Dwarka,

After reaching Dwarka, Krishna took Pandavas and Draupadi to the palace. Karna and Avni went to meet their parents and spent some family time. Both Karna's and Avni's parents and siblings were overjoyed seeing them after such a long time. Both Radha and Renu started fussing over her children, repeatedly saying how thin they had become or how much they needed to eat to become healthy again. Both Karna and Avni enjoyed their pampering but they also knew that a huge storm was coming towards Aryavart in the form of Bhayankarasur, so they mentally prepared themselves for the upcoming war. On the other hand, Pandavas and Draupadi reunited with their kids and were showing them with all their love. From Hastinapur Kunti along with Vidur came to meet the Pandavas and Karna. She was also happy to meet her sons after a long time but sad as Karna and Avni preferred to spend time with their foster family.

The next day in the morning before everyone assembled in the court of Dwarka Krishna called the Pandavas, Karna-Avni, their families, Draupadi and Kunti in his room. Krishna's wives, Balram, Revati were also present there. King Drupad, Dhrishtadumna and Shikhandini also came to meet Draupadi and Pandavas. All of them were present when Krishna asked them about the future plan. The Pandavas were agitated and they demanded war against Hastinapur.

Bheem, 'We need to attack Duryodhana and show the Kauravas their true place. Now we have our Jyasht and Bhabishri the two greatest warriors of Aryavart. No one can defeat us.'

But Krishna had some other ideas. He asked Draupadi, 'Sakhi, you and Bhrata Karna are the ones who were wronged most because of the Dyut sabha. So I want to ask you if Duryodhana apologizes to you for his wrongdoings, will you forgive him then?'

Nakul, 'Absolutely not.'

Krishna snapped, 'I think during the exile, you did not change your name from Nakul to Draupadi or Karna. I am asking my sakhi and my best friend+ brother and I think they are more than capable enough to decide for themselves.'

Draupadi, 'Sakha, it is not Arya Nakul's fault. Everyone is not Jyasht Karna who respects his wife and lets her decide for herself. Sakha, I know that I cannot forget what happened in the Dyut sabha. But I don't blame the Kauravas entirely for the incident. If my own husbands stake me in front of a bunch of men, then it was inevitable that they would try to harm me. So if I can forgive my husbands, then I am willing to give Duryodhana a chance if he truly repents.'

Karna, 'Keshav, if Duryodhana truly wants to redeem his sins then I am also willing to give him a chance. But I, first of all, I want to be sure about his intentions as I already gave him many chances to change himself and also I want Avni's and my family's opinion about it as it was not only me but my family and Avni also suffered because of his conspiracies.'

Both Avni and Karna's families also agreed to Karna's decision. Balram said, 'But Karna, you know that Duryodhana was under the influence of Mantra, the black magician. Still, you are blaming him.'

Karna, 'Haldhar Balram, I know that Mantra and Shakuni did black magic. But magic cannot create emotions in us. It can just increase the dark nature already present inside a person. Duryodhana already has anger, jealousy, possessiveness and revenge inside him. Mantra just increased those in many folds. If he listened to me and got rid of those negative emotions, then nothing will happen. But still, I have a soft corner for him as I know that even in that condition, he did not want to molest Draupadi. He wanted to humiliate her but not in that way. '

Avni, 'And all these are the consequences of Pandavas behavior as well. Their arrogance, greed and disrespect for others also lead to such incidents.'

Bheem, 'Jyasht, Bhabishri you want to support that evil Duryodhana. We are your family and you are blaming us as well?'

Avni, 'That's the problem. You guys always blame Duryodhana for distancing himself from you but you guys also never wanted to think of them as a family. You always think of yourselves as superior because of your lineage and Kauravas as evil. They alone are not responsible for the rift, you Pandavas, Kuru elders are equally to blame.

Krishna smiled, ' I am happy Karna, Avni and Draupadi that instead of blaming others, you guys showed us the wrongdoings of your own family members as well.'

Draupadi, 'Sakha, I don't want unnecessary bloodshed. I realized that arrogance and vengeance create nothing but sorrow and pain for everyone. So if Duryodhana truly repents then I will at least try to forgive him.

