The King: T'Challa.

Chapter 25: The Mad Titan

The fighting had blurred into a cycle of blood and metal and teeth. Every time an Outrider fell, two more seemed to take its place, a tide of claws that refused to recede. Emily's arms ached, her lungs burned, her legs felt carved from stone — and yet she kept moving, kept striking, because to stop was to die.

Okoye fought at her side, her spear cleaving through beasts in a rhythm so fluid it looked almost ceremonial. Natasha, fast and precise as always, darted in and out with her electrified sticks, each strike precise, almost surgical. Together they carved a small pocket of survival in the storm — but only just.

The roar of machinery made Emily turn. A Thresher rolled into view, its enormous spiked wheels chewing through soil, Outriders, even their own fallen. It bore down directly on them. She swore under her breath, slapping a bloody hand against her comm.

"Wanda! Kinda need you out here!"

The machine bore closer, its shadow falling across them. Okoye set her stance, as though bracing against an ocean wave. Natasha muttered something that sounded like a prayer. For a heartbeat Emily thought this was it — until the world lit scarlet.

The Thresher tore upward, suspended mid-air like it weighed nothing at all. Wanda descended slowly, crimson threads swirling around her hands, her eyes burning with power. The machine twisted helplessly before her, then, with a flick of her wrist, she hurled it into a swarm of Outriders, crushing them in an explosion of sparks and shrieking metal.

Okoye's jaw tightened, awe flickering in her expression.
"Why was she up there all this time?" she muttered, half outraged.

Natasha gave the ghost of a smirk. "Dramatic timing. It's her thing."

Emily almost laughed — but the sound caught in her throat when a shattering crash pulled her gaze upward. Vision and Corvus Glaive tumbled out of Shuri's lab window, locked in vicious combat, falling like broken dolls.

Sam's voice cut through the comms, breathless.
"Guys, we got a Vision situation."

He dove after them, wings flickering as he tried to weave through the chaos, but he didn't make it far. An Outrider leapt mid-air and dragged him down in a tangled heap.

"Somebody get to Vision," Steve barked.

"I got him!" Bruce's voice followed, and Emily glimpsed the Hulkbuster clumsily thrusting forward, thrusters sparking, as he stumbled toward the android.

Relief lasted seconds. Wanda had turned to follow, but a dark shape dropped in front of her — Proxima Midnight. The alien's pommel cracked against Wanda's skull, sending her sprawling down into a ditch by the wreck of the Thresher.

Emily didn't hesitate. She sprinted and vaulted down after her.

Proxima stalked forward, her blade glinting. "He'll die alone," she hissed. Her gaze flicked to Emily. "And so will you."

Emily slid into the dirt, bracing herself.
"She's not alone."

A flicker of motion behind the alien — Okoye and Natasha dropped silently into the ditch, flanking Proxima like hunting wolves. Okoye's spear gleamed; Natasha's stance was low, predatory.

The alien's eyes narrowed. She lunged for Emily first, bringing her weapon down like a hammer. Emily threw up a shield, crimson energy sparking as the impact rattled through her bones. Okoye darted around, pressing her from the side. Natasha circled, biding her moment.

Emily stole the chance, rushing to Wanda's side. The witch's breath was ragged, but she was alive. Emily pulled her up, urgency biting through her words.
"You need to get to Vision. Now. If they get that Stone, it's finished. End of the line. Do you understand?"