Henry had prepared himself for further confrontation, thinking that things might escalate with the X-Men. However, to his surprise, Professor Charles Xavier backed down almost immediately and offered a sincere apology.
But then again, considering the circumstances, who wouldn't?
At this moment, Professor X and his team were standing on a fragile illusion — a sky that stretched endlessly beneath them, the memory of falling from an impossible height still fresh in their minds. That descent had lasted ten full minutes. Ten minutes of freefall, disorientation, and the terrifying realization that they were utterly powerless in someone else's domain.
It wasn't just terrifying. It was humbling.
Henry knew exactly what he'd done. And it had worked.
Xavier, who had likely envisioned a simple diplomatic retrieval of Polaris, now found himself both mentally and physically shaken. For a moment during that fall, Charles had even begun calculating how to divide his estate in the event of his untimely death.
And that wasn't the only reason for his sudden humility.
Henry was in the spotlight lately. The press couldn't get enough of him. Headlines had branded him the "Soul Mage," a rising star among superheroes. He had single-handedly taken on Hulk and walked away alive—something not many could claim.
If a conflict with the X-Men erupted here, it would hit the front page within hours. Worse, the narrative would be devastating: "Mutant X-Men Attack Rising Hero Soul Mage!"
Everything Professor X had worked for—mutant integration, peace, diplomacy—would be set back by years.
So for the sake of both practicality and politics, Charles swallowed his pride and extended an olive branch.
"I understand now," he said respectfully. "We disturbed your home, and for that, I sincerely apologize."
Henry didn't press further. Xavier's sincerity was evident. Instead, he gave a simple, calm command: "You've seen Lorna's decision for yourself. Please take your leave."
Professor X nodded, but before turning away, he raised a valid concern. "Master Henry… Polaris's identity is complicated. She's currently on several watchlists. The Association and the Secret Service will send agents to apprehend her. When that happens, what will you do?"
Henry didn't respond immediately. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, studying the older man. He didn't detect any malice in Xavier's question. It wasn't a threat — it was a warning. Perhaps even a gesture of concern.
But rather than answer directly, Henry asked, "And what exactly is her crime?"
Professor X was silent for a moment before replying, "She's classified as a mutant… and a potential threat."
Henry chuckled, low and cold. "That's not a crime, Charles. That's a label. A label built on fear."
Xavier looked away, unable to refute it.
"If being a mutant is all it takes to be hunted," Henry continued, "then isn't every mutant a walking criminal in the eyes of the world?"
"I never thought of Lorna as a criminal!" Professor X quickly interjected.
Henry gave him a sideways glance. "Then why did you bring the entire X-Men squad just to retrieve one woman?"
The implication was clear.
The X-Men weren't ordinary escorts. Their presence signaled danger — an imminent threat to peace. Their mobilization painted Polaris as a ticking time bomb.
Charles exhaled through his nose. He had no retort. Not a reasonable one.
"If you truly believe she's innocent," Henry continued, "you should be fighting to clear her name. Not taking her back to a place where others will try to chain her again."
"You asked me what I'd do if the Association came knocking. But let me ask you this, Charles. If Polaris were in your care, and they came asking for her — would you hand her over?"
The question hit its mark.
Xavier remained silent for several moments, finally lowering his head.
"I understand," he said at last. "Master Henry, I apologize once again. If anything I or my team did today was inappropriate, I ask your forgiveness."
Henry nodded slowly, satisfied. "I hope there won't be a next time."
With that, the warped realm around them shimmered. The fractured sky, the impossible architecture, the floating platforms—all of it dissolved in a gentle wave of ripples. Reality reasserted itself. The floor beneath their feet returned to normal polished tiles.
Professor X gave a nervous smile as his wheelchair rolled back onto solid ground.
"Yes… I think we'll be avoiding future visits," he said with a touch of dry humor. "Some peace and quiet would be good."
He turned to the others and gestured. "We're leaving."
The X-Men fell in line behind him. But as they began to retreat, Jean Grey glanced over her shoulder. Her gaze met Henry's for a fleeting moment. No emotion, no expression—just a quiet, lingering look. Then she turned and followed the others.
...
After the group left, Henry returned to the living room and slumped onto the sofa. The room was quiet again.
Polaris stood nearby, visibly uneasy. Her gaze flicked between the floor and Henry, her expression stiff.
Henry noticed her anxiety and raised an eyebrow. "Lorna, it's fine. They're gone."
Polaris bit her lip and hesitated before blurting out, "Master Henry… I didn't mean to cause trouble. You're not going to lock me in the little dark room, are you?"
Henry blinked. Dark room?
Then it hit him.
He had said something like that once, as a joke. Some casual warning about not losing control, or he'd put her in a 'dark room' for magical rehabilitation.
He hadn't thought she'd take it seriously.
Apparently, she had a very good memory.
Henry sighed and shook his head. "Of course not. You were acting in self-defense. I understand."
"Thank you, Master Henry," she said with a bow. Her voice was quiet, solemn — almost too solemn.
Her expression hadn't changed much either. No relief. No smile.
Henry narrowed his eyes. "You're still worried?"
Polaris hesitated, then slowly nodded.
She stepped forward and bowed again, this time lower. "I'm sorry. I've brought trouble to your doorstep. I… I might bring more."
Henry leaned back, watching her with curiosity. He could tell she meant every word. Her guilt wasn't performative — it came from a genuine place.
"If it were that troublesome," he said casually, "I wouldn't have hired you as my housekeeper."
He knew exactly who she was when he brought her in. He hadn't done it out of ignorance. He simply didn't care about what the world thought.
But Polaris still looked conflicted. "Even if you don't mind… I do. I'm not just a risk to myself. I'm a risk to you. Anyone close to me ends up in danger. And you've been kind to me. I don't want to ruin your life just because I'm around."
Henry stared at her.
Her expression was sincere, but to him, her concerns were completely misplaced.
"I'm going to ask you something," he said. "You're not trying to break the contract early and run away, are you? We agreed on three months. You've only worked for one."
Polaris shook her head quickly. "No! It's not that, I just—"
"Then don't overthink it," Henry interrupted. "Next time someone shows up looking for you, just go outside and deal with them yourself. Don't even tell me about it."
She blinked. "Me? Deal with them?"
He nodded. "Yeah. Just beat them up or scare them off. Your call."
Polaris tilted her head. "But… I can't beat them. I'm not strong enough."
Henry gave her a very serious look. "Then just practice more."
"Practice?" she echoed blankly.
Henry leaned back and sipped from his tea. "Exactly. Practice. You've got the power to manipulate magnetic fields, control metals, sense energy currents. That's an amazing set of skills. You're not weak — you just haven't fully unlocked your potential yet."
Polaris stared at him like he'd grown a second head.
"You make it sound so easy…"
He shrugged. "Most things are, once you stop doubting yourself."
There was a long pause.
Then Polaris muttered under her breath, "Am I just… a noob?"
Henry smirked. "Well, you're not useless. But let's just say… you've got room to grow."
Polaris gave him a look of faux betrayal.
Then, for the first time since the confrontation began, she laughed.
It was soft, brief, but it lightened the room like sunlight through storm clouds.
And with that, things began to feel normal again.
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