Chapter Summaries

After Xia Zuo left the orphanage, the controlled Hydra soldiers killed themselves, leaving Nick Fury wary of the six-year-old and ordering S.H.I.E.L.D. to cover up the massacre and help the displaced residents. Matron Mary and Skye learned some of what had happened, while Skye resolved to discover Xia Zuo’s fate herself.

• The Hydra soldiers under Xia Zuo’s control shot themselves, and Nick Fury warned that Xia Zuo could become a major threat.
• Nick Fury ordered S.H.I.E.L.D. to clean up the orphanage, suppress news of the deaths, and find the other residents a new home.
• Matron Mary and the children awoke in a nearby park, confused about how they had gotten there.
• Nick Fury explained the incident to Matron Mary and told her that S.H.I.E.L.D. would relocate the orphanage.
• Skye asked about Xia Zuo, but Natasha only confirmed that he was alive, prompting Skye to vow to learn what had happened.

Whitehall returned to his secret Hydra base after his Orphanage operation failed, only to discover that Xia Zuo had taken control of the base and was waiting for him. Xia Zuo confronted Whitehall over his plan to target the Orphanage.

• Whitehall learned that Xia Zuo had controlled Hydra's soldiers at the Orphanage, and that they had killed themselves after the boy with heterochromia spoke with S.H.I.E.L.D.
• Whitehall ordered his deputy to find Xia Zuo and considered seizing the Orphanage's residents to draw him out.
• Whitehall's deputy raised a pistol at him, revealing that Xia Zuo had used Geass to control him.
• Xia Zuo entered the room and told Whitehall they were meeting for the first time.
• Xia Zuo confronted Whitehall about his plan to target the Orphanage, having already taken control of the Hydra base.

Xia Zuo confronted Whitehall in Hydra's secret base and learned that the Scroll of Truth mapped a treasure connected to the Inhumans. After Whitehall's helmet failed to protect him from Xia Zuo's Geass, Xia Zuo shot and killed him.

• Whitehall pretended to surrender, then snapped the neck of the deputy under Xia Zuo's control.
• Whitehall put on a helmet designed to block mental abilities and boasted that Xia Zuo could no longer control him.
• Xia Zuo used his Geass to immobilize Whitehall and ordered him to answer questions.
• Whitehall revealed that the Scroll of Truth contained a map to a treasure connected to the Inhumans.
• Xia Zuo declared Whitehall no longer useful and shot him dead.

Xia Zuo killed Whitehall and destroyed the Hydra Base, finally ending their feud. His roar unleashed a terrifying presence that drew Professor X and Jean Grey’s attention, and Professor X sent the X-Men out to find him.

• Xia Zuo killed Whitehall, then ordered the Hydra soldiers to carry out the final order and destroy the Hydra Base.
• Xia Zuo watched the base explode and roared in relief as a powerful presence broke free within him.
• At the manor, Professor X sensed the presence, and Jean Grey confirmed that the being inside her had reacted to it.
• Professor X ordered Jean Grey to alert Scott Summers and prepare the Supersonic Jet so they could find Xia Zuo.
• Jean Grey left to carry out the order, and the Supersonic Jet soon took off.

After Xia Zuo escaped the destroyed Hydra base, Professor X arrived looking for him, only to clash with S.H.I.E.L.D. over access to the site. Professor X learned more about Xia Zuo’s actions and left concerned about how dangerous the new mutant was.

• Xia Zuo sensed that something had changed in him, then left the Hydra ruins before S.H.I.E.L.D. arrived.
• Professor X and Cyclops reached the destroyed base, but Professor X sensed that Xia Zuo had already gone.
• Natasha and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents surrounded Professor X and Cyclops, and Nick Fury ordered the professor to leave the area.
• Professor X stopped Cyclops from confronting the agents and departed with him after returning Natasha’s communicator.
• On the aircraft, Professor X revealed that he had learned Xia Zuo had controlled Hydra forces and killed hundreds, calling him frightening.

Professor X used Cerebro to search for Xia Zuo and reached him mentally while Xia Zuo rested in a villa. Xia Zuo rejected Professor X’s school and used Geass to expel him, leaving him determined to protect his mind and secrets.

• Professor X arrived at Xavier’s School with Cyclops and told Jean Grey to prepare Cerebro so he could find Xia Zuo.
• Professor X searched for Xia Zuo, hoping to guide him but prepared to control him if he proved dangerous.
• Xia Zuo rested in a villa after escaping Hydra, then sensed Professor X invading his mind.
• Professor X invited Xia Zuo to join Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters and offered to teach him to use his power.
• Xia Zuo refused and used Geass to command that no living being invade his mind, forcing Professor X’s presence out.

After realizing that his Hydra Base transformation had awakened a mutant power, Xia Zuo left his villa to avoid Professor X and the X-Men. He headed for the New York Sanctum, hoping to explore magic as his next path to power.

