Destinies: The Origin

Chapter 27: Golden Jaguar

Elsa POV

Adzima and Falco were flirting right in front of us, as usual. We knew they were talking about something serious, but we couldn’t help but smile at their interaction. 
Andika:"Hm... Did they forget we’re still here, or do they just not care?" 
Fian:"They’re always like this, Mate. You’ll have to get used to it" 
Andika:"Always? How do you guys not get diabetes from all that sugar every day?" 
Arvin:"Buddy, you don’t know how much insulin gets used around here" 
Arvin:"Even though I’m still new here, I almost died from all the sweetness twice" 

Aditya:"If you already like that, what about me? I’ve been with them from the start" 
Qori:"The sweetness has scrambled your brain, making you and Fian even dumber, so I guess you’re fine" 
Fian:"Hey, why am I involved?" 
Fian:"And Qori, you’ve been here a long as we are, so you must’ve been affected as well" 
Qori:"Why do you think I keep asking you and Elsa for more insulin?" 
We all laughed at that conversation, then looked towards Adzima. We realized they had let go of their embrace, and Falco had already disappeared somewhere.

The Troublemakers approached Adzima with teasing smiles on their faces. 
Fian:"So, Adzima, when are you going to confess your feelings to Captain?" 
They started teasing her as usual, but this time, Adzima didn’t blush. She just lowered her head sadly, which confused us. 
Adzima:"Maybe, never" 
Her answer shocked all of us. 
Qori:"What? Why?" 
Adzima raised her head and looked at us with teary eyes. 
Adzima:"Don’t you remember what Arvin said, Qori?" 
Adzima:"Fadli sacrificed his life to save me because he loved me" 
Tears started falling from her eyes.

Adzima:"Now, how can I disrespect him by falling in love with another man I just met?" 
Adzima:"I can’t, I don’t deserve him" 
Adzima:"I don’t deserve something so beautiful and warm, like love" 
With that, Adzima went to her room. 
Aditya:"Those two really are the same" 
Elsa:"What?" 
Tetron:"We asked Captain the same thing, and his answer was almost identical to hers" 
Fian:"We don’t know what happened to Captain, but when it comes to Adzima, we blame you, Arvin" 
The Troublemakers, except for Andika and Ramadhan, glared at Arvin sharply.

Arvin:"I know! I regret my actions, okay? I also want them together now" 
Anjas:"Why don’t you just link their minds so they can understand each other’s feelings? Aren’t you telepathic, Arvin?" 
Arvin:"I can’t..." 
RJ:"It’s true; it’s unethical" 
Arvin:"Since when do I care about things like that? No, it’s not because of that" 
Arvin:"I can’t because I can’t even enter Captain's mind, no matter how hard I try" 
Tetron:"What about Adzima’s mind?" 
Arvin:"It’s very blurry and foggy, but I can still get in—just not very deep" 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Adzima POV

We were on the jet, heading to find the next person. I sat next to Falco in the cockpit as usual, while the others continued whispering incessantly in the back. Dwiyan came to the cockpit to ask. 
Dwiyan:"So, Captain, where are we going now?" 
Falco:"The Kingdom of Wakanda" 
Dwiyan:"Wakanda? That Wakanda?" 
Falco:"Yes" 
Dwiyan nodded and returned to his seat to inform the others. As we flew over the African desert, Falco directed the jet to fly past a row of trees. It turned out to be an illusion barrier that separated Wakanda from the outside world. 

As we passed through the barrier, we weren't greeted by a beautiful and advanced kingdom, but by the sight of partial destruction and chaos. 
Fian:"What happened here?" 
Falco immediately landed the jet in front of the castle, and we rushed inside. Inside the castle, we saw Veri standing beside an older girl who was busy directing everyone. Falco called out to the girl. 
Falco:"Shuri! What happened here?" 
Shuri, Veri, and everyone turned to face us. 
Shuri:"Wakanda has been attacked" 
Falco:"By the Soul Devourers?" 
Shuri:"No! By Zalgo" 

We were all immediately shocked by the revelation. 
Falco:"How did he get past the barrier?" 
Shuri:"We don't know" 
Falco:"Where is your brother? Where is T’Challa?" 
Shuri and the others lowered their heads. 
Shuri:"He's gone" 
Falco:"Gone? You mean, to chase after Zalgo?" 
Shuri:"No! He's dead! My brother is dead, Falco" 
Shuri:"Zalgo killed him" 
Shuri's tears began to fall, while Falco leaned to me and gently held my hand. He then approached Shuri and hugged her. 
Falco:"I am so sorry, Shuri. I came too late. I should have come sooner to help you" 
Shuri:"It's not your fault, Falco" 

They then released their hug, and Shuri turned to Falco. 
Shuri:"Who are they, Falco? Why did you bring them here?" 
Falco:"I know I have no right to say this right now, but we are gathering a team of people with extraordinary abilities to save the world" 
Falco:"And we want one of your people to help us" 
Shuri:"How many do you need?" 
Falco:"Just one" 
Shuri:"Okay, I'll find the best fighter we have to join you" 
Falco:"But are you sure, Shuri? You will need all the hands you can get to defend and rebuild this place" 

Shuri:"I know, but I can't just let Zalgo go after what he's done to us" 
Shuri then glanced at Veri, who had been watching us. 
Shuri:"What's wrong, Veri? You want to join them?" 
Veri:"If I'm honest, yes" 
Veri:"I know them; they're my friends from middle school" 
Veri:"I also want to make Zalgo and the Soul Devourers pay for what they did to T’Challa with my own hands" 
Shuri:"Then join them!" 
Veri:"Really, Shuri?" 

Shuri:"Honestly, I want you to stay here and help me manage this kingdom as the new King" 
Shuri:"But you are the best fighter here, so join them! Show those demons that they shouldn't mess with Wakanda!" 
Shuri then gave Veri a fist bump. 
Shuri:"I'll take the throne as the Queen until you return, Golden Jaguar" 
Veri and Falco then bowed to her. 
Veri:"Yes, Your Majesty" 
Falco:"Thank you, Shuri" 
We followed them and awkwardly tried to bow, but Shuri stopped us. 
Shuri:"Please don't do that" 
Veri went to pack her things, and while we waited for her, we helped the people of Wakanda repair their homes and heal them. 

On the way back home, Falco became very quiet, and I could guess what was on his mind. I decided to comfort him by gently holding his hand and smiling at him. 
Adzima:"I know I am not the right person to say this, but what happened in Wakanda wasn't your fault, my Prince" 
Adzima:"You couldn't have predicted what Zalgo and the Soul Devourers would do" 
Adzima:"You didn't even know anything about them before I told you" 

Falco then smiled at me. 
Falco:"I know that, Princess, but I still feel responsible for letting this happen" 
Falco:"And Princess, if you can think that way, you should stop blaming yourself for 'that' accident. Stop blaming yourself for Fadli's death" 
I immediately lowered my head upon hearing his words. 
Adzima:"I can't, my Prince, it's different in my case" 
Adzima:"I was the cause. I'm the one responsible for 'that' accident" 
Falco:"No, it's the same, Princess. 'That' accident wasn't your fault" 
Adzima:"It was my fault, my Prince. No matter what you say, it won't change anything. I started the fire" 
Falco just sighed, then we both fell silent.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N

Rest in Peace Chadwick Boseman
Wakanda Forever