Chapter 9: Maefa!! And down you go~~
[Warrup ya'll]
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In the heart of Wakanda, beneath the vibranium-enriched soil and amidst the advanced technological wonders, lay the throne room, a sanctified space where kings had ruled for centuries.
Today, however, the sanctity of this place was threatened. T'Chaka, the revered Black Panther and King of Wakanda, stood poised and ready, his senses heightened and his heart pounding with a mixture of duty and fierce determination.
The Jabari tribe, known for their opposition to the central rule and their preference for the mountainous regions over the vibranium riches, had done the unthinkable.
They had invaded the throne room, a direct challenge to the sovereignty of the Black Panther and the unity of Wakanda.
The air was thick with tension as T'Chaka faced M'Daku, the formidable leader of the Jabari. M'Daku, with his imposing figure and the white fur of the mountain gorilla adorning his shoulders, exuded raw power and defiance.
The warriors of the Jabari, equally fierce and steadfast, formed a menacing line behind him, their weapons gleaming ominously in the dim light of the chamber.
"You overstep your bounds, M'Daku," T'Chaka's voice was steady, a commanding presence that resonated through the throne room.
"This throne is not just a seat of power, it is the heart of our nation. Your actions endanger us all."
M'Baku's laughter was a deep, rumbling sound that echoed through the hall.
"You speak of danger, T'Chaka, yet bring coloniser to the heart of this country. Who is the one endangering the other here?.
The warriors on both sides tensed, ready to spring into action. T'Chaka, dressed in the sleek, vibranium-infused suit of the Black Panther, prepared himself. His suit's kinetic energy, stored from previous battles, hummed softly, a reassuring reminder of the power he wielded.
"All this for one man? How petty can you be M'Daku, if I fall today your life is forfeit," T'Chaka said, referring to the agreement he had made with Darius.
Without another word, the conflict erupted. M'Daku lunged forward, his massive form moving with surprising speed and agility. T'Chaka met him head-on, their clash reverberating through the throne room.
Vibranium met raw muscle and might, each blow a testament to their respective strengths and resolve.
T'Chaka's panther-like reflexes allowed him to dodge M'Daku's powerful strikes, retaliating with precision and force. His claws, sharp and gleaming, slashed through the air, meeting M'Daku's defenses with sparks of energy.
The two leaders were a blur of motion, their movements a deadly dance of power and skill.
Around them, the warriors of Wakanda and the Jabari engaged in their own battles. The Dora Milaje, Wakanda's elite female warriors, fought with unmatched grace and lethality, their spears and combat skills keeping the Jabari at bay.
The throne room, once a place of serene authority, had transformed into a battlefield, the clamour of combat echoing off its ancient walls.
Despite the ferocity of the fight, T'Chaka's mind remained clear. He knew that this battle was about more than just physical strength; it was about the future of Wakanda.
With a determined roar, he unleashed the stored kinetic energy in his suit, a shockwave that sent M'Daku stumbling backward.
However, M'Daku's sheer power and size provided him the ability to regain his balance. With a mighty blow, M'Daku knocked T'Chaka off balance, sending him sprawling to the ground.
Breathing heavily, T'Chaka struggled to rise, but M'Daku was upon him, his massive hand closing around the king's throat.
"Old age seems to have done a number on you dear friend," M'Daku smirked, his grip tightening. "The Jabari win this time."
As T'Chaka's vision began to blur, a sudden, sharp noise cut through the chaos. A figure emerged from the doorway, moving with a speed and agility that even the Black Panther himself could not match.
The figure, quick and mysterious, struck M'Daku with a precise and powerful blow, forcing him to release T'Chaka and stagger back.
M'Daku turned, rage contorting his features, but the figure moved too swiftly for him to counter. In a flurry of motion, the mysterious rescuer disarmed M'Daku, sending his weapon clattering across the floor.
The Jabari leader, now defenceless, faced the enigmatic newcomer with a mixture of fury and confusion.
T'Chaka, regaining his breath, rose to his feet. The throne room fell silent as both the Wakandan and Jabari warriors paused, their attention riveted on the confrontation.
The individual had long, flowing white hair and dressed in resplendent white robes adorned with intricate golden designs. The robes are complemented by golden armor pieces on the shoulders, chest, and waist, enhancing the figure's regal and divine appearance.
In the figure's right hand, they hold an ornate golden staff topped with a glowing orb, adding to the impression of power and mysticism. The staff's intricate design mirrors the elegance of the figure's attire.
