Stars and Stripes fluttered in the wind behind him.
It was Homelander.
Peter recalled the first time he had seen Homelander.
Amid the crowd's cheers and adoration, Homelander had been like the brightest star in the sky.
He recalled Homelander walking up to him personally, crouching down with his tall frame, his eyes filled with expectation.
"To my like-minded friend, Peter."
"Never let this world change you."
"This world is filled with power. Some possess power, yet use it to bully the weak. Some possess power, yet choose to turn a blind eye. If you possessed power, you would make the right choice."
"...With great power comes great responsibility."
Those teachings, those scenes, kept circling before his eyes.
Homelander was like his father, his mentor, his god.
How could he betray his god here?
How could he bring shame upon Earth here?
"I..."
Peter's pupils suddenly focused. The confusion in his gaze instantly vanished, replaced by a sharp gleam.
"I... will never admit defeat!"
Peter shouted, swiftly pulled on his mask, and leaped several meters backward with all his strength, widening the distance between himself and Eros.
The false friendship and dependence Starfox had planted in Peter's mind vanished completely the instant Homelander appeared, like snow beneath a blazing sun.
"What did you just... do to me?" Peter demanded fiercely.
The gentle smile on Eros's face froze.
As he looked at Spider-Man, who refused to concede defeat and was questioning him instead, disbelief flashed through his eyes.
Ever since awakening this ability, no living being had ever broken free from such deep emotional infiltration through sheer willpower.
What kind of terrifying spiritual anchor was hidden deep within this seemingly frail Earth boy?
Eros's smile gradually faded.
"What a pity, Peter." He sighed and shook his head helplessly. "I did use