Heavenly Duel

"You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into, mortal," Ajax chuckled as he raised his sword and pointed it at Tom. "Did you know that if you die here, your body will die as well?"

Tom froze for a moment, just a moment, before steeling his determination and staring directly into Ajax's eyes. "Then, I guess I'll just have to beat the shit out of you."

Ajax actually had the presence of mind to look impressed. He smiled again at Tom.

"I admire your spirit. Not many would be willing to look upon someone such as myself and still fight. But it won't save you." Ajax said, flapping his wings and rising about a foot off the ground.

Tom shot a Darkball spell at Ajax, who batted it aside with his sword with ease.

"You didn't honestly think that would work, did you?" Ajax asked.

"Gotta admit, I didn't even know you could do that with a sword," Tom said, shocked at the display.

"As long as it's a magical sword," Ajax replied.

"Can you shoot one at me, so I can try?" Tom asked.

"Are we here for show and tell or to fight?" Ajax asked.

"You're right. My bad. Let's do this."

Tom rushed at Ajax, raising his sword to attack. Ajax parried the sword and struck out to stab him. Tom moved ever so slightly to the left, and the blade passed by his head. Hopping back from the battle, Tom smiled at Ajax.

"I feel a little like you're playing with me, Ajax."

"You're better than I expected. I promise not to take it so easy anymore."

Ajax sped across the space almost faster than Tom could see. He rolled to the right to avoid the hovering being and sprang back up just in time to block a strike aimed at his head. If he hadn't ducked as he blocked, the force from the blow would have pushed his sword into his own neck.

"Whoo! You weren't fooling around. Sorry, I'll take this more seriously as well."

Tom activated his Tattoo of Strength and felt the familiar power flowing through him again. When Ajax struck at him this time, he blocked the blade easily, stopping the strike dead. Ajax's eyes widened slightly at the sudden increase in strength.

"That's a fine blade you have," Ajax remarked as they both remained in place. Their blades screeched as they pressed against each other, sliding slightly up and down in their attempt to overpower the other.

"Thanks, you should see the other one," Tom said, equipping the second greatsword and swinging it across at Ajax.

The angelic creature barrel-rolled in midair to avoid the blade as it passed over his wings, which he folded against his body and then burst out again. He was able to control them much faster than Tom had expected.

Ajax hopped back from the fight staring at Tom from a distance, "You are full of surprises, aren't you."

"I'm just getting warmed up."

The pair rushed at each other again, Tom using both his swords to attack Ajax, who was now a bit on the defensive, trying to parry all of Tom's attacks as he used every bit of the training Bron had put him through to attack in an unrelenting pattern of whirling blades and kicks.

Just as Tom thought he was getting the upper hand in the fight; Ajax began to move even faster. Suddenly, Tom felt himself giving ground as he had to step back to avoid some of the strikes. As his speed increased even further, Tom felt cuts on his arms and legs as he was not quite quick enough to avoid or block all of the attacks.

Gritting his teeth, Tom activated his Tattoo of Life Absorption and began to feel his wounds close as Ajax's life energy flowed into him. Ajax's eyes went wide as he noticed the drain, and he growled.

"Resorting to such lowly tricks! I will destroy you!"

With one giant overhand swing, Ajax struck Tom's sword hard enough that he slid back almost ten yards. rising to his full height, Tom eyed Ajax down as the creature stood fuming.

"I'll just have to finish you faster, then," Ajax roared as he charged again.

Tom, however, had not wasted the moment he'd been given, and just as Ajax reached him to strike, Onslo appeared from a summoning circle and used his own sword to block the strike.

"Well, that was close," Onslo said.

"What?! You cannot beat me on your own, so you need to bring in outside help? I thought you were a man." Ajax said angrily.

"All's fair in love and war," Tom taunted the Celestine.

Ajax suddenly screamed as he flapped his wings frantically to gain altitude over the fight. As he rose, the form of Kuthir appeared from the shadows behind where Ajax had been holding two daggers, one dripping with blood.

"I will not be bested by the likes of..." Ajax began yelling before his eyes went wide as a demonic chicken flew at his face.

It latched onto his face and bit down hard as it tried to get a taste of the new type of flesh. Ajax screamed in pain as he thrashed in the air, trying to pry it loose. Onslo rushed to stand beneath Ajax, stowed his sword, and crouched down, lacing his fingers together.

"Kuthir!" He shouted.

The Roguew Mastadonian looked at him, smiled, and nodded once as he dashed toward him. As he reached Onslo, he stepped into his laced hands and jumped. Onslo exploded upwards, sending him flying up toward Ajax, who had managed to stab the demonic chicken and was in the process of tossing it to the side in disgust.

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Kuthir did a flip right at the height of his jump, bringing his foot around in a kick that would make any soccer player jealous, right into Ajax's chest. The Celestine was rocketed to the ground, landing hard enough to crack the stone platform they were standing on.

