BUILT FROM THE ASHES
As darkness descended on Wakanda, the screaming finally started to quiet. The shock of the dusting was moving to rediscovery to see who had remained and reaching out to them. The remaining Avengers had taken refuge in Wakanda's palace under the hospitality of T'Challa's mother and now Queen Shuri.
None of the Avengers had a moment to let themselves truly feel what happened after the Snap. Everyone of them had watched friends disappear before their eyes as did the rest of the universe but they were needed to attempt to reign in the chaos that it had caused. It was only when night fell that they could truly allow themselves the time they needed to process what had happened, find out which of their loved ones survived the Snap and grieve for those who did not.
The palace grew silent as each of the Avengers retired after having supported each other in mourning. Bucky, Sam, Wanda, Vision, T'Challa, Groot and so many others were gone. No one knew where Tony even was or if he had survived. What happened to Peter and Strange? The remainder of the Guardians. So many unanswered questions that could not be solved.
Shuri walked silently through the halls, making sure all of her guests were comfortable. It's what her brother would have done. Sleep was impossible and going to her lab was just as undesirable at the moment. As rain softly began to fall, she found peace in it as if the Earth itself was weeping for what happened. Shuri let herself become lulled by the sounds of the falling drops only to be brought out of it when another sound had infiltrated...the sound of crying.
Shuri had initially believed she was the lone one still awake and roaming the halls but the sounds of grief led her to trying to track down where they were coming from. It didn't take long for her to find the source. She could only see his back at first, his head hung low as he sat on a bench on the balcony just out of reach of the rain. "Captain Rogers?" she called out gently to announce her approach.
"He left a little while ago," he replied brokenly, trying to hide the hitch in his voice and the sniff.
"Then I don't believe we have had the pleasure," Shuri answered as she walked closer. "I am Shuri, Princess...now Queen of Wakanda."
Upon hearing her voice grow closer, he immediately stood up and faced her. "Forgive me, my Lady...Your Majesty, for not properly introducing myself sooner," he said apologetically as he straightened to his full and impressive height. "I am Thor, King of Asgard," Thor offered as he bowed his head to Shuri in respect.
"I have heard much about you from Captain Rogers and Agent Romanoff. It is an honor to finally meet you," Shuri offered as she gestured for him to sit. "I wish it was under better circumstances. I recall that Agent Romanoff had said you were a god and a prince."
"I only recently ascended to the throne after my father had gone to Valhalla," Thor responded sadly. "But I am now a king with no home," he said sadly as he closed his eyes against the tears welling there. "Asgard is gone and what is left of my people is floating helplessly in space after Thanos attacked. I've failed them."
Shuri felt great sympathy as she listened to Thor speak. "If we can contact the ship, your people can live here in Wakanda. This can be their home."
Thor turned to Shuri and his expression of shock melted into one of pure gratitude. "Your kindness will be remembered among what is left of my people for all time. Tributes will be made in your honor," he exclaimed. "It is extremely generous to open your lands up to someone you barely know. I've...we've lost so much recently and when one faces so much hardship, it is easy to lose hope."
Shuri noticed how he corrected himself and tried to hide the glassiness of his eyes. It was obvious that he was trying to hold himself together and not doing a very good job of it. It was not just the battle that had taken its toll on him but something more that he wasn't willing to let on to yet. "Hope is all that we have now," she said softly as she took his hand. "I want to help...if you'll let me."
As Thor looked down at the small hand that took his, all resolve he had left vanished. He closed his eyes and let the tears fall that had been building there as he nodded. "I am not worthy of such kindness."
"Yes, I believe you are. If you were unworthy, your heart would not openly show how much you care," Shuri replied with a soft smile as she wiped away a tear with her thumb. "Tomorrow, we will go to work. I believe our technology is strong enough and I know Dr. Banner can help. Tonight, you should try to rest. Asgard will need her king to be functional when we find them."