With bubbling chuckle of cuckoos, Krishna opened his eyes, welcoming a new day. Surrounding seemed to bloom all of a sudden, happy to please their lord, sky had now turned light blue but sunrise still had an hour left.



Turning his head, he saw Karn asleep near his feets, probably dozed off and too sleepy to know. A soft pleasant smile appeared on his lips, knowing that no matter what hurdles show up, his Bharat will defeat them all.

Krishna glanced up at the sky, next moment, a glowing Vaishnav astra appeared and then entered inside Karn's body.



Karn pressed his eyes shut before opening them to take in the light from surroundings.

Krishna :- Good morning, bhrata Karn.

Karn glanced at him before realising about his state, he still was sitting on ground and had slept near Krishna's feet.

Slowly stood up yawning, but today he felt different, he took a slow deep breath, making sure it was real.

Krishna looked at him amused.

Karn :- Strange.... I.... I feel powerful, I can feel the energy flowing through my veins.

Krishna :- It happens, when you are blessed with something without even asking, as you are already worthy of it.

Karn :- Only you can understand your words Madhav.

Krishna :- That's why only I have been chosen to be your charioteer.

Karn :- (stretching) I should go and get ready, not much time left for sunrise and today we have to discuss war strategy with Maharaj Vaadkshemi.

Krishna :- If you want, you can go, I wish to stay here for some more time (taking out his flute) might as well enjoy the nature.

Saying so, he began playing his flute, creating the tune of eternal peace. Karn smiled and went away, leaving the flowers dancing on the tune of music. ----------------------------------------------------------- Draupadi woke up lazily, scratching her head, she looked outside the window, sun was already above the horizon.

Getting up, she stood in front of mirror, looking at herself when felt something strange. She ran to the washroom and vomitted, taking a few gurgles, she recalled her previous night dinner, but it was all simple.

Brushing away the thought, she took a towel and went to take a bath, hoping to feel better after it.

In the afternoon,

Draupadi, Kunti and Rukmini sat in the conference hall, having a discussion on new policies to be introduced for women's welfare.

She felt dizzy and got unconscious, luckily Rukmini caught her before she could fall. Kunti rushed to her and touched her forehead, checking for fever.

Kunti :- Putri, open your eyes, what happened....

A dasi bought some water which Rukmini sprinkled on her face. She shifted a bit, before opening her eyes then noticed everyone's concerned gazes.

Draupadi :- What.... happened ?

Kunti :- (caressing her head) You got unconscious all of a sudden putri, how are you feeling now.

Draupadi :- I'm fine mata, just feeling a bit tired, will be fine after some rest.

Rukmini :- I'll help you to your chamber.

Draupadi :- It's okay jiji, I can go.

But Rukmini didn't listen, she helped her get up and both began walking to Draupadi's chamber.

While on their way, Draupadi felt dizzy again, but before she could do anything, scene in front of her eyes blacked out.

With the sound of maids fussing around, she opened her eyes and found herself on bed. Kunti, who sat near, caressed her face with a happy smile.

Draupadi :- Mata....

Kunti :- I'm so happy putri, you gave us all a very good news today.

Draupadi :- (slowly getting up) What do you mean mata ?

Kunti :- You are going to be a mother soon, now one more life is growing inside you.

It took a few moments for her to realise the situation, she caressed her belly and a smile appeared on her face.



Draupadi :- Really mata ? I.... I will be a mother.... I am....

Subhadra :- Yes jiji, you are pregnant.

She hugged her excitedly, making her chuckle.

Kunti :- Karn will also be happy to know this, but don't tell him now, let him come back and give him a surprise.

Draupadi blushed and covered her face with her palms as other ladies chuckled.

Nakul patted his favourite horse's back as it ate the food. Awantika came running and stopped to take some breaths.

Nakul :- You seem excited, what's the matter ?

Awantika :- I have a very good news.

Nakul :- Oh, and what's that ?

Awantika :- You are going to be kakashree again now.

Nakul :- What ?

Awantika :- I mean jiji Draupadi is pregnant.

Nakul :- Oh, it's an excellent news then.

Awantika :- I should go and tell others too.

She was about to go but he held her hand, pulling her closer.

