Chapter 9: Chapter 7
Merlin stopped in his tracks, the bustling sounds of Egypt's streets fading into the background as he felt the unmistakable ripple of divine energy. His senses, always sharp, honed in on the source: an unassuming alleyway shrouded in shadow. A chuckle escaped his lips as he caught sight of the small brown cat perched at the alley's entrance, its golden-amber eyes staring back at him with a knowing intensity.
"Of course, it's you," Merlin muttered under his breath, stepping into the alley.
As he approached, the cat began to change. Its small form elongated, fur dissolving into smooth, deep dark brown skin that seemed to shimmer like satin in the faint light. The transformation was seamless, almost hypnotic. Before Merlin stood a woman whose presence was both alluring and commanding. Her eyes, the same golden-amber hue with vertical slit pupils, glimmered with mischief and power. Needle-sharp nails caught the light as she flexed her fingers, her smirk growing wider.
Her attire was as striking as her transformation. Intricate chains and beadwork draped across her torso, modestly yet provocatively accentuating her curves. The shimmering gold and green beads reflected wealth and divine power, forming a pattern that seemed both protective and ceremonial. A flowing white skirt tied at her hips with golden chains added an air of grace and regality, the fabric moving with her like a living thing. Wide gold bangles and upper arm cuffs adorned her limbs, each decorated with intricate carvings and colored stones. Around her neck, a broad, gleaming collar radiated with the energy of the gods themselves.
Merlin smiled as she approached, exuding feline grace. "Nice to see you again, Bast."
The goddess of cats, warfare, and protection, Bast, tilted her head, her smirk turning into a sly grin. Her movements were deliberate, predatory, as she closed the distance between them. Without warning, she placed her hands on his shoulders, her long nails grazing his skin just enough to send a shiver down his spine. Leaning in, she licked his cheek, her tongue rough like sandpaper, a playful yet dangerous reminder of her nature.
"It is nice to see you too, Merlin," she purred, her voice a rich, velvety sound that carried both warmth and a hint of menace. Her amber eyes locked onto his, her sharp nails lightly tracing the fabric of his robes over his chest. "But…" she added, her tone dropping an octave, "you didn't come to visit me."
Her nails pressed just enough to make Merlin aware of their sharpness. He chuckled nervously, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Well, you know me. Always busy, always moving. But it seems you've found me anyway."
Bast leaned back, her smirk returning as she crossed her arms, her regal yet playful demeanor fully on display. "Lucky for you, Merlin, I'm feeling forgiving today. But next time…" Her eyes glowed faintly, her tone teasing yet unmistakably serious. "Don't make me come looking for you."
Merlin laughed, shaking his head. "I wouldn't dream of it."
Merlin leaned casually against the wall of the alley, folding his arms as he regarded Bast with a mix of curiosity and mild exasperation. "So, what do you want this time, Bast?" he asked, though he already had a guess.
Bast leaned in close, her lips brushing his neck as she began to pepper it with playful kisses. Her voice dropped to a purring whisper, warm and teasing against his skin. "You know what I want," she murmured, her golden-amber eyes glowing faintly as she met his gaze.
Merlin sighed, though there was a knowing smirk on his lips. Reaching into his enchanted pouch, he carefully withdrew a glowing purple heart-shaped herb, its soft light casting an ethereal hue over the alley. The herb pulsed faintly, brimming with untapped power. He held it out to her but not before raising an eyebrow and asking, "So, how are your followers doing?"
"They are doing good." Bast's eyes immediately lit up at the sight of the herb, her smirk widening into a grin of satisfaction. She delicately took the glowing heart-shaped herb from Merlin, her sharp nails grazing his hand as she did so. Cradling it like a sacred artifact, she inspected it with reverence, the purple glow reflecting in her golden-amber eyes. "But with the help of this herb, my people are going to thrive," she said confidently, her tone laced with gratitude and anticipation.
She turned her gaze back to Merlin, her expression contemplative. "So, this would make any mortal stronger, faster, and more resilient?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of intrigue.
Merlin nodded, his demeanor calm yet firm. "Yes, but remember, there are limits to its power. The herb will grant immense strength, but it's not a cure-all, Bast. You can't hand it out to everyone. Choose one protector—someone worthy to bear the mantle of your champion."
