Although the Phoenix Force was one of the most powerful cosmic forces in existence, Ethan Cole understood very clearly that it was not invincible.
This world was ultimately built upon the foundation of the Marvel universe. While the events unfolding so far had mostly followed the structure of the cinematic timeline, that did not mean the deeper layers of the universe were absent.
Many terrifying powers still lurked in the shadows.
There was the chaotic power wielded by the Scarlet Witch. There was also the overwhelming energy possessed by Sentry, often described as the power of a million suns. Then there were beings such as the Elementals, the Beyonder, Galactus the Devourer of Worlds, Thanos, and Dormammu.
Beyond them existed even greater cosmic authorities like the Living Tribunal and the One Above All.
When someone truly began listing the forces hidden within the depths of this universe, the result was enough to make anyone shudder.
Compared to such terrifying entities, even the Phoenix Force could not guarantee absolute supremacy.
That was why Ethan had started planning early.
He would strengthen himself.
He would continue evolving.
And eventually, he would stand at the very highest point of existence.
Ethan had never intended to align himself with any particular ideology or faction. He had no desire to become a champion of justice, nor did he want to embody chaos or destruction.
He simply existed as himself.
He belonged to no side.
He would build his own faction.
"Sir, Senator Kelly has been taken," Svija reported through the communication channel. "The individuals responsible are the Witch and the Fire user. They are currently heading north, and our operatives have already begun following them."
"Very good," Ethan replied calmly. "Have our people keep tracking them. I want continuous updates."
"Yes, sir."
At this moment, Ethan was already connected to the mental cage he had placed inside Sabretooth's mind. Through that link, he had a clear sense of Victor's location.
There was no need to rush.
He preferred to wait until Senator Kelly had been brought directly to Magneto before making his move.
More than thirty minutes passed.
By now, the entire Capitol Hill area had descended into chaos. Police cars roared through the streets with flashing lights, their sirens echoing through the night air. Special operations units and FBI agents were flooding into the district, sealing off roads and securing the surrounding buildings.
An armed assault on Congress and the kidnapping of a United States senator was no minor incident.
When Ethan observed the scene from afar, he simply shook his head slightly.
"A group of reckless fools," he muttered. "They charge in using their abilities without thinking about the consequences. What exactly do they expect to accomplish?"
Just then, Svija's voice sounded again.
"Sir, we've located Magneto and the others. The three teams have not entered the area yet to avoid alerting them."
Ethan's lips curled upward slightly.
"There's no need to remain hidden anymore," he said.
His voice carried a faint hint of curiosity.
"I'd like to see what happens when Magneto's little group faces a dozen mutants equipped with healing factors."
"Inform the three teams to begin the assault. Their objective is to capture Magneto and the Witch."
"Understood, sir. The order has been issued."
Ethan nodded.
A faint crimson glow enveloped his body. In the next instant, his figure vanished from the Capitol building.
Moments later, he reappeared in a quiet town on the outskirts of Washington, D.C.
Compared to the bustling capital, this place felt almost deserted. The streets contained only a few scattered pedestrians and vehicles, and the night air carried an eerie stillness.
Ethan stood atop the roof of a building more than a dozen stories tall.
One block away, movement was already unfolding.
Five figures emerged from one side of the street. Each of them wore a black suit and a mask that concealed their identity. On the opposite side, several more individuals approached from another direction, dressed in similar attire.
These people were members of Ethan's Dark Department.
The three groups consisted of fifteen individuals in total. Every one of them had undergone X-gene modification and possessed healing factors extracted from Sabretooth.
Because their abilities had been optimized through Ethan's methods, their combat effectiveness had already surpassed Sabretooth himself.
With Ethan's command issued, the operatives made no attempt to conceal themselves.
They rushed directly toward the center of the industrial district.
Inside a nearby factory building, Magneto and his companions had established a temporary base. Naturally, they had stationed guards outside the building.
Those guards were also mutants.
The moment they noticed something was wrong, they immediately triggered an alarm to warn the people inside.
From his vantage point above, Ethan watched quietly.
The three assault teams launched their attack instantly.
The Brotherhood members outside numbered more than ten people. However, compared to the elite operatives of the Dark Department, they could only be considered mediocre mutants.
Their powers might have been enough to intimidate ordinary civilians.
But against Ethan's enhanced soldiers, they had no chance.
Within moments, the fifteen attackers swept through them with ruthless efficiency.
The Brotherhood guards barely had time to react before they were overwhelmed. One after another, they collapsed to the ground, their bodies broken and their ability to fight completely eliminated.
Without hesitation, the three teams advanced toward the factory entrance.
"Sir," Svija reported suddenly, "the communication equipment of all three teams was destroyed almost instantly."
Ethan didn't respond.
He simply continued watching.
In the next moment, a section of the factory wall exploded outward.
Concrete fragments scattered through the air as several figures were violently thrown out of the building. Their bodies slammed onto the pavement with brutal force.
Some of them were twisted at unnatural angles, their bones clearly shattered. Others were embedded with jagged pieces of steel that had pierced through their flesh.
One man's abdomen had been ripped open, and blood-covered intestines spilled across the ground.
Ethan observed the scene calmly.
"Well," he said quietly, "he is an Omega-level mutant after all."
Magneto's ability was undeniably powerful. It wasn't surprising that he could eliminate opponents with terrifying speed.
Ethan nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"Unfortunately for him," he murmured, "these people aren't so easy to kill."
The operatives lying on the ground began to move.
Despite injuries that should have been instantly fatal, their bodies started repairing themselves. Bones shifted back into place, flesh regenerated, and the torn organs restored themselves with astonishing speed.
Within seconds, the wounded mutants pushed themselves back to their feet.
Without waiting for another command, they charged back into the factory.
Watching this, Ethan gave a satisfied nod.
Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a mask.
The mask was pure white.
One side displayed a crying face, while the other showed a wide, eerie smile. The strange design gave it an unsettling appearance.
Ethan placed the mask over his face.
A moment later, his body vanished once again, dissolving into a flicker of crimson light.
When he reappeared, he was already standing beside the factory building below.
.....
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