"It's actually recorded in the royal family's history," Queen Ramonda began, trying to gently calm her daughter's fiery determination. "Every Black Panther's strength has varied throughout the generations. There were some who could break mountains and shatter boulders—stronger than both your father and your brother ever were."
"That's because their era was too primitive!" Shuri replied, full of confidence. "They didn't have the scientific knowledge to fully understand the power of the Heart-Shaped Herb. But with science on my side, nothing can stop me. I'll unlock the full potential of the herb's power!"
"The Heart-Shaped Herb isn't science, Shuri," Queen Ramonda reminded her, her tone measured and gentle. "It is a divine blessing from the Panther God, Bast, gifted to Wakanda."
"I know that," Shuri responded after a moment's pause. Her tone remained firm, even defiant. "But even a divine blessing must obey the laws of physics and biology to work!"
Deep down, Shuri harbored resentment toward Bast. In her mind, Bast had failed in her role as Wakanda's protector. The god had only intervened after her father and brother had died, far too late to prevent tragedy. From Shuri's perspective, Bast had done less to help Wakanda than even the flawed Avengers had.
But with Queen Ramonda's guidance, Shuri refrained from vocalizing her frustrations. She was well aware that Bast's renewed presence in Wakandan culture had led to a resurgence of faith among the people. Criticizing the Panther God would only isolate her from her nation.
Soon, Shuri found herself in the sacred cavern that housed the Heart-Shaped Herb. However, rather than follow tradition and undergo the herb's ceremonial process, she decided to take a more "scientific" approach. Shuri began extracting samples from the herb, determined to study and analyze its properties.
Her plan was to bypass ritual and extract the herb's raw power through technological means.
But there was a problem—just as Queen Ramonda had hinted. The Heart-Shaped Herb wasn't merely a physical object but a vessel for Bast's divine blessing. The herb's power wasn't something that could be quantified or extracted like a chemical compound.
Despite her brilliant mind, Shuri's research hit a dead end. She found nothing within the herb's molecular structure that could explain the superhuman strength and agility it bestowed. The most notable compound she discovered was one with hallucinogenic properties—a chemical that could cause vivid visions.
For a moment, Shuri even began to suspect that the herb's power was nothing more than a psychological placebo, a trick of the mind. But she couldn't deny the evidence before her. Both her father and her brother had undergone the Heart-Shaped Herb ritual and emerged with genuine superhuman abilities.
Frustrated and empty-handed, Shuri realized that her earlier boasts about scientifically mastering the herb had been premature. She had failed to unlock its power.
Meanwhile, the King's Trial was underway.
Erik Killmonger, now empowered by Bast's divine blessing, had arrived at Wakanda's central arena alongside the champions of the other tribes. Each tribe carried its token of authority, signifying their eligibility to challenge for the throne.
The outcome of the trial was a foregone conclusion.
Despite her intelligence, Shuri was no warrior. She was an ordinary human without the physical conditioning to match Wakanda's greatest fighters. Compared to the other participants, Shuri wasn't even among the stronger women of Wakanda, let alone capable of competing with someone like Killmonger.
The other tribes' champions fared no better. Some had received blessings from other Wakandan gods, such as the White Gorilla God, but their divine gifts paled in comparison to Bast's. As the leader of the Wakandan pantheon, Bast's blessings were unmatched in potency.
One by one, Erik defeated the other champions, swiftly emerging as the trial's frontrunner. When his final opponent, Shuri, stepped into the ring, the fight was over before it even began. She was utterly outmatched.
But Shuri refused to accept defeat.
To her, the throne was a birthright, a legacy that belonged exclusively to her family. The idea of handing it over to an outsider, someone she saw as a usurper, was unthinkable.
When Erik landed a decisive blow that sent her sprawling to the ground, Shuri clenched her teeth in frustration. As her body hit the dirt, she let out a desperate shout:
"Now!"
A thunderous whoosh filled the air as Wakandan palace guards swarmed the arena, surrounding the trial participants in a tight formation.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Erik growled, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the armed soldiers closing in.
"You dare violate Wakanda's sacred traditions?!" shouted W'Kabi, head of the military and a staunch defender of tradition. He turned his fury toward Okoye, the leader of the palace guards and a loyal supporter of the royal family.
"Stand down, W'Kabi," Okoye said, her tone steely. "I'm acting under orders from the royal family."
"Orders from the royal family?" W'Kabi spat. "The throne belongs to Erik now. He won the trial, and he has Bast's blessing! Are you going to betray Wakanda's traditions for the whims of a failed princess?!"
His words caused a ripple of unease among the soldiers.
Until this moment, many had assumed Shuri would ascend to the throne without issue. But now it was clear that she had not earned Bast's blessing. The trial had shown her to be an unworthy successor.
If Erik had both the blessing of the Panther God and a legitimate victory in the King's Trial, then his claim to the throne was indisputable.
"This archaic tradition needs to change!" Shuri's voice cut through the rising tension. She climbed unsteadily to her feet, her eyes blazing with defiance.
"Why should brute strength outweigh intellect? Wakanda's power lies in its technology, in the advancements I've brought to our people. It's thanks to me that Wakanda defeated America's invasion. Under my leadership, Wakanda will continue to thrive!"
She pointed an accusatory finger at Erik. "And what can you offer Wakanda? A return to savagery? You're nothing more than a brute!"
Erik let out a dry laugh. "You talk as if you know me. What makes you think I can't lead Wakanda into a brighter future? And let's not forget—this isn't some Western democracy where elections are won by popularity contests. In Wakanda, the throne is earned through trial by combat. You lost, Shuri. Take your defeat with dignity."
Before anyone could respond, one of the tribal leaders stepped forward.
"Perhaps there's no need for hostility," he suggested. "Shuri is brilliant, but Erik has Bast's favor and the trial's victory. Why not unite? Erik can be king, and Shuri can be queen. Together, you could—"
"Are you out of your mind?!" Erik roared, his face contorting with rage. "Her father murdered mine, and you're suggesting I marry her? Besides, we're related! What kind of twisted logic is that?"
The tribal leader shrugged. "Your divine blessing has changed your physiology. Technically, you're no longer even fully human."
"Enough of this nonsense!" Shuri snapped. Her patience had worn thin, and her desperation bubbled to the surface.
"Kill them all!" she ordered, pointing at Erik and the other tribal leaders.
"Shuri, no!" W'Kabi shouted, his voice filled with disbelief.
But it was too late. At her command, Okoye and the palace guards charged forward, their vibranium weapons aimed at Erik and the assembled leaders.
"You've doomed us all!" W'Kabi shouted, his voice thick with fury.
"Damn it!" Erik muttered under his breath. His muscles tensed as he assessed the situation.
Instead of retreating, he launched himself straight toward Shuri.
"Protect the princess!" Okoye screamed, firing a vibranium-powered energy blast to intercept Erik.
But Erik was faster than expected. Sidestepping the attack with inhuman agility, he closed the distance to Shuri in seconds. Before she could react, Erik grabbed her by the throat, lifting her off the ground.
"Let her go!" Okoye shouted, her spear leveled at Erik's chest.
Erik sneered. "Do you really think you're in a position to make demands? Looks to me like I'm the one in control here."
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