Under Soren's gaze, the surrounding buildings crumbled into golden sand. The sky churned, filled with whirling grains, as if time itself had unraveled.
What had once been a thriving city was now a wasteland.
The only thing left standing, aside from the looming metallic pyramids that had risen from the ruins, was Everlife Medical Center.
Soren stood at the threshold, his fingers resting against the wooden doorframe.
"So, this is the extent of his power…"
His moment of quiet observation was interrupted by a deep rumble in the sky.
With a sharp whoosh, a fighter jet cut through the clouds, its engines roaring as it approached the ruins of Egypt.
Soren's plum-colored eyes flickered with interest. "The X-Men?"
Inside the jet, flying through the clouds.
Professor X had fallen into Apocalypse's grasp. If the ancient mutant succeeded in using Charles' body as a vessel, the world would fall under his absolute control.
Time was running out.
Scott Summers sat in the cockpit beside Hank McCoy. His fingers tapped anxiously against the console until...
"Wait! Look!" His sudden exclamation made everyone turn.
Through the cockpit window, the ruins of Egypt stretched endlessly beneath them, but in the sea of yellow sand, a single intact building stood out.
A small oasis of life.
Hank squinted. "It's… a clinic?"
Pietro~ Quicksilver leaned forward. "That's weird. Why didn't it get destroyed?"
Mystique's changing eyes scanned the area. "It's the only structure left standing. That's not a coincidence."
"Take her down and let's investigate." Mystique ordered as the Leader.
Hank nodded, adjusting the plane's controls. "On it."
The fighter jet descended rapidly, coming to a halt just outside the Everlife Medical Center.
By the time the X-Men disembarked, Soren was already watching them from inside.
The group stood before the clinic, taking in the wooden sign at the entrance.
The words were simple yet odd.
Consultation fees are variable. Any valuable item may be used as payment.
Any illness or injury can be treated. No interruptions allowed during treatment.
Operating hours? Uncertain.
Cyclops frowned. "What kind of doctor writes something like this?"
"At least the sign survived the apocalypse." Quicksilver muttered.
Mystique exhaled, shifting her stance. "Be careful. Whoever's inside… they're no ordinary human."
At that moment, the clinic doors swung open on their own. A gentle voice drifted out.
"Everyone has come from afar. Why don't you step inside for a cup of tea?"
The X-Men exchanged glances. The voice was calm. Welcoming, even.
But in a place like this, amidst desolation and destruction, who could afford to be so… unbothered?
After a brief pause, Mystique made the first move. She approached and winked at the others to follow.
The air inside was cool and soothing, untouched by the chaos outside.
Soren sat behind a low wooden table, teacups already arranged. With a flick of his wrist, hot tea poured itself into the cups, releasing a fragrant aroma.
As the X-Men settled cautiously into the room, Soren's gaze flicked over them one by one.
His gaze lingered on Jean Grey for a moment.
"Sit."
The team hesitated, but eventually lowered themselves onto the cushions.
Soren raised a cup to his lips, taking a slow sip before offering them a warm smile. "Let's drink first."
Mystique's lips pressed into a thin line. "Sir, we don't have time for tea. We need to~"
"Drink first."
There was no force in his tone. No demand. But the way he said it left no room for argument.
Reluctantly, they each lifted their cups.
The moment the tea touched their tongues, a wave of tranquility washed over them.
Quicksilver let out a surprised hum. "Huh… that's weird. I feel… calm?"
Cyclops frowned slightly, staring into his cup. "I do too…"
Soren smiled. "Good."
Jean looked up, eyes wary. "What… is this tea?"
Soren chuckled. "A special blend. Grown in a place untouched by time. It soothes the mind. Especially useful for people who are constantly rushing toward danger."
Jean glanced at Scott. "…We don't have time to be calm."
Soren set his cup down.
"That's precisely why you need it."
Mystique cut to the heart of the matter. "Alright. Enough games. Who are you?"
Soren tilted his head. "My name is Soren Macaluso."
His eyes flickered toward the dark sky outside, where Apocalypse's influence still lingered.
"And before you ask, I didn't do all of this… but I believe you know that." He gestured toward the ruins. "But I did heal the mutant who did."
Silence fell over the room.
