X-Force #14, Chapter 17, Hellions #6, Chapter 18 & Cable #6, Chapter 19 – X of Swords Spoilers

X-Force #14: Saturnyne draws the cards and summons Magik and Pogg Ur-Pogg for a rematch, a hand-to-hand combat without weapons. Pogg Ur-Pogg swallows Magik; however, Illyana learns that the large alligator surface is just a “costume”. The actual Pogg Ur-Pogg is a small troll-looking creature that Magik drags out of the alligator costume and defeats easily.
Magik wins.
Arakko 5 – 3 Krakoa 

A number of non-sensical contests follow. 

Torture endurance: War vs. Cable, Captain Avalon & Gorgon
War wins.
Arakko 6 – 3 Krakoa 

Contest of pushing boulders: Death, Isca & Pogg Ur-Pogg vs. Magik
Arakko wins.
Arakko 7 – 3 Krakoa

Battle under the sea: Isca & The White Sword vs. Gorgon
Arakko wins.
Arakko 8 – 3 Krakoa 

Eating disgusting food challenge: Redroot vs. Cypher, Captain Avalon & Cable
Krakoa wins.
Arakko 8 – 4 Krakoa 

Dance battle: Bei & War vs. Cypher & Wolverine
Arakko wins.
Arakko 9 – 4 Krakoa 

Labyrinth escape: Redroot & Pogg Ur-Pogg vs. Captain Avalon & Storm
Arakko wins.
Arakko 10 – 4 Krakoa 

Puzzle contest: Death & War vs. Gorgon & Magik
Krakoa wins.
Arakko 10 – 5 Krakoa 

Fashion couture contest: Redroot & War vs. Storm & Wolverine
Arakko wins.
Arakko 11 – 5 Krakoa 

Navigation in Blightspoke: Isca vs. Cable & Magik
Arakko wins.
Arakko 12 – 5 Krakoa 

Saturnyne then summons Captain Avalon and Redroot for a foot race in the Crooked Market. Knowing full well Brian is faster, Saturnyne rigs the match again and sends the Furies after Brian. While Brian is busy fighting them off, Redroot easily wins the contest. The point goes to Arakko, but since Redroot shattered a valuable crystal by accident in the Crooked Market, Mad Jim Jaspers shrinks her and traps her in a jar. Saturnyne warns Brian that he too broke many items in the Crooked Market and that he’s in Mad Jim Jaspers’ debt unless he asks for her help.
Redroot wins
Arakko 13 – 5 Krakoa 

Spelling contest: Bei, Death & Pogg Ur-Pogg vs. Magik & Cypher
Arakko wins.
Arakko 14 – 5 Krakoa 

Watching all the people you killed without looking away: The White Sword vs. Wolverine
The White Sword winds.
Arakko 15 – 5 Krakoa 

Resisting a rock siren: Isca & War vs. Gorgon, Magik & Wolverine
Arakko wins.
Arakko 16 – 5 Krakoa 

Killing a kitten: War vs. Captain Avalon
War wins.
Arakko 17 – 5 Krakoa 

Death and Storm are summoned for the next battle in Sevalith. Whoever draws blood first wins. After drinking with Wolverine, Storm finds herself without her powers and dizzy. Nevertheless, Storms puts up a front and impresses Death. Death decides to take off his hood and show his death stare. Storm protects her eyes with her blade, and Death sees his own face in the reflection. Ororo takes the opportunity and stabs him in the guts, drawing blood.
Storm wins.
Arakko 17 – 6 Krakoa 

