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"Peter, you don't look that excited," Uncle Ben said after dinner, stepping into Peter's room.
Peter quickly waved his hands. "What? No, I'm thrilled!"
"Are you hurt?" Ben asked quietly, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
Peter froze. "Hurt? Oh—you mean my back? Yeah, yeah, it's fine now."
"Then let me see," Ben said.
Peter's face went pale. He stammered for words, mind blank.
Ben chuckled and stood. "It's alright, kid. You don't have to show me. I just wanted to make sure you're okay."
He turned for the door. "Sleep early. Big day tomorrow."
"Yeah… thanks, Uncle Ben," Peter said, exhaling in relief as Ben left.
---
Next Door
In his room, Sylas was deep in a fierce battle of Go.
He leaned over the board, eyes narrowed. "Don't say I didn't warn you, Little Black. I used to be the Go champion of my class."
He grinned confidently. "Top ten in the whole grade, baby."
Ten minutes later…
"Wait—no way! Redo!" Sylas protested as his last white stone got cornered.
Little Black calmly reset the board for another round.
Five minutes later…
"…" Sylas stared at his losing formation, speechless.
Little Black looked at him patiently, waiting for the next move.
Sylas squinted. "Where'd you even get this Go board, huh? You didn't steal it, did you?"
Little Black pulled a folded paper from his robe virtual casino winnings. Then signed quickly: Won this online. Just borrowed your card to register. But I can transfer the winnings to you.
Sylas blinked. "…You're unbelievable."
He sighed. "Alright, Big Black—your turn. I'm taking a break."
Big Black appeared beside them, glaring at Little Black as he sat down at the board.
---
Meanwhile – Oscorp
Norman Osborn studied the footage in silence.
"So it really was Connors…" he muttered.
The recovered lab camera told the whole story. Curt Connors's mutation, the experiments, the chaos—it all fit.
"The serum worked," Norman mused. "His arm grew back. The strength is real. He just… missed something."
"Spider-Man showed up too," his aide added. "Still unidentified."
Norman's smirk returned. "Find out who he is. Keep digging."
He turned to the monitor showing test results. "How's our own experiment going? The launch event is in two days."
"The rat trials succeeded, sir. But for human trials…" the aide trailed off nervously.
Norman's eyes gleamed. "New York's full of homeless people, isn't it? Let's help one. Call it charity."
The aide swallowed hard. "Understood."
---
The Next Morning
Beep! Beep!
"Alright, Parker family—let's roll!" Uncle Ben said, proudly standing beside a rented sedan parked in the driveway.
Aunt May loaded their picnic basket into the trunk, climbing into the passenger seat. Peter and Sylas slid into the back.
"Everyone buckled?" Ben grinned. "Then off we go!"
The car pulled away, sunlight streaking across the windshield.
Peter leaned back, feeling better than the night before. His wounds had scabbed over, and unless he moved too suddenly, they didn't hurt.
He pulled a camera from his bag, snapping photos of the passing scenery.
"Didn't you borrow that from a friend?" Ben asked, glancing at him through the mirror.
"Uh—yeah," Peter said quickly. "He's not in a rush to get it back."
Sylas watched quietly, half-smiling. They're still hiding everything. Hopefully today stays peaceful…
He also couldn't shake the feeling that the day's sunlight might connect to his new clue—the [Pig Talisman].
---
Half an Hour Later
The car finally rolled into a lush forest park.
Ben inhaled deeply. "Smell that? Fresh air. Way better than the city."
He parked near a riverside trail—barely any cars around.
"Perfect. Not crowded," Ben said.
"Good," May replied. "Now open the trunk. We still need to unload."
"Right! Boys, help your aunt," Ben called.
Peter and Sylas grabbed the basket, portable grill, and a fishing rod.
Ben took the rod and twirled it proudly. "You're looking at a former fishing champion."
"Oh? Then today's lunch is your catch," May teased. "If you don't catch anything, you're skipping lunch."
Ben grinned. "Ha! I'll try not to make you jealous with how good my fish tastes."
"More likely we'll watch you go hungry," May laughed.
"Go get 'em, Uncle Ben!" Sylas encouraged.
"See? At least one of you has faith in me," Ben said, winking. "Lunch's on me, kid."
"Deal."
The family followed the forest trail together, chatting and laughing. The air was crisp, birds singing overhead.
They passed a couple packing up their tents. After a friendly exchange, Ben said wistfully, "You know, camping here doesn't sound half bad."
May rolled her eyes. "Sure—unless you're planning to skip work tomorrow."
He chuckled. "When you two grow up and I retire, we'll come back and camp for a week."
They didn't know it, but their family's modest peace rested on shoulders carrying far greater secrets.
Peter had hidden wounds, and Sylas had hidden powers.
And both would soon collide with something much bigger than a family picnic.
"Here we are!" Ben finally announced as they reached a crystal-clear stream winding through the trees.
He planted his chair by the bank, assembling his fishing gear.
"Alright, kids, watch closely as your uncle shows you how it's done."
Sylas smiled faintly, eyes drifting to the sunlight reflecting off the water.
That same burning glow mirrored the clue etched in his memory—
"The pig's eyes burn with solar fire… because each day it witnesses the sun's rise."
He tightened his grip on the picnic basket. Maybe today, among the forest and sunlight, he'd find the next piece of the puzzle.
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