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4 Battle Lines

Black Panther.

Forseti was not surprised.

After all, it was evident that most Wakandan warriors only possessed spears tipped with vibranium, while this individual was entirely clad in vibranium, from head to toe—even the spear handle was made of vibranium.

Other than Black Panther, King of Wakanda, there was likely no other individual on Earth who could utilize vibranium to such an extent.

It was thanks to the vibranium within him that this man could contend with the commander of the Frost Giants before them. Otherwise, despite his superior strength and combat skills compared to mortals, he would merely be at the level of an ordinary Aesir warrior, no match for a skilled warrior of the Aesir.

"Are you...," Bassanga couldn't help but inquire, unsure of Forseti's identity.

"We have come from Asgard to aid Earth. The Frost Giants who attacked you are also enemies of Asgard," Forseti replied. "My name is Forseti, and I lead this unit."

"Asgard!" Bassanga was taken aback. "So Asgard truly exists! I had always thought Asgard was merely a legend."

After a brief pause, Bassanga asked, "So... you are gods?"

Forseti smiled. "In a way, yes, though we are also human in essence. True gods have no interest in intervening in the affairs of mortals or in combat. But of course, we do not mind if you choose to address us as such."

He then glanced around. "Let's first deal with the remaining enemies."

"Very well," Bassanga nodded, returning to the battle.

Forseti maneuvered through the battlefield, balancing between dispatching enemies and tending to wounded allies.

After a while, the battle concluded, the last of the Frost Giants vanquished by warriors from Wakanda and Asgard alike.

Though brief, the battle had taken its toll on Wakanda, with hundreds of casualties left in its wake.

Surveying the fallen, Black Panther Bassanga clenched his fists with a somber expression.

Forseti once again tended to some of the wounded before approaching Bassanga.

Upon hearing footsteps, Bassanga turned to see Forseti and spoke earnestly, "Thank you. Without your aid, the outcome of this battle would have been unimaginable."

"It was our duty. The Frost Giants are also enemies of Asgard. Just yesterday, we engaged them in battle," Forseti explained.

He then gestured towards Bassanga's armor. "Could you tell me about this metal?"

Undoubtedly, vibranium was Wakanda's most prized resource.

Without vibranium, Wakanda's future would have been no different from that of any other African nation—colonization, conflict, turmoil. It was the vibranium meteorite from the heavens that transformed this small African nation into the most technologically advanced on Earth.

"This is vibranium, a gift from the Panther God," Bassanga said, tapping the armor on his arm. "Vibranium is the strongest substance in the world—or at least, in our world."

Forseti chuckled. "Asgard has something similar. To my knowledge, there is only one substance that can surpass vibranium."

"What is it?" Bassanga inquired, unable to contain his curiosity.

"Uru," Forseti replied. "A mighty metal forged in the heart of a star, the sun."

"Is your sword made of Uru?" Bassanga asked, pointing to the Rivendell Sword at Forseti's side.

Forseti shook his head. "No, this is not Uru. Uru is highly esteemed in Asgard. We typically reserve it for crafting our most revered artifacts."

In truth, Forseti wasn't entirely certain of how Uru compared to vibranium. Without direct comparison, and considering what he had learned in Nidavellir, there were varying grades of Uru.

"Forseti then asked, "How was vibranium smelted?"

"Sorry, that is our secret. Vibranium has existed in this land since time immemorial," Bassanga replied, evading the question. "But after millennia of exploration, it was only a century ago that we discovered how to forge tools from vibranium."

Forseti nodded, refraining from further inquiry. Yet, he resolved to learn more about vibranium after the conflict subsided.

"Bassanga, how much do you know of the overall battle in Midgard?" Forseti questioned.

"It was sudden, and I am not well-informed. Fortunately, a sorcerer forewarned us, allowing us to prepare in advance. Otherwise, Wakanda may have fallen before your arrival today," Bassanga lamented.

"A sorcerer?" Forseti couldn't help but ask. "From the Sanctum Sanctorum?"

"How do you know?" Bassanga looked surprised.

"In fact, I am one of the founders of the Sanctum Sanctorum," Forseti recalled the years spent building the Sanctum with Agamotto and others, feeling nostalgic. "Centuries have passed, and now, even Agamotto and the impish Cagliostro have long since passed."

"You... the Sanctum Sanctorum has a history spanning millennia. You..." Bassanga stammered, taken aback by Forseti's youthful appearance.

Forseti offered no explanation.

After a moment, Bassanga seemed to recall something. "I remember now! I once heard the Sorcerer Supreme mention that a thousand years ago, two gods and the first Sorcerer Supreme founded three Sanctums—the Sun God and the Moon God, with the Moon God's likeness as the statue. Could it be that you are the Sun God?"

"The Sun God... Some sorcerers do refer to me as such," Forseti smiled.

"The Sun God..." Bassanga stared, momentarily speechless.

After collecting himself, Bassanga continued, "Oh, by the way, according to the sorcerer, there are at least a thousand, possibly two thousand Frost Giants attacking across the world."

"... There are four main fronts where the Frost Giants have attacked most aggressively, including the three Sanctums and the residence of the Holy Shield of the Holy Roman Empire, Magdeburg."

Pausing, Bassanga added, "Each of these four fronts faces over three hundred Frost Giants, making them the primary battlegrounds."

Forseti rubbed his chin, a slight frown forming.

This totaled at least twelve hundred Frost Giants—an astonishing number.

Asgard had suffered severe losses in the battle of Mangog, with numerous warriors and even Odin himself grievously wounded.

The next clash with the Frost Giants would undoubtedly prove arduous.

"Bassanga, do you intend to join us at the Fourth Front?" Forseti inquired.

"Of course. Asgard shall expel the Frost Giants from Earth," Forseti declared.

"I shall accompany you," Bassanga affirmed.

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