Sounds of shattering glass and loud haunting footsteps filled the atmosphere. Four siblings huddled together in a guest bathroom, sitting quietly as the torment continued downstairs.
"We have to help her," Aja whispered to her older brother taka, who shook his head and stood near the door.
"She said to stay down," he said bluntly, eyeing the twins over in the corner, hugging each other for comfort.
Aja was growing impatient. She couldn't help but pace around as the noises downstairs grew louder. Faintly they could hear a creak coming from the tub where Aja was. She'd punched a hole into the tile wall behind her, eyes glowing a golden hue.
Taka stared at his sister, mouthing the words 'calm down' only making her roll her eyes and step away from the area. That's when they heard her.
"I don't have anything for you." their mother pleaded with whoever was downstairs. Another shattering sound followed her words. Something was thrown, something heavy.
"Where is she, Saa'vani?" suddenly, they heard a woman's voice. Her voice was cold and demanding. Suddenly, all the other noises stopped.
"She isn't here, Valentina. I've told you this."
"So I'm supposed to believe you don't have your superhuman daughter just wandering around? Do you think I'm an idiot?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
It was quiet for a while before anyone spoke again.
"I've allowed you to return to Wakanda or surrender her to us. Instead, you continue to play in my face—your times up, saa'vani."
"Valentina, have I not been your most valuable scientist? Let my baby go. I've done everything-"
"Everything but surrender her."
Then there was silence, but this time it was heavy.
"Ndiyathandaza ukuba ufumane uxolo."
Was what was last heard from their mother before a loud pop erupted, followed by a thud.
"Let's go."
The footsteps were retreating, and the sound of trucks revving up outside masked the sounds of the crying heard in the bathroom. Taka kept a straight face. Instead, he balled up his fist and pulled open the door, slowly stepping out.
"amawele ayojonga macala onke aqinisekise ukuba akukho mahluko." he commanded, watching the twins scurry out to check around the house.
Aja didn't wait for an order. She walked out of the bathroom into the hall to find her mother's office. There was broken glass everywhere. They had trashed their home entirely. Once she reached the door, she touched the cold knob yanking gently, realizing it was still locked, how her mother would have it when she worked. Taking one step back, Aja kicked the door, making it fly across the cold dark room.
She scanned the office, papers everywhere, a broken window letting the cold winter air in. She stumbled across something as she walked. When she looked down, she let out a piercing scream that was heard around the house, a cry that led her siblings right to her. When they got there, they saw their mother curled up in Aja's arms, lifeless.
"Mommy." Aja cried, holding her mother close, her clothes slowly drenched in her blood.
The twins noticed lights outside and tugged their brother.
"We have to keep moving, sister." taka said coldly, reaching down to pull Bali away.
"They're watching for us. Mom told us what to do. Now we have to do it."
One of the twins, Asha, finally spoke. "Mommy is with the ancestors now. There is nothing more we can do but run."
Once the lights disappeared, they ran for it, looking for the keys to the spare car they had hidden in the woods. Once they had found them, they knew exactly where to go.
{5 years prior}
"Shuri, come on! Get out of that damn lab and make your way to the field." Aja called out to her best friend, taunting her as she worked on a project for her brother.
"You are so annoying." Shuri laughed, turning away from her work with a big smile plastered across her face. "I'm not sparring with you, My'aja, I have to finish my brother's updates."
"You're always working." Aja pouted, standing in front of the somewhat taller girl.
"You miss me, huh?"
"Like hell. All you do now is work. I know you're excited about t'challa being back but do not forget your best friend, princess."
Shuri bit her lip and shook her head. "15 minutes, Aja, then we both need to get back to work."
The two ran out of the lab past the Dora guarding the door, they could hear them yelling for them, but their laughter was all they got in return. Once they made it to the fields, Aja climbed up in a tree.
"Down uthando ! You are not about to attack me from up top." Shuri chuckled, holding open her arms, and Aja flew down into them, causing them both to crash into the ground in a fit of laughter.
"Did I hurt you?"
"Nah. You're much stronger, though."
Standing up and grabbing their weapons, the two eyed each other.
"You ready for this ass whooping princess?" with the tap of her beads, a white suit covered Aja's body, the fur around her neck fluffed out.
"Was the fur necessary?" Aja grumbled, making shuri laugh.
"Yes, you are Jabari, and your father requested you had fur."
"You listen to my father?"
"Only to an extent." Shuri got into position. "Did you come to talk or fight?"
"Both." Aja charged at Shuri and swiped her down to the ground holding the spear to her neck. "Your kinda cute down there."
The two had gone at it for hours. What was supposed to be fifteen minutes went on until midnight, nothing but fighting and fooling around.
While walking into the palace, Shuri noticed members of the Jabari tribe entering the doors.
"Why are they here?" she spoke quietly. Aja checked her phone to see missed calls from her mother. They walked in and saw a scene.
"I've had enough, Ramonda! She is no threat to Wakanda or your precious t'challa," saa'vani yelled, holding the hands of her twin girls. "M'baku, you stand there stiff. This is your child too! Do you not care?"
"I do care! All they are saying is there is no use for two-"
"The use of the herb on your daughter was illegal, saa'vani." Ramonda finally spoke. Once she noticed the two teens standing near, she froze.
Saa'vani followed her eyes and turned back. "I did what I did to save my child. Something your people failed to do, and now you're upset she's stronger than your own." she gave the twins to their brother taka, who led them to a ship, then reached for Aja taking her slender arms into her grip. "Come, My'aja. We are leaving, taka strap the twins in!"
"Where are we going, momma?" Aja asked, looking back at Shuri, who was held back by her mother.
"Mother, mother, where is she taking her?" Shuri asked, pulling out to her best friend but with no luck.
"Saa'vani, you can not take my children!" m'baku yelled
Saa'vani stayed quiet, pushing her children onto the aircraft and staring at her husband as the doors closed.
Aja ran to the window slapping her hand against it with tears in her eyes. Shuri was finally allowed to break free and ran to the ship, but by the time she'd gotten close, it had taken off.
{present day}
Shuri shot up in her bed, breathing heavily, remembering every moment of the dream she'd just had. Reaching her nightstand, she picked up a picture of her and Bali hugging under a tree, and on the frame, the words 'abahlobo abagqibelele ngonaphakade' were carved into it.
"Panther."
"Yes, griot?"
"King M'baku would like to see you."