Ajak

*"You know, after I let you all go, I traveled the world living among them. I have seen them fight and lie and kill, but I have also seen them laugh and love, I've seen them create and dream. This planet and these people have changed me."*
―Ajak to Ikaris[src]
**Ajak** was the original Prime Eternal, as well as the wise and spiritual leader of the community of genetically engineered Eternals who came to Earth. Created by the Celestials in the World Forge, Ajak was sent to Earth in 5000 BC to progress the planet's societal development, and protect it from the Deviants. Ajak was aware of her purpose in life to pave the way for Earth's Emergence with the birth of Tiamut the Communicator. However, she was inspired by the heroics of the Avengers during the Battle of Earth, and instead opposed the ideals of her creators, believing humanity was worth saving. Although having confided her opposition to Ikaris, she was ultimately betrayed by him and lured to a pack of Deviants in Alaska for her to be murdered. After her death, Sersi was named as her successor as the Prime Eternal.

## Biography

### Creation

#### Aiding the Celestials for Millennia

*"Ajak knew the truth?"
"She has helped many Celestials to emerge over millions of years."*
―Sersi and Arishem the Judge[src]
Ajak was genetically programmed by Arishem the Judge, the leader of the Celestials, and was sent to multiple planets to protect and help evolve sentient life forms from the Deviants, powering a Celestial seed inside the planet, which would absorb the energy made from the sentient lifeforms. Eventually, the Emergence would occur, destroying the planet in the process. Upon finishing their mission, the Eternals would be sent back to the World Forge to have their memories erased and reset. Ajak herself helped the Celestials in many planets, ensuring the Emergence to happen.

### The Emergence

#### Arriving on Earth

*"It is time."*
―Ajak[src]

Eventually, Arishem instructed Ajak alongside a group of Eternals to travel to the planet called Earth to protect life forms from the Deviants. He privately informed her that they would also be secretly fostering the birth of a Celestial within the planet around 5000 BC. Before their arrival on Earth, Ajak and the other Eternals were assigned to the *Domo*, and was awoken by Celestial Communication Sphere to instruct the others to prepare for arrival. She and the other Eternals entered their own stations where they were given proper uniforms and then arrived at the planet.

Once the *Domo* had gone through Earth's atmosphere, Ikaris, Thena, Gilgamesh, Makkari, and Kingo went to the ground to protect the humans from Deviants. Ajak and the others stayed in the *Domo* until all the present Deviants were killed. She and the others levitated down onto the ground where they were joined by the other Eternals, Ajak used her power to heal Ikaris, who had a contusion on his shoulder, and then presented themselves to the race they were assigned to protect.

#### Battle of Babylon

*"Do not become attached to this planet. You must focus on the true purpose of your mission."
"I understand. I will not let you down."*
―Arishem the Judge and Ajak[src]
In Babylon, within the Ishtar Gate, after the Eternals defeated a group of Deviants, Ajak activated the Celestial Communication Sphere, and informed Arishem that Babylon had become the most populated city on Earth. She then expressed concern that Earth would be destroyed as a result of the Emergence, though Arishem instructed her to not get attached to the race. Ajak then instructed her peers to limit and be very selective of their interaction with the human race, wishing to see mortal civilization rise up under their own power and rarely, if ever, with the Eternal's assistance.

Ajak then went to find the other Eternals inside the *Domo*, where Phastos showed her his new invention: a steam engine, which Ajak thought it was too complex, and it would be too soon to present humanity with such technology. When she asked for something more simple, Phastos then presented a plow, that the team found most suitable for the humanity in that period of time.

Later that night, a celebration was held for the Eternals, where Ajak and Ikaris watched over from a balcony. He said that he wouldn't let his feelings for Sersi distract him from his mission, which Ajak responded saying that she could feel his strong faith for Arishem, and that he could live a life and tell Sersi how he feels. Years later, she would witness Ikaris and Sersi's marriage.

