MARVEL -BLACK SPIDERMAN

"Demons from foreign lands grant their hosts extraordinary power," Helen began, raising her right hand.

Her slender, pale fingers were soon enveloped in a faint black energy that shimmered with an otherworldly aura. She locked her gaze on Peter. "The parasites the Hand implants into their warriors are mere imitations—shadows of what a true 'beast' can be."

Her words caused Peter's expression to harden. "Are you saying the parasite in your body is a true 'beast'?"

Helen gave a cryptic smile, shaking her head. "That's not something I'm willing to share so easily, Parker. Fair exchange is the foundation of all partnerships, don't you think? But first, why not tell me more about the unique entity that resides in your chest?"

Peter crossed his arms and replied curtly, "Sorry, Teacher Helen, I'm not interested in striking a deal with you. We're hardly what I'd call partners."

Helen's eyes glimmered with a menacing red hue as her lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Why not, Parker? After all, we're more alike than you think. Each of us harbors a devil within us—one that refuses to be silenced."

She took a step closer to Peter, but he swiftly grabbed her arm, his grip firm and unyielding.

"You're overestimating your importance," Peter growled, his voice cold and sharp.

Helen, however, seemed unfazed. Instead, she responded in a languid, almost teasing tone. "Relax, Parker. I'm not your enemy. If anything, I might be the key to helping you understand your own power. Why not listen to what I have to say?"

As Peter reluctantly released her arm, Helen stepped back, her emerald eyes glowing softly in the dim light. "Let me share a story with you. It might shed some light on the mysteries you're so eager to uncover."

With her gaze fixed on the rain-soaked window, Helen began her tale. "Once, there was a little girl. Her father was dead, and her life was ruled by her mother—a devout fanatic with a penchant for control. This mother wielded her authority like a weapon, subjecting the girl to endless scrutiny and harsh discipline. She wasn't physically abusive—she didn't strike her with metal hangers or burn her with curling irons. But her words were sharp and unrelenting, branding her daughter a sinner, a disappointment, and a burden."

Peter's brows furrowed, sensing that Helen was revealing more about herself than she intended.

"The girl, naturally curious and headstrong, found solace in the vibrant plants growing in her backyard," Helen continued. "Amidst her mother's constant condemnation, she discovered she had a peculiar affinity for these plants—a connection that allowed her to manipulate them in ways she didn't fully understand."

Helen's voice grew softer, tinged with melancholy. "But even as she explored this newfound ability, her mother's disapproval loomed over her like a dark cloud. Eventually, her mother's mental and emotional torment reached its peak, and she took her own life. She chose a bathtub as her final resting place—ever the considerate one, even in death, ensuring she wouldn't burden her daughter further."

Helen turned back to Peter, her face unreadable. "After that, a Japanese man appeared, claiming he could provide the girl with a better life. He was particularly interested in something hidden within her—a fragment of power that set her apart from everyone else."

Peter's mind raced as the pieces of the story began to fall into place.

"You already know, don't you, Parker?" Helen said, as though reading his thoughts. "The parasite within me is not just a 'beast.' It's something much greater."

Peter frowned. "I'm not interested in your story, Helen. Whatever deal you think we're making, you're mistaken."

Helen's smile never faltered. Instead, she leaned closer, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Then let me remind you of something you've overlooked, Parker. I taught you this in class once—the ultimate goal of every parasite is reproduction."

Peter's eyes narrowed. "What are you trying to say?"

Before she could respond, Peter sensed a shift in the atmosphere. The air grew heavy with an overpowering fragrance—volatile, almost cloying.

He instinctively triggered his black exoskeleton, allowing it to envelop his entire body, forming a protective shell. The mask covered his face completely, filtering out the invasive scent.

Helen, now surrounded by inky black energy, moved with lightning speed, easily evading Peter's attempts to grab her.

"Boom!"

The floor beneath them trembled violently. Wooden planks splintered and flew into the air as the ground heaved and cracked, resembling a storm-tossed sea. Furniture toppled, shattering into pieces as an unseen force tore through the room.

Helen's laughter echoed through the chaos. "You're strong, Parker, but you've only scratched the surface of your potential. The parasite within you is unique—far beyond what even the Hand can comprehend."

Peter lunged at her again, but she darted away effortlessly, her movements fluid and unpredictable.

"You can't suppress it forever," Helen taunted, her voice dripping with amusement. "The entity inside you will eventually act on its instincts, whether you like it or not."

Peter didn't respond. Instead, he focused his energy, unleashing a torrent of corrosive black projectiles from his back.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

The projectiles rained down like a deadly storm, each one sizzling as it struck the ground. Helen dodged with uncanny precision, the black energy surrounding her forming a protective barrier.

"Impressive," she admitted, her voice tinged with genuine admiration. "But raw power alone won't save you, Parker. If you want to control the devil within, you'll need more than brute force."

Peter ignored her words, his mind racing as he searched for a way to gain the upper hand.

Helen, meanwhile, seemed almost playful, her movements graceful as she danced through the destruction. "Tell me, Parker," she called out, "have you ever wondered why your parasite is different from the others? Why it grants you abilities far beyond those of the Hand's warriors?"

Peter didn't answer, but her question lingered in his mind.

"The answer," Helen continued, "lies in its origin. The entity within you is no ordinary parasite. It's a fragment of something much larger—a being that transcends dimensions. And whether you like it or not, its influence is already shaping you."

For a moment, Peter hesitated, the weight of her words sinking in.

"You're lying," he finally said, his voice steady despite the turmoil around him.

Helen merely smiled, her green eyes gleaming with a mixture of mischief and truth. "Believe what you will, Parker. But remember this—you and I are more alike than you care to admit. The devils within us are not so different after all."

As the storm outside raged on, Peter realized that this battle was far from over. Whatever secrets Helen held, they would have to wait. For now, his focus was on survival—and uncovering the truth about the entity that had become a part of him.

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