AJAX

BROTHER OF THE

EMPEROR

CRY HAVOC! AND LET SLIP THE DOGS OF WAR

Ajax, the enigmatic second son of Atlas the Great, is one of Atlantis' most intriguing figures. Unlike some modern princes, Ajax fully embraced his role as the 'spare' and became renowned for being the life of any party. A quintessential second-in-line to the throne, he was never burdened by the expectation of one day becoming Emperor. Ajax' father showed no favoritism towards either son, allowing him to enjoy his status as one of the world's most eligible bachelors. With his good looks and bravery, Ajax was often spotted at glamorous events, whether aboard a yacht in St. Tropez or amidst the splendor of the floating city of the Kingdom of Ra.

A changed man

Ajax's life was marked by a profound transformation that started with a tragic event that sent shockwaves through his existence. The assassination of his father, Atlas the Great, a towering figure whose impact extended far beyond the confines of his family, marked a turning point in Ajax's life. The carefree existence he once relished, defined by laughter and lightheartedness, was abruptly replaced by a consuming inferno of anger and vengeance.

This shift was not only personal but also influenced the broader geopolitical landscape. Alongside his brother, Athos, Ajax found himself at the epicenter of one of the most significant conflicts of the 22nd century - the floating city wars. These conflicts, that saw numerous floating cities pitted against each other in a fierce struggle for supremacy, shaped the century's socio-political fabric.

LET IT BURN

But for Ajax, the war was not just a political or territorial battle. It was intensely personal. Convinced that Rome was the malevolent force behind his father's untimely death, Ajax's participation in the floating city wars was driven by a vengeance far deeper than mere geopolitics. The ancient city, a symbol of grandeur and historical significance, became the embodiment of the injustice inflicted upon his family. The pain of his father's loss was so intimately tied to Rome that he could not separate the two.

Every stone of Rome's storied architecture, every echo of its ancient history, was a glaring reminder of his father's demise. This connection inflamed his desire for vengeance, fueling a deep-seated resolve to see Rome and everything it symbolized crumble to ashes. Ajax, once known for his carefree spirit, was now a man possessed, a pivotal figure in the 22nd century's defining conflicts, driven by a desire for revenge that threatened to consume everything in its path.

A Cruel Twist of Fate

Despite the tragedy of losing his father, Ajax experienced a brief period of happiness with the birth of his second son, Achilles, and his wife Leda by his side. Unfortunately, this joy was short-lived. Shortly after Achilles' birth, he mysteriously passed away, and just a few weeks later, his wife also met her untimely end. The impact of these losses on Ajax was profound, extinguishing any lingering traces of the party prince and transforming him into the brooding figure he is today.

While Ajax may not have been the most devoted husband, the deaths of his wife and son altered him fundamentally. This change also extended to his relationship with his older son, Heracles, who despite his best efforts to gain attention and affection, was largely ignored or merely tolerated by his grieving father.

For Atlantis

Fiercely loyal to both his brother and Atlantis, over the years whilst Athos’ need for conquest and expansion dimmed, Ajax’s did not. There is no doubt that there is eighty years of tension which has built up between the floating cities of the world and the land, and that if the decision laid in Ajax’s hands, he would ignite the spark which would lead to that tension being resolved… A new world war between the oceans and the land.

A shadow of himself

The Ajax of 2149 was a complex figure, a mosaic of experiences and emotions shaped by the harsh reality of his life. If he were to face a mirror today, it's doubtful whether he would recognize the man staring back. The free-spirited youth of yesteryears was replaced by a hardened warrior, a transformation so profound it seemed almost surreal.

Though his position as a prince placed him in the constant company of courtiers and allies, an unspoken loneliness consumed Ajax. Amidst a sea of people, his heart echoed with solitude. One might recall a poignant moment when, under the influence of an excessive amount of mead, he confessed this sentiment to his brother Athos. His words, "whilst never alone, I am always alone," painted a heartbreaking picture of his emotional isolation.

Parsing Ajax's complex personality can be a challenge. Is his cynical and confrontational demeanor inherent, or is it a product of the trials he endured? The younger Ajax, after all, was known as one of Atlantis' shining lights. His radiant personality and carefree spirit were a beacon of hope, an embodiment of the vibrant energy that defined the kingdom

A HEART TURNED TO STONE

Despite the significant changes in his personality and outlook, one might argue that the core of Ajax, perhaps, remained intact. Beneath the hardened exterior, there might still exist the same good-hearted individual, albeit bruised and battered by life's cruel blows. As such, perhaps it would be most accurate to say that Ajax himself didn't change Ajax, but merely that the trials of life led his good heart to harden, and turn to stone.