Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Chapter 69: The First Rift

The rift loomed above them, a swirling vortex of dark energy that crackled with an unnatural intensity. It looked like a wound in the fabric of reality itself, pulsating with an ominous, rhythmic glow. The city below seemed to hold its breath, as if the very air was waiting for the next move.

Peter swung to the edge of the rooftop, his heart pounding in his chest. His spider-sense was on high alert, every instinct telling him that danger was near. He glanced back at Doctor Strange, who was standing with his arms raised, his face set in a determined mask. The sorcerer muttered an incantation under his breath, the air around him shimmering with mystical energy.

"Stay on guard," Doctor Strange said, his voice calm but full of authority. "This rift is unstable. Whatever comes through could be dangerous."

Peter nodded, tightening his grip on the web-shooter on his wrist. He wasn't sure what to expect—whether the rift would spew out monstrous creatures or some other form of chaos—but he knew one thing for sure: he had to be ready for anything.

The ground beneath their feet trembled, and then, from the depths of the rift, something began to emerge. It was a low, guttural growl, followed by a shape—dark and formless at first—slowly taking form. The figure was tall, monstrous, its body twisting as if it were made of shadow and smoke. Its eyes were glowing red, burning with an inner fire that made Peter's skin crawl.

"What the hell is that?" Peter whispered, his voice barely audible.

"A manifestation of the Harbinger's power," Doctor Strange said grimly. "It's a creature born from the rift itself—an agent of destruction. These are the entities the Harbinger sends to destabilize this world."

Peter didn't need any further explanation. He shot a web to the ground below and swung toward the creature, aiming for its center mass. But as his webbing struck, it seemed to dissipate into the creature's shadowy form, offering no resistance. The creature didn't flinch.

It moved faster than Peter anticipated, its long limbs extending unnaturally as it lunged toward him with terrifying speed. Peter barely had time to twist in mid-air, evading the creature's massive claws by inches. The air around him felt like it was thick with static, and the ground below him cracked as the creature's form collided with it, sending shockwaves that shook the buildings.

"Not your usual enemy," Peter muttered, flipping backward to gain some distance.

Doctor Strange was already moving, his hands tracing complex sigils in the air, creating a barrier of shimmering light between the creature and Peter. The creature recoiled, letting out a screech that reverberated through the street. But the barrier was only temporary—it was clear the creature wasn't finished yet.

"You can't just throw up a shield every time," Peter called out. "What else do you have?"

Doctor Strange didn't answer immediately, his eyes focused on the creature's movements. "This thing is bound to the rift. We need to disrupt its connection to the source, or it won't stop."

Peter's mind raced. He had fought monsters before, but nothing like this—nothing so out of control, so unnatural. The creature was powerful, yes, but it was more than that. It was a force, an embodiment of chaos itself.

The creature lunged again, this time aiming for Peter's midsection. But Peter was faster, twisting in mid-air and firing a web at the creature's back. The webbing stuck for a moment, and Peter yanked, sending himself flying toward the beast with a punch aimed directly at its head.

The creature howled, its body flickering and warping, like a distorted image on a broken TV screen. The punch landed, but Peter could feel the impact reverberate in his bones, as if he had struck something much heavier than he could comprehend.

"You can't punch your way out of this," Doctor Strange called out, his voice laced with urgency. He raised his hands, and the area around them shimmered as magic surged through the air. "You need to understand its nature. It's not just flesh and bone—it's a creature born from the rift. It's part of the fabric of this dimension."

Peter swung backward, narrowly avoiding a swipe from the creature's claws. He landed on a nearby lamppost and shot another web toward the creature's torso. This time, the webbing didn't dissipate—it stuck, but just as quickly, the creature's form seemed to flicker and shift again, as if the webbing were being eaten by the darkness.

"Great," Peter muttered, "it's like fighting a shadow."

Doctor Strange raised his staff, the orb at its tip glowing brightly as he muttered another incantation. The air seemed to grow colder, and the ground trembled as the rift above them pulsed with dark energy.

The creature paused for a moment, sensing the change in the atmosphere. Its glowing eyes locked onto Doctor Strange, and it let out a menacing growl before charging at the sorcerer.

Peter didn't hesitate. He shot a web directly at the creature's legs, attempting to trip it. The creature's legs buckled, and it stumbled—but it wasn't enough to stop its momentum. With a powerful thrust, it twisted its body and lashed out, sending Peter flying through the air.

He crashed hard into a nearby wall, the impact jarring his ribs. For a moment, the world spun around him. His spider-sense screamed at him, but he couldn't focus—he had to move.

"Peter!" Doctor Strange shouted, his voice filled with alarm. But Peter was already pushing himself up, shaking off the pain.

"I'm fine," Peter gritted through his teeth, forcing himself upright. His suit was damaged, but it would hold. "We need to stop this thing before it gets worse."

The creature was approaching again, its monstrous claws glowing with dark energy. But this time, Doctor Strange was ready. His staff flashed with light, and suddenly, the creature froze, caught in a magical trap.

The air hummed as the rift above them began to shift, the dark energies pulsing violently.

"This is it," Doctor Strange said, his voice calm despite the chaos around them. "We need to sever the connection between this creature and the rift. If we don't, it will keep coming."

Peter didn't need to be told twice. He charged forward, weaving through the creature's thrashing limbs. As he neared, he fired a web at its chest, attempting to tether it in place. The webbing stuck, but the creature's form seemed to resist it, flickering like it was made of smoke.

Then, with a burst of energy, the creature broke free, slashing at Peter with its claws. He ducked and dodged, but the claws grazed his side, leaving a deep gash. Blood mixed with the dirt of the street, but Peter didn't let it slow him down.

He had to end this.

With a flash of inspiration, Peter reached into his utility belt and pulled out a small device—a tracker he had used in previous missions. He threw it at the rift above, the device attaching to the center of the swirling mass. Immediately, it began to pulse, sending out a signal.

The rift began to waver, the energies swirling in chaotic patterns. Doctor Strange noticed it at the same moment. "You're weakening it!"

Peter shot a web at the creature, yanking it toward him with a force that knocked it off balance. The creature let out an enraged screech, its body flickering once more. The rift above it began to distort, the dark energies ripping apart at the seams.

"That's it!" Doctor Strange shouted. "Keep it distracted, Peter!"

Peter swung around the creature, using his webs to stay agile. He needed to keep the creature's attention away from Doctor Strange while the sorcerer worked to seal the rift. It wasn't easy—every swipe of the creature's claws felt like it could tear through his suit, but Peter didn't stop. The lives of everyone in the city depended on him.

Finally, with a final surge of energy from Doctor Strange, the rift began to close. The creature howled in pain as the dark energy around it shattered, its form collapsing as it was pulled back into the rift.

Peter watched as the last of the rift's energy dissipated, leaving only a flicker of light where it had once been. The creature was gone, and the world around them fell silent once again.

Peter exhaled sharply, his body trembling with exhaustion. That was too close—way too close.

Doctor Strange approached, his eyes scanning the area for any remaining threats. "We've stopped the first rift, but this is only the beginning."

Peter looked out at the now-empty sky, the weight of what was to come settling heavily on his shoulders. "Yeah… I have a feeling we're about to face a lot more of these."

End of Chapter 69