panther (kingly) wrote in avengers_logs, @ 2019-07-28 18:09:00 |
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Wakanda was a landlocked nation, yes, but T’Challa respected the power of the ocean. It was dangerous, in a way - those in tune with the seas felt the rage within, a gale which screamed beneath dark clouds, waves like (large) watery fists. Whomever had this apparent trident would be able to tap into all of that - and probably felt rage enough all on their own. Mixing the two would be a violent, and potentially lethal, combination. He’d gotten all the information about the relic which washed ashore in South Africa. Ava had questioned the locals and learned all she could, gathering information and relaying everything back to him - they now knew exactly what had washed ashore as a result of the earthquakes which struck various parts of Africa. That was T’Challa’s main focus, even if he still remained uneasy about the cause of the earthquakes themselves. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, as they say. At the moment, he wanted to consult with someone well-versed in mystical relics - perhaps Dr. Strange even knew a few things about the specific trident in question. That was why T’Challa showed up at the Sanctum - the heat was oppressive (apparently the time jump had not fixed the problems with the environment and the western world, which honestly did not surprise him in the slightest), so he wore short sleeves yet still remained unapologetic about appearing polished, and as a King should. The suit was textured, silk print damask patterned on the top portion, with a beaded collar and that Afrofuturistic look worn by most in his homeland. He used the knocker to rap upon the door of the manor, though he was sure Strange had some kind of surveillance around the place anyway. His presence would not be a surprise. The surveillance was, as could be expected, magical. Several spells were woven over the New York Sanctum, so it wouldn't appear to passers by as anything other than an ordinary home, and one that didn't want to be bothered. But for those in the know, those who were Avengers of this world, or even friends of the Avengers, they were welcome to knock on the door at any time, and it would open to them. Such was the case, when the door slowly opened to allow T'Challa to enter. Waiting in the foyer was Dr. Strange. The cape was around his shoulder and settling down as though it helped its master go down three flights of stairs the fastest way possible: by floating. Scouring a seemingly endless succession of spell books - even in other Sanctums and the Kamar-Taj library - had left him more tired as of late. A couple late nights with Christine weren't helping matters, either. Ahem. "Hello, your highness," Stephen said with a respectful nod. He had an inkling this might be in regard to the earthquakes, but it was never safe to assume without hearing each person out first. "What brings you to the Sanctum?" T’Challa stepped inside the Sanctum - and he was not mystical in nature, not his own self. But the vibranium of his land, of the soil, had been interwoven deep within for thousands of years - it was not only spiritual, but with that aspect? There perhaps was a particular magic to it. So he felt it when he entered the Sanctum, the thrum and pulse of magic too - very subtle for him, but ultimately very powerful. “As it turns out, the relic that was rumored to have washed ashore in South Africa was actually a trident,” he explained, hands clasped behind his back. “It was found in a small fishing village.” A picturesque place, really - it was a blur of activity in the mornings, when the community’s fishing boats unloaded their daily catch and the market hours ensued. “I was wondering - have you heard of a trident that can control the seas, can control water? As believed by the locals?” "A trident relic, with an elemental affinity to water." Dr. Strange pondered over several of the relics he read about while his body slept. Tridents in particular. He knew of at least three possibilities as far as tridents went, but for one that controlled water? That possibility was so deeply entrenched in Earth's myths that to mention it might sound a little insane. They fought off aliens, and he knew of at least one planet in another dimension which was full of plant-like imps with pink flowers blooming out of their heads. His first student of the mystic arts was impregnated out of what he suspected was maternal instinct and what he knew was helped by a demonic entity. Things really couldn't get any weirder. "Let's check the books," he told T'Challa, sending them both upstairs into the library in the blink of an eye. Thor didn't enjoy it but he imagined that the Wakandan King was much lighter on his feet and much more agile. He opened a book from the shelf, found it wanting for illustrations and maps, and snapped it closed, putting it back on the shelf, before they shifted to another part of the library, and Strange appeared to already be reading that new book even though it was less than 5 seconds to cross the room full of shelves and dusty old relics. "Here we go," he turned and put the book down on the table, where the sketch of a trident had been recreated on the page. "First mentioned in Plato's Timaeus and the Critias from 360 B.C. where he describes the shape of elements and other matters. We're looking at a relic attuned to the Icosahedron of water to control water and waves. The only link to one of those is from a sunken continent between the Americas and Africa. If it fits that profile, the trident is likely Atlantian in origin." The Black Panther, who prided himself on always landing on his feet, didn’t