The night was peaceful, a blanket of darkness studded with twinkling stars that seemed to wink down from a clear, velvet sky. The air was crisp, but the warmth from the firewood made the small clearing around the hut feel cozy, safe. A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, carrying with it the scent of fresh earth and the faint fragrance of flowers. The moon bathed the clearing in a soft, silver glow, casting long shadows from the nearby huts.

Karn sat quietly by the fire, the soft crackle of burning wood accompanying the rhythmic stirring of the vegetable soup he was preparing. He held the long spoon with care, his focus on the pot, each stir slow and deliberate. The warmth of the firelight danced on his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his features, the strength in his jaw, and the slight furrow in his brow.

The crackle of the fire and the soft rustling of the forest filled the quiet night, and the scent of simmering vegetables mixed with the earthy aroma of the woods.

Shatrunjay sat a little distance away on the cot, utterly absorbed in his favorite activity. His small hands clutched colorful sticks of chalk, and he scribbled on a sheet of paper, mixing colors with innocent joy, completely unaware of the world around him.

Next to Karn, Suchitra sat with her elbows propped on her knees, her head resting on her folded arms. She smiled softly as she watched him, her gaze lingering on his face, studying him in the quiet moments of the night. He looked so different from the man she had married-stronger, more seasoned, the boyish shyness he once had replaced with a quiet depth.

The fiery, sometimes impulsive young man she had married had been replaced by someone more seasoned, his youth replaced by a quiet maturity. His face bore the weight of countless struggles, the burden of responsibility, and the weariness of a long journey both inward and outward.

But what surprised her the most was not the physical change, but the subtle shift in his demeanor. The anger that had once simmered beneath the surface, the restless energy that had defined him, seemed to have melted away, leaving behind a man who was more vulnerable, more open, and, in some ways, more tender.

She studied him, the way his brow furrowed slightly in concentration, how his once fiery eyes now held a quiet intensity. The years had changed him, weathered him, but they had also shaped him into a man who had seen the world, endured its harshest trials, and come out the other side. There was a strength in him now, but it was quieter, steadier.

Suchitra :- You're different now.

She said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, but enough to pull him from his thoughts. Karn turned to her, his expression softening as he met her gaze.

Karn :- Different ?

He asked, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Suchitra :- Yes! You've changed... matured. It's like the weight you carry shows in the way you move, the way you speak.

She replied, her eyes never leaving his.

Suchitra :- You've been through so much.

She paused, a hint of sadness in her voice. Karn looked away for a moment, stirring the pot again, as if the action could help him gather his thoughts.

Karn :- Not much. But definitely more than I ever thought I would. But seeing you... being here with you and Shatrunjay... it makes it all bearable

He admitted quietly. Suchitra reached out and placed her hand gently on his arm, her touch light but filled with affection.

Suchitra :- The good thing is, you were never alone in this battle, and you never will be.

Karn turned his hand over, lacing his fingers with hers, their quiet moment shared beneath the canopy of stars. In the distance, the fire crackled softly, and baby Shatrunjay's scribbles continued, unaware of the world his parents had found in each other once again.

The night carried on in tranquil silence, the stars outside twinkling like small diamonds scattered across the sky. The crackling of the firewood had quieted as the flames died down to embers, casting a soft, flickering glow around the small hut. Karn stirred the soup gently, his mind at ease for the first time in many moons. He could feel Suchitra's gaze on him, her eyes distant, lost in her own thoughts.

He glanced over at her and noticed the way her brows furrowed ever so slightly, her lips pursed as if she was trying to resolve something within herself. Quietly, he reached over and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, shaking her lightly, pulling her back from wherever her mind had wandered.

Karn :- Suchitra ?

He called softly, concern evident in his voice.

She blinked, startled out of her trance, and found him looking at her, his face etched with quiet worry. His eyebrows raised in question as if asking her without words what was troubling her. She smiled faintly, shaking her head.

Suchitra :- I'm fine.

She said softly, her voice not betraying the swirling thoughts that had briefly overwhelmed her. It was enough to ease Karn's concern for the moment, though he didn't quite believe her. He held her gaze for a second longer before turning back to the soup.

Karn :- I hope this tastes alright.

He said, trying to lighten the mood as he ladled some of the soup into a bowl and passed it to her.

Suchitra took the bowl and blew gently on the steaming soup to cool it down. She took a small sip, and her face lit up almost immediately. A soft smile curved her lips, her eyes brightening with surprise.

Suchitra :- This is... delicious!