Nakul :- Okay, bhabhi is pregnant, Jeystha is going to be a father soon, what about us.

Awantika :- (smirking) What ?

Snaking her arms around his neck, she pulled him more closer, such that their lips were inches apart.

He was struck by her beautiful face glowing with mischief, closed his eyes moving closer to her lips but suddenly she pushed him and ran away, laughing.

Awantika :- Don't worry Mr, your time will also come soon.



He chuckled seeing her figure dissapear through the hallways. ----------------------------------------------------------- Karn adjusted the arrow on his bow and pulled the string, ready to preice the target any second i.e any leaf falling from a bunch of trees in front, before it touches the ground.

His ears registered a faint click and his swift hands released the arrow, tearing the leaf from center.

Next arrow prevented two more leaves from falling unattended.

He flexed his arms shooting various targets, running, flying, standing and many more.

Then picked up a spear, performing various stunts, stabbing invisible enemies, and repeated the same with other weapons untill stopped to take a few breaths before round 2.

He heard sound of payals and turned to see Pallavi coming there.



Karn :- Princess, you here ?

Pallavi :- Hope I didn't disturb you.

Karn :- No, not at all.

Pallavi :- Actually Madr Raj Shalya is going to arrive here and Vasudev asked me to take you there.

Karn :- Okay, but you could've sent anyone to call me, why did you....

Pallavi :- That's no problem Maharaj.

Karn :- Just give me a minute.

She noded and he took a bucket, washed his face, hands and feet. Wiping the water with a towel, he gestured to her and they went away.

Karn :- (while walking) Have you known something about Asur Raj Dantvatra, I mean weaponry of Koshal is impressive and any kingdom would want it for them, but there must be some motive or reason for bringing Sindhu Naresh Jayadrath along and attacking, he could've accepted any kind of trade treaty but no, is he here for something else ?

Pallavi :- No idea, Asur Raj visited Koshal few years ago, but he was just an army general of asurs then, he had a talk with pitashree, I don't know what went on between them but one thing was sure that he didn't get what he wanted, atleast from the look on his face then. About Sindhu Naresh, as Koshal and Sindhu never had good relations, and it's being passed on to generations, so it can be obvious.

Karn :- It can be obvious for Sindhu Naresh, but not for Dushala's husband, son in law of Hastinapur Maharaj Dhritrashtr. I think they don't even know he is here, helping Dantvatra, if he wanted, he could've taken help from Hastinapur, but no, he is inviting trouble, but for what ?

Pallavi :- Either he too wants something from us or is a fool to understand his situation.

Karn :- Will definitely have to figure it out to know what's going on.

They reached near the palace gates, he went and stood beside Krishna, who smiled mischievously at them.

A huge army marched inside the gates of Koshal, lead by a blue flagged chariot, pulled by two black horses.

A middle aged man with brownish beard was sitting on it, holding a golden sword. He wore an orange angvastra with red dhoti.

He is Madr Raj Shalya.

His chariot stopped in front of palace and got down, welcomed by Vaadkshemi and Chandrakala.

Vaadkshemi :- Welcome mitr, we will always be grateful to you for this help.

Shalya :- You helped me many times when I was need and now it's my dharm to help you when you need me.

Karn :- Pranipat Mamashree.

Shalya :- Yashasvi bhava putra.

Krishna :- Pranipat Madr Naresh.

Shalya :- Pranipat Vasudev.

They all went in and Shalya was taken to a room set up for him to rest. ----------------------------------------------------------- A man walked through the camps, wearing blue angvastra and white dhoti.

Brows furrowed stating that he had been thinking about something, a dagger was affixed near his waist as his arms held behind back.



He walked towards a particular red coloured tent, in the middle of army camp. Another man walked alongside him, probably of same age.

Man :- I'm telling you again Sindhu Raj, pitashree dosen't meet anyone before his yagya is completed.

Former is revealed to be Jayadrath, who was still engrossed in his thoughts and didn't paid any attention to latter, who is Karambha, Dantvatra's son.

One of the dwarpals, who were guarding the tent, came and stood in front of them.

Jayadrath :- Step aside, I want to meet Asur Raj Dantvatra.

Dwarpal :- I'm sorry Sindhu Naresh but without Maharaj's orders, I can't let anyone in. He asked for privacy untill yagya is completed.