• Xia Zuo concluded that the change at the Hydra Base had awakened his X-Gene, but decided to leave before the X-Men could find him.
• Professor X told Cyclops that Xia Zuo was dangerous and ordered him to bring Xia Zuo to the X-School, using force if necessary.
• Xia Zuo left the villa and used his Geass to take control of a car and its driver.
• Xia Zuo directed the driver to 117A Bleecker Street, the New York Sanctum, after ruling out S.H.I.E.L.D. and the X-School in favor of studying magic.

Xia Zuo went to the New York Sanctum to meet the Ancient One, but its guardian dismissed him because he looked like a child. Xia Zuo used Geass to make the guardian report his arrival, and the Ancient One learned of his unusual ability and set out to meet him.

• Xia Zuo found the New York Sanctum and entered it to look for its guardian.
• A robed mage appeared and questioned Xia Zuo when he asked to see the Ancient One.
• Xia Zuo used Geass to control the mage and make him report to the Ancient One at Kamar-Taj.
• The Ancient One sensed the mage was controlled, freed him, and asked what had happened.
• After hearing the mage's account, the Ancient One decided to go meet Xia Zuo.

Xia Zuo met the Ancient One at the New York Sanctum and asked to study magic under her. After examining his future, the Ancient One revealed that every possible path led to the same world-shaping destiny.

• Xia Zuo waited in the New York Sanctum and considered controlling weaker sorcerers if the Ancient One refused to teach him.
• The Ancient One arrived through a golden portal with Mordo, whom Xia Zuo had controlled and sent to summon her.
• Xia Zuo introduced himself and asked the Ancient One to teach him magic.
• The Ancient One said she could not see through Xia Zuo's origins and found his future unusually significant.
• The Ancient One explained that Xia Zuo might become either the greatest good or the utmost evil, but every path led to the same future tied to the fate of the world.

Xia Zuo interpreted the Ancient One’s words as permission to study magic at Kamar-Taj, though she refused to teach him or become his teacher. After he left the New York Sanctum, Natasha briefed Nick Fury on the explosion and revealed that Whitehall had died in the blast.

• Xia Zuo asked the Ancient One to teach him magic, but she refused while saying no one could stop someone from studying at Kamar-Taj.
• The Ancient One left the New York Sanctum, and Mordo mocked Xia Zuo and ordered him to leave.
• Xia Zuo interpreted the Ancient One’s words as permission to enter Kamar-Taj and learn magic there, then departed to make preparations.
• Natasha told Nick Fury that Hydra had probably detonated its own base after someone took control of its members.
• Natasha revealed that Whitehall had been inside the base, and Nick Fury reacted with surprise that Xia Zuo had brought the old Hydra leader down.

Before leaving for Kamar-Taj, Xia Zuo arranged a large donation for the Mary Orphanage. After seeing the orphanage cared for, Nick Fury ended the pursuit of Asta, and Professor X recalled the X-Men team while Xia Zuo set out for Kamar-Taj.

• Xia Zuo arranged for several companies to donate large sums to the Mary Orphanage before leaving for Kamar-Taj.
• Matron Mary accepted the donations, which would support the orphanage and fund the children’s education for years.
• Nick Fury learned of the donations and ordered Natasha to take down the bounty on Asta and stop pursuing him.
• Professor X decided Xia Zuo’s generosity showed he still had kindness in him and told Jean to recall the X-Men team.
• Xia Zuo left for Kamar-Taj, unaware that Nick Fury and Professor X had called off their pursuit.

Xia Zuo arrived at the New York Sanctum to travel through its portal to Kamar-Taj, but Mordo refused to help him. Xia Zuo had another monk knock Mordo unconscious, then reached Kamar-Taj and spotted the Ancient One.

• Mordo trained at the New York Sanctum and learned that Xia Zuo had returned.
• Xia Zuo asked to use the Sanctum's portal to reach Kamar-Taj, but Mordo refused.
• Mordo prepared to defend himself against Xia Zuo's control, but a monk struck him unconscious after Xia Zuo controlled the monk instead.
• Xia Zuo ordered the monk to open the portal and stepped through to Kamar-Taj.
• Xia Zuo explored Kamar-Taj and saw the Ancient One reading in a hall.

Xia Zuo visited the Ancient One at Kamar-Taj, where she welcomed him and gave him a key and a room. Mordo arrived looking for Xia Zuo and lost his temper when the Ancient One stopped him from attacking.

• Xia Zuo met the Ancient One at Kamar-Taj and accepted her key granting access to most of the compound.
• The Ancient One hinted that she hoped Xia Zuo would gain something from his stay.
• Mordo returned to Kamar-Taj searching for Xia Zuo, whom he believed had tricked his way in.
• Mordo tried to attack Xia Zuo with a whip of light, but the Ancient One extinguished his magic.
• Mordo protested that the Ancient One was protecting Xia Zuo and accused her of favoritism.

Xia Zuo arrived at Kamar-Taj and began studying magic in its library. Reading introductory texts awakened a response from his Ultimate Eye, revealing that he had touched upon the condition for unlocking the Second Eye Ring.

