Time and Patience are two of the most powerful warriors.

Dawn broke out. The sky slowly changed its colours from black to midnight blue, to purple. Sunrise was still good four hours away. People of Aryavarta will start to awaken in a hour or two.

While many people are still in the vestiges of sleep, one person had already awakened. Said person was walking within the dark forests of the land. His sculpted body moved in the dark of the forest like a panther hunting his prey. His locks felled artistically around his shoulder. His steps silent. His hand curled around the huge bow, strong and powerful. His white angavastra glowed in the dark as he chased his prey. His skin had the radiance of the sun. His deep, dark charcoal eyes scanned the surroundings with ease. His aura was that of a powerful predator.

His ears heard a noise that signaled his prey. He moved with the swiftness of a panther, a predator as he gave chase. He moved as if he was wind, swiftly with a speed. He caught sight of his prey, a Rakshasa that had been troubling the natives of the forest for a long time.

His hand took hold of his huge bow, which he lifted and released an arrow, confidence in his strike. The arrow went and pierced the Rakshasa back, killing him instantly. The Rakshasa cry heard throughout the forest.

He changed direction and entered a nearby valley. The valley was shrouded in darkness still, but when he entered the people of the valley erupted in huge cries. His arrival gave hope and spread happiness in the simple forest dwellers heart and mind.

He gave a wide- eyed look at their sudden enthusiasm at his arrival. He folded his hands humbly and bend to take his blessings, when an old man came to bless him. The old man's eyes widened at the respect given but a soft and slow smile spread on his lips which was not seen by him. He went towards the cliff that overshadowed a rock terrain, where the river Ganga flowed through the various rocks and pebbles, creating a picturesque scene. He went towards the river to take his usual bath.

The sun came up with him as he rose from the water. His face glowed with the sun shining behind him, enhancing his sharp features and deep charcoal eyes.

His Kundal's glinted in the sun. His face gave off an aura of power yet responsibility. His lips curled at the edge giving a charming smile as he folded his hands towards the sun and bowed his head, doing his customary Surya Pranam. He changed into fresh clothes and went to the hut he was given to stay in the valley. He took his bow, tidied the hut and left through the door.

He was going out the path leading within the forest when a call stopped him.

"Putra!" He turned backwards only to see the old man who had blessed him before coming towards him.

"Putra! Itne shigra hume chor ke jaoge? (You will leave so soon, son) Stay for a while, son." The old man said.

"Shama kijiye kaka, (Forgive me uncle) but I cannot stay! My duty calls me back to my teacher." He said, smiling gently.

"Thik hai putra! Jaise tumhari iccha.(Alright son. As you wish) We would have loved if you stayed for a while." the old man said in subdued tone.

He simply smiled humbly and folded his hands saying "Please do not stop me from fulfilling my duties, Kaka."

The old man's eyes twinkled. He reassured the kind warrior " No son, you spoke the truth. It is I who asked you of something you cannot fulfil. Ayushman bhava putra! (Be blessed son)" The old man raised his hand in blessing.

He bowed his head and swiftly left. The old man watched as the brave warrior disappeared within the canopy of trees. The old man smiled before he disappeared in a glow.

A huge stone structure. The architect who created it, must have been an amazing person. The stone structure was imposing, giving an aura of discipline and rigidity. A white-haired man stood in front of the steps leading to the door of the structure. He had Rudraksh beads on his forearms and wrists. His dress was white in colour giving a look of an ascetic. In his one hand he held a battle axe and in other a Kamandal.

The man was none other than Bhagwan Parshurama. The divine disciple of Lord Shiva and the ansh of Lord Vishnu. He looked at the distance watching as a young man in white and orange angavastra approached him. The young man folded his hands and then knelt to touch his feet.

Bhagwan Parshurama's axe held hand lifted over his head blessing him.

"Kalyan ho Putra Karna! Utho!(Get up!) "

The now identified warrior, an adult Karna lifted his head and got up.

"You have fulfilled your last test, putra! I am very proud of you. You are among one of my most favourite disciples. Bhishma, Drona and now You! All of you have proven yourself well." Parshurama said, a genuine smile on his face no matter how small. "Dhanyavad Gurudeva. It would not have been possible without your teachings." said Karna. A humble and charming smile on his face. Bhagwan Parshurama simply shook his head at his students' words.