The figure's lefthand is extended outward, suggesting an invitation or a gesture of command and benevolence.
Gasps echoed through the hall as the face of Darius, guest to the royal family and the only 'white' man in the room, was revealed. His eyes blazed with power and might, a stark contrast to his delicate appearance.
"This throne room is sacred," Darius declared, his voice steady and calm. "And it will not be desecrated by violence and division."
[Earlier]
T'Challa and Shuri were in the lush, vibrantly alive garden of the royal palace when the alarms began to sound and a palace guard notified them of the situation.
"The Jabari have invaded the palace!!" The guard said in panic.
The peaceful hum of nature was shattered by the urgent clamour, and both siblings instantly sprang into action, Darius following right behind them.
T'Challa, with the agility and strength of the Black Panther, led the way, his senses already on high alert. Shuri, ever the quick thinker, had her technologically advanced gauntlets ready, her eyes sharp with concern.
And Darius was, well, Darius. He fiddled with his staff changing outfits as fast as a chameleon changes colours until he settled on one he liked most. [A/N the one on the cover]
As they sprinted through the winding paths of the garden, the scent of flowers and the rustling of leaves gave way to the harsh, metallic tang of conflict.
The distant sounds of combat reached their ears, fuelling their urgency. T'Challa's mind raced with worry for his father, T'Chaka, and the sanctity of the throne room.
Bursting through the grand doors of the palace, they navigated the corridors with practiced ease, their footsteps echoing through the halls. As they approached the throne room, the sounds of battle grew louder and more intense.
The clash of weapons, shouts of warriors, and the unmistakable voice of their father in the midst of the fray pushed them to move even faster.
When they finally reached the entrance of the throne room, they were met with a scene of chaos and destruction. The grand, ornate hall was filled with the remnants of a fierce battle.
Warriors from both sides lay injured or unconscious, their weapons scattered across the floor. The air was thick with dust and the acrid smell of energy discharges.
In the centre of the room, they saw T'Chaka, their father, engaged in a brutal struggle with M'Daku, the towering leader of the Jabari tribe.
T'Chaka was on his knees, M'Daku's massive hand around his throat. Time seemed to slow as they took in the sight of their father, the indomitable Black Panther, seemingly on the brink of defeat.
"No!" T'Challa roared, his voice filled with a mix of fear and fury. He leaped forward, ready to intervene, but Shuri's hand on his arm stopped him. She pointed to a figure rushing past them, moving with a speed and precision that was almost otherworldly.
The figure struck M'Daku with a powerful blow, forcing him to release his grip on T'Chaka.
As the figure moved with fluid grace, disarming and subduing M'Daku, T'Challa and Shuri exchanged a bewildered glance. The mysterious rescuer's movements were familiar yet impossibly swift.
Ofcourse this was Darius, beating the sh*t out of M'Daku.
[Present]
"Who in Hanuman's name are you!?" M'Daku shouted from the floor he lay sprawled on.[A/N Hanuman the Gorilla god - Deity of the Hindu pantheon. A god worshiped by the Jabari for his strength and power]
"Ooo me? Well I'm--"
"Please don't start singing again Darius," pleaded Shuri from her father's beaten up side. She applied black beads onto the areas on the suit that seemed to have taken the heaviest hits.
'This suit is due for an upgrade,' she thought.
"Oh bummer~~ Children shouldn't be fighting and definitely not in a room such as this."
"You could have hurt someone," he looked around, "seems like you have already ~Sigh~. It's always fighting with you people."
*Snap*
Darius raised his hand, his hand glowing with a soft, ethereal light. He snapped his fingers, and a wave of shimmering energy spread out from him, enveloping the entire throne room.
In an instant, the wounded warriors began to stir. Cuts and bruises vanished, broken bones mended, and strength returned to their limbs.
The Dora Milaje, the elite warriors of Wakanda, and the Jabari soldiers alike found themselves miraculously healed, rising to their feet in bewilderment.
T'Chaka, breathing heavily but now fully healed, stood tall beside Darius. He tried placing a hand on Darius' shoulder but quickly pulled it back, gratitude shining in his eyes.
"You have saved us all, Darius," he said, his voice filled with thanks.
"It's but a simple matter. Now, why don't we all calm down and have a cup of tea. I sense tension between you two, ~Sip~." Darius already had a cup in hand, gently sipping from it.
M'Daku had his mouth agape at the situation.
'What the hell is going on.'
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[Don't forget to comment. Sionara.]