Scott's fingers tensed around his teacup. "…What?"
Soren leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his hand.
"Apocalypse came to me, long before this." His tone was casual, as if discussing the weather. "He was… his body was failing."
Jean's breath hitched. "And you healed him?"
Soren didn't deny it.
"He paid the price." He lifted his tea again, taking a slow sip. "And in exchange, I did what I do best."
The X-Men stiffened.
Mystique's eyes darkened. "You helped create this."
Soren raised an eyebrow. "Did I?"
He gestured to the clinic around them. "I am a doctor. I heal those who seek my help. That is all."
Scott gritted his teeth. "You healed a monster."
Soren's gaze sharpened. "Would you have me choose who deserves life and who doesn't?"
The temperature in the room seemed to falter, the X-Men fell silent.
Jean finally spoke. "…Can you help fix this?"
Soren exhaled slowly, setting down his cup.
A soft white glow spread from Soren's body, enveloping everyone in the room.
The X-Men tensed, instinctively wary of the sudden surge of energy, but almost immediately, they felt something within them stir, a rush, a surge of power they had never felt before.
It was Soren's ability, Potential Awakening Level 10.
They closed their eyes as the energy coursed through them. Their bodies trembled as waves of power expanded, their mutant abilities reaching new heights in mere moments, an impossible feat that should have taken years of struggle.
Soren watched them carefully through the veil of light.
Mystique's mimicry ability climbed from Level 6 to Level 7.
Kurt's teleportation range expanded, shifting from Level 5 to Level 6.
Jean's psychic aura pulsed, stronger than before.
Scott, Hank, and the others felt their own gifts being refined.
Soren could have granted them even more power, pushed them further, but he knew. They were still young. Unleashing too much too soon could be more of a curse than a gift.
Slowly, the white light began to fade.
A deep, lingering euphoria remained in its wake.
For a few precious moments, they basked in it, the thrill of newfound strength, the intoxicating sensation of growth.
As they opened their eyes, realization struck them.
Soren Macaluso had helped them unlock their potential.
Not through grueling battles. Not through endless training. With only a simple touch of his power.
They had always believed that their abilities could only grow through hardship and time. Yet here stood a man who had undone that notion in mere minutes.
A deep, stunned silence filled the room.
"This is incredible…" Quicksilver muttered, still flexing his fingers, feeling the new rush in his speed.
Hank removed his glasses, rubbing his eyes before putting them back on, as if trying to confirm that he was still seeing clearly.
Jean shuddered. "What… was that?"
Soren merely smiled. "A little push in the right direction."
Mystique was the first to recover. Stepping forward, she gave Soren a nod of respect.
"Dr Soren, thank you for your generous help." The others followed suit, murmuring their gratitude.
Soren waved them off with an easy smile. "I know you're going to face Apocalypse. Consider this my contribution."
With that, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of elegant business cards.
Each card was intricately designed, the front bore his name and the name of the clinic, while the back was adorned with mysterious golden patterns that shimmered under the dim light.
"Here." He handed each of them a card.
Quicksilver turned his over between his fingers, admiring the craftsmanship. "Fancy. But what's it for?"
Soren's smile widened. "A special service."
"If you ever find yourselves in danger, if you need healing, no matter where you are, simply crush this card in your hand."
Scott narrowed his eyes. "And?"
"And you will be instantly transported here, to my clinic."
Everyone stared at him.
"...You're joking?" Quicksilver finally said.
Soren merely sipped his tea. "I never joke about my profession."
Jean turned the card over, running a finger along the golden lines. "You're saying this thing can… teleport us?"
Soren nodded. "Straight to my clinic. No delay."
Mystique's gaze sharpened. "And you can really heal anything?"
A smirk played at the edges of Soren's lips. "Without exception."
Mystique hesitated. "Even~"
"Even that." Soren cut her off smoothly, already knowing what she was about to ask.
Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
The air grew heavier. Finally, she exhaled. "That's… impossible."
"That's what they all say." Soren mused, setting his tea down with a quiet clink.
The X-Men exchanged uncertain glances.
This man… who was he? What was he?
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
Fellow Phantoms and aspiring Phantoms to be, if you seek to access advanced parts of this story procced to my shadowy realm of p@treon.
PhantomDream