Part 1
The atmosphere inside the French restaurant Le Coeur de la Nuit was as distant from the reality of the X-Mansion as Earth was from his spiritual dimension. Glittering crystal reflected the soft light from chandeliers, while the muffled sound of silverware on fine porcelain created a symphony of artificial normality. Kael observed everything with genuine interest, his enhanced senses capturing every detail—from the complex aroma of the aged red wine to the soft linen of the tablecloth beneath his fingers.
"You seem... different tonight," Ororo commented, her eyes tracing his face as she held her wine glass with natural elegance.
Kael swirled the ruby liquid slowly in his glass. "My powers function like a filter, Ororo. After a battle, there's no room for doubt or regret. Only clarity. But tonight..." His gaze swept the luxurious dining room. "...is both a pleasure and a statement. We're showing that we don't need to hide behind our walls."
"And our eight uninvited companions?" she asked, taking a casual sip as if discussing the weather.
"Eight poorly concealed men," he corrected with a nearly imperceptible smile. "Two in the black van with tinted windows, three on the rooftops—including a sniper on the commercial building—and three on foot, trying to look like distracted pedestrians." His eyes darkened for a moment. "They're nervous. I can feel their elevated heart rates from here. Almost eager to teach them the humility they deserve."
Dinner unfolded like a perfectly executed choreography. Kael revealed a surprising knowledge of gastronomy, analyzing each dish with a technical precision that curiously contrasted with his warlike nature. When the bill arrived, he produced several antique gold coins from his pocket—relics from his Village that made the maître d' widen his eyes momentarily before his professional training reasserted control.
As they moved towards the exit, Kael leaned close to Ororo, his warm breath touching her ear. "The evening's entertainment is about to begin. At least they were polite enough not to interrupt our dinner."
The transition from the refined, climate-controlled environment to the New York night breeze was abrupt. Kael was holding the door open for Ororo when his eyes caught the movement—a man in a cap and sunglasses, moving with military efficiency but a predictability that betrayed his training.
The man passed them and, at the exact moment, a silver cylindrical device appeared in his hand, pressed against Kael's abdomen under the expensive suit. A subtle metallic click, followed by the distinct sound of a needle being fired.
The surgical steel needle met Kael's skin and bent with an audible tac, falling uselessly to the ground. The man froze, his expression of triumph shifting to pure disbelief.
"Interesting," Kael commented, his voice completely neutral. "An upgrade since last time."
In panic, the assassin drew a tactical knife from his boot and drove it into Kael's throat with enough force to pierce steel. The blade snapped with a dry crack.
It was then that Kael realized—the inhuman force behind the blow, the supernatural speed, the near-robotic precision. This was no ordinary assassin. The empty eyes, the movements calculated to the millimeter... something deeply wrong with this man.
"An enhanced product," Kael murmured to himself. "Interesting."
The assassin retreated, adopting a defensive stance that spoke of years of intensive training. Kael looked down at the fine fabric of his suit, now irreparably damaged.
"Ororo, darling," he said, genuinely annoyed.
She was already out of the car, the air around her beginning to hiss with static energy. "What is it, love?"
He pointed to the damage on his suit. "Look what they did to my new clothes."
Ororo couldn't contain a laugh, the sound absurdly contrasting with the gravity of the situation. Even the soldier seemed offended by the frivolity of the comment.
Then Kael moved his hands—a blur of motion that defied human perception—and when he stopped, he was holding two high-velocity rifle bullets, their tips slightly dented from where he had intercepted them mid-air moments before.
"They're really ruining the evening," he informed Ororo, his voice taking on a tone of finality.
With a casual sweep of his arm, Kael launched the first bullet. The projectile cut through the air with a sharp whistle that made nearby windows vibrate, hitting the man's leg with enough force to practically disintegrate the limb below the knee. The pavement behind him shattered into a small crater, and the man fell unconscious before even feeling pain.
The second bullet followed in a perfect arc towards the roof of the commercial building, where an explosion of concrete and metal announced the permanent silence of the sniper.
Kael then turned his attention to a well-dressed couple across the street. "I'll leave this mess with you, S.H.I.E.L.D.," his voice carried clearly and firmly across the distance. "Consider this a continuing gesture of goodwill."
The two agents—whose identity was obvious from their professional posture and clothes too expensive for just waiting for a taxi—exchanged glances before nodding.
"Check their teeth, particularly," Kael added. "Organizations like this love to hide unpleasant surprises."
It was then that three Stealth Archers materialized briefly. One stood lightly on the chest of the fallen soldier, while the other two dragged unconscious bodies to the curb with lethal efficiency.
Inside the car, as they drove away from the scene, Kael heard the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents on their comms:
"All targets neutralized... confirm, super-soldier... intercepted bullets mid-air... we need to completely revise our threat assessment of the Architect..."
Kael mentally tuned out the listening, a satisfied smile on his face. His eyes met Ororo's, her profile illuminated by the city's night lights.
