Rise

2.0
May 17th 2035

The date that appeared in each dream and nightmare. The date that he had looked forward to as long as he could remember. The box and the envelope sat lonely on the wooden table. The wooden table that was crowded by boxes in his fathers old apartment.

The man sat on a chat opposite it, his hands intertwined with each other. Ticking tapped inside of his ears creating an invisible timer inside his head. He had waited his whole life for this moment however could not bring himself to tear the precious paper.

The man was brought up knowing of his father. Since he was brought up on US Navy ship. Even after a few years his sea legs were still not used to being on the ground. He didn't know how his father stayed in this apartment, high up from the earth, away from the sea. His father could do anything and would do anything for anyone. Shame that he died before even meeting his son.

The timer inside of his mind went off. He leaned forward so that his hands rested on the table, eyeing the gift labelled 'open on your 18th birthday'. Reaching out he grabbed the envelope first, tearing away the seal carefully and brought out the handwritten letter.

To my son,
Kofi Cyrus Killmonger.
I hope this letter is finding you in good health and happiness on your 18th birthday. I'm guessing that if you are reading this my plan has not succeeded and that I have passed away. I want you to know that I love you dearly and wish I could've met you. When I heard that your mother was pregnant I was so excited to have my own mini me. However, I hope that my wish does not come true. That you are smart enough not to die and do what I have to do. I am in a place called Wakanda, my guess is that you know exactly where I am talking about. It is beautiful here, I hope that one day you can see what I am seeing now. I am sending you my ring which was once my own fathers, please wear it with pride.  Kofi promise me that you will always remember this. Even though the sun has set it will always rise again. Happy 18th son.
Erik Stevens
AKA-Killmonger

Kofi wiped a tear from his eye placing the letter back inside of its envelope. He put it in his coat pocket before bringing forward the box. As written the ring was inside, hung on a golden chain. The man stared at it for a while turning it on its side then back to how it was. The silver was dented with markings, simple and effective. Kofi reached over his head placing it around his neck.

His father was right, he knew where Wakanda was. Kofi opened the letter for something more than what he had gotten. Something that maybe the Wakandan people could people could tell him about. His phone began to ring, it vibrated on the table. Kofi picked it up, the name was one of his psycho ex girlfriends.

"Katie," he stood up from the chair. Kofi had a low threatening voice, which if you heard it would send shivers through your spine. "Why the fuck are you calling me?"

"Baby." She whined through the phone causing Kofi to move the phone away from his ear. "I miss you." she pouted through the phone.

"I'm not doing this right now," Kofi shook his head "Katie we are done. It's over, okay? Don't call this number again." He ended the call and blocked her number.

Kofi had girls lining up for him, he went through them one at a time like a disease. Making them feel at the height of their lives before dropping them cold. The blocked list on his phone was starting to become bigger than his actual contacts. His phone began to ring again.

"Katie, I told you not to fucking call me again." he shouted down the phone in a fit of rage.

"Who's Katie?" A cold voice chimed through the phone. It was the voice of his trainer, Mrs Nefi. "You swear at me one more time boy and I will bring out the belt again!" she warned.

"Sorry Nefi, it won't happen again." his tail shook in between his legs.

"Your god damn right it won't!" She shouted down the phone in her texan accent. "We have something for you, down at the dock, a mission I think you will be very much interested in."

"I'm on my way." Kofi ended the call. He grabbed the box that once held his new ring and placed it in one of the cardboard ones. He had not been able to sell his fathers place however wanting to get rid of the haunting place, he finally got himself to call the housing agents. The apartment had sold in only a couple of days, giving him a week to clean it out.

He took in one last breath looking at the home. The loading trucks would be here while he was gone clearing out the space for the new owners. Kofi pressed the button for the elevator getting inside. The doors closed on his father's apartment.

It didn't take him long to make his way to the docks. The Navy ship took up most of the space, the blue red and white flag plastered on the side. Kofi boarded gaining multiple salutes, he was known for the same thing his father was known for. That's why he kept the nickname Killmonger continuing to brandish his skin just like his father once did.

The older woman was sat on a chair in front of a wall of screens. She had an afro and dark chocolate hair, when Kofi was first born she got mistaken for his mother all of the time. However now in her early fifties she sat silently. Nafi’s was unfortunate that she contracted cancer a few years earlier causing her to loose her legs. Now cancer free she was the healthiest she had ever been in the past years.

The room was dark and empty. Leaving only him and his mentor. Across the screen were pictures of Wakanda and one of his father. Stood proud as the black panther.

“What’s this for?” he asked sitting next to Nefi. She patted him on the back.

“First of all, happy 18th birthday Kofi.” she looked at his chest. “I see you opened his gift.” He nodded. “A mission has come up as you know. A mission in Wakanda. As you may or may not know King T’Challa has fallen ill therefore meaning his sister shall take the throne. They have asked for a representative of the US to go over. Luckily the government has given the place to a Naval Seal. That Naval Seal is you.” Kofi couldn’t hold back his excitement his eyes going wide.

“With history with Wakanda, from the heritage running in your veins to your father. They thought that you were best to go over. It will give you a chance to smooth things over as well.” Nafi nodded. “So... do you accept?”

“Of course I accept!” He leaped into her arms giving her a bear hug. The mentor tapped him on the back giving him the comfort that he would need in the coming weeks. They drew away from each other, she hit him lightly on the nose.

“You will do to remember this, no getting involved with girls while you are there!”

“I can’t promise anything.” He shrugged, quickly getting up and rushing out the door before Nafi could hit him again, but instead of light it would be a hard wack.

“Kofi!” She scolded his name.