Chapter 37: A Dance of Fire and Webs
The moment Turann left Alexander's grip, Spider-Man moved.
The hammer whirled through the air, its ethereal weight tearing through metal and concrete like paper. But Peter Parker was fast—blindingly fast. He flipped sideways, barely dodging as the hammer smashed into the ground where he had just stood, sending a shockwave through the warehouse.
Alexander didn't give him time to breathe.
He blurred forward, moving with inhuman speed, fist cocked back—
THWIP!
Webbing shot toward him.
He twisted mid-step, dodging just as the sticky strands flew past his face. But Spider-Man wasn't done. The wall-crawler sprang forward, using the momentum of his web to slam both feet into Alexander's chest.
The impact sent Alexander skidding back, boots scraping across the concrete.
Spider-Man landed in a crouch, muscles tensed. "Yeah, okay, you hit hard," he admitted. "But I'm kinda used to fighting guys who hit like trucks."
Alexander wiped dust off his coat. "Is that so?"
He moved.
Spider-Man barely had time to react before Alexander was on him, a blur of fists and fire.
Left hook—dodged.
Right uppercut—blocked.
A lightning-fast knee—Spider-Man twisted, avoiding the brunt of the blow.
But Alexander was relentless.
He feinted left—then drove his elbow into Spidey's ribs.
CRACK.
Spider-Man grunted in pain as he stumbled back. Even with his enhanced durability, that hurt.
But he wasn't going down that easily.
Peter flipped backward, shooting another web—not to attack, but to pull himself up. He swung high into the rafters, perching upside down. "Okay, wow, you hit harder than the Rhino."
Alexander smirked, rolling his shoulders. "And I'm just getting started."
FWOOSH.
With a flick of his hand, fire erupted around his body, the divine flames licking at the air like hungry beasts. The glow cast eerie shadows across the warehouse, making his silver eyes burn even brighter.
Spider-Man hesitated. "So, uh… fire powers? Cool. Totally not terrifying or anything."
Alexander didn't respond. He just leapt.
Straight at him.
Peter shot another web to swing away—
But Alexander's reflexes were sharper.
He reached out mid-air and grabbed the webbing. With a savage yank, he sent Spider-Man hurtling toward the ground.
BOOM.
The impact left cracks in the concrete.
Before Spidey could recover, Alexander was on him, pinning him down with a hand around his throat. The fire around his body flared.
"I could burn you alive right now." Alexander's voice was eerily calm.
Spider-Man wheezed, his enhanced strength keeping Alexander's grip from fully crushing his windpipe—but just barely. "Y-Yeah… but you won't."
Alexander's eyes narrowed.
"…Because you're not a killer."
For a second, neither moved. The fire crackled. The air grew thick with heat.
Then—
"Alexander."
Celebrimbor's voice echoed in his mind.
"Fake surrender. Lure him in."
Alexander hesitated. He could end this now. But… the wraith was right. There were more people bound to show up sooner or later. He had to be smart.
He let go.
He stepped back, raising his hands in mock surrender. The flames around him dimmed.
"Fine," Alexander said. "You win."
Spider-Man slowly sat up, cautious. "Wait… really?"
Alexander nodded.
"…Huh. That was easy," Spidey muttered, rubbing his throat. "Usually, I gotta punch guys, like, a hundred times before they give up—"
Alexander lunged.
In the blink of an eye, he was on Spider-Man again, fist blazing with divine fire—
THWIP!
Spidey's reflexes saved him. He twisted, just barely dodging the attack. Alexander's flaming fist slammed into the floor, melting the concrete on impact.
"Okay, yeah, should've seen that coming!" Spider-Man yelped, flipping away.
Alexander cursed under his breath. So close.
And then—
A shield came flying toward his head.
Alexander barely had time to register the attack before he dodged, tilting his head as the red, white, and blue disc whizzed past him.
It ricocheted off the warehouse wall—
And landed back in the hands of Captain America.
Alexander's eyes widened.
The Avengers were here.
Standing near the entrance of the warehouse, Steve Rogers lowered his shield, his sharp blue eyes locking onto Alexander. He wasn't alone.
Beside him, Iron Man hovered in the air, his palm repulsors glowing. Hawkeye stood on top of a stack of crates, arrow nocked and ready. Quicksilver cracked his knuckles, silver hair reflecting the warehouse lights. Ant-Man was there transforming into a smaller form, likely shrunk and waiting to strike.
"You're causing quite a stir," Cap said, voice firm. "We're going to have to ask you to stand down."
Alexander glanced at Spider-Man, who was now standing with the Avengers, shaking out his limbs.
"This is bad."
"No kidding," Celebrimbor growled in his mind.
Alexander could take most of the Avengers in a fight.
But five and Spiderman?
Maybe but not likely.
His mind raced. He could run. But would they let him? He could fight. But could he win?
No. Not like this.
Not without making a statement first.
So he smiled.
"Alright." Alexander stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders. "You want me to surrender?"
Captain America nodded. "No one else needs to get hurt tonight."
Alexander's eyes burned silver. The air around him grew hot.
"Then come and make me."
With a single movement, he summoned fire into his hands—
And shaped it into a massive spear of divine flame.
The weapon roared to life, the flames crackling hungrily as they extended into a deadly, searing point. The light from the fire cast his face in a golden glow, his expression unreadable.
The Avengers tensed.
Alexander twirled the flaming spear, feeling its heat dance across his skin.
"Let's see if Earth's Mightiest Heroes can handle a little fire."
And then—
He lunged.