The key to victory was to lead the enemy into following us. Fortunately, Bashenga's men possessed great physical endurance and knowledge of the terrain. Nordur guided them from above, navigating them through safer routes and buying time to set up the first trap. The rest of the men were armed with bows and positioned atop the trees, their foliage concealing our smaller numbers.
They likely assumed they couldn't harm any of us due to the foliage as well. Fortunately, we only suffered superficial injuries without any casualties. The second trap was a bit more intricate. It took us an hour to find the most concealed route to the waterfall, then it was simply a matter of drawing the enemy's attention. The men who drew their focus remained hidden with foliage covering them in small holes dug in the ground. Finally, we shattered the enemy's hope. When they saw their greatest warrior and leader dying easily, they lost all will to live. In the end, it was a complete victory. Four of our men lost their lives in this final stage of the plan, but it was a total triumph.
This was my first time commanding soldiers in battle, and I believe it yielded a favorable outcome.
Afterward, we hurried toward the temple of the Panther Goddess. The wounded were left in a secure location, and I left Nordur to watch over them in case any enemies approached.
It took nearly six hours of walking to reach our destination—the temple of the Panther Goddess, rustic with an Egyptian touch. On either side of the entrance stood two giant stone panthers. At the temple door stood an old, bald man clad in a black robe.
"You've finally arrived, visitors. Welcome," his voice was ancient and kind. Perhaps he had men observing us, or in this universe, the goddess Bast truly exists, unlike in the Marvel movies.
(Another deity, great.)
Bashenga steps forward.
"I am the leader..."
"I know who you are, Bashenga, leader of the Panther tribe. As I said, I was expecting both of you," the old man interrupts the introduction.
(He seems to know who I am.)
"You knew that I would also be coming?" I inquire.
"The goddess informed us that a god from a distant land would be coming to aid our people in this time of crisis," the old man says with a smile, indicating that Bast truly exists. Fortunately, she doesn't seem inclined to interfere or opine on the matter of the alliance.
"Come. Enter. Leave your men resting outside; my brethren will provide food and water for all," he adds, stepping into the temple without waiting for a response. The men stay outside, resting, while Bashenga and I enter the temple.
The interior resembles more of a flower greenhouse than a temple, with flowers similar to lilies but purple and radiant covering the entire temple floor. They are being tended to by other men wearing the same robes as the elder.
(Heart-shaped herb.)
The herb that grants the powers of the Black Panther. Enhancing all physical aspects of a human to super-soldier levels, and possibly increasing IQ, the herb is the second reason for my visit to Wakanda. There are several theories on how it developed, the most accepted being that it was due to the radiation from the metal, while another suggests that Bast gave it to the first Black Panther to combat demonic spirits.
At first, I considered using it on myself until I realized it would be a great waste; my physique is already far superior to the effects granted by the herb.
My plan is to acquire one of them to dissolve it in the island's water source. The effects will be minimal on my people, but they will possess a physique better than any normal human.
The elder remained at the center of the temple, his smile radiant.
"The goddess spoke to us of your coming. We have been awaiting you for a long time. You may call me Elder," he said.
Bashenga stepped forward. "Elder, then you know why I came here? My people are threatened by demons and the new monkey god. We need help."
"You already have it," the Elder replied.
"What do you mean?" Bashenga inquired.
The Elder went to the flowers and plucked one from the ground. "The goddess has bestowed a great blessing upon you and your lineage, Bashenga. You will become the first king and protector of Wakanda!"
Bashenga never introduced himself as king or leader of Wakanda. I had just witnessed the founding of a nation.
Bashenga's transformation was akin to that in the movies. He consumed the herb and was then buried under a small amount of earth. The Elder said he would commune with the goddess for guidance. I hoped it would be favorable for my alliance. While we waited for the transformation to conclude, I attempted to extract some information from the Elder.
Firstly, I learned that this temple was near the location where the meteor fell. Secondly, the herbs had recently grown, indicating that it was possible to cultivate them if I had enough vibranium feeding the soil. Thirdly, our enemy was a god in the form of a giant white gorilla, a user of unknown magic. He empowered his followers by having them hunt and consume the flesh of white gorillas, but this had a negative effect, making them less rational and more savage.
Fortunately, this god was not on the level of a cosmic entity, if he were, he wouldn't waste time creating an army of devotees to conquer a small piece of land. Perhaps I had a chance in direct combat.
Lost in my thoughts, Bashenga rose from his "tomb."
"Rise, protector of Wakanda," said the Elder.
"I have spoken with the Panther Goddess. She has told me what I must do," Bashenga announced.
He walked toward me with a serious expression. "Will you help me, Baldur?"
"Yes, I will," I replied.
"Then from this day forth, Wakanda is an ally of your kingdom. This alliance will not end with me; my son will honor this agreement, as will my grandson, until my lineage ceases to exist."
Bashenga extended his arm to me. "And my people will do the same. Whenever Wakanda needs help, I will be there, as will my son and his son, until my lineage ceases to exist."
I grasped his arm. The alliance was sealed. Details could be arranged later; we had to attend to one thing first.
"Now let's hunt down a gorilla!"
The battle situation is not in our favor. The newly formed Wakanda is trapped in a siege by several tribes led by super-strong men. It was fortunate that Bashenga managed to escape the siege with his men. The problem now is getting back to the city. He needs to be inside the city to lead the counterattack, so in the meantime, I'll take care of the white ape god and his cult.
The Elder gave me the exact location of the cult. They are located on a rocky mountain in the shape of a gorilla skull on the western edge of Wakanda.
"Are you sure this will work?" Bashenga asks me doubtfully.
"It's the only way for you to return to your city without being seen."
"But my men will be left behind."
"My flying ship can't carry all of you. Flying back on it will make it easy for you to return to your city. Your men will be safe and will attack the enemy's rear in the final battle."
Taking him back to the center of his tribe with the ship is the smartest way to break the siege. From there, he will command the attack against the enemy. Although most of the soldiers who came with him are tired and the majority are wounded, the remaining few can attack the enemy's rear, catching them by surprise. Even with their small number, they can create a positive impact for us.
While they are engaged in their battle, my mission is to strike a major blow to the white ape cult. Several men with enhanced strength are leading the invading army, but the majority of them are on the gorilla mountain, waiting for orders to deliver the final blow.
They are not fools. The alliance made with the other tribes was a fair distribution of Wakanda's resources, but I doubt that this cult will want to share the spoils at the end of the battle. When both sides are nearly depleted, they will reveal their strength and attack both sides, conquering control of the entire region.
"Very well, I trust you, my friend. Good luck in your battle," Bashenga says as he boards the ship, which begins to float in the air.
"When I'm done dealing with the apes, I'll join you on the battlefield. General, I entrust his safety to you," he adds.
"He will suffer no harm my prince."
The ship swiftly flies to its destination.
"Well, I guess I have a mountain to climb."