Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Chapter 70: The Calm Before the Storm

The city had returned to its usual hum, the steady rhythm of New York's heartbeat pulsing through the streets as if nothing had happened. But Peter knew better. Beneath the surface, something was wrong. The battle with the creature from the rift had been intense, but it was only one of many, and it was clear this was far from over.

Peter swung through the city, feeling the familiar rush of wind against his face, the comforting sensation of his webs sticking to the buildings as he soared through the skyline. But today, the usual thrill of being Spider-Man felt different. There was a weight in the air—an unease that clung to him, a reminder of what he'd just witnessed. The rift, the creature, the destructive power of it all.

And that man—the one Peter had seen in the scrying mirror—the one who had somehow connected to the Harbinger.

Peter couldn't stop thinking about him. The symbol on his chest. The coldness in his eyes. Whoever he was, he wasn't just another villain—he was something far more dangerous. A dark puppet master pulling the strings of something ancient and terrifying.

The city streets below him were bustling, people going about their everyday lives, oblivious to the catastrophic danger hanging over their heads. Peter's phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him out of his thoughts. He flipped it open.

MJ: "Hey, you free tonight? I know it's been a while, but I thought maybe we could grab dinner. I miss you."

Peter's heart skipped a beat. Despite everything that was happening, he knew there was something he needed to do—something that wasn't about saving the world or battling rifts. He needed to be Peter Parker for once. He needed to be with MJ.

Peter tapped out a quick response.

Peter: "I'm free tonight. Let's do it. I'll pick you up at 7?"

The reply came almost instantly.

MJ: "7 sounds perfect. Can't wait to see you."

Peter smiled to himself, his nerves calming slightly. After everything, he needed this. He needed to feel normal for a moment. Even if the world was falling apart, he couldn't forget the people who mattered.

He finished swinging across the city and landed on a rooftop. He stood for a moment, taking in the view of the skyline—his city. It always made him feel like he was on top of the world, even when he knew that wasn't the case.

But now, more than ever, it felt like everything was balancing on a knife's edge.

Later that evening, Peter knocked on MJ's apartment door, his suit hidden beneath a jacket, his face covered in a warm smile. It felt good to be here, with her. She opened the door almost immediately, and her eyes lit up when she saw him.

"Hey," she said softly, pulling him into a hug. "I'm glad you could make it."

Peter breathed in her familiar scent, savoring the feeling of being close to her again. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

They spent the evening together, talking about everything and nothing. MJ filled him in on her day at the theater, her latest work at the coffee shop, and the newest drama with her friends. Peter listened, genuinely enjoying the simplicity of her words, of their time together. It was a distraction—one he desperately needed. In these moments, he didn't have to be Spider-Man. He could just be Peter, the guy who cared about her deeply.

As they sat in a small diner later that night, laughing over milkshakes, Peter's phone buzzed again. This time, it wasn't MJ's text. It was a message from Doctor Strange.

Doctor Strange: "We've located the second rift. It's worse than we thought. The creatures are multiplying, and I need you."

Peter's heart sank. He quickly glanced at MJ, her voice cutting through his thoughts as she laughed about something she had read in a book. But he couldn't shake the unease. Every bone in his body told him he couldn't ignore the call.

"I'm sorry," Peter muttered, standing up abruptly. "I have to go. Something's come up."

MJ paused mid-sentence, looking up at him, her expression soft but understanding. "Is everything okay?"

Peter hesitated, guilt gnawing at him. "Yeah, it's just… something I need to take care of. But I'll make it up to you. I promise."

She smiled faintly, though there was a trace of concern in her eyes. "Be safe, Pete. Whatever it is, you've got this."

Peter didn't know if he could promise that. But he nodded, offering her one last smile before he turned and left. The weight of the situation settled over him again as he swung back into the night, his mind racing.

Doctor Strange's voice crackled over the comms as Peter arrived at the Sanctum Sanctorum.

"Peter, you're here. Good. The rift is opening in a part of the city I've never seen before—right under the old docks. It's not just a portal. It's becoming a tear in the fabric of reality. We need to get there before it destabilizes completely."

Peter nodded grimly. "Lead the way."

The two of them stood together, the moonlight casting long shadows across the Sanctum as Doctor Strange began to cast the necessary spells to open a portal. The air vibrated with energy, crackling with anticipation.

"Be ready, Peter," Doctor Strange warned. "This one is unlike anything we've faced. The creatures coming through are stronger, faster. And they're not just from this dimension. They're more dangerous."

Peter steeled himself, pushing his fear aside. He had to be ready for anything.

The portal shimmered open, and they stepped through.

The world on the other side was a twisted reflection of the docks Peter knew. The once-bustling area was now empty, the buildings broken down and charred, the ground cracked and torn. Above, the rift hung like a wound in the sky, dark energy swirling around it, feeding into the very ground beneath their feet.

Something stirred in the shadows.

Peter's spider-sense flared up, his muscles coiling in instinct. The air was thick with danger.

"Stay sharp," Doctor Strange muttered, scanning the area with narrowed eyes.

Suddenly, from the darkness, they heard it—laughter. Deep and guttural, it echoed across the deserted docks. It wasn't human.

From the shadows emerged a creature—more like the one they had faced earlier, but this one was bigger, faster. Its skin was dark and slick, its eyes glowing with an unnatural red hue. It hissed, its claws scratching against the ground.

Peter's heart raced, but he didn't hesitate. "Here we go."

Before the creature could charge, Peter shot a web at its legs, pulling it off balance. But it was faster than he expected, and it twisted out of the way, its claws slashing through the air. The creature let out an ear-piercing screech and lunged at Peter with terrifying speed.

Peter dodged, but just barely, his webbing narrowly missing the creature's face as he swung behind it. Doctor Strange wasn't far behind, his hands weaving complex patterns in the air, a barrier of magic forming between the creature and Peter.

"This is just the beginning," Doctor Strange said, his tone grim. "There are more, and they're only going to get stronger."

Peter nodded, his resolve hardening. He couldn't afford to stop now. He had to fight, no matter what came through that rift.

The battle had only just begun.

End of Chapter 70