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Chapter 202: Going Home
"No!"
The core of the planet was struck by Stormbreaker, causing massive explosions. Flames and lava engulfed the entire planet, turning it into a fiery purgatory.
Ego looked at his hands in disbelief as they slowly turned to ashes. He knew that this time, there would be no recovery.
As the sensation of death approached, he finally understood the despair of those he had killed...
In his final moments, he wondered what might have happened if he hadn't left Earth after his third visit.
"Boom..."
The planet shook violently, signaling its impending collapse.
"Congratulations on completing the task related to Star-Lord: Destroy Dad! Reward: Challenge Ticket for the Alien Arena."
"Challenge Ticket for the Alien Arena: Randomly selects three alien characters. Choose one to challenge. Win the challenge to receive the corresponding hero call."
"Note: You cannot carry any equipment during the challenge, and the challenge ticket will not be refunded if you fail. Choose wisely!"
When Thor received the task completion notification, he ignored it for now and focused on Star-Lord nearby.
Star-Lord stared blankly at his hands, the divine brilliance fading away.
"Do you regret it?" Thor asked softly as he approached.
Star-Lord didn't respond.
"Sorry, I didn't let you avenge yourself."
Star-Lord shook his head. "It's okay. When it comes down to it, I don't know if I could have done it myself."
Thor didn't say anything more and handed Star-Lord a spacesuit.
"This place is going to collapse soon. If you don't want to die, leave quickly."
Star-Lord nodded, took the spacesuit, and gave a rare serious expression. "Thank you."
Aboard Yondu's spare spaceship, Thor had left, and Star-Lord sat silently, lost in thought.
Baby Groot was eerily quiet, holding his small hands as if to comfort him.
"Child, remember, he may be your biological father, but he should never be your father!"
Star-Lord looked up at Yondu and asked, "What are your plans now?"
Yondu smiled wryly and said softly, "I'm going to find Stakar. No matter how he feels about me, I'm going home..."
"Well, I need to go home too..."
....
On Earth, in Wakanda's meeting hall, Erik was being interrogated with his hands bound.
"If you have the ability, ask me who I really am!"
Erik lifted his head and looked at everyone present.
"You are Erik Stevens, an American secret agent, a mercenary known for his crimes. This is your identity."
Princess Shuri sneered.
"That's not my real name, little princess. Dare to ask me my real name?" Erik sneered back.
An official spoke sharply, "Who are you really?"
At this, Erik broke free from his guards and declared loudly, "I am N'Jadaka, son of Prince N'Jobu!"
"What?!" Everyone stood up in shock, staring at Erik. No, it should be N'Jadaka!
"On my father's chest are Black Panther's claw marks! Your father isn't a king; he's a murderer!"
"You're speaking nonsense!" the queen yelled, and the hall fell silent. The people in the hall, especially the former king, would not believe the outsider's claims.
However, Wakabi, Wakanda's military minister, held up a necklace and said, "What he says is true."
The hall fell silent, save for Erik's voice.
"I want to challenge the bloodline for the rights to the throne. I challenge you for the title of king and Black Panther!"
Everyone looked at T'Challa, then at Erik.
As the son of a prince, Erik had the right to challenge, a tradition in Wakanda.
Usually, such challenges were just formalities, with the Black Panther being the strongest by default.
An official said, "The challenge will take a few weeks to prepare..."
"No, I don't need that long or any preparations," Erik replied. "I just need him alone and someone to help me untie."
"T'Challa, don't agree to this!" the Queen whispered urgently.
T'Challa, the current Black Panther, examined the necklace carefully, as if recalling something.
After a long pause, he finally released his grip and looked directly at Erik, his cousin, with a determined expression.
"I accept your challenge!"
A smirk appeared on Erik's lips.
"Father, I'm home!"