Chapter 14: The Time-Ship Reawakens

Returning to the City of Kings, Apocalypse moved with purpose through the narrow streets, his presence instilling awe and fear in the hearts of all who saw him. The people of Egypt had learned quickly that their new ruler was not to be defied. His control was absolute, and the remnants of Rama-Tut's rule had been thoroughly swept away. Yet even with his dominion secured, his thoughts remained on the time-ship and the final component—the Eye of Ages—now in his possession.

The time-ship, a futuristic marvel, was buried deep beneath the royal pyramid palace, dormant but brimming with potential. Apocalypse had inherited the ship through Rama-Tut's defeat, but without the Eye, it had been little more than a relic. Now, with the Eye recovered from the cave where he once traveled with Baal, the time-ship could be fully activated, capable of traversing time itself.

As he descended into the depths of the pyramid, the atmosphere grew colder, the air thick with anticipation. Apocalypse reached the underground chamber where the ship awaited him, sleek and alien in design, yet familiar to him through the memories he had taken from Rama-Tut. His hand brushed over the ship's metallic surface, feeling the latent power within it.

With a thought, Apocalypse summoned the Eye of Ages. The small, glowing artifact pulsed in his hand, its energy resonating with the ship. It had been hidden for centuries, kept away from those who sought to abuse its power. But now it was in the hands of a god, and Apocalypse would wield it wisely—or so he believed.

He approached the central console of the time-ship, its control panel etched with symbols and circuitry from the future. Using the knowledge he had extracted from Rama-Tut's mind, Apocalypse knew exactly how to insert the eye. With a swift motion, he placed it into the designated slot, and the moment it clicked into place, the ship roared to life.

A deep hum filled the chamber as the ship's systems awakened. Lights flickered on, and the air around Apocalypse seemed to warp as the temporal energy flowed through the vessel. The ship's hull shimmered, responding to the immense power now coursing through it. Apocalypse could feel the connection between the ship and the timestream; it was as though the fabric of reality had become malleable in his hands.

But before activating the full potential of the ship, Apocalypse focused his mind on the control protocols—specifically, the ones Rama-Tut had used to command the ship. With his enhanced intellect, Apocalypse navigated the ship's systems with ease. He accessed the temporal navigation systems, the quantum engines, and the core controls that allowed it to travel through time.

Through the interface, he saw the pathways of time laid out before him, every moment in history accessible with a simple command. The past, the future, and alternate realities stretched out like a web, each thread waiting to be plucked. The power was intoxicating, yet Apocalypse knew this was a weapon to be used carefully.

From Rama-Tut's memories, Apocalypse had learned the dangers of reckless time manipulation. There were those who could sense disruptions in the timestream, powerful forces that guarded the sanctity of time like the Time Variance Authority. Apocalypse had no intention of bringing such enemies upon himself, not yet. His rule over Egypt and his plans for conquest were in their infancy; destabilizing the timeline could unravel everything he had worked to build.

Instead, he made a decision. The time-ship's capabilities would remain dormant except for the gravest of emergencies—only if others attempted to manipulate time would he intervene. His role, he realized, was not just that of a conqueror but a guardian of time itself. With the knowledge of Steven Haking, he had come to understand the delicate balance of the universe. It was not enough to wield power; one had to wield it responsibly.

The ship's systems hummed in agreement as Apocalypse programmed the ship's temporal protocols, ensuring that it would not travel unless he personally authorized it. It was a safeguard, a means of ensuring that time remained undisturbed unless absolutely necessary. In his mind, he saw potential futures—scenarios where enemies might attempt to rewrite history, and in those moments, he would act. Until then, the ship would remain hidden, a tool of last resort.

Satisfied with the control he had established over the time-ship, Apocalypse stepped away from the console. He had no need to travel the timestream now. His empire in the present was his focus, and there was still much to be done. The people of Egypt had accepted him as their ruler, but his ambitions stretched far beyond their borders. The world would soon know his name, and when the time was right, the universe itself would bow to his will.

Apocalypse left the chamber, the ship's power humming softly behind him. It was ready, waiting for the moment when it would be called upon. But for now, it would sleep, just as the universe itself would rest, unaware of the god who had claimed dominion over time. He would protect the sanctity of the timeline, ensuring that those who sought to disrupt it would face the full might of his power.

As he ascended back to the surface, the City of Kings lay before him, bustling with life under his rule. Apocalypse knew that his journey was far from over, but with the time-ship under his control, the future was his to shape. Whether in the present or in the eons to come, Apocalypse would stand as the eternal force, watching over the passage of time and bending it to his will when the need arose.

The future belonged to him, but he would wield it with caution—for even a god must respect the delicate threads of time.