Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Chapter 10: In the Heart of the Storm

The towering skyscraper of Oscorp stood like a dark monolith in the heart of New York, its steel and glass exterior reflecting the dim glow of the city lights below. To Peter, it felt more like a fortress than a corporate headquarters—imposing, cold, and full of secrets that he wasn't sure he was ready to face. But if there was one thing he knew, it was that Oscorp was at the center of everything. And if he wanted to put an end to this, he needed to get answers straight from the source.

Peter stood across the street, perched atop a high-rise, his eyes locked on the building. The familiar weight of his suit settled on his shoulders, but tonight, it felt heavier than ever. The city, for all its noise and life, seemed eerily quiet as he debated his next move.

Gwen… The encounter with her still lingered in his mind. Was she really back? Or had Oscorp done something to her, turned her into one of their experiments? She'd seemed so different—too different. And yet, a part of him wanted to believe that it was really her.

But believing didn't change the fact that Oscorp was too powerful, too dangerous to let them operate unchecked. Gwen's warning echoed in his ears: If you keep digging, they'll find you. They're always watching.

Peter knew she was right. Oscorp had eyes everywhere. But he couldn't back down. Not now. Not with everything that was at stake.

He took a deep breath, activating his webs, and swung toward the Oscorp building with renewed determination.

Inside Oscorp

The glass doors of Oscorp's lobby opened silently as Peter entered, slipping in unnoticed amidst the ebb and flow of employees leaving for the night. He had studied the building's layout before, and it was clear that he needed to reach the top floor if he was going to get any answers. That's where Norman Osborn's office was—his personal domain, full of high-tech security and far more secrets than anyone outside the company could imagine.

Peter moved quickly through the lobby, his senses on high alert. His spider-sense wasn't picking up any immediate threats, but he wasn't naive enough to think that this would be easy. Oscorp had the best security money could buy, and Peter knew all too well that they wouldn't hesitate to unleash everything they had to stop him.

He rounded a corner, heading for the elevator banks, when a sudden noise from behind him made him freeze. He spun around just in time to see a figure emerging from the shadows.

It was a man in a black suit, his face obscured by a mask that seemed too smooth, too artificial. His movements were precise, deliberate, like a predator closing in on its prey.

This can't be good.

Peter's spider-sense flared, and he immediately leapt to the side, narrowly avoiding a blast of energy that scorched the air where he had just been standing. The man—no, the thing—was fast. Faster than any human should be.

"Who are you?" Peter demanded, landing in a crouch, his eyes narrowing beneath the mask.

The figure didn't answer. Instead, it took a step forward, raising its hand, which now crackled with electricity. The air around him hummed with a sinister energy, and Peter's instincts screamed at him to move.

With a swift motion, the creature lunged, sending a bolt of energy straight at Peter. He dodged, barely managing to swing to the side, but the blast struck the wall behind him, leaving a smoking crater.

"Who the hell are you?" Peter gritted out, firing a web at the creature's face. But the figure reacted with inhuman speed, slashing at the web with a blade that appeared from nowhere.

The creature wasn't just fast—it was strong. Peter's webs barely slowed it down as it continued its relentless assault.

This guy's not normal, Peter thought, his mind racing. I need to think—

Before he could react, the creature was on him again, and this time, it grabbed hold of Peter's arm with unnatural strength. Peter grunted as the pressure built, his bones threatening to snap under the force. He fired a web at the creature's face again, but this time, it didn't work. Instead, the thing smirked behind its mask, almost like it was enjoying the struggle.

Peter gritted his teeth, refusing to give up. I can't lose here. Not now.

With a surge of strength, Peter twisted his body, flipping the creature over his head. He followed through with a web that wrapped around the thing's legs, pinning it to the floor.

The creature thrashed, struggling to free itself, but Peter wasn't about to let up. "Who sent you? What are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

The figure remained silent, but Peter could see a flicker of something in its eyes—a hint of recognition, like it knew something he didn't. The creature's hand glowed once more, preparing for another blast.

Peter didn't give it the chance. He fired a web to the ceiling and swung out of the way just in time, narrowly dodging the blast of energy that would have incinerated him. The creature was still pinned, but Peter wasn't sure for how much longer.

"Enough!" Peter shouted, his voice carrying authority as he webbed up the creature's arms, immobilizing it completely. "Tell me what I need to know, or I'll—"

But before Peter could finish, the creature's body started to vibrate. The air seemed to warp around it, and Peter's spider-sense went into overdrive.

Something's wrong.

The figure's body began to crack and split, its form warping like it was breaking apart. Peter's eyes widened in disbelief. The creature wasn't human. It wasn't even alive—not in the way he understood it.

It was a machine.

The creature's body collapsed into a pile of ash and glowing circuitry, leaving behind nothing but an empty, smoking shell.

Peter stood there for a moment, stunned. What the hell just happened?

The Office of Norman Osborn

Peter didn't have time to think about the mystery of the creature. He had more pressing matters to deal with. With the elevator now his only viable option, Peter jumped in and headed for the top floor.

The elevator doors opened with a quiet chime, and Peter stepped out into the lavishly decorated hallway of Norman Osborn's office suite. The space was filled with expensive paintings, statues, and a floor-to-ceiling view of the city below.

Peter had to admit, it was impressive. But it didn't fool him. He knew that behind this polished exterior, Osborn was hiding something much darker.

As he moved toward the door at the end of the hallway, Peter's spider-sense went off again. Someone was there.

The door opened just as he reached it, revealing none other than Norman Osborn himself. The older man's face was a mask of calm composure, but Peter could see the tension in his posture.

"Well, well, well," Osborn said, his voice smooth and cold. "Spider-Man. I was wondering when you'd show up."

Peter's fists clenched. "You're behind all of this, aren't you, Osborn? Project Chimera. The experiments. It's all you."

Norman didn't flinch. "You think you can stop it, Spider-Man? You're just one man. And your efforts are… futile." He smirked. "But I'll indulge you. Why don't you try and stop me?"

Peter stepped forward, ready for whatever Osborn had planned. But just as he was about to speak, his spider-sense went off with a deafening shriek.

Something was coming.

End of Chapter 10