After the Eternals left Babylon, Ajak told Ikaris about the true mission of the Eternals: the emergence of a new Celestial, feeling the loyal soldier deserved to know the truth. Ajak sent Druig and Makkari to Japan to deal with a rumor of a Deviant, and Druig was injured in the battle, but Ajak healed him.

#### Mission in Spain

Ajak and Phastos went to Spain, intending to visit the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba. Ajak contacted Pope Gregory IX and asked to be greeted. When they arrived, they were greeted by Lope de Fitero and Juan de Soria. Phastos and Ajak introduced themselves as pilgrims, and de Fitero explained the history of the Mosque to them. de Fitero explained that they have not yet figured out how gunpowder, but intend to. de Fitero and de Soria excused themselves, and Phastos expressed regret at helping humanity advanced, and Ajak scolded Phastos for his regret. They heard Deviants attack the city, and rushed to the fight. Ajak wondered about how the Deviants could have found them while Phastos helped people. Phastos realized that the Deviants were focused their attacks on him and Ajak, and Ajak connected it to the Deviants faced by Druig and Makkari in Heian-Kyo and by Sprite and Kingo in Korea. A human joined the fight, confusing Ajak and Phastos as the Deviants retreated. The human reveal himself to be de Fitero, who thanked them for help and promised not to tell anyone about the attack. de Fitero gave them his Reconquista Helmet, and de Soria confided in them that he was planning to promote de Fitero to Diocese. Ajak was pleased to learn that the promotion went through later.

#### Ending the 500 Year War

Ajak was contacted by Ikaris and Sersi, who had found a cave where several Deviants were residing. Ajak and the rest of the Eternals joined the fight, as Druig realized that the Kappa had replicated his abilities to control the other Deviants. Ajak ordered Ikaris to take the Deviant down, but Ikaris was unable to do so. Thena managed to kill Kappa, causing all the others to fall.

#### Defeating the Deviants

*"Thena, I love you, but listen to me. It's not important if you remember or not. Your spirit will remain. You will always be Thena deep inside."*
―Ajak to Thena[src]
Ajak and the Eternals continued their fight against the Deviants, and Ajak ordered a global sweep for Deviants. Phastos said that the search would be fruitless, but Ajak insisted that they obey Arishem the Judge's orders. Makkari stopped by and asked them where Sersi was. Phastos recommended that she search for in the vaults, and Makkari thanked them and left. Ajak and Phastos joined the rest of the Eternals in the room as they remembered their individual involvements in the 500 Year War. Phastos found the Reconquista Helmet which belonged to Lope de Fitero, as they reminisced about their time in Córdoba. Ajak said that the Eternals would continue to defeat the Deviants, and ordered a global survey to remain vigilant.

During the Fall of Tenochtitlan, Ajak, Phastos, Sersi, Sprite, and Druig met with the rest of the Eternals after they had fought the remaining Deviants. When men with heavy weaponry arrived and started killing the natives, Thena's Mahd Wy'ry caused her to fight the others unknowingly. Thena stabbed Ajak's hand, and then she tried to help her using her healing powers. But it didn't work out, and the two engaged in a short fight, ending with Thena stabbing Ajak once again, though she healed herself. While Ajak was healing Makkari, Gilgamesh was able to stop Thena.

They all took Thena to lay on a pedestal, while Ajak cured the others that were attacked, she explained that Thena had a disorder known as Mahd Wy'ry, that could only be cured by erasing all of her memories. Although Thena pleaded to retain her memories and remember her life, Ajak said that it didn't matter if she could remember or not, she would always be "Thena deep inside".

This resulted in an argument between Ajak and Druig, that expressed concern about the humans who were fighting below them, knowing he could prevent it. Ajak reminded him that they could not interfere in human conflicts, though Druig explained that he was starting to doubt Ajak's instruction, and began manipulating the humans, until Ikaris tried to stop him. However, Ajak ordered Ikaris to stop, resulting in Druig deserting to end the Spanish conflict himself, through the use of his mind control abilities, taking a group of humans with him.

Gilgamesh then volunteered to take care of Thena, but Ajak also warned that under desperate circumstances, Thena would have to be killed, however Gilgamesh was willing to take the chance.

