by Gavin Magson
Joel dove forwards, arms outstretched and a guttural roar piercing the silence. Ajax was still backing away when he tripped over another corpse. He fell as the colossal Joel flew at him, Ajax kicked out to send the man soaring overhead just as his attacker reached him. Ajax hit the ground with a roll, flipping up onto his feet as Joel ungracefully bounced on the concrete roof. Ajax ran into a slide that connected his foot with Joel's head, snapping it backwards with a sickening crunch.
They both rose together, blood mixed with tears as Joel's broken nose obscured his vision. Ajax took his opportunity, he reigned down body blows that rocked the man where he stood, Joel's vision too blurred to block the assault. He focused on the damaged ribs, punishing Joel's weakness as the man flailed at the unseen Ajax, who ducked and weaved between Joel's thick arms. Joel backed away but could not stop his opponent; Ajax did not relent for a second.
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.
Table of Contents
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Books by the same author
Konar City Stories
Foreword
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
The story continues in Ajax: Relinquished. Out now.