Disclaimer: This is not intended to be faithful to the myth or canon of any of the deities described in this series. If you are a stickler for the traditional origins and lore, this would be a good point to close the webpage.

“His name is Shango and he is trespassing. He does not belong here.” It was Heimdall, son of Odin and nine mothers, watcher of the Bifrost – the rainbow bridge connecting Midgard (the world of men) and Asgard.

“I would pronounce it differently myself,” Shango replied, “but, yes, I am Shango, son of Oranmiyan, the orisha of thunder, lighting and justice. And what are your names?”

Gasps echoed through the Great Hall, everyone shocked at Shango’s unknowingness and his impudence.

“You will bow to the All-Fathers, outsiders!” Thor thundered.

“We will not!” Shango thundered back. Not quickly enough though, for Eshu had already taken a knee in genuflection.

Odin smiled patiently. “Perhaps we should let him answer my questions, and the one Heimdall is undoubtedly bursting to ask. Where have you come from, Shango, what are you doing here and how did you arrive undetected even by Heimdall?”

“I am an orisha from the Yoruba pantheon. Orishas are not ‘gods’ but you may think of me as the god of thunder and lightning. In my pantheon, anyway,” he said returning Thor’s glare.

“Eshu, my companion, is our orisha of chance and mischief and he cloaked us with the likeness of your homeward souls on our journey.”

“He is the Loki to your Thor,” said Odin.

“I don’t know what you mean, apart from him over there being Thor. I am here to borrow his hammer, Mjolnir.”

Again, the gasps rang through the great hall.

“Outsider…”, began Thor.

“ – Shango,” interjected Shango.

“…how dare you utter that name and by what dark design have you come upon its knowledge?” demanded Thor.

“Mjolnir has been speaking to me since we arrived. I think it considers me a friend.”

“Do not vex me, outsider.” Thor warned.

“Again, it is Shango. I do not mean to antagonise you, especially as it is your favour in particular that I have come to seek.”

“Hear him out, brother,” encouraged Loki, who had heard the commotion and come eagerly to see what had so unsettled Thor.

“Thor,” continued Shango, “you see, I began my existence as a human man, of royal birth, and reigned over the largest empire in the land of my people.”

“You want me to lend my hammer to a mortal?” laughed Thor. “You’re not even a god, you’re an ‘orisha’ – is that akin to a demigod?” he teased.

Eshu rubbed his chest, signalling to Shango to reign his temper in. Shango took a deep breath and continued to make his case.

“All the kings who have taken the throne since me have been crowned in my name and at each coronation, I have imbued them with my virtues and power by touching my oshe – my double axe – on their heads in benediction. There is such another coronation today, happening right now, but my oshe is missing. Someone has stolen it. I only need Mjolnir for a few hours and will return it afterwards, on my honour. Eshu can remain here until I return, as a show of good faith.”

“Wait, wait, wait, wait, outsider. Anyone can wield your hammer, or axe, whatever, and you think you’re worthy of Mjolnir?” This time, all the Asgardians laughed with Thor.

Shango felt his palms tingling once more. He heard Eshu whisper again about containing his rage, but a louder voice was drowning out Eshu’s.

Call me. Mjolnir was whispering to him again.

Summon me!  The whisper grew louder.

HOLD OUT YOUR HAND!! Mjolnir commanded with urgency, and Shango complied.

As Shango reached out, to the amazement of Thor, Loki, Heimdall and all the Asgardians, Thor’s hammer detached from its belt and flew right into Shango’s grasp. Red lightning rent the air, searing through the skies and coursing through Mjolnir into Shango.

“OUTSIDER, YOU WILL PUT MY HAMMER DOWN NOW!!!”

“My… name… is… SHANGO!!!” Shango raised Mjolnir in the air and lightning flew once more.

Thor advanced towards Shango and Shango stood ready to defend himself.

*** TO BE CONTINUED ***