The heat surging from the Phoenix boiled the seawater. Clouds and mist blanketed the ocean's surface as vapor rose into the air, only to be shredded apart by violent currents.
However, this environment benefited Loki's magic. His illusions were much steadier now; at least their facial features were no longer a blurry mess.
The Phoenix was chasing Jean, trying to return to her body. It had lived in many "nests," but Jean Grey's was still the most comfortable.
Unfortunately, no matter how it pursued her, the red-haired woman dancing through the air ahead always kept her distance. It looked like it was about to catch her again and again, only for it to somehow miss every time.
"Screech!!!"
It cried out in panic, wanting Jean to look at it. Even if they were going to die, they should die together.
It seemed to work a little. Jean stopped running and turned to face it.
The smile on her face was somewhat unnatural, and her appearance was a little off—too young—but that was not important.
The Phoenix discarded Cyclops, the burden wrapped inside it, and flew toward its old host's embrace. As long as it merged with Jean, destroying this Earth would take no more than an instant.
Closer. At its speed, the remaining distance was nothing more than an instant.
But it flew straight through the red-haired woman's body, as though passing through a cloud of smoke. It felt nothing at all, let alone the warmth of returning to its peak.
"Bang!!!"
A gunshot followed. Cyclops, whom the Phoenix had discarded and left in free fall, had his head explode in midair.
The freak dressed like Batman calmly worked the bolt, chambering another engraved enchanted bullet into his gleaming golden rifle.
"Done. Without a host, the free Phoenix is just