"WE WILL LOSE!"
Duryodhana, who had been listening silently, now interjected with a fiery intensity. His voice echoed through the grand hall, expressing frustration and fear.
"YOU ALL HAVEN'T SEEN HIM IN ACTION, HE CAN DEFEAT ALL WARRIORS HERE WITH JUST A GLANCE. YOU UNDERESTIMATE HIS POWER, AND IF YOU THINK WE CAN CONTROL HIM, YOU'RE BLIND TO REALITY!"
Duryodhana's outburst hung in the air, punctuating the gravity of the situation. Bhishma, Dronacharya, and the other courtiers exchanged uneasy glances, recognizing the truth in Duryodhana's words.
"We have the biggest army in the entire Bharatavarsha—"
Dronacharya said but again got interrupted by Duryodhana.
Duryodhana's voice rose, cutting through the murmurs of the courtiers, "That's one of the problems here. Okay let me ask you something. When Karna was standing here did anyone sense an entire army in this grand hall?" Duryodhana's pointed question left a momentary silence as those present contemplated the implications of his words.
"What nonsense are you spouting, Duryodhana?"
"HAHAHAHA," Duryodhana's laughter, echoing through the grand hall, carried a hint of bitterness. "Nonsense, you call it? In his shadow, an entire army of immortals was there the whole time he was standing in this grand hall. If he wanted to, he could have decimated us all without breaking a sweat."
The revelation sent a shiver down the spines of those in the grand hall. The notion that Karna possessed such unfathomable power, hidden from plain sight, filled the room with a palpable sense of unease.
Dronacharya stumbled back in realization, his eyes widening at the revelation. Bhishma, though maintaining his stoic demeanor, exchanged a glance with Kunti, who stood at the entrance of the hall, her eyes reflecting a mix of concern and realization.
Duryodhana continued, his voice now a low, intense whisper that resonated through the hall, "Karna doesn't need an army; he is an army. The aura he emits, and the creatures by his side, all speak of a power that transcends our understanding. If we push him too far, if we force him into a corner, we might unleash a force that could consume us all."
"And do you all think that those two were not the only creatures he has? Then you all don't know about the colossal snake he has."
Duryodhana's revelation had cast a heavy shadow over the assembly, and a hushed tension enveloped the grand hall. The courtiers, once confident in the might of their vast army, now grappled with the unsettling reality that Karna possessed a power beyond their comprehension.
" Pandavas have seen his power in that celestial realm too. Ask them. What did they see there?"
Everyone's attention shifted to the Pandavas, who had been silently observing the unfolding drama.
Yudhishthira, seeing none of his brothers speaking, took it upon himself to respond. His voice was calm but serious, "What Duryodhana says is true. In that celestial realm, we witnessed Karna's incredible power. It was not just his strength in combat, but his transformations too which shook the entire realm and made cracks in the space."
"Cracks in the space? Transformation?"
Yudhishthira nodded solemnly. "Yes, indeed. Karna's power transcends mere physical prowess. In that realm, he exhibited transformations that defied logic and reason. His abilities seemed boundless as if he could reshape reality itself at will."
Arjuna, standing beside Yudhishthira, added, "It was as if the very fabric of the universe bowed to his command. We stood witness to his formidable might, and it filled us with a sense of awe and dread."
Bhima, known for his straightforwardness, spoke next. "He fought Kartavirya Arjuna and Jalandhara one after another, defeating them effortlessly. His prowess in battle is unmatched, and his power seems to stem from sources beyond our comprehension."
"Wait a moment! Kartavirya Arjuna and Jalandhara? But they have already been dead for a long time now by Bhagwan Parshuram and Lord Shiva himself."
Yudhishthira nodded again, acknowledging the confusion in Dronacharya's voice. "Yes, that's true. But they were very much alive in that realm and Karna alone defeated them and made them some shadowy soldier for himself."
The revelation of Karna's hidden power and the encounters witnessed by the Pandavas in the celestial realm sent shockwaves through the assembly. The realization that Karna possessed abilities beyond mortal comprehension, including the capability to transform and manipulate reality itself, instilled a profound sense of unease among those present.
