"This is the source of the Black Panther's power."
Sean stood in the Heart-Shaped Herb garden, accessible only to the Wakanda Royal Family. Massive plants radiating blue-violet light grew all around him, their trumpet-shaped corollas cradling delicate, vibrant heart-shaped buds.
Once picked, ground into liquid, and swallowed, an ordinary person could receive the blessing of Bast, the Panther Goddess, gaining immense strength and agility and becoming Wakanda's protector—the Black Panther.
This herb garden, growing within an underground cavern, was the Panther Tribe's most closely guarded secret. It had been tended and protected by members of the Panther Tribe for generations. Through the Black Panther's power obtained from it, they had established the Royal Family's ruling authority and won the loyal obedience of the other tribes.
But with the new king's ascension, all of that would cease to exist.
"How does it feel?"
Sean looked at Killmonger, who had climbed out of the red sand. After consuming the Heart-Shaped Herb and undergoing a brief slumber of the spirit, he had acquired strength far beyond that of an ordinary man.
Every muscle on his lean, powerful body seemed packed with explosive force, enough to rival the Super Soldiers created by Umbrella.
Unfortunately, these Heart-Shaped Herbs that bestowed power upon mortals could neither be transplanted and cultivated nor produced in greater quantities. They seemed to depend on the vibranium veins buried deep underground to grow, making large-scale proliferation impossible.
"I've never felt anything this incredible... it's better than getting high!"
Killmonger shouted excitedly after regaining consciousness.
A week earlier, he had defeated T'Challa in a combat duel. Just as in the original timeline, the young Black Panther, skilled in combat and exceptionally brave, was no match for Killmonger, who had weathered countless battles and brushes with death.
In the end, this was not