Once aboard the Quinjet, the group finally had a moment to catch their breath.
The high-altitude aircraft soared above New York City, providing a panoramic view of what was once a thriving metropolis. From this vantage point, the city resembled a torn-apart canvas, a tragic shadow of its former self.
The crisscrossing streets, towering skyscrapers, and bustling life were now replaced by an eerie desolation. The streets were empty, abandoned vehicles scattered haphazardly along the roadsides.
From above, plumes of smoke and blazing flames intertwined with the ruins of collapsed buildings, casting a grim and foreboding scene. Debris and rubble littered the ground, leaving visible scars of destruction.
Amidst the devastation, a few survivors could be seen, trudging through the wreckage in search of shelter. Their presence added a pitiful semblance of life to the otherwise desolate landscape.
In just a few more hours, no living soul would remain in New York City. The zombified heroes, consumed by the insatiable hunger for flesh, continued their relentless feast. Their voracious appetite and lack of restraint meant that soon, the planet would no longer have any living beings left to devour.
"Sigh."
Wong, still troubled, muttered under his breath, unable to shake off his regret over Spider-Man not boarding the aircraft. Meanwhile, Noah approached one of the soldiers and instructed in a low voice, "Turn on the television. Let's see the latest news."
The soldier complied, manually activating the television on the jet. The screen displayed an emergency news bulletin before cutting to a live broadcast.
J. Jonah Jameson stood in a makeshift newsroom. He held a microphone in one hand and a handgun in the other.
Behind him, the studio was in disarray, with overturned cameras, burning documents, and several lifeless zombie corpses strewn about.
Exhausted and disheveled, Jameson spoke into the microphone with a heavy voice. "Dear viewers, this will be the final broadcast of The Daily Bugle. The world has descended into endless panic and chaos. In these apocalyptic times, we hoped for a hero—someone to save us from this nightmare."
He sneered and continued bitterly, "But where is that wall-crawling freak? Why hasn't he shown up?"
"Maybe he was never a real hero—just a fraud swinging between skyscrapers, too cowardly to face a real threat. What we need is a true hero, not some self-proclaimed Spider-Man!"
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the studio. The windows shattered as Spider-Man burst into the room. His tattered costume revealed rotting flesh and bloodstains underneath.
His body contorted unnaturally as he approached Jameson, baring sharp teeth in a grotesque grin.
"Ah, Jameson, my old friend. Missed me?"
"You damn crawler! I always knew you were no good!"
Jameson stumbled back, frantically firing his handgun.
But Spider-Man's agility and strength were far beyond Jameson's expectations. He effortlessly dodged the bullets and closed the gap between them.
"You can't escape, Jameson," Spider-Man hissed. "My hunger is insatiable, and you're just what I crave right now."
The broadcast showed Jameson's terrified face as Spider-Man loomed closer. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he realized escape was impossible.
The camera fell to the floor, and the screen turned chaotic and blurry. Only the sickening sounds of chewing and crunching remained, echoing ominously.
"Alright, turn it off. We've seen enough," Noah instructed.
The soldier turned off the television, plunging the cabin into silence. Noah turned to Wong, whose face was ashen. "Now you understand why I didn't wait for Spider-Man to bring his family aboard? His family is likely already dead—consumed by him."
Wang forced a bitter smile and nodded, falling back into silence.
Noah absentmindedly reached for the pendant around his neck. As his fingers touched it, a wave of warmth emanated from the pendant, flowing into his body through his fingertips.
The pendant contained two spells: the Nameless Flame and Astral Projection. While simple, these spells would play a crucial role in his upcoming plans.
The Nameless Flame was powerful, comparable to several thermite grenades, and it could harm spiritual entities as well. Astral Projection, on the other hand, allowed for out-of-body experiences, albeit with range limitations.
Suddenly, the jet's intercom crackled to life, and Nick Fury's voice filled the cabin: "Attention. Upon arrival at the Helicarrier, I'd like to speak with Noah White privately. Over."
Noah looked up, narrowing his eyes.
Wanda and Wang exchanged glances before Wang spoke softly, "It seems Fury has something important to discuss with you, Noah."
Noah glanced at Pietro, fast asleep nearby, before turning to Wanda. "What's your impression of Fury?"
Wanda frowned, pondering before replying, "He's a great leader, but he keeps secrets—too many of them."
Noah chuckled lightly. "Fury's heart is darker than coal."
"Oh? What makes you say that?"
"Pietro's powers could've made him the primary vector for spreading the virus when this crisis began. I only stopped it by breaking his legs early on. But do you think Fury would've been so kind?"
The implication was clear, and Wanda's frown deepened. Noah continued, "Fury wouldn't hesitate to kill Pietro if it meant stopping the virus. His record of surveillance and cloning experiments speaks for itself. He won't lose sleep over sacrificing lives for the greater good."
After a moment of contemplation, Wanda firmly declared, "When we reach the Helicarrier, I'll accompany Pietro to meet Fury. I won't let him harm my brother!"
"Of course," Noah replied with a satisfied smile. He hadn't outright claimed Fury had plans for Pietro, but Wanda had drawn that conclusion on her own.
Would Fury kill Pietro? If the virus was still containable, perhaps. But now, with the infection spreading to surrounding cities, eliminating a few individuals wouldn't change the outcome.
However, Noah knew Fury was pragmatic. The agent wouldn't act recklessly, but it was better to be prepared. Taking Wanda along served as both a test of Fury's intentions and a precaution.