The Dark Soul (Namor x fem Fanfic )

Chapter 1

Not many knew Rhiannon was there, locked up in her smart condo. It was a brilliant place really, hidden in the heart of Wakanda, amidst the bustle of people, markets and restaurants alive and busy. The occasional jet flew overhead carrying those that lived on the outskirts of the country or within the palace gates to run errands or get away from their overtasked lives. 

They were still rebuilding in some areas after the invasion of Thanos and his deadly creatures and machines that ripped up the soil and countryside of their land. They were also reintegrating half of the population that returned from the blip who were desperately in need of updates on laws and policies, and the new lives of their loved ones in their absence.

It was an interesting time and she enjoyed watching it all from the 87th floor of the building in which she lived, stashed away behind thick walls and deep tinted windows that allowed light in, and not much out. Rhiannon wasn't a prisoner. She could leave any time she chose, but she didn't. She'd convinced herself several years ago that it was for her own good, but deep down she understood what T'Challa, Shuri and Queen Ramonda knew but never said: it was for the good of everyone else.

"Can I...do you think I should go to the funeral, Queen?" She didn't want to ask, because she didn't want to exacerbate the queen's grieving. But she wanted to go to say goodbye to her friend and king, T'Challa. After all, he took her in when everyone else wanted to execute her. He hid her from the curious eyes and people who wanted to weaponize her so that he and Shuri could study and eventually cure her. She wanted to go, but she knew she couldn't.

"No, child. With the mix of grief and anger, this is not the place for you. My son knew how thankful you were to him and how much you loved him. Find some private way to say your goodbyes. When it's safe, Shuri and I will come to you and we can mourn together." Queen Ramonda maintained her stoicism during the call, but she could tell the grief was heavy for the queen mother.

"Of course. I'm sorry to even ask."

"Don't be sorry, Rhiannon. I expected you to. You miss him. We all do."

With that, the queen ended the call and she was alone again. Rhiannon knew the queen was right. If she got anywhere near the sorrow, fear, confusion or anger of those who mourned King T'Challa's death, she would be triggered. The last time this happened, she destroyed a village on the outskirts of Venezuela that contained over two thousand people. Everyone dead. No one spared. 

Thor came to kill her then, along with Captain Marvel and T'Challa. It was the Wakandan king who found her first and pleaded for her life once he was able to stabilize her. Captain Marvel agreed without question, but Thor agreed with conditions. He would return at least once a year to check on her. He knew Wakanda could contain her, but he also understood the power she had was ancient, birthed before things were named.

It had been several years since she saw Thor last and Rhiannon assumed he must be dead. Just like her king. She plopped onto her bed and sank into the mattress and down pillows, and wept.

***

"Do you want to come to the water with us?" Queen Ramonda asked. They stood in Rhiannon's living room, dressed down of their royal robes and jewels. Shuri even lacked the technology she was known to never be without. "We are going to say goodbye to my son in private."

Shuri stared at the floor, weighed by sorrow and guilt. Anger brewed in her and Rhiannon could feel it churn her own insides. It was a warning that she shouldn't be anywhere near Shuri else she would be triggered and who would stop her then? No one possessed the power of the Black Panther, Thor was presumed dead and Captain Marvel unreachable. She knew she should stay home, but she was also immensely lonely and figured she could contain it if it were only Shuri.

She agreed.

The water was calm and the night was still. They sat next to a small fire they built on the shore. The moon reflected off the surface of the water surrounded by thick clusters of stars. The queen and Shuri spoke of burning their funeral garments and Rhiannon decided it was best to keep her distance from the two as she could feel Shuri's anger burn white hot.  She crept to the water's edge and stared at the placid lake.

Something rippled in the center and she squinted in the darkness to get a better look. Another ripple, a bigger one, sent small waves toward her feet. She took a step back.

"Maybe just a fish," she whispered as she kept her eye on the spot.

A head pierced the surface with thick, black hair. She stumbled backward, startling the queen and Shuri who both stopped arguing to see the commotion.

There was a man in the center of the lake and he stared through Rhiannon at the Queen and Shuri as he climbed out of the water toward them. When he neared her, Rhiannon thought to back away to allow him space, but she was frozen in his gaze. He passed within an inch of her, glaring down at her as he walked by.

"Who are you?" Queen Ramonda asked as both Shuri and she rose, their spears held in a defensive posture.

"Not an enemy." The man said and Rhiannon watched his back as he spoke. She studied the thick necklaces and jewels about his neck and wrists. The heavy earrings in his ears and the gold belt about his waist. His brown skin gleamed in the moonlight with droplets of water that still clung to his muscled physique.

Rhiannon was intrigued and terrified. She stared at his powerful back and broad shoulders a few seconds more before deciding to walk around him to the Queen and Shuri's side.

"That's not an answer."

"I'm looking for something and rumor tells me you harbor it here in your country."

"Who. Are. You?" The queen asked again, making it clear she would not cooperate until she had her answer.

The man smirked, his devilish grin framed with brilliant white teeth and full lips.

"You can call me Namor," he said. He locked eyes with Rhiannon briefly before returning his attention to the royals. "Your turn."