At that moment, every one of Liam Hayes' abilities began to evolve.
It wasn't a gradual shift. It was explosive, overwhelming—like something inside him had finally broken past its last restraint. Power surged through his body in waves, each ability refining, expanding, and reaching a level it had never touched before.
Below, the others could only stare.
Storm's expression tightened, her usual composure slipping as she looked up at the sky. "What's happening to Wes? Why did it suddenly turn into this?"
"I don't know," Wolverine muttered, his eyes narrowing. "Could it be Jean?"
His gaze shifted toward Jean Grey, who was still suspended in the air, engulfed in that terrifying Phoenix energy.
Polaris froze for a moment, something clicking in her mind. "Wait… didn't Wes say something before?"
"What?" Cyclops asked, confused.
Storm's eyes widened slightly as realization hit. "He said it only takes two days for him to get stronger."
Polaris' eyes lit up instantly. "And he asked what time it was just now. It's already past midnight… which means this is the second day."
For a brief second, silence fell between them.
Then Wolverine let out a low whistle. "Figures. I knew he wouldn't disappoint."
Polaris didn't look away from the sky, her gaze steady and filled with confidence. "He's going to pull this off."
Above them, the transformation finally reached its peak.
A system panel flickered silently within Liam's mind.
[Host: Liam Hayes]
[Super Ability: Vector Manipulation, Space Movement, Ice Control, Flame Control, Energy Absorption, Electromagnetic Force, Evolution, Telepathy, Super Infrasound, Space Reversal, Atomic Collapse, Stealth, Molecular Manipulation, Dragon Transformation, Super Brain, Weather Control, Vibration, Ultimate Elemental Matter, Transmigration, Mechanical Heart, Iron Body, Illusion, X-Ray Vision, Psychic Cannon, High-Speed Regeneration, Super Speed, Affinity, Flexibility, Adaptability…]
[Super Ability Level: Lv.5 (Omega-Level Mutant)]
[Experience: 0/100000]
Liam exhaled slowly.
The difference was immediate.
Every movement, every breath—it all felt different. Power coursed through his body so naturally that even the slightest gesture felt like it could tear reality apart.
This wasn't just an upgrade.
It was a complete transformation.
The gap between Level 4 and Level 5 wasn't linear—it was absolute. The version of himself from moments ago wouldn't last even a second against him now.
At the same time, new information surfaced.
One hundred thousand experience points to reach the next level.
At one sign-in per day, that meant nearly three years.
Liam's lips curved slightly.
"Too long."
Three years might not mean much to others, but to him, it was inefficient. If there was a way to accelerate that process, he would take it.
And right now—
There was.
His gaze shifted toward the sky, locking onto the blazing figure of the Dark Phoenix.
The answer was right in front of him.
If he could absorb that power…
A faint heat flickered in his eyes.
Across from him, the Dark Phoenix seemed to sense his intent. The flames surrounding her intensified instantly, her gaze snapping toward him with unmistakable hostility.
"It's you again," she said coldly.
There was anger in her voice—real, burning anger.
Liam smiled faintly. "Yeah. Me again."
His tone was calm, but there was something different about him now—something that made even the Phoenix hesitate for a fraction of a second.
"This time, I'm ending this."
The words landed.
The Dark Phoenix didn't respond with more talk.
She raised her hand.
The sky ignited.
Endless flames poured down, the entire night turning into a sea of crimson fire as the Phoenix Force descended with overwhelming pressure.
Liam didn't move.
He simply watched.
"Before, this might've been a problem," he said casually. "But now?"
The flames swallowed him whole.
Below, the others tensed instantly, their expressions tightening as they watched him disappear into the inferno.
But Liam remained calm.
Vector manipulation activated instinctively.
At Level 5, it had reached an entirely different tier. Every force, every direction, every flow of energy—it all fell within his control.
Flames.
Electromagnetic force.
Even the Phoenix energy itself.
They were all vectors.
Before, manipulating something as complex as the Phoenix Force would have been difficult.
Now?
It was effortless.
The raging flames twisted.
Their direction shifted, bending unnaturally as they flowed around him instead of consuming him.
But Liam wasn't deflecting them.
He was doing something else.
Energy Absorption—fully activated.
The flames condensed.
Then they began to collapse inward.
From the outside, it looked like a vortex had formed, the Phoenix energy spiraling uncontrollably as it was dragged into Liam's body.
The Dark Phoenix's expression changed instantly.
"That again?!"
Her voice carried a trace of genuine shock this time.
Then anger followed.
The flames intensified further, the Phoenix Force surging with even greater ferocity as she tried to overwhelm him completely.
But it didn't work.
The more power she released—
The faster he absorbed it.
Liam closed his eyes briefly.
The sensation was overwhelming.
Power flowed into him endlessly, flooding every part of his body. It wasn't just energy—it was something deeper, something primal.
And it felt… incredible.
For a moment, he understood exactly why Uk had looked so intoxicated earlier.
This power was addictive.
The sky cleared.
In mere seconds, the vast sea of Phoenix flames had been completely drained.
Liam opened his eyes.
Then he moved.
In an instant, he appeared in front of Jean Grey, pulling her into his arms as the energy around her surged violently.
He didn't hesitate.
Energy Absorption intensified.
The Phoenix Force within her body began to flow out again, this time even faster than before.
From a distance, the others watched, relief flashing across their faces at first.
"It's working…" Cyclops muttered.
But as time passed, that relief began to fade.
A new worry took its place.
If this continued…
What would happen to Jean?
Cyclops clenched his fists, his expression growing more and more tense. He wanted to step in, to do something—but there was nothing he could do.
Above them, the situation was changing rapidly.
At first, the Dark Phoenix didn't care.
But soon—
She noticed.
Half.
Nearly half of her power was gone.
And Liam showed no sign of stopping.
For the first time, panic flickered across her face.
"Stop!"
She struggled violently, trying to break free—but it was useless. No matter how much she resisted, she couldn't escape his grip.
Attacking him only made things worse.
Every bit of power she used was immediately absorbed.
"Wes… stop," her voice suddenly softened.
It changed completely—gentle, familiar.
"I'm fine now."
Liam paused for a fraction of a second, looking at her.
Jean?
No.
His eyes sharpened almost immediately.
That wasn't Jean.
It was a trick.
A mimicry meant to deceive him.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Nice try," he said quietly.
Then his grip tightened slightly.
"Phoenix," he continued, his voice calm but absolute, "stop struggling."
The vortex of energy intensified.
"I'll take you in completely."
His gaze burned with certainty.
"And I'll bring you back in your strongest form."
....
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