Darkness. Complete darkness engulfed the tunnel as Bheem closed the door behind him. A loud crashing sound replaced the silence as roof collapsed, permanently sealing the door from further use.

Karn :- Is everyone okay ?

He asked after few minutes of silence.

Bheem :- Just okay I guess.

Sahdev :- It's too dark in here though, I can't even see my hands and clothes.

Karn thought for a moment then said.

Karn :- I can help.

He held his right wrist and closed his eyes, all watched in amazement as his nerves starting from neck to right hand began glowing. A small bluish flame appeared on his right palm, illuminating the surroundings.

Everyone came into view as flame became stronger, they looked at each other making sure all were fine. Rough dark walls of tunnel implied that it wasen't long before digging happened. He immediately jerked his hand and rubbed the palm on ground, extinguishing the flame, a few coughs escaped his mouth.

Kunti :- Are you okay putra, what happened ?

Karn :- (panting) It's too much, I can't hold it for long.

Nakul :- But we can atleast create a mashal with it.

He pulled out his dagger and tore a part of angvastra then wrapped around it.

Nakul :- Just need some oil now.

Awantika :- Here, take it.

Arjun :- You carry oil ?

Awantika :- So your enemy can't catch you.

Nakul :- Whatever.

He reached his hand to grab it but nothing could be seen in this dark, his fingers touched her blouse.

Awantika :- (angrily) What are you doing ?

Her hand jerked in reflex.

Sahdev :- Ow.... Hey, why did you slap me ?

Awantika :- Oh sorry sorry.... I didn't mean to....

Arjun and Bheem started laughing, Kunti grabbed his ear and twisted it.

Yudhisthir :- Ahh... mata, it's me...

Kunti :- Putra Yudhisthir!

Now no one could suppress their laughter as Yudhisthir rubbed his ear. Karn once again invoked the flame on his palm.

Karn :- Do it fast, this won't be for long.

Nakul looked apologitically at Awantika and picked up the bottle. Soaking the cloth, he bought it near the flame, after a few flickerings, a bright golden light spread everywhere, all sighed in relief having some light to see around.

Karn :- It's better to move I guess, should get out as fast as possible.

All noded and got up. Karn took the mashal and walked ahead, followed by Yudhisthir and Sahdev, Kunti and Awantika, then Nakul, Arjun and Bheem.

It wasen't long before they saw another wall.

Sahdev :- What the hell ?

Some spades and shovels were kept aside. Karn punched the wall in anger.

Karn :- It's still incomplete.

Yudhisthir :- So this is what kakashree wanted to warn us about.

Now others started wondering what to do next.

Bheem :- We're just wasting our time, should start digging.

He immediately picked up a shovel and began his work, joined by Arjun, Nakul, Sahdev then Yudhisthir.

Karn looked at the wall thoughtfully.

'It can dig deep tunnels in ground and can be used to create a wall of rocks for defence'

Karn :- Wait.

All turned and looked at him as he summoned Bhumastra.



Karn :- It'll do the work, step back.

He thrust the astra in between rocks, a blinding light forced them to close their eyes. All stumbled upon each other as tunnel started shaking. They slowly opened their eyes to notice a clear path in front.

Smiling at each other, they began to walk again. After walking for what is seemed like an hour, they could finally hear rushing of water and see some light entering from a distance.

Bheem :- Not far from here it seems.

Karn :- Lets get out.

Few minutes later, they came out and breathed the fresh air from atmosphere. Sky was dark with morning still a few hrs away. Exhausted by the anxiety and tension of events, they sat down near its mouth. Karn bought a stick and made a makeshift bow.

Kunti :- What's that for ?

Karn :- We need to atleast send a signal to kakashree about being alive, so he can control the situation for time being.

Arjun :- Let me do it Jeystha.

He took the bow and summoned a magic arrow.



Pulling the string to max tension, he shot it towards the sky, where it dissapeared. Karn laid down on grass.

Karn :- Lets sleep for now, I'm in no condition to think of anything. We'll figure out what to do in morning.

All noded aggreeing and laid down here and there. Tall trees covered most of sky as they drifted off to sleep. ----------------------------------------------------------- Gandhari :- NO! This can't happen, it ain't possible, please.... please tell me it's a lie.

Servant bowed down his head.

Gandhari :- Why are you not saying anything ? Do you mean to tell that my beloved sister is no more..... that my Pandavs are dead.... now no one will be there to call me jiji.... to guide me holding my hand....

She fell down on her seat with a thump and covered her face with palms, sobbing.

Gandhari :- Hey Mahadev, did you kept me alive only to see this day, only to sit and mourn for my dear sister and her sons. Why didn't you call me there instead, how will I live here without her....



Dhritrashtra :- Gandhari.... please control yourself.... you are among the elders, breaking down like this isn't your work.

Gandhari :- What do you expect me to do arya, what should I do then ? My .... my sister...

