Chapter 7: The Lake

Q'Wasim stood with Kaxa and G'Ruvu and looked out at Āviri Lake. Located south of Erussim, the Āviri was vast. All of Takanda waited along its northern edge so that every man, woman, and child could see into its depths to the red bottom and ancient tiger statue that lay at its center.

Although, most people's focus was directed elsewhere. Coming towards the lake from the city was a procession of holy Shankh tribespeople. They sang, played their conches, and beat their drums.

Behind them all, was Priyansi, dressed in white with silver jewelry and headdress that contrasted with the sea of color proceeding her. It was apt. The noise and expressions on every member of the parade looked livelier than the High Priestess. Perhaps others were fooled by Priyansi's closed-mouth smile, but Q'Wasim knew better.

Priyansi was nervous.

The High Priestess's congregation cut a path to the lake through the crowd and then peeled away to let her through their ranks. The music grew louder and voices rang out bright as stars as Priyansi approached the water's edge.

Q'Wasim felt himself tense. Kaxa grabbed his hand. He could feel her fear.

"It is alright, Kaxa," he murmured into his sister's ear. Q'Wasim knew it should be.

Kaxa only grunted in response. She was unconvinced.

They had both seen Priyansi do this once before. Though even Q'Wasim had to admit he felt a bit ill at ease. That day had been different. He had not known Priyansi nearly as well then as he did now, so he, like the rest of Takanda, had seen High Priestess Priyansi perform her sacred duty. He had been mesmerized by the way her white sari flowed around her like a cloud as she waded deeper and deeper into the lake.

Today, he, like Kaxa, saw the girl, and Q'Wasim could not help but remember that Priyansi could not swim.

This was the thought that came back to haunt him as Priyansi's head sank under the water. Her silver headdress soon followed and then she was completely submerged.

The High Priestess did not stop there. She continued her descent towards the very center of the lake where the Crimson Tiger statue waited.

Time passed. Kaxa's grip became painful. Q'Wasim was forced to release the breath he was holding and gulped down air. The steady beat of the drums rattled his heart and still, Priyansi went on, walking along the lake bottom, unhurried and graceful.

The High Priestess did not falter until she reached the statue several meters below where Q'Wasim stood and knelt down. Because of his central position, Q'Wasim could not fully see what Priyansi did next, but he remembered this from before. He could picture Priyansi cupping the stone tiger's cheek and whispering something into its ear.

After what must have been only a few moments but felt like much longer, the High Priestess rose but did not stand. For, the stone tiger had yielded and she had found her seat on its back. It was the statue that stood up and began to walk to the far side of the lake with the High Priestess riding upon it.

As the stone tiger ventured closer to the lake edge, both it and Priyansi changed into something more. The statue became less stiff and more alive with each step. Meanwhile, the silver and white of Priyansi's holy attire were filled with color. White became red and silver turned to gold. When they exited the Āviri, it was not Priyansi and the stone tiger who appeared on the other side. No, as the music crescendoed, it was D'Vati and D'Shar, reincarnated, that turned and faced all of Takanda.

The High Priestess lifted up her arms, all ten of them, and the lake's water rose up in a cloud of steam before her people. The tiger roared and the crowd went wild in exultation. The noise seemed to chase away the fog. It blew past the High Priestess and into the jungle behind her, leaving the lake empty and dry as firewood.

The shimmering mosan sand that covered the lake bottom was now mostly white. The only red that remained in the Āviri was a seemingly small square patch at the center of the sand valley. Thus, the ritual was complete. The fighting grounds were ready.

It was time for the tournament to begin.


A/N: So yes, I am back. My muse for this story was going through a rough time and I wanted to make some changes to the tournament so it took a while for me to figure things out. I'm still actually figuring things out, but I have hope. Seeing the new What if...? on T'Challa definitely helped me reconnect with this story after so long. I am glad I did. I look forward to showing you more of Takanda and its special brand of magic, so stay tuned.

I will see you soon!