#### Splitting Up the Eternals

*"This is where we say goodbye. You are free to go. I want you to go out there, and live a life for yourselves. Not as soldiers, not with the purpose you were given. Find your own purpose. And one day, when we see each other again, I want you to tell me what you found."*
―Ajak[src]
In that same night, Ajak decided to disband the Eternals, telling the group to go their own ways and to start their own lives. During her time away from the Eternals, Ajak traveled the world and spent a lot of time coming closer to humanity, witnessing several events throughout history, eventually growing to cherish humans. Nevertheless, Ajak stayed a loyal soldier of Arishem who she didn't doubt, along with the mission assigned to them.

Ajak would stay in touch with some Eternals. In August 1945, when Phastos visited Hiroshima, Japan after the atomic bombing, Ajak comforted her fellow Eternal while he cried. Sprite also used to visit Ajak in her homestead, in one occasion both danced and sang together. Ajak then asked Sprite to check on Sersi in London.

Eventually, Ajak moved to South Dakota and lived in a house there. In 2018, following the Snap, Ajak realized that the Emergence of the new Celestial had been delayed, as its power source had been cut in half.

In 2024, Ajak observed how the Blip was brought about by the Avengers. This act deeply moved her that Humans would be capable of doing such act and their actions to save the universe. This also caused her to for the first time doubt Arishem and her duty as an Eternal.

#### Betrayed by Ikaris

*"Oh, Ikaris. I've led you down the wrong path."
"It's the only path I know."*
―Ajak and Ikaris[src]
In 2024, Ajak was riding her horse, when Ikaris came to visit her. She then told him that they have seven days until the Emergence, and told him they needed to tell the others about everything, so together they would stop it. She then explained how she felt about saving humans, and how this planet had changed her. An upset Ikaris told her about how he trusted her, lying that he would follow her until the end, and that he needed to show something to her.

Ikaris took Ajak to Alaska and showed her a cliff where below was a slowly-melting glacier, with a group of Deviants. He then said that he would have to kill anyone who stood in the way of the Celestials. When asked to why he wouldn't kill her by himself, he explained that her death caused by Deviants would alarm the others, and keep them busy until the Emergence. He then pushed Ajak off the cliff into the pit of Deviants. She picked up a rifle that was laying on the ice and attempted to fire it at the approaching Deviants, but was overpowered by Kro who killed her and absorbed her power.

### Legacy

*"Sersi. You're not powerful enough to do this. And you won't. You're not a killer."*
―Ajak[src]
Ajak's body was taken by Ikaris back to South Dakota. Later, when strange earthquakes happened on the planet and Deviants reappeared, her body was found by Sersi and Sprite. While Sprite was inside the house, projecting her last memory of Ajak, Sersi mourned in front of Ajak's body, when suddenly the Celestial Communication Sphere from Ajak came out of her dead body and entered Sersi's, allowing her to communicate with Arishem the Judge, making Sersi the Prime Eternal, and successor of Ajak. Her death moved the other Eternals to hunt the last Deviants, until they found out about their real purpose in this planet. The revelation made the team question their mission and even Ajak's lies, as stated by Phastos and Druig.

While the team was working to find a way to stop the Emergence, Ikaris revealed that he was the one who orchestrated Ajak's death, splitting the team in two groups: one that, like Ajak, believed that the humans were worth protecting and another that agreed with the Emergence. In the meantime, Sersi questioned the reason why Ajak choose her to be her successor, with Thena emphasizing the love that Sersi felt for the humans, and that there is no one better to lead them than her.

Eventually the groups clashed in a battle, and in a last attempt to persuade and stop Sersi, Sprite used her powers to create an illusion of Ajak telling her that she wasn't powerful enough to kill Tiamut, which Sersi recognized it wasn't in fact Ajak, but still allowing Sprite to stab her back.

