Ethan stood still, his gaze sharp as Rachel twitched unnaturally, her eyes going completely black.
Amy screamed, grabbing Rachel's arms, shaking her. "Rachel! Snap outta it!"
Ethan yanked Amy back, his grip firm but careful. "Don't."
Amy turned on him, eyes wide with fear. "We can't leave her!"
Rachel's head jerked violently to the side, like a puppet on broken strings. Then—she grinned.
But it wasn't her grin.
"Ethan Kane." Nisanti's voice was layered, deep, almost mocking.
Ethan said nothing.
He simply watched.
Rachel's possessed body took a shaky step forward, her grin stretching too wide, too unnatural.
"You are... interesting."
Ethan's expression didn't change. "I've been getting that a lot more lately."
Amy gripped his arm. "What's wrong with her?"
Ethan glanced at Rachel. "She's been here longer than us. That weakens the mind. Makes her easier to... influence."
Rachel's head tilted at an unnatural angle. "I see everything you desire, Ethan Kane. I can give it to you."
Ethan merely adjusted his jacket. "Cool. Not interested."
Nisanti's voice shifted, taking on a smooth, persuasive tone. "You play a cautious game, little strategist. But why struggle? You crave power. I could give it to you."
Ethan smirked. "You're offering me something I plan to take myself anyway. Why would I bargain with you?"
Rachel froze.
Amy stared at Ethan. "Wait, what?"
Nisanti chuckled darkly. "Oh, I like you."
Ethan took a casual step forward. "But you're not used to bargaining, are you? Most who stay here long don't make rational decisions. You don't make proper deals—you consume them. That's why this place exists. It's a feeding ground. You're waiting for us to break."
Rachel's body trembled. "…And you will."
Ethan's mind worked instantly, cycling through probabilities.
If Nisanti was trying to bargain, that meant it wasn't at full strength and felt pressed enough to force it to make a deal.
It still needed something.
Maybe they either needed to be mentally broken enough or willing enough for it to possess them.
That meant there was a possible exit.
And if there was an exit, Ethan could force Nisanti to let them go.
Rachel's body convulsed. Her voice cracked as Nisanti's control wavered. "You will submit. Or you will be mine."
Ethan exhaled. "I've heard better ultimatums."
He turned away, gripping Amy's wrist. "We're leaving."
Amy hesitated, glancing back. "But Rachel—"
"She's gone for now, and besides, even if we could get it out of her, it would just come right back," Ethan said coldly.
Amy's face crumbled, but she followed him.
Rachel's body shook violently. Her voice warped, filled with rage. "RUN, THEN. I WILL FIND YOU."
Ethan and Amy took off down the twisted halls.
As they ran, Ethan's mind spun with possibilities.
Nisanti was trying to form a pact—a bargain.
It reminded him of how Greek and Egyptian gods chose mortal avatars in the Marvel Universe, bestowing power in exchange for servitude. So Nisanti most likely needed an avatar to use its true power, as seen by how they could escape Rachel.
Ethan had dismissed the idea for himself.
But now?
He glanced at Amy beside him. 'Terrified. Desperate. But still standing.'
She could be the key to his escape.
If she could bind herself to a divine force that countered Nisanti, they could even the playing field.
Ethan smirked slightly. "Let's gamble, then."
Back at the school, Paige and Felicia moved through the halls, the mirror creatures closing in.
Paige threw a punch at one, but her fist sank into its face like quicksand.
"Damn, this ain't working?!" Paige growled.
Felicia's eyes flicked toward the mirrors.
Then, she grinned.
"Break the mirrors."
Paige didn't hesitate.
She pivoted, her steel-covered fist slamming into a mirror nearby.
The glass shattered—and one of the creatures instantly collapsed.
Paige smirked. "Ah like that answer."
They moved fast, shattering mirrors, taking down the creatures one by one.
But the moment they reached the basement door, the shadows reacted violently.
The air grew heavy, and the whispers grew louder.
Felicia cocked her gun. "We're close."
Paige braced herself. "Then let's get her done."
Peter Parker landed on a nearby rooftop, adjusting the Ricochet jacket.
A black leather coat. Silver throwing discs. A mask that let him move freely.
This wasn't Spider-Man.
This was Ricochet—one of the four personas he used now that Osborn had accused him of murder.
He had picked this disguise for a reason.
Ricochet was a criminal persona. If Midtown High was being destroyed, he wouldn't want the real Spider-Man's or the other 2 hero personas' involvement to be noticed too soon.
Peter stared down at the school, eyes narrowing.
Shadows were moving inside the school without anybody there or nearby. Like the building was alive. Yup, this place was definetly something right up Dr. Strange's alley.
Peter pulled out his phone, dialing a familiar number.
Doctor Strange picked up after two rings.
"You're dealing with a gateway entity, Parker. I'm assuming it's sealed off the enclosed area, so nothing will interfere until it gains enough power to materialize in the physical plane. Getting you inside is possible, but it will take time."
Peter exhaled sharply. "How much time?"
"Somewhere between 20 to 30 minutes, give or take."
Peter sighed. "Fantastic. Demon's right here and I can't go inside for 30 minutes."
"For now, head as close to the enclosed area as you can." Doctor Strange began chanting over the line, his voice distant and layered with power.
Peter took a deep breath. "Alright, let's do this. What do I need to do?"
And then—he swung toward the school.