"Well," he said, his voice relaxed. "That certainly added some spice to our evening."
Ororo laughed, a clear sound that echoed inside the car. "Darling, your definition of 'spice' would leave most chefs in shock."
His hand slid from the gear shift to her knee, then up her thigh in a deliberate motion. "I know something you'll find much more entertaining," he whispered, his voice low and promising.
"Oh?" She raised a perfect eyebrow, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "And what would that be?"
His hand stopped, pressing gently against the warmth between her legs. "When we get home... you'll find out."
Ororo placed her own hand over his groin, feeling the hard promise through the fabric. "Then I suggest you step on it," she whispered, her voice husky.
Kael pressed the accelerator to the floor, the sports car responding with a roar that defied all speed limits, carrying them away from the attack scene and towards the X-Mansion, where a much more interesting night awaited.
Part 2.
The first ray of sunlight was beginning to color the horizon when Kael opened his eyes. His back was covered in shallow scratches—marks of the night's passion—while Ororo lay beneath him, her legs still wrapped around his waist as if fearing separation. He had been on top of her for over half an hour, moving with a slow but deeply penetrating cadence, each movement calculated to maximize their pleasure.
The bed was a chaotic testament to their hours of lovemaking—sheets tossed, pillows on the floor, stains of their fluids mingling in abstract patterns on the expensive fabric. Kael had lost count of how many times he had climaxed, and judging by Ororo's panting rhythm beneath him, she, too, was beyond keeping track.
He buried his face in her neck, feeling her pulse racing against his lips as he continued his rhythmic movement. When he felt her abdominal muscles contract and his fingers dig into her back, he increased his pace, bringing her to an intense orgasm that had her body gasping violently. Only when the spasms subsided did he allow himself to climax again, pouring himself inside her with a hoarse groan.
His mind, however, operated on multiple levels—while his body devoted itself fully to the pleasure of the woman beneath him, part of his consciousness analyzed the data it had been collecting.
Four days. Four days without sleep, spending each night in intense physical activity that would have hospitalized any elite athlete. And they were both perfectly functional—no dark circles under his eyes, no muscle fatigue, no signs of wear and tear.
To him, it made sense. The Magenta Elixir coursing through his veins was a supernatural fuel, repairing tissues, eliminating toxins, keeping him operating at his absolute peak indefinitely. But Ororo... even though she was an Omega-level mutant with superhuman physique and Gaia's blessing, this resistance was abnormal.
His theory was that she was absorbing small amounts of Elixir through his semen during sex. This idea meant he would have to abstain from his ebony goddess for a few nights to test the hypothesis—a sacrifice he already reluctantly anticipated.
His eyes found the clock on the nightstand: 5:40. They still had an hour before worldly responsibilities called. More than enough time.
He rolled over, placing Ororo on top. She smiled, a mischievous, intimate smile he had come to know more and more over these endless nights. Her hips began to move in a hypnotic rhythm, the muscles in her thighs flexing with each descent. Kael held her hips, guiding her movement as he admired the sight above him—a weather goddess in ecstasy, white hair plastered to her sweaty face, breasts swaying with the rhythm of her dance.
He felt another orgasm approaching—the change in her breathing, the internal contraction that tightened his cock. When she came, her body arched back in a perfect arc, a muffled cry escaping her lips. Kael seized the moment to roll over again, resuming the dominant position and thrusting deeper into her, prolonging her contractions until a second, more intense orgasm overtook her.
They continued like this—changing positions, exploring angles, bringing each other to ecstasy repeatedly—until the sun was already fully visible on the horizon. The sound of morning life in the mansion began to echo through the halls, an unnerving reminder that the outside world still existed.
---
Breakfast was quick and efficient. While Ororo coordinated the day's preparations, Kael withdrew to his study, closing his eyes and feeling the familiar sensation of dimensional transition.
His spiritual Village appeared before him in all its glory - symmetrical buildings, perfectly aligned stone roads, the constant coming and going of his troops between the barracks and peripheral defenses. He quickly reviewed the ongoing upgrades in the main village, approved the production of more Barbarians and Archers, and directed resources to the spell laboratory.
At the Builder Base, he supervised the construction of new defenses, strategically positioning traps. But it was in the Clan Capital that he focused his attention. Progress here was noticeably slower - without other members to contribute, every improvement depended exclusively on his resources and attention. However, he was close, very close to unlocking the second district: the Barbarian Camp. The promise of new units and strategic capabilities made him anxious.
Back in the real world, he headed to Dr. Hank McCoy's laboratory. The blue scientist was immersed in his natural element, surrounded by holographic screens displaying complex molecular structures.
"Hank," Kael greeted, his voice echoing in the silent laboratory.
The Beast spun in his chair, his yellow eyes shining with scientific enthusiasm. "Kael! Perfect timing. I just completed the preliminary analysis of your Elixir."