Hellions #6: The Hellions finally reach Arakko through the Dryador gate. Tarn, the Uncaring, an Arakki mutant, welcomes them and warns that all of the ten swords have already been claimed and that the tournament is well underway. The Hellions realize Mr. Sinister played them when Tarn uses his psychic powers and learns that Mr. Sinister only intended to collect genes of Arakki mutants. Tarn then summons other mutants under his leadership and warns Mr. Sinister to back off; instead, Essex releases genetic collection drones in the air. A fierce battle ensues between the two groups; Nanny is the first to die. Empath releases his hold over Greycrow and runs away towards the Dryador gate while Orphan-Maker has his arms chopped off and dies. Havok has his hands cut off and Greycrow is gravely injured by shrapnel. Sinister orders Kwannon to take the genes collected to Krakoa with Havok and Greycrow. Wildchild stays behind to buy them time. Wildchild is stabbed to death while Sinister is dismembered. Kwannon, Greycrow, Havok and Empath all reach Castle Camelot in Avalon and lick their wounds. Greycrow stabs Empath in the guts and warns him to drag himself towards the gate to Krakoa; otherwise he will never be resurrected. In Krakoa, the actual Mr. Sinister releases a dark smoke and kills all of the last remaining Hellions. Kwannon, Havok, Greycrow and Empath all die in Krakoa. Sinister retrieves the genes and puts on an act while warning the others that his precious Hellions were killed in an attack in Otherworld. 

Cable #16: Sinister lies about what had happened to his Hellions and asks the Quiet Council to destroy the External Gate. Xavier replies that harming the gate is not an option. Sinister says his choice will cost Krakoa everything. In Dryador, Saturnyne summons Cable and Bei, the Blood Moon to a fight to the death. Cable gets the upper hand, but he is hesitant about killing Bei in front of Doug. Bei gets back on her feet and humiliates Cable. Saturnyne stops the fight and awards the point to Arakko since Cable’s death of spirit was enough.
Bei, the Blood Moon wins.
Arakko 18 – 6 Krakoa 

Cable attempts to reach out to Jean and Scott, but Saturnyne servers their connection. Jean and Scott decide to take matters in their hands. Gorgon and the White Sword are next for a battle to the death. The White Sword summons his fallen soldiers, each representing one of his one hundred swords. Gorgon slays 13 of the White Sword’s champions, giving Krakoa a narrow lead of 19 to 18. The White Swords decides to fight himself and gives Gorgon the option to be healed and serve him eternally. Gorgon rejects his offer. The White Sword stabs Gorgon through the chest. Gorgon dies in Otherworld.
The White Sword wins.
Arakko 19 – 19 Krakoa 

The final contestants are summoned. Apocalypse and Genesis will fight the last battle and decide the outcome of the tournament.

Hellions #5, Chapter 6; New Mutants #13, Chapter 7 & Cable #5, Chapter 8 – X of Swords Spoilers

Hellions #5, Chapter 6

Spoilers: Empath is resurrected at Krakoa and welcomed back by Xavier and Hope. Two days later, the Quiet Council holds a meeting where Mr. Sinister proposes to send his Hellions to Otherworld as none of them were among the chosen champions. He wants the Hellions to steal the Arakki champions’ swords to force a forfeit. Shaw, Msytique, Exodus, Emma Frost and Sinister himself vote in favor of his plan. Exodus proposes that Mr. Sinister leads the Hellions, much against his wishes. The Hellions regroup, and Havok warns that whoever dies in Otherworld cannot be resurrected. Meanwhile, Mr. Sinister plans to send his own clone to Otherworld instead. The uncooperating clone forces Sinister’s hand and both play rock paper scissors to decide who will go to Otherworld; otherwise, the clone will expose Mr. Sinister’s illegal clone farm to the Council. We never learn which Mr. Sinister went to Otherworld. Upon crossing the gateway, Sinister asks for King Jamie Braddock’s permission to travel through Avalon. Jamie accepts it and gives them a horse as a gift. Jamie requests Sinister’s cape in exchange to seal their deal. The Hellions soon find out that Jamie played them as the horse was stolen property of Saturnyne. Sinister asks Empath to manipulate Saturnyne’s guards into cooperating with them. Empath agrees only if they let him use his powers to turn Greycrow into his pet. Sinister accepts Empath’s conditions and soon the Hellions embark on a journey to the Kingdom of Dryador towards Arakko.

