Phoenix Descends

Charles's psychic power surged into Erik's shattered consciousness.

The golden brand left by Apocalypse struggled, ancient runes writhing like living creatures.

Charles did not retreat. He poured in all the power he had accumulated over decades, calling his old friend's name again and again.

"Erik, the dead are gone, but the living still need you!"

Charles's voice echoed through the void.

"Do you remember our oath? Peaceful coexistence between mutants and humans. Apocalypse brings only destruction, and you were never the Destroyer."

A glimmer of light flashed through Erik's hollow eyes.

Suppressed memories flooded forth—the smile of his wife Magda, his daughter Nina running across the grass, late nights arguing ideals with Charles over a chessboard, and the brethren who had followed him.

"Charles..." Erik's voice was hoarse. "Can I still atone?"

"You do not need to atone, old friend." Charles smiled, exhausted. "Just be yourself again."

High in the sky, Erik's body jolted.

His eyes, covered in golden runes, suddenly erupted with silver-white light.

A magnetic field—one that truly belonged to him—spread wildly. Every piece of metal within ten kilometers trembled.

Apocalypse paused for a moment and turned around, shock appearing on his face for the first time.

The metal sphere over fifty meters in diameter that had engulfed the school was splitting apart.

"Impossible..." Apocalypse growled. "My brand is absolute!"

Erik answered with a roar.

"Absolute?" He raised both hands, silver-white light swirling in his palms. "Who do you think you are? A god?"

The massive metal sphere exploded.

Tens of thousands of steel fragments reassembled in midair, becoming over a hundred colossal spears ten meters long. Every tip flickered with terrifying power.

"This strike is for everyone who died by my hand!"

Erik's voice was filled with grief and fury.

Over a hundred spears descended from the