They turned to that direction and saw an unexpected turn of events, there lay huge army of asurs which was disclosing themselves indicating they were hiding beneath maya and was waiting for opportunity. This was apt opportunity as it was sunset and soon darkness will be around resulting in increased moght of asurs but whats concerning is along with them there are several kings which consists of jaydrath, sons of Shishupal, bhagdatt, etc. It seems they were there beforehand waiting for chance to pounce upon the weakened and tired enemies. The situation has turned bad for Hastinapur especially, the war of today was fierce which has already been cause of demise of many soldiers and warrior and now this. Everyone who already fought was tired, but seeing the new enemy in front of them they decided to raise their weapons once again to fight against them.

The asurs who naturally didn't care for rules or anything like that along with their allies v me at full might to fight the tired and exhausted force of Hastinapur. A fierce battle started once again but Duryodhana saw it was loosing battle few of previous defeated kings was tied down as war was just concluded so only their remaining army joined but it was filling ocean with teacups. It wasn't something possible to achieve, Duryodhana could clearly see it. His brothers, uncle, kulguru, army etc were besiged upon in groups. There was no rule in this war except fight to death. He knew he had to take decision but he was afraid whether what he was thinking is possible or not. But he can't let this go on. He came in forefront of battlefield and shouted : Everyone retreat to borders of Hastinapur.

It was unusual order for those who didn't belong to Hastinapur but resident of Hastinapur knew why Duryodhana said this because Hastinapur was their best bet now. It was mayavi which even asur would have to spend effort to break into and on other hand due to policy and reforms of Duryodhana all citizens of Hastinapur knew some form of weapons which would addon help along with fighting in home territory. Rest didn't have to ponder everything when they saw soldier of Hastinapur were retreating anyway it was like ants were pushing the elephant especially the power of asur peaking dur to night while their decreasing due to low visibility along with illusion and might of Asurs & enemies. Soldiers didn't forget their dharm and helped their kings to while sacrificing their life.

Soon everyone alive retreated as might Jyeshtha Kauravas was last line of their defence along with his four Maharathi brothers, Vidhur, Shakuni and kulguru who were despite being tired fighting and facing the opponent. Now only they were left.

Duryodhana : Everyone go inside.

Dhussan : We will fight Jyeshtha we have to till all preparations are being completed.

Duryodhana : No, i said you all retreat.

Shakuni : Son, why are you saying like you won't retreat.

Duryodhana : Mamashree because i won't. I will hold them here.

Everyone (shocked and scared) : No.....

Vidhur : Putra, you are our king. Your safety should be guaranteed first. Retreat I will fight them.

Kulguru : Yes, mahamantri is right. Retreat king we will fight and hold them back till our last breadth.

Kauravas : Yes Jyeshtha, please don't do this. What would we do if something happens to you.

Duryodhana (smiled) : Nothing will happen to me everyone. Do you all not know my boons. I will be fine. Do as I say.

Dhussan : Boons doesn't make you immortal jyeshtha. Please listen to us.

Duryodhana : This is not time for quarrel. As my brother do you doubt my might. Is this respect you have for me. Even Bheem, Arjun, Nakul don't dare to cross yudhishthir because of their respect, do you all not respect me that much.

Duryodhana know he was speaking gibberish but he was desperate.

Vikarn : We all see how that turned out Jyeshtha. If standing with you mean disrespect then we will repay with our life standing next to you rather than leaving you here alone.

Rest : Yes.

Duryodhana (angry) : Enough I am ordering you to retreat as King of Hastinapur. Follow my orders now.

Shakuni : King needs protection first Putra Duryodhana.

Duryodhana : No Mamashree, king don't have to safe, he is leader and its leader responsibility to look for betterment of his people be it while ruling or in war. Please heed to my words. I have capability to fight but if i saw your demise i will break down mentally and i won't be able to attain peace. Retreat i am begging you, if nothing else think it as final order and request please. Dhussan would succeed me if i can't return. Go inside and prepare and promise me you won't return till sunrise, i have boon to resist illusion and maya but you don't neither is army or citizens of Hastinapur. Infact i would like to add its your responsibility that nobody cross the border till sunset from either side. Now go, i will be utilising my boon and it may affect you all to.

Duryodhana was crying and begging but his voice held authority and helplessness. Weird but apt combination, rest knew stubbornness of Duryodhana and his desperation too. They had no choice either due to Dharma as following words of either their king or Jyeshtha. They retreated but their eyes were on figure of Duryodhana who with bow in his hands single handedly stood against huge army.

