642 C642 A Fate Worse than Death? Or A Second Chance At Life?

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Sighing in relief, Peter was glad he wouldn't have to walk around like a LARPing loser with a black cloak. With a snap of his fingers, he conjured a mirror, admiring his new all-black Spider-Suit. The sleek and hooded design accentuated his figure, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of power coursing through him.

Not only did he look good, but his connection to death had strengthened considerably. Before, he only had a small affinity from Hela's blood, allowing him to conjure black weapons and resurrect the dead. Now, the newfound power intrigued him. He pondered the possibilities, wondering what he could achieve with this strengthening.

The holographic screen's description mentioned shadows, and as Peter inspected his suit, he could see them dancing around him. Curious, he tested his control over them, and to his amazement, the shadows responded, forming up around him at his command.

In the midst of his experimentation, John, growing bored, spoke up. "Alright, I've given you your reward. I'm heading back now. My wives might rebel again if I'm gone for too long…"

"Wait!" Peter tried to stop him, bombarding him with questions, "What does my new suit do exactly?" He asked before pausing and looking John square in the eyes. "Hold on, did you just say wives?!"

Sadly, John simply shrugged him off, "Find out on your own…" He didn't even bother answering Peter's question about his wives.

Annoyed, Peter watched as the Grim Reaper disappeared before his eyes. And as John vanished, time around him seemed to resume its flow. The remnants of flames from his earlier arson flickered, and his company, Knull and Miguel, began to move and breathe once again.

As time resumed, both Miguel and Knull noticed Peter's sudden change of outfit as well as the fact that he wasn't standing where he was only a second ago. Miguel voiced his confusion, "Peter, what just happened? Where did those clothes come from?"

Knull, with a worried look on his face, asked, "Are you alright, Master?" His eyes were glued to the shadows which danced along Peter's suit.

Peter, done admiring his new suit, shrugged off Knull's concern, "I'm fine, just got an upgrade. Don't worry about it." Miguel and Knull exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of what had transpired but deciding not to press the matter further.

Besides, Miguel was still dealing with the heartache of his life's work being destroyed.

As Peter was getting ready to leave, suddenly, Knull grabbed his chest as if he was having a heart attack. "Aaaarrrgggghhh!" In pain, he gasped, alarming both Peter and Miguel.

Peter rushed to Knull's side, asking in concern, "What's happening?"

Gasping for breath, Knull struggled to speak, "Master… something's… wrong…"

A green flame burned from the center of Knull's chest, spreading rapidly. His entire body became engulfed in green flames as he screamed in agony, his eyes and mouth radiating an eerie green light. Collapsing to his knees, Knull writhed in pain.

Caught off guard and unaware of what was happening, Peter attempted to cast a spell to investigate. However, before he could conjure his cosmic energy, Knull's body crumbled to ash, leaving nothing more than a pile of black residue on the floor.

Alarmed and perplexed, Peter stared at the remnants of Knull. But before he could process the situation, a black, shadow-like figure rose from Knull's ashes. The figure took the shape of Knull but seemed to be made from the same substance as the shadows on Peter's suit.

But that wasn't all… Green flame-like energy accented the shadows form, especially in its eyes, which glowed with a bright intensity.

(A/N: Basically, the shadows from Solo Leveling except the accents are green to match the flame Peter uses to resurrect them.)

Staring at the figure before him, Peter was taken aback when it suddenly got down on one knee, bowing like a servant. Immediately, realization struck him, and he called out, "Knull? Is that you?"

The shadowy figure responded, "Yes, Master!"

Peter, shocked, realized that his upgrade in powers must have triggered some sort of power-up or evolution in Knull. He could feel the immense power radiating from Knull, surpassing even his previous state when he was still alive.

Examining the transformed Knull, Peter couldn't help but be impressed. The figure, now more of a loyal servant than ever, emanated an aura of servitude and strength. "Well, this is unexpected," Peter mused, contemplating the implications of Knull's evolution.

"Can someone tell me what the hell is going on?!" Miguel asked rather aggressively, but Peter chose to ignore him for the time being.

As Knull knelt before him, Peter looked down at him in curiosity, and asked, "What happened to you, Knull? How are you feeling?"

The shadowy figure responded, "Your power, Master, triggered a metamorphosis. I am now stronger and more devoted to your service than ever before."

Peter, still processing the turn of events, couldn't help but ask. "Are you saying that you weren't loyal to me before?" He asked, his brow raised in question.

"No, Master!" Knull quickly denies. "I was loyal, and I would have gladly done anything you ordered me to, but now, just the thought of receiving your divine command brings a tear to my eye! Please bestow this useless god with your holy instructions!"

"…" Peter looked down at Knull in disgust as he realized what happened. 'My upgrade turned him into an even worse masochist than before…'

Even Miguel, who was still emotional from losing his life's work, looked down at Knull from his restraints with a hint of disgust on his face. 'What the hell is wrong with this guy?!' He thought, his fear of Peter growing even further, as he realized that it must have been him who made Knull like this.

"Whatever…" With a deep breath, Peter turned to Knull and Miguel. "We're done here. Let's return to the others and prepare for what comes next."

