Spider-Man: Duty And Loss Chapter 51: Opportunity

A thread of glimmering white shone in the distance. The thread shone as bright as a star and drew the eye of any person that could see it. The thread stretched infinitely and it wasn't alone.

Multiple threads of glimmering star light spread out connecting to one another, pa.s.sing, overlapping, and converging. All the thread connected formed a specific object, a specific occurrence, it looked like a web.

The glittering web of starlight s.h.i.+mmered in its dark surroundings as it minded its own business. Every now and then a strand of the web would glow brighter before simmering down.

This web was something that transcended the multiverse, something that connected them and allowed them all to converge; it was 'The Web of Life and Destiny'.

At the moment a small distance away from the glittering web a small patch of blackness started to appear. At first it appeared as nothing, before after a few seconds it forming into a figure. The figure couldn't be seen for another few minutes, only being a shadow that stood staring right at the web.

All that could be seen from the darkness were the eyes. The pools of black, that were its eyes, seemed to be endless as if an abyss into nothing. The figure slowly raised their hands and reached out towards the web. But something seemed to stop the figure. After their hand reached a certain distance it couldn't move any further.

Finally after a few minutes the darkness contracted on the figure. Where the darkness used to be a robed figure now stood. The robe was more of a cape as it trailed behind the person. They were wearing a sash around their waist and a form fitting black top and pants.

Their midriff, arms and legs were all in plain view showing off their pale white skin. From their outward appearance and body shape it was easy to tell that the person was a female. She had her cowl up obscuring her face from view.

This woman stood in the same place for an unknown amount of time before finally something else happened.

Next to the woman in black a ragging inferno suddenly sprung into existence. It started out as a small spark of fire, then turning into a circle of fire on the floor, before finally expanding into an inferno blasting outwards.

But the woman in black wasn't disturbed; actually none of the fire touched the woman in black. It was if there was an invisible barrier that stopped any of the flames from touching her.

The inferno raged on for a little while before finally turning into a pillar of fire. The pillar of fire was around 10 meters high, but as time went on, the pillar started to compress in on itself, again and again and again, before finally settling into the outline of another woman.

The woman had fire for hair and clothes, and no discernible features could be seen if they had any.

Standing next to each other the woman in black didn't turn to look at the new arrival as she spoke. "Phoenix. Did he call you here to?" The voice was ethereal and cold. The now identified Cosmic Ent.i.ty, Phoenix, stood still and didn't answer, instead looking at the web in front of it.

Her features slowly started to morph and the complete form of fire started to resemble a human. The fire raging about retracted and concentrated into the hair. It stayed alight as a girl's face appeared. The face of the beauty continued to stare at the web as if nothing was said, their eyes flickering between green and red.

Not hearing a reply the black figure turned towards the Phoenix. The black eyes stared at the Phoenix for little while before she spoke again. "Ahh, a new host. You haven't even awakened yet. This is only a projection."

The black figure tilted their head moving their eyes up and down. "I don't know, she's pretty cute, but I think you could do better." The Phoenix finally moved her head away from the web and looked at the person next to her.

"Death. Don't even start. Or I'll bring up that Mad t.i.tan that is trying to court you." The black garbed woman, know as Death, one of the greatest Cosmic Beings in the multiverse, let out a small laugh as she waved the comment off. "Don't get me started on that love struck fool. But you never answered my question." Death's voice turned serious. "Did he call you here as well?"

The Phoenix looked at death for a few more seconds before turning back to the web. "Yes, Yes he did." Death gave a small nod as they both began to wait. They didn't have to wait long though as a new person finally appeared.

A man appeared at the center of the web. His features were obscured a little by the hood he wore, but he cut an imposing figure. The man started to walk out from the web and approach the two cosmic ent.i.ties.

They both patiently waited as he finally arrived before them. No one said a thing for the first few minutes before the Phoenix spoke up. "Why did you call us Weaver? I don't have much time with this projection."

The weaver looked at her for a few seconds before he finally replied. He turned his back to them and motioned towards the web. "Phoenix, the ent.i.ty of Destruction and Rebirth and Lady Death, well I guess that one is self explanatory."

"I know you've both been searching for a way to connect the web and yourselves. Usually I would steer thing so such an occurrence doesn't happen. Not many totems can handle your powers, or even a linkage, between just one of you. Actually it would take one of my best totems to even try."

Both ent.i.ties shot each other a look as a small expectation began to grow in their minds. Yes they had been trying for millennia now to form a connection with the web. It would greatly transcend their powers if such an occurrence happened.

But it was too hard a task; with the weaver looking over his totems, they never had a chance. Death was especially attuned to most totems as they were s.n.a.t.c.hed from her clutches again and again, always surviving when they shouldn't.

"Yes it is as you thought." The weaver wave his hand and a small projection of a Peter Parker appeared in front of them. He was sitting on the couch with another silver haired woman leaning in close. "I'm sure you might recognize him, Phoenix."

The Phoenix turned her head to the screen before her red eyes turned green, a slow amount of shock appearing in them. The weaver spoke up. "Yes it is the man your current host likes. It was a coincidence really, a happy occurrence as it were."

"What do you mean?" The weaver let out a chuckle. "You've both know me for many years; I always have a backup, a different plan, a replacement should something go wrong. And I know, you both know how much time I have been putting into the totem at the center." They both gave a small nod as they looked at the center of the web.

"I have been testing the center for a long time now, throwing obstacles in his way, some even I wasn't sure if he could overcome." He waved his hand at the projection once again. "That's why I created replacements, backups as they were. Totems put through as many tests as the center, strengthened through loss and pain."

Finally the weaver let out a small sigh. "Even for me, to set up these replacements took up so much energy, and even then, this one was the only one to survive. And his survival has given you a rare chance."

"I don't have to worry about the center of the web anymore, he has pa.s.sed his trials. He had proven his worth, he is irreplaceable now." The weaver turned back to them a small smile gracing his lips. "I will not interfere if you try to make a connection with this Totem, it will depend on your luck and determination for how the web may change. Even I am interested in what may happen."

He held up a hand though before they left. "Though I will not allow, coercion or domination with your cosmic powers, you can only create a connection in a natural way. If you do otherwise I will stop you." He turned to Death who had put her hood down.

A woman with model good looks and white pale skin starred back into the eyes of the Weaver. Her pitch black eyes had turned to something considered normal, except her whole iris kept the black coloring, while her raven black hair cascaded over the back of her hood.

"I would suggest you find a host Death." Death gave a glittering smile as she turned away from the Weaver, plans and thoughts das.h.i.+ng through her mind. She would have to find the perfect host to create a connection between her and the totem. First she would have to gather information though.

Just before she left the Weaver gave a small smirk. "Ohh and Death" She turned to look at him. "I suggest you stop your other boyfriend from getting jealous, if he goes through with his valentines gift all your plans might be ruined." Death stood still for a second before darkness shrouded her figure and she disappeared.

The Weaver then looked at the Phoenix who was also about to leave. She had a self a.s.sured look of victory on her face already. And she had ever reason, because the form she took, the one that had the victory smirk, was an exact replica of Jean Grey.

With a flash of fire she disappeared and the Weaver moved back towards the web. One of his 6 eyes drifted to the Totem in question and a flash of antic.i.p.ation appeared in it. Even for him this would be a first.

He couldn't wait to see what happens.