## Personality

*"I respect your grand design, Arishem. But I have noticed something special about this planet."*
―Ajak to Arishem the Judge[src]
During the fight against the Deviants, Ajak served as the Eternal's spiritual leader and maternal figure. She is well suited for the role because she can communicate telepathically with the Celestials. Ajak uses her healing powers to care for her fellow Eternals, but never for humans as she may not interfere in their affairs.

Ever since she and her fellow Eternals arrived on Earth, Ajak noticed something peculiar about humans and was tempted to give into her sentiments, only refusing to do so out of her fierce loyalty and obedience to Arishem the Judge and the Celestial's mission. However, after the Eternals disbanded in the aftermath of the genocide at the hands of the Spanish conquistadors, Ajak spent several centuries traveling amongst humans and grew to love and cherish them.

Her affection for mankind reached its apex after the blip, when the Avengers resurrected half of the universe. Seeing humans' capacity for good caused Ajak to break her centuries-long loyalty to the Celestials and work to save mankind from the Emergence, despite knowing that rebelling against her creators could mean death.

## Powers and Abilities

### Powers

* **Eternal Physiology**: By design from the Celestials, Ajak was an Eternal possessing superhuman strength, durability, speed, agility, stamina, reflexes, and healing, numerous times superior than any normal human being, as well as immortality and being able to manipulate cosmic energy to a certain degree.
	+ **Superhuman Strength**: Like all Eternals, Ajak possessed great superhuman strength, numerous times stronger than any normal human being. She was able to hold a Deviant much larger than her long enough to grab a shotgun and in the same fight she used the shotgun to hit the Deviant on the head with enough force to push him back.
	+ **Superhuman Durability**:      Ajak's body was numerous times more resistant to physical and energy damage than any normal human being; and even when directly harmed, she shows impressive pain threshold, barely fazed when Thena impaled her hand with one of the latter's conjured energy-based weapon. She was, therefore, able to effortlessly land on her feet, completely unharmed after falling from several stories when Ikaris pushed her to the Deviants. Ajak also showed her resistance to ionizing radiation when she met Phastos in Hiroshima that had just recently been nuked, with the latter showed no signs of radiation poisoning.
	+ **Superhuman Speed**: Ajak could run and move at great superhuman speed, much faster than any normal human being. She was quick enough to pick up a shotgun in a split second and shoot a Deviant after pushing him back.
	+ **Superhuman Agility**: Ajak naturally possessed far greater agility, equilibrium, flexibility, dexterity, balance, and body coordination than any normal human being.
	+ **Superhuman Stamina**: Ajak's advanced musculature was considerably more efficient than any normal human being. As a result, her muscles virtually did not produce fatigue toxins during physical activity. Her endurance allowed her to exercise her maximum capacity for an extremely long period of time without tiring at all.
	+ **Superhuman Reflexes**:      Ajak could react and dodge objects traveling at high speeds, much quicker than any normal human being. She was able to quickly block Thena's attack by placing her hand in front of the latter's weapon, which was moving at high speed.
	+ **Regenerative Healing Factor**: Ajak's metabolism enabled her to rapidly regenerate damaged bodily tissue with far greater speed and efficiency than any normal human being. However, she could not recover from Kro absorbing his powers.
	+ **Immortality**: As an Eternal, Ajak was genetically able to live forever, without dying due to old age or illnesses.
	+ **Cosmic Energy Manipulation**: By design of the Celestials, all Eternals are genetically capable of using cosmic energy. Each Eternal possesses a unique ability, all derived from the same cosmic power source. Ajak used her cosmic energy to heal others from injuries and illnesses.
		- **Cosmic Healing**:      Ajak was able to use her cosmic energy to heal humans and Eternals alike from injuries and illnesses. This applies even to herself, undoing any harm Ajak may have sustained to herself, and also affects the non-organic, as seen when healing her fellow Eternal's also renewed the attires they were garbed in.
	+ **Divine Communication**: As the former Prime Eternal, Ajak possessed a Celestial Communication Sphere, allowing her to telepathically communicate directly with the Celestials, the architects of existence itself.