Jayadrath :- (irritated) Which kind of yagya is your Maharaj doing since three days ? Koshal has even started to gather support from neighbouring kingdoms, what is this and how much long will it take ?

Karambha :- I already told you that before going for a war, pitashree gives sacrifice of ghosts, and with the effect of this tantric karm, he remains undefeated on battlefield and overpowers his enemies. Mata is expert in all kinds of tantric knowledge and illusion, she helps pitashree with it.

Jayadrath :- How much more will it take ?

Karambha :- Faster the ghosts will be hypnotized, lesser time it'll take.

Jayadrath :- (to dwarpal) Remind your Maharaj to not delay the war anymore or we would have to retreat.

Saying so, he stormed away, Karambha sighed and noded at dwarpal, who went and took his place. ----------------------------------------------------------- In the evening,

Karn entered the conference room where others were already seated. He went and took his seat, i.e beside Krishna.

Vaadkshemi :- So now we should begin with the discussion on strategy.

He gestured to the soldiers, who went out and returned with a bunch of spies.

Vaadkshemi :- These are my most trusted men, who remain active outside Koshal, giving me the information if something seems unusual.

Shalya :- So how big is our enemy's army.

Spy :- Maharaj, along with army of Sindhu, they have 4 akshayani army.

Karn :- What about us ?

Chitrayu :- Along with army of Madr, we have 2.5 akshayani army.

Karn :- Hmmm.... will have to be prepared with a good strategy.

Krishna :- Before we begin with strategy planning, we should know why the enemy is attacking us.

Shalya :- What do you mean Vasudev ?

Krishna :- Knowing the reason of their advancement, we can figure out how strong our enemy is. Because behind an almost impossible goal, there has to be a very strong motivation or a cruel destructive plan.

Vaadkshemi swallowed the lump in his throat and tried not to look at Krishna.

Vaadkshemi :- He would be wanting control over Koshal, what else ?

Krishna :- (narrowing his eyes) Then he could've attacked few days ago only as he knows that no one in Koshal is well trained enough to defeat him in a straight battle. But no, he is holding back for now, so he must be planning something big.

Another spy :- Yes Vasudev, I couldn't get to know much but from what I've heard, he does a yagya before going on a battle, gives sacrifice of ghosts and that tantric karm helps him stay undefeated in front of his opponents. His wife, Makrasur's sister is expert with all kinds of tantric knowledge and he is known for his maya, which he uses during fights to gain upper hand on his enemies.

Karn :- If so, then he'll be a good opponent to fight against.

Shalya :- But putr, that yagya will prevent his defeat.

Karn :- That yagya will prevent his defeat, it won't insure mine. But one thing I wanted to know, Maharaj, I got to know from princess that Dantvatra once visited Koshal, years back and he had some kind of argument with you.

Krishna smiled knowingly.

Krishna :- Desire to have something or someone is the biggest enemy of a man. If it comes on his ego, he can go to any lengths to get it. Am I right, Maharaj.

Vaadkshemi :- Yes.... Vasudev....

He looked nervously at them.

Shalya :- You are definitely hiding something mitr, will you tell us, so we can figure something out.

Vaadkshemi :- (taking a deep breath) Yes, Dantvatra did visited here once, but he wasn't any king then, just an army general of asur army. He came here with a letter of Asur Raj Shanku, stating some conditions for becoming allies. He.... he saw my daughter Pallavi and fell in love with her.

Krishna :- There's a difference, between love and obsession.

Karn :- What ?

Krishna :- Love never gives birth to hatred, and if it does, then it's not love. Love can sometimes give us misunderstandings, sometimes pain but not the motivation for revenge, when obsession grows roots inside our brain, it blurs our vision and destroys our rational mind.



Vaadkshemi :- He told me that he wanted to marry my daughter, Pallavi was only 15 then, so I told him no. But when the conversation became a little heated, I had to tell my guards to throw him out, he didn't had any of these powers then, so he just went away, warning me that he'll return, destroy my kingdom and make my daughter his slave.

Karn :- (sighs) Does princess knows about this.

Chitrayu :- We never told her, we even forgot about that incident, untill a few days ago when we got the news of him going to attack us.