• The Ancient One sent Mordo back to the New York Sanctum and told him to reconsider his actions.
• The Ancient One arranged for a monk to show Xia Zuo his room and introduce him to Kamar-Taj.
• Xia Zuo asked the monk for directions to the library and headed there to begin learning magic.
• The librarian recognized Xia Zuo's bracelet, gave him permission to read non-forbidden books, and recommended two introductory texts.
• As Xia Zuo read the books, his Ultimate Eye reacted, and he realized he had encountered the condition for unlocking the Second Eye Ring.

Xia Zuo learned that the second Eye Ring required him to gain magical knowledge, then unlocked the Copy Eyes after finishing his first magic book. He discovered the eyes could analyze and copy magic, giving him a powerful tool for studying sorcery.

• Xia Zuo learned that he needed enough magical knowledge to unlock the second Eye Ring and decided to study the books at Kamar-Taj.
• Xia Zuo spent the day reading in the library and borrowed introductory magic books to continue studying in his room.
• Xia Zuo finished his first book the next day, and the Ultimate Eye told him he had met the condition to unlock the second Eye Ring.
• Xia Zuo accepted the prompt, and the Ultimate Eye transformed his eyes into the vermilion, star-marked Copy Eyes.
• Xia Zuo learned that the Copy Eyes could analyze and copy magic, even while someone was casting it.

Xia Zuo spent nearly a year reading Kamar-Taj’s magic books and meditating, while using the Hong Kong Sanctum to get breakfast. After returning from her travels, the Ancient One heard from Wong that Xia Zuo had become an expert in magical theory without ever practicing magic.

• Xia Zuo traveled through Kamar-Taj’s portal hub to the Hong Kong Sanctum and ate his usual breakfast before returning to the library.
• Xia Zuo continued reading magic books and meditating, gathering magical knowledge to strengthen his second Eye Ring.
• The Ancient One returned to Kamar-Taj after a year spent inspecting other worlds and asked Wong for news.
• Wong reported that Xia Zuo had spent the entire year reading and had earned the title of expert in magical theory, despite never practicing magic.
• The Ancient One was astonished by Wong’s report about Xia Zuo.

The Ancient One learned that Xia Zuo had spent the past year reading magic books without practicing spells and asked him why. After Xia Zuo explained that his Copy Eyes let him learn spells by observing them, the Ancient One arranged a mage duel for the next day.

• Wong told the Ancient One that Xia Zuo had spent the year studying in the library without practicing magic.
• The Ancient One visited Xia Zuo and asked why he had not learned to cast spells.
• Xia Zuo explained that his Copy Eyes let him analyze and learn spells as soon as he saw them, so he focused on gaining magical knowledge.
• The Ancient One suggested that Xia Zuo fight one of Kamar-Taj's mages, and Xia Zuo accepted.
• The Ancient One set the duel for the next day at Kamar-Taj's training grounds, while Xia Zuo hoped she would choose a strong opponent.

Mordo learned that the Ancient One had arranged a match between Xia Zuo and Kamar-Taj mages, and he returned to Kamar-Taj with an idea forming in his mind. Xia Zuo faced Kaecilius in the training ground and activated his eye ability to copy magic as Kaecilius began casting a spell.

• A monk told Mordo that the Ancient One had gathered mages to fight Xia Zuo in an arranged match.
• Mordo dismissed the monk and prepared to return to Kamar-Taj, still angry about the past.
• The Ancient One brought ten selected mages to the training ground, where they looked down on Xia Zuo for his lack of practical experience.
• Xia Zuo arrived late, ignored the mages’ mockery, and chose Kaecilius as his opponent.
• Kaecilius entered the training ground and began forming a magical rune with his Sling Ring.
• Xia Zuo activated his second eye ring, revealing the structure and power of Kaecilius’s magic.

Xia Zuo defeated Kaecilius with a Magic Whip, revealing magical skill far beyond what the other mages expected. Though the Ancient One tried to end the fight, Xia Zuo asked to face all the other mages at once.

• Kaecilius attacked Xia Zuo with a Magic Whip, but Xia Zuo formed his own whip faster and matched the spell.
• Kaecilius tried to conjure another spell, but Xia Zuo disrupted his runes, wrapped him in the Magic Whip, and slammed him into a stone pillar.
• Xia Zuo declared Kaecilius defeated and challenged the other mages, who remained too stunned to respond.
• The Ancient One praised Xia Zuo's magical attainment and said the fight could end, but Xia Zuo asked to keep fighting and invited everyone to attack together.

Xia Zuo challenged ten mages to fight him at once, provoking them into accepting. As the battle began, he formed a magic shield and sword simultaneously and charged at them.

• Xia Zuo taunted the mages and challenged them all to attack him together.
• The Ancient One approved the fight, and ten selected mages entered the training ground to face Xia Zuo.
• The mages coordinated their magic, forming shields and weapons while preparing to attack.
• Xia Zuo used his Copy Eyes to analyze their spells and formed a magic shield in his left hand and a magic sword in his right.
• The Ancient One was surprised that Xia Zuo could cast two spells at once, and Xia Zuo charged at the mages.