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Chapter Eight: It's War
It is morning, Erik awakes next to his beautiful wife. She is still resting in a serene slumber. He wishes he was the cause of her peace, but he is not. It hadn't occurred to him her position of living in W'Kabi's village after she'd killed his men. It shows how far remove his emotions are from his actions. Moreover, it shows how Ashtyn is a better person than him.
He thinks about his cousin, is he still with Nakia in the lab? He slips away from his wife's arms, being careful not to wake her. He dresses quickly, then goes to the laboratory. The longer he stays, the more attach he becomes; the idea troubles him.
His love for Ashtyn is already a complication regarding his modus operandi. Now he is developing feelings for his blooded relatives. Nevertheless, he cannot stop himself from caring. He enters the lab. T'Challa is asleep by Nakia's bedside. Erik approaches, Nakia jerks in unrhythmic movements, not in distress, but seemingly writhing in passion. T'Challa is too out of it to witness the sight.
Erik wonders what she could be dreaming about; thankfully, she suddenly stops as if aware of Erik's presence. He takes the opportunity to gently shake T'Challa's shoulder, in hopes of getting him to go to his bed. He is alarmed at first, but quickly regains his composure when he sees Erik.
"Are you alright?" Erik asks.
"Yes," T'Challa says, but Erik isn't convinced; sheer exhaustion made the prideful king yield.
T'Challa stiffens for a moment as if he senses something unpleasant. Erik cannot ignore his own ill-feelings anymore. He accuses, "You feel it too, don't you?" T'Challa frowns but nods reluctantly. When he doesn't elaborate, Erik adds, "How are you going to deal with it?"
T'Challa looks at Nakia long and hard. "I honestly do not know," he confesses. "Whatever this presence is, it is all around her and is growing stronger. It feels-"
"Evil," Erik interrupts. Again, T'challa nods. Erik knows what it is to be a bastard, hell he was the king. However, not anymore, he has been tamed, thanks to the stability of Ashtyn's presence in his life. Nevertheless, he cannot help but think what would have become of him if he never met her? Truthfully, she is his saving grace. His calmness in the storm of his life. Never will he want to know a world without her light to guide him.
T'Challa stands and presumably begins to make his way to his bed-chamber. Erik is relieved by his willingness to leave without protest; because he didn't want to come off as if he is worried, though he is. As T'challa leaves, Erik takes his former position.
"Erik," T'Challa calls out, stopping just before exiting. "I'm glad you are here. Despite any oath you have made to me, you could still choose to leave. May I confess a secret to you?"
His request gets Erik's attention. T'Challa doesn't wait for an answer, he says, "The love for family can weigh you down at times, but it can also pull you out of the darkest abyss." With the motto lingering in the air, the king leaves; Erik sits reflecting.
Ashtyn awakes she reaches for Erik, but he isn't there. It is not like him to leave without saying anything to her first. She gets out of bed as she stands nausea washes over her. She hurries to the bathroom to vomit. Afterward, the nausea is still with her despite emptying her stomach of its content. She rests her head on the exposed rim of the toilet, idly hoping the chambermaid cleaned the bathroom exceptionally well yesterday.
She wonders why she is feeling so ill. Then a thought crosses her mind. Could it be? Is she pregnant? She finally feels well enough to stand. She washes her face before staring at herself in the mirror. She laughs aloud, half expecting for her appearance to appear different, perhaps a glow she hadn't noticed before. But no such luck. Determine to know, she thinks of going to the one person who can surely help her, Shuri.
After dressing, Ashtyn makes her way to Shuri's room. They had a pleasant enough conversation during dinner. Though they are far from friends, she hopes the young princess will assist her. She knocks on her door timidly at first, but then she regains confidence; when she considers how silly she is being.
Her life has been a whirlwind ever since her introduction to Erik. Though every moment hasn't been perfect, it has been worth it to be his. She would gladly suffer a thousand deaths, if it meant she will be his until the moment she gasps her last breath.
Yet, that is the problem. Is it not? They have only lived for themselves, but a child must take priority. A nomadic lifestyle is no way to raise a child. Can Erik be happy living a stationary existence? What if he resents her for hindering his freedom? Just as worry is about to cripple her, Shuri finally answers.
Shuri wiping the sleep from her eyes, is visually perturbed, until she sees Ashtyn at the threshold. She greets Ashtyn kindly but seems curious.
A lump takes form in Ashtyn's throat, she can barely get the words out. Without elegance, she blurts her reason for her impromptu visit. Shuri's slack-jaw expression says it all. Ashtyn feels foolish for reaching out to her, she attempts to flee, but Shuri stops her before she can. Surprisingly the princess agrees to aid her, which is a relief. She suggests they go to her lab, where she can run tests.
Shuri only asks for a few minutes to ready herself. Ashtyn waits in the hallway as she does. Soon she is ready. She is excited to discover if the pregnancy is real. Ashtyn cannot help but smile as she starts to think Shuri is more excited than even her. A thought crosses Ashtyn's mind, Shuri would be a great big cousin.