As soon as Duryodhana saw he was alone he invoked his boons, his first boon was from sage agastya to make his body very strong for two prahar where no astra would penetrate him and slowly in next two prahar his power would decline but he would be extremely weak after that, then sage vishwamitra has given him an Astra which could kill asurs, it was powerful weapon which could kill hundred thousand asur but can be used only once, Duryodhana could evoke it before hand too but it wasn't just asurs that were attacking him, mighty warrior like kichak, jaydrath, bhagdatt, etc. Were there too also this weapon could be used only once that too it won't affect the arur kings or leaders just foot soldiers. He shot the weapon resulting in drastic decrease of opponent which gave blow to moral of enemies then he put aside his bow and took our his amog gada gifted by his teacher Balram which formerly belong to mighty jarasandh. Like lion ponce among herd of sheep with yell of har har Mahadev he launched himself onto enemies as he has ordered his Charioteer satyasen to retreat too. With his amog gada and boon of sage durvasa to remain undefeated in physical and mace fight along with his skills he began slaughtering who ever coming in his path.

The soldiers, horse riders, powerful elephant riders along with their ride turned to permanent. Citizens of abode of Yama. Duryodhana was one man holding the fort, the enemies were very scared because Astra, Satra were failing to hurt him while he seems ti have inexhaustible energy but they knew he was human and there is no turning back. The leader of army were kings and nine were stupid they knew there must be some reason for others to retreat otherwise with such powerful warrior there was no need to do this. They knew this and send their soldier (cannon fodder) first to exhaust Duryodhana. One sided slaughtering was happening and it went for two prahar but slowly they can see Duryodhana was getting tired, after three prahar many Rathi, atirathi to met their demise in hands of Duryodhana. Only various asur kings, with powerful warrior remained but they can see Duryodhana was exhausted not to severely but not lightly either and their arrows seems to piercing his skin if not injuring him. They knew they had paid heavy price but they also wasn't without card in their sleeves. On start of fourth prahar Duryodhana was exhausted and was getting weak his gada was too heavy for him but he knew he hast to hold it otherwise he would lose especially seeing 14 people were attacking him at same time which has 10 asurs and 5 maharathi.

They were all on ground as Duryodhana has killed their horses and Charioteer, he even destroyed their chariots. Duryodhana was holding mace in one hand while axe in another while a sword in his mouth. He was covered head to toe in blood, sone of his own while most of his enemies, he looked like he bathed tin blood, his eyes were red, body was trembling because of exhaustion but still he was fighting with enemies especially asurs who were holding spiked clubs, Swords. Jaydrath who was holding spear, keechak who had mace in his hands. He was fighting with his will power and some energy left in him. He striked down asurs one by one and then stuck down jaydrath with his mace resulting his head to flew from his body, his head flew afar and upon touching the land it resulted in blast whic threw Duryodhana away resulting his weapons fall down from his hands. Keechak too flew away along with him.

Now both fighters were weaponless, keechak knew it was his opportunity, amog mace left hands of Duryodhana and he was weaponless, keechak was weaponless too but he had strength of 10,000 elephant in him while Duryodhana was strong but neither as much as him nor he yas energy left in him. He pounced towards him he knew if he defeat and kill Duryodhana, he would be ultimate winner of war. His rule will extend to entire Aaryavrat except Dwarka and Brahamnagri. As according to Kshatriye Dharm if one captures or killed king in furst day of battle he is ultimate winner, he just had to prolong the war till sunrise, he has taken over matsya for his brother in law and made his family capative already, he just have to defeat and capture Duryodhana so for remaining time he will torture him with his strength as Duryodhana would be his bargaining chip so he has to keep him alive till he was declared the ultimate winner.

Both fighters wrestled, despite the boon Duryodhana was extremely exhausted so keechak ofcourse had upper hand in battle, he was brutally using his technique on Duryodhana causing him severe injury both externally and internally, keechak was having time of his life. He was winning, boon of Duryodhana was proving curse as he was continually standing despite being beaten aa he can't be defeated but that never meant he us invincible. Keechak has his evil smirk put on, he was having so much fun as Duryodhana was his favourite plaything, his cruel side was on its peak after beating Duryodhana so much, Duryodhana was lying but unfortunately concious. Keechak saw this and came to him he lifted him by his hair but this time he didn't beat him but cruelly smiled he said.

Keechak : Duryodhana, look you will my ultimate bargaining chip in wining this war. After I became king of Hastinapur because how much your blind father, uncle, brother and rest loves you. I will be ultimate winner, I won't kill you never, you will be my capative forever. You brothers will be my slaves, i heard your wife is very beautiful and fiesty, you have a daughter too. They would be my bed slave hahaha... Along with all beautiful maiden in all kingdom i will rule after this war. I am a generous person and doesn't mind if woman is married infact it adds flavour don't you think hahahahahaha. You like vastara haran so I will perform it in front of you pity you have failed to bdi that to Draupadi but don't worry i will give you front seat for your wife and daughter, if your sister is alive then hers too. Hahaha

Keechak didn't knew his word became his reason of demise, he was having fun seeing the expression of Duryodhana. With shaky hands Duryodhana who was extremely angry and exhausted reached shoulders of keechak, with entire will and last drop of energy he had in swift motion he grabbed head of keechak. Keechak was amused but never he predicted Duryodhana had any strength. Duryodhana snapped the head of keechak in 180 degree and bith fell one dead and one not very far from it due to exhaustion and injuries but there were relief in him and smile on his face. He till now never understood the severity of his deeds but word of keechak was like poisonous dagger pierced continuosly in him. He couldn't bear his words as it filled him with horror and dread with just mention the name of his wife and daughter, he was relieved after killing keechak. He lost his counciousness as first ray of sunrays fall on land filled with corpses.

