Chapter 223: Across the Spider-Verse (47)        

The battlefield was a scene of chaos and heroism. The Sanctum Sanctorum, once a powerful fortress, was now a pile of rubble. Broken magical spell and fallen debris littered the ground, their former importance now just remnants of destruction.

Loe Halloway, Dr. Strange, and Wong faced off against Thanos. The Mad Titan loomed over them, his imposing figure silhouetted against the smoky ruins. His gauntlet, though weakened, still pulsed ominously with energy. The clash between Thanos and the trio was nothing short of catastrophic.

Loe's eyes were locked onto Thanos, the weight of the battle pressing heavily on him. His face was a mask of intense focus, but there was an unmistakable hint of trepidation. Thanos, noticing this, smirked and spoke with a voice that rumbled like distant thunder.

"I know that look." Thanos said, his gaze piercing through Loe.

Loe's expression hardened. "What look do you think this is?"

Thanos's lips curled into a disdainful grin. "You look scared."

Loe's eyes narrowed. "And why is that?"

Thanos's eyes flared with a cold, calculating light. "You're afraid of your own failure."

Dr. Strange, sensing the psychological warfare at play, interjected with a defiant tone. "Well, we're all afraid of our failure.," he said, raising his hands to summon a burst of magical energy. The air crackled with golden sigils as he launched a powerful spell towards Thanos, creating a dazzling explosion of light and force.

Thanos's gaze shifted to Strange, his massive form momentarily obscured by the blinding magic. He roared in frustration, his gauntlet raising to deflect the magical assault. The ground trembled under the impact as Thanos's energy pulses collided with Strange's barrier, sending shockwaves through the ruins.

As Thanos deflected Strange's latest magical assault, his mind was already shifting gears. The Mad Titan's eyes narrowed as he observed the diverse powers and tactics being employed against him. His gauntlet, despite its diminished power, still pulsed with a faint but persistent energy. He knew that the multiversal shift had weakened the Infinity Stones, but he had a realization that could turn the tide in his favor.

Thanos murmured to himself, his voice a low, ominous rumble that reverberated through the chaotic battlefield. (My Infinity Stone is a matter of time before all of their energy will disappear due to the different universe.)

The battlefield had reached a fever pitch. Thanos, realizing that the weakened Infinity Stones couldn't grant him the power he desired, shifted his strategy. He let out a commanding roar. His deep voice echoed through the chaotic battlefield as he bellowed, "Ebony!!!"

Across the battlefield, Ebony Maw, locked in a fierce struggle with Mindy and Emily, responded immediately. "Yes, my lord!" His eyes glowed with intense focus as he unleashed his telekinetic abilities with renewed ferocity. Debris and rubble, caught in a whirlwind of psychic energy, surged toward Loe, Dr. Strange, and Wong. The fragments of the Sanctum Sanctorum flew through the air, threatening to bury them under a torrent of destruction.

Mindy, sensing the imminent danger, reacted swiftly. "No, you don't!" she shouted, focusing her telepathic energy to attack Ebony's mind. Her psychic assault aimed to disrupt his concentration and halt the debris.

Ebony Maw gritted his teeth, enduring the mental onslaught. "Even if I die, I will do anything for my lord!" he declared with fierce determination. Despite Mindy's efforts, the debris continued to advance.

Emily, with a fierce glare, charged at Ebony. Her vampiric strength allowed her to deliver a powerful punch to his chest, sending him flying through the air and crashing into the distance. Yet, it was too late—Ebony Maw had already set his plan in motion.

As the debris closed in on Loe, Dr. Strange, and Wong, they braced themselves. Dr. Strange and Wong quickly conjured magical barriers to protect themselves from the incoming onslaught. The swirling magical shields shimmered with a golden hue, blocking most of the debris.

But what they didn't anticipate was Thanos's proximity. The Mad Titan had stealthily approached, his imposing figure shadowing over them. In his hand, he wielded a sharp, menacing weapon he had picked up amidst the chaos.

Mark Taylor and Thomas Halloway, engaged in their battle with Corvus Glaive, noticed Thanos's deadly approach. Mark's eyes widened as he saw Thanos aiming his weapon at Dr. Strange. "No!!!" he shouted, his voice filled with alarm.

In a split second, Corvus Glaive seized the opportunity and landed a punishing punch on Mark, forcing him to stagger. "Pay attention to me!" Corvus snarled, his voice dripping with malice.

The distraction was just enough. As Dr. Strange braced himself for the impact, his mind flashed with a grim realization. He closed his eyes, expecting the worst.

"Shit, I'm dead." He braced himself for the inevitable, closing his eyes in resignation.

But fate had a different plan. Thanos's weapon did find its mark, but not on Dr. Strange. There was a sudden, intense pain as Thanos's weapon pierced through flesh.

Dr. Strange, opening his eyes in disbelief, saw that he was still alive. "I'm alive..." he murmured, his voice barely audible as he looked down in disbelief.

Dr. Strange's eyes widened in shock. "Why?" he murmured, his voice barely audible.

 The scene before him was one of harrowing sacrifice. Loe Halloway, despite the debris and the chaos around him, had shielded Dr. Strange. The weapon, intended for the Sorcerer Supreme, had pierced Loe's chest instead. Blood spattered from Loe's mouth as he looked at Dr. Strange with a mixture of pain and resolve.

Loe, blood trickling from his mouth, managed to look up at Strange with a strained expression. "I don't know too. Why did I save you?" Loe's voice was faint, the weapon embedded deeply in his chest. His strength waned, and he struggled to remain standing.

