WARNING: The following contains spoilers for X-Men #14 by Jonathan Hickman, Mahmud Asrar, Leinil Francis Yu, Sunny Gho & VC's Clayton Cowles, on sale now

The potential for war between the forces of Krakoa and Arakko has threatened not only the future of the X-Men but the entire Earth in Marvel's X of Swords crossover. The truth behind Arakko's fall has remained out of the hands of the X-Men but a clearer picture of the battle was just illuminated by Genesis, and it adds a tragic layer to their corruption.

In X-Men #14, Genesis revealed to Apocalypse the truth behind her decision to become the new avatar of Annihilation in X of Swords and how this decision broke the mutant army of Arakko.

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When Summoner was still believed to be an ally of the X-Men, he revealed the supposed truth behind the history of Arakko. After arriving in the realm of Amenth, the forces of Arakko went to war against the demonic hordes of the dark god Annihilation. Quickly, the mutants were able to establish a foothold against their enemies and set up multiple bases, just as Summoner said. One day, the forces of Arakko were set up for defeat by an unlikely source -- Isca, sister to Genesis, and one of Arakko's most fearsome warriors. Her ability to adapt and win any situation had forced her to betray her fellow mutants and advocate for Genesis to meet Annihilation and parlay.

This is where the stories deviate. In the version Summoner told, Genesis battled the wielder of Annihilation's helm and was defeated. But Genesis reveals to her estranged husband that she had actually won the battle. She even resisted putting on the helm of Annihilation, initially avoiding its corrupting influence. However, this only led to chaos. It turns out that upon arriving in Amenth, roughly a tenth of all the mutants present were driven mad and sent running into the wild and demonic world. They'd since been captured by the forces of Annihilation and forced into breeding with the demonic horde. This resulted in an army of twisted and corrupted half-mutant/half-demonic monsters. Without Annihilation to control them, they lashed out and brought nothing but blood and violence to Arakko.

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This horde was ravenous and blood-thirsty enough to tear down the structures that had been constructed. With no other option after a century of watching her people suffer and die at their hands -- and seeing her people try to reach out for help -- a reluctant Genesis embraced the helm of Annihilation. She initially believed she could contend with the influence of the being and maintain her free-will, but this was quickly proven wrong. Soon, Genesis accepted her place at the head of its army, bringing the mutants of Arakko along with her.

It's a genuinely tragic origin for Genesis as the ultimate villain of X of Swords. Her attempts to contend with a great and terrible thing showcased her failings, and she simply wasn't fit enough to survive their encounter unscathed. The woman Apocalypse loved may remain in part through her skill, power and attitude, but it's clear that Genesis has been consumed by darkness and is an extension of a darker power. Even if Apocalypse had risen an army strong enough to contend with Amenth, it wouldn't have mattered -- he would have still faced his wife again one day and been forced into the very same battle he's agreed to in X of Swords.

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