369

100 Tons of Vibranium

"Basanga!" Chief Jabari's voice echoed through the crowd.

To most, the identity of the king no longer mattered; Itakin was dead.

The collective chant of "Basanga! Basanga!" reverberated across the assembly, though amidst the jubilation, Itakin's loyalists stood unsettled. They exchanged anxious glances and gravitated toward the queen, preparing to flee.

"Halt!" Chief Jabari commanded. "Stop them!"

A brief tumult erupted near Warrior Falls, but with Itakin gone, his dwindling supporters posed little threat. Order was swiftly restored.

Forseti paid scant attention to the commotion, hastening to Bashenga's side. He extended a hand, casting a healing light over the wounded king.

After Venom's earlier intervention, Bashenga's injuries had superficially healed, masked to deceive observers. The holy light now completed the illusion, leaving him without a scar.

Bashenga stirred, blinking as he surveyed his surroundings in confusion. Recognition dawned slowly. "Did you... save me just now?"

Forseti nodded solemnly. "Indeed, to prevent your demise."

Pain flickered across Bashenga's face. "I failed to defeat him honorably..."

"Itakin's actions were devoid of honor. He betrayed and deceived you, resorting to treacherous tricks to distract you in battle. You need not dwell on a misplaced sense of justice" Forseti reassured him.

Bashenga fell silent, then sighed, rising from the water. "Thank you."

Forseti offered a comforting pat on his shoulder.

Bashenga, reaffirmed as Wakanda's Black Panther, oversaw the kingdom's return to stability after the brief unrest.

Days later, Bashenga sought out Rowe. "Forseti, come see our Vibranium Mine."

"Of course." Forseti left his quarters, following Bashenga to Wakanda's Vibranium Mine.

En route, Bashenga began, "Long before recorded history, a peculiar meteorite fell upon Wakanda, the origin of Vibranium."

"Our ancestors settled near this meteorite, unknowingly living amidst this extraordinary metal," Bashenga continued.

"Intriguing. When did Wakanda begin harnessing Vibranium?" Forseti inquired.

"Centuries past, following a fateful lightning strike," Bashenga revealed.

"Lightning?" Rowe's surprise was evident.

"Yes, a fearsome bolt struck the meteorite, transmuting ore into metal. Our forebears fashioned weapons and tools from this mysterious alloy, gradually building our nation..."

Approaching the Vibranium Mine, they passed guardian statues of black panthers before descending into its depths.

Miners toiled amidst the mine's interior, extracting Vibranium ore under Bashenga's watchful eye.

"Your Majesty," a miner greeted Bashenga respectfully.

Forseti picked up a piece of Vibranium ore, examining it closely.

Initially unremarkable, the ore appeared as a nondescript gray stone, remarkably heavy compared to terrestrial minerals, yet commonplace in Wakanda.

"It's challenging to smelt and forge Vibranium, hence our modest yields. The ore I've pledged to you will require more mining efforts," Bashenga explained.

Forseti nodded understandingly. Wakanda's Vibranium applications were primarily limited to weaponry, with even those utilizing small quantities. For instance, spears boasted only Vibranium tips.

Indeed, the mining output of Vibranium remained restricted, reducing the need for large-scale extraction.

"How much Vibranium can be refined from the ore?" Luo Wei queried.

"Approximately one-tenth," Bashenga estimated.

Thus, ten tons of ore yielded one ton of Vibranium—modest returns, yet significant given the material's scarcity.

The prospect of acquiring over a hundred tons excited Forseti. Such reserves promised the creation of numerous arms and artifacts, ample enough to equip entire armies.

Naturally, advanced smelting and forging techniques remained the purview of Nidavellir's dwarven artisans, renowned for their craft.

During his stay in Wakanda, Vibranium focused on infusing Snow Pearl with holy light, preparing to fabricate weaponry. Armed with the Demon Slayer Sword blueprint, he anticipated crafting a Vibranium version.

Bashenga, unaware of quantities, generously offered him a bounty of Vibranium ore. While tempted to requisition more, he still exercised restraint, ultimately securing a hundred tons—sufficient to fill the Sanctuary's remaining capacity.

With farewells exchanged and gratitude conveyed to Bashenga, Chief Jabari, and their kin, Forseti departed Wakanda with Shilut.

Crossing Wakanda's border, Forseti glanced back wistfully at the unassuming kingdom.

Amassed, the hundred tons of Vibranium ore refined into a mere ten tons of Vibranium seemed significant, yet paled in comparison to Wakanda's wealth.

In numerical terms, it represented a minute fraction of Wakanda's vast resources.

Forseti, an Asgardian accustomed to opulence, now sensed Earth's relative scarcity.

He sighed, then contacted Heimdall. "Heimdall, is the Bifrost Bridge accessible?"

"Returning to Asgard, or another destination?" Heimdall inquired.

"I'm bound for New Korbin Star," Forseti responded.