New Mutants #13, Chapter 7

Spoilers: It’s been an open secret for some time that Doug’s best friend, Warlock, was joined with him as his artificial arm. However, Saturnyne’s prophecy specifically called for both of them to take part in the tournament, with Warlock as Doug’s blade. With the exception of Warlock, no one believes that Doug is up to the task, not even Doug himself. Krakoa made two attempts to keep Doug on the island, in part because Krakoa will not have a voice in Doug’s absence. Exodus made a more violent attempt, and suggested that he would kill Doug to prevent his departure. Only the interference of Warlock and Krakoa forced Exodus to back off. For her part, Magik tried tough love with Doug by putting him through a crash course in swordplay. Magik remembers Doug’s death, when he was killed in part because his powers of language aren’t always useful in battle. Over the course of the issue, Doug was able to use that ability to read Magik’s body language. He even showed real improvement. That gave Doug a boost in confidence, and forced Magik to bring him down to Earth. The Arakkii are a warrior race who have fought every day of their lives in the darkest parts of Otherworld. Against an enemy like that, Doug can’t hope to win. The best he can do is try not to die and stay close to Magik when the fighting begins.

Cable #5, Chapter 8

Spoilers: When Saturnyne left a mental message that led Cable, Cyclops, and Jean Grey to the Peak, it turns out that may not have been meant to help the mutants. The former headquarters of S.W.O.R.D. was powered down and abandoned for a reason. And almost everyone on board was slaughtered by a brand-new threat. Jean encountered the lone survivor, and she soon learned about the Vescora, an alien race that acts like a virus given humanoid form. They want to "cleanse, dissect, and learn.” But if that’s not alarming enough, the survivor told Jean that the Vescora are “enemies that are not bound to our laws of physics." They invade, replicate, and move on. Under normal circumstances, the Vescora would be an extinction-level threat just by themselves. In the middle of a war with the Arakkii, their arrival is a recipe for disaster. Cable was able to remove the Light of Galador from the Peak’s engine, and once again depower the station. However, the portal to the Vescora’s realm remains, and it looks like it was created from the bodies of the Vescora themselves. At best, this is only a temporary solution for a problem that may soon get out of hand. Following their ordeal on the Peak, Jean and Cyclops seemed uncharacteristically calm and collected. Cyclops even assured his son that “we’re gonna be okay.” Somehow, that wasn’t very convincing. As for Cable, he took his place as the fifth champion of Krakoa.

Cable #5 – X of Swords, Chapter 8 Preview

Cable #5
Writer: Gerry Duggan

Art & Cover by: Phil Noto
Variant Cover by: Ivan Shavrin

The Story:
X of Swords – Chapter 8
A hand held aloft. A mystery in the stars. An ace up the sleeve.

In Stores: October 21, 2020

X-Solicits for November 2020: X of Swords

	X-Men #14 Jonathan Hickman (W) Mahmud Asrar & Leinil Francis Yu (A) Cover by: Leinil Francis Yu X of Swords, Chapter 12 The Lovers. A Garden. A chasm of secrets.
	Marauders #14 Gerry Duggan & Benjamin Percy (W) Stefano Caselli (A) Cover by: Russell Dauterman X of Swords, Chapter 13 A toast. A dance. A dinner served: Part I
	Marauders #15 Gerry Duggan & Benjamin Percy (W) Stefano Caselli (A) Cover by: Russell Dauterman X of Swords, Chapter 14 A toast. A dance. A dinner served: Part II
	Excalibur #14 Tini Howard (W) Phil Noto (A) Cover by: Mahmud Asrar X of Swords, Chapter 15 Two swords. Two cups. Two must answer.
	Wolverine #7 Benjamin Percy & Gerry Duggan (W) Joshua Cassara (A) Cover by: Adam Kubert X of Swords, Chapter 16 Endurance. Survival. The true lesson of pain.
	X-Force #14 Benjamin Percy & Gerry Duggan (W) Joshua Cassara (A) Cover by: Dustin Weaver X of Swords, Chapter 17 Chivalry gives way to fury. A knight must kneel.
	Hellions #6 Zeb Wells (W) Carmen Carnero (A) Cover by: Stephen Segovia X of Swords, Chapter 18 Chaos. Deceit. A hero returns.
	Cable #6 Gerry Duggan (W) Phil Noto (A/C) X of Swords, Chapter 19 A son. The stars. A Fool and his bravery.
	X-Men #15 Jonathan Hickman (W) Mahmud Asrar (A) Cover by: Leinil Francis Yu X of Swords, Chapter 20 A great division. Bitter victories. Bitterer hearts.
	Excalibur #15 Tini Howard (W) Mahmud Asrar (A/C) X of Swords, Chapter 21 A game abandoned, but a great gamble remains. A Tower answers.
	X of Swords: Destruction #1 Jonathan Hickman & Tini Howard (W) Pepe Larraz (A/C) X of Swords, Chapter 22 The wheel of fortune turns. The unfortunate fall. A sword against the darkness.