She exclaimed, the delight in her voice lifting the atmosphere in the small hut. Karn chuckled, a warm sound that seemed to relax them both.

Karn :- It's an old recipe. My mother taught me how to make it. She always said it would remind me of home no matter where I was.

He explained as he filled bowls for himself and Shatrunjay. Suchitra's smile softened, her heart warming at the thought of him carrying a piece of his mother's memory with him. She watched as he carefully blew on the spoonful of soup before passing it to little Shatrunjay, who had momentarily put down his crayons and paper. The boy giggled as his father fed him a spoonful, his chubby hands reaching for the bowl himself.

Karn sat back and allowed Shatrunjay to try eating on his own while he and Suchitra ate in comfortable silence, exchanging brief smiles and quiet looks as they shared the simple, satisfying meal.

After they finished dinner, Suchitra tucked Shatrunjay into his small bed, covering him gently with a blanket. The child's eyes fluttered closed as he settled into sleep, his small form relaxed in the safety of their home.

Karn sat by the fire, now dimly glowing in the hearth, cleaning his bow. His movements were methodical, each stroke careful as he wiped the wood and string with precision. The action seemed to ground him, a task that he'd done countless times before, a ritual of sorts.

Suchitra approached him quietly, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Suchitra :- You should rest. You've had a long journey, and you must be exhausted.

She said softly, her voice filled with quiet concern. Karn looked up at her, meeting her soft, brown eyes, and smiled. It was a tired smile but one filled with gratitude and love. He set his bow aside, leaning it against the wall of the hut, and stretched his weary limbs before standing up.

Karn :- You're right.

He admitted. Together, they moved toward their bed, a simple mattress laid on the floor, cushioned with soft blankets. Karn laid himself down, the feel of the familiar softness beneath him a welcome change from the cold ground and the long, lonely roads he had traveled.

Suchitra slipped in beside him, her warmth immediately comforting. She moved closer to him, resting her head gently on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. His strong arm wrapped around her, holding her close, as if to reassure her that he was here, that they were together once more.

For a moment, they remained in comfortable silence, simply savoring the closeness that they had missed for so long. Karn's hand moved gently to tuck away a stray strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering as they grazed her cheek. She smiled softly, her eyes already growing heavy with sleep.

Karn's gaze wandered up toward the roof of the hut, where rags and bamboo secured the small home. He could hear the gentle rustle of leaves outside, the soft hum of the forest at night. This humble place, though a world away from his grand palace and the responsibilities that awaited him, felt like a sanctuary, a reprieve from the heavy burden he carried as a king.

He took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet scent of the forest. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt truly at peace.

Karn's heart swelled with gratitude for this moment, for the quiet, simple life he had longed for amidst the chaos of war, duty, and power. His arms tightened around Suchitra as if to hold onto this peace for as long as he could. He knew the world outside would call him back soon, that the duties and struggles of his kingdom would soon come knocking at his door. But tonight, in this moment, he was just a husband, a father, and a man who had found solace in the love of his family.

With his eyes growing heavy, Karn closed them, his heart filled with the warmth of home. Suchitra's steady breathing matched his own, and together they drifted into the quiet realm of sleep, the world outside forgotten for a time.

As the night deepened, the stars continued to twinkle above, bearing silent witness to the peace inside the small hut.



It was late into the night, and the silence in the small hut was deep, punctuated only by the occasional rustling of leaves outside and the soft, rhythmic breathing of little Shatrunjay as he slept soundly in his cot. The air inside was still, heavy with the quiet calm that only the darkest hours bring.

Suchitra stirred in her sleep, an uneasy feeling pulling her from her dreams. She blinked groggily, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. Instinctively, she reached out to the other side of the bed, expecting to find Karn's warmth next to her. But her hand met only cool, empty sheets.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she sat up quickly, glancing around the small room. Karn was nowhere to be seen. She called his name softly, careful not to wake Shatrunjay.

Suchitra :- Arya ?

No response. She glanced at their son, his tiny form cocooned in blankets, still fast asleep. She quietly removed the bed sheet, sliding her legs over the side of the bed and standing. The floor creaked softly under her weight, and she tiptoed towards the door, her unease growing with every step.

The door was ajar, the lock hanging loosely, swaying gently in the night breeze. A faint sense of dread crept into her chest as she stepped outside. The cool night air hit her face, and she glanced around the clearing, her eyes scanning the shadows cast by the moonlight. Then she saw him.

