Warning: This article contains spoilers for House of X #6, by Jonathan Hickman, Pepe Larraz, Marte Gracia, David Curiel, VC's Clayton Cowles and Tom Muller, on sale now.
As House of X and Powers of X have unfolded, we've learned how Charles Xavier and Magneto found the means to create a new mutant nation on the island of Krakoa. Story segments set both in the present and the past have informed not only what it took to create this safe haven, but also its purpose. Now, as House of X comes to a close with issue #6, we finally have the full picture, and Professor X can move forward with his intricate plan.
As Xavier establishes a group of mutants as governors, House of X #6 features the first official meeting of the Quiet Council, as well as their first decree. Together, the 12 mutants lay down the three fundamental laws of the mutant nation of Krakoa, and what will happen to anyone who dares break them.
As it turns out, the Council already has a mutant in their custody who has broken these laws... and we find out first hand the horrific punishment that comes after the crime.
The Quiet Council of Krakoa is comprised of Professor X, Magneto, Apocalypse, Mister Sinister, Exodus, Mystique, Sebastian Shaw, Emma Frost, Storm, Jean Grey and Nightcrawler. Cypher is present as well, though he's a proxy, speaking for the island itself. After a bit of back and forth, they eventually decide on the three laws of Krakoa that all mutants must abide by: Make more mutants, murder no man, and respect this sacred land.
All of this is deliberated in the presence of the mutant accused of crimes, Victor Creed, aka Sabretooth. Creed, notorious for his murderous tendencies, has been detained and is on trial for his crimes against, well, everyone. Unfortunately for him, he has no defenders among this council, and they all find him guilty.
The judgment passed, it's time for the punishment, as the ground cracks open, and vines wrap around Sabretooth, pulling him deep into the ground. Xavier explains they can't afford Creed making his way back into the world, a problem, as there are no prisons on Krakoa. And since an execution would bring Sabretooth into the newly-revealed Resurrection protocols, there is only one option left: The villain will be held deep inside Krakoa, alive and awake, yet unable to move. "And for how long?" Xavier says. "Forever, Creed. For that is how long mutant justice lasts."
Now, we know exactly the punishment that comes with breaking the laws of Krakoa -- a fate far worse than death, one doomed to last a lifetime, if not more. Sabretooth has been exiled for all time -- but even Xavier believes that, eventually, redemption might come for him. And given what we know of the timeline involved in House of X and Powers of X, that could take a really, really long time. Like, thousands of years long.