Broken Wings

Chapter 7 Alive

T'Challa was somehow alive.

As soon as M'Baku revealed the injured Wakandan king lying in a carefully erected bed of snow the Jabari had preserved him in, Nakia had moved toward her beloved. If there had been any doubt in Talia's mind about the woman's feelings for T'Challa, they were completely cleared as she watched the sheer relief break-out across Nakia's face when she saw her king. Ramonda was the next to move into action as she crushed the precious Heart-Shaped Herb into a pulp that they could feed to T'Challa. Talia and Everett stayed back, watching respectfully as Ramonda helped the unconscious T'Challa drink the mixture she created before she and Shuri buried the king deeper into the snow as part of their ancient ritual to pass on the power of the Black Panther. Of course, there was still every chance they were too late to save T'Challa. But at least he was still alive. And while he was still alive, there was still hope.

It was only once T'Challa was completely buried in the snow that the Wakandans relaxed. M'Baku remained standing outside, although not without several more curious and slightly wary glances toward Talia. The rest remained closer to T'Challa's body as the waiting game began. Ramonda and Shuri quickly started to doze a little bit as they sat around where T'Challa's head was as they waited for him to wake. Everett meanwhile moved to the far side of the shallow cavern they were in and he leant against the rocks. Talia soon followed him and settled herself down not far from Everett somewhere between him and the Wakandans.

After some time, Nakia wandered about before slowly approaching Talia and settling down beside the younger woman.

"I feel that I must apologize." Nakia began carefully. "We were very rude to speak behind your back, so to speak, and assume you couldn't understand us."

Talia just shrugged. "I don't blame you. I have done the same before and anyway, I too used your ignorance against you instead of just correcting your assumption."

Nakia hesitated while Talia made no effort to continue the conversation. At last, Nakia spoke again, not completely able to hide her own curiosity.

"You said you grew up in South Africa but you weren't born there. And now you are American."

Talia gave a short nod but nothing more. Nakia ploughed on.

"You do not have to answer if you don't wish to, but how did you end up in South Africa? And what brought you to America?"

Talia said nothing for so long that Nakia wondered if she had offended the young woman. At last, however, Talia seemed to decide something as she said quietly, "I suppose it's time for me to be honest as well. You'll probably find out somehow anyway if we don't all die first."

Her light brown eyes flickered to Shuri meaningfully. Nakia didn't bother to deny it or agree that Shuri's background search would only be possible if they succeeded in overthrowing Killmonger. Instead, she waited as Talia leant back a little bit and stared with unfocused eyes up at the rocks above their heads as she started her tale.

"I was born in Korea as Sun-Mi. I don't remember my surname anymore, I'm afraid, if I ever had one."

Nakia almost asked but she kept silent as Talia continued slowly, clearly not used to telling her history.

"I have very few memories of my childhood before I moved to South Africa. As I mentioned, I was very young when I made the change. I have a few memories of my birth mother teaching me - or rather, guiding me - but nothing else anymore."

This time, Nakia couldn't help her question. "Guiding you? How do you mean?"

"T'Challa has already told you about my enhanced abilities, right?"