368

Throne Challenge

The spear narrowly missed its mark, grazing Bashenga's shoulder.

Bashenga grimaced, swiftly stepping back while gritting his teeth, raising his shield to intercept Itakin's next thrust.

*Chong!*

The spear pierced through the shield, sparking off several fiery clashes.

*Clang clang!*

They clashed, spear against shield, splashing through the waters, engaging in a rapid exchange that saw them circle and strike dozens of times.

Initially, Bashenga's emotional turmoil put him at a clear disadvantage, nearly overwhelmed by Itakin's relentless assault, suffering wound after wound.

Faced with impending defeat, Bashenga forced himself to clear his mind of distractions, focusing solely on the duel. As the battle wore on, he gradually matched Itakin's pace, shifting the tide into a stalemate.

Despite their similar stature and build, it was evident that Bashenga, as the elder brother, possessed superior skill and strength.

Observing closely, Forseti and Venom monitored the intense struggle.

Unexpectedly, the queen interjected, shouting, "Itakin, finish him! Can't you defeat this mere trash?"

Her words triggered a fresh surge of emotions in Bashenga, disrupting his fighting rhythm once more.

Glancing at the queen, his former wife, Bashenga's eyes betrayed a mix of anger, shame, and confusion, met only with cold indifference from her.

Curious, Forseti turned to Chief Jabari beside him and queried, "What was Bashenga's relationship like with his wife before?"

"Well," Chief Jabari responded cautiously, lowering his voice. "To be honest, it was strained. It's clear she never cared for him, despite his belief otherwise. The queen made little effort to conceal her indifference, which only fueled his delusions."

Forseti shook his head at the pitiful revelation.

Caught off guard by his emotions, Bashenga left an opening, allowing Itakin to strike his thigh with a spear, eliciting a pained cry almost causing him to collapse.

Itakin pressed the advantage, thrusting again, but Bashenga managed to evade, narrowly escaping a fatal blow.

*Wow!* The spear plunged into the water, creating ripples around them.

Water and sweat mingled on Bashenga's face as he struggled to his feet, meeting Itakin's gaze head-on.

"She never loved you. Do you know why?" Itakin taunted.

"Why?" Bashenga gasped, struggling under the relentless assault, shield held aloft despite the difficulty.

"You never truly introspected," Itakin retorted, launching another attack.

*Clang clang!* They clashed fiercely, Itakin's spear flashing like lightning, inflicting more wounds upon Bashenga.

Bashenga's inevitable defeat became increasingly apparent, his injuries too severe to mount a comeback.

"Sun God..." Chief Jabari murmured anxiously, eyes fixed on the battle.

Forseti frowned, silently observing the ebb and flow of the duel.

*What!* Bashenga staggered, another strike landing dangerously close to his abdomen.

*Wow-wow!* He stumbled backwards, splashing water, almost teetering over the edge of the waterfall.

Blood from his wounds mingled with the water, staining it red before being swept away downstream.

Itakin advanced confidently, spear poised to deliver the finishing blow.

"It's clear now, brother, you aren't fit to rule," Itakin declared, raising his spear.

"Go." Forseti signaled to Venom.

Venom swiftly darted forward, under the sand and gravel in water and slipping unnoticed behind Bashenga.

Just as Itakin moved in for the kill, Venom struck. Bashenga's eyes flashed with newfound intensity as Venom's symbiotic presence surged through him, transforming his demeanor.

Itakin sensed the shift, attempting to retreat, but Bashenga, empowered by Venom, seized the spear embedded in his abdomen with his left hand, preventing escape.

"You!" Itakin snarled, realizing too late.

With unprecedented speed, Bashenga swung his spear, piercing Itakin's chest where mere moments ago, he seemed invincible.

With a forceful kick, Bashenga sent Itakin hurtling over the waterfall's edge.

*Splash!* Itakin vanished into the depths below in an instant.

The dramatic reversal left onlookers stunned. Itakin, on the brink of victory, was suddenly defeated, fatally wounded and cast over the waterfall's edge.

Bashenga, bleeding and visibly weakened, pulled the spear from his abdomen, collapsing into the water. Venom detached from him, returning to Rowe's side.

Despite appearances, Bashenga's injuries were superficial, Venom having already healed him in their brief union.

Chief Jabari hurried forward, assessing Bashenga's condition, then rose with a triumphant smile, proclaiming, "Without a doubt, Bashenga is the victor of this contest, the rightful King of Wakanda, the true Black Panther!"