The grassland fell silent as everyone regained their senses. Hong Fei stood armored in nano-tech, his sword planted in the earth, the golden glow of the Ten Rings still shimmering around his arms.
The battlefield told its own story. Craters pockmarked the terrain—some areas flattened completely, others scorched black with intersecting burn marks. Yet now the sky hung calm, the earth still, the crowd hushed.
Hong Fei surveyed the damage. Without these physical scars, he might have believed the battle occurred only in the spiritual realm. A cooling breeze carried away the last traces of heat, leaving only the scent of fresh grass and damp soil.
Old T'Chaka lifted his head with visible effort, terror widening his eyes. Before he could speak, blood fountained from his lips, draining all color from his face. His pupils dilated rapidly as Shuri rushed forward to catch his collapsing body.
"Father?"
Shuri's repeated calls went unanswered. She pried open his eyelids, then shouted for help with rising panic, forcing a pill between his teeth. Tribesmen swarmed around them, lifting T'Chaka while their leaders watched with barely contained dread.
The medicine seemed to work—T'Chaka's chest heaved violently before his eyes fluttered open. His gaze found Hong Fei across the field.
"Where...where is she?"
"Guess."
Hong Fei's smile held dark amusement.
T'Chaka spat blood, his head lolling sideways as his body went limp. Hong Fei's smirk faded. Well, that was unfortunate. Hard to say whether the old king died from injuries or sheer rage.
The crowd erupted into chaos around T'Chaka's body. The cacophony grated on Hong Fei's nerves until he roared, "Shut up!"
Silence fell instantly, all eyes turning toward him.
"The challenge is concluded. Who will settle the terms with me?"
"Never!" someone shouted.
Hong Fei arched an eyebrow.
"Are you certain?"
The protester clammed up immediately.
"You murdered our king and still demand vibranium?"
"Were the challenge terms not clear?"
Hong Fei countered.
"I won. Will Wakanda break its word?"
"Wakandans don't renege!"
"Then send someone to confirm it."
His demand met only stubborn silence.
As tribesmen carried T'Chaka away, Hong Fei called after them, "Don't waste time. I can save him."
"He's dead!"
Shuri whirled, her glare sharp enough to flay skin. A daughter's fury—understandable, if misplaced.
Hong Fei shook his head.
"Not yet."
Her hesitation lasted only a heartbeat before he acted, yanking T'Chaka's body toward him with a Dragon-Capturing Hand.
Wakanda's warriors erupted. Spears leveled from the ground, aircraft locked targets from above—until Xu Wenwu raised his hand. The Ten Rings ascended, their azure glow forming a crackling chain of energy.
"My patience wears thin."
Jessica's armor hummed as power gathered.
"Finally. I've been itching to crush you."
Antonia said nothing, simply notching an arrow and drawing her bowstring taut.
Big Head stepped forward, his voice booming across the courtyard.
"Show some respect, Wakandans!"
The air grew thick with tension.
Shuri chose that moment to wrench free from her handlers. She sprinted forward, her cry raw with grief.
"Give my father back to me!"
Fear didn't touch her—or perhaps grief had burned it away. She saw nothing but her father's body, blind to Hong Fei and his lethal entourage. Behind her, Okoye lunged to intercept, but vibranium armor shimmered into existence around Shuri, propelling her forward with impossible speed.
At ten meters from Hong Fei, she launched herself through the air—not with a panther's grace, but like an angry kitten pouncing.
Hong Fei's hand flicked out. His Dragon-Capturing Hand snared her mid-leap, rendering her instantly helpless.
"Behave," he said, voice flat as a blade. "Or I'll crush you where you stand."
Okoye skidded to a halt, spear raised.
"Release our king and princess!"
"That's not your decision to make."
The Ten Rings struck before Okoye could blink. She flew backward like a ragdoll, landing motionless fifteen meters away. Hong Fei's gaze pinned the queen.
"Send someone who matters."
Tribal leaders surged forward before the queen could respond. Hong Fei cut them off with a dismissive shake of his head.
"You're not qualified."
Protests erupted, a cacophony of outraged voices. When they subsided, Hong Fei's frown deepened.
"I said you're unqualified. That makes it fact, no matter what you believe."
The Rings sang through air again. Tribal leaders dropped like felled timber.
Jessica pouted.
"Couldn't save one for me?"
