After the elegance and beauty of the first test, the competition for Apocalypse's harem moved to its second phase: the test of wits. Apocalypse held intelligence in the highest regard. He knew that beauty and strength were fleeting without the brilliance to wield them effectively. The women who would pass this test must prove not only their beauty but their intellect—only then would they be worthy of contributing to the legacy he sought to build.
The grand hall of the royal palace, which had been filled with whispers of admiration during the beauty competition, was now a place of quiet tension. Tall, towering bookshelves lined the walls, holding scrolls and ancient texts from every corner of Egypt and beyond. The room's atmosphere was heavy with the weight of knowledge, and the flickering light from torches cast eerie shadows that danced along the stone walls.
Apocalypse watched from his throne as the women gathered once more. Those who had passed the first test stood poised, their expressions focused. They knew that this trial would test their minds, not their appearance, and that failure here would mean the end of their aspirations.
"Intellect is the ultimate weapon," Apocalypse declared, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Beauty and strength mean nothing without the wisdom to guide them. Today, you will prove your worth not by how you look, but by how you think."
The women exchanged glances, their determination palpable. Apocalypse waved a hand, and the first challenge began.
The Riddle of the Sphinx
The first test was a series of riddles, each one designed to confound even the most intelligent minds. These were no ordinary riddles—they were drawn from the depths of ancient Egyptian lore and the advanced knowledge that Apocalypse had gained through his connection with Steven Haking. Each riddle required not only knowledge of history, philosophy, and magic but also a keen ability to think abstractly.
One by one, the women stepped forward to face the Sphinx—a great stone statue brought to life by Apocalypse's powers. Its eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and its voice, deep and resonant, filled the chamber.
"I am what remains when all is lost," the Sphinx said to the first contestant, its gaze fixed on her. "I am the eternal, the inescapable, the final truth. What am I?"
The woman, a noble named Kiya, hesitated for a moment. The answer was on the tip of her tongue, but the weight of the moment pressed heavily upon her. After a brief silence, she answered, "Death."
The Sphinx's eyes flickered, and it nodded in approval. Kiya had passed the first riddle, but there were more to come.
Next was Neferura, whose beauty had captivated Apocalypse in the previous trial. She stepped forward, her expression calm and composed.
"I speak without a mouth, and I hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?" the Sphinx asked, its voice echoing through the hall.
Neferura smiled faintly, her mind already working through the possibilities. After a moment, she answered, "An echo."
Again, the Sphinx nodded, allowing her to pass. The other women followed, each facing their own riddle, and though some stumbled, most managed to find their way through the mental maze.
The Maze of Knowledge
With the riddles complete, the women moved on to the second part of the test—a maze of knowledge. In this challenge, they were tasked with navigating a labyrinth of ancient texts and scrolls, each containing clues that would lead them to the exit. The catch, however, was that not all the information was true. Some texts were filled with falsehoods and misdirections, designed to confuse and trap those who could not discern fact from fiction.
The women entered the maze, each armed with only their wits. The scrolls glowed faintly in the dim light, their ancient symbols shifting and changing as if alive. The challenge was not just to find the right path but to understand which knowledge was useful and which was meant to deceive.
Serqet, the sorceress, moved with quiet confidence. Her deep understanding of magic and ancient history allowed her to see through the illusions that clouded the maze. She deciphered the symbols on the scrolls with ease, her fingers tracing the lines of ancient Egyptian script as she pieced together the clues. Her progress was steady, and she quickly found herself nearing the exit.
Isis, the daughter of a general, relied on her strategic mind to navigate the maze. She did not have the same magical expertise as Serqet, but her ability to think tactically allowed her to assess each clue and weigh its validity against the others. She moved carefully but efficiently, avoiding the traps laid out in the false texts.
Meanwhile, others struggled. Amara, whose fiery temper had served her well in combat, found herself lost in the twisting corridors of the maze. She grew frustrated as she realized that brute strength would not help her here. Her anger clouded her judgment, and she fell behind.
As the women reached the exit, one by one, Apocalypse observed their progress. He noted who had moved with clarity and intelligence and who had been deceived by the false knowledge. His gaze was unyielding, and he made mental notes of those who had passed the test with distinction.
The Conclusion of the Test
At the end of the test, five women stood before Apocalypse: Neferura, Serqet, Isis, Kiya, and another noblewoman named Ankhesenamun, who had impressed him with her quick thinking and adaptability. These women had not only passed the trial of beauty but had also proven their intellectual prowess.
Apocalypse rose from his throne, his eyes cold and calculating as he looked over the survivors. "You have proven yourselves worthy, not just in appearance but in mind. But remember, there is still one test remaining—the test of combat. Only the strongest will win, and only the fittest will stand beside me as part of my royal harem."
The women bowed their heads, knowing that the final challenge would be the most difficult of all.
The test of wits had separated those who could think from those who could not, but now, as they prepared for the final trial, they knew that the real battle was just beginning.