The X-Mansion was quieter than usual, its sprawling halls carrying an uneasy calm. Training rooms were silent, classrooms half-abandoned. Even the younger students could feel it — the weight of a war far bigger than themselves pressing down on every breath.
Inside the war room, the X-Men gathered. Glowing panels of tactical data hovered in the air, projections showing serpentine troop movements across the globe. Professor Xavier sat at the head of the table, his hands folded, his expression solemn but steady.
Isolde leaned back in her chair, her long black hair brushing the gleaming shoulder plates of her armor. Her body, harder than adamantium, bore not a single scar from the last battle with the Black Serpents. Her crimson eyes scanned the projections with detached calm, but her hand never strayed far from the blade jutting from her wrist — a sword she could summon and dismiss at will.
Beside her, Mausgrau tapped his clawed fingers against the table, restless. "Three days," he muttered, his voice a low growl. "That's too long. The Serpents won't wait for us to get cozy with the Fantastic Four and Fury's watchdogs."
Delilah sat across from him, arms folded, her fiery aura faintly flickering at the edges of her skin. She had grown more controlled since her emotional training with Jean, but her frustration was visible. "He's right. Three days could be the difference between us holding the line… or watching the world burn."
Professor X's voice, calm and commanding, cut through their tension.
"The Fantastic Four and S.H.I.E.L.D. need time to mobilize. Until then, we must prepare. Our enemies thrive on chaos, and they expect us to act rashly. We won't give them that satisfaction."
Storm placed a hand on the table, her eyes glowing faintly white. "Charles is right. Our strength isn't just in battle — it's in discipline. We need to hold steady until reinforcements arrive."
Wolverine leaned back in his chair, a cigar smoldering between his fingers. "Discipline's nice. But if those snakes get too close, I'm not waiting three days to gut 'em."
The room rumbled with a faint laugh from Colossus. "Da, Logan. But until then, we sharpen steel and mind."
Jean turned her gaze toward Delilah, her voice softer but firm. "And we continue your training. If the Black Serpents are truly after the keystones, then your power will draw their attention sooner than later. We can't afford for your emotions to get the better of you."
Delilah's eyes flickered, the flame within her threatening to flare. She nodded stiffly, suppressing the firestorm coiled beneath her skin.
Isolde finally spoke, her tone as sharp as the blades she commanded.
"Then we wait. But waiting doesn't mean weakness. If the Serpents dare come for us here, they'll learn that this house is not undefended."
Professor X's gaze swept over the team, his voice carrying the weight of both warning and hope.
"In three days, we will stand united — X-Men, Fantastic Four, S.H.I.E.L.D., and others. That unity may be the only chance we have to end this war."
The room fell silent, each member contemplating the battles to come.
Outside, thunder rolled across the skies above Westchester.
The storm was coming.