Ascendancy

Chapter V

Chapter 5

T'Kia
2041

In the morning, I am awaken by my ladies-in-waiting— my servants for a lack of a better word. They help me get prepared for the day ahead. My abdomen doesn't pain me as much but I still have them wrap my stomach. Akhona comes in to braid my hair into two simple braids. She adds gold beads for an accent.

When I finish getting dressed, I walk into the dining room where everyone is eating breakfast. "Good morning, everyone." I nod. Before I sit down, I notice Aviwe is still sitting to my left. I give him a nervous smile with my head bowed.

"T'Kia, after you eat, you must be stripped of the powers of the Black Panther." Baba tells me.

My heart freezes. If I don't have the power of the Black Panther, will I still be able to hear my ancestors?

No. Not all of them. Just me. Like before. T'Chaka answers.

"Baba." I don't say anything else. I just let him see my facial expressions to know that I cannot do that. I need to hear T'Chilla and N'Jadaka in addition to T'Chaka.

I can't do this alone. I need them.

The ancestors are screaming in my head, causing me to bow my head in pain.

Then you are not prepared to be Queen or the Black Panther. We do not make you who or what are you. You do. T'Chaka says and everyone falls silent.

"What is the matter?" Umama rushes around the table to my side. Aviwe grabs my hand under the table and I jump up.

"I'm fine," I shake my head. No one inside of my head says anything. It's quiet in my mind. I look at Baba. "Give me the drink."

He looks down the table at Uuka who pulls out a flask. He tosses it to me. I open the flask and take the horrible drink. Pain courses through my body again as I fall to my knees. I look at my hands and watch my viens turn black as I gasp for breath. It only lasts a few moments, but when it's done, I can feel the power gone. I can feel the ancestors' presence gone. Except for T'Chaka.

I stand on shaky feet. I am still using the cane Aunt Shuri gave me yesterday, but I wish not to. "When shall we start the Trials?"

Khethiwe jumps up as Baba calls the Dora Milaje to escort us to the training room. They put us through exercises similar to those that new members have to go through. We spar with different members of the guard for hours with no break. When Baba enters with W'Kabi, M'Baku, and members of the Border and Jabari Tribes, I just know the day has gotten harder.

"Fighting with the Dora Milaje is obviously child's play for you." Baba says with a teasing smile.

"Fight against the Dora Milaje, the Jabari, and the Border Tribe." M'Baku says and I get ready. No matter the fatigue in my body, I cannot back from this fight.

I see Khethiwe get into a fighting stance as the Dora Milaje point their spears at us.

Fight with her. T'Chaka says.

"Umzala!" I call to Khethiwe as they close in on us from all sides. "Fight! Together!" (Cousin)

Khethiwe reluctantly nods as she takes in the size of the crowd we are fighting. "Khohlo!" She shouts at me as two Jabari charge me from the left. (Left)

We charge through the group of attackers. I can feel people entering the room but I don't let that distract me. "T'Kia!" Khethiwe throws me a spear she took from a Dora Milaje.

I catch it and knock a Border Tribe man out. I quickly take his vibranium blanket-like cape to use as a shield. I knock another Border Tribe man out and throw his cape to Khethiwe. Paired with a spear and cape, we stand a better chance against the remaining attackers. We are doing fine, fighting together, until one of the Jabari men kicks me in the stomach and I go flying into a wall. I cough up a bit of blood as the pain makes my head spin.