Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Chapter 55: The Gathering Storm

Peter sat perched on the edge of a towering skyscraper, the glowing orb secured in his backpack as the city stretched out below. The usual hustle and bustle of New York seemed muted, as if the world itself was holding its breath. He'd replayed Wraith's cryptic warning over and over in his mind, each word planting deeper seeds of doubt.

The rift wasn't meant for you—it was meant for them.

Peter sighed, staring at his reflection in a nearby window. Being Spider-Man was about responsibility, about protecting people. But now, with the orb, it felt like he was a magnet for danger instead.

"I can't keep doing this alone," Peter muttered to himself.

The next day, Peter made his way to the Sanctum Sanctorum. If anyone could shed light on the mystery of the orb, it was Doctor Strange. The imposing, brownstone building stood in stark contrast to the chaos of the city around it. Its circular window, adorned with ancient symbols, seemed to peer down at Peter as he knocked on the heavy door.

It creaked open on its own, revealing Wong standing in the foyer.

"Spider-Man," Wong said, raising an eyebrow. "What trouble are you bringing to our doorstep this time?"

Peter stepped inside, pulling off his mask. "I think I found something… or maybe it found me. Either way, it's bad news."

Wong led him into the Sanctum's library, where Strange was levitating in a meditative pose. At Peter's entrance, the sorcerer opened his eyes, his expression instantly serious.

"What is it, Parker?" Strange asked, descending gracefully to the ground.

Peter unzipped his backpack, revealing the orb. Its faint glow pulsed erratically, as if sensing the Sanctum's magic. Strange's eyes narrowed, and he waved his hands over the object, conjuring a series of glowing runes.

"This… isn't from our dimension," Strange said, his tone grave. "It's a nexus artifact, a conduit between worlds."

Peter frowned. "So it's like a key? Or a door?"

"Both," Strange replied. "But it's not the artifact itself you need to worry about—it's what's connected to it."

Wong leaned in, his brow furrowed. "I've seen this kind of energy signature before. The symbiotes."

Peter's stomach dropped. "Symbiotes? Like Venom?"

Strange nodded. "Not just Venom. There's an entire species, Parker. And if this orb is active, it means they're coming."

Strange led Peter to the Mirror Dimension, where they could study the orb without risking the safety of the city. The swirling, kaleidoscopic environment distorted the world around them, but Peter focused on the glowing object suspended in Strange's magic.

"Rifts like the one you encountered are tears in the fabric of reality," Strange explained. "They occur when powerful energies collide, often due to experimentation or cosmic anomalies. Oscorp must have been tampering with something far beyond their understanding."

"Great," Peter said, running a hand through his hair. "So now I've got an alien invasion on my hands. How do I stop it?"

Strange studied the orb, his expression unreadable. "You don't."

Peter froze. "What?"

"You can't stop what's already in motion," Strange said. "The best you can do is prepare. The symbiotes are drawn to this world now. They won't stop until they claim it."

Peter clenched his fists. "There has to be a way. I can't just sit back and let them destroy everything."

Strange's eyes softened. "You don't understand, Peter. This isn't just about your world—it's about every world. The symbiotes don't conquer, they consume. Entire dimensions have fallen to them."

Wong stepped forward, placing a hand on Peter's shoulder. "But there's hope. The orb can be used to seal the rift, cutting off their access to this dimension. You just need time to figure out how."

Peter nodded, determination replacing his fear. "Time is something I'll make."

That night, Peter swung through the city, the orb safely tucked away in a hidden compartment at the Sanctum. The streets were quieter than usual, the air heavy with anticipation. His spider-sense tingled constantly, a low, persistent hum that made his skin crawl.

As he landed on a rooftop overlooking the Hudson River, a sudden noise made him turn. A figure stepped out of the shadows, their silhouette hulking and inhuman.

It wasn't Venom. This was something else, something worse.

The creature was larger, its black-and-red form rippling with muscle. Its face was a grotesque amalgamation of teeth and tendrils, and its eyes burned with an unnatural light.

"Spider-Man," it hissed, its voice a guttural snarl. "You have something that belongs to us."

Peter's heart raced as he raised his fists. "Let me guess: you're one of the 'them' Wraith was talking about?"

The creature bared its jagged teeth in a grotesque smile. "Call me Carnage. And this world… is mine."

Carnage lunged, its movements unnaturally fast. Peter barely had time to dodge as its claws slashed through the air, tearing chunks of brick from the rooftop. He fired webs, trying to bind its limbs, but Carnage shrugged them off effortlessly.

"You're quick," Carnage said, its voice dripping with malice. "But not quick enough."

It lashed out, a tendril catching Peter's arm and slamming him into a wall. Pain shot through his body as he struggled to break free, but Carnage's strength was overwhelming.

Desperate, Peter fired a web at a nearby crane, pulling it down onto Carnage. The impact sent dust and debris flying, giving him a moment to catch his breath.

"This is way above my pay grade," Peter muttered, wincing as he stood.

Carnage emerged from the rubble, seemingly unscathed. Its laughter echoed across the rooftop, chilling Peter to the bone.

"You can't stop me, Spider-Man," it taunted. "But I'll enjoy watching you try."

As the fight raged on, Peter realized he couldn't defeat Carnage alone. He needed help—someone who understood the symbiotes better than anyone else.

"Eddie," Peter whispered, an idea forming in his mind.

He fired a web line, swinging away from the battle. Carnage roared in frustration but didn't pursue, its attention turning instead to the city below.

Peter knew time was running out. He had to find Venom before Carnage unleashed chaos on New York.

End of Chapter 55