325

The Jabari Tribe

"Seize him!" ordered the Wakandan officer, prompting soldiers to move towards Bashenga.

Bashenga glanced at Forseti. "Let's avoid unnecessary violence."

Forseti nodded, gesturing. Shilut opened its mouth, unleashing a torrent of debris that solidified into rock, ensnaring the soldiers' feet.

The soldiers, attempting to free themselves with vibranium spears, found the rock impervious even to their best efforts.

Taking advantage of the soldiers' predicament, Forseti swiftly disarmed them, collecting their vibranium spears in a nearby clearing.

"Ding dong!"

The last spear clattered to the ground, joining a growing pile of weaponry.

Weaponless and agitated, the soldiers voiced their distress.

"He's the Divine warrior who appeared in Wakanda!" exclaimed one soldier, recognizing Forseti.

"What now?"

"We're defenseless without our weapons!"

A few soldiers struggled to free themselves from the rock, their efforts futile against Shilut's craftsmanship.

Forseti pondered briefly before turning to Bashenga. "Try to convince them to surrender. Your influence still holds sway."

Indeed, while Forseti could overpower them individually, facing hundreds of armed Wakandan soldiers posed a risk.

Bashenga nodded, addressing the soldiers. His gaze settled on a young man, Zaghi. "How's your brother, Zaghi?"

Zaghi averted his gaze, visibly ashamed. "Thanks for your help. He's well now... I apologize, Bashenga, sir."

Bashenga stepped closer, sighing. "You're loyal to your friends. I've always known that. It's why I helped you and your family."

He paused, frowning. "But I don't understand. What did I do to deserve such disrespect? You won't even call me Your Majesty."

"What did I do wrong?"

Zaghi hesitated before replying, "You... didn't do anything wrong."

Bashenga continued, "As a man of honor, we should share common enemies. Itakin betrayed both of us, betraying our comrades. He's a traitor, not a true Black Panther. You shouldn't fight for him."

Zaghi remained silent.

Bashenga turned to the assembled soldiers, gesturing towards Forseti. "Forseti is the Aesir sun god from Asgard. He stands with me. However, unlike Itakin, I won't resort to violence against my own people. I seek only a fair duel."

He addressed the soldiers, recounting Itakin's deception and appeal for justice under Wakandan tradition.

His words struck a chord, swaying the soldiers' sentiments.

Bashenga looked at Zaghi again. "Zaghi, what's your choice? Stand with me or with the traitor and coward?"

Zaghi clenched his fists, then knelt. "Your Majesty!"

Others followed suit, kneeling in rapid succession. "Your Majesty!"

Soon, the entire assembly of soldiers, though awkwardly restrained by Shilut's rocks, knelt in allegiance.

Bashenga surveyed them, smiling with relief.

"In the next step, we visit the Jabari tribe," Bashenga told Forseti.

Forseti, unfamiliar with Wakandan tribes, inquired, "The Jabari tribe?"

Bashenga explained, "Wakanda was founded by five tribes, now united except for the independent Jabari tribe."

"The Jabari chief holds no love for Itakin. I must seek their support. Forseti, I may need your aid in this."

"For what reason?"

"The Jabari reside in cold mountain regions, now chilled further by frost giants, freezing their vital White Monkey River."

Forseti nodded. "Understood, though I hope the river isn't too significant."

"It isn't."

Bashenga led them to the Jabari tribe, residing in the frigid mountain heights.

Ascending, the temperature plummeted, the landscape transformed into an icy panorama.

"There's the White Saruto River," Bashenga pointed out, a frozen ribbon cutting through the valley.

Figures chipped futilely at the thick ice along its length.

"The Jabari worship their ape god, contrasting our panther deity," Bashenga explained. "Despite differing beliefs, they remain loyal to Wakanda."

Their progress halted by guards ahead.

"Bashenga!" The guards recognized him and exclaimed.

Bashenga acknowledged them. "Inform your chief. I request an audience."

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