Revamped!

[You have no idea how happy it makes me that there are people out there who like The Avengers and The Selection].

Chapter Fifteen: The Warrior

As I have mentioned before, the Black Panther is a hereditary title but even the standing heir must prove him or herself worthy enough to earn it. I'm amidst of completing the arduous tasks needed to be qualified for the throne on paper. By default, I become the next Black Panther. But so everyone in Wakanda gets a fair chance, once a year, there is a specified day where any Wakandan of any tribe can challenge the king for the throne in a fight to the death.

On that day, my father has to fight through over fifty challengers. He manages to win them all but it's still a gruelling event for not only him but for me and my mother because we can't interfere. Our hearts are elevated with the idea that if Father were to make even the slightest mistake and be defeated, our whole lives change, especially if the victor wasn't a Panther. Father prefers for me to watch and learn but my mother sends me to America if she gets the chance; although she and my father argue and I end up staying most of the time. She doesn't like watching it either and does so from the balcony and I at her hip.

I've watched people die for power.

That day isn't today, though. Today serves a different purpose.

My parents have been training my suitors ever since they arrived (especially my father). Father believes that the King of Wakanda must be a tough warrior like himself and all the Black Panthers before him. That is the kind of suitor whom my father wants me to choose. I can tell who he wants to succeed him by my side.

Today is the day my father will challenge each of my suitors in a fight to see who may or may not be worthy for the throne. I, personally, don't believe any of them will stand a chance against my father.

Except maybe myself but today isn't my day to reign.

-o-

None of my suitors want to fight my father for obvious reasons but someone had to go first before my father called them by name. This staged fight is only sparring, well, I hope it is. During the real event, the fights are unpredictable.

But Father is giving them a slight advantage. He drank a concoction that drains the heart-shaped herb from his system. It's a plant native to Wakanda that's consumed by the ruler to the Black Panther mantle to gain enhanced physical abilities.

Mother doesn't eat it. I have the right to it because I'm the heir, but I have never consumed it.

I stand beside Mother and the other suitors. I can feel their nerves like a breeze on my skin. Small bumps form on my arms so I cross them across my chest to cover them up.

Am I nervous for them? Yes.

"I volunteer," Zuberi offers. I'm not surprised but someone had to go first.

Zuberi faces my father who isn't wearing his Black Panther suit. Even on the real occasion, he doesn't wear it. But maybe he should've because he's looking at Zuberi like a predator to his prey. Zuberi does his best to fight and lasts a slim second longer than I estimated.

"Next," Father calls, stretching his arms out although the first spar was nothing for him.

I glance at the other suitors who, out of fear, are encouraging each other to go. Modest, sure, but an appropriate form of cowardliness. When Father clears his throat, Femi runs over unwillingly. He doesn't last so long and neither do Jaheem or Abioye.

My shoulders suddenly feel light. This day was surprisingly short. Oh, that means we can go to lunch earlier than scheduled.

All eyes turn to Imanu who is the last to face my father. Imanu doesn't move a single inch. Father calls on him repeatedly, the suitors and my mother do the same, but I remain silent to observe him. He's petrified, I can tell by how wide his eyes are and how frozen his body rests.

That is because my father is The Black Panther who is the god of the land. He's the greatest and most powerful warrior who is supposed to undefeated to protect the land he vowed his life to do. Nothing gets past him, even without the suit or heart-shaped herb.

Imanu knows that and I'm not saying that the other suitors don't, but it's what Imanu said with the most confidence that I have ever seen him with that changes the atmosphere we were all standing in.

"I stand down," Imanu states.

Tensions rise in the silence. Nobody says a word.

Confused and surprised, Father stares right at Imanu with a stern expression. Imanu looks back, not losing eye contact with my father. He takes a breath before bowing his head and dismissing himself.

I can't believe that just happened. I have to watch him leave to make sure that it's real.

Mother quickly leaves my side and escorts the other suitors with her.

That leaves me alone with my father.

-o-

I haven't moved one step. Father walks over to me, his eyes never leaving mine. I open my mouth to say something but I'm still lost for words due to recent events. I'm impressed by it and even smile a little at the small act of rebellion but the sharp breath of my father makes my face neutral once again.

"Iqadi," Father starts, "please comment on what you just witnessed."

"I shall be honest," I reply.

"You know better not to lie."

Oh no, he's mad. For a moment, I thought he was joking but even I know better. I hoped he was.

I take a breath. "I believe Imanu was wise not to fight."

"Wise?" Father repeats, not believing what he just heard. "You believe he was wise to walk away?"

"I believe he was wise not to wage in a fight he knew he wouldn't win. That is an excellent strategy if you were to welcome me which you just did. Father, I understand you want me to choose a warrior but I will be The Black Panther, not my prince. I will be the one who will engage in combat to defend Wakanda and my prince can help me in whatever way he excels in. You did mention that I should marry someone who balances me."

Father takes a step closer to me. His face contorts in a way that shows that he doubts what he's about to say next. "Are you choosing Imanu as your prince?"

"I never said that."

"You didn't have to." He sighs. "Look, Iqadi, you and your husband would be the most powerful and influential in Wakanda, even the world with the rate that Wakanda's becoming better known."

"Sorry, Father, I didn't know I was a pawn in your world domination plan."

He gives me a face. "You're not my pawn, you're my daughter. I want to marry you off with a man who will treat you better than a queen."

"And what says Imanu won't?"

Father shrugs, proving my point.

"Mind you, Father," I start, "I'm getting married and it's my choice."

Father nods, respecting my words. "So you don't want someone like that?"

"I do." I smile. "I guess we'll find out what that means."