" Remember, T'challa. Life isn't always about winning. If there are no people to welcome you in your victory, it is just vain glory."
T'chaka stroked his head while looking at his people with a smile. The Wakandan people cheered when their leader greeted them as they shouted his name loudly.
This was his home 30 years ago. Now only ruins remained in this once glorious city. The mutants and heroes waged war against people, creating global destruction across the whole world while their best died at each other's hands.
Tony was first to fall while other Avengers passed away afterwards. The defenders, the agents, the annihilators, the warriors of the sky, the Xmen, the x force, the midnight sons and everyone died in the crossfire.
The world was ruined beyond repair and he could helplessly hug his lifeless son's body in this ruin. The armor which he crafted from the best metal became a prison for his son's body, decimating him along with intense heat.
" What a pitiful sight! Do you wish to change this, panther?"
T'challa raised his head to look at the smiling bald man. He held a green gem fragment in his hand, showing he could change this outcome in exchange for his service.
Obviously, T'challa agreed with his proposal. He lost everything in the end after all. There was no value in being neither king nor hero in this future.
" My name is Lex Luthor. I want you to destroy one place in exchange for your people. Simple, right?"
His sweet words lured him like a fish with a bait. He couldn't refuse his words, knowing this would kill millions but also bring back millions.
" What do I do? Who do I kill?"
Lex smiled at his words, handing the green gem fragment to him.
Back to the present time.
Arthur caught his sword like it was nothing. His cold eyes were filled with pity because he could see what was hidden under his false mask.
A million of souls filled with anguish were dragging his leg to something terrible. The guilt was gnawing on his flesh while he burned himself with regret. However, no one could save him from this purgatory that he created for himself.
" Don't look at me like that. You don't know half of my pain!"
His blood was smeared on Arthur's face but he didn't move further. A single hand reached out to him, pulling off his mask along with a soft whisper.
" How long have you fighting, my friend? Do you think it is right?"
T'challa's face was filled with remorse but he couldn't say anything to him. His voice quivered when he saw those eyes because those eyes were the same as his son's when he left him.
He told him that he wouldn't care for him but only later that he know about his son's demise on the battlefield.
" Rest. I won't hold you accountable like others. I will allow you to free yourself. This isn't your fight, oh fallen king."
T'challa knelt in front of Arthur with a begging look, telling him to end his struggle with his hands. The old panther shouted from his behind but he didn't care about it.
" You have done well. I shall grant you what you seek not as a hero but as a man."
Arthur closed his eyes with a slight pain, severing his head from his shoulders. The blood gently ticked on the ground while others looked at him with shock because no one thought a hero like Arthur would behead him.
" Rest in peace."
Arthur walked toward the panthers like a grim reaper. For the first time in their battle, the Panthers saw what was hidden under his smile and what he truly was as a hero and a leader.
The responsibility of the leader was never light and Arthur understood that well from a young age. During his career he killed many people, tainting his hands with blood.
He might have become soft after having children but that didn't mean he was merciful. Furthermore, sometimes death itself is finally mercy for others because there were fates worse than death such as being held by gods.
" I see."
Thor didn't question his actions as he understood the implications behind this.