Krishna :- A person blinded with pure revenge can do anything to fulfill what he wants.

Vaadkshemi :- But Vasudev, how could I give my beloved daughter to that devil.

Krishna :- I never said that it was your fault Maharaj. It happens when we start seeing our failure as insult, but failure is just our inability to do something, which can be due to many reasons, and when this inability becomes our insult, desire for revenge begins to grow inside. He wanted your daughter, but was unable to prove his worth, and he took it as an insult, which developed hatred inside him.

Shalya :- Hmmm.... Dantvatra's reason for attacking Koshal is clear, what about Jayadrath, what does he wants.

Krishna :- Who dosen't want unparalleled powers and fear amongst enemies, this can also make us do many unexpected things.

Karn :- Please say it clearly Madhav.

Krishna :- How can I tell what he wants, this only he knows, moreover we should now start the discussion for tommorow's war.

Mantri :- Tommorow ?

Krishna :- His yagya would be completed by tonight I guess.

Spy :- Yes Vasudev, from what is heard.

Chitrayu :- No need to worry about preparations, they are all done, just need to implement a good strategy.

The conversation about strategy continued as sun slowly moved down to western horizon. ----------------------------------------------------------- Amrit walked on side of road, which led to his home. Training sessions are very tiring nowadays, and mitr Duryodhan also seems disturbed about something, no matter how much he tried, latter won't utter a word about it.

He shook his head at the thought, patting his horse's back, ignoring the excited faces of small children gathered around to look at his horse.

'Amrit'

Called a voice from behind. He stopped and turned as a girl came in front of him, by her panting breaths, he could make out that she was probably running.

When she looked up, he recognised her to be the same girl he saved yesterday.

Girl :- Amrit ?

He noded, wondering what kind of a question was it, standing in front of him and asking whether he is Amrit or not.

Girl :- Hi, I'm Malini.



Amrit sighed irritated, he's already feeling exhausted and now this girl came out of nowhere to annoy him.

Amrit :- Nice to meet you devi, can you please tell me the reason to stop me here.

Malini :- Actually.... I wanted to thank you for saving me yesterday, that was.... that was so nice of you and....

Amrit :- It was just a coincidence, I thought it was my sister, but luckily she was safe and I saved you.

Saying so, he turned and began walking again, she too joined him beside.

Malini :- So you mean if your sister didn't got in any trouble, you wouldn't have saved me.

Amrit :- Maybe or maybe not, it depends on my mood actually.

Malini :- Really Amrit, you still don't recognise me.

Amrit :- (irritated) Do I even know you, who are you ?

Malini :- (crossing her arms) Do you remember your Satyasen kakashree.

Amrit :- Ya he was pitashree's very good friend.... but wait.... how do you know him ?

Malini :- You must also remember his daughter.

Amrit :- His daughter.... Mali.... Malini!

Malini :- Yes stupid.

Amrit :- (smiling) Sorry, I didn't recognise you.



'Hmmmm.... so they have met each other already'

He saw his mother standing there along with Satyasen and his wife Lakshmi.

Looking around he realised he had already reached his house and would've went past if his mother's voice hadn't stopped him.

Satyasen :- As good as it seems, this is not their first meet after we shifted here.

Radha :- How do you know her putr ?

Amrit :- Mata, actually I saved her yesterday, when she was drowning.

Radha :- Were you the one in that river putri ?

She noded with a sleepish smile and they all laughed. ----------------------------------------------------------- Midnight,

Continuous chanting of mantras could be heard as a yagya was being performed in a tent.

Dark black smoke surrounded the hawan kund as a man and a woman sat across it, facing each other.

Woman chanted another mantra and snapped her fingers, suddenly 3 black figures emerged from smoke and jumped inside the fire, making it grow 10 times its size.

Man smirked evilly as a light ray came out it and fell on him, his body began glowing as it absorbed the energy.

When she snapped her fingers again, everything came back to normal, man got up and turned. In the light of lamps, he is revealed to be Asur Raj Dantvatra.

And the woman is his wife, Sumali.

Dantvatra :- Dwarpal!

Dwarpal entered hastily and bowed his head.

Dwarpal :- Yes Maharaj.

