"Peter? Peter?!"
Gwen called out to Peter repeatedly over the comms, but there was no response. She was certain she wasn't using her abilities to phase out, yet Peter simply wasn't replying. Soon, the S.H.I.E.L.D. of this universe also contacted her.
"We've found that both Spider-Man and the other Spider-Man who came with you have disappeared. The satellites only captured very blurred footage; we can't distinguish the specifics." The S.H.I.E.L.D. operator on the other end asked Gwen, "Do you know where they went?"
Gwen had no answer. She could only watch as S.H.I.E.L.D. activated the anti-symbiote bombs and began purging the symbiotes from Manhattan.
But where exactly had Peter gone?
Peter had gone to hunt down the King in Black.
After the Enigma Force of Earth-TRN011 connected with Peter, the King in Black had rapidly departed Earth at superluminal speeds. Peter gave chase immediately because Knull had told him exactly what the impostor intended to do.
In this universe, the body of Spider-Man was still too frail. Therefore, the adversary required a more powerful vessel—one truly capable of contending with Captain Universe. For instance, the mindless physical form of this universe's Knull.
[So, I have an idea that can stop this immediately.]
Knull offered his "advice" with great interest: [Kill yourself right now and go to the Great Beyond. Then, let my consciousness occupy the body of this universe's version of me. I'll resurrect and beat the living daylights out of that damn fraud, and I'll even bring you back through the symbiote hive-mind. What do you think?]
"Do you honestly think I'm that stupid?"
[I'm serious. Even if I reclaim my body, I still need you to get back to Earth-616. The energy signatures between different universes are distinct—you already know that. Without you, how would I ever get home?]
"The symbiote hive-mind?"
Knull chuckled but fell silent.
In truth, if the King in Black hadn't attempted to manipulate Anti-Venom, Knull's consciousness wouldn't have awakened enough to speak with Peter. He didn't plan on helping any further, either; he just needed to ensure that the fraud didn't take control of the disgusting anti-symbiote substance on this spider's body.
The rest? Let the God of Light and the King in Black fight it out. It was none of his business.
Though, someone was likely in for a rough time.
Peter used the power of Captain Universe to close the distance rapidly. He found it baffling how the opponent could move so fast, but he was even more troubled by his conversation with Knull. If his guess was correct, the King in Black could have reached Klyntar instantly by forcing the symbiote Spider-Man to commit suicide.
But he hadn't done that. Why? Out of overconfidence?
Peter sensed the opponent coming to a halt and pulled up as well. Before him lay this universe's version of the symbiote home world, Klyntar. It was a dazzling planet, shimmering with vibrant colors under the light of its star.
It was a collective of countless symbiotes disguised as a planet.
[Take a good look. This is what you'll see in the future.]
The moment Peter laid eyes on it, the entire planet exploded. Countless giant Spider-Men composed of pure symbiote matter began crawling aimlessly through the void. Then, the King in Black appeared before Peter.
His voice remained detached: "Apologies. That took some time."
"You destroyed a planet?"
"Symbiotes never had so-called 'self-awareness.' The 'ego' of a symbiote is merely the scattered thoughts they have when they lack a Master." The King in Black was surprisingly willing to explain the details of Klyntar to Peter. "I sent this universe's Spider-Man back to his world, but that doesn't mean he can return to the path of a hero. If you knew his story, you'd know he could have chosen differently—but he didn't."
Was he referring to the events of the Web of Shadows hero route? Peter raised the Dragonfang blade tentatively as the Uni-Power coalesced. The King in Black reached into his own body—or rather, the body of this universe's Knull—and pulled out another sword.
It wasn't Knull's famous All-Black the Necrosword, but merely a physical manifestation of the Living Abyss.
"Shall we begin, then?" the King in Black asked probing with an inquiry. "Do you need more time to prepare?"
"No, I'm ready."
As he spoke, Peter hurled the Dragonfang directly at the King in Black. The King in Black hadn't anticipated this move; he casually batted the blade aside with his own longsword, only to see a strand of webbing attached to the hilt. Naturally, such a tactic was typical for Spider-Man.
However, immediately afterward, a massive number of chains erupted from the depths of the void, ensnaring his limbs. The King in Black looked at the thousands of Crimson Bands of Cyttorak binding him and looked at Peter with surprise. "You know magic as well?"
"Jack of all trades, master of... well, having a lot of skills always comes in handy."
Peter had never cast a spell this powerful or wide-reaching, let alone used it to restrain a god. But it didn't matter—today's expenses were entirely footed by the Enigma Force. As one of the most powerful energy entities in the multiverse, it could serve as a source for magic itself.
Furthermore, Captain Universe and the King in Black were ancient rivals; the Uni-Power certainly wouldn't mind the "overdraft" for such a cause.
The King in Black was bound from head to toe. Peter followed up by unleashing a large-scale magical bombardment. The King in Black bore the brunt of the spells. Among the Spider-Gods of the Web, there was indeed a Sorcerer Supreme Spider-Man, but since they weren't enemies, they rarely fought one another.
"I have fought the Strange of my world. Compared to him, you're still a bit lacking."
With those words, the King in Black exerted his strength and shattered all the chains. "Stop with these fancy tricks. Just fight me directly—maybe you'll lose faster that way."
"I've always wondered why you're so certain I'll lose. Because you beat the Captain Universe of your own world?"
Peter caught the returning Dragonfang and swung it forward. After clashing blades, the King in Black spoke as if it were a matter of course.
"Naturally. I defeated the Enigma Force. It is only right."
He sent Peter flying back with a single strike and raised his hand. Behind him, the star of the Klyntar system began to extinguish at a visible rate. Within seconds, it collapsed and solidified until it became a black sphere no larger than a person.
With a wave of his hand, he sent the sphere hurtling directly at Peter.