"Come! Your education had finished two to three years back, yet you wish to stay with me for few years more. I have never understood you, putra!" said Parshurama.

"Can a student not spend a year or two extra with his teachers, Gurudeva?" asked Karna, a slight mischievousness entered his voice.

Bhagwan Parshurama took a look at the absolute innocent face of his student before chuckling merrily. His student Karna was so different from both Bhishma and Drona. While with Bhishma, there always had been a formality of a student and teacher, and with his other student Drona, who respected his teacher but also feared his anger and strength. Karna was different from both. With him there was a barrier of teacher and student and huge respect from towards him as well, but no fear. Karna had a certain amount of fearlessness to him. He had no problem admitting he was wrong and accepting punishment. He would always try to see how much barriers he can cross respectfully and then if he got angry, he would use his words to calm him down. When he had done so first, he had left stumped. Not many can calm the anger of Bhagwan Parshurama down so easily. But Karna had managed to do so.

'He probably can talk himself out of a crime, if he wants!' thought Gurudeva Parshurama. It had not always been easy, of course. When Karna first came to him with his celestial father, he was a bit dismissive. But Karna had proven himself and he could see he was meant for changing the society. His students' views had always been liberal. He smiled. Times are changing and change was coming, he could see that clearly. But the question is, Is the world ready for such a change?

The sun started to set, as Karna stood on the stone balcony, in his teacher's home. He watched as the birds slowly returned to their nest, as the trees gently swayed, as the wind gave a playful ruffle.

He did not know why, but he was feeling very melancholy. It made no sense, not to him. He sighed and walked slowly towards his room. His mind deep in thoughts.

"Putra Karna."

He stopped and turned back to see his Guru coming towards him.

"You could have called me Gurudeva! I would have come to you!" Karna said.

"I know, child. A letter came for you from your father. Here it is!And I will be leaving immediately for some work. So, when you leave, make sure to do the security checks!" Parshurama replied.

"I will Gurudeva! Yatra aap ki Subh ho! Aagya dei! (May your journey be safe. Allow me!) " Karna asked. Bhagwan Parshurama nodded and left in jiffy.

Karna looked at the letter in his hands. A red coloured cloth with golden borders. His father's signature scroll.

He opened it, when he reached his room. It read,

Putra Karna,

Tridev or Tridevi tumhare upar kripa banaye rakhe! (May the triGods and TriGoddesses bless you!)

I know you have been staying with Bhagwan Parshurama for the past one year. I have never thought that you would finish your education so fast. Nonetheless, you have made me and your family proud, son.

I must say, your mothers Devi Sangya and Devi Chayya had been disappointed that you did not return home, to Suryalok. But your letter to them must have assured them, as they seem happy to me.

Anyway, your fifteen years were completed this day. So tomorrow you have to come back to Suryalok, for a special reason. It's a surprise. Be back soon, before sunrise Putra, or no one not even your brothers and sisters can save you from your mothers' wrath.

Kalyan ho!

Your Father,

Surya dev.

Karna smiled, at his father's attempt at showing he was disappointed that he did not return to Suryalok.

'You are right Advika! Samay kab biit gaaya pata bhi nehi chala! (Time flew by fast.)' Karna thought. 15 years ago, he left with his father from Bhulok. 15 years ago, he got the love of his celestial family. His celestial brothers and sisters.

His first Gurudeva was Dev guru Brihaspati, who was at first very skeptical about him, yet he won over him. He can't say much about the other devtas and devis, for never really mixed with them. He knew about them in passing only. The only people he was close to was his brothers Yamaraj, Shani dev, Ashwini Kumaras and his sisters Yami, Tapti and Bhadra. His mothers and father were the only other people he was close to.

He looked at the night sky, with the moon high up on the sky. The stars twinkled merrily around. A new dawn will come tomorrow. He can't wait to find what life will bring for him. He wondered where and how Advika was?

He knew he will meet her soon. His heart and instincts say so and he trusted those more than anything. He smiled as he went to have his dinner. His melancholy suddenly disappearing.