Truly, no one expected thee king of Wakanda to accept the challenge from a stranger, from an outsider... but T'Challa is too honorable to turn him away. They share blood, and because of that, he knows that Erik does have a claim to the throne.
T'Challa honors the traditions set before him as the tribe elders, Dora Milaje, the royal family and Zhara stand at Warrior Falls to watch the challenge play out. Zuri gives T'Challa the drink that strips away his powers of Black Panther, but even that isn't final. T'Challa tries to get Erik to back down... but he won't budge. Erik snaps his spear in half to make for a better weapon, then plunges it into the ground beneath the water.
" I've waited my entire life for this moment. I've trained, I lied, I killed, just to get here," He announces as he removes his vest and shirt to reveal all his scars, " I killed in America, in Afghanistan, Iraq. I took life from my own brothers and sisters right here on this continent," then picks up his weapons, " And all this death... just so I could kill you."
While Erik's words may be troubling, T'Challa doesn't seem phased as he gives a nod to Zuri.
" Let the challenge begin."
And Erik instantly leaps forward, going on the offensive and attacking T'Challa with everything he's got while his girl watches from the sidelines. Zhara stands on the rocks, eyes never once leaving the battle as her heart races. Each of Erik's movements seems to send her deeper and deeper into disbelief.
How could her sweet, loving boyfriend be such a fierce and rageful fighter?
T'Challa stands strong, using his shield to deflect Erik's attacks and remaining on the defensive. He stays his ground and uses all his strength to push back. He even manages to knock Erik on his back with the tip of his sword pointed at him, telling him to yield.
But there's no way in hell Erik will give up now. Not a chance.
Erik gets back up and continues to fight, but in doing so ends up getting his cheek cut but T'Challa's sword. Zhara gasps as she watches the blood drip down his face, and ultimately feels completely helpless to do anything. She cannot stop the challenge, and she cannot help him fight, for she wouldn't fight T'Challa, not even for Erik.
But now... now she sees Killmonger. He continues his violent attacks on the king, never once showing any sign of weakness. Erik knocks the king on his back and slashes his thigh. Erik pounds against the shield relentlessly as T'Challa is nearly cornered.
The tension increases at becomes more and more obvious that T'Challa may not be the winner of this battle. His family cries and his lover doesn't believe what she sees.
With each cut Erik makes, his smile grows bigger and bigger. He beats the king of Wakanda, he beats his own cousin, and it feels so damn good... especially when Erik's sword ends up inside of T'Challa's stomach.
Gasps are heard all around the waterfall, and even Zhara watches in disbelief. She watches as her boyfriend beats his cousin with no remorse. She watches Erik land punch after punch after punch.
" This is for my father."
Erik goes to take his sword to the king's head, but he's stopped by none other than Zuri, who willingly puts his own life in harm's way to protect T'Challa.
" I am the cause of your father's death," Zuri states, " Not him... take me."
" I'll take you both, Uncle James!" Erik exclaims... then runs Zuri through with his own spear.
T'Challa cries out as he watches one of his closest friends fall to the ground, he cries out as he watches the life leave his body. Zhara's mouth is agape and her eyes are wide open. She doesn't need to know him to feel the pain of his death. She feels a bubbling pit in her stomach that only intensifies as Erik grows more and more unhinged.
The king tries to attack, but he only falls back down into the water. He tries to retaliate, but he's unsuccessful.
" Is this your king, huh?!" Erik asks the crowd as T'Challa attempts to attack once more, " Is this your king?" then brings his knee up to the king's face, " The Black Panther, who's supposed to lead you into the future? Him? He's supposed to protect you?"
T'Challa stands one final time, trying to land just a single punch, but all it does it land him over Erik's shoulders. Killmonger walks the king over to the edge of the waterfall, and the tension grows higher and higher and higher... until T'Challa gets thrown off the edge, presumably to his death.
The Queen Mother cries out in anguish as she hugs her daughter, the entire crowd watching in disbelief as Erik turns around to face them in victory.
" Nah... I'm your king," He smiles, then points to his girl, " And Zhara... she's your queen."
Nakia ushers the former royals away from the falls, but Zhara catches them before they can leave.
" Ndiyaxolisa kakhulu (I'm so sorry)" Zhara whispers in tears, " I didn't mean for this to happen... I-I'm so sorry."
Ramonda and Shuri are taken away by Nakia before they can give her any kind of response, but by the time she's turning around, Erik already wears the king's necklace, and all those before him salute the new king. The couple then lock eyes, and Erik can't help but smirk.
" My queen," He boasts.
" I am not a queen," Zhara shakes her head as she walks down into the water to approach him.
" Easy fix," Erik shrugs, then looks over to one of the elders, " Marry us."
Zhara's eyes are still wide in disbelief, while Erik's pupils are blown, both in succession and complete adoration for the woman standing before him. One of the elders approaches, wrapping them both in a cloth as they hold hands. The elder recites the words and prayers needed to marry them both. The entire time, their eyes never leave each other. Erik looks down at her like he always has... but Zhara sees him so differently. She doesn't see him the way she used to... but she still loves him. She doesn't recognize him, not even in the slightest... but her heart still remains with him, especially now, with their hands joined together in marriage.
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[ all hail queen zhara ]