Mephisto has screwed Nakia into utter submission. He would be even more of a liar if he were to say he did not enjoy every minute of it. Although he is exhausted from his efforts, he could have continued, if not for prying eyes. He grows stronger with each passing moment; those who are sensitive to the spiritual realm are beginning to sense him. Hiding is his best defense, minimizing his presence as much as possible.
With Nakia's life force nourishing him, soon he'll be at full power. When that happens, everyone else will be hiding from him. Then, he will set his plan in motion, having not forgotten who bound him within the gem.
Many years ago, he threatened the newly crowned king T'Chaka. Mephisto had only planned to seduce the king into becoming his servant, ruling the country through him. Wakanda, so rich in resources, especially its military, he could have caused all sorts of trouble. Destruction for chao's sake, satisfying his demonic urges. Nevertheless, T'Chaka was more morally sound than he estimated; instead of succumbing to his advances, he ordered his servant Zuri to imprison him.
For that reason, upon learning of Nakia's upcoming nuptials to the king, he decided to bind himself to her. After all, the closer one is to their foe, the easier it is to destroy them. Though T'Chaka and Zuri are no more, seeking revenge through their love ones is the next best option. No one makes a fool of him and lives.
Suddenly, he senses another disturbance. "These mortals are becoming a nuisance," he curses to himself as he retreats even farther within the recesses of Nakia's psyche. He spies on the incoming and unwelcome arrivals.
Erik hears Ashtyn and Shuri approaching; he stands to greet them. They hush once they see him, instantly he's alarmed. It is suspicious behavior, but he chooses not to say anything. Things have been going well for him and Ashtyn since his release. The last thing he wants to do is disrupt their happiness because of his trust issues.
"What are you doing here?" Ashtyn asks.
"T'Challa needed a break. I stayed to relieve him," Erik answers. There's a twinkle in Ashtyn's eyes. He takes a page from her book and rolls his eyes, hating what the twinkle insinuates. Indeed, his heart is softening towards him; Erik is beside himself dealing with the awkward emotions he has for his kin. He needs to change the subject; he asks, "Why are you two here?"
To this, Shuri and Ashtyn look to each other, before Ashtyn says, "Shuri needs help in the lab. She wants to show me some things to assist her in the future."
Erik's jaw ticks, he knows something isn't right, but to argue without cause will only create strife. He pins Shuri with a hard stare, maybe she will crack under the pressure, but she's as gangsta as ever. Erik smirks, good for her; he thinks, happy to know the blood that flows in his veins is more than active in hers. Shit, he is doing it again, thinking of them as his family; Ashtyn is his family and is the only one he needs, but a nagging feeling tells him that isn't the truth.
"How's is she?" Shuri asks, stricken with concern.
"She's alive," Erik bluntly states. To which Ashtyn gives him a look to be more tactful. Erik then adds, "She is going to be fine."
Shuri visibly relaxes a bit. Erik hates being in the position of comforting anyone, even his wife; the emotion is so foreign to him. Yet, when Shuri breathes a sigh of relief, he feels good. T'Challa's words come to mind; about family and the strength they can give you.
Again, changing the subject, Erik says, "Well, don't let me stop you, go on and do your thing." The pair looks at each other briefly before heading over to Shuri's workstation. They begin to busy themselves just beyond Erik's line of vision. He sits down beside Nakia, who is still sleeping in a somewhat peaceful slumber, which is fine by him not wanting any issues out of her. Though she twitches periodically, she is far from the hot mess she was when he first arrived.
"Stay cool," Erik warns. Just then, she begins seizing violently. Erik stands to hold her onto the gurney. Shuri and Ashtyn are soon near and attempt to help to restrain her. She is convulsing, and even with Ashtyn and his combined strength, she breaks free from their grasp. Erik directs the women to stand behind him, attempting to shield them from a violently fidgeting still closed-eyed Nakia. It is odd, but her body seems to be moving on its own accord.
Erik isn't sure what to expect, but he refuses to submit to fear, though this is beyond anything he has ever witnessed. Soon T'Challa bursts through the lab's door. He positions himself beside Erik, aiding in protecting the women from any onslaught Nakia may dish out. Her body contorts in horrible ways before finally correcting itself properly.
When her eyes open, they aren't her own; but fiery-red glowing embers from hell. Erik, for the first time, in a long while, is genuinely terrified by the sight; he is not alone. He feels Ashtyn's hands gripping his waist, giving him a firm squeeze from behind. He grasps her hands, squeezing them, reassuringly, but he isn't so sure he believes all will be fine.
Damn, he wishes he had his golden panther suit, but he will have to do without it. Nakia's eyes fall onto the group; a wicked grin settles on her lips.
"Greetings, I am honor to have the royal family here to welcome me," A voice not belonging to Nakia says.
"Identify yourself," T'Challa commands.
