"Everyone, attack together! I don't believe he can keep using his powers forever. Border Tribe warriors advance! Wear him down with your shields!"
"For Wakanda!"
W'Kabi's face twisted in fury as he roared, raising his energy shield high.
At his call, many of the Border Tribe warriors reignited their fighting spirit. They raised their shimmering vibranium shields and charged once more.
Rowan's lips curled into a faint smile.
Wear him down?
Not impossible in theory.
But a group of ordinary men, who weren't even trained as true warriors how could they possibly wear him down?
With those turtle shells?
Rowan shook his head in disdain.
Over a dozen Border Tribe fighters rushed in.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Rowan unleashed the kinetic energy he had absorbed earlier. A terrifying shockwave erupted outward, scattering the warriors like leaves in a storm.
"Ahhh!"
Energy shields flew from their hands as they were blasted back more than ten meters, slamming into the ground. Even the elite among Wakanda's fighters lay groaning, some coughing blood.
W'Kabi's expression flickered with hesitation, but then hardened.
"Keep going! Attack!"
The remaining warriors exchanged uneasy glances, but still gritted their teeth and charged.
Thwip-thwip-thwip-thwip!
Rowan's blades like silver fish gliding through the air shot forward in a deadly flurry.
The warriors were hurled back once again. This time, although their shields had absorbed most of the impact, their arms were left trembling violently, nearly numb from the force.
Fear crept into their eyes.
They realized, with chilling clarity, what would have happened if those blades had struck flesh instead of shields.
No one dared step forward again. The few who managed to stand only staggered backward in terror.
Thwip-thwip-thwip-thwip-thwip!
Another wave of warriors collapsed to the ground.
This time, W'Kabi's throat worked, but no sound came.
Rowan was watching him with a mocking smile his expression calm, not the slightest trace of exhaustion on his face.
And their king, T'Chaka, lay pinned to the ground like a helpless old lion, completely subdued.
It was hopeless.
The remaining fighters numbered barely a dozen, and instead of looking at the enemy, their eyes turned on W'Kabi himself doubtful, almost accusing.
The battlefield fell into silence.
No one dared move.
What could they even do?
Close combat? They couldn't get near him.
Ranged weapons? They only served to feed his power.
Their king was crushed. Their princess was in enemy hands.
How could they possibly fight on?
"Why did you stop?"
Rowan's voice cut through the silence like a blade.
"In that case, I'll take this as your surrender."
The old king, T'Chaka, gave a final shudder. He slumped, despair flooding his face. His lips moved, but the weight of humiliation smothered the words.
Rowan's gaze swept over the silent crowd, a cold smile tugging at his lips.
They were already broken. Time to drive the point home.
"T'Chaka, I came to Wakanda for your technology and vibranium. If your people submit, I won't kill anyone, nor will I meddle in your internal affairs. You will still be free to use some of your vibranium."
"But if you resist me if you refuse then I'll wipe you all out. Either way, everything in Wakanda will belong to me. And I do have the power to kill you all."
His voice rose sharply on the last words, and with it, Rowan unleashed a wave of psychic force.
A suffocating chill pierced every heart.
The entire courtyard, lit bright beneath the palace, fell into dead silence. Even the distant chirp of insects in the jungle felt unnaturally loud.
Clatter.
A single vibranium spear slipped from the hand of a bald female guard, clattering to the ground. Her fighting spirit had shattered.
The sound echoed like a signal. One after another, weapons fell.
No one wanted to die especially when Rowan's aim was clear. He sought their resources, not their lives. Resistance was meaningless.
And everyone had seen the truth: he could slaughter them all if he wished.
T'Chaka's lips trembled as he let out a heavy sigh.
He had no choice.
What good would it do to drag all of Wakanda to their graves?
Rowan's promise was better than nothing take the vibranium and technology, but leave the nation alive.
The king could only gamble on that.
Rowan sensed his shift. With a flick of thought, he released the psychic pressure holding the king down.
T'Chaka's body sagged with relief. Struggling, he forced himself to his feet.
He didn't dare meet the eyes of his warriors, and they in turn looked away, shame burning in their faces.
"Your Excellency," the king bowed his head, his voice hoarse, "Wakanda… submits."
Rowan said nothing, simply staring at him.
Sweat beaded on T'Chaka's brow.
After ten long seconds, Rowan finally spoke.
"Kneel."
The word struck like a hammer.
T'Chaka's body shook. His lips quivered, but no words came. Slowly, his knees buckled, and with a hollow thud, his forehead touched the ground.
The sound reverberated through the warriors.
One by one, they followed.
Soon the entire courtyard was on its knees, their ranks encircling Rowan like subjects before a conqueror.
At that moment, Prince T'Challa and Queen Ramonda rushed into the square only to freeze at the sight.
Their faces drained of color, horror and disbelief twisting their features.
Rowan turned his gaze toward them.
The prince and queen trembled beneath it.
"Down!" T'Chaka barked, his voice raw with anguish.
At last, unwilling but unable to resist, T'Challa and Ramonda fell to their knees as well.
Rowan's expression softened into satisfaction.
"T'Chaka, from this moment, everything in Wakanda is under my command. But I will not interfere in your daily governance, nor will I strip you of all your vibranium at once. You need only obey when I give an order. Can you do that?"
"…As you wish," T'Chaka murmured.
"Good."
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