mind the rather unorthodox mode of transportation - he was eager to hear Strange’s insights about this trident. “A sunken continent,” he repeated thoughtfully. “I have heard rumors of such, but nothing concrete - however, it would make sense that this trident is linked to something Atlantean in addition to the earthquakes being linked to the same place. My main concern is the trident, however - we are unsure who has it, but knowing what it can do...” It could have been anyone who had taken the damned thing. There was a long list of sunken or lost continents, such as the Land of Mu, Lemuria, or Kumari Kandam in the Pacific and Indian oceans. Each were legends in their own right, sometimes intermingled with one another. But everything pointed to this trident being Atlantian by the description he was given. "Whoever has it would need force of will greater than the relic holds. Mystical objects are all about control and focus. If it's in the hands of someone who has a very clear idea of what they want to do with it and the sheer willpower to want to use it, then it could be a concern. Until they use it, however, it will be very difficult to track. Even in a mystical sense." There was that wind sash that was still whipping up storms way up in the upper atmosphere. One day the Mystics would catch it but it the times that it fluttered down to wreak havoc were few and it severed a few limbs. That was problematic. "If I were you," Dr. Strange advised T'Challa, "I'd watch out for more earthquakes. There's no telling what other relics will come up on shore if that's washed up already. I'll talk to the other Masters of the Mystic Arts and let them know to tune in to any disturbances in the oceans." “I suppose knowing that they would need a great amount of force of will is...somewhat comforting,” T’Challa said. Still, he was not about to rule out a particularly goal-oriented person having taken it to use for their own purposes. Whether they knew without a doubt it would wash ashore at the location it had, well, who was to say. He wouldn’t speculate about that, he’d just focus on the future. A future which could include more natural disasters. “Our own science team in Wakanda, along with the SHIELD agents we’ve brought in - we have been studying the sites of the various earthquakes and monitoring them. Should so much as another ripple happen, we will know,” he promised. “And I appreciate you informing the other Masters of the Mystic Arts. It is not as if I want whomever has the trident to use it, but as you say, that will at least give us a kernel to go off of when it comes to tracking the relic. When we do recover it - “ Because they would, there was no question about it, “...would you want to take it to keep here with your others? I presume they are relics that are also quite powerful.” And it would be safe with the Doctor, who was tasked with guarding such items anyway. It could be comforting or a nightmare, depending on those circumstances. That's why Stephen offered that insight as both hopeful optimism and a warning. "Yes, I think the best place for it is in Khamar-Taj, with the most dangerous relics. That way, every Master can defend it if we need to, in one easy to reach, centralized location." It was a location that not many knew about. It took him a long time and a long journey to even find the location and be let in. And the surface appearance was different to where the arts were taught. It wouldn't be easy to get in or out, at all. "I'll send word as soon as we detect anything," Dr. Strange said. "If there's anything else that I can do to help, let me know." “I will, thank you,” T’Challa nodded. Natasha recommended that he consult Dr. Strange about the relic and he agreed; it was a good idea, and now he was glad that he’d come. Especially because he could be ensured that the trident would have a safe space to be held in once it was recovered. The last thing he wanted was for someone else to get their hands on such a dangerous weapon. He didn’t want to linger now either - and he felt as if Strange was busy enough; he did not need the King to hover needlessly. T’Challa was never one for wasting time anyway. “And thank you again for seeing me, Doctor. I too will keep in touch, should anything change.” "Absolutely," the doctor replied. "Don't hesitate. Here, your highness. Let me get the door for you." In an instant they were back in the foyer and the front doors swung open as though by the hands of a ghostly butler. "I expect if someone figures out what that particular relic does, we'll see the aftermath very soon. Hopefully though, that's not the case. I'll keep my fingers crossed." He nodded to T'Challa, and kept the rest of what he was working on shrouded in secrecy. There were other matters he was seeing to, as always, but first and foremost, he didn't want anyone to treat Wanda differently or be scared of her any more than they were before. That was need to know information, and so far, he didn't think anyone else needed to know outside of their circle. No one without magical knowledge could help, anyway. "I look forward to speaking with you again," Dr. Strange said, with an enigmatic smile. "It's been a pleasure." Oh, not to worry, T’Challa already knew about that situation - it sort of slipped out during a chat with Vision, and while the King wasn’t the best person to offer knowledge about getting rid of something demonic he could at least offer the world’s best medical care. Still, he’d let Strange handle the parts that were clearly meant to be handled by him. “And I as well, Doctor,” he chuckled roughly. “I am sure we will cross paths again soon.” In this time and place, it was most certainly inevitable. |