- The Next Day -
The next day, all the Ten Rings warriors in the HQ were gathered in a large dimly lit chamber, their faces solemn in the early morning stillness.
It was 6AM, and outside, the world remained shrouded in darkness.
Three big meals and a full night of sleep brought Erik body back to 100%, thanks to his Regenerative Healing Factor.
Although it wasn't on the same level as Wolverine or Deadpool, it was still pretty remarkable.
Spider-Man couldn't regrow limbs but a broken arm for instance, would take only a few hours to completely heal.
In a particular room of the coumpound, adorned with intricate Chinese decorations. The faint smell of incense lingered in the air, giving the place a sacred and reverent feel.
Each warrior sat cross-legged on the ground, perfectly still.
In the center of the room, before them, sat Xu Wenwu.
He too was seated on the floor, his posture regal and commanding, yet serene.
He wore a dark traditional robe, the light of the flickering candles casting deep shadows across his sharp features.
His presence was undeniable, an aura of authority that held the attention of every warrior in the room.
The candles provided just enough light to see clearly, their soft glow reflected in the eyes of those present.
"Wherever you are, wherever you may go. You must never forget who you are.. How you came to be." Xu Wenwu's voice was calm yet carried a weight of command that filled the room.
His tone was steady, imposing as if the very walls resonated with his words. "You are the Ten Rings! You are part of me as I am part of you. This is the truth of your lives... And it will remain true, even after death." His words lingered in the air like an unbreakable vow.
He then gestured with his hand to his right side. "This is a new member." He said, his voice softer but still authoritative.
Erik stepped forward, taking two deliberate steps until he stood level with Xu Wenwu. His face was calm, his gaze steady.
"He has chosen the name Killmonger." Xu Wenwu continued solemnly. "Welcome him as your brother." His eyes swept across the room.
"Welcome, Killmonger!" The room responded as one, their voices echoing off the walls.
The warriors all bowed from their seated positions, a show of unity and respect. The motion was fluid, disciplined as if they had rehearsed this countless times.
But there was one boy around Erik's age who didn't do it directly. Not out of defiance or disrespect but more from a sense of distraction.
For a moment, he seemed lost in thought as if weighing something in his mind. Realizing his lapse, he quickly followed suit, bowing like the others though his gaze lingered on Erik a moment longer than anyone else.
"Let's start the practice." Xu Wenwu commanded, his voice calm but decisive. With a simple gesture of his hand, he directed Erik to sit with the others.
Erik gave a slight nod and moved quietly to join the circle of seated warriors.
The soft sound of his feet against the floor was the only noise as he found his place among them.
He sat cross-legged, mirroring the others feeling the weight of eyes on him as they silently acknowledged his presence.
The room was still, save for the flickering of the candle flames casting long shadows against the traditional Chinese decor.
Erik took a deep breath, steadying himself.
"Every day begins with meditation and qigong practice." Xu Wenwu said with calm authority, his voice resonating through the chamber.
"Qi or Chi, is the natural life force of the universe and it lives inside each one of you. It flows through your body.." He paused..
"It is technically possible for anyone to access and call upon this power. But it requires incredible dedication, unwavering focus, and relentless training. If mastered, it can allow you to perform superhuman feats. If you learn how to channel chi, you can use it for both therapeutic and martial arts purposes." Xu Wenwu said, his voice firm but instructional.
"When mastered, chi becomes a powerful tool. A force that transcends mere physical strength. It is capable of generating an 'internal force' that removes the need for charging momentum."
He clenched his fist slowly, demonstrating his point. "This means you can strike with devastating power from even the smallest movements. With internal force, your body becomes a weapon in itself. Every punch, every kick, every gesture radiates with precision and control. Master this, and you will no longer be bound by the limitations of the flesh." His gaze sharpened.
"The body must obey the will" Xu Wenwu stated firmly, his voice echoing through the dimly lit room. "Hunger, thirst... Even the blood in your veins—these are the body's weaknesses."
He reached for the knife at his belt and without hesitation, sliced his palm allowing a thin line of blood to seep out.
The room remained eerily silent, the students watching with wide eyes as he held his wounded hand up for all to see.
"Master them.." He said coldly, his gaze sweeping over the assembled warriors "And you will master yourself."
Closing his fist, Xu Wenwu passed his other hand over the wound, his eyes shutting in deep concentration.
He stood motionless for a few seconds before reopening his eyes. Slowly, he extended his palm to reveal the now perfectly healed skin as if the cut had never existed.
"This is the power of chi." He said with authority, the weight of his words sinking into the minds of the students. "This is the way of the martial artist."
The room remained still, absorbing what they had just witnessed.
Once Xu Wenwu had finished his explanation and demonstration, he calmly rose to his feet and exited the room. The group remained seated, already in their meditative stances, as the door softly closed behind him.
No one stirred.
The senior instructor moved forward with a calm yet authoritative demeanor. "Breathe in" He said, his voice steady and deliberate. "Focus. Let your mind align with your body."
The room remained dimly lit by flickering candles as the warriors closed their eyes, the soft rustle of fabric the only sound as they settled deeper into meditation.
It was the first training of the day—
Meditation to center the mind and unlock the flow of chi within them.
The air was still, their breathing in sync as they sought balance between body and spirit, preparing for the rigorous day ahead.
Erik closed his eyes, settling into the familiar rhythm of meditation.
He knew how to calm his mind, how to breathe deeply and steadily sinking into focus. This wasn't new to him.
But now he was a bit distracted, his mind wandering as he focused on the chi concept.
In his previous life, most dismissed chi as an abstract idea.
Yet, Erik knew from his memories that in the Marvel world it was very reel.
He vividly recalled seeing the monks of K'un-lun channeling chi to perform incredible feats.
Or The leaders of The Hand who harnessed it to achieve seemingly impossible things.
Here, in this world, chi was undeniably real and its potential was vast.
It could enhance physical attributes like strength, speed, reflexes, agility, durability, and stamina.
Through mastery of chi, one could also achieve enhanced healing and recovery, allowing wounds to heal faster than normal.
Chi can even bolster vitality, allowing an old body to still function at its peak.
For those who can truly channel this energy, the body becomes a vessel capable of extraordinary feats beyond the limits of ordinary humans.
Erik took a deep breath, releasing it slowly.
He consciously set aside his thoughts, allowing his mind to clear.
The noise in his head quieted as he focused solely on the rhythm of his breathing.. Gradually letting go of everything else sinking deeper into the stillness of meditation.