Ajax gasped in pain from the impact, both of his wings breaking in the process. Tom was right there waiting, having rushed forward during the takedown. He jumped on top of Ajax, having stowed his swords away, and began pummeling Ajax with massive punches to the face.

Over and over and over, he pounded his fists into the Celestine's face. Ajax finally seemed to come out of his pain and managed to put one hand up over his face before landing a solid punch to Tom's gut, knocking him off. Onslo was right there behind Tom, raising his sword.

"Don't kill him!" Tom shouted, rolling to get to his feet.

Onslo slashed down into Ajax's left arm, changing his aim at the last second. Ajax screamed anew with pain as his arm went limp. He kicked out, forcing the Mastadonian to jump back to avoid being tripped. As Ajax began to rise, Onslo and Kuthir flanked Tom, weapons at the ready for whatever came next.

Ajax began to laugh, "Hehehehe...HAHAHAHAHAHA! Maybe you are a worthy master, after all. But this fight is far from over."

A flash of green light enveloped Ajax and his body began to mend itself before their eyes. Soon, he was returned to full health, and his wounds vanished as though they had never been inflicted.

"What the hell was that?" Tom asked.

"Likely a full restoration spell. It's a high-level healing spell, but it can only be used once per day. So we just need to bang him up again," Kuthir replied.

"I have not had to use this form for so long. I am glad that it was the one who wanted me to call him master that forced me to use it," Ajax said, a predatory smile spread across his face.

Ajax began to glow a heavenly white color. He flexed every muscle on his body as veins stood out across his arms, chest, and forehead. He let out a primal yell as the intensity of the energy around him began to grow. Four additional wings sprouted from his back, extending to their full length. A halo of pure gold appeared over his head, and his muscles bulged to nearly twice their original size.

Ajax's hair and the cloth hanging from his armor flowed like a breeze swirling around him from the power he was giving off. He had lifted off the ground during the transformation, and as it had completed, a wave of power burst out from him, and the light winked out.

"Well...shit," Tom said.

"Can you summon the others?" Onslo asked.

"I already tried. I think I'd have to dismiss their permanent status before I could," Tom replied.

"I'm pretty sure we can explain the situation to them when this is done," Kuthir said.

"You're right. I'll get on it," Tom said.

"No matter how many minions you have, they won't save you now," Ajax said. Go on; I'll wait."

He folded his arms over his chest in confidence as he floated a foot off the ground. Tom scrunched his brow with concern about his opponent's new level of power. Finally, deciding there was little other choice, he dismissed the permanent status for all the Mastadonians, knowing he would have some serious explaining to do when he returned and began summoning the others.

With his full team of seven Mastadonians summoned, Tom crouched in a fighting pose and equipped both of his swords.

"So, it's that bad?" Bron asked.

"Well, it's not Disneyland," Tom said.

Bron just stared at him, confused.

"Sorry, it's supposedly the happiest place on Earth," Tom replied.

"Ah, sarcasm, I see," Bron replied. "Then it's time to take this seriously."

"As opposed to when we don't normally?" Tom asked.

"I need you to summon one more of our kind. His name is Rularis," Bron said.

"No, brother. He cannot be trusted," Inari protested.

"It must be done. You can feel the power of this being," Bron said, his words final and imposing.

Inari did not reply.

"Who's Rularis?" Tom asked.

"He is a bard. He will aid us in this fight if he wants to keep his vow," Bron said. He completes the party, and we've never lost a battle together."

"That's good enough for me," Tom said, taking out a mana potion, downing it, and beginning one additional summoning.

As the black circle appeared on the ground, a figure began to emerge. He wore what appeared to be a jester's garb and stood in a dramatic pose with one knee up, the toes of his feet touching the ground softly, and one hand brought up to his forehead, his head tilted down.

"Bron...it's been so long. Are we finally ready for the main event to begin?" Rularis said, his eyes wild and his face manic.

Bron merely gestured to Ajax, who floated patiently waiting, an amused look on his face.

"Well, well, well. I'll be Bostooth's uncle—a Celestine," Rularis said, clearly even further amused than he was before.

Turning to look at Tom, Rularis seemed to find a new interest.

"And who is this...young Warlock?"

"I'm Tom. Nice to meet you and all that jazz, but we have something to take care of right now. Will you help us?"

Looking first at Ajax and then at Tom, Rularis smiled once more. "Yes, this should be fun."

"Do not forget your vow, Rularis," Inari hissed at him.

"Temper, temper fair sister. I have not forgotten the words that bind me. I'll be a good boy, promise." Rularis chided her.

"Are you quite done yet? My patience does have a limit," Ajax called out.

"Hold your horses; we're almost ready," Tom called back.

"This will not be easy. We can do it, though. We just have to keep up the pressure," Bron said, eyeing down Ajax from afar.

"You know I can hear your strategy meeting, right?" Ajax asked.

"Dude, you're an even bigger prick than Azroc said. Butt out!" Tom yelled at Ajax.

Ajax snarled at Tom, "You will pay for this insolence. I'm done waiting for you. We begin now!"