Under the ancient Banyan tree, Karn sat cross-legged, his broad form still and composed, silhouetted against the night sky. He was in a meditative posture, his eyes closed, deep in concentration. The soft glow of the moonlight cast shadows across his face, highlighting the tension in his furrowed brow, even in his stillness.

Suchitra approached him carefully, her feet barely making a sound on the soft earth. The closer she got, the more she noticed the slight tremor in his hands, the way his muscles were tense despite his attempts to focus. There was something heavy about the air around him, something unsettled.

Suchitra :- Arya.

She called gently, her voice barely above a whisper. His eyes snapped open at the sound of her voice, the familiar blue of his gaze meeting hers, but they were shadowed by something deeper, something darker. He exhaled softly and smiled weakly, though it didn't reach his eyes.

Karn :- Suchitra...

She walked closer, her heart aching at the sight of him like this-troubled, distant, weighed down by something unseen.

Suchitra :- What are you doing out here ? Why didn't you wake me ?

She asked, her voice laced with concern. Karn let out a deep sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly as though the weight of the world pressed down on him.

Karn :- I couldn't sleep. I've been having... dreams. Memories. I thought maybe sitting here, trying to clear my mind, would help.

He admitted, his tone low and heavy. Suchitra sat beside him, her hand resting gently on his knee.

Suchitra :- What's troubling you ?

She asked softly. For a long moment, Karn was silent, his gaze drifting up to the branches of the Banyan tree that swayed gently in the night breeze. He seemed to be struggling with his thoughts, trying to find the words to express the turmoil inside him.

Finally, he spoke, his voice filled with a quiet anguish.

Karn :- My power, I still can't control it. I barely know anything about it and all I've ever seen of it is utter destruction.

Suchitra remained silent, letting him continue.

Karn :- I lost control of it more than once.

He said, his voice growing more strained.

Karn :- It cost the lives of an entire village. There was a little girl... her name was Mira. She used to bring me fruit while I was in exile. And one day, demons came for her village, and I... I tried to protect her. But the power inside me... it exploded.

He paused, his jaw tightening as if he were trying to suppress the emotions welling up inside him.

Karn :- Everything was destroyed. The village... the people... gone. I can still see her face, every time I close my eyes. Mira, looking at me with fear. I... I've been carrying that ever since. It's why I can't sleep. I'm afraid that the next time I lose control, I'll hurt more people. Maybe even you and Shatrunjay.

Suchitra listened in silence, her hand still resting on his knee, offering a silent anchor. Her heart ached for him, for the pain he carried, the weight of his guilt and fear. She could hear it in his voice, see it in the way his hands trembled ever so slightly. He looked at her, his eyes searching hers for understanding.

Karn :- I need to know what this energy is. Where it comes from. How can I control it? If I don't... I fear what could happen.

He continued, his voice hoarse with desperation. Suchitra looked at him for a long moment, her mind processing everything he had said. She could see the turmoil inside him, the fear and regret gnawing at his soul. But she also saw the man she had always known-the brave, strong, and honorable man who had always tried to protect those he loved, even at great personal cost.

After a moment, she leaned in closer, her eyes never leaving his.

Suchitra :- Arya, before you can control it... before you can find the answers you're searching for, you need to understand who you truly are.

Karn blinked, confusion flickering across his face.

Karn :- What do you mean ?

Suchitra's voice was quiet but steady, her words carrying an unexpected weight.

Suchitra :- You need to know who you are. Your true identity. The power inside you... it's connected to your past, to your origins.

Karn's heart pounded in his chest. The air between them felt charged with something unseen, something that sent a chill down his spine. He stared at her, his breath catching in his throat.

Karn :- I'm not getting what you're trying to say... then who am I ?

Suchitra nodded, her gaze unwavering.

Suchitra :- To understand it, you need to understand your past first. The truth of where you come from.

A tense silence hung in the air between them, the weight of her words sinking deep into Karn's mind. He couldn't quite grasp what she was implying, but a sense of foreboding and anticipation curled in his stomach. There was something more-something he didn't yet know. Something he needed to uncover.

As the wind rustled the leaves of the Banyan tree overhead, Karn's heart raced, a mixture of dread and curiosity gripping him.

The truth, it seemed, was closer than ever-but he wasn't sure he was ready to face it.



Did you like the part ?

Excited, for the past reveal ?

Buckle up folks, the origin story of the conflict between Karn and Amrit is coming up next.

I think everyone who's read the first three origin parts would've had some idea about it, but let's get into details.

How do you think will it end ? And also, at what cost ?

Do comment if you have any suggestions.

Will see you in the next part, untill then, take care and bye.