The tomb beneath Egypt's Great Pyramid had become an arena of raw cosmic power.
The ancient stones of the chamber rumbled as Apocalypse, in his primordial form, stood in the center of the dark cavern.
His hands reached toward the Codex, the Celestial artifact crackling with blue and violet energy, as though the very fabric of reality bowed to his will.
The energies surged, converging upon Apocalypse like an unstoppable force. His body rippled as if it were made of molten stone and raw power, absorbing the Celestial energy with terrifying grace. Every muscle in his form bulged, the ancient power of the Celestials lacing into his very DNA, rewriting his being.
Strucker stood at the edge of the chamber, his eyes wide, locked on the spectacle. He had made his deal with the devil—or, in this case, the god of mutants. Hydra's future now rested in the hands of this all-powerful creature.
"Is this the full extent of your power?" Strucker asked, his voice a careful blend of awe and ambition.
Apocalypse's voice was like thunder, rich with a divine resonance. "This is merely the beginning. The power of the Celestials courses through my veins. The Earth shall be reborn—not by humans, but by mutants. Humanity is obsolete."
Strucker's heart raced. He knew now that he was standing in the presence of a being beyond comprehension, one who would reshape the world in his own image. But Hydra's survival was still at stake. His ambitions had always been lofty, but now they would require the cunning of a master.
"I—I understand, Apocalypse," Strucker said, stepping forward cautiously. "But you need… you need humans to maintain order. You need leadership." His voice was smooth, calculated. "Hydra's leadership—my leadership—could guide your new world. The strongest of humanity, the elite, could serve as your right hand. We could rule together."
Apocalypse turned his gaze to Strucker, eyes glowing with an unnatural light. The air grew cold, like the deathly chill of space. "I see you seek to survive by offering me what you believe to be valuable. But I do not require human leadership. I have no need for your kind. Mutants will rule. But…"
He let the sentence hang in the air, leaving Strucker to squirm.
"Perhaps I will allow some humans to exist… as subordinates." Apocalypse's lips curled into a twisted smile. "Your best soldiers will do, Baron. You want them to serve, to be more than they are? Then I will make them worthy of my service. Hydra Centurions—super-powered enforcers, the vanguard of my new world."
With a wave of his hand, Apocalypse's power surged, enveloping Strucker's soldiers. The men, once mere pawns in Hydra's game, began to twist and warp before Strucker's eyes. Their bodies bulged with new muscle, their eyes glowing with raw, untamed energy. Their once-ordinary forms transformed into living weapons of Apocalypse's design.
They were no longer men—they were Centurions.
Strucker's breath caught in his throat. "They—They are—"
"More than you could ever dream," Apocalypse said, stepping closer to the transformed soldiers. "They are now my chosen. They will be the first of many. With them, we will shape the Earth as we see fit."
As the Hydra Centurions flexed their newly acquired abilities, the room trembled with the weight of their power. Strucker could only stare, his mind racing with the possibilities—and the cost. His loyalty had been bought at a price he wasn't sure he understood, but the power before him was undeniable. Hydra, with Apocalypse's guidance, could become rulers of the Earth.
Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled again, but this time, it was not from Apocalypse's power. A surge of energy rippled outward, catching both Apocalypse and Strucker off guard. Apocalypse turned his gaze toward the distant horizon, feeling the energy pulse through the Earth.
"Something… has disturbed the balance," Apocalypse growled, his voice dark and foreboding. "A force beyond your comprehension, Strucker. Do not mistake this for an ally."
Strucker looked up at the sky, knowing this disturbance meant trouble. What is this? he thought, his mind racing. Could it be…
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