Mindy, having witnessed the heart-wrenching scene, let out a anguished cry. "Loe!!!!!" Her voice was filled with despair as she rushed to Loe's side, her psychic powers flaring with distress.

As Mindy rushed toward Loe Halloway, her heart pounding as she saw her husband lying on the ground, blood pouring from his wound. She kneeled beside him, her eyes filled with pain. As she cradled his body, her telepathy flared with a fury she hadn't tapped into before. Her mind reached out and latched onto Thanos, striking him with a powerful mental assault.

Thanos, caught completely off guard, let out a guttural shout of agony. "Aurg!!" he growled, his massive hands clutching his head as Mindy's psychic power overwhelmed his mind. His vision blurred as he staggered, disoriented by the unexpected attack.

Dr. Stephen Strange, recognizing the opportunity, quickly conjured an Eldritch Whip. The golden tendrils of mystic energy lashed out, wrapping tightly around Thanos's right arm. Strange pulled with all his strength, trying to keep the Mad Titan immobilized. At the same moment, Wong followed suit, summoning his own Eldritch magic to trap Thanos's left arm.

"Hold him!" Strange commanded, his voice tense as he struggled against Thanos's immense strength.

Thanos gritted his teeth, muscles bulging as he tried to break free from the magical restraints. His purple skin glistened under the pressure, but the combined effort of Strange and Wong kept him pinned, if only for a moment.

Meanwhile, Mindy knelt beside Loe, tears streaking her face. She hugged his body close, her hand trembling as she touched his wound. "Loe, please..." she whispered, her voice breaking. "Stay with me."

Loe coughed, blood splattering his lips as he struggled to speak. "Mindy... I tried..." His voice was faint, the life slipping from his body as he fought to stay conscious.

Not far from them, Thomas Halloway saw his father lying there, bleeding out. His heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline surging through his veins. "Father!!!" he screamed, his voice breaking with panic and fear.

Corvus Glaive, noticing the distraction, saw an opening. He leaped at Thomas with a snarl. "Pay attention to me!" he shouted, swinging his glaive in a deadly arc.

But before Corvus could land his blow, Mark Taylor threw a fierce punch straight into Corvus's face, landing with a sickening crack. "You pay attention to me, you fuckface!" Mark shouted, his voice filled with rage. The force of the punch sent Corvus reeling back.

Corvus staggered, anger blazing in his eyes. "Pes—!" he began to snarl, but before he could finish his insult, a sudden blow struck him from behind.

Emily Taylor, known as Lady Vamp, appeared in a blur, delivering a powerful kick to Corvus's back, sending him flying forward. "You dare say that to my husband!!" she shouted fiercely, her vampiric strength evident as Corvus crashed to the ground.

Mark, seeing his wife's swift and powerful attack, was momentarily stunned. His eyes softened with admiration, and he murmured, "Darling..." His voice was filled with affection, his heart swelling with pride.

Emily turned toward her husband, their eyes meeting with a shared look of love. But there was no time for tender moments on the battlefield. Emily then shifted her gaze to Thomas, who stood frozen, still in shock from seeing his father's condition.

"Go, dear," Emily said softly, her voice filled with warmth. "Go to your father." She spoke to Thomas like a loving aunt guiding a child, her tone gentle but firm.

Thomas, snapping out of his daze, nodded quickly. Without another word, he rushed toward Loe and Mindy, his heart heavy with fear and hope as he reached his father's side.

The battle raged on, but in that moment, everything felt suspended—the weight of sacrifice, love, and family hanging in the air as Thomas knelt beside Loe, unsure if his father had much time left.

Loe's vision blurred, tears mixing with the blood on his face as he looked up at Mindy. His heart was heavy, the weight of his regrets crushing him in his final moments. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." Loe murmured, his voice trembling. He wasn't just apologizing to her, but to his family, to his friend Michael Wilson, and to himself. He had failed, and Thanos's words haunted him now. Perhaps, deep down, he had always been afraid—afraid of his own failure.

Mindy held him closer, her tears falling onto his face, mixing with his blood. "No, darling, please… don't leave me.." she pleaded, her voice breaking, raw with emotion. She could feel the life slipping away from him, and it felt like her heart was being ripped apart.

Loe forced a small, weak smile as he gazed into her eyes one last time. "I love you... and our child... our family..." His breath was shallow, fading. He struggled to speak again, his voice barely audible. "Tell Michael..." he paused, coughing, the strength leaving his body. "Tell him I'm... so… sorry."

His words trailed off, his eyes slowly closing as his body went limp in Mindy's arms.

"Loe!!!" Mindy screamed, shaking his lifeless body, desperate for him to wake up, but it was too late. Her cries echoed across the battlefield.

Thomas, who had finally reached them, collapsed next to his mother, his voice cracking as he screamed, "No!!!! Father!!!!!" His hands trembled as he touched his father's shoulder, but there was no response.

Mark, watching the scene unfold, dropped to his knees in disbelief. His closest friend, aside from Michael, had just died right in front of him. His mind raced, replaying every memory they had shared, the battles they had fought together, the bond they had built. "No... no... no..." he whispered, his voice thick with grief. Tears streamed down his face, the loss hitting him harder than any blow he had ever taken in combat.

Across the battlefield, Corvus Glaive stood, a smirk of satisfaction crossing his face as he observed the grief-stricken group. To him, it was a victory—a reminder of the brutal cost of war.

Emily, standing beside Mark, placed a hand on his shoulder, her heart aching for him. She watched silently, her eyes filled with empathy, knowing that no words could ease the pain Mark was feeling. She clenched her fists, her own resolve hardening, but for now, she allowed him to mourn.

On June 26, 1997, Loe Halloway died...

To be continue