Chapter 50: The battle of Kings -1
Eric watched as the energy barrier around Wakanda dimmed and it opened like a gate. He went inside with his small army. In total, they were less than 30 men but the combat power they had was no joke.
After entering the grasslands, they were surrounded by the Rhino corps of Wakanda. These people used Rhinos of Africa like Knights were using the Dinos but Dinos were way above the food chain. Just by coming a little closer to the dinos, rhinos started hesitating and then they moved backwards instead. After taking a few steps back, a lot of rhinos started running far away from Erik's group.
They felt fear and the natural instinct kicked in. If the Wakandan border army wanted to show off or somehow establish themselves on equal footing in their own home, well they lost.
Erik just chucked on this and didn't pay too much attention to it. He knew he had all the chips he needed. There was nothing in Wakanda that he could not find in Shadow Isles. Pre-historic tamed beasts, Vibranium, an advanced AI, shadow knights and more importantly his partner, the Saber. He was only here for one thing that he needed, justice.
When he was growing up, he was driven by vengeance but finally thanks to his new father, Steve, he could see the matter clearly and objectively. Instead of the blood of his enemies, he needed to save the lives of his people.
His father wanted to do the same but he chose the wrong way. Maybe because he grew up in a palace that was closed from the outside world, he tried for a quick solution. Erik was not like that. He knew he had time and a strong family behind him and that was all he needed.
"Halt! Identify yourself, invader. Tell us who you are and why have you come to Wakanda?"
A strong soldier from King's entourage asked in a loud voice when T'Chaka came face to face with Erik.
Erik removed his helmet and looked at his uncle. His own uncle, his own father's killer. A lot of different emotions started jumping inside him.
Hate, Nervousness, Anger...
"Hello, ... Uncle! I had some business outside and hence was delayed in coming here. My father wrote a lot of things about this place and it seems he was correct."
"Who is your father boy?" T'Chaka asked suddenly even though he could tell the answer just by looking at Erik's face.
"Surely you must remember your own brother uncle. People tell me, my face matches him a lot...." Erik said with a smile but then his eye turned cold and he shouted loudly,
"My father, N'jobu was murdered by his own brother, the king of Wakanda and I am here to get justice on his behalf!"
"Grrwwwwaaaawww!" Saber made such a loud roar that all the beasts, even the dinos behind Erik took a step back. Saber was connected to Erik on an emotional level. Someone who took care of him since he was little and thanks to their history, Saber was more intelligent than any animal.
He could feel the anger rising in Erik and roared loudly. He felt he needed to give a warning to his enemies.
T'Chaka and his Dora Milaje almost took a step back but thanks to their strict training, Guards in front of the entourage kept their spears pointed towards Saber while retreating.
This showed they were afraid but they will still fight for their king.
Zuri, the Wakandan Shaman and loyal advisor to the king, took a step forward against the roar. He remembered his past. He remembered how he won the trust of N'Jobu on his king's orders and then betrayed the trust.
He was a spy around N'Jobu and when N'Jobu made the deal with the arms dealer Ulysses Klaue, he informed the king. Still, he failed to protect both Wakanda and its prince.
Leaving the King's entourage behind, he boldly walked towards Erik. His eyes were almost red. He could the shadow of his friend, the young N'Jobu in Erik's face.
"Just by saying the name out loud won't prove anything. Do you have any proof to your claims of your birthright or the crime which you are speaking about? Also, Justice shall be served by the Tribal Council in Wakanda in a fair manner or do you wish to take your justice in an open battlefield?" Zuri shouted loudly making sure his voice was loud enough to reach a long-range and bring back the lost confidence in his King's side.
He wanted to hug Erik and fall on his knees and ask for forgiveness but he had a duty and until he was sure Erik was N'Jobu's son and he resigned from his post, he had to speak for his king.
Erik looked coldly at the traitor. He had already forgotten Zuri in his life but looking at his face after all those years, he remembered this bastard. His father called Zuri his friend and he would always dine with Zuri before making any decision.
The advisor or the friend who disappeared after his father's death was standing in front of him speaking for his father's killer.
Erik pulled his bottom lips down to show everyone the tattoo his father gave him and then threw his father's ring, the symbol of Wakanda's royal family.
"Mash potatoes, Steak and cheap beer. I remember you my uncle Zuri. You know, I thought you died that day along with many others who supported my father. Tell me, Uncle Zuri, did you ever felt shame knowing for what you did?" Erik asked coldly.
"Enough!!! Zuri is the elder of Wakanda, the land on which you stand boy!" T'Chaka shouted loudly. He wanted to save some face for Zuri and tried to hide the actions leading to N'Jobu's death.
Erik clenched his fist and Saber growled in a low voice.
"I want to challenge the throne. I believe the present King T'Chaka has served Wakanda enough and I can be a better leader. According to the rules of Wakanda, your tribal council must invite all the other fighters from Wakandan tribes who wishes to do the same.
Since I made this untimely request, I shall give you a week's time to gather everyone and made the necessary preparation. For a week, I will wait here along with my men! Now, go back, Zuri. Go back with your king because I will give you seven days to think about what you did and how will you pay the price!"
Saying this, Erik turned back and his men opened space for King Erik and his beast to walk side by side and move near the border. They then made a protective circle around him and created a small cover for him, not something the king ever needed but this was their duty.
Erik was faster and deadlier than almost all trained people in Knight's base. Even though Steve could beat him in the long run, Erik's power was not something he could challenge without his energy shield.
Saber sat first and created a space for Erik and Erik chuckled. He sat down and rubbed his fingers in Saber's coat. This would always calm him and give him the support he needed. He closed his eyes and regulated his breathing like a Monk doing his meditation ignoring all the Wakandan entourage or his Uncle.
He had waited too many years to mess this up. He will wait for 7 more days. Only when the whole Wakanda is watching, only when the public was around, the truth will come out. He won't give this king any chance to hide anymore. No more hiding for the black cat.
Unknown to him, the moment he challenged, he had already won as the dimensional god Bast, could only bless one champion in a duel between the challengers.
Erik had installed several huge statues of Saber like the panther's statue in Wakanda, across key cities of Africa. Since the early days of the African War, he would always fight alongside saber and hence people believed saber to be the guardian spirit of Africa which was bringing a better ruler and guiding him.
This fueled not only strong worship of these statues but also acted as a key cultural bridge across the tribes and countries in Africa. An African Lion with a pair of long canines was now the United African national animal and its symbol was even printed on the flags and coins.
Now, Bast, as a dimensional God was much more joyful and powerful among her peers. She felt choosing Erik as her champion was the best decision she made in centuries. The power of faith came like an ocean and she even wanted to take a physical form to go meet her new champion.
But this was too much work and she was lazy by nature. Bast was a kind of beast god who would spend decades sleeping if she felt her champions were doing normal work.
Over the years, she could feel her champions in Wakanda doing nothing more than their Predecessors and she took away a lot of her blessings because of it. But now, the newly chosen champion had challenged another champion.
Instead of allowing both champions to fight with her blessing and waste her gift, she withdrew all the blessings she gave to the royal family. The power of Wakanda's royal family in past was more powerful than the modern kings and it was her blessing alongside the heart-shaped herb that acted as the boost.
Because she suddenly withdrew her powers and blessings, the king T'Chaka who was walking back to the palace along with others suddenly felt a weakness in his body. He had to stand for a few minutes and take a deep breath before he could walk again. His Son, T'Challa felt nothing but his daughter who was working on the computer suddenly fell unconscious.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone