This is another chapter centred around Wakanda.

I'm writing this AN after hearing the news and I think this is the perfect chapter to say this: Rest in Power, Chadwick Boseman.

Year Two: The Warrior Falls

The Warrior Falls - Wakanda - 16:42 PM

The Warrior Falls are a set of waterfalls where the King of Wakanda and the heir to the Black Panther is coronated. When there's no coronation, the ritual combat takes place here. It's an event where the throne of Wakanda is up for grabs, aiming for the best warrior. Due to tradition, each tribe has the option to challenge the heir/king for the throne and the mantle.

The falls are a natural wonder rooted in Wakanda's history. They're meant to inspire and awe everyone who comes into its presence. The ritual is performed in water, at the edge of this specific waterfall. If the king loses, the warrior will fall over the edge to perish.

Iqadi is dressed in a sleeveless short form-fitted red zip-up dress that goes up to her neck, decorated in gold trim fashioned in a Wakandan pattern. Her hair is braided and pulled back in two buns that rest on top of her head. She stands beside her mother whose outfit is looser than her. Ororo's dress is grey, longer, and slowly like clouds. Her hair is the same way as it flies on her shoulders. On Iqadi's other side is Imanu who's wearing one of his best dark blue dashikis with a red stripe down the centre of the top that matches Iqadi's dress.

As the royal family of the Panther clan, they had to dress up. They were in the front and centre of the spectator's side at the Warrior Falls. They had a close view of King T'Challa who stands in the centre of the pool of water before the edge with one of the high councilmen who referees the battles, dressed and armed for combat. On various rock platforms nearby were other council members and people from different tribes. Imanu's family is on a platform right behind him. His little sister keeps on poking his ritual as she waits excitedly for the fights to start.

People are dancing, singing, and chanting for King T'Challa. It's a holiday all over Wakanda.

Imanu smiles, reaching back to grab her hands and makeshift a dance to match the music. Iqadi looks over and laughs, prompting Imanu to give her a quick kiss.

"What would you do if I challenged my father?" Iqadi whispers to him.

Imanu shrugs. "Cheer you on?"

Iqadi smiles at him before turning to play with Kili for a bit. Imanu sighs relieved. It's his first time here since, last year, he wasn't a suitor, and now he's uncomfortable. The idea of this tradition doesn't sit well with him for many reasons. For as long as he can remember, he had to work in the mines on this day. Vibranium didn't care for the holidays. Whenever this ritual would come, he and the other workers would always wonder what would happen if King T'Challa lost. They would hear updates after each fight, but they're always unsettled. They're meant to serve their throne, but where's the line between the throne, the Black Panther, and King T'Challa? Is there even a difference within the three? And now, that warrior isn't only his King, that's his father-in-law.

A final drum beat silences the tribes and all eyes are on King T'Challa.

"I present to you, King T'Challa!" The council member chants as he holds a bowl in his hands. T'Challa takes a knee to the water as the Dora Milage thump their spears against the ground once. "I will now strip the Black Panther of his powers."

He makes his way over, standing in front of his King. Before T'Challa drinks the concoction, he looks over at his family. Underneath their straight faces are tense nerves. Yearly, they feel this way. Nothing will ever change since no year runs the same. He gives him a soft smile before focusing again on the ritual.

T'Challa drinks from it slowly. They can watch as the liquid grabs onto his powers, wringing it away. His body writhes and he groans in pain but Iqadi and Ororo keep their arms crossed at their chests, moving them up and down to the constant drumbeat.

There's no suit, no powers, just the man. Just the warrior.

Imanu looks over and sees Iqadi biting down on her bottom lip. Keeping one arm up, he holds her elbow. She glances over and gives a sad smile, turning back around when T'Challa stands up again.

"In ritual combat comes by yield or death. If any tribe wishes to put forwards a warrior, I now offer a path to the throne."

It's silent for a moment as the tribes discuss it amongst themselves. Imanu can hear Queen Ororo muttering prayers to herself, hoping that nobody steps forwards. He looks over at Iqadi and she stands straight, keeping her eyes on her father. They'll never know which moment is more tense: waiting for a possible challenger or watching the fight.

"The River Tribe will not challenge today!"

"The Merchant Tribe will not challenge today!"

"The Mining Tribe will not challenge today!"

"The Border Tribe will not challenge today!"

Imanu relaxes a little. He glances over at the women beside him, both smiling happily. He believes that, as time went on, the other tribes didn't bother to fight because they like the way King T'Challa's ruling. They're not complaining with their lack of power with him on the throne.

The hosting council member walks towards them, swinging the staff in their direction. "Are there any members of royal blood who wish to challenge?"

T'Challa grins at Ororo, gesturing for her to come forwards but she narrows her eyes and shakes her head. She disagrees with this tradition as much as Imanu does but, like Imanu, will still respect it since it's the culture she married into. (The only difference is he was born into it).

Iqadi smiles brightly at the offer, stretching her arms above her head. The crowd gets riled, starting to chant while Imanu stares at her alarmed but tries to hide it. But, to his relief, she stands down with a bright grin. T'Challa looks at Imanu and points his spear at him. He has never been more terrified. It reminds him of the days when he was a suitor and King T'Challa wanted to spar with him and test his abilities, and was stunned when he refused. Iqadi laughs a little since Kili is nudging for Imanu to get out there. But Imanu passes, like before.

Unlike years before, nobody fought for the throne, even with a clear path given to them. There wasn't even a single battle that ended in a surrender.

-o-

They returned to the palace courtyard for festivities. King T'Challa was now dressed formally, talking to other tribe members with Ororo and Iqadi. Besides, today's still a holiday. There's even a point where Kili started faking punches in front of T'Challa, jabbing at his leg. He played along, pretending to wager the throne and mantle, and he let her win. Imanu's parents, as well as everyone else, was entertained.

Adorable, yes, but Imanu is fake smiling because he doesn't want to think about the future.

-o-

It's the middle of the night and Imanu's still awake, lying in his bed. Iqadi drifted off hours ago. She faces him with her face buried in the sheets. Sometimes, Imanu would turn over to look and make sure she isn't awake or waking up. She would be concerned if she saw him still awake, even pretending to sleep since she doesn't fall for that trick anymore.

He couldn't sleep because when he would close his eyes, he would see Iqadi standing at the edge of The Warrior Falls. She would be ready to take on any challenger, watching as the tribes deliberate and see if they'll offer one and whom. And he's in the same spot as he was today, front row to watch the fight. Or fights. Plural. He remembers one year when he was barely a teenager, sitting beside a cart of vibranium hearing King T'Challa victories one after another. There were at least five that year. Five. In a row.

The water is a path. A path to her. A path to his wife that could kill her. He knows how good of a fighter she is, even with her powers stripped, but he can't help but think about that one possibility.

She could've challenged her father. She almost did. One day, she will and people will challenge her.

Imanu sighs. He said he'd cheer her on but mostly so she doesn't die.