WARNING: The following contains spoilers for X-Factor #4, by Leah Williams, Carlos Gomez, Israel Silva, VC's Joe Caramagna and Tom Muller, on sale now.
In the latest issue of X-Factor, the running storyline has taken a massive turn as this issue deals with the team's part in the ongoing X of Swords crossover. What resulted was the death of a mutant who can't be brought back using the resurrection protocols.
With the death of Rockslide and the severe injuries of both Rictor and Apocalpyse, one member of X-Factor is experiencing extreme feelings of guilt and has revealed recurring feelings of self-hatred. The only clue to the nature of the tournament rests within the mind of Polaris, and she is struggling to stand up and do her part.
When Saturnyne used her magic to put clues into the mind of Polaris, she did so for a reason. It is entirely possible that Lorna was chosen to be the recipient of the clues because of her emotional vulnerability. Once she was back on Krakoa, Polaris beat herself up because she couldn't decipher the clues. Saturnyne even toyed with her head, setting up a firewall to keep psychics out, not allowing anyone but Polaris to solve the riddles.
When Polaris returned from Otherworld she was very agitated, and revealed that her self-hatred reaches its peak when she feels like she has to seek the validation of others. She blamed herself for Rockslide's death and believes she could have prevented it. She was still wallowing in her feelings when she approached Professor X. Upon learning that Rockslide could not be properly resurrected, Polaris spiraled even further. However, the origin of her self-hate and need for validation dates back much further than what happened in Otherworld, as seen in her previous interactions with the Quiet Council, and her father Magneto in particular.
Polaris admitted she hadn't deciphered the clues in her head yet, and Magneto asked how she could "dally" when she knows she has the information needed for Krakoa to survive. He scolded her and told her to do the work she is expected to do. The effect Magneto's words had on his daughter is seen immediately as she is then able to quote the clues verbatim. This is a clear example of Polaris' need to please those around her, especially her father.
Polaris feels that there is no kindness or courage in the world, only redemption, and penitence. This feeling goes back to her birth. Lorna's dad learned she was not his biological child, but rather the product of an affair her mother had with Magneto. The two argued on a plane, causing an infant Lorna's powers to manifest, and the plane crashed, killing her parents. Magneto had her memories rearranged, so she didn't know she was responsible until she was 20. As an adult, Lorna found herself a pawn more often than a hero, mind-controlled by Malice and manipulated by Mesmero. Erik the Red even gave her the name Polaris while mind-controlling her. Compounding the matter is the fact that Apocalypse once made her into his Horseman Pestilence. When these factors are taken into consideration, it makes it easier to understand why Polaris feels the way she does about herself.