Chapter 21: To the summit

[A/N I advise you to listen to the song for better immersion - Rocky road to Dublin]

I set off from the village at dawn, the first light of the sun casting long shadows across the Wakandan landscape. Zuri trotted beside me, her small, sleek body moving with an effortless grace.

Today, our destination was the northern mountains, a place of untold beauty and hidden secrets. The villagers had spoken of a hidden valley with rare flora, and my curiosity was piqued.

As we walked, I began to hum a tune that had been stuck in my head for days. Before long, the words of "Rocky Road to Dublin" spilled from my lips. The rhythm of the song matched our steps, and I couldn't help but smile at the absurdity of an ancient primordial being singing an old Irish folk song while trekking through Africa.

"In the merry month of June, from me home I started

Left the girls of Tuam nearly broken hearted..."

Zuri glanced up at me, her ears twitching at the sound of my singing. I laughed and reached down to scratch her behind the ears. "You like that, girl? It's an old song from a place far away. Fits our journey, don't you think?"

The terrain gradually became more rugged as we left the plains behind and entered the foothills. The path wound through dense forests and rocky outcroppings, each step taking us higher and deeper into the heart of Wakanda's northern wilderness.

The air grew cooler, and the scents of pine and earth filled my senses.

"As I went along the way, I stopped to rest at a well,

At a place called Paddy's Bar, it was there I saw the belle..."

I paused to take in the view, the expansive landscape stretching out before us. Zuri took advantage of the break to sniff around, her keen senses alert to every movement in the underbrush.

I marvelled at her energy and spirit, enjoying my time with the little panther pup. She had become a true companion on my adventures, a reminder of the simple joys of life.

We continued our ascent, the song a constant companion. The rhythmic cadence of "Rocky Road to Dublin" kept my spirits high and my pace steady. There was something liberating about singing aloud in the wild, with no one but Zuri to hear me.

"In Mullingar that night, I rested limbs so weary,

Started by daylight, next morning bright and early..."

The path grew steeper, and we encountered the first signs of snow. Small patches of white dotted the ground, a stark contrast to the greenery we had left behind. I could feel the air thinning as we climbed higher.

"Cutting across the glades, on the rocky road to Dublin,

Merrily I went, with laughter and song, fully determined..."

Zuri seemed unfazed by the altitude, her nimble form navigating the rocky terrain with ease. I, on the other hand, found myself taking more frequent breaks, not due to fatigue no, but because I love gazing down the valley.

During one such pause, I took a moment to appreciate the silence of the mountains. It was a different kind of quiet, one that resonated with the soul.

[3rd POV]

Darius continued his ascent with a mix of determination and wonder. The ancient being, so accustomed to the boundless expanse of the universe, found solace in the rugged beauty of the northern mountains. The song that had started as a whimsical accompaniment now served as a beacon, guiding him through the landscape.

Zuri, ever the loyal companion, stayed close to Darius, her eyes bright with curiosity. She seemed to sense the significance of their journey, her instincts guiding her as much as Darius's.

As the day wore on, the path grew more treacherous. The snow became more prevalent, covering the ground in a thick, white blanket.

Darius's breath fogged in the cold air, each step a test of endurance[A/N Not really]. But he pressed on, driven by an insatiable curiosity and a desire to uncover the mysteries of the hidden valley.

As they reached a particularly steep incline, Darius paused to allow Zuri a moment to catch her breath. The view from this vantage point was breathtaking.

The valley below stretched out like a tapestry, the colors muted by the snow but no less beautiful. He could see the forest they had traversed, a dark green ribbon winding through the landscape.

Taking a deep breath, Darius resumed his climb. The song, now more of a hum, kept his spirits high. The lyrics of "Rocky Road to Dublin" echoed in his mind, a reminder of the journey and the joy of exploration.

"In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity

To be so soon deprived a view of that fine city..."

The summit was within reach. With a final burst of energy, Darius pushed forward, his steps sure and steady. Zuri bounded ahead, her excitement palpable. As they crested the ridge, the hidden valley came into view.

