Many people recalled a recent video where the Messiah's defenses seemed relatively weak, certainly not as formidable as Apocalypse's. In this context, whether the Messiah could actually defeat Apocalypse was now uncertain.
At this moment, Apocalypse looked up in awe at the young man floating in the sky. He could vaguely sense the terrifying energy within Syd. Although he couldn't pinpoint the exact nature of it, it confirmed Syd's formidable power and validated the Omega mutant title.
If the Messiah was this powerful, what about the White-Clad Omega mutant? Apocalypse recalled the information he had gathered about the White-Clad Omega mutant from his research on the current era. According to various reports and human evaluations, that individual seemed far more powerful than the Messiah, with even more extraordinary abilities.
Facing the bizarre power of reality distortion, Apocalypse himself felt uncertain about handling it and was unsure if there were any limitations to that ability.
However, he wasn't overly concerned about Syd. He had reviewed Syd's data and videos and knew his power level was not something to fear. After all, Syd was still too young...
Not just Apocalypse, but the X-Men and other observers were also anxious. Given the Messiah's previously demonstrated strength and Apocalypse's formidable presence, Syd seemed to have little advantage. If even the Messiah lost...
Just thinking about such a dire outcome sent shivers down their spines. If the Messiah's abilities could be taken away, who could possibly resist Apocalypse? The White-Clad Hero?
Under the watchful eyes of countless onlookers, Syd raised his right hand, and black energy began to flicker.
[Black Particle Experience +1]
In the next moment, level-four black particles shot through the air towards Apocalypse, covering a distance of over thirty meters.
Facing Syd's probing attack, Apocalypse did nothing but maintain his invisible shield. He wanted to see how powerful the Messiah's abilities truly were compared to what he had read.
In the blink of an eye, the black particles reached Apocalypse. To Syd's surprise and the astonishment of others, the black particles came into contact with the invisible shield and created a standoff. The particles halted in their tracks, oscillating against the shield.
"Even spatial abilities can block it?" Syd thought briefly. He hadn't expected the otherwise unstoppable black particles to face resistance.
However, he quickly relaxed. The standoff lasted less than a second before the black particles, to the astonishment of Magneto Erik and others, instantly pierced through the invisible shield. With a sickening sound, the particles pierced through Apocalypse's chest, leaving a gaping, bloody wound the size of a head. The depth was horrifyingly visible, as if the blood and flesh were being devoured by the black energy.
"Is that it?"
Witnessing this, whether it was Magneto Erik and others or those watching through satellite feeds and drones from Egypt, including Tony Stark, were left in shock and disbelief. The shield that had resisted Magneto's combined attacks was shattered in an instant by the black attack?!
This meant that Syd's attack alone surpassed the combined efforts of the mutants?
In an instant, they were reminded of Syd's terrifying power. Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. felt a growing sense of gravity.
What was even more astonishing was that someone who had appeared so imposing and fearsome, claiming to be a deity, was defeated and dead so quickly. After all, a person with a wound the size of a head in their chest couldn't possibly survive.
Syd, however, did not relax and continued to watch Apocalypse with a wary eye.
"This power…" Apocalypse's calm expression vanished instantly, replaced by surprise. He seemed to feel no pain and instinctively touched his chest. "My child, you are truly an Omega mutant. Remarkable…"
Apocalypse looked at Syd floating in the sky with admiration.
Meanwhile, under the scrutiny of Magneto Erik and Nick Fury, the gaping wound on Apocalypse's chest was rapidly healing.
"Is this self-healing?" Magneto Erik asked in astonishment. A being as terrifying as Apocalypse also possessed self-healing abilities?
In such a case, apart from an Omega mutant, there seemed to be no other force capable of dealing with this monster. Logan and others also felt a suffocating pressure.
Even the public, watching through satellite feeds, was struck with fear. Was this truly a self-proclaimed deity? Just observing was enough to instill a sense of despair. With such a powerful ability and terrifying self-healing, who could be a match?
The Messiah's pressure was palpable, and many wondered if he might consider fleeing.
To their surprise, Syd did not despair but rather spoke with a revealing remark.
"So you do have self-healing abilities…" Syd said without surprise.
Before falling into slumber, Apocalypse had possessed a mutant with self-healing abilities comparable to Logan's. Visually, the healing seemed even faster and appeared to suppress pain.
Hearing this, those who thought Syd might flee and others were left astonished. How could Syd know about Apocalypse's self-healing ability in advance?
If Syd knew, why would he dare confront Apocalypse?
At this point, Apocalypse's wound had completely healed. Apart from some torn armor, there was no trace of the previous injury. Suddenly, Erik and others noticed Apocalypse frowning slightly.
Gazing at Syd, he pondered aloud, "A very unique attack…"
He paused and then said something that surprised Erik and the others.
"Your attack, compared to the data I've reviewed, seems significantly stronger?"
"Whether in speed, power, or size…"
(End of Chapter)