Krishna smiled and asked the maids to call the other guests. Everyone was stunned when Bhanumati, Meenakshi, their kids and Gandhari entered the room. And at last, entered Duryodhana. The Pandavas and Drupad gritted their teeth but could not do anything as Balram already warned them as Duryodhana was a guest of Dwarka now. Karna, Avni, Pandavas and Draupadi touched Gandhari's feet. Then Bhanu and Meenakshi came near Avni and started sobbing, 'Jiji, Bhrata, I am sorry. Because of my family, you and Bhrata had to suffer the pain of separation. Empress Draupadi, I am really sorry for whatever my family did to you. Bhrata, I know I have no right to ask for forgiveness but please, have mercy on your sister. Please don't let my family's bad karma fall on my children.' Avni hugged her and consoled her. Karna also had tears in his eyes. He just managed to say, 'Bhanu, Meenu please they are our kids as well. We will always bless and protect our kids, whatever the situation is. Please don't be so harsh on yourselves. I can see that you are not taking care of yourselves. Look how weak you have gone. And Meenakshi, why do you blame yourself for your evil husband?'

Avni, 'Meenakshi, if your husband does not respect you, then he also does not deserve your devotion and respect. Why do we woman always have to suffer because of others' misdeeds? Never think that you are weak. Women always have immense strength in themselves.'

Then Duryodhana slowly approached Karna. Karna looked at him blankly, his face was devoid of all emotions. Duryodhana could not get the courage to look at him. He just bowed his head and said, 'I know I have no right to call you my friend or brother. What I did to you and Draupadi Bhabishri, even an enemy will not do that. I know that I have no right to ask for your forgiveness but at least I can ask for your punishment. Please punish me Bhrata, Bhabishri. Take my life if you want. After all, things I had done, I have no right to live.' Saying that he cried and fell on Karna and Draupadi's feet.

Karna said, 'Do you think death is enough punishment for you Duryodhana. No...as death will give you mukti. Prince Duryodhana, if you want to repent then you have to live. You have to remember your misdeeds every day. Sometimes people can repent for their sins and get forgiveness, but the sin you had committed was one the greatest of all. You dishonored a woman. This is unforgivable. I don't know even the almighty can wash away your sins or not.' Saying that Karna left the chamber.

Krishna said, ' Duryodhana if you really want forgiveness then try to do something that will prove your true intentions to them.'

Dwarka court,

All the Leaders of the Yadava clan, Pandavas, Karna, Avni, Draupadi and Subhadra along with Krishna, Balaram, their wives were present in the parliament of Dwarka. Dwarka unlike other kingdoms had democracy. They had a parliament where all the clan leaders could decide the laws or discuss the kingdom-related staff. Today, there was turmoil going on. Drupad and Dhrishtadumna demanded war and requested Dwarka to help the Pandavas to attack Hastinapur. But Karna and Krishna clearly declined as they wanted to prepare for the Asur attack. Even the clan leaders of Dwarka were also against the war as they knew that the Asurs were gaining power and they would attack Dwarka at any time.

Shatrajeet, a clan leader said, 'King I know what happened to your daughter was unfortunate. But The Asurs are our biggest threat now. If we fought among each other, then we will become weaker and Asurs will easily defeat us.'

Drupad, 'But you have Krishna. He cannot be defeated.'

Vasudev, Krishna's father irritatingly said, 'King Drupad, there are many things that you don't know. The blood lunar eclipse is approaching. At that time all positive energies will be completely useless along with our divine weapons. The protective shield given by the sages could protect us but thanks to all the sins you royalties have committed, the shield was almost destroyed. Now during the lunar eclipse, we have to fortify our kingdom instead of attacking others.'

Shravan another clan leader said, 'And instead of accusing others, first punish your own son in-laws who at first all of them marry the poor girl and then staked her to dyut.'

Karna, 'Please, there is no need to recall that incident again. We have to make a strategy to protect ourselves from Asurs.'

