Chapter 399: Bastet and the Brass Frogs

Apart from Asgard, which still resides within the Material Plane, other Earth pantheons have long since left the planet and established themselves in their respective divine realms. These realms exist in extradimensional spaces, like semi-planes suspended above the Material Plane.

For example, the Olympian gods dwell in the extradimensional realm of Mount Olympus, accessible via the physical Mount Olympus in Greece.

The Aztec gods reside in a realm known as Topán, which floats within an endless void.

The Tuatha Dé Danann inhabit Avalon, a magical kingdom created by Gaia. The current Sorcerer Supreme maintains close ties with Avalon, as does Solomon.

The Slavic gods live in a realm called Svarga (meaning "heaven" or "divine kingdom"), which severed all ties with Earth after Vladimir I of Russia converted to Eastern Orthodoxy.

The Egyptian Ennead (the Nine Gods of Egypt) resides in the solar-themed realm known as the City of the Sun, with its entrance located in present-day Egypt.

These facts were taught to Solomon by the Sorcerer Supreme, who ensured that he understood the locations and natures of the extradimensional realms associated with Earth's pantheons. Solomon knows how to enter these realms, as well as how to leave them—esoteric knowledge he absorbed as a child, treating it like extracurricular reading material.

Despite the gods' departure from Earth, some, like Athena, still reside on the planet to observe its affairs. This arrangement was part of an agreement between Kamar-Taj and the gods: while the gods are prohibited from influencing humanity directly, they are permitted to observe without interference.

The Sorcerer Supreme did not want to provoke conflict with the gods, so this compromise was accepted.

Bastet, the Egyptian goddess of protection and cats, holds a unique position. While most gods have multiple identities across different cultures (e.g., the Greek and Roman pantheons), Bastet's case is different. The Egyptian gods originated elsewhere in Africa before their worship spread to Egypt. When the Ennead left the Material Plane, Bastet, not being one of the Ennead, remained behind as an observer. She continued to rule over her people, particularly a small, fortunate African nation.

Over 10,000 years ago, a meteorite containing a unique metal crashed into the homeland of several tribes. The radiation from this meteorite caused mutations among warriors who approached what they called the "Gift of the Gods." The strongest warrior of one tribe prayed to Bastet for guidance, and she answered. She instructed the warrior to drink an herbal concoction derived from a plant mutated by the meteorite's radiation. With her divine power, Bastet helped him survive the concoction's effects and bestowed upon him advanced knowledge far ahead of his time.

This warrior, named Bashenga, gained superhuman strength and wisdom. He became the first "Black Panther." After defeating the mutated foes created by the meteorite, Bashenga united the tribes to form the nation of Wakanda. The mutated herb, known as the Heart-Shaped Herb, became the exclusive source of power for the Black Panther. Bashenga established a systematic religion devoted to Bastet, and Wakanda sealed its borders to protect the unique metal, later known as vibranium.

The invitation Solomon received was crafted by the Wakandan royal family and sent by Prince T'Challa. As it turned out, T'Challa was one of Solomon's future peers at Oxford. Likely, the address Solomon had provided during registration allowed T'Challa to locate him. As for the tiny black kitten that accompanied the invitation, Solomon suspected it was Bastet's declaration of involvement.

However, the black kitten standing on the table and meowing loudly at Solomon and the Sorcerer Supreme seemed to have other priorities—like demanding food. When it bit Solomon's fingers playfully, his suspicion that the kitten was just hungry reached its peak.

Perhaps the kitten's placement in the mailbox was less about divine declaration and more about ensuring the invitation wouldn't be missed!

"This scene feels oddly familiar," Solomon muttered with a sigh. He couldn't understand why gods always seemed to announce themselves through animals. Athena preferred owls and snakes, Odin favored ravens, and Bastet had chosen a tiny, barely weaned black kitten.

"I think Bastet's invitation came rather late," the Sorcerer Supreme remarked, poking the kitten's tiny belly with her finger. The little furball tumbled over but immediately got back up, excitedly meowing at both of them again. "Perhaps she isn't as powerful as Athena."

"You can handle this on your own next time," the Sorcerer Supreme added, "You've already proven yourself capable of negotiating with Odin. There's no need to be anxious about dealing with Bastet."

"Master, are you upset with me for speaking to the All-Father without your approval?" Solomon asked cautiously.

"Of course not!" The Sorcerer Supreme shot Solomon a glance before resuming her playful poking of the kitten. "The future of this world belongs to you. Engaging with the All-Father ahead of time was not a mistake. Have confidence, Solomon. You are my disciple, my successor. If you believe something is right, then act on it."

"What should I do with this cat?"

"You've adopted another pet, my child," the Sorcerer Supreme chuckled. "Let's hope the witches' apartment doesn't turn into a zoo. This is the price of divine favor."

"You must be wondering why you were asked to arrive a week before the term officially begins. As someone who attended Oxford myself, let me explain: this is Oxford's unique 'Week Zero.' During this time, you'll meet important people, participate in numerous events, and, yes, even at Merton—the so-called bookworm college—it's no different."

Outside the Sheldonian Theatre, T'Challa, dressed in a sharp suit, spoke enthusiastically to Solomon. Not long ago, Solomon, wearing his Sub-Fusc attire (a dark suit or jacket, white shirt, black shoes, student cap, and black gown), had joined other Merton freshmen inside the theater. Together, they listened to the Vice-Chancellor's speech beneath the vast, intricately painted dome. The dome's mural, created by Robert Streater in 1688, depicted "Truth Descending Upon the Arts and Sciences" and had been transported to Oxford by barge after its completion in Whitehall.

If not for T'Challa's explanation, Solomon would have been entirely unaware of the mural's history.

"Your Latin is quite fluent, T'Challa. How do you manage to convince others that Wakanda is still a struggling nation?" Solomon teased.

T'Challa burst into laughter.

"I'm a prince," he replied with a grin. "A prince is always a little exceptional—even an African one. And your Latin isn't bad either. I recently learned you attended Eton College. If I'd known sooner, we could have met earlier. Perhaps then, this artifact would have been returned to you much sooner."

"What artifact?" Solomon gestured toward the two peculiar objects T'Challa had pocketed, urging him to explain their nature.

"I'm not entirely sure," T'Challa admitted. "But they belonged to my grandfather, Azuri the Wise. He kept them safeguarded in Wakanda's royal treasury. Years ago, my father—King T'Chaka—had a dream in which Bastet appeared. She instructed him to return these two brass frogs to their rightful owner and to invite you to Wakanda. She said they were your treasures.

"My father found your birth records in New York, but after that, your trail vanished. When you reappeared during the Battle of New York, Bastet confirmed it: the silver-armored knight in the reports was the person he'd been searching for."

"What exactly does your Bastet want?" Solomon asked, curious why T'Challa referred to Bastet as the "Black Panther God" rather than by her name. He refrained from pressing the matter further, instead waiting for T'Challa's answer.

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