Duryodhana's impassioned warnings about underestimating Karna's power resonated deeply, highlighting the potential consequences of provoking him. His mention of Karna's association with creatures and a colossal snake only served to deepen the mystery surrounding Karna's true nature and capabilities.
Even the Pandavas, who had witnessed Karna's prowess firsthand, affirmed the extent of his power and the awe-inspiring feats they had witnessed in the celestial realm. The fact that Karna had seemingly resurrected formidable warriors like Kartavirya Arjuna and Jalandhara to serve under him added another layer of complexity to his character.
The gravity of the situation was palpable as the courtiers grappled with the newfound understanding of Karna's immense power and the implications it held for their impending conflict. The once-assured confidence in the might of their army now seemed fragile in the face of Karna's unfathomable abilities.
[Way To Kingdom Of Anga]
'I tried, I tried to avoid the war but... They wouldn't listen.'
Karna could be seen thinking in his world while sitting in the flying chariot with his wives, who were gazing at him with concern. The weight of his power and the knowledge of the impending conflict pressed heavily on his shoulders. He sighed, feeling the burden of destiny and the choices that had led him to this moment.
"I never sought war, but circumstances have pushed us to this inevitable confrontation," Karna muttered, his voice carrying a mixture of regret and determination.
"What happened, Karna," his wife Draupadi asked, her voice soft with concern. "What troubles your mind?"
Karna looked at Draupadi, his gaze softening momentarily before he spoke. "They declared war upon me, And the reason for it— I didn't agree to their terms."
Draupadi, understanding the complexity of the situation, placed a gentle hand on Karna's shoulder. "War is often a result of misunderstandings and unmet expectations. But you have always stood by principles, Karna. Your integrity is unmatched."
Karna nodded, appreciating the support from Draupadi. "I cannot compromise my loved ones and principles for the sake of avoiding conflict."
Screech!
An eagle suddenly soared across the sky, catching Karna's attention. Its piercing screech echoed through the air, as it descended towards Karna's chariot. Karna's eyes focused on the majestic bird, sensing a message in its presence.
"It bears a message from Hastinapur," Karna muttered, his eyes following the eagle's descent. The bird gracefully landed on his chariot, and Karna carefully untied a small scroll attached to its leg. As he read the message, a frown made its way to Karna's face. The contents of the scroll seemed to add another layer of complexity to an already intricate situation.
"What does it say, Karna?" Draupadi inquired, her eyes searching his face for any sign of what troubled him.
"They want me to go to the royal palace of Hastinapur as soon as possible."
The unfolding events had taken a toll on Karna's mind, and as he processed the message from Hastinapur, a sense of weariness settled within him. He pondered the implications of this summons and the possible intentions behind it.
"Draupadi, it seems they want to discuss something important in person. I must go to Hastinapur," Karna said, his voice tinged with a mix of resignation and determination.
His wives exchanged glances, understanding the gravity of the situation. Brinda spoke with concern, "Karna, be cautious. We have seen the shadows of the approaching storm, and I fear what awaits you in Hastinapur."
Karna nodded, acknowledging the inherent risks. "I will tread carefully, but I cannot avoid this meeting. Perhaps there is still a chance for understanding and resolution."
"You all continue on your way to Anga, I will catch up later." After saying that Karna jumped from the flying chariot, his mind heavy with thoughts and uncertainties. A pair of golden wings unfolded from his back, and with a powerful flap, Karna ascended into the sky. The golden wings carried him swiftly towards Hastinapur, leaving behind the chariot and his wives.
'What do they want now?'
[I think Pandavas and Duryodhana might have opened their mouth and told them about your powers and that's why I think they might ask for compromise or something.]
Chuckles~
'Bhishma Pitamaha and Guru Dronarcharya will not do any of that even if they come to know about my powers.'
As Karna soared through the skies towards Hastinapur, his mind buzzed with thoughts and concerns. The revelation of his powers, the encounters in the celestial realm, and the unfolding political dynamics painted a complex picture.
He couldn't shake off the feeling that the wheels of destiny were turning, and the impending meeting at Hastinapur held significant consequences.
'But one thing is clear, I will not bow to their conditions.'