It was a place of surreal beauty, untouched by time and human hands. The valley was blanketed in snow, but here and there, vibrant patches of flora peeked through. Rare flowers in hues of blue, purple, and red dotted the landscape, their colours vivid against the white backdrop.

Darius stood in awe, taking in the scene. The valley was everything he had hoped for and more. It was a place of peace and tranquillity, a hidden gem in the heart of Wakanda.

Zuri, sensing Darius's reverence, sat quietly beside him. The little panther pup seemed to understand the significance of the moment, her eyes reflecting the wonder of the valley.

Darius took a deep breath, feeling a profound sense of satisfaction. The journey had been challenging, but the reward was beyond measure. He knelt down and gently picked one of the rare flowers, admiring its delicate beauty.

This valley was a reminder of the beauty and mystery of the world, a testament to the wonders that lay hidden if one had the courage to seek them out. Darius knew that his journey was far from over. There were still countless adventures to be had, countless mysteries to uncover.

For now, though, he would take a moment to appreciate the here and now. He looked down at Zuri, who was watching him with bright eyes. "We did it, girl," he said softly. "We found it."

Zuri yipped in response, her tail wagging happily. Darius smiled, feeling a deep sense of contentment. This was what he had come to Earth for - to experience the beauty and wonder of life, to forge connections and create memories.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the valley, Darius knew that this moment would stay with him forever. The journey had been long and challenging, but the reward was worth every step.

He sat down on a rock, Zuri curling up beside him. Together, they watched as the sky turned shades of orange and pink, the stars beginning to twinkle in the gathering dusk. It was a moment of pure magic, a reminder of the beauty that lay within the world.

He had chosen this remote location for a purpose—here, he could unleash the power he had sealed away when he first came to Earth.

He settled into a cross-legged position, closing his eyes and taking deep, steady breaths. The air was thin and crisp, each inhale filling him with a sense of clarity and purpose. He could feel the pulse of the Earth beneath him, the ancient rhythms of the land resonating with his very being.

"Time to remember who I am," he murmured to himself.

As a primordial being, his power was immense, but he had chosen to seal it away to experience life on Earth without the overwhelming burden of his true nature.

Now, though, he felt it was time to unlock that power, to reconnect with the essence of his being.

He began to focus inward, seeking the core of his power that lay dormant within him. He felt the seal he had placed, a complex web of energy and willpower, holding back the vast reservoir of his strength.

Slowly, he began to unravel it, thread by thread.

As he worked, memories flooded back to him—ancient battles fought in distant realms, worlds created and destroyed, the dance of stars and galaxies under his influence. He felt the weight of eons lifting, replaced by the raw, unfiltered power that was his birthright.

The air around him began to shimmer, a faint glow emanating from his body as the seal continued to loosen. The ground beneath him trembled slightly, responding to the resurgence of his power.

He felt his senses heighten, every sound and sensation amplified, the very fabric of reality bending to his will.

A surge of energy coursed through him, and for a moment, his fleshy container he called a body was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of it. He gritted his teeth, focusing on controlling the flow, channelling it into a manageable stream.

He could feel the power settling into his being, becoming a part of him once more.

Darius opened his eyes, the glow now radiating from them, illuminating the summit with an ethereal light. He stood up slowly, feeling the power thrumming through his veins, a heady mix of strength and clarity.

He extended a hand, and with a simple thought, the sky above him split into shards revealing the very fabric of reality, a demonstration of his renewed abilities.

He smiled, a mix of satisfaction and anticipation. The world would see him as he truly was, a being of immense power and purpose. But for now, he was content to stand at the summit, feeling the power within him resonate with the ancient mountains and the endless sky.

Darius knew that this was only the beginning. He looked out over the land, his eyes glowing with the light of a thousand stars, and felt a deep connection to the world he had chosen to inhabit.

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[There, don't want anyone bitching about him being weak and so n so.]