On the otherside within Hastinapur.

Within Hastinapur the atmosphere were completely upside-down. Kauravas brothers were so restless, soon the news was spread in entire Hastinapur, the citizens came to know about massive war going on outside the border, they were tensed and prepared. As soon as the got new every make, female, old, young with some weapons in their hands reached the border just to make up numbers, Dhritrashtra and everyone in palace came too. They saw four Kauravas brothers, along with Vidhur and Shakuni were standing in forefront along with Kauravas brothers standing clenching their fists and restless. They immediately noticed the absence of their king and sound of battlefield.

Dhritrashtra : What happened, can someone tell me.

Dhussan indicated vikarn to speak. Vikarn spoke everything, everyone present there were so agast by everything happened. The kings along with uppandavas were sure that citizens would be indefferent towards Jyeshtha Kauravas but they were surprised that every citizen knelt and stated crying taking the name of king. The respect, love and care with which they took the name spike volume of capabilities of Duryodhana. Dhritrashtra was so angry that he want to march battlefield to help his son but was stopped by Dhussan, Dhritrashtra pushed him aside but rest Kauravas stopped him or they all were trying to.

Vidhur gently placed his hands on his shoulder : Jyeshtha, please don't do this, do you think Dhussan and others didn't want to go. They do but they can't. No body is more eager to go than them please understand this.

Dhritrashtra froze hearing this ofcourse he knew love of his sin towards Duryodhana which exceeds everything in the world. Others can see all Kauravas were trembling and controlling themselves while tears sping out their eyes hearing Vidhur oh how they wish to go and help their Jyeshtha but they can't especially after hearing it might be his last wish or order. They could go to hell following their Jyeshtha bit couldn't dream of him not attaining peace because of them. Their only hope was sunrise and sound of battle which was indicating their Jyeshtha was very much alive. Citizens of Hastinapur saw and Heard everything they know they couldn't do anything but pray so the sat and prayed to almighty for well being of their king.

Uppandavas couldn't express what they are feeling, during day they were fighting to avenge their mother. They eagerly came to war without heeding word of Dwarkadish. They were defeated but they know they were still treated better than rest and thise who think as enemy even protected them and brought them inside birder of Hastinapur. The main culprit who snatched everything from them, one who they always heard was evil is now fighting and protecting them and others like true Kshatriye and king. The citizens of Hastinapur genuinely love, respect and adore their King. Everything shows volume of character of Duryodhana. So what is right and what is wrong was very confusing to them. Same was with other whi first attacked Hastinapur, they knew they were alive because of mercy of Duryodhana. Ashwatthama was getting jeolous because as archer he can some what hear and from that might of Duryodhana was clear, he was worried ti because in greed he has given up his friendship. Drupad was fuming because of praise, care that Duryodhana had because it will be difficult for his son in laws to get his kingdom back, he wished Duryodhana died then defeating rest wont be difficult. Dronacharya was fuming by valour of his student as well as his capabilities. Oh the irony.

No body slept, citizens of Hastinapur were praying both well being of Duryodhana and sun god to bless them with his rays. This was probably most longest night felt for them. As soon as sun risen the Kauravas ran towards battlefield along with everyone, they were greeted with sight of slaughter Duryodhana yas caused but they ignored everything in favour of finding their jyeshtha. Soo they found him badly injured and unconscious. They immediately went to him crying on checking his pulses they were relieved that he wasn't dead they immediately took him back to kingdom where royal Vaidya began treating them. Soon the new of Duryodhana recovered from injuries but was in coma without any sign of waking up spread throughout Hastinapur. Dhussan was declared as temperory king, he wasn't in mood of politics so he let the captured king go upon signing treaty of Hastinapur's sovereignty over them. Being bound by Kshatriye Dharm they had to do that. Vidhur and Shakuni were worried to but as advisor of Hastinapur they performed their duties to send such treaties to other kingdoms that attacked them. The kings that were in Hastinapur were escorted to border but unknown to everyone one more chariot following them has left Hastinapur without anyone noticing it.

A/n tell me how it is, this chapter was helped by very many people like evil darkness, amritsagar, karna the great, rajnish muku, aditya, Anuradha and several others. Do tell whether you liked it or not.