Dantvatra :- Go and inform our army that with the first rays of sun, our army will attack Koshal.



Dwarpal bowed his head and went out.

Sumali :- Why not now arya ? You can attack and finish them off before sunrise, and tommorow morning, you will have that girl on your feets.

Dantvatra :- No dear, not so easily, I want this whole world to know who Dantvatra is, I want them to fall on my feets and beg for their lives, then I will kill them slowly, one by one. And the elder princess....

He just laughed evilly and went to meet Jayadrath. ----------------------------------------------------------- Next Dawn,

Karn joined his hands in front of Vijay dhanush, then picked it up and went out.

Maharani Chandrakala did the tilak of maharathis gathered outside, Krishna also stood there, ready in a war armour and smiled as he saw him. She did his tilak and patted his head.

Chandrakala :- Putr, you are also like my son, please save the innocent people of Koshal from those monsters.

Karn :- I will try the best I can, Maharani, rest depends on Parmeshwar, for whom does he bless the victory.

Krishna :- Now shall we.

All noded and went towards their respective chariots, Krishna sat on the charioteer's place as Karn checked all his weapons.

Karn :- (taking a deep breath) HAR HAR MAHADEV!

'HAR HAR MAHADEV'

Echoed a huge roar all around, Krishna jerked the whips and horses began running with a neigh.

Soon both the armies stood at the two ends of battlefield, chariots in front facing each other. Sun was slowly beginning to peek through the horizon.



Although there were many huge chariots but Kapi dhwaj had an aura of its own. Jayadrath noticed Karn's glare on him and looked away, gulping nervously.

Dantvatra stood up to address the opponent army.

Dantvatra :- Kids! Do you even know whom you are standing against. You worthless humans, what you are infront of us. My heart is very kind, come and fall at my feets, beg for your life and I might think of sparing your life. Now come on.

Karn :- (chuckles) You should better go and get some good sleep, night is already past and Surya Dev will rise in a few minutes, but your dreams still aren't over yet.

Dantvatra looked at him with anger and some wonder, who might this new comer be ?

Karn :- I tell you what, till the time this Vasusen Karn is alive, you can never win over Koshal.

Dantvatra :- Maha Sena, AKRAMAN!

A huge section of asur army ran to attack the enemy.

Karn took out and arrow from the quiver and chanted a mantra, fixing it on his bow, he pulled the string, aimed towards the sky and released it.



Asur soldiers laughed seeing it, but the next moment, it multiplied to thousands of arrows and fell on the advancing army. For a moment, sky above their heads was covered with arrows.

Shalya blew the cronch shell and soldiers arranged themselves in Gajraj vyuh.

Vaadkshemi :- AKRAMAN!

Both the armies collapsed with a huge roar, Karn fired 4 arrows, killing the asurs in front as Krishna drove the chariot between them.

Gajraj vyuh did its job as asur army got confused seeing the attack from three sides, Jayadrath wanted to go and try to stop him but was confronted by Shalya, who challenged him for a duel.

Karn rained arrows on the army, killing all those who tried to stop his way. One of them ran back to Dantvatra and told him everything, he looked at his son and noded.

Karambha gestured his charioteer to take him to Karn, who was wrecking havoc on their army.

Their chariots stopped in front of each other.

Karambha :- Welcome maharathi Karn, Karambha is here to welcome you first.

Karn :- Why are you inviting your death unnecessarily, kid ? Go and tell Asur Raj Dantvatra, his end is waiting for him in battlefield.

Karambha :- So keen to face pitashree, first defeat his son, and if by chance you were successful, he will surely come here and fulfill this last wish of yours.

Karn :- Then pickup your weapon, show me what your pitashree had taught you.

He strung his bow, producing a vibration of roaring thunder.

Karambha fired Andhak astra and Karn released Chandrikastra, starting their duel.



Karambha shot two arrows which turned to a sword and mace, Karn fired another two arrow, breaking them in air.

Karn summoned another astra but this time Karambha neutralized it.

Karambha summoned shining Santrasak astra, to which Karn quickly unleashed Sailastra, rendering it powerless.

Their duel continued to become more and more vigorous with time. Karn fired an astra which changed into a lightning ray but Karambha made it dissapear using Antardhan astra.



