Solomon in Marvel

"Phew—"

The hot tea, sweet with the taste of honey and rich with a deep aroma, slid down Solomon's throat, soothing the burning discomfort caused by accumulated stomach acid. He let out a long, contented sigh, allowing the rising steam to envelop his face. The vapor condensed into barely visible droplets on his long lashes, refracting the weak sunlight that seeped through a gap in the heavy curtains, scattering prismatic hues across the room.

Diana stood captivated by the scene before her, and the other members of the Sisterhood who guarded him shared her awe. It wasn't just relief at their master's recovery that moved them; it was the reverent beauty of witnessing his serene morning composure. The mere act of being in his presence filled them with a deep sense of fulfillment. His calm demeanor after awakening sent waves of exhilaration through their bodies, though their loyalty kept them from betraying their emotions. They hid their trembling excitement behind the weighty helmets they wore, secretly eager to boast to their comrades later. This moment would elevate their prestige within the Sisterhood.

Kathleen will be gnashing her teeth when she hears about this, thought Sevia gleefully. Kathleen, the energetic newcomer to Tita's squad, always rushed to prove her competence. Sevia privately referred to her as "the overeager little pup" for her tendency to charge headlong into obvious traps during the Sisterhood's strategy games. Sevia didn't dislike her but found endless amusement in teasing her impulsive sister.

For now, Sevia indulged in secretly admiring their master's beauty. She angled her head to discreetly use her peripheral vision to watch him, knowing that as long as she remained in full armor, even Lady Diana wouldn't notice her mischief.

"How are you feeling?"

"Fine. I just need to eat something."

Sevia's brow furrowed in mild annoyance as the woman's voice interrupted Solomon's graceful tea-drinking. Yet she knew better than to harbor any resentment toward Maya Hansen. Her master valued this woman's expertise and intellect, which was crucial to his plans. In response to Maya's inquiry, Solomon gave a simple yet reassuring answer. He chose not to divulge the incomprehensible knowledge he had absorbed—knowledge so vast that without the hot tea Diana had brought him, he might still be in a dizzy haze.

Perhaps it was also low blood sugar. Diana had informed him that he had experienced several bouts of high fever during his slumber, prompting her to repeatedly change his IV glucose solution and administer cooling measures.

He didn't know how long he had been asleep, but the fact that Maya had changed into an entirely different outfit from the last time he saw her suggested it had been more than a day. He was also pleased with Diana's attentive care—he had woken to find himself already hooked up to an IV, his skin feeling fresh and clean from being frequently wiped down.

"Diana," he asked softly, turning toward the maid standing by his bedside, "what happened while I was asleep?"

The maid proceeded to recount everything that had transpired: the visit from Wakanda's Prince T'Challa, the arrival of the young sorcerer Wong and Athena to check on his health, and even how Harold Finch and Sameen Shaw had been turned away by the Sisterhood.

"What were they here for?" Solomon asked curiously. However, Diana suddenly looked uneasy, unsure how to answer. Noticing her discomfort, Solomon offered gentle reassurance, telling her that it was likely trivial mortal affairs and nothing she should worry about—it wasn't her fault if she didn't know.

To Maya Hansen, though, the scene had a different significance. She couldn't forget the surreal sight she had witnessed when Solomon first collapsed—how his very essence seemed to shift and change. She believed with certainty that the Solomon before her now was not quite the same person as before.

"I know what you're thinking," Solomon said before Maya could fully process her thoughts. In truth, he had indeed undergone some changes, though they were not directly due to the knowledge he had acquired. Rather, it was his progress in mastering the Stigmata.

Solomon asked Diana to retrieve a parchment from his study—an ancient Kabbalistic chart he had taken from a monastery. When she returned, he pointed to the diagram inscribed with Hebrew letters and began explaining the nature of his transformation to both Diana and Maya.

"This is the Tree of Life," he explained. "It consists of ten Sephiroth, or spheres of influence, linked by twenty-two pathways. It starts from the lowest sphere, Malkuth—the material kingdom—and ascends toward the spiritual, transcending worldly concerns. Each of these spheres corresponds to aspects of my Stigmata, holding unimaginable power. In my sleep, I advanced further in understanding the Stigmata and began crossing into the realm of Da'at—the abyss of knowledge that bridges intellect and spiritual enlightenment. My ultimate goal is to reach Kether, the crown at the pinnacle of the Tree, and beyond it, the three veils of negative existence."

The veils Solomon referred to were the highest spiritual concepts in Kabbalistic mysticism: Ain (Nothingness), Ain Soph (Limitlessness), and Ain Soph Aur (Infinite Light). Should Wong or the Ancient One have been present, they would have recognized that the radiant light Solomon had once unleashed during his first Stigmata outburst originated from that Infinite Light.

These veils represented the boundary between the divine and mortal realms—between the Creator and His angels.

Of course, Solomon refrained from overwhelming Maya with too much esoteric information. Even though she had gained a solid foundation in alchemy, her understanding of magic likely lagged behind that of the druidic high priestess, Marianne Stern. Maya needed time to learn more, just as Solomon needed time to translate the cosmic knowledge he had acquired into comprehensible scientific principles.

Both of them had much work ahead. Solomon would need to deepen his studies in cellular biology and virology to align his newfound mystical knowledge with modern science, while Maya would have to incorporate these revelations into her ongoing research.

"I've been burdened by the Stigmata since birth," Solomon continued. "It's both a blessing and a curse, constantly tormenting my soul. Each time I open the Stigmata, I endure unbearable mental agony and chaos. But I've learned to control it—I've tamed this curse rather than allowing it to dominate me. Under the protection of the Holy Shroud, the Ancient One taught me how to withstand the soul-crushing impact of forbidden knowledge."

His calm, measured tone carried an air of unshakable confidence. The beads of condensation on his lashes had evaporated, leaving his eyes clear and sincere. His words flowed like warm water over the spirit, inviting those around him to relax and bask in a comforting tranquility.

Without realizing it, Solomon had subtly influenced those in his presence. This, perhaps, was his greatest change—an inner essence slowly making itself known.

"That knowledge doesn't define me, Maya," he assured her with a smile. "I'm not so easily changed. I promise."

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