Obligatory Disclaimer : I do not own anything (except maybe OC characters) all characters, places, worlds, universes…etc mentioned here belong to their respective owners and/or companies.

This is purely a work of fiction. Not meant to offend or incite, but to entertain and (maybe) inspire.

PIOUS

A figure dashed through the thick foliage, swiftly threading through trees in the thick oppressive cover of darkness. Moisture trailed against the figure's skin, dense, defined musculature tensed like corded steel as the figure leapt from branch to branch with nary a disturbance save for the slight shake of leaves left in its wake. The figure expertly maneuvering through the dark forest came to a sudden stop upon a wide moss covered branch.

He crouched low, slowly putting both arms onto the thick stem to lower his presence and afford him a better grip. The infrequent chirp of birds cut through the heavily moist air, the cries, hisses and calls of the nocturnal critters announcing the drawing dawn filled the tense atmosphere.

In the shadow where the large branch met the tree, two wispy predatory eyes glinted within as though suspended in air. Out of the wispy umbra stalked the powerful beast, its coat as black as tar, drawn taut over a form built to hunt. A low threatening growl escaped its maws, how dare a prey encroach upon its territory?

Without a warning the panther pounced. Its powerful form is a darting black bolt in the dark, poised to strike the crouched figure.

T'Challa jumped, ducking beneath the panther's swipe he drove his shoulder into the beast's unguarded breast, spearing the ferocious carnivore from the tree's height to the forest floor. Man and beast tumbled and tussled, twigs and sticks broke beneath them as their wrestle created a cacophony of disturbance.

"Roar" The beast growled, now atop the prince, snapped its jaws over T'Challa's neck, an attack the prince avoided by rocking the panther's maw with a punch. The panther responded with a soil cleaving swipe. T'Challa, unable to fully dodge the swipe, planted both feet into the panther's midsection and kicked up, pushing the creature off, yet earning himself three thin furrows on the arm, a new addition of scars to the library that wrote his body.

T'Challa dashes for the rising beast, he slams a sharp elbow against the panther's jaw, disorienting it. He leaps upon the carnivore's back, locking his legs over its waist he secures himself to the bestial hunter and wraps his hand under its neck.

He pulls and strangles the beast, it roars, charging into the forest, dust and rubble rises as it claws the ground, pouncing and rolling in an attempt to pry the one clinging to it off. Its attempts are futile, the hate and rage in its eye dim and with a long wispy groan, the mighty beast tumbles to the dirt. Its fur sullied by earth and dead leaves.

T'Challa arose, his chest cresting and falling, a foggy breath rips past his lips as he stares down the downed predator. He raises his head and roars, "RAH!" The powerful cry reverberates through the forest, startling the creatures within as they scrambled away from whence the new predator resides.

*.*.*

Red leaked from the deep cut on my side, every breath sent a stab along my ribs. I tried feeling the wound but brought myself more intense agony. My left thumb and index finger were clearly out of joint, the adrenaline was wearing off, the longer I spent thinking of what must be done the more pain I'd have to face to do it.

I gripped my digits and popped them into place, coughs and hisses ripped past my lips in dizzying pain. I was covered in sweat, grime and dead foliage, my breath was arduous, my limbs trembled from a mixture of excitement and fear.

No time. I was here in this specific spot, at this specific time for a reason.

I dragged the downed panther to a modest clearing free of the cover of trees, the moon stared down at me, highlighting mine and the beast's figure in bone white brilliance. I drew a circle, within which I placed the very heavy beast.

Its fur was nasty, it tasted of musk, dirt and something ambiguous yet the grimace did not reach my face as I dug my teeth into the creature's neck. My own canines were dubiously sharp, sharp enough to pierce the layer of fur after much effort and then into disgusting raw meat that was still warm.

Blood, warm, salty, coppery blood gushed into my mouth from the gash. I had no choice but to swallow, disregard the diseases, the pathogens, the filth that was within this wild predator's flesh, my goddess demanded this of me. I was of age this was a ritual I had to go through, a trial by fire if you will. A barbaric thing lost to the historic annals of Wakanda.

Yet within me, within my very chest my heart revved and drummed, ice and fire coursed through my veins, raw power raced through my bloodstream, my vision swam into this place where darkness became light, my tongue tasted the air and the preys around me, my ears heard the slitter of worms in the undergrowth, my skin addressed the wing beat of a firefly behind me.

Predatory eyes appeared before me, I'd seen them once before, in a plane beyond this one. These eyes measured me, the pressure of them touched my very soul. I heard a voice that wasn't speaking, words that did not travel through sound. They pronounced me blessed and vanished as they came.

When I looked up again, I was on my back, the once alive panther was naught but bone and fur.

I do not know how the Black Panther will react to this, but the moment was upon us now. I must return to the Golden City.

It was my time to reign.

*.*.*.*.*

Byakashakugan, that's French for, I miss yall too. Yes, been a while, I know. I've been busy taming life. I have a bunch of exciting stuff planned for current and new stories so stay tuned. Smell ya later aligatuhs.