Chapter 5: “The Collectors”

[SYSTEM STATUS: ACTIVE]

Host: Peter Benjamin Parker (a.k.a. Ethan Grey)

Level: 4

EXP: 1200/1500

New Feature Unlocked: System Override Protocol (Beta)

Current Quest: "The Ripple Effect" (In Progress)

Threat Level: CRITICAL

Midtown High – Lunchtime

Ethan stared at Nova, her words still echoing in his mind.

"The Collectors are coming."

The cafeteria around them buzzed with the usual high school chaos—students laughing, trays clattering, the faint aroma of overcooked pizza lingering in the air. But for Ethan, it all faded into background noise. His focus was locked on the girl in front of him, the only person in this world who seemed to understand the chaos spiraling around them.

Nova leaned in, her green eyes sharp. "We don't have much time."

Ethan glanced around, keeping his voice low. "Time for what?"

She slid a small device across the table—a metallic disk with strange runes etched into its surface. It pulsed faintly with blue light.

"This is a temporal anchor," she whispered. "It'll mask your signature for a little while. But it won't last long."

Ethan picked up the device, his fingers brushing against its cool surface. "Signature? Like… a multiversal GPS?"

Nova nodded. "Exactly. Every anomaly leaves a trail. You're burning brighter than a beacon thanks to your little timeline stunt."

Ethan clenched his jaw. Saving Uncle Ben. That's what started all this.

[SYSTEM ALERT: Anomaly Suppression Device Acquired]

Effect: Temporarily hides user's multiversal signature.

Duration: 24 hours.

Ethan tucked the device into his pocket, his mind racing. "Who are the Collectors?"

Nova hesitated, her gaze darkening. "They're not people. They're… enforcers. Multiversal janitors. Their job is to erase anything—or anyone—that disrupts the timeline. Think of them like cosmic antivirus programs, but a lot more violent."

"Great," Ethan muttered. "So, cosmic assassins with a kill-on-sight policy."

"Exactly."

Later That Day – Queens Alleyway

Ethan didn't bother going home after school. He needed space to think, to breathe. The weight of the day pressed down on him like an invisible force.

This isn't just about me anymore.

He was sitting on the edge of a fire escape when it happened.

The air grew cold—unnaturally cold. The sky seemed to darken even though the sun was still out. A strange hum filled the air, vibrating through his bones.

And then he saw them.

Three figures emerged from thin air, cloaked in dark, metallic armor that shimmered like liquid glass. Their faces were hidden behind featureless masks, smooth and reflective, like mirrors showing distorted versions of reality.

The Collectors.

Ethan's heart raced.

[SYSTEM ALERT: DANGER – Collector Units Detected]

Threat Level: EXTREME

Objective: Survive First Contact

Penalty for Failure: Erasure from the Timeline

The lead Collector spoke, its voice a hollow echo. "Anomaly 42-B detected. Ethan Grey. You are in violation of multiversal protocols. Prepare for erasure."

Ethan's body reacted before his mind did.

Move!

He leapt from the fire escape just as a beam of pure energy sliced through the spot where he'd been sitting. It vaporized the metal in an instant, leaving nothing but molten slag.

He hit the ground in a roll, adrenaline pumping through his veins.

No time to think. Just survive.

The Fight for Survival

Ethan darted through the alley, using every ounce of his enhanced reflexes. His Spidey-sense screamed in his head like a siren, guiding him through the barrage of energy blasts that tore through concrete and steel.

They're fast. Too fast.

He shot a web, swinging onto a rooftop, but one of the Collectors was already there, waiting. Its arm morphed into a blade of pure light, slashing toward him with inhuman precision.

[SYSTEM OVERRIDE PROTOCOL: ACTIVE]

Override Option: Time Dilation

Effect: Slows down time for 3 seconds.

Cooldown: 10 minutes

Ethan didn't hesitate.

"Override: Time Dilation!"

The world froze.

For three precious seconds, everything moved in slow motion. The Collector's blade arced toward him like molasses in the air. Ethan twisted mid-swing, barely dodging the attack, and countered with a powerful kick to the Collector's chest.

The impact sent the Collector flying—but it recovered instantly, landing gracefully like gravity was just a suggestion.

They're not just fast. They're learning.

Unexpected Help

Ethan was losing. He knew it. His stamina was draining fast, and the Collectors showed no signs of slowing down.

Just as the lead Collector raised its weapon for a final strike—a blinding spear of pure energy—something exploded from the sky.

Nova.

She hit the Collector like a meteor, her fists glowing with raw power. The force of her impact sent shockwaves rippling through the rooftop.

Ethan collapsed to one knee, gasping for breath.

Nova didn't waste time. She fought like her life depended on it—which, to be fair, it did. Her movements were sharp, efficient, designed to disable rather than kill. But the Collectors were relentless.

Ethan forced himself to his feet, gritting his teeth.

I'm not going down like this.

[SYSTEM ALERT: Critical Health Detected]

Skill Activated: Adrenaline Surge

Effect: +20% Strength and Reflex Boost

With renewed energy, Ethan charged back into the fight. He and Nova moved in sync—punches, kicks, webs, and blasts of energy creating a chaotic dance of survival.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last Collector staggered back, its armor cracked and sparking. It didn't scream. It didn't bleed. It simply fizzled out of existence, disintegrating into fragments of light.

Silence fell.

Aftermath

Ethan collapsed again, staring up at the darkening sky.

Nova stood over him, breathing heavily. "You're lucky I showed up when I did."

Ethan chuckled weakly. "Yeah… you're my hero."

Nova didn't smile. "They'll be back. Stronger next time."

Ethan's grin faded.

"Then we'd better be ready," he whispered.

[QUEST COMPLETE: "Survive First Contact"]

Reward: +1000 EXP

Level Up! (Level 5 Unlocked)

New Skill Available: Temporal Anchor – Stabilizes reality for brief periods to negate anomalies.

Ethan closed his eyes, exhaustion pulling at him.

This isn't over.

Not even close.

[End of Chapter 5]