X-Solicits for October 2020: X of Swords

	Wolverine #6 Benjamin Percy (W) • Viktor Bogdanovic (A) Cover by: Adam Kubert Wolverine Timeless Variant Cover by: Alex Ross Variant Cover by: Daniel Warren Johnson X of Swords, Part 3 Descent. Penance. A legendary power reclaimed.
	X-Force #13 Benjamin Percy (W) • Viktor Bogdanovic (A) Cover by: Dustin Weaver Beast Timeless Variant Cover by: Alex Ross Variant Cover by: Iban Coello X of Swords, Part 4 Stealth. The power within. The burden of knowledge.
	Marauders #13 Vita Ayala (W) • Matteo Lolli (A) Cover by: Russell Dauterman Variant Cover by: TBA Hell’s Storm Horror Variant Cover by: Khary Randolph Iceman Timeless Variant Cover by: Alex Ross X of Swords, Part 5 A secret flight. A long journey. A Thief and a Queen.
	Hellions #5 Zeb Wells (W) • Carmen Carnero (A) Cover by: Stephen Segovia Variant Cover by: Sara Pichelli Phoenix Timeless Variant Cover by: Alex Ross X of Swords, Part 6 Desperation. Help from unexpected places. An advance into the unknown.
	New Mutants #13 Ed Brisson (W) • Rod Reis (A) Cover by: Mike Del Mundo Variant Cover by: Adi Granov Colossus Timeless Variant Cover by: Alex Ross X of Swords, Part 7 Diligence. Discipline. A sword of the self.
	Cable #5 Gerry Duggan (W) • Phil Noto (A/C) Variant Cover by: TBA X of Swords, Part 8 A hand held aloft. A mystery in the stars. An ace up the sleeve.
	Excalibur #13 Tini Howard (W) • R.B. Silva (A) Cover by: Mahmud Asrar Variant Cover by: Lee Garbett Nightcrawler Timeless Variant Cover by: Alex Rossross X of Swords, Part 9 Opposition. Despair. The dark night of the soul.
	X-Men #13 Jonathan Hickman (W) • Mahmud Asrar (A) Cover by: Leinil Francis Yu Variant Cover by: TBA Cyclops Timeless Variant Cover by: Alex Ross Legion of X-Monsters Horror Variant Cover by: Russell Dauterman X of Swords, Part 10 Lessons. Longing. What has begun cannot be undone.
	X of Swords: Stasis #1 Tini Howard & Jonathan Hickman (W) Pepe Larraz & Mahmud Asrar (A) Cover by: Pepe Larraz Design Variant Cover by: Pepe Larraz Variant Cover by: Coax Variant Cover by: Mike Del Mundo Variant Cover by: Olivier Coipel Variant Cover by: TBA X of Swords, Part 11 A ritual. A parliament. A game begins.

X-Men & Excalibur Lead The Path Towards 'X of Swords'

Amazon has posted the product description for the 'X of Swords' hardcover. The collection includes the following:

Four one-shots:

• X of Swords: Creation (2020) #1

• X of Swords: Stasis (2020) #1

• X of Swords: Destruction (2020) #1

• X of Swords: TBD (2020) #1

Three issues of both X-Men & Excalibur:

• X-Men (2019) #12-14

• Excalibur (2019) #12-14

And an issue each of every book except Children of The Atom:

