Jean Grey had spent the entire night in the treatment wing of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Though her awakened X-Gene, augmented by the latent Phoenix Force, kept her body free from fatigue, her mind remained clouded. The words from Professor Xavier earlier still echoed in her thoughts:
A god of death... from another world... over a thousand years old...
The world she thought she understood now felt unfamiliar again.
Suddenly, a soft voice stirred her from her thoughts.
"Sister… where is this?"
Jean turned and rushed to the bedside. Christina had woken up.
Jean leaned in close, offering a warm smile.
"You're safe now. This is Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters."
Christina blinked at her, disoriented by the sterile lights and scientific instruments surrounding her. But instinctively, her hand reached for the jade cross hanging around her neck — the same cross where a mysterious spiritual presence once dwelled.
But now… it was gone.
Her fingers clenched around the pendant. The sense of protection she'd subconsciously felt from it had vanished. Panic filled her chest.
And then it burst forth — a wave of despair, laced with trauma and uncontrolled emotional force, surged outward from Christina. Though unintentional, it carried the unmistakable signature of awakened mutant power, infused with spiritual resonance from Jue's past proximity.
Jean was unprepared. Already unbalanced by her own inner conflicts, the flood of negativity shattered the mental barriers Xavier had placed in her mind to contain the Phoenix Force. Old fears and regrets resurfaced… and then it happened.
A violent, burning red aura erupted around her.
Professor X, sensing the disturbance from across the estate, reacted instantly. His eyes widened.
"The Phoenix…!"
He pushed his telepathic abilities to the limit, trying to stabilize Jean's mind with psychic barriers. But even he couldn't stop what was coming.
At the same moment, Jue — now fully aware of the situation — blurred into motion with a Shunpo so fast it cracked the air.
****
With a flash, he appeared between the two girls. First, he checked Christina — curled into the corner in fear, but physically unharmed.
Then he turned to Jean.
Her spiritual pressure — if one could call the Phoenix Force that — raged like a beast unchained. Professor X was struggling, barely able to hold on.
Jue narrowed his eyes.
"Bakudō #63 — Rokujō Kōrō, modified."
He clasped his hands, forming a specific kido chant:
"Self-destruction… Rondanini's Black Dog… burn it completely and sever its throat with one stroke—Nine Blows of Binding!"
Crimson symbols, shaped like ancient kanji, lit the air before Jue's palms. They surged toward Jean, wrapping around her in glowing chains. The oppressive spiritual power radiating from her began to subside, as the Phoenix was momentarily forced back into dormancy.
When the last glyph faded and Jean collapsed, unconscious, Jue caught her gently and laid her on the middle bed.
****
Then, he turned to Christina.
Kneeling beside her, his usual calm demeanor returned, even with a trace of humor.
"Your perception is sharp. Is that an awakened power… or just women's intuition?"
He reached over and ruffled her hair gently.
To his surprise, she didn't resist. She even leaned into the touch.
"You were in there all this time?" she asked softly, glancing at the cross.
"Yeah. I've been living in that thing for about a month. Total accident," he admitted, shrugging. "But hey, it saved my life."
He extended his hand. Christina took it — and promptly swayed on her feet.
Jue caught her.
"Still weak. Take it easy."
He guided her to a nearby seat. She slumped down, still shaken.
"Is… is she going to be okay?" Christina asked, looking at Jean. "I didn't mean to—"
"She'll live," Jue said simply. "This wasn't your fault. This was the mistake of an idealist trying to cage a beast without ever teaching it control."
****
The door burst open. Scott Summers rushed in, straight to Jean's side, clutching her hand. Behind him came Storm, pushing Professor X in his wheelchair.
The professor exhaled deeply in relief.
"Thank you, Mr. Jue," he said solemnly.
Jue only nodded.
Then Professor X noticed Christina, still sitting close to Jue, and gave her a kind smile.
"You don't need to worry, my child. This is entirely my failure."
Storm opened her mouth to speak, but Xavier gently waved her off.
"No. I made the mistake. I accept that."
Jue cut in bluntly.
"She needs rest, Professor."
"Of course. Ororo, please take Miss Christina to her dormitory."
As Storm led her away, Christina looked back toward Jue with clear reliance in her eyes.
He gave her a gentle smile.
"Rest for now. I'll come to you when I'm done here."
****
With Jean stabilized, Xavier and Scott began psychic diagnostics using Cerebro-linked equipment.
Jue, now seated, rested with one leg crossed over the other — eyes closed, regaining spiritual energy.
But moments later, the professor's sharp inhalation pulled him back.
Jue opened his eyes and saw Xavier's hands trembling.
"How is she?" Scott asked.
"I've strengthened the psychic barrier again," Xavier replied, wiping his brow. "But… it won't hold forever."
Jue stood and walked to Jean's bedside.
"That seal won't last another six years — five at best. And when it breaks, it will either kill you, or you'll have to kill her."
The room went silent.
Xavier finally looked up.
"Do you… have any insight, Mr. Jue?"
Jue studied Jean quietly.
"You should have taught her to fight… not to hide."
He turned back to the professor.
"This power is hers. The Phoenix Force is wild — yes — but if you'd taught her to master it from the beginning, she might've already bent it to her will. Now? A fragile scholar's will is no match for a monster clawing through its cage."
He looked down at Jean again.
"Now, she has to earn that power. Alone. I can guide her… but I can't fight for her. No one can."
Xavier nodded slowly.
"Please… help us. Whatever the outcome, we'll never forget your kindness."
Jue exhaled.
"My soul core is stable now. I'm only restoring energy. When she's ready… come find me. But understand — this will be painful."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and left the room, leaving Scott and Xavier alone with Jean — and their thoughts.