She closed her mouth to muffle the painful cry escaping freely. Bhisma glanced at Bhanu, she stood aside Gandhari's seat with tear striken face and shocked expressions.

Bhisma :- Putri.

She looked at her pitamah and wiped her tears.

Bhisma :- Take her to her chamber, she probably needs some time alone.

Bhanu noded and tapped Gandhari's shoulder, both walked away, not before joining hands in front of half burnt weapons of Pandavs kept on table.

Bhisma too wiped his tears, stood up and left abruptly. Kripacharya and Vidur went after.

Now only people left in chamber were Shakuni, Duryodhan, Dussasan and Dhritrashtra.

Shakuni gestured the servant to leave, all glanced at each other before a laughter broke out.

Shakuni :- Rituals for your yuvraj abshek is completed mere bhanje.

Dhritrashtra :- What do mean Shakuni ?

Shakuni :- Am I not right jijashree, all the hurdles in your son's way are destroyed at once. Now who will stop him from wearing your successor's crown.

A smile appeared on Dhritrashtra's face, thinking about his son becoming the yuvraj.

Shakuni grabbed a handful of ash from table and threw it up in the air as an evil smile adorned his face.



----------------------------------------------------------- Radha was busy humming a song as she knitted a shawl for her eldest son. Just then Shivangi came there.

Shivangi :- Mata, my work's done, I'm going to meet my sakhi.

Radha :- Don't roam around for too long, no dinner if late today.

Shivangi :- No, no need of that, I'll be on time.

She opened the door, only to see Adhirath standing there with a hesistant look on his face and eyes swollen red due to tears. He held Karn's bow in his hand.

Shivangi :- Pitashree, what.... what happened, why are you crying and this.... what's this ?

Radha got up and came there, she too was confused seeing his state.

Radha :- Arya, first you come inside, what is all this ?

Her eyes fell on the half burnt bow of her eldest son. Adhirath sat down and wiped his tears.

Adhirath :- Radha..... Vasu..... Vasusen....

He didn't knew what and how to speak further.

Radha :- Vasu ? What happened to him.... tell me arya.... say something please.

Adhirath :- He..... he's no more.

For a moment, Radha felt as if someone had snatched the ground from below her feet. She took Karn's bow and clutched it tightly to her heart.

Radha :- (crying) No, this isn't true.... nothing can happen to my son.... arya.... please say that it isn't what you said.... please say that my son is alive...

Adhirath looked down and shook his head. Shivangi held Radha's shoulders as she stumbled back crying badly.

Radha :- This ain't true....

She mumbled again and again, hugging the bow tightly. Karn's last words rang in her mind.

'I'm sorry maa but, it's the truth and whatever happened at Kaling palace was the proof, it was a warning for upcoming times'

Radha :- Putra, you can't go like this.... you can't leave you mother alone. ----------------------------------------------------------- Gates opened and Draupadi entered the chamber hurriedly.

Drupad, Driystadyumna and Srikhandini, who were lost in deep thoughts looked up to see the youngest princess approaching.

Draupadi :- Is it true pitashree ? Did it really happened ?

Drupad :- (sighed) If you've already got to know it, then there's isn't any point denying.

Draupadi :- (shocked) It means whole Pandav family were burnt alive, overnight. Is prince Karn and his family dead ?

Krishna :- Sometimes what we see or hear isn't the whole truth, sometimes whole story is hidden behind a single punctuation mark we don't even notice.

All looked at the gate from where he entered, having same heavenly smile on his face.

Krishna :- Everything seems so real but it can just be an illusion.

Drupad :- What do you mean to say Vasudev ? Illusion ? Hidden story ? Punctuation ?

Krishna :- Destiny. No one can change destiny Maharaj Drupad, if something is destined, it will happen, no matter what. Every person who's born, has a reason or motif to fulfill and he cannot leave this mortal world without fulfilling it.

Srikhandini :- So, they're alive ?

Krishna :- If their reason or motif would be still to fulfill, they must be alive or could also be dead.

Driystadyumna :- Please speak clearly Vasudev.

Krishna :- Life isn't simple yuvraj, its way more complex than anyone can imagine. Have some faith on destiny, it will get everything done in a proper manner. (turning to Drupad) You should postpone the preparations, I will tell you when the right time comes.

Draupadi :- What ? Are you going somewhere ?

Krishna :- Sakhi, as your father said, your swayamvar will be the greatest of this yug, so I need to do some arrangements for it. Moreover, there are many more jobs to be done.

Draupadi :- Oh, let me drop you till the palace gates.

Both walked out after he greeted everyone. She turned to him as they stood in front of his chariot.

Draupadi :- Is he alive Govind ? Please tell me atleast.



Krishna kept a hand on her shoulder.

Krishna :- Do you trust me sakhi.

She noded.

Krishna :- Then don't worry about anything, just enjoy your life. Remember that you are not any ordinary princess, you are Yagyaseni. You will bring the change in aryavarth, and Karn, he is that tsunami which cannot stop itself for long. Let time unravel everything, he too won't be able to deny his destiny.

