Solomon's psychological state had always been a concern for Nick Fury. The S.H.I.E.L.D. Director wasn't sure how many contingency plans he would need to keep the young sorcerer under control. Fury was acutely aware that Solomon represented only the tip of the iceberg in the mystical world, a realm filled with enemies far beyond S.H.I.E.L.D.'s ability to handle.
The last time Solomon requested S.H.I.E.L.D.'s help to locate someone, it spiraled into a miniature war at a desolate monastery involving cultists and mercenaries. Then, an entire airborne command center crashed, nearly killing dozens of agents. Even after the rough landing, they had to contend with a demon lord, a horde of chaotic monsters, and a literal gate to Hell.
Upon learning about the current situation, Fury immediately contacted several individuals for advice. When he discovered that Tony Stark had known about Solomon's plans for some time—and had even struck a deal to develop new equipment for him—Fury was livid. Stark, evasive as ever, refused to divulge his reasons for helping Solomon, as if guarding his secrets like a mother monkey clinging to her baby.
From where Fury stood, he could only see the metaphorical monkey's bright red backside, unable to determine if it was clutching fruit or a squealing infant.
The situation became even more urgent when Fury received a chilling statement from Solomon:
"From a philosophical and doctrinal perspective, I don't believe lasting peace is achievable."
The words sent a shiver down Fury's spine. It wasn't just what Solomon said, but the historical context: Benito Mussolini had said the exact same thing. Fury began to fear that Solomon's mind was being warped by the militaristic and populist drivel rampant on the internet.
This wasn't entirely surprising. Fury had long expected America's ideological exportation to other nations to eventually backfire. However, he hadn't anticipated that the backlash would start with someone like Solomon. After some thought, Fury decided to blame the internet and the CIA for this mess.
Of course, Fury didn't confront Solomon directly about his concerns. The last time Fury had questioned Solomon's knowledge of sociology, the young sorcerer responded with an exaggerated boast:
"I know the heavens above and the earth below. I am skilled in the arts of both pen and sword, and there is no domain in which I am not versed. My name is renowned from Ireland to Cathay, from Athens to Philadelphia, from Rome to Constantinople—none are ignorant of my fame."
This time, Fury approached the matter more cautiously, asking Solomon what he intended to do with an army after his war with Hell concluded. Solomon's cryptic response, delivered in Chinese, was:
"Serve the emperor and fulfill your duties; if they do not comply, the six armies shall move."
When Fury finally deciphered the meaning of the phrase, Maria Hill noticed how dark and grim his expression had become. Although Solomon had not explicitly revealed his post-war plans, his choice of words was a clear warning.
To address the issue, Fury devised a strategy: send someone who had spent their life fighting fascism to educate Solomon. And who better for the task than Steve Rogers?
Rogers set off from Brooklyn on his motorcycle, braving the scorching sun until he arrived outside Solomon's apartment building. Looking up at the white walls and vintage balconies, he couldn't help but think that even his pension wouldn't cover a place like this.
He called Solomon, greeting him with a warm and cheerful tone:
"Hey, how about some exercise? Care to join me at the boxing gym?"
Solomon descended the stairs, yawning as he went. He was dressed simply in a white shirt and black trousers, his usual robes, dimensional pouch, and Luoyang twin swords left in his apartment. A wand was tucked lazily into his pocket, its tip threatening to slip out with every step.
The summer heat was oppressive, and Solomon was already sweating by the time he stepped outside. His loosely buttoned shirt clung to his skin, glistening with sweat, while his black curls bounced as he walked. He looked like a Greek statue come to life, his marble-like features enhanced by the sheen of perspiration.
Women passing by couldn't help but cast lingering glances. Some even exchanged knowing looks as they observed him chatting with Steve Rogers.
"You think he's scared of me?" Solomon asked casually, his tone light and carefree under the blazing summer sun.
"Fury asked me to tell you about my past," Rogers replied with a rare touch of humor. "He said you respect your elders."
Solomon chuckled. "Did he now? Anything else?"
Rogers shook his head, puzzled. "Should I know something?"
"No, nothing important," Solomon said with a sly smile.
Unsurprisingly, Fury hadn't told anyone about Solomon's identity as the Holy Son. The religious and political implications of such a revelation were far too immense. In Fury's mind, this secret was more sensitive than even the existence of magic.
Solomon himself had warned Fury: if his true identity were made public, the repercussions would be unimaginable.
Historically, Jacob, the son of Isaac, founded Israel. However, the Roman Empire destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Temple, forcing Hebrew Jews into diaspora across Europe and beyond. It wasn't until the rise of Zionism and British support during World War I that the idea of a Jewish state reemerged. With U.N. approval in 1947, Israel was established, enduring multiple wars to secure its place as a nation.
But there was a catch.
Extreme Orthodox Jews, known as Haredim, opposed Zionism—not because they didn't want a Jewish state, but because they believed it should be established by divine intervention, specifically through the Messiah. They rejected the modern state of Israel as a manmade construct reliant on U.S. support.
If Solomon's identity were revealed, even the influential pro-Israel lobby in America would hesitate. In Fury's worst-case scenario, Israel could break away from U.S. influence, rallying under the banner of the Messiah and Solomon's immense power. In such a scenario, Israel could become a Middle Eastern superpower more unpredictable than any terrorist organization.
Fury couldn't allow this. Only he and Maria Hill knew Solomon's true identity.
"So Fury thinks I'm some keyboard warrior—a Nazi on the internet?" Solomon quipped, raising an eyebrow as he mounted Steve Rogers' motorcycle. "Fine. Captain America, righteous man of God, maybe you should hear my perspective."
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