Chapter 102: Perfect Timing

Texas, Carmel Town.

In a wooden cabin on the edge of the town—

"You saved him. That's a good thing," Jenna said, watching her husband, Erik, as he packed their belongings with a tense expression.

"That's not the point. If my identity is exposed, we'll all be in danger," Erik replied, his voice low but urgent.

"But this is our home—our daughter's home," Jenna argued, confusion and worry etched across her face.

"Jenna, as long as we're together, that's home," Erik said softly, cupping her face with his hands and gazing into her eyes.

Jenna hesitated, then sighed in resignation. "I understand," she murmured and turned to help him pack.

A sudden scream pierced the air outside the cabin.

"Nina!" Erik's heart pounded as he dropped everything and rushed out the door, Jenna right behind him.

Outside—

A group of police officers armed with wooden bows and arrows stood tensely, one of them holding their daughter, Nina, hostage. The officer leading the group held up a crumpled newspaper, the faded image unmistakably showing Erik attacking the President of the United States.

"So, you're the infamous Magneto," the officer said coldly.

Erik turned to look at his wife, as though silently saying goodbye, before fixing his gaze on his daughter, fear and guilt swirling in his chest.

"Arrest me," Erik said quietly, stepping forward. "Please—just let my daughter go."

The officer pushed Nina toward him. Erik knelt down and brushed a gentle hand across her face.

"Go back to your mother," he whispered softly.

Confused and frightened, Nina hesitated but eventually ran back to Jenna's waiting arms.

Nina turned her tearful eyes to her father, realizing something was terribly wrong. "Please—don't leave me!" she cried.

Jenna hugged her daughter tightly, trying to soothe her trembling form. "Shh, Nina. It's okay," she whispered.

Erik clenched his jaw, swallowing the lump in his throat as he watched his daughter sob. His hands trembled, bound tightly with ropes. His heart ached to comfort her, but words failed him.

Suddenly, a strange noise filled the air.

The officers looked around uneasily as a flock of birds began to gather from the surrounding forest. More and more arrived, circling overhead, their wings beating furiously.

"What's going on?" one officer asked, anxiety creeping into his voice.

"The girl—she's a mutant too," another officer realized with a start.

Erik's eyes widened in shock as he turned to Nina. He hadn't known—his daughter had awakened her powers.

"Make her stop," the lead officer ordered sharply.

"She can't—she's terrified," Erik pleaded, panic rising in his voice.

One of the officers, overwhelmed by the growing chaos, raised his bow. "Enough of this!" he shouted, drawing the string taut.

"No!" Erik cried out as the arrow loosed, flying straight toward Nina.

He instinctively tried to manipulate the arrow—but to his horror, realized it contained no metal. Helpless, he could only watch as it hurtled toward his daughter.

Just before the arrow struck, a flash of yellow lightning streaked through the air. A hand appeared out of nowhere, catching the arrow mid-flight.

"Perfect timing, don't you think, old man?" a voice said casually.

"Yes—thank you, Wang," Erik murmured, his relief palpable.

Nina's wide eyes sparkled with wonder as she looked at the two newcomers—one was a dashing man, while the other—

"Daddy?" she asked hesitantly, her young mind struggling to grasp the impossible.

Magneto knelt down, his heart breaking as he looked at his daughter. He brushed his fingers tenderly against her cheek, tears spilling from his eyes. "Nina—my sweet girl..." he choked out.

Feeling the warmth of his touch, Nina's face lit up with joy. "Daddy, don't cry," she said, her small hands wiping his tears away.

Jenna stepped closer, her gaze shifting between the older Magneto and her husband. Understanding dawned in her eyes, and a soft smile curved her lips.

Erik, now free from his bindings, rushed forward and pulled Nina into his arms. "Are you hurt? Did the arrow touch you?" he asked anxiously, inspecting her for injuries.

"I'm fine, Daddy. It tickled!" Nina giggled, her fear momentarily forgotten.

The young Erik glared at the older version of himself. "Did you have bad eyesight when you were young?" he snapped.

Magneto scoffed, unamused by the quip. "No—just bad decisions."

"Erik was only trying to protect his family," Jenna interjected softly, her voice warm with understanding.

Magneto's cold expression softened slightly as he looked at her. "Jenna," he said, his voice heavy with longing and regret.

Wang wiped a fake tear from his eye and chuckled. "Touching. Good thing I have a wife too."

The surrounding officers, realizing they were outmatched, began retreating silently.

Seeing them flee reignited Erik's fury. He ripped Nina's metal necklace from her neck, and with a flick of his wrist, sent it hurtling toward the nearest officer.

"Enough!" Magneto's voice rang out like thunder.

The necklace halted mid-air, inches from the officer's throat. The terrified man froze, too frightened to move.

"Why did you stop me?" Erik snarled, his rage barely contained.

"Because Wang said so—and you're scaring your daughter," Magneto retorted icily, disappointment plain in his eyes.

Hearing the title "Wang," Erik slowly calmed, realizing the truth. The man before him was his future self, returned through time.

"I failed to protect them," Erik admitted bitterly.

"Hmph," Magneto snorted, his contempt clear. "Yes—you did."

Erik lowered his head in shame, holding his daughter close while the officers trembled under Magneto's silent scrutiny.

"The weight of regret can only be lifted by the strength to protect what remains."

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