He activated a hologram showing a molecular structure that defied any conventional chemical logic. "It's fascinating. The substance is composed of elements that simply don't exist in our periodic table. Replication is impossible with our current technology - it's like trying to recreate starlight in a test tube."
Kael nodded, expecting this. "And the effects on biological organisms?"
Hank pulled up another series of data. "In tests with specimens, we observed physical enhancement comparable only to the original supersoldier serum - strength, speed, regeneration, all dramatically increased. But there's more." He adjusted his glasses. "The Elixir seems to amplify specific characteristics of each individual. In mutants, this means potentiating their natural powers."
"And the side effects?" Kael asked, already knowing the answer.
"Increased aggression, suppression of fear, risk-taking behavior..." Hank listed. "Exactly the effects you described experiencing after the battle."
Kael then shared his theory about Ororo - her abnormal endurance, the possible absorption of Elixir through physical intimacy. Hank looked visibly embarrassed for a moment, but his scientist side quickly overcame the discomfort.
"Fascinating!" he exclaimed, already pulling up new holographic screens. "Your version of the Elixir must be a 'filtered' form by your own metabolism - hence the reduction of more severe side effects. But if Ororo is receiving unfiltered doses..."
"We need tests on her," Kael completed. "And a sample of my blood for comparison."
The blood collection proved challenging. The strongest available hypodermic needle didn't even penetrate his skin until Kael consciously relaxed the tissue. Even then, it took three attempts before they could extract a viable sample.
Leaving Hank immersed in his theories and calculations, Kael left the laboratory - and immediately collided with someone who fell heavily to the floor.
He instinctively reached out, pulling the person back to their feet. It was Rogue, wearing workout clothes along with Kitty, Amara, Jubilee, and Jean - all apparently coming from the mansion's gym.
"Sorry," Kael said, his hand still holding Rogue's arm for a moment before letting go.
Kitty didn't miss the opportunity. "Someone's in a hurry," she teased with a mischievous smile. "Need to get back to Professor Ororo quickly? I heard you've been doing... intense nightly workouts."
The other girls laughed, but Kael just smiled. He knew the soundproofing of their quarters was excellent - any gossip was pure speculation.
"I need to meet with Xavier," he said calmly, ignoring the provocation. Before leaving, he placed his hand on Rogue's shoulder - the closest to him - in a casual farewell gesture. "Ladies."
---
As soon as Kael disappeared around the corner of the hallway, the girls continued toward the Danger Room, the air heavy with animated conversation.
"God, he's so hot," Jubilee sighed, adjusting the strap of her workout top. "Professor Ororo was quick to mark her territory."
Amara agreed, twirling a lock of hair around her fingers. "I don't blame her. If I had a chance with a powerful mutant like that..."
Jean remained silent, but a slight smile played on her lips - her psychic sensitivity gave her a different perspective on the couple's relationship.
Kitty, however, was no longer listening to the conversation. Her eyes were fixed on Rogue, who walked slightly behind the group, her expression darker than usual. The girl kept her gloved hands clenched at her sides, her usual defensive posture.
"Wait," Kitty said suddenly, stopping so abruptly that Jubilee almost crashed into her back.
"What is it?" Amara asked, annoyed.
Kitty pointed at Rogue. "Her shoulder. It's bare."
Everyone looked at Rogue, confused. She wore a common workout top, leaving her shoulders exposed - like all of them.
"So what?" Jubilee questioned, impatient.
"Kael touched her shoulder when he left," Kitty said, her voice laden with discovery. "He put his hand right here." She pointed to Rogue's right shoulder.
Understanding hit the group like an electric shock. Rogue was there, perfectly conscious, her shoulder bare where Kael had touched moments before.
But her power hadn't activated. There was no energy drain, no loss of consciousness, none of the terrible effects that always accompanied skin-to-skin contact with the mutant.
Rogue looked at her own shoulder, then at her friends, her eyes wide with a mixture of hope and disbelief. "He... he touched me," she whispered, as if testing the words. "And I didn't... I didn't feel anything. No absorption, no darkness..."
"Your power didn't work on him," Kitty completed, her mind already racing with the implications. "He's immune to your touch."
Jean approached, her expression serious. "This is significant. Rogue's power works on almost all living beings. For someone to be immune..."
"It means he can touch her," Amara completed, her tone soft. "Without hurting her."
Rogue brought her gloved hand to her own shoulder, not touching it but hovering over the spot where Kael's hand had rested. Her eyes filled with tears not of sadness, but of a hope she hadn't felt in years.
"We need to find him," Jean said, her voice calm but firm. "We need to understand how this is possible."
Without another word, the group changed direction, now following Kael's footsteps with a new purpose - a possible answer to Rogue's curse walking the mansion's hallways, completely unaware of the storm his simple touch had unleashed. Meanwhile, Rogue walked among them, keeping her gloved hands carefully at her sides, occasionally glancing at her shoulder as if fearing that moment had been a dream - the first true human contact she had experienced in a decade without devastating consequences.