Xu Wenwu ignored her. Big Head shot him a sidelong glance, exhaling silently.
Wakandan fury reached its breaking point, a volcano ready to erupt. The queen sensed it—stepped forward with arms raised.
"Silence!"
Her voice cracked like a whip. Eyes red but face composed, she advanced toward Hong Fei.
When would-be interveners moved to stop her, others held them back. This was Hong Fei's game now; they needed to hear his terms.
"The challenge is over," Hong Fei announced as she approached.
The queen gave a stiff nod.
"Does silence mean surrender? Or are you gathering your defiance?"
Her gaze flickered between her husband's corpse and trapped daughter.
"Release them first."
"Are you bargaining with me?"
Hong Fei's lip curled.
"Have I been too lenient? Let vermin think they can scurry over me?"
Her jaw clenched. Humiliation and rage warred in her eyes.
Hong Fei's sudden smile held no warmth.
"Big Head."
"On it!"
The queen's composure shattered.
"What are you doing?"
"Look up."
She raised her eyes. The sky split open—blinding streaks of yellow and white light screaming toward them, the air shivering with their approach.
The artillery barrage struck Wakanda's capital moments later. Explosion after explosion ripped through the clear sky, shockwaves hurling pillars of fire high into the air.
"You wanted this outcome?"
The Queen turned, tears streaking her face.
"You monster!"
"Eloquent as ever, Big Head."
"Damn right!"
Big Head's voice crackled with excitement.
The Queen's pupils shrank to pinpricks. She shook her head violently.
"Stop! Please!"
Another salvo of rockets screamed across the city, impacts blooming wider this time.
"Ready to negotiate properly now?" Hong Fei asked.
"Yes! Anything!"
The Queen's nod was frantic.
"Fifty percent of Wakanda's vibranium belongs to me effective immediately. I don't care what's in your vaults or what comes from the mines—half of everything. My people will monitor production and make regular collections. Any discrepancies, and I'll mine your country with nuclear warheads."
The Queen's face twitched.
"But...we agreed on ten percent."
Hong Fei's laugh was cold.
"That was before your husband broke our terms. Now it's fifty. Second matter—do you want him resurrected?"
Her breath caught.
"What are you saying?"
"Simple transaction. I can bring him back—for a price."
"How much more vibranium?"
"The fifty percent covers it."
Hong Fei's gaze slid to Shuri, still trapped in the Dragon-Capturing Hand.
"Never!"
The Queen spat.
Hong Fei slammed T'Chaka's corpse onto the pavement.
"Then bury him."
The Queen stared at her husband's broken form before whispering, "And my daughter?"
"She comes with me."
"You—"
Behind them, Big Head's eyes gleamed. Typical Boss. When Master Hong marked someone, they were as good as taken. Resistance just meant skipping the pleasantries—drag her back and train the defiance out of her. Saved on dragon bone reagents too.
The Queen sank to her knees, cradling T'Chaka's body as silent sobs wracked her frame. Hong Fei watched without comment.
Finally, she looked up.
"What would you have Shuri do?"
Hong Fei's smile returned.
"Nothing dire. She'll work for me when she's ready—plenty of family time first. Vacation days included."
The Queen opened her mouth, then closed it. She'd almost demanded an oath, but what good were words against this kind of power?
"I don't waste breath on lies," Hong Fei added.
Her fingers traced the king's weathered face as fresh tears fell. Minutes passed before she wiped her eyes.
"I accept."
"Good. Five tons of vibranium within the month. My collectors will come, and Shuri will greet them willingly."
Hong Fei turned as the combat aircraft began descending.
Big Head placed a vial of dragon-bone resurrection serum before the Queen.
"Could've been simple," he murmured. "But you kept pushing. Frankly, I'm surprised the Boss didn't nuke you outright. Can't fathom why he showed mercy."
He straightened.
"Your son is a very wise person, but unfortunately, his family isn't."
Inside the aircraft, Hong Fei closed his eyes. The Orange Card materialized in his mind's eye:
Active Skill: Panther God (Orange) - Bast
Upon activation, become the true Panther God with full Black Panther transformation capabilities.
Warning 1: Energy consumption is enormous, and the initial transformation causes excruciating pain—use extreme caution.
Warning 2: The lingering Soul of Bast may attempt to possess you.
Warning 3: Dragon Power can purify it into a blank divine essence.