The third installment in the The Great Web Series.
In the vast multiverse, the Spider-Totems face their greatest battle yet-against ancient enemies, cosmic predators, and a darkness that threatens to consume all reality.
When Shathra, the ancient w...
You know, I've seen my fair share of ups and downs; made my fair share of mistakes, and even lost some loved ones along the way. But you know what? Through all the web-slinging battles and heartbreak, I've learnt something important... Being Spider-Man isn't just a burden or a curse– it's a gift.
Sure, there are times when it feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders, but that's when I remember that I'm not alone. After all, no one can win every battle, but no man should fall without a struggle.
There are others out there, just like me; going through the same struggles, facing their own villains, trying to make a difference.
I've learnt that true strength does not come from the abilities we possess, but from the relationships we build along the way. The friends who stand by our side, the mentors who guide us, and the heroes who inspire us. You have the power to overcome anything, to rise above any challenge that comes your way.
And as my father used to say to me, "With great power, comes great responsibility."
But being Spider-Man is also a sacrifice. That's the job– that's what we've signed up for. And the hardest thing about this job isn't the hard-hitting battles or the constant hate from the very people you're trying to protect. It's that you can't always save everybody...
When we stumble on our path, we reach for a shoulder to lean on, and when we fall, we get back up. Why? Not because we want to– but because that's who we are.
Part of this job is to keep secrets. We all have our secrets– the ones we keep, and the ones that are kept from us. Everyone has a part of themselves they hide, even from the people they love. But secrets have costs. They're not free– not now, not ever.
These scars we have, they make us who we are... They're supposed to represent what we stand for. We're not meant to go back and fix them. Don't let your tragedy define you.
Hope you were watching, Mom, Dad. Because I did that for you– kept everyone safe. Kept them from being scared. And I made it fun... It doesn't matter that most of 'em wouldn't have lifted a finger for Zain Zaffar.
That's not why you do it. You do it because it's the right thing to do. Because it's what you would've done. You were more than normal parents to me, more than role models... You two were my heroes. Now it's my turn. Because from now on, I'm going to be yours... You'll see. I'm going to give it my all. We'll have fun. I'll never quit– and it's going to be amazing...
Alright people, let's do this one last time... My name is Zain Zaffar; I was bitten by a radioactive spider, and for the past year, I've been the one and only, Spider-Man... I'm pretty sure you know the rest–
With great power, comes great responsibility.
My father used to tell me that. He had a philosophy that he held on to pretty strongly; a principle, really. And it's one that served him very well... He believed that if there were things in this world that you had to offer, things that you did well– better than anyone else... Things that you could do that helped people or made people feel better about themselves... Well, he believed that it wasn't just a good idea to do those things... He believed it was your responsibility to do those things. Not choice, responsibility.
And when you can do the things I can, but you don't– and then the bad things happen. They happen because of you...
I saved a bunch of people– Fell in love– Saved the city... And then I saved the city again– and again, and again and again...
Things only went downhill from there... I broke my back, even got buried alive, all of my friends died, I made a deal with the gods that brought everyone back, but in the end, it was all for nothing...
'But no matter what– no matter how many times you get knocked down... You always get back up.'
'Because the only thing standing between this city and oblivion... is you.'
Feeling broken– barely holding on... but there's still something so strong somewhere inside of me. I'm down, but I'll get up. Don't count me out just yet.
And now, this is what I have left. This is all I have, and this is what I love.
But you know what? Sometimes in life, the things you love don't always love you back. And you can give, and you can give, and you can give... you keep on giving but you don't receive anything back... You receive nothing. And then people ask me, 'Why do you still do this? Why are you still here? Why do you subject yourself to this?'
It's because I can't stop. I can't... It's a sickness– I can't stop. And maybe my life didn't turn out like I thought it would. I thought I'd be better, I thought I earned something, but you know what the best thing about being Spider-Man is?
Everything...
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TO BE CONTINUED...
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
The prodigal son returns in the final instalment of "The Great Web" series as he battles the Inheritors, teaming up with his fellow Spider-People. Will Zain Zaffar come out of this SAGA a wiser Spider-Man? Or will he just be fodder for the Inheritors?
To find out what happens with our friendly neighborhood Spider Boy, keep reading!
