Chapter 20: The Harem Competition - The Battle of Might and Magic

Apocalypse's brutal philosophy of survival of the fittest culminates in a trial of sheer strength and magical prowess. This final stage of the competition is the defining moment for the selected women, as they must now prove their combat abilities—only the strongest five will survive and be deemed worthy of joining Apocalypse's royal harem.

The competition takes place in a grand arena, with rows of spectators from across the Egyptian empire watching in anticipation. The challenge requires each woman to demonstrate not only physical strength but also their mastery of combat, tactics, and magical abilities.

The first contestant, Asenath, steps into the ring, her movements fluid and lethal. She is armed with a staff that crackles with elemental magic, and as her opponent, Kiya, charges forward, Asenath summons a storm of fire and wind, engulfing her adversary in flames. Kiya, a master of illusions, manages to escape the inferno, creating mirror images of herself to confuse Asenath. However, Asenath's battle instincts are sharp—she dispatches each illusion with precision, closing in on the real Kiya. The two clash in a spectacular display of might, but Asenath's sheer ferocity overwhelms her opponent, and Kiya is forced to yield.

Next is Neferura, whose mastery of magic rivals her grace and poise. Her opponent, the sorceress Serqet, immediately conjures shadowy tendrils to ensnare Neferura. But Neferura's control over the elements allows her to manipulate the air around her, breaking free of the shadows and launching a counterattack. Lightning crackles from her fingertips as she sends a barrage of electrical strikes toward Serqet. Serqet, quick to respond, summons a shield of darkness, deflecting the attack. The two engage in a magical duel, each trying to outwit and overpower the other. In the end, Neferura's relentless barrage overwhelms Serqet, securing her victory.

The third bout features Isis, the daughter of a general, known for her tactical mind and unmatched combat skills. She faces Ankhesenamun, a noblewoman with a reputation for her deadly precision in battle. Isis begins the fight by summoning her army of spectral warriors, a skill inherited from her bloodline. Ankhesenamun, not easily intimidated, weaves through the battlefield with the agility of a panther, striking down the specters with deadly accuracy. However, Isis' strategic mind soon proves too much for Ankhesenamun. She lures her opponent into a trap, pinning her down with a final blow.

The last two rounds are brutal, showcasing the full extent of the women's power. Serqet returns to fight again, showing her unyielding determination, but eventually falls to the unrelenting force of Asenath. Meanwhile, Neferura uses her magic to decimate her next opponent, securing her place as one of the final five women standing.

As the dust settles and the arena falls silent, Apocalypse watches from his throne, his mind already calculating. Five women remain—Asenath, Neferura, Isis, Serqet, and Ankhesenamun, another fierce warrior who had survived the competition. These women have proven their worth in battle, and they now stand before Apocalypse as the fittest, the strongest, and the most capable of carrying his legacy into the future.

With the final combat concluded, Apocalypse rises from his seat, his voice booming through the arena. "You have all shown strength, skill, and the ability to survive," he declares. "But remember, only the fittest can stand beside me. From this day forward, you are mine. You are the embodiment of my ideals, and together, we shall forge a future where only the strong shall rule."

And with that, the competition is over. The chosen five women are led into the palace, their destinies now intertwined with that of the most powerful mutant to ever walk the earth.