5

Now it was just Namor and I alone in this room. I had much to think about, but I didn't want to do that thinking here.

"So I am both Talokan and Wakandan. So what everyone around the world is descended from something, even Wakanda." I replied. Namor was just staring at me as if he were in awe now.

"But not for my people. We all know who we come from. I am the only hybrid in existence in my world." he said point to himself. I nodded.

"And now I am a "hybrid" in my world. Even if there is some Talokan in me if I choose to go down this path of researching it, I need to do it in my world." I told. He inhaled and tilted his head some looking me over as if thinking. Whatever thoughts were making him smile, I didn't like. My body stiffening told him so as he looked up at me.

"I have proven to your queen that my armies can easily wipe out Wakanda. My people, my forces, my civilization are stronger than yours." he said approaching me. I didn't like what he was insinuating. I wanted to look away, but something in me told me to face his stare head on. Don't be afraid. I held my ground as he approached me, his body now inches from mine. "I once asked the princess to swear allegiance to me and combine our forces, but she denied me. Now it seems her rejection brought an even greater purpose."

I tilted my head some knowing what he was driving at.

"You want to join forces yet again using me." I concluded. He looked down at my hand and slowly, carefully, moved his hand toward mine and gently his fingers started to graze my own. I remained still trying not to show my fear.

"I am of the land and sea, you are of the land and sea. It is a perfect match." he said lowly, edging closer so his face was growing closer to mine. I felt my body shaking, my eyes closing, as I let out soft whimpers. I don't know what I was expecting to happen, but when nothing did and the hand that was touching mine disappeared from me, I gently peaked my eyes open and saw he had taken a step back from me looking at me with hurt. "There is a pain inside you."

I looked at him before looking away.

"No… I'm not afraid to admit I fear being here with the man who led an attack on my people." I replied lowly. He nodded and slowly raised his own palm to look at.

"Yes you have fear inside you, but it is different from your pain. I can feel them both now. Your fear makes me feel like I have knots in my stomach, but your pain… it feels like my muscles are tight and it's painful." he said. I winced looking him over.

"You felt all of that from just touching my hand? I didn't know Talokan's can feel the emotions and feelings of others." I spoke. He looked from his palm to me and gave a light shake of his head.

"We cannot." he said, and I looked at him stunned before looking at the large bowl of water still on the table. I looked at Namor again and he seemed to be thinking the same thing as me. I still watched him as we moved back over toward the large bowl of water. I was sure there was nothing different about it that his people could have done to it. I lifted my hands and placed them back into the bowl, keeping them on one side as Namor copied my actions.

Nothing happened, but then again, our hands weren't together. Slowly, I felt curiosity take over me and so I initiated the movement now, letting my fingers gently move towards his. He just watched me, not moving, not afraid. I could feel the cool water growing warm as his skin was close. Slowly, my pointer and thumb gently pinched his pointer finger and now he let out a gentle laugh.

"You have nothing to be nervous or afraid of Eywa. I will not hurt you." he said. I could feel the soft spark of electricity erupt in my stomach as he said my name with such softness and care. I just scoffed as I looked at him.

"That is unless I do not do what you want." I replied. He continued to look at me as if amused.

"I haven't given a command that needs following." he said. I felt something cool running up my hands and now arm. I looked down not realizing I had taken both of his hands and he had let me. The water was glowing again moving up my arms and this time I was not command it. Namor's hands remained glowing blue but it did not move up his body. I watched the water move up arms and onto my shoulders. I felt… warmth in my body. I felt stronger and happier. What was going on? Namor smiled more and raised his hands from the , our hands remaining together. "This is your gifts unlocked." I inhaled gently feeling completely… safe with the water moving all over me.

"I feel… happy. Warmth." I replied and Namor moved his body from around the table and now stood before me, close this time, our palms now together like before.

"Your power elevates when we are together. Its potential unlocks from our blood, our hearts beating as one." he said. I closed my eyes feeling this power he spoke of rising inside me. I opened my eyes seeing blue dancing in his orbs, mirroring my form. I slowly smile.

"I see me in your eyes… I am beautiful." I replied. He slowly shook his head, and my smile began to falter.

"You were always beautiful Eywa." he said. I smiled once again watching as he began to lean forward me even more. I felt the spark growing inside me as his face was inching closer and closer to me and I was going to let him. Why? What spell did he have on me that made me powerless to his intentions. Slowly my eyes closed as I awaited his lips to find mine. A loud voice however broke the spell and immediately, Namor and I separated and looked to see the warrior man and woman standing there with spears. She spoke quickly and Namor said something in their language before looking at me with almost disappointment.

"It seems we have a visitor. Come." he replied seriously as he moved to the doorway of the room, grabbing his spear as well. I tensed and looked at my hands, the blue lights were now gone. Reality set back in and I lifted my head and followed at him. The two warriors now followed behind me and I merely kept my eyes on the back of Namor's head. What just happened back there? What were those feelings back there that made me so easily drop my guard before this man. What is it about him that activated these feelings inside me? I felt safe and happiness when his hands were in mine. Why, I didn't even know him, only that he was an enemy of people now turned ally. That still did not mean he was not a threat!

It seemed I would have to research the full extent of my powers and really see if Bast blessed me with these powers or if there was something else at work. We came back to the familiar area I had woken up in and who I saw made my eyes widen.

"Nakia!" I said happily and the woman smiled as two warriors were beside her. She was in a blue and green suit obviously meant for this type of underwater travel. She her weapons at her side, but I knew she was itching to draw them. No one would move for us to unite. She looked at Namor with anger in her eyes.

"I have come for Eywa." she said. Namor was quiet as he tilted his head up some to look down on her.

"Word travels fast if Wakanda already knows she is here." he concluded.

"Queen Ramonda calls your attack on the American ship an attack on us as a Wakandan citizen was on board." she snapped. Namor shook his head and stepped the side raising his hand up at me.

"She isn't hurt, and the humans above are fine. There was merely a misunderstanding on my part and I will go to the queen of Wakanda and explain my actions if it would further bring peace." he said. I could tell Nakia wanted to argue, but now was not the time.

"Let us both leave, and I will take your message back to the queen. If she wants to speak, she still has that shell you gave her." She explained. Namor was still for a moment his warriors looking at him to see what he would do. He looked at me, the danger in his eyes now soft and calm as I looked at him. He now looked at my hand slowly took it. There it was again, that warmth. Our hands did not glow, as I have concluded they needed to be wet in order to do whatever it is we just did back there. I watched surprised he would do this in front of both his people and mine. Nakia looked at us both confused and surprised. Namor than released my hand and looked back at my friend with firmness.

"Tell your queen I will be seeing her soon to explain myself I will come alone." he said before looking back down at me before motioning his head toward Nakia. "Go." I looked at him before looking at Nakia with happiness before running over to her and embracing her.

"Ngaba wonzakele?" she asked speaking Xhosa as she looked me over with worry. I shook my head.

"Andenzanga nto." I replied and she nodded.

"I have a ship that will take us back home. Come." she said taking my hand and pulling me down the hall. As I followed, I glanced back at Namor who merely raised his hand so that his palm was facing me. The warmth and happiness I felt faded the further I was from him.

Author's notes

Just used google translate for the Xhosa.

"Are you hurt?"

"I am not hurt."