Proceeding their new marriage, Erik must now take the heart-shaped herb in order to have the powers of the Black Panther. He makes sure that Zhara is right by his side as he lies in the sand. He holds her hand close to his chest, reminding himself that he needs to add a ring to her finger.

" Allow the heart-shaped herb to give you the powers of the Black Panther and take you to the Ancestral Plane," The shaman says as she gives Erik the drink that makes his veins turn a deep purple and makes his body shake.

His eyes close as he gets buried in the orange sand, sending him deeper and deeper into a trance as his mind transports to a different plane entirely.

" Thank you," Zhara smiles over to the shaman as she still holds onto his hand.

The shaman nods as all others step away, but still, remains close by in case anything happens to their new king.

Zhara's hand clutches that of her husband, breathing deeply as she too comes to close her eyes. She only intends to calm herself and recite some words of mindfulness for Erik... but she never intended to reach the Ancestral Plane with him.

The sky is painted blue and purple, with stars shining so bright they're nearly blinding as they twinkle. It's so familiar as if she's seen it before.

And in her mind, she finds herself to be inside of a small apartment, but then her head turns to see a father and son. She sees Erik, but she sees him as the child he once was.

" What did you find?" N'Jobu asks.

" Your home," Erik responds.

" I gave you a key, hoping you may see it one day. The sunsets there are the most beautiful in the world. But I fear you still may not be welcome."

" Why?"

" They will say you are lost."

" But I'm right here."

" No tears for me?" N'Jobu sighs after a moment of silence.

" Everybody dies," Erik shrugs, " It's just life around here."

" Well, look at what I have done. I should have taken you back long ago. Instead, we are both abandoned here."

" Well, maybe your home is the one that's lost. That's why they can't find us."

The ancestral plane fades from Zhara's eyes as both she and Erik gasp and open their eyes. Erik stands up panting as if he's out for blood. He drops Zhara's hand as he looks around the room for any sign of danger.

" Erik, Erik, hey," Zhara says as she steps in front of him to catch his attention, " Breathe, breathe. It's okay."

Even after all she's seen him do, she still sees the good in him. He's unrecognizable... but she still sees the humanity behind his eyes. She knows what in his heart is good. It has to be. As Erik looks down into her eyes, he feels his heart calm and his breathing slow. Over his shoulder, Zhara seems someone emerging from the shadows. For a singular moment, she locks eyes with Nakia... but she doesn't question it. Instead, she wraps her arms around Erik, embracing him as if to ensure that he doesn't dare to look behind him.

" The heart-shaped herb did that?" Erik asks as he rubs his wife's back," This all of it?"

" Yes, so when it comes time for another king, we will be ready," The shaman responds.

" Another king?" He asks as he steps away from his girl, " Yeah, go ahead and burn all that."

" My king, we cannot do that. It is our tradition--"

The shaman's words are immediately cut off by Erik's hand wrapping around her throat and bringing her up into the air with her legs dangling.

" When I tell you to do something, I mean that shit," He states.

" Erik!" Zhara exclaims as he drops the woman, then instantly goes to check on her, " Are you alright?"

All the shaman does is nod, even if her throat is now bruised from his harsh grasp. Those who remain in the room cower in fear from their king, even as their queen shows her compassionate heart.

The difference between them is so stark, it almost makes no sense how they ever ended up together. Zhara is compassionate and nurturing, caring and wise. Erik is strong and relentless, cunning and brash.

" Burn it all!"

Zhara helps the shaman stand, and those who must obey do exactly as Erik asks. They grab the torches and bring the fire to the plants in order to burn all of the heart-shaped herbs that are left.

Soon enough, all of the plants are burning. Everything. Fire is on the ground, walls, and ceiling, and Erik watches with a gleam in his eyes as it all burns before him.

He catches Zhara off guard when he grabs her waist, spins her around, and brings his lips down to hers, tightly gripping her body as she can't help but melt in his arms. She can't help it. Her mind and heart are at odds, but her mind seems to be winning.

" It's all mine," Erik smirks as he pulls back just the slightest, " Everything. It's all finally mine."

Zhara looks into his eyes as the heat of the flames begins to take its toll. Her body is covered in a thin layer of sweat, her head grows light as the pit in her stomach returns. She goes to respond, but nothing comes out of her mouth. Not a word, not a sound. Erik's brows furrow as he watches Zhara struggle to say something, to say anything, and he panics as she falls right before him.

Erik catches her before she hits the floor, but holds her limp body in his arms with wide eyes and a rapidly beating heart as the flames frame them almost perfectly, and Erik would gladly slaughter an entire village before he lets go of his girl.

If his servants thought he was scary before, they're in for a rude awakening, for the king will not hesitate to kill anyone who does not care for his queen.

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[ protective killmonger is *chefs kiss* 😮‍💨]