Amaxesha

8 Years Later———————————

These past 8 years was the time that my hard work has paid off. As a part of my training, father had me travel from country to country, learning different languages and cultures with my diplomatic immunity.

The world knew of my existence. Due to my travels and my attendance of many famous colleges, I had gained the title of a genius.

I had also been taught and mastered many, many martial arts and techniques. From Brazilian Jeet Kune Do, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Karate, Krav Maga, Muay Thai, Taekwondo and more to techniques such as Escapology, Stealth, Assassination, Investigation and more.

Thats besides the point though, today is the day I succeed my father, eat the heart-shaped herb and become the Black Panther. Since today is such a important day, security is upped to an impossible degree.

Citizens of Wakanda all knowing what today is, all enters their home and begin to pray to Bast for a new protector.

I walk in my ritual robes. Mostly black with purple lining cuffs, chest and leg lines. Surrounded by 8 Dora Milaje that I could beat even out numbered, we treaded to the Ancestral room.

Entering the room for the first time in my life, I naturally have a little curiosity and begin to look around. A orange hue making the room glow orange, ancient writings in the walls with the tools of the times portraying a story of our history and at the center was a tree of ancient proportions commands the attention of everyone in the room.

"Come here my boy, meet Zuri the Head Priest of Wakanda."

"Hello Zuri" I give a respectful nod to hkm while he returns it.

"Prince T'Challa, it is an honor to finally meet you, we'll begin with you laying down in the sand."

I follow his instructions while one of his subordinates hands him a bowl of the herbs juice.

Zuri pours it into my mouth, I feel it..changing my body, empowering my muscles and brain with a feeling of warmth. I feel my consciousness fade away and I'm taken into a deep slumber.

My eyes slowly open up, I take in my surroundings I look around expecting the ancestral plan, however I was greeted by....by my old room.

The marvel poster with all the superheroes right above my window.

3rd POV——

Awe appears on T'Challa-no….Jeremiahs face. He begins walking around in nostalgia.

"Come down, Jeremiah. We have to talk."

A voice calls down for him. Instantly recognizing that voice he freezes up, memories of his mom and brother entering his mind.

He pushes them away and heads downstairs.

His body now trembling from him forcing his emotions back he addresses his mom, "H-hey momma."

The all so familiar smile graces her face, "Hey baby, come talk to me. Tell me whats up."

"Nothing j-just living, hows….Heaven? Good?"

"Its good….but we both know thats not the right answer."

"What you want me to say? Huh?"

"Ive noticed how you acted, Lethargic, sleepy, Flat and disconnected. You're depressed. Just your new circumstances make you push that to the background."

"HOW WOULD YOU KNOW THAT? Huh? My first thought, the year my brother died and my mother, you, took to bed, was that I needed you to be mine again, a mother as I understood it.

And when you didn't get up, when you lay there day in and day out, wasting away, I was reminded that I didn't know you, not wholly and completely. I would never know you."

"…Baby-"

"After you died I could not hold a funeral...….And so my life became a funeral. FOOTBALL WAS THE ONLY THING THAT KEPT ME GOING AND I EVEN GOT KILLED BECAUSE OF IT!"

"…."

I spent my life arguing how i mattered, until it didn't matter. Who knew my haven would be my coffin?Dead is the safest i've ever been. I've never been so alive."

"…. Depression is like a heaviness that you can't ever escape. It crushes down on you, making even the smallest things like tying your shoes or chewing on toast seem like a twenty-mile hike uphill. Depression is a part of you; it's in your bones and your blood.

Trust me I know, we have to find a way to let go and move on. DONT BE LIKE ME, PLEASE!"

She starts to tear up as she finishes.

"How? How could I do that?"

"Letting go means to come to the realization that some people are a part of your history, but not a part of your destiny.

Sometimes..you just have to let go, so more things can come into your life. Open your heart and accept your past and look forward to the future….I believe in you."

My emotions immediately overwhelmed me, tears raining from my eyes as my mom embraces me.

"Ill see you sometime later Jeremiah, I love you now and always."

"Bye momma, I love you now and always."