As the last traces of the Spider-Society were eradicated, the trio walked off. The flames had served as a cleansing force, wiping away the remnants of the Spider-Society. The past was gone, but the future awaited.

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When Peter, Knull, and Miguel returned to the Spider-Gang and Uncle Ben, they were immediately bombarded with questions about the shadowy figure that Knull had now become. Peter took a moment to address their inquiries by giving them a very vague explanation.

The Spider-Gang observed the transformed Knull with a mix of awe and uncertainty.

Once Peter had satisfied their curiosity about Knull, he turned to the restrained form of Uncle Ben. "Were you able to convince him?" he inquired, his gaze fixed on the older man.

Gwen replied, "Uncle Ben agreed to let Miguel live and settle things peacefully. But there are conditions."

Peter raised an eyebrow. "What conditions?"

Uncle Ben, from his restrained position, spoke up. "I want Miguel's powers sealed, and I want him to live in the same universe where he killed his own daughter."

The weight of Uncle Ben's words hung in the air. Peter immediately grasped the depth of the punishment, a fate worse than death. To be trapped in the universe where he was tricked into murdering his own daughter, forced to confront the consequences of his actions and live with them until the day of his inevitable death.

As Uncle Ben laid out his demands, Miguel erupted into shouts, revolting with everything he could. He adamantly refused to return to that universe, unable and unwilling to face the haunting memories of his past actions. "… I REFUSE…! I'D RATHER DIE…! KILL ME…!" Desperation laced his every word as he even urged Peter and Uncle Ben to end his life and spare him from such a torment.

Seeing Miguel's desperate reaction, Uncle Ben could help but smile, happy with his decision already. "Ahh, music to my ears~"

Peter turned to the rest of the Spider-Gang and asked, "Is this okay with all of you?" They nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of Uncle Ben's request.

Tobey spoke up, acknowledging the cruelty of the decision but recognizing it as the best way to settle the matter. "Miguel will have a chance to start anew and make amends. He just needs to face his past and move forward, which I'm confident he can do once he calms down."

Amid Miguel's continued protests, sounding like a child having a tantrum, Peter was forced to silence him with a quick spell.

Nodding in understanding, Peter waved his hand, opening a star-shaped portal. He motioned for the Spider-Gang to go through and meet up with the others, taking Uncle Ben with them.

As they disappeared through the portal, the restrained Uncle Ben expressed his desire to stay and witness Miguel's suffering a bit longer, but Peter deemed it an unhealthy notion. "It's time to move forward," Peter said, closing the portal behind the departing Spider-Gang.

Miguel, despite his silent complaints, was left alone with Peter, who quickly delved into his mind, finding the exact location of the universe in question before waving his hand and opening another star shaped portal.

"Come on, let's get this over with…" Peter said as he and Knull stepped through the portal, a thrashing and unwilling Miguel floating behind him, forced to follow along.

————

Stepping out of the portal, the trio found themselves in a tranquil graveyard under the warmth of a cloudless sky. But this place wasn't so tranquil and serene for a certain individual.

Miguel's eyes widened as they fell upon a gravestone, sunlight casting a gentle glow on the engraved name, Gabriella O'Hara. The reality of his daughter's final resting place hit him with an overwhelming force.

As the portal closed behind them, Peter turned to Knull, asking him for some privacy. To his surprise, Knull's shadowy figure swiftly shot into Peter's own shadow, disappearing entirely. Shrugging off the peculiarity for now, Peter directed his attention back to Miguel, who couldn't tear his gaze away from the gravestone.

With a snap of his fingers, Peter released Miguel from his restraints. Landing on his feet, Miguel swiftly collapsed to his knees, his eyes fixed on the poignant reminder of his past.

Peter, understanding the weight of the moment, began to speak. "Miguel, you have a chance to start anew, to make amends for the mistakes of your past. Embrace this second chance and strive for a better future. Your daughter would want that for you."

Seeing that Miguel was about to disagree with him, Peter continued. "And even if you think she wouldn't want that for you, then you have a lot of work to do. Strive to make up for all that you've done and show her. Show her that you can be better. That you are better."

Although still visibly distraught, Miguel managed to compose himself and look towards the prospect of a future where he could rectify the wrongs he had committed.

Turning to Peter, Miguel uttered, "Do it. I'm ready. Take my powers. I don't deserve them."

Nodding, Peter summoned his cosmic energy, creating a purple spell circle mid-air that shot into Miguel's body, sealing away his powers for good.

"Make the best of your situation and live a good life," Peter advised, his word completely genuine. "And if this helps, then I'll say it as well… Uncle Ben is expecting you to crumble and wallow in your past. Don't give him that satisfaction. Even without your powers, you can do a lot of good and make a new life for yourself here."

"I… I'll try…" Miguel replied, his fists tightening as a determined look flashed across his face.

Before departing, Peter surprised Miguel with another spell, this time aimed at healing. The spell worked wonders, restoring Miguel's severed arm to its complete state.

"Good luck…" With the spell cast, Peter took a step back, disappearing from view, leaving Miguel to contemplate his fresh start, kneeling at the grave of his beloved daughter.

A/N: 2000 words :)

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