The empyrean golden gauntlets

"You really are a sentient artifact?" Thanos asked, surprised.

"Hmph, you don't seem very talented. You haven't even unlocked your third dantian," the voice echoed loftily in his head.

Thanos blinked, confused. "Wait, what are you talking about?"

"I am the Empyrean Golden Gauntlets, forged by Ogun and enchanted by Hanuman. I am no mere artifact for you to claim at a whim," the gauntlets said, brimming with superiority.

Thanos was speechless for a moment, his mind racing to find a way to tame the gauntlets. He sighed, clenching his fists as he gathered his thoughts. "I see…" He paused, his voice steady but filled with conviction. "I'm nothing special. I've never been hailed as a genius, and I know my limitations. But all I've ever wanted is to become strong enough to protect this world when it's in danger."

His fists tightened as he continued, his words heartfelt. "I've never been much of a sword user. I trained with them, sure, but my fists have always been my weapon of choice. I fight up close, where the impact is real. Even though I haven't unlocked my third dantian, and I can't wield spiritual or soul techniques, that doesn't mean I'm handicapped."

He looked down at the gauntlets, his expression determined. "I want to be so strong that nothing—whether it's spiritual, elemental, or even soul attacks—can stop me. I may not be talented in the ways others are, but I will become an immovable force on the battlefield. So, I plead with you, oh great Empyrean Gauntlets—join me on this journey. Let me prove my worth, and together, we will rise to the top."

The gauntlets were silent for a moment, as if considering his words. Taking advantage of the pause, Thanos reached out and placed his hand on the gauntlets, letting them feel the pulse of his Qi. Finally, the gauntlets spoke again, their voice calmer, but still carrying a sense of authority.

"You wish to become an immovable mountain? Very well. I will become your weapon. It's either that, or I sit here gathering dust for another hundred years."

A spark of excitement lit up Thanos' eyes. Breathing deeply, he allowed his Qi to flow through the gauntlets. They began to vibrate, energy coursing through them as they levitated into the air, spinning around him. Slowly, the straps opened up, and the gauntlets encased his hands, settling onto his forearms like they had found their rightful place.

Thanos grinned, his blood racing with anticipation. "Oh, hell yeah, baby!"

---

In a distant temple, a towering 10-foot statue stood tall and imposing, its samurai armor gleaming in the faint light. The figure wore an oni mask that covered half its face, revealing only its piercing eyes. A longbow rested in its hand, a quiver of arrows at its waist, and a katana sheathed by its side. This was no ordinary statue—it was the likeness of Hachiman, the god of war.

In the temple's main hall, a group of students of Japanese origin sat cross-legged, listening intently to their teacher's lecture. Suddenly, the teacher stopped mid-sentence, sensing a powerful energy surge. The students, too, felt the sudden shift, their gazes drawn to the statue as a faint warm light began to emanate from it, followed by a deep, low rumble.

The teacher's eyes widened. "It seems someone has received the Himejima clan's heritage and earned the acknowledgement of Hachiman," he muttered in awe.

The students exchanged excited whispers.

"Do you think it's the clan head's genius son?"

"Or maybe the clan head himself?"

Meanwhile, deep within the same compound, in a smaller, more secluded room, two other statues trembled. One was the likeness of a massive, gorilla-like figure wielding a mace over his shoulder. His hand reached out toward the other statue—a powerful, bald man adorned with a necklace of iron, shirtless but wrapped in a skirt, flanked by two fierce dogs. His right hand extended toward the gorilla-like statue in an eternal gesture of partnership.

These statues were none other than the divine representations of Hanuman and Ogun. Hanuman, the monkey king deity, had once been sent by the Buddha to guide the people of Asia, while Ogun, the god of iron and war, had been sent to Africa with a similar mission. By chance, the two deities met and forged an alliance, leaving behind powerful legacies in both regions—legacies that included enchanted weapons, like the Empyrean Golden Gauntlets. The gauntlets were forged by Ogun and enchanted by Hanuman. Hanuman and Ogun decided to present it to one of the families that hanuman was in charge of. That is how the gauntlets found its was to the Himejima clan. The Himejima clan had passed down this gauntlet down through generations, but not many were able to claim the gauntlet for it had developed sentience, and had a spirit within it. And for many generations it was passed down without a weilder. Although it could still be used in battle it's powers were restricted by the seals places on them by Hanuman, for only when certain conditions are met will the gauntlet's full potential be unlocked.

It was later passed down to the side family of the Himejima clan as a gift from the head of the clan, Gyu Himejima.

When the side family got into a scuffle with another clan they were forced to retreat or else they would all have been wiped out, for the clan that opposed them was a branch family of one of the 7 great families also. Many people were lost in that battle, so they had to forsake everything and run away. The gauntlets were left behind and has been here since then.

---

Back at the Obarisiagbon residence, King Obadele Obarisiagbon prepared for a meeting with Isamu Takeda when a sudden wave of Qi washed over the entire compound. His brow furrowed as he spread his senses outward, searching for the source. His gaze shifted to the royal temple, where a faint light now radiated from the massive statue inside.

"T-this… this is the acknowledgement of the gods," he stammered, surprise etched across his face. "Ogun himself has recognized someone."

Turning to the family members gathered around him, King Obadele asked, "Who among us has received the blessing of Ogun?"

But the others were as stunned as he was, unable to provide an answer.