T'Challa and Killmonger stand opposite one another. Killmonger snaps off a spear's shaft with his foot and holds a sword go with the spearhead. The Tribal Elders, W'Kabi, y/n, and the Dora look on from their respective places. Shuri watches with Ramonda, but the stands are entirely empty.
Shuri: He will never beat T'Challa. He should have just come to the first challenge and gotten it over with.
Ramonda looks concerned. She's not so sure. Zuri brings T'Challa the death herb and he repeats the process, poisoning T'Challa while Killmonger stares on silently.
Zuri: The King will now have the strength of the Black Panther stripped away.
Staring T'Challa down, Killmonger suddenly turns to Zuri. They recognize each other. Zuri looks away ashamed. Nakia arrives through a tunnel and walks up to Okoye, who turns to her.
Okoye: Where is Agent Ross?
Nakia: I locked him in the office. He's not going anywhere. T'Challa holds his short spear and shield. He stares at his cousin.
T'Challa: This is your last chance, throw down your weapons and we can handle this another way.
Killmonger slams his blades into the stone.
Killmonger: I lived my entire life waiting for this moment. I trained, I lied, I killed, just to get here.
He takes off his vest and tears at his shirt, revealing the scarification marks that go up his arm and across his entire back. They number in the hundreds.
Killmonger: I killed in America, Afghanistan, Iraq. I took life from my own brothers and sisters right here on the continent. And all this death, just so I can kill you.
y/n leans in next to Shuri's ear.
y/n: He looks like a sheet of bubble wrap.
Shuri giggles. T'Challa looks to Zuri and nods.
Zuri: Let the challenge begin.
Killmonger tears forward with expert knife work and T'Challa with skilled defense. T'Challa parries several strikes, countering with a leg takedown but hesitates with his sword and doesn't strike as they roll toward the edge of the waterfall. Back on their fee , they circle, and Killmonger lunges at T'Challa who dodges. T'Challa manages to knock Killmonger off his feet, gaining the advantage.
T'Challa Yield!
Killmonger ferociously bobs inside, but T'Challa lunges at Killmonger, giving him a superficial slash across his cheek. Fueled by rage, Killmonger begins to overpower T'Challa. He slices T'Challa's thigh.
Shuri: Snap out of it T'Challa!
y/n: Have you tried popping the bubbles?
Wielding both blades, Killmonger slashes deep across T'Challa's stomach, then spins, cutting deep into his bicep. Hurt, T'Challa realizes his compassion was a mistake and he must fight back but blood leaks from his side. Killmonger dodges T'Challa's next attack. Stumbling, T'Challa is unable to avoid Killmonger's blade being thrusted into his ribs.
The elders gasp as Ramonda looks away and Shuri just stares.
y/n: T'Challa!
Killmonger snatches the knife out. T'Challa can barely stand. Killmonger punches him.