• Marauders (2019) #13

• X-Force (2019) #13

• New Mutants (2019) #13

• Wolverine (2020) #6

• Cable (2020) #5

• Hellions (2020) #5

• X-Factor (2020) #4

Cable #2 Marvel Zombies Variant by David Yardin

X-Solicits for March 2020

	Excalibur #8 & #9 Tini Howard (W) Wilton Santos (A) Issue #8 Marcus To (A) Issue #9 Covers by: Mahmud Asrar Issue #9 – God Loves Man Kills Variant Cover by: Marcos Martin Hark! The Hunt for Truth Excalibur emerges from the woods with a journey before them. Their destination: Starlight Citadel.
	X-Men #8 & #9 Jonathan Hickman (W) RB Silva (A) Issue #8 Leinil Francis Yu (A) Issue #9 Covers by: Leinil Francis Yu Issue #8 – God Loves Man Kills Variant Cover by: Marcos Martin Get Ready To Run! The New Mutants are back from space, and they’ve brought intergalactic trouble with them! The Brood! The Shi’ar! The Starjammers! The Imperial Guard!
	Marauders #9 Gerry Duggan (W) • Stefano Caselli (A) Cover by: Russell Dauterman God Loves Man Kills Variant Cover by: Marcos Martin Pest Control! A very small attack on Krakoa grows into something much bigger, thanks to Yellowjacket! Can Captain Kate’s crew swat him before his sting pays off?
	New Mutants #9 Jonathan Hickman (W) • Flaviano (A) Cover by: Mike Del Mundo God Loves Man Kills Variant Cover by: Marcos Martin A Nightmare Becomes Real! With Krakoan confidence, the youth of mutantkind are ready to take on any challenge the world has to throw at them – but when reality itself betrays them, what hope is there for the NEW MUTANTS?
	X-Force #9 Benjamin Percy (W) • Joshua Cassara (A) Cover by: Dustin Weaver God Loves Man Kills Variant Cover by: Marcos Martin Reap What You Sow! In the heart of South America, X-Force finds a problem growing that threatens to destroy everything they’ve built… and one of their own might be responsible.
	Hellions #1 Zeb Wells (W) • Stephen Segovia (A/C) Variant Cover by: Whilce Portacio Variant Cover by: Woo Dae Shi Hidden Gem Variant Cover by: Jim Lee Variant Cover by: TBA Orange Variant Cover Also Available Bad Is the New Good! When Krakoa opened their doors to all mutants and forgave all past crimes, they might have known they’d have to accept some of their worst foes into the fold… but they didn’t plan for what to do with them. Not to worry—Mister Sinister knows what to do with the troublemakers. Meet his new Hellions: Scalphunter, Wild Child, Empath, Nanny, Orphanmaker, Psylocke…and Havok?! Under Sinister’s direction, they are sure to become productive members of mutant society. Writer Zeb Wells (Amazing Spider-Man, New Mutants) and artist Stephen Segovia (Wolverine: Manifest Destiny, Superior Carnage) bring you the team you’re going to hate to love!
	Wolverine #2 Benjamin Percy (W) • Adam Kubert (A/C) Variant Cover by: David Finch Spider-Woman Variant Cover by: Gerald Parel God Loves Man Kills Variant Cover by: Marcos Martin The Worst Is Back! Wolverine has never been one to back down from a fight — not even a combined assault from Lady Deathstrike, Sabretooth and Doctor Cornelius — but the Flower Cartel might have enlisted his worst and greatest foe: Logan himself.
	Cable #1 Gerry Duggan (W) • Phil Noto (A/C) Variant Cover by: W. Scott Forbes Variant Cover by: Nick Bradshaw Hidden Gem Variant Cover by: TBA Variant Cover by: Skottie Young Black Blank Variant Cover Also Available The Dawn of Rebellion! Cable was a grizzled old veteran of the wars to save the future… and he will be again. But for now, he’s a young mutant living in paradise leading a life of adventure! Nathan Summers, son of two of the most powerful mutants on Krakoa, has a destiny leading the youth of mutantkind in rebellion… so why not start now? Gerry Duggan (Marauders, Deadpool) and Phil Noto (Star Wars, Poe Dameron) bring us young Cable as we’ve never seen him before!