Karn unleashed Sahastraban astra, which turned into a thousand arrows, killing the asurs which came in their yuvraj's support, Karambha was able to neutralize it with his astra but it was little late, it had already done its job.

He angrily fired three sharp pointed arrows, which Karn deflected by creating a net.

Whatever astra Karambha used, Karn neutralized them all, and however Karn attacked, Karambha managed to defend himself.

Karambha fired an astra, turning it into an energy beam, Karn created a vortex, absorbing it.

Astra upon astra, arrows upon arrows were fired against each other, both seemed equal but Karn soon began to have an upper hand.

Karambha summoned Varun astra, to which Karn fired Shatru vinashak Agneyastra (an improved version) which crushed the Varun astra and killed many asurs.

Sky was temporarily covered with dust and explosions as their astras continued to subdue each other.

Karambha, when unable to tackle Karn's astras anymore, found himself injured, all the weapons cut and broken, chariot almost destroyed.

Karn had another arrow pointed straight at his neck but lowered the bow.

Karn :- Go away kid, you are not my target, I want to see that mayavi asur Dantvatra. Tell him that Karn is still waiting for him in the battlefield.

Asur senapati came there.

Senapati :- Karn! Stop that nonsense, take this.

He picked up a huge boulder and threw at Karn, whose arrow crushed it in pieces.

Karn :- (chuckles) When astras didn't work, then started throwing stones like unmannered children. Let me show you how it's done.

He pulled another arrow, chanted a mantra and fired at him, it went straight and beheaded him.

Koshal army began cheering him with full enthusiasm and asur army was slowly going on to back foot.

Dantvatra stood up angrily and told his charioteer to move, with this, remaining asur army also joined the battle.

Sky suddenly began to be covered by dark clouds and roaring thunder.



Dantvatra reached there, confident as a mountain.

Dantvatra :- Look, Dantvatra has came to send on a journey to yamlok. Today everyone will see, how much powerful are those astras hiding inside your quivers and how strong are those display weapons on your chariot. Now save yourself from my arrows.

Krishna :- Beware bhrata Karn, he is not Karambha, he is Asur Raj Dantvatra himself, from whom you wanted to fight. He is expert at using different kinds of Maya, and he will not simply accept his defeat as his son, he can go to any lengths to win this duel.

Karn :- Let him go wherever he wants Madhav, I will not let him return a victor.

He fired Agneyastra, clearing the area of any nearby asurs, but suddenly the fire vanished.



Karn looked up to see Dantvatra had used Varun astra, then he summoned Vayu astra and destroyed it.

Dantvatra picked up a mace, chanted a mantra and hurled it towards Karn, it turned into a thousand maces, Karn used Vasvan astra, creating a sheild around himself, but the maces falling on the army gave a significant blow.

Karn fired two arrows, aimed at Dantvatra's chest, but he dissapeared before arrows could harm him and appeared again after it missed.

Dantvatra :- Hahahaha....

Karn again shot 5 arrows at him but he dissapeared again and laughed hysterically.

Karn :- Madhav, like this, any of my arrows would never hit him.

Krishna :- It takes him about a second to dissapear, if you can send your arrow before, they will surely injure him.

Karn again pulled an arrow, this time he flexed his string and released it with such speed that it straight away preiced Dantvatra's armour, making him fall back on his seat.

Many other asurs got enraged and attacked Karn at once but he defeated them all easily.

Karn :- I'm saying it again, I am not here to fight kids. Where did your king dissapear all of a sudden, wanted to send me to yamlok, go and tell him, his death awaits him here.

'KARN!'

A very loud roar was heard everywhere and Dantvatra appeared in front of him again.

Dantvatra :- Karn! I am here now, recall all your relatives and loved ones, cuz my weapons are very keen to cutoff that damn head of yours off from your body.

Karn didn't said anything but raised his bow and within no time, wiped out all the asurs who stood to protect their king.

Krishna :- Wow bhrata, excellent move.

Dantvatra :- Everytime when any warrior had dared to face me in a battle, I've crushed him under my feets like a bug. Then who are you to stand in front of me. You still have time, surrender your weapons at my feets and return back to your kingdom, your mother will be safe from the grief of loosing her son.

