Being a leader is making the people you love hate you a little more each day...

- Patrick Ness

{ 1927 }

Wakanda—the world's hidden and most advanced country. So much power that was being used sparingly and selfishly. Rarely do they show themselves to the world. That was why they have kept the facade that they were a nation on the brink of collapse. Little to the public's knowledge, they had a larger chance of prospering than them. It wasn't as clear as the year of 1927, when the Wakandans had created a new weapon that was powered by the Earth's energy.

As it was new tech, it had to be tested. It would not be logical to send any warriors of Wakanda into battle without knowing if it would work or not.

But who was going to test it? The Wakandan warriors? It wasn't allowed because they didn't want to risk the lives of their people just testing their new tech. Maybe the Dora Milaje? No; even the King of Wakanda denied that suggestion. They were their strongest fighters. If there was anyone injured, he wouldn't be able to live that down for a few weeks.

That was why, the King himself, suggested that he would be the one to undergo testing. Queen Nanali would refute, but was quickly assured by his husband that there would be a minimal chance of failing—especially when he would be wearing the Black Panther costume.

It was already high night. It looked to be past midnight, as the moon was in the middle of falling. The testing site was to be outside of Wakanda to attract the least amount of attention from the citizens of the city and the wandering travelers that come near the facilities of the city's cloak.

In a valley opening just outside the city, King Azzuri the Wise was walking around with the Black Panther costume that was splashed with golden trails. For the weapon that he was bearing, it was attached on his hands. He was told by his scientists that he needed to feel the Earth's gravity for him to power the bracelets.

Placing two fingers on his ear, he called to his comrades. "All I need to do is touch the surface, correct?"

"Correct, my king. We have gone through some difficulties in powering up the bracelets; however, your suit may be enough to power it."

"That is all I will need. Thank you." Taking the time to glimpse at the environment, he pondered at the thought of the world not knowing of Wakanda's true nature. "Truly an interesting thought. Truly..."

The hollow and vibrant forest and the soft and lush grass was at his disposal. It was going to be enough to power the weapons. The Earth's gravity was stronger than ever from where he was standing. He felt it looming around him—almost like it was circling him. For him, it was somewhat relaxing.

Lowering his hands to the Earth's surface and feeling the mushy grass, he pressed onwards. The bracelets on his hands glowed purple. The pebbles that were hidden in the grass' camouflage began to rise. Everything in his area that wasn't stuck to the ground floated—except for him.

He felt heavy. It was like the gravity was gathering on his back.

Electricity. There were charges of electricity being produced on his hands. It was surging throughout the ground, powering the weapons. The bracelets were rotating quickly on his hands, circling his wrist. The sound of cackling was ringing in his ears, as he felt the weapon's power.

—And then an explosion.

In an instant, Azzuri fell on his back from a great distance. He landed about ten meters from where he was. Writhing in pain, he held his back.

"Impressive..." He muttered, "This suit is useless..."

Sitting on the ground with his mask emitting smoke, there was a small hole in the grass.

"The bracelets however," He looked to the weapons, "Quite useful."

EXPLOSION.

Trusting his instincts, Azzuri dragged his feet across the grass and dodged the boulders that exploded from the ground. It wasn't from his weapon—it was from something that was awakened. Surely, the amount of power that he gathered from the environment was enough to awake a beast.

—And a beast it was.

It was that similar to the country's most recognizable symbol—a panther. But it wasn't the usual panther he was accustomed to seeing. Its color was grey and it was three times larger than the normal one. The ribcage was visible and pushed against its thin skin. It looked it was dying. Still, it looked as aggressive as if it had been fully fed.

Growling, it noticed Azzuri, watching it with marvelous intent.

"—UWARRRRRRRRRR!"

He reached out his hands to the panther, who was showing its hostility. It didn't reciprocate the same feelings. It roared once again, making Azzuri keep his distance.

"Please, calm yourself. I'm not here to hurt you..." Azzuri said in such a gentle voice.

"—RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

In a moment's notice, it jumped to his location. It was no longer a matter of whether he could stop it, it was whether he could survive it.

It's mouth was wide open as it approached the king. Using the strengths of the Black Panther suit, he held both ends of the mouth to keep it from biting his entire figure. Grunting and grinning, it was like it was tearing his back apart. The pain kept on rolling on to him as the panther kept on pushing him back.

"AGHHH—" Azzuri shouted, standing his ground against it.

"—GRAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

With whatever leftover power Azzuri had left, he threw the monster to its side. The panther was scratching its mouth, as the Black Panther had almost ripped its jaw apart. Azzuri panthed, standing on one knee to gain composure.

—But the panther wasn't going to let down.

It pounced on the King, knocking him down to the ground. Since its prey was too close to the Earth's floor, it had trouble taking its head off. Ripping its paws into Azzuri, it was clear that the Black Panther suit was going to give way soon enough.

When it was getting hopeless for him to get out of this situation, he could hear a whiff in the air and a clear, European accent.

"GET OUT OF THE WAY!"

Azzuri hugged the ground, staying away from the panther's paws. With one swift tackle, the beast was taken off him and into a sharp tree. It was like lightning—you knew it happened, but it was too quick to comprehend. He didn't know who or what saved him, but he was praising the gods for whatever blessings that they bestowed on him this time.

Seeing that the panther was trying to get on its feet, it was enough for Azzuri to take a breather. Taking a look at who was his savior, it came to a surprise to him.

It looked to be just a regular man—like any other. He was wearing a black shirt and pants that was more casual than he would have thought. However, he was very built; maybe even more than him. Especially his face—it looked like that of a fashion model.

