In just two minutes, Sentry and Phoenix exchanged tens of thousands of blows. Neither gained an advantage, nor did either suffer a loss.
But pain gradually appeared on Jean Grey's face, because she was finding it harder and harder to restrain the Phoenix personality within her. Although, with Professor X's help over the years, she had initially accepted the existence of her dark personality, she still clashed with Phoenix in many ways.
For example, Jean Grey was entirely focused on holding Sentry back and keeping herself from causing too much damage to Earth.
Yet the impassioned voice in her ear kept urging her to let herself go, to turn everything to ash, and let life enter a new cycle.
Trying to overpower Phoenix mentally also meant she could not fight with complete focus. Against an enemy on Sentry's level, even one trillionth of a second mattered.
She was struck several times in succession in midair. Even protected by a barrier of flames, blood still seeped from the corner of her mouth.
But Sentry was not doing much better. Fighting Phoenix hand-to-hand at close range had burned his whole body black. If not for the vigorous Golden Light radiating from him, he would definitely have looked like a Black man now.
The two were driven apart by the terrifying storm unleashed by a violent collision. Both panted heavily, then prepared to begin the second round.
But just then, Sentry suddenly heard his wife's voice.
"Robert! Help!"
He found it strange. He had not been able to hear anything for a while, so why could he suddenly hear a voice now? Wasn't that bird woman's ability?
Forget it. As long as he killed her, it would prove that he had become stronger, and he would get to feel that heaven-soaring pleasure, right?