Karn :- Without sending you to yamlok, I'll not go back, at the end of this war, either of us would be alive.

Dantvatra :- You are going to face wrath of Asur Raj Dantvatra, today even if Bramha, Vishnu and Mahesh all three come down to earth, won't be able to protect you.

He fired Tejprabha astra, Karn unleashed Twashth astra, both the astras collided with a huge explosion.



Karn shot another astra but Dantvatra neutralized it.

Dantvatra unleashed an astra which started releasing dark smoke everywhere, Karn summoned Ulka astra, which after destroying the opponent's astra, rained meteroids.

Karn fired an astra, turning it into an huge rolling ball of fire, to which Dantvatra created a crack in the ground and engulfed it.

Dantvatra released poisonous Nagastra but Karn answered it using Garud astra.

Karn fired an astra which turned into ice bricks, but Dantvatra shot an astra, turning it into a fire wall, answering the attack.

Dantvatra summoned an astra which started raining fireballs everywhere, making the soldiers run for their lives, Karn released Varun pash, a strong jet of water destroyed the astra.

Various kinds of astras were being used to subdue the other but it only made the duel more and more vigorous with time as both warriors tried to display better warfare than other.

Now Karn summoned a glowing arrow and cutoff the flag on Dantvatra's chariot.

Dantvatra gritted his teeth and fired an arrow at Karn, whose golden armour broke it in pieces.

Karn :- (chuckles) What do you think ? Only you can have all the advantages.

Dantvatra closed his eyes and chanted a mantra, next moment, he dissapeared along with his chariot and charioteer.

'Hahahaha....'

An evil laughter echoed all over the battlefield, making everyone wonder what might be happening.

Dantvatra appeared in between the clouds and released an astra, Karn saw it in time and destroyed it with another astra, but he dissapeared again.

He again appeared on ground and unleashed countless poisonous snakes at Karn, who created a circle of fire around himself, burning the snakes.

He used to appear for a split second, fire an astra and dissapear again, sometimes in the sky, sometimes on ground, while sometimes in between clouds.

Dantvatra dissapeared again, then suddenly appeared in the sky and fired another astra, this time it injured Karn's right thigh.

Dantvatra :- Hahaha.... told you to surrender before only, now who will save you.

Karn pulled out the arrow and picked up his bow again, now he started fighting 10 times more vigorously. His arrows began preicing Dantvatra's body.

Dantvatra too tried his best to answer these attacks, dissapearing and suddenly appearing again, but this time Karn gained an upper hand.

Dantvatra appeared again and again to attack but before he could shoot any astra, Karn fired his own astra and wound him.

Karn bagan to slay asur army with his lethal astras, he summoned Suryastra and wiped out the sky of dark clouds, now sunset was not far.

Dantvatra created illusion everywhere and attacked Karn from all sides, but Karn fought will full power and answered all the attacks skillfully, making everyone shocked.

Dantvatra appeared behind Karn and summoned a magical dagger, chanting the mantra, he unleashed it towards Karn and dissapeared.



As the dagger came near, it was absorbed the orange flag on top.

Between all these chaos, Karambha shot an arrow which hit Krishna's shoulder.

Karn :- KARAMBHA!

He summoned a glowing sharp pointed arrow and fired it towards Karambha, beheading him straight away. Dantvatra appeared there with a huge roar and ran upto his son.

Dantvatra :- Putr, putr what happened, open your eyes putr, get up.

He got up enraged and picked up his bow, but Karn's arrow knocked him down.

Karn :- We will get enough time to fight again tommorow, but not today, go and do the final rites for your son.

Shalya and Vaadkshemi blew the cronch shell, signalling the end of day. Both armies stopped fighting and retreated back to their sides. ----------------------------------------------------------- At night,

Shalya, Krishna, Karn, Vaadkshemi, Chitrayu and others sat discussing about today's war.

Shalya :- Excellent putr Karn, excellent, you went one on one with Dantvatra, even when he had the advantage of no defeat.

Karn :- It wasen't as easy as it seems, he was too swift and powerful to be underestimated, he didn't gave me even a split second time between attacks, just kept dissapearing and appearing.

Chitrayu :- But we slayed half of their army today, while our army only had some minor casualties.

