The diluted hall waited for them, dripping wet droplets of water as they approached the dimly lit room where the survivors gathered. Arthur raised his eyebrows with a questioning look, looking at T'challa who was in a bad condition. His body was tattered and his armor was broken to pieces. The gruesome wounds were in every inch of his body, showing how brutal his fight was.
" What happened?"
Arthur sucked a cold breath, trying to calm down his enraged heart but the pitiful looks of people ignited his anger even more.
" it is all my fault. I shouldn't have let my brother use that accursed gem fragment. Because of that, we summoned countless fragments of ourselves who were aligned with the evil of other universes. My brother and my people fought hard, only to retreat into this place."
Shuri bowed her head with shame while the queen and generals didn't dare to look at them. They knew they betrayed his trust and caused something terrible in the first place. Their greed created the disaster that engulfed their very own home.
" You, fools! You dare to use divine power for your personal gain. In the name of Zeus, I shall judge you."
Artemis couldn't hold back her fury, pulling her bow at them. The silver moonlight instantly lit up the room, creating commotion among Wakandan people.
" Stop, youngling! You can't aim at them without my permission."
A dignified voice came out from the darkness as a single panther protected them with a fierce look. Her cold yellow eyes were focused on Artemis who was ready to shoot her people.
" Old panther, your people had caused disaster. As a god, you dare to challenge the authorities of two pantheons. Are you mocking us?"
Hela coldly refuted her words, summoning countless swords from nothing. The three gods were interlocked in fierce stare competition before Arthur got between them.
" Enough. We don't have time for this. Tell me where is the fragment and who is guarding it. I will personally deal with you later."
Arthur didn't deny Artemis's anger, knowing the gods would likely punish Wakanda for their forbidden research but there was nothing he could do since they used their technology which meant he had no say.
" Lord, I ask you to heal my brother. He is fighting with an incurable disease behind your back and he was just trying to protect us."
Okoye knelt in front of Arthur, believing he could cure him despite his weakened power. His healing power was unparalleled in this world and every hero knew that.
" Get up. I will try to heal him but I can't cure his disease now. He needs to go to the city."
Arthur pulled her up from the ground while using his power. The gentle starlight fell into his body, healing the once-destroyed cells from nothing.
A groan escaped from T'challa, prompting them that he was regaining his consciousness as he slowly opened his eyes. His breath was very shallow for his usual self but nonetheless, he could move his body.
" Shuri, what happened? Where am I?"
T'challa looked at Shuri with pain in his voice, barely holding his groan back to his throat. The royal family instantly surrounded him, holding his hand with different expressions. However, all of them were grateful to Arthur who brought him back.
" Brother, we lost. The other versions of us got hold of the gem fragment and channeled it to summon otherworldly beings. We have to hurry."
T'challa got up from the bed with a pale face when he heard this, not noticing others. His mind was already in a different place, so he didn't care much about others.
" Lay down. I will deal with it. Shuri, lead the way to the place where you lost it."
Arthur pushed him down gently while T'challa finally noticed him. Before he could open his mouth, a magical rope bound him like a puppet.
" God, I know you are in bad shape. Hence, please protect my friend."
Arthur spoke lightly, looking at the panther with a serious face. The panther couldn't help but sigh with a defeated face, realizing it wasn't her place to intervene.
" I understand. Please protect my children from harm."
Arthur nodded at her words, turning back to the exit with others. T'challa only watched his back with a helpless face, sensing he wouldn't be needed.