Saying so, he climbed his chariot and jerked the whips, horses moved forward pulling the chariot behind.

Draupadi stood there wondering about his words, she caressed the golden pendant and went back. ----------------------------------------------------------- Later that evening,

An elderly person sat leaning on a tree, looking at the setting sun as tears rolled down his eye. He looked up as he felt a hand on his shoulder, Vidur stood there with a concerned look on his face.

Vidur :- You should steady yourself tatshree, you are the family tree of this kuru vansh, what will happen to others if you will loose your balance.

Bhisma :- (smiles ironically) Look at this sunset putra, look, today sun of kuru vansh's glorious future has set itself, spreading darkness everywhere. You know, when I placed the yuvraj crown on Karn's head, I saw my father's image in him, though still childish, he was responsible. Arjun, who used to sit on my lap as I told him stories, Bheem stole my kheer, Yudhisthir read books from my library, Nakul and Sahdev used to dance on my bed and now their ashes float on this holy water. I want to ask almighty, what sin did I do ? What test do you want me to give ? Is there anything left for me to suffer, answer me vidhata, answer me....

He cried as tears flooded out of his swollen red eyes.



Vidur :- Tatshree, nothing happened to Pandavs..... they're..... they're alive.

Bhisma looked at him confused.

Bhisma :- Alive ?

Vidur told him everything and showed Arjun's magic arrow.

Vidur :- I'm sorry tatshree but this was demand of politics.

Bhisma :- (angrily) So now politics is more important than your tatshree.

Vidur :- If I would've told you that under Shakuni's influence, Duryodhan had conspired to burn the Pandav family alive, what would have you done ?

Bhisma :- What ?

Vidur :- Yes.

Bhisma :- I will not leave Dhritrashtra untill he tells me what all is going on ?

Vidur :- I think Jeystha didn't had any idea of this conspiracy.

Bhisma :- I will confront Shakuni, Duryodhan....

Vidur :- That's why I didn't told you this before. I have learnt politics from you only and you've told me that in politics, it's necessary to keep a strick control over your tongue and speak only when it's the right time. Had I told you before, you would've confronted Duryodhan, this conspiracy would have been prevented but we would never have know how far Shakuni can take Duryodhan against Pandavs and how low Duryodhan can stoop himself to wipe out Pandavs. Now you know everything, so think what needs to be done.

Bhisma :- Where are they ?

Vidur :- I don't know exact, but wherever they are, they are together and fine. ----------------------------------------------------------- Bhanu stood near the railing, her one hand holding Karn's potrait while other wiped the tears which continued to flow as she looked at the innocent smile of man with golden armour.



Bhanu :- Why are you doing this to me ? I am here trying to move on but everytime your face appears in front of me. And.... and now that you're gone, why is it paining me. But I know you're alive, my heart says you are breathing, my mind tells me that you are fit and fine.

She glanced at the sky to know that dinner time was nearing, she needs to go and supervise the workers. She wiped the tears for one last time, hid the potrait under mattress and went out.

What she didn't notice was her husband, who was sitting on the sofa, waiting for his wife to end her dilemma and have a talk.

He moved towards the bed with pounding heartbeats. His eyes widened as he pulled out the potrait and looked at it.

Duryodhan :- What ? ----------------------------------------------------------- Future Glimpse :- Krishna's patience was slowly reaching its limit, he looked at the two warriors who continued their fight, none ready to injure the other.

Krishna :- KARN!

He stood up glared at him angrily, Karn lowered his head.

Krishna :- Seems like you've already decided to loose this war. I'm telling you again and again that person who stands in front is not your pitamah anymore. He is nothing but Gangaputra Bhism, commander in chief of enemy army. In this dharm yudh, each and every warrior supporting adharm is your enemy, is my enemy, is the enemy of entire human society. You know very well how much of our warriors, soldiers and maharathis lost their lives at the hands of Gangaputr alone. You are a debtor of all those martyrs Kunti putr Karn and if you will not repay them back by killing him, then I will.

His eyes turned red in anger as he got down the chariot and summoned his Sudarshan chakra.

Karn :- Madhav! no, I'm sorry Madhav, please come back....

He kept his Vijay aside and ran after him. ----------------------------------------------------------- Did you like the chapter ?

First of all, I can again feel the decreasing enthusiasm among readers. Guys, your votes give me motivation to continue writing further so please do vote so I can know that people like my story.

If you think my story is starting to turn boring, just tell me, I will try my best to make it more engaging.

How was the scene in dark ? Nakul got a good feel I guess.

What will be Duryodhan's reaction on finding the truth.

And there is a reason behind giving future glimpse. Do you want long detailed war with dozens of characters or only involve main ones. If you ask me, second one would be better as you will see huge lot of fights and valorous moments. Still, I would like to ask, which one would you prefer, just know that it will create difference in no. of chapters.

See you in the next chapter, until then, take care.

Target :- 52 votes.

Do comment if you have any suggestions.