Captured (a short story)

24

Fluttering my eyes open I hear the faint sounds of voices nearby. As my vision clears I look around seeing what looks like a lab. I sit up and in the distance I see Shuri, Nakia and Okoye talking amongst each other. I see Okoye glance over at me and I meet her worried gaze.  "She's awake." She says abruptly  before they all stop talking to look at me. I stand on my feet as they walk over to me. 

" Where are we? Why am I here?" I ask looking around the huge lab. 

" We are in my lab, you passed out earlier during our conversation." Shuri says  and suddenly my body goes numb as I start to think about the information Shuri told me.  Namor offered his hand to Shuri for marriage of our two nations? Shuri told me she had feelings for Namor. I was starting to feel sick in my stomach all over again.

"Asha? Hey what's going through your head right now?" I hear Okoye speak and I feel tears stream down my eyes. I wasn't sure if Nakia or Okoye knew about Shuris secret about Namor, or if I should say anything. I didn't want to believe any of it, until I talked to Namor first. I look up to Okoye. 

 "Can I speak with you alone?" I ask and Nakia and Shuri look to each other. " Of course, We will give you space." Shuri says and she holds eye contact with me before they both walk away.  As soon as they leave the room Okoye sighs.  "Soon as Shuri came to me saying you passed out , I was worried. What happened?"  I sigh before I speak. 

"The conversation started great but then .." I cut myself out not wanting to tell her. " What is it?" Okoye says firmly. I lean in closer . " Do you know ?" I start to  whisper. " About Shuri and Namor?" I ask looking toward the door in hopes no one could hear us. 

" What about Namor? Shuri was down there with him and tried to get her to side with them."  

" Is that all you know?" I ask and Okoye gives me a look. " Yes? What, is there something else I should know?" 

I seal my lips not saying anything. Okoye doesn't know then. Even though she was like my sister and the only person that was closest to me, I couldn't tell her. It was best if Shuri did when she was ready. I sigh and shake my head.  " No, I'm just asking. Anyways I felt light headed was all. Talking to the Queen is abit intense." I say to cover up any speculation. Okoye stares at me in concern before nodding. " Are you sure your ok? You had Shuri worried."  

" I promise I'm fine now." I say and Okoye grins. " Good, now did  you get to talk to her about taking the heart shape-" Okoye is cut off when Shuri enters the lab.  

"Is everything alright in here?" Shuri asks and Okoye nods. " Yes, we were done chatting." "Asha, are you okay?" Shuri asks looking  to me in question. " Yes I'm so sorry, I think I just needed some air." I say and Okoye gives me a strange look. " If you are better id like to continue our conversation."  Deep inside I wasn't ready to speak with Shuri again until I spoke with Namor. I needed answers. My emotions are all over the place at the moment and I could feel Okoyes gaze burning into me. Like she could see right through my secrets.  " I'd like to continue on another day, if that's okay. I think I need more rest." I say and Shuri nods. " Of course , I will make arrangements for that."               

  Late that night 

 A huge  tropical storm somehow magically appeared over Wakanda. Its heavy rains and winds made the trees sway in the air frantically  . I stand by the river barefoot letting the rain drench my hair and clothes. I close my eyes concentrating on my powers within,  trying to make them appear. I start to feel the spark of light  appear in my hands and I smirk. Finally, they  appear boldly and bright in my hands and,  I start to lift myself  into the air and navigate myself onto the river. 

I feel the wind thrashing through my hair as I glide down the river at a  fast speed . As I come toward the open ocean, I suddenly dive into it and head toward the tunnels of Talokan.  My heart is racing in my chest, because I am about to see Namor. I didn't want to believe any words Shuri had said to me. I wasn't to sure what I was going to do if any of this was true or not.  I feel  tears steaming down my face as I jolt out the tunnel into the familiar TaloKan waters. I start to swim toward the ocean current to get toward the outside caves , but suddenly a few aquatic warriors approach me from no where.  

"Halt, Máaxech." Halt, who are you?  One says with a spear pointing at me. I still wasn't to familiar with the language but somehow I could understand what they were saying. " I'm Asha, I was your prisoner now a transformed citizen." I say and  one of the warriors looks at me then looks to the other. "Ba'ax leti'e' le prisionera ti' le reina k'áato' wilik?" One asks and  I look to them as they speak and suddenly they have me in chains. " What are you doing?" I ask pulling on the chains.  " Meent sido convocado tumen le Reina." ( You have been summoned by the queen) 

As we approach the throne, the warriors stand by my side. The chains are heavy as I try to lift my  hands. " This is a mistake." I say and one of the warriors look at me. " Le Reina a juzgará" One says and I sigh. I suddenly  close my eyes seeing if I can try to break out of these chains with my powers. I'm suddenly jolt up  at the sound of a voice. "What is your name?"  I look up to see a majestic blue women in a red suite  who sits on the throne.  One of the warriors pushes me softly to step forward and speak. 

My heart beats fast as I observe her. I've never seen her before. She must be the queen. "Asha." I say and the  aquatic woman examines me. "How is it you are able to breathe and find our nation, Asha?" She asks and I gulp. 

" Its a long story, I was taken here out of my will, and somehow I was transformed."  I say simple and the woman floats from her throne toward me. As she floats closer, I take notice of her appearance. She's a beautiful aquatic woman with  dark red hair. She has a dark gaze, but something still so majestic about it.

"You are here for  a reason, Namor brought you here for a reason." She says and I raise my eyebrows at her.  "What do you mean?" I ask.

"Did you really think he took you because he fancied you? He took you because you are the prophecy." She says and I shake my head.

"What prophecy?" I ask and then I start to  remember when Namor told me about the prophecy of a girl who holds the power of vibranium, and  to be a bridge between two nations.

The Queen smiles at me and I shake my head. "No, that's not me, you've got it all wrong."

"How do you know that?" She asks.

"Because, I don't even understand why or how I got these powers. Half of my identity is from here and the other half Wakandan. That is all I know." I say.

"Still doesn't mean its not you. I'm sorry but you cannot leave here. You must stay." 

"What?! No I cant! You cant hold me hostage!" I yell and Queen Dorma signals the warriors to take me. I quickly push them out my way and close my eyes burning the chains with my power of lights. It melts quickly and I break loose swimming away toward the outside caves. I swim so fast without looking back.

As soon as Im in the outside caves Namors hut comes into view. I get out the water and run to his hut. "Namor!" I yell running and as soon as I see him his eyes widen at my presence. 

"Asha?" He says as he stands. 

"We have to get out of here, somewhere more safe!"