by Gavin Magson
Ducking under a clumsy punch Ajax grabbed Joel's opposite side and drove his knee with all his strength into the damaged ribs. The man staggered back, trying to suck in a breath as the splintered ribs tore apart his lung. Ajax watched on as the man struggled to fill his working lung, his death cemented.
Ajax's mind filled with pain, flooded as Joel transferred his own suffering directly into Ajax's head. It was crippling, he could barely move as wave after wave of fresh pain lanced through him and tried to split his skull wide open. Ajax rallied to fight it, he used his mind to push back the agony, willing it to subside. His vision began to clear, before him Ajax saw the uncertainty on Joel's face as it began to creep in. Finally he felt the lancing pain begin to ease.
One foot reached out, followed by the other as he slowly moved towards Joel, all the time resisting the burning agony and focusing to send it straight back to the dying man. As Ajax bore down on him Joel sank to one knee, then two, finally he was on all fours screaming as his own pain came rushing back. All he could feel were the pierced lungs, shards of ribs tearing them to shreds, the throbbing shoulder and his ruined nose.
In one swift movement Ajax gripped the man tightly, lifting him by neck and groin clear off the floor with a scream of anguish, suspending Joel above his head. He stared at the floating platform, straight into the eyes of Major, he and all of Henry's guests were silenced by the fight, wide eyed and shocked that Ajax could lift the giant.
Ajax roared, his anger and pain fuelling his all-consuming rage. He dropped to one knee as he brought the giant down, the impact severed Joel's spine and with it his bond to the mortal world. Ajax looked down into the lifeless face, relief washed over him as he stared into those dead eyes. The contract was complete, he had won his freedom. Yet the first thought in Ajax’s mind was at what cost?
The story continues in Ajax: Relinquished. Out now.