Bast's lips curled into a knowing smile as she nodded, clearly pleased by the stipulation. "One protector," she repeated, the words carrying weight. "That will suffice. A single, chosen soul to embody my will and safeguard my people."
She glanced at the herb again, her expression softening momentarily. "You've given them a chance, Merlin," she said, her tone uncharacteristically tender. "A chance to stand tall, to protect what is theirs. For that, I owe you."
Merlin chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No need to get sentimental on me, Bast. Just make sure you choose wisely. A protector's strength isn't just about the power they wield—it's about the heart behind it."
Bast tilted her head, her smirk returning. "Wise words, Merlin. You may not be a god, but sometimes, you speak like one."
Merlin raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. "Careful with the compliments. I might start to believe I'm divine."
Bast laughed, while Merlin knew Bast was very sympathetic to plight of the enslaved that, she helped by taking in enslaved and displaced tribes, granting them sanctuary and teaching them methods to survive.
Bast had always been fiercely protective of her followers, but her connection to them had evolved beyond the bounds of ancient Egyptian worship. So these followers faced attacks from other tribes or other invaders, although she helped as possible. It was draining her.
So Merlin helped her, by creating a refuge akin to Wakanda, hidden from the world's chaos. But the problem was for her followers to defend themselves, she wanted to name a protector or leader, who could lead them and so they wouldn't have to depend on her all the time.
So Merlin however, instead of Vibranium, he had offered her something potentially even more transformative: the heart-shaped herb from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Using his Silvertongue ability—a gift that allowed him to pull objects from stories and weave them into reality—he had acquired the herb and presented it to Bast. The herb was a game-changer. By consuming it, her chosen champions could gain enhanced physical capabilities, much like the Black Panther of the MCU. This would allow Bast to imbue her chosen one with strength and agility without draining her divine powers, a win-win for the goddess.
"I'm glad it's working out for you," Merlin said, crossing his arms with a small smile. "It's about time your people could fend for themselves without relying on you for every little miracle." His eyes gleamed with curiosity as he gestured towards the glowing herb in her hands. "But are you seriously going with the whole 'Black Panther' thing ?."
That was something Merlin joked to Bast, he didn't think she would take it seriously.
Bast tilted her head, her golden-amber eyes narrowing with amusement. She chuckled, her laugh low and melodious, echoing softly in the enclosed alley. Running her sharp fingers along the herb, she replied, "Oh, I think it suits them—and me. The title feels... right. A protector, a leader, someone who embodies my spirit and strength. It's more than just a name; it's a symbol. And it resonates with my people."
Merlin smirked, his tone teasing. "A symbol, huh? You're really leaning into this whole goddess-of-justice-and-war thing."
Bast's smirk mirrored his, her voice dropping into a tone of playful challenge. "Don't pretend you're not impressed, Merlin. Thanks to you, my people now have the strength to protect themselves, their land, and their legacy. They no longer fear the outside world or its predators." She leaned closer, her golden eyes glowing faintly as she added, "And they do so in my name. Isn't that what you wanted when you handed me this herb?"
Merlin shrugged, pretending nonchalance, though there was a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes. "I wanted your people to thrive, to stand on their own two feet. Whether they chant your name or not doesn't concern me. But I suppose it's fitting that they have a figure to rally behind—a protector."
Bast smirked, while Merlin then gave her a sly smile. "Don't thank me too much. You still owe me a favor for the herb, remember."
Bast leaned closer, her eyes narrowing playfully as her lips curved into another smirk. "Oh, Merlin," she purred, "I never forget a debt. But when I repay it... you'd better be ready."
Merlin nodded and walked away, as Bast smiled turning back to her cat form and running away.
[A/N:The women involved with Merlin are Hathor, Zaya ,Bast and Bilquis for now, in future Atlanta from Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Xena from Xena Warrior princess for now.
There is an idea of Jasmine (Naomi Scott) daughter of Sultan, but there is no genie involved. This is just Jaffar trying to take over the kingdom, also just for the record sorcerer/ sorcereress exists they are like the ones in Sorcerer Apprentice. The chances of one becoming one is one million, even then becoming a powerful one is even rarer.
Last is Prophetess of the Gods are there, Sura from Spartacus and Cassandra from Scorpion King. They could be included in this.Please comment]