Chapter 31
T'Challa sat calmly upon his throne, surrounded by the Tribal Elders, Ramonda, Shuri, Okoye, and the Dora Milaje when the River Tribe Elder questioned, "Is this man Wakandan or not?" The Mining Tribe Elder, speaking in Xhosa, demanded clarity: "Tell us what is going on." Killmonger was escorted in by W'Kabi, who moved tensely beside T'Challa as Killmonger approached the center of the circle. T'Challa addressed him in Xhosa, "Speak," and W'Kabi translated, repeating firmly, "Speak." Killmonger declared, "I'm standing in your house. Serving justice to a man who stole your vibranium and murdered your people. Justice your King couldn't deliver."
T'Challa stepped close to whisper coldly, "I don't care that you brought Klaue, the only reason I don't kill you where you stand is because I know who you are... now what do you want?" Killmonger responded with unflinching confidence, "I want the throne." The room erupted in scoffs and laughter, elders shaking their heads at the audacity. The Mining Tribe Elder muttered in Xhosa, "My goodness," as Killmonger continued, "Y'all sittin' up here comfortable. Must feel good. There's about 2 billion people all over the world that looks like us but their lives are a lot harder, Wakanda has the tools to liberate them all." T'Challa questioned, "And what tools are those?" Killmonger answered, "Vibranium. Your weapons."
T'Challa replied, "Our weapons will not be used to wage war on the world. It is not our way to be judge, jury, and executioner for people who are not our own." Killmonger challenged, "Not your own? But didn't life start here, on this continent? So ain't all people your people?" T'Challa stated firmly, "I am not King of all people. I am King of Wakanda. And it is my responsibility to make sure our people are safe and that vibranium does not fall into the hands of a person like you." The elders murmured, sensing the rising tension, until Ramonda spoke up, "Son, we have entertained this charlatan for too long. Reject his request." Killmonger grinned, "Oh, I ain't requesting nothing! Ask who I am?"
Shuri snapped, "You are Eric Stevens. An American black operative. A mercenary nicknamed Killmonger. That's who you are." Killmonger laughed, "That's not my name, Princess. Ask me, King?" T'Challa answered, "No." Killmonger insisted, "Ask me." T'Challa ordered, "Take him away." But then the River Tribe Elder asked in Xhosa, "Who are you?" Killmonger responded in Xhosa, "I am N'Jadaka, son of Prince N'Jobu." The revelation hushed the room. The elders exchanged glances, and the Mining Tribe Elder repeated in Xhosa, "The son of N'Jobu?" Killmonger added, "I found my daddy with Panther claws in his chest. You ain't the son of a King, you're the son of a murderer!"
Ramonda denied him, yelling, "You're lying! Lies." But W'Kabi responded solemnly, "I'm afraid not, Queen Mother," revealing Killmonger's gold necklace and ring. The Mining Tribe Elder whispered in awe, "The descendant of N'Jobu." Killmonger smirked, "Hey Auntie." He stepped forward, declaring, "I'm exercising my blood right to challenge for the mantles of King and Black Panther." The room went silent, all eyes turning to T'Challa, who struggled with the weight of the moment. Ramonda begged, "Do not do this T'Challa." The Border Tribe Elder stated, "As the son of N'Jobu he is within his rights." Ramonda argued, "He has no rights here."
The River Tribe Elder noted, "The challenge would take weeks to prepare." Killmonger dismissed the need, "Weeks? I don't need weeks. The whole country ain't gotta be there. I just need him… and somebody to get me out of these chains." Ramonda turned to T'Challa in worry, "T'Challa, what do you know of this?" With resolve, T'Challa answered, "I accept your challenge." Before anything more could be said, Shuri's panicked voice broke the silence, "Another has appeared." The room turned to her as T'Challa asked, "Another beast?" Shuri nodded, "It's big, and it's damaging the walls, some how," revealing an image of a giant creature inside a vibranium dome.
The creature rampaged within—a terrifying fusion of black scales, black fur, and red nightmarish eyes, like a predatory black panther twisted into a more monstrous, nocturnal form. Its powerful tail, lined with spiked scales, flexed and rattled like a snake, promising destruction with every lash. The entire council, including Killmonger, stared in shock, and Killmonger asked, "I hope you are not going to use this beast as a way to avoid my challenge, cousin." T'Challa answered, "No, I have someone who can handle it," then turned to Shuri, giving her a nod of assurance.
-scene change-
Outside the hologram forest, the digital canopy shimmered with faint distortions where birds once chirped—now silent, disturbed by the surge of tension in the air. Ash, who had been meditating atop a mossy rock, opened his eyes. A quiet breeze rustled the synthetic grass as he thought, "Well, I guess it's time." His breath left a faint shimmer as he stood, moments before Okoye emerged from between the flickering trees. "You are summoned by the King of Wakanda," she said. Ash didn't respond.
She stepped closer, narrowing her eyes as the ambient hum of the forest stilled. "Should you attempt anything that has a hint of suspicious, then I will not hesitate to kill you," Okoye warned. Still, Ash gave no reply, only staring blankly. After a brief pause, Okoye turned around sharply and began walking back toward the exit path. Ash followed, silent footsteps leaving no mark on the soil-like floor. The hologram shifted behind them, closing as they left the artificial sanctuary.
-scene change-
The wind grew louder as they emerged, the mountain air brushing their cloaks while the domed structure loomed ahead. The dome glowed faint blue, visible pulses of energy rippling over its smooth surface. Inside, the entire council stood, their expressions tense—Killmonger now free of his chains, arms crossed as he smirked. "The King of Wakanda could not solve his problem, so he called a white man to solve his problem," he mocked. T'Challa didn't respond, eyes steady on Ash. Killmonger turned, locking eyes with him. "Are you sure that you can make sure they don't come back?" he asked. Ash gave him only a brief glance, then spoke simply, "Yeah."
T'Challa gave a small nod and raised his hand. With a rising hum, the dome opened slightly, and the monstrous roar of the beast within echoed into the mountains. Ash flinched slightly at the overwhelming wave of mana rushing out. "This has been going on for about two months, right?" he asked. Shuri blinked in surprise, stepping forward. "How did you know?" she asked. Ash replied without turning, "The beast's strength tells me." Then, he placed his worn backpack down beside him on the dusty ground.