Krishna :- But tommorow he would become yet more lethal, he lost his son today and this will surely make him desire for revenge at any cost.

Karn :- So tommorow it'll be either him or me.



Krishna :- Confidence is good but over confidence is bad, you need to fight him with utmost attention if want to slay him down as he'll try his best to avenge his son's death tommorow.

Karn sighed and noded, others also noded aggreeing and sat around a table to discuss strategy for tommorow. ----------------------------------------------------------- Dantvatra looked at his son's burning pyre and a couple tears dropped from his eyes.

Dantvatra :- Putr, your sacrifice won't go waste, I will take your revenge, I will kill that bastard, I will destroy entire Koshal.

He turned to his wife, who stood with fire in her eyes.

Dantvatra :- Start the preparations dear, I will perform the Ajeya Kameshti yagya.

Asurs looked at each other nervously.

Sumali :- But Arya, Ajeya Kameshti yagya asks for a valuable sacrifice....

Dantvatra :- (to his soldiers) Bring the elder Koshal princess. ----------------------------------------------------------- Late night,

Pallavi walked back towards her chamber, moonlight illuminated the corridor but she noticed something unusual, no guards were present there.

She heard some murmerings from the garden and went to have a look. Looking around the garden, no one was seen but suddenly 4 asurs jumped out of nowhere and surrounded her.

She tried to scream for help but one of them covered her mouth and other tied her hands behind her back, when tried to struggle, one of them hit her on head, knocking her unconscious.

Karn laid on his bed, changing sides, but sleep was far away. He couldn't stop thinking about fight tommorow, killing this asur would be surely be a task next to impossible.

He picked up his pendant and caressed it.

Karn :- Miss you Suchitra, it's been months since we even talked, hope you are all fine and happy.

Putting it around his neck, he walked out, roaming in the corridor, trying to calm his mind in silence of night.

But some strange sounds coming from garden made him alarmed, he ran towards its source to find some asurs trying to kidnap Pallavi.

Karn :- Hey!

Asurs took out their weapons and rushed towards him, but his voice had already alarmed nearby guards and others.

Soon a fight started in the garden itself, and everyone rushed to join in. Karn caught hold of Pallavi and released her hands, removed the cloth on her face, she was knocked unconscious.

He made her sit leaning on a tree and killed some more asurs trying to get to her. But an asur him at the back of his head, two more came from behind, picked her up, climbed Dantvatra's chariot and it dissapeared.

Till the time Karn regained his senses, remaining asurs were killed and one was held captive.

Chitrayu :- (punching him) Where did you take my sister ? Tell me now or your asur vansh will be uprooted forever.

Asur :- (covering his wound to stop bleeding) Please, please don't kill me, I.... I will.... tell everything you want to know.

Vaadkshemi :- First tell me where did you all take my daughter.

Asur :- Maharaj ordered us to bring her to him.

Chitrayu :- Why ?

Asur :- He.... He want to conduct Ajeya Kameshti yagya.

Karn :- Ajeya Kameshti yagya ?

Asur :- Yes, it's one of the most powerful tantric yagya, like you humans do Putr Kameshti yagya to get a worthy son, we asurs do this yagya to become invincible in three worlds.

They glanced at each other.

Shalya :- Where is he doing this yagya ?

Asur :- No one knows this.

Chitrayu :- Tell me the truth otherwise....

Asur :- Please, please believe me, other than Maharaj, no one knows about his place of doing yagya, that's why he sent his magical chariot along, so that she would be taken directly to him.

Vaadkshemi :- How will we find her now ?.... ----------------------------------------------------------- Did you like the chapter ?

Sorry for ending the chapter at suspence, as it was already becoming so long.

Draupadi is pregnant now, what do you want for her, twins or a son or daughter.

How was the war scene by the way, satisfactory ?

Seems like Dantvatra is a real tough opponent. Where did I put Karn into, he was happily living at his home.

But don't worry, drama is just beginning.

What do you think Jayadrath wants ?

And guys, does it really takes so many days to complete the target. Now many don't even read the chapters, earlier atleast no. of reads gave a little satisfaction but now they are also lacking.

Target :- 78 votes. (I'm not increasing it this time)

Meet you in the next chapter, untill then, bye.

Do comment if you have any suggestions.