### Abilities

* **Genius-Level Intellect**: As a member of the Eternals' team of thinkers, Ajak was an incredibly smart person, having worked for the Celestials for millions of years.
* **Master Tactician**:      Being designed to be the leader of the Eternals, Ajak was a highly skilled war tactician who had led the Eternals to several victories across many centuries, against their enemies, the Deviants.
* **Expert Combatant**: Despite being part of the Eternals' team of thinkers, Ajak was an expert hand-to-hand combatant. She was able to trade a few blows with Thena, when the latter lost control, before being stabbed by her.
* **Expert Marksman**:      While facing the Deviants in Alaska, Ajak used a shotgun to first hit one of them and then shoot him with great precision, before being stopped and killed by Kro.
* **Multilingualism**: Ajak was fluent in English. She also understand and could possibly speak Sumer and Aztec as she spent a lot of time living in Babylon and Tenochtitlan.

## Equipment

### Weapons

* **Sword**: During her mission in Spain with Phastos, Ajak used a sword to fight a group of Deviants.
* **Shield**: During her mission in Spain, Ajak also used a shield to fight a group of Deviants.
* **Shotgun**: Ajak was able to get hold of a shotgun while she was being attacked by Kro and other Deviants.

### Other Equipment

* **Celestial Armor**: Ajak donned a gold-blue armor, equipped on her by the Domo. The armor was durable enough to withstand multiple blows during the fight with the Deviants.
* **Celestial Communication Sphere**: Ajak used was a communication sphere given to her by Arishem the Judge, to communicate with the him as the leader of the Eternals. After Ajak passed away, it was inherited by her teammate, Sersi.
* **Horse Saddle**: Ajak had a brown horse saddle she used while riding in South Dakota, which she kept in her homestead. She used this saddle while riding when she noticed that Ikaris had come to speak with her.

### Vehicles

* ***Domo***: Ajak was sent to Earth in the *Domo*, where she and the nine others she was sent with were awoken. The *Domo* was used as a base of operations while the Eternals operated in Mesopotamia and its capitol city, Babylon.

## Facilities

* **Ajak's Homestead**: Ajak's homestead was her primary residence in South Dakota. She spent time with the Eternals there and checked in on them while they lived separate lives. She lived there until Ikaris led her to her death.

## Relationships

* Thena
* Phastos
* Druig
* Kingo
* Makkari
* Sprite
* Gilgamesh †
* Pope Gregory IX
* Lope de Fitero †
* Juan de Soria
	+ Kappa †
	+ Kumiho †
	+ Kraken †
	+ Kro † - Killer
* Celestials - Creators
	+ Arishem the Judge - Superior
	+ Tiamut the Communicator †
* Ikaris † - Former Ally and Indirect Killer

## Trivia

* In the comics, Ajak was an archaeologist and a Siberian-born member of the sub-race of Eternals known as the Polar Eternals.
* Ajak is the tenth character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to be depicted as a different gender from their counterpart in the comics, following Jeri Hogarth, the Ancient One, Ghost, Mar-Vell, Morgan Stark, Gabriella Rosetti, Flag Smasher, and Taskmaster.
	+ However, during the wide rebirth of all the Eternals (following their descend into madness and mass suicidal event), Ajak was reborn as a female. According to Ikaris, Eternals commonly take advantage of the rebirth process to change appearance (and potentially gender).

## Behind the Scenes

* Before Salma Hayek was cast as Ajak, Ana de Armas, Eiza González and Gina Rodriguez were considered for the role.
* Vaia Zaganas was a stunt double for Salma Hayek in the role of Ajak.
* Valentina Latyna Plascencia was a stand-in for Salma Hayek in the role of Ajak.

## References

The Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki has a collection of images and media related to **Ajak**.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki has a collection of quotes related to **Ajak**.

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 *Eternals: The 500 Year War*
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 *Eternals*
3. ↑ *Marvel Studios' The Marvel Cinematic Universe: An Official Timeline*

## External Links

* Ajak on Marvel Database
* Ajak on Wikipedia
* Ajak on Marvel Website