Krishna, 'They cannot enter Dwarka as Dwarka is a Punyabhumi. The good deeds of the people of Dwarka and the royals will protect us. But the problem is we cannot go out of Dwarka. So if the Asurs attack our allied kingdoms, we cannot help them.'

Suddenly a messenger came and gave a letter to Vasudev. Reading that letter he was stunned. The spies from Hastinapur informed them that Dusshasshan imprisoned King Dhritarashtra. They also made alliances with Asurlok and Shakuni destroyed the temples they have in the city. Hearing that Gandhari started crying. Avni was surprised, 'But Dwarkadhish, how did it possible? I mean why didn't Mahamahim, Guru Dron, Kripachrya do anything?'

Krishna sadly said, 'No Sakhi, Dusshasshan cleverly sent the elders out of Hastinapur and then imprisoned his own father. Then Shakuni destroyed the Shivling which Bua Gandhari used to worship. These two sins destroyed all the protection of Hastinapur and strengthened the Asurs' dark powers. When The elders tried to fight, they were all defeated and were taken as prisoners.'

Vidur, 'I just can't believe that Dusshasshan could stoop so low.'

Duryodhana, 'No, it can't be. Why Pitamaha or Guru Drona did not use Daivi Astra?'

Arjun, 'Blood lunar eclipse is three days later. So they still have the divine weapons...right Madhav?'

Krishna, 'I don't know parth.'

Yudhistir, 'But you know everything. Please Kanha, we need your guidance.'

Krishna, 'No Bhrata, I really don't know the answer. The only thing I know is somehow it is related with the war against Gandhar.'

Gandhari, 'Gandhar war. But that's quite a long time back. How that war is responsible for the elders' defeat?'

Karna, 'Hey Narayan, what are we supposed to do now? Pitamah is now in Shakuni's hand. He will definitely try to take revenge on him. We need to do something. We cannot sit here leaving Pitamaha and others in danger.'

Krishna sternly, 'No Karna, I will not allow you to go there. Your presence here is needed. You are destined to save Trilok, not only Hastinapur. So before the eclipse, you cannot go anywhere.'

Karna reluctantly agreed as he knew that Krishna was never wrong. But Duryodhana disagreed.

Duryodhana, 'Dwarkadheesh, I will go and free my family from the clutches of the Asurs. I always hated my elders and disrespected them. Today I get the chance to do something for my family and I will not back off from my responsibilities today.'

Karna, 'Duryodhana, being foolish cannot give you redemption. What do you think, if you go there, the Asurs will release your family and return them to you? Instead, they will give their heads to you on a silver platter. So just sit here and let us think what to do now.'

Duryodhana, 'Karna, I know you will never believe in me and my intentions. But trust me, even Gods from heaven cannot stop me from going to HP and save my family. Either I will bring them back or die trying to free my father and others from the prison.' Saying that he left the sabha.

Avni tried to stop him but Bhanu said, 'Let him go Jiji. I know my husband. He will never sit idly when his loved ones are in danger. Even if something happens to him today, at least I will feel pride by knowing that I am the wife of a brave warrior who even fights with the Asurs for his family......not the wife of someone who conspired against his own cousins.' Saying that she broke down crying.

Everyone felt sad for the woman whose husband was going to face the dangerous Asurs and some greedy men who were no less than demons themselves. Balram said, 'Today I am feeling proud to be Duryodhana's teacher. Don't worry Bhanu, as long as you are alive, no one can kill him. Your bhakti and love for your husband will act as a shield for him.'

Later at night Duryodhana and Bheem reached Hastinapur alone. Karna told him that before the eclipse it was useless to bring an army. Asuras were tremendously powerful now. So they need to rescue their family by themselves. Everyone was stunned when Bheem volunteered to go with Duryodhana. He said, 'Our enmity was different. Now is the time to work together to save our elders. We can sort out our problems later.' No one expected such a mature suggestion from Bheem.

