M'ka watched Kazu run towards Phakathi. She was clearly panicking. K'Nabu ran after her as his parents yelled for him, demanding that he respond and tell them where he was going. After the second explosion many of the festival attendees started walking towards Orisha to get as far away from any danger as possible. Many people left. Those who remained observed Phakathi cautiously as the Khu Seleko surround the building.

The music had stopped and M'ka could hear the breathing of those around him. The guard of the Border Tribe stood between Phakathi and their chief ready to forcibly remove him if there was any immediate danger. At that moment however he and his wife were almost inconsolable. Their son had just run right into the unknown and they couldn't do anything. The Chief paced behind his guard, while his wife tried calling K'Nabu multiple times. There was no response.

M'ka knew there would be no response. If it was Ari who had caused that explosion (and M'ka was sure it was) and if she was hurt at all, K'Nabu was in the middle of doing something stupid trying to help her.

The Khu Seleko eventually began to clear the Commons. A vibranium explosion was concerned and Phakathi and the surrounding area had to go on lockdown just in case any radiation leaked from the building. K'Nabu's parents, M'ka saw as he followed the crowd, remained where they were as the Chief tried to explain what had happened to his son and that he wasn't leaving until he knew he was safe.


M'ka, son of M'do of the Mining tribe, his mother's only child was the last descendant of one of the most prestigious families in Wakanda. Though not related to any of the chiefs from any of the tribes, his family had high standing in the country. His mother's family ran the most successful mining facility in Wakanda, producing more than 60% of the countries raw vibranium supply. His father, who had died in a mining accident while his mother was pregnant, had no living relatives.

M'ka grew up alone. His mother was often at the mountain. He had no cousins and, because he had private classes instead of attending the Mining Tribe's academy, he had no friends for much of his life. During holidays he would attend the same events and socials that others attended but was forced socialise with the company's elders.

"So you're ready to lead when the time comes," his mother would explain after he begged to join the games with the other children.

Year after year he watched them trying to convince himself that his mother was right and that he should focus on earning his position as head of his family's company. Then, when it was time to choose a place study, he finally decided that he wanted to be as far away from his mother and the Mining Tribe as possible. He had a reputation amongst his peers as being superior. Attending a school in the Mining Tribe would almost guarantee that he would ostracized. Without telling his mother, he chose Wakanda Tech. He scored in the top 1% in the entrance exams.

His mother and other family members protested. Everyone in the company studied in the Mining Tribe. There was no better education in vibranium than in the Mining Tribe.

"You will remain here and that is final," his mother said.

"I will go," M'ka replied, "Or I will never run your company."

"How can you say that? It is your company?"

"It isn't yet," M'ka said. It was the last thing he said to her before getting into his hover vehicle and driving toward the city.

M'ka was free. He could feel it in his bones. Leaving his home was exhilarating and he wondered if he would ever return. He was going to be a new person at Wakanda Tech. He was going normal and nameless. He could decide how people saw him. He could make his own family.

And he did almost immediately. Though, he didn't know it when they first met, K'Nabu ended up being a really great person. Quiet and observant, he mostly stood at M'ka's side during social events, which was great because he attracted people to him like a magnet. That's all M'ka ever wanted was to be surrounded by people, to be in the middle of the crowd.

An unfortunate side effect of this was Kazu, who latched on to K'Nabu the moment she met him. And the pair became a trio.

Then K'Nabu was chosen to work for that professor's assistant. At first not much changed. K'Nabu was still around. His presence pacified Kazu. They all went to class together and to school events together. They trained together and ate together and studied together. Until one day it just stopped. K'Nabu could never be found.

M'ka tried not take it personally. Besides he had made his mark in the school. He had no shortage of friends. He didn't need K'Nabu anymore. And even though she was annoying, Kazu was growing on him. The trio became a duo again. M'ka was satisfied with that.

But the day of the explosion, he realized something. He and K'Nabu were different. K'Nabu didn't want to be in the center of the crowd. He only did things because M'ka wanted him too. K'Nabu didn't have people to surround himself with. If Ari had hurt herself, K'Nabu was alone. M'ka didn't want K'Nabu to be alone. And this, M'ka discovered, was the friendship he had been longing for his whole life.


K'Nabu didn't return to his room which wasn't a surprise. Once the lockdown was cleared, M'ka took the tunnel to Phakathi to see the damage. It was his first walk down the long gray corridor. First years never had a reason to go in to Phakathi, but residents in the Third Quadrant often took the tunnel as a right of passage. M'ka never found the time.

The smell of burning vibranium filled his nostrils. He shuddered at the memories of home and tried his best to push him away, but the smell, even the way the air felt was too familiar. He hadn't talked to his mother since he classes began, a necessary step in his quest for freedom. If his mother wanted to talk, she would have to call him.

K'Nabu sat at the entrance of the lab closest to the tunnel. His head was back against the wall and his eyes were closed.

"K'Nabu," M'ka said taking a seat next to him.

"M'ka," K'Nabu replied, "What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" M'ka said. "I thought you would be with her."

K'Nabu cleared his throat. "They wouldn't let me. I'm not family." He opened his eyes and looked at his kimoyo beads. "I asked Kazu to tell me where she is, but she's not answering."

"Your parents were looking for you."

"I know. I explained what happened."

"What did happen?"

"Misuse of vibranium," K'Nabu said mocking D'Jo. "An unfortunate accident."

M'ka laughed. "We all knew it was going to happen eventually. Nobody thinks the Nunjari is possible."

K'Nabu shook his head. "She did," he said, "But she wouldn't have tried anything unless she was sure. She wouldn't have tried anything without taking the necessary precautions. I don't understand how this could have happened."

M'ka wanted to tell a joke to lighten the mood, but he could see that it was not the time.

"You should get some sleep," M'ka said. "Sitting here won't fix anything. You can talk to the professor tomorrow."

K'Nabu took a deep breath before agreeing. "Thank you," he said before he stood.

"For what?"

"Thank you for inviting my family to the festival. You are a very good friend."

"Ha!" M'ka said turning into the tunnel. "I'm the best friend you've ever had."

K'Nabu smiled and followed him.