"You alright?" The man asked, his eyes bouncing from the panther and him.

"I am... I—I thank you... for saving my life." Azzuri had gotten on one knee and facing his savior.

"My pleasure; but you need to get out of here. Now!" He pointed to the empty plot of land which would have been Wakanda hiding under the cloak.

"I cannot express my gratitude in a way besides fighting... I shall fight with you. It is what I owe."

"You don't owe me anything. If you want to help, then you can— AGHHH!"

The panther shoved the man, sending him back. Azzuri, being the good Samaritan he was, he knocked the beast out of its path as it pranced towards the man. It backed off, scanning its surroundings.

"What are the odds we can make this animal scramble?"

"NO! DON'T!"

Out of nowhere, a beam of two yellow lights pierced the skin of the panther. It began to roar once more without missing a beat. It was truly tough, as if it didn't feel the supernatural power that the man had possessed.

Azzuri himself was impressed. However, he wasn't at the point of being awe-struck. He had seen this type of power before. Under his breath, he mumbled prayers to his gods once again.

"You really aren't going to take no for an answer, are you?" The man mentioned, standing firm on front of the panther. "If you could hold it down, there's a chance we can take it."

Azzuri chuckled to him, "Gladly."

Standing side by side with his savior, they weren't afraid of it. It growled and roared, but it didn't make them flinch. It was now confused, as the two men were no longer disturbed. It only angered it more.

Running at them, it arrived the man first. It took a prompt dodge and a strong hook to its jaw for it to be knocked to the ground. Azzuri followed it up, stabbing its shoulders with his expanded claws. It wailed, but to no avail.

The man went up to his head, and aimed his eyes at its neck. With a single flick, the beams went out of his eyes and cut off its neck.

Everyone fell to the ground—one to its demise, and the other two to fatigue.

"Bastard..." The man sighed, kicking the beast's head away from his feet. "Damn deviants..."

They sat there, composing themselves from the battle. The man was basically covered in dirt after taking the beast to the ground multiple times. It didn't seem to bother him. There was more satisfaction in him killing that beast.

Unexpectedly, he stood up with a full body of energy—as if the battle barely bothered him. Grabbing the panther's dead body, he began to leave.

"Do you think you're going to leave without talking to me?" Azzuri caught up, ignoring his injuries.

"Just pretend I wasn't here; because I wasn't."

"I know who you are."

The man shot a look at him, "No, you don't."

"But you know who I am?"

"A Wakandan?" He tried to shake Azzuri off as much as possible.

"No..." He removed his mask and breathed in the rich air. "That I am the Black Panther."

The man stopped in his tracks. "I thought that Black Panthers weren't supposed to expose their identities."

"I could quite say the same for you."

"How so?" He looked at Azzuri, fascinated.

"I know who you are. All ten of you. You were the saviors of Wakanda at the start of our history." Azzuri began to explain, smiling pondering on his history. "Our people were attacked by monsters, and ten gods came to our land to save us. You saved us. After that, they provided us with food, created rivers, and showed us extravagant arts. The kindest of people. And when they left, it was like they were never there; and that was how Wakanda had followed. We may worship gods, but we will never forget what you people had done for us. We knew that once you saved us, we would be staying on this Earth forever. But we will never forget who you people are—the Eternals."

The god became stiff, looking at the Black Panther. "And so you do know us..."

"And we never forgot." Azzuri approached. "It's like folklore. But now, meeting you, I wanted to repay you for what you did for our country. I know that I'm in no position to help you physically, but it seems like there's something bothering."

A smirk formed onto the King's face.

"Pardon?" His opposite leaned forward, making sure he had heard that right.

"There's something bothering you, Eternal."

"What are you talking about? There's nothing."

"You've been thinking about something. I feel it. There's an aura in you." Azzuri persuaded, but the Eternal only shot confused faces at him. "I am a unique Black Panther. I am said to be one of the ones who understand others the most; Eternals aren't excluded."

"I can assure you, I am not bothered by anything. I've seen and done everything I could do on this Earth. At this point, living in a house in the middle of nowhere is all I need."

"Well, it isn't." Azzuri smiled at him. "You have someone in your mind."

"You're really pushing a non-existent matter."

The King ignored his statement. "Maybe a human? Or another Eternal, perhaps?"

"..."

"I'll tell you this, my friend. You have seen everything; but you haven't done everything. Have you held their hair? Held their hand? Said those three words that forge something?"

"You're getting quite philosophical, King. The words aren't doing you too kindly."

"I know... but as long as you get what I'm saying, I'll be thankful."

Azzuri placed his hand on the Eternal, which he let.

"I can see it in you. You're a good leader—but you're broken; barely full. I'm sure that if you were to ever meet them again, you would do what you want. Because this frustration building up in you won't do you any good." He looked into his eyes, "Someone as powerful as you having this frustration will do no good. I can promise you that, Eternal."

"Ikaris."

"What was that?"

"The name's Ikaris." He lowered Azzuri's hand and began to walk away. "I'll think about. Besides, I guess I owe you something for putting it in me."

Azzuri nodded, "Then I'll gladly turn it in now. Make sure that the world my son lives in—and the rest of the world—will continue to stay safe. That is as much as I can ask."

"I have no other choice..." He returned a smile to him, holding the body of the deviant. "But I'll do something. Farewell, King of Wakanda."

"The same could be said for you, Eternal."

And just like that, Ikaris left—leaving Azzuri to only look at the beautiful, shining stars.