In the void above, the roar of engines echoed.
A massive flying machine descended from the distance, hovering directly over Fenric's position.
It was shaped like an inverted pyramid, with propellers beneath to hold it aloft. Its dark frame was angular, strange, and entirely at odds with aerodynamic design.
The little girl went pale, her voice trembling as she screamed,
"Sir, we're going to be killed!"
Fenric only shrugged. "That's not necessarily true."
The aircraft steadied, then its belly hatch yawned open.
Thud—thud—thud!
One after another, sentry robots dropped from the cabin.
One. Two. Three.
By the end, six of the towering machines stood in formation, their red optics glowing coldly.
The girl's eyes filled with despair, her face drained of all color. Yet when she glanced at Fenric—still calm, almost indifferent—some of that despair eased. A flicker of hope returned to her gaze.
Despite her age, a child who could survive the apocalypse was no fool. She knew escape was impossible. Once a sentinel marked a mutant, only teleportation could save them.
Now, her only hope lay in Fenric—the powerful man who appeared from nowhere. If anyone could annihilate these monsters, it was him.
That aircraft responded too quickly. Was it drawn here by the earlier battle… or did the first sentinel send a distress signal? Fenric thought, eyes narrowing. Either way, this fight must end quickly.
—---
At the same time—
High above, a stealth fighter cut through the clouds, carrying some of the most famous mutants of their age: Professor X, Magneto, Wolverine, Storm, and others.
They were en route to the east, to seek allies and forge a plan to reverse the grim future awaiting them.
By coincidence, their course brought them directly above Fenric's battlefield.
Through the viewing screens, Wolverine spotted the dark aircraft unloading its cargo. His jaw tightened. "Careful—avoid it!"
Storm, at the controls, nodded sharply and pulled back the stick, steering their fighter higher to evade.
As for the two figures they spotted on the ground—one adult, one child—they could only watch.
It wasn't that they were unwilling to save them. But their mission took priority. If they succeeded, history itself would be rewritten, and every disaster—every death—would be undone.
"Bzzzzt—"
The dark aircraft, having unloaded its six sentries, began to turn away, preparing to depart.
Fenric's gaze hardened, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"Everything has arrived. Don't think you can just leave."
His foot slammed against the ground.
Boom—!
The earth cracked as he launched himself skyward, a crater opening beneath his feet. His leap carried him straight toward the massive aircraft.
The vessel had only just begun to accelerate. Like a car needing time to reach full speed, it was still sluggish. It could not escape him.
But instead of fleeing, the aircraft swiveled its cannon and fired.
Whoosh—!
A glowing energy round burst from the barrel, streaking toward Fenric.
For a moment, even Fenric allowed himself a thought of mild amusement. Energy weapons, in 2023? Technology here has advanced well. But… to think this would stop me?
He didn't dodge. His skin shimmered black with Armament Haki, hard as diamond.
Fwoom!
The round struck, engulfing him in a wave of heat. For a heartbeat, fire licked around him—then dissipated harmlessly.
At most, he felt a faint burn across his chest. Nothing more.
The blast slowed his ascent, but Fenric's body tensed, and with a surge of will, he soared upward again.
Now, he no longer relied on mere muscle. His mind power—his telekinetic strength—wrapped around him, carrying him through the sky like an arrow.
The sentinels below responded, engines roaring as they lifted into the air to intercept.
Too slow.
Fenric's figure blurred. In an instant, he was upon the aircraft.
His right fist clenched, white vapor curling around his knuckles.
Then—
Boom—!
His punch slammed into the hull.
Compared to the enormous craft, Fenric was no bigger than a cat striking an elephant. But the result was catastrophic.
Crack—!
The sky itself seemed to split. Web-like fissures spread across the aircraft's armor, racing outward from the point of impact.
In the blink of an eye, its entire surface fractured.
BOOOOM—!
The vessel erupted in midair, consumed by fire.
Shrapnel rained across the battlefield like a storm of burning meteors.
Through the blaze, Fenric descended steadily, landing with unhurried grace.
One punch. That was all it had taken.
The little girl on the ground stared up, her mouth hanging open. Her young face froze in disbelief.
Far above, inside the stealth fighter, silence reigned.
Storm sat stunned, unable to move. The cigar slipped from Wolverine's lips, falling forgotten to the floor. Even Magneto and Professor X exchanged looks of solemn surprise.
Such power… they had never seen its like.
At last, Professor X broke the silence.
"Ororo," he said softly to Storm, "don't leave yet. We will help them."
Storm nodded instantly, understanding.
It was obvious—the professor had already decided. A mutant with such strength… they had to recruit him.
She adjusted the controls, steering the fighter lower.
Beside her, Wolverine's voice was gruff, but measured. "Of those six machines, I can maybe handle two."
Professor X didn't reply. He only turned toward Magneto.
Old rivals, old friends. A single glance was enough. Magneto met his gaze, then gave a slow, solemn nod. He was ready.
But even as they prepared—
Something shifted on the battlefield below.