Baba.

Yes, my son?

Tell me a story.

Which one?

The story of home.


Glory to Bast.

"O wise, great Panther Goddess, Bast. Hear the voice of Bashenga. I seek your guidance and protection."

Glory to Bast.

"The war between the tribes grows more visceral by the day. My people are not safe."

Glory to Bast.

"I, Bashenga of the Golden Tribe, offer my life in exchange for my tribe."

Glory to Bast!

"Take my soul and do with it what you wish, but I ask only that you shield my children, my brothers and my sisters from the onslaught that comes. Glory to Bast..."

GLORY TO BAST! GLORY TO BAST! GLORY TO BAST!

"Glory... glory... glory to Bast..." Bashenga lowered his head on the rock in front of him, being answered only with silence. He lifted his head briefly to listen, feeling a single tear dribble down his face as he lowered his head again. Not out of prayer, but out of hopelessness.

"Please... I beg of you... I will do anything... for my family..."

"Great and noble Bashenga." a deep, female voice suddenly spoke, echoing through the mist ahead of him. The shaman lifted his head, seeing the large, glowing cat step slowly towards him. "Your heart is purified by the love for your tribe. And for that, I give to you this gift..."

The winds swirled violently around Bashenga, causing the leaves to fly from the trees and land on the floor before his feet. As each leaf hit the ground, it glowed a vibrant blue shade, creating a trail that led across the ground, through the jungle and over the hill ahead. Bashenga turned to Bast, who chuckled at his naivete.

"What is this gift, great Goddess?"

"A gift of the heart."


Just bury me in the ocean, with my ancestors who jumped from the ships... because they knew death was better than bondage.


T'Challa entered the throne room, the representatives of each tribe bowing to him as he walked past them and sat on the throne. Never before had a king won the allegiances of all five of Wakanda's tribes, yet for the first time in their history, the leader of the Jabari tribe was sitting by T'Challa's right side in the circular council.

He sighed as he relaxed in the chair, preparing to commit his first official act as newly (re)crowned king, before looking upwards to the end of the room where Okoye stood solemnly with the other Dora Milaje.

"Ayo... bring him in..." he said, a hint of sad reluctance in his voice. Ayo nodded silently, walking past Okoye and to the dungeons. T'Challa put his right hand to his face, before feeling the comforting hand of his matriarch take his left. He opened his eyes, smiling weakly to Ramonda as she said "my son... you will be the one to decide his fate... it does not have to end with brutality..."

T'Challa nodded, before the door flew open and Ayo re-entered, pushing the prisoner forwards. He had been stripped of his authoritative garments and armour, wearing only a plain tunic as he was brought before the council. He glanced around the circle, stopping briefly when he saw M'Baku sitting by the King's right side.

"Well..." he said. "Look who the cat dragged out of the cave... GAH!"

Ayo swung the back of her hand into his shoulder blade, an audible CRACK! being heard as he collapsed onto his knees. "Be silent before your King!"

T'Challa raised his hand to stop her doing any further harm, saying "that is enough. The prisoner will not be touched until his sentence is passed."

Ayo nodded, before returning to her ranks. T'Challa straightened up on the throne, clearing his throat as he looked at his fallen former friend. "W'Kabi..."

"T'Challa..." W'Kabi groaned in a snarky tone. "If you wish to lecture me before my execution, there's no need. I will not be listening."

M'Baku nearly stood up as he said "do you feel no remorse for what you tried to do to Wakanda!? To your King!?"

"Do not speak for me, M'Baku." T'Challa interrupted, prompting the Jabari leader to nod respectfully as he relaxed again. T'Challa continued speaking as he stood up.

"The reason you are not dead is that... well, as far as I recall, you have not done anything worth death."

"Permission to speak, my King?" Okoye asked as she stepped forward, W'Kabi turning solemnly to see her. T'Challa nodded, before saying "granted."

"Under the orders of N'Jadaka, W'Kabi sent the troops of the Border Tribe to attack you, interfering with the ritual challenge that had not been completed. And willingly proceeded to send Vibranium weapons to start chaos across the rest of the world."

T'Challa nodded, chuckling as he said "thank you for your... generous reminder, Okoye."

As T'Challa returned to his seat, W'Kabi scoffed, saying "well? Do not drag this out for drama, T'Challa. If I am to die, then may death not come and take me now?"

"You are not to die." T'Challa suddenly spoke, causing some commotion to be heard amongst the shocked council. M'Baku leaned towards him a bit, saying "T'Challa... I recommend that you reconsider this..."

T'Challa shook his head, saying "Erik Killmonger was right. Today is the beginning of a new Wakanda. I will not be a king who drowns himself in the blood of those who are simply misguided."

W'Kabi shot to his feet furiously, the Dora Milaje holding him back as he shouted "you stopped being my King the day you lost Klaue! You are weak! And a coward!"

"RRRAAAGGGGHHHH!" Okoye roared out as she sent the butt of her spear into the back of W'Kabi's head, the latter choking up blood as he fell to his knees again. After a brief pause when looking at the state his former confidant was in, T'Challa forced a grin onto his face, trying to sound casual through his pain as he said "well, I suppose that pardoning you is out of the question, then..."

T'Challa stood up as W'Kabi was held on his feet by two Dora, saying "for your crimes of war and treason, W'Kabi. I sentence you to life imprisonment. Take him away."

As they dragged him back, W'Kabi halted in his tracks, saying "and what of the rest of the world?... you will continue to let our brothers and sisters suffer?"

T'Challa looked at him intensely, saying "no, ubhuti... I will not..."


BLACK PANTHER - THE HEART OF WAKANDA