Both Duryodhana and Bheem entered inside the palace using a secret passage. They hoped that Dusshasshan did not know about the path, so did not keep any guards there. They stealthily entered the basement where the high-security prisoners were kept. Both Duryodhana and Bheem thought that it was highly possible that Dusshasshan and Shakuni kept the elders and Dhritarashtra. Both came near the entrance of the dungeon and saw two huge Asurs were standing guard there. Both Bheem and Duryodhana hit the guards from behind and made them unconscious. It was impossible for others to defeat Asurs but both Bheem and Duryodhana were the two strongest warriors of Aryavart. They hid the Asurs and wore their clothes and covered their faces with the headgear. Inside the passage, they saw some more soldiers. One of them asked, 'What are you doing here leaving the door unattended.' But Duryodhana said, 'We need your help friends. Can you please come to the entrance?' Some of the guards went with them. Bheema and Duryodhana also hit them. Somehow they managed to beat all the guards and reached the cell where the Kuru elders and Dhritarashtra were imprisoned.

Dhritarashtra sat on his dungeon dejected. He even in his wildest dream did not imagine that his son Dusshasshan could do something like this to him and Shakuni..the person whom he trusted most. He even imprisoned his own eldest son. Now he realized that it was his greed and hatred towards Pandu that were responsible for the destruction of the Kuru kingdom. While Drona also realized his mistakes. He gave his son the Brahmmastra even knowing that he was not worthy. He did not teach others on the basis of caste. But today his own son betrayed him and joined the Adharmi Kauravas and Asurs. Most of the Kauravas also joined Dusshasshan, except Yuyutsu and Vikarna. So Vikarna and Yuyutsu were also put into the dungeon with them.

Suddenly they heard a voice from outside, 'Pitashri, pitamaha are you there?' All of them were surprised to hear Duryodhana's voice. Bheem and Duryodhana managed to knock out all the guards and took the keys. They opened the door and released all the prisoners. They were shocked to see Bheem with Duryodhana. Dhritarashtra cried and said, 'Putra, I am sorry. I believed in Shakuni and now I am suffering the consequences. Bheem, please forgive me. I humiliated you and still, you came to save me.'

Bheem, 'Tatsrhi, please come quickly. We have no time to spare. The Asurs will attack us in any minute.'

Quitely they came out of the palace and tried to sneak out from the city but when they reached the main gate of the city, they saw that Dusshasshan and some Asurs were standing in front of the gate. Seeing them Dusshasshan smiled evilly and said, 'Well, well, so my eldest came here to rescue our family. But brother we already knew that you and your useless friend will try to do some stunts. So were already waiting for you. Why did that Illegitimate brother of us not come here? Scared of us?'

Bheem roared, 'Dusshasshan, don't you dare to say anything against jyasht. Did you forget his beating?'

Dusshasshan, 'Shut up you slave! Your brother saved you on dyut sabha but today I will make you all my servants.'

The Asurs and the guards attacked them. Bheem, Duryodhana, Vikarna, Yuyutsu fought bravely. Bheesm and Drona also attacked the guards. They could not use any celestial weapons and they were also very weak because of the tortures they had to suffer in the dungeon. Still, all of them fought valiantly. Sanjay who was also with Dhritarashtra tried to protect him. But they were outnumbered. The Asurs relentlessly attacked them. Suddenly some arrows hit the Asurs and the Guards. Everyone saw that a small army riding on horses was charging towards the Asurs and they have various weapons. The horses came towards them and the leader of the army asked them to mount on the horses. Then they ran fast towards the border. Dusshasshan ordered Aswatthama to aim at Bheem. But Duryodhana saw the arrow and he jumped in front of the arrow to protect Bheem. The arrow hit Duryodhana. He felt like thousands of needles pierced in his body. He understood that it was 'Vishvaan', the most poisonous arrow. Duryodhana realized that he could never see his family again. Before losing his consciousness he just managed to say, 'Karna, Mitra please forgive me.' Then everything turned black.

Next-

'Why cannot you use celestial weapons, even before the eclipse?'

'It's all because of my sins and the curse of a father.'

'You...you saved us from the Asurs?'

'What is happening? Why are we feeling so weak?'

'Mahadev, the Navgrahas are imbalanced. We all are losing our powers.'

'Now you are our only hope. Please only you can maintain the balance of the planets and bring back the radiance.'

' No one...I mean no one can fulfill the prophecy. We are immortal.'