Marvel's master of cosmic magic-Chapter 591
"Restore."
With Apocalypse’s power now fully his, Rowan Mercer lifted a hand. The ruined city of Cairo responded instantly. Shattered buildings pulled themselves back together, streets smoothed, glass reformed, and the scars of devastation vanished as if time itself had been rewound.
Rowan exhaled, faintly pleased. His magic flowed more cleanly than ever.
"So it’s true," he murmured. "Stronger mind, stronger spells."
Repairing an entire city had once been an exhausting feat. This time, it felt almost effortless.
"Oh my God..."
Around him, the X-Men stared in open disbelief. They hadn’t recognized Rowan’s true form earlier, only playing along because Charles Xavier had quietly guided them through the deception. Now, seeing Apocalypse defeated and a city restored in seconds, there was no hiding their shock.
As their attention lingered on the miracle, Rowan’s gaze met his duplicate’s. In silence, the two exchanged positions through a subtle twist of space and form. The Rowan standing among the X-Men became the real one. The figure near the pyramid’s entrance faded into a disposable projection.
The timing mattered. This much interference rarely went unnoticed, and if the Time Variance Authority was watching, misdirection would buy precious time.
Charles Xavier, now seated once more in his wheelchair, looked at Rowan with genuine gratitude.
"Thank you," he said softly. "Whatever your reasons were, you saved us. And you saved this city."
Charles already knew about Erik’s wife and daughter. He also understood that Rowan’s true goal had been Apocalypse’s power. Still, gratitude remained. A villain wouldn’t have undone the destruction or protected innocent lives afterward.
"I didn’t do this out of kindness," Rowan replied calmly. "I helped because, in another universe, you’re my friends."
He stepped forward and placed a hand on Charles’s knees.
Energy flowed.
Charles gasped.
"I can feel them," he said, stunned. "My legs... I can feel them!"
He pushed himself upright, standing unsteadily, then firmly. His psychic abilities remained intact. No drugs. No side effects.
Rowan nodded, satisfied.
"My part here is finished."
Before leaving, he released Erik’s wife and daughter, reuniting them at last. Then, as he drew a portal, he sent a final series of visions into the minds of Charles and Erik.
A future where mutants were hunted to extinction.
A future where endless compromise led only to annihilation.
A future where fear ruled both sides.
"Take this as advice," Rowan said evenly. "Genocide is wrong. But submission is just another way to die. Humans don’t spare enemies who kneel. They retreat only from strength."
He met both men’s eyes.
"What you do next is your choice. I’m only showing you where certain roads lead."
With that, Rowan stepped through the portal and returned to his own universe, leaving the future behind him.
Charles and Erik stood in silence.
Their ideals had always clashed. Hope against fury. Faith against fear.
Now, both carried the weight of what they had seen.
At the same time, they spoke.
"I think," Charles said.
"We need to talk," Erik finished.
