Changing the Tides

Beginning of a new Saga

Karna's POV

Looking at the man who was my teacher, I could do nothing but lament on my fate. I wanted to ask him to turn around and stop this battle, I wanted to feel his affection once again, and most importantly I wanted his presence back in my life which I have been craving for so long.

But standing here, I could do nothing but sigh with sadness.

And as I shifted my gaze to look at the sky where the darkness of the night was conquering the light of the day, I could do nothing but see a reflection of my turmoil in the nature, where I too was feeling like my heart's light was dimming by the darkness of this predicament I was in.

As the stars glittered the sky, I couldn't help but reminisce about the day when I had received the letter from my teacher after so long. Words couldn't describe how happy and excited I felt at that moment, how I hoped that finally my wish of getting the forgiveness from my teacher would come true. But now those feelings felt nothing but foreign to me, and all there was inside my heart is pain and sorrow.

In an unknown location

In the eerie and foreboding palace, where darkness clung to every corner, a malevolent presence stirred. The very air itself seemed to shudder as this figure awoke from his deep slumber, a slumber that had lasted for centuries. He was a being of immense power and malice, a true embodiment of darkness and evil.

With a thunderous crash of lightning outside, the figure's eyes shot open, revealing a cold and malevolent glint within. His skin was ashen and mottled, and his eyes, deep-set in his skeletal face, burned with an unnatural fire. This was a creature that had been imprisoned for ages, locked away in the depths of time, and now, with the celestial signs aligning, he was free once more.

A sinister grin crept across his face, revealing rows of jagged, yellowed teeth. His laughter was a chilling cacophony that seemed to reverberate through the very walls of the accursed palace. As he rose to his feet, a cloak of darkness draped over his bony frame, and the atmosphere grew even colder, if such a thing were possible.

The figure's voice was like the scraping of rusty daggers on stone as he whispered, "The time has finally come. The time to reclaim what is rightfully mine. The three worlds shall bow before me, and darkness shall reign supreme once more."

His words sent shivers down the spines of any unfortunate souls who happened to be near. His sinister intent was palpable, and it echoed through the darkened chambers of the palace, spreading like a contagion.

Outside, the storm raged on, with thunder and lightning providing an ominous backdrop to the awakening of this malevolent force. The world itself seemed to hold its breath, as if anticipating the impending chaos and destruction that this being would unleash.

As he stepped out of the chamber, the very ground quaked beneath his feet, and a horde of shadowy figures materialized from the darkness, bowing in servitude to their lord, seeing which his dark grin widened, and he whispered, "Soon this world would know the fear of Andhaksur once again."

Back in Hastinapur

Seeing the battle finally coming to a hault, and the old sage leaving Karna alone on the battle field, Vrushali couldn't help but notice the eyes of her husband through the divine mirror, the sorrow and despair that were etched in his eyes made her heart clench, and she couldn't help but want to rush through the mirror to him, and engulf him in her embrace and share in his pain, but all she could do is just watch her beloved suffer.

At that moment, she noticed Duryodhan stand up, and without a word or explanation rushing out of the court, which made her and even Bhanumati confused, while Ashwaththama who knew his friend well, followed him quickly, and soon their silhouettes disappeared from the royal court of Hastinapur, which made the occupants look at each other with uncertainty.

Devarshi who noticed Duryodhan's and Ashwaththama's exit with a smile, turned to the court, and while looking at the occupants in attendance spoke of how the gathering can be adjourned for today, but added how they would reconvene tomorrow. Saying which he waved his hand and the mirror disappeared, but before he could leave Bhishma whispered a few words, "where did Duryodhan and Ashwaththama ran off in such a hurry?"

These words made Devarshi pause for a moment and he looked at Bhishma with a smile, and spoke, "Where do you think Putra Duryodhan would go after what he just saw, Putra Bhishma? isn't it obvious."

At this Bhishma's eyes widened, and he whispered, "Mahindragiri".

Hearing that one words sent shockwaves among the occupants of the court, especially the well-wishers of Duryodhan. Bhanumati at this stood up and ran out to try to stop Duryodhan, who was followed by Vrushali, while Gandhari sat with her eyes hidden by her blindfold but her emotions evident for everyone around her, especially her daughter in laws, the other wives of Kauravas who looked at each other with concern and tension.

Were Pandavas were amused at the situation seeing Duryodhan rushing out in what could only be described as panic. Draupadi on the other hand who had been seated beside Vrushali and Bhanumati now sat there gazing at the exit of the royal court from where her friend along with the Yuvrani of Hastinapur had just vanished into the corridors of the palace of Hastinapur.

Her gaze soon drifted back to the sage still standing in the middle of the court who noticing Draupadi's gaze on him, gave her a mysterious smile as if to suggest her that this is just the beginning of a new saga, and with that the sage too Vanished.