The being within Nakia tilts her head, mulling over the proposal, before answering, "No," with a terrible hiss. Evil drips from its reply; before it lunges at them with tremendous force. Erik and T'Challa push against it but soon are overcome. The being tosses the two to the side as if they are nothing more than ragdolls.
Then, the being sets its sights on Ashtyn and Shuri. Desperate to protect, the men are soon on their feet, charging full speed. The being side glances them as if they are nothing more than a nuisance, flies buzzing about to be swapped.
Erik has never felt inferior to anyone, but in this instance, its power is leagues beyond anything he has ever known. Yet, he refuses to yield; his wife's life is in danger. The cousins throw everything they have at the being, not holding back, despite the host being a familiar face. Nevertheless, it blocks most of their punches, while landing everything it throws.
They pull back to reassess the situation. Acknowledgment hits hard, the being is completely unharmed, despite their combined efforts. Worse of all, they are injured and are breathless from their attempts to subdue the being.
"Fuck," Erik curses, he spits blood from his mouth. T'Challa wipes his brow with the back of his hand. He looks at his hand afterward, noting the smeared blood. He looks at Erik, who motions to the open cut, just above his right eye sustained during the battle.
"Son of a bitch," says the king. Erik chuckles upon hearing him cuss. Honestly, he didn't know he had it in him to use such uncultured language. He likes it; it makes him more human. The lighthearted moment only lasts for a while, as their adversary, sizes them up for another attack.
"We cannot attack head-on. We need another plan," Erik states. It is then he sees Shuri inching away. He dares not focus on her, hoping the clever princess has a plan. If that's the case, Erik will gladly distract the being, to buy her more time.
"Come on tell us your name. Only a pussy would be afraid to answer," Erik taunts. The creature flares Nakia's nostrils.
T'Challa looks at Erik, confused by the interaction. Erik continues berating the being. Eventually, the king catches on; he joins the banter.
"Indeed, you lack courage and conviction. For if you are as mighty as you have demonstrated; you wouldn't fear our simple request. Furthermore, I know you're the presence who has been squatting within Nakia like a toad. Perhaps, you are as insignificant as one? Without her body providing you solace; are you a formidable opponent?"
Erik smirks, enjoying the elegance by which T'Challa uses to ridicule the being is awe-inspiring. His words seem to hit all the right spots because with a vicious sneer it lunges forward. It plows into T'Challa, spearing him to the ground. Erik grabs it from behind, flinging it off him. The creature turns its attention to Erik, who assumes his battle stance in preparation.
Suddenly, before the being can launch another attack, it is struck by potent energy jolting it into submission. The being turns slowly to face it attacker, who is none other than Shuri. Erik marvels at the energy bands that she once used to subdue him. Yet, they are different now, more powerful. Shuri holds the being in place, though it fights against her hold, it seems unable to break free.
Nakia's eyes are wide with tribulation. Yet, with one massive summoning of the being's strength, it implodes. Drawing inwards, the given energy from the bands within itself, before redistributing the force outwards creating a massive blast. Knocking everyone off their feet.
Erik isn't sure how anyone else fared, but he is badly injured. Shards of metal lodged into his sternum. He pulls one jagged piece out, examining the bloody specimen. He looks up to see the creature still standing before them, surveying its surroundings. Erik expects the worst; it is planning to finish the job and kill them all. However, it doesn't; instead, it simply fades into nothingness before his eyes.
In the aftermath, Erik thinks of his wife. He calls her name but there's no answer. He gathers the remainder of his strength and staggers to where he last saw her. She is laying on her stomach, her face turned away from him. He calls her name, but again she fails to answer. Fear grips him, remembering the distant past, that has returned to become his present.
"No," He breathes. He rushes to her side. Turning her over she moans. "Are you alright?"
"Yes," she says. Relief washes over him. "Just got the wind knocked out of me."
He helps her up. Thankfully, she is uninjured. However, when she sees the gaping wound on his chest she nearly screams; she begins fussing over him. Erik attempts to wave off her concern, but she refuses to. She makes him sit down on a chair to tend to his wounds.
The others are soon on their feet, battered and bruised but they're alive. He is the only one with severe damage. Just then, something blooms within him, he is glad everyone is fine.
"That went well," Shuri says, in her usual sarcastic manner of speaking.
"We got our asses handed to us," Erik chimes.
"Whatever is inside Nakia isn't finished with us. It will be back," Ashtyn warns.
T'Challa stands silently holding his side, wincing with every inhale. Erik diagnoses he has a fractured rib, or two. He waits for T'Challa's declaration of what to do next. He hopes to hear the very words that he craves. What he would say, in the very moment, if he was in his position. The man doesn't disappoint.
"Brother, what will we do?" Shuri asks.
T'Challa takes a moment gathering his thoughts. He furrows his brows; Erik can feel uncontrollable rage radiating from him. Yet, this is what's needed for him to say, "We're going to war."
A/N: Hey everyone! I hope all is well. So sorry for the delay but here's another chapter. I hope you all enjoy it. Regards ~Concrete Lily.
