, his body a blur of motion, before coming down with a bone-jarring impact. He landed butt-first on the small of Hercules' back, the force of his weight driving the air from Hercules's lungs with a sickening thud. The demigod gasped, a strangled sound escaping his lips as the wind was completely knocked out of him. Immobilized and gasping for air, Hercules was completely at Antaeus' mercy. The crowd watched, breathless, as the tide of the battle had irrevocably shifted.