Advika's POV:

I sat in my study, with a cloth in front of me and an ink and quill. I needed to contact Subhadra who was in Panchal, so I was trying to write a letter. Subhadra's unexpected marriage to Dhristadyumna had made the trio, that is, Indraprastha, Dwarka, and Panchal, grow even tighter bonds among each other. With it, the politics of Aryavart also changed, with three powerful kingdoms grouping together. No wonder the Rajsuya Yagna was a landslide success.

These 12 years had passed with true happiness and laughter in our lives. None of us were truly worried about anything other than trivial matters.

Truly, now I am thinking that court politics and kingdom problems were trivial matters. They were, at least, in front of the problem that will come at us or rather has already arrived with the invitation. I won't say that I have forgotten about Kanha's warning during the marriage of my brothers-in-law. But I may have gotten complacent regarding that small chit of paper which held the main problems of my life.

Now, the arrival of that cursed invitation had made me rise again. Made me feel that protective sense, which always rears its head in regard to my family, which has grown in these 12 years. A knock on the door made me look up from the letter, which I was writing.

"Come in!" I called, whoever it is. A head poked in, which had a small crown on the head. My son. I felt a small smile spread on my lips as I gestured him to enter.

"Uh.. maa, are you busy?" asked Advait, looking a bit sheepish, probably thinking he disturbed me or something like that.

"No, why?"

"Well, Aparna wanted help with her swords lesson," said Advait, shifting from one foot to the other.

"I see. I will be there in 10 minutes. Tell her to practice till then. Are you all in the practice arena?" I asked, as I focused my gaze on him. He nodded his head positively.

"Who is helping you, putra?"

"Kakashree Sahadev and Chote pitashree, ma," he answered. He calls Yuddhisthir, Chote pitashree, and Yuddhisthir's face had been a sight to see. He had looked so shocked and pleased, as if someone had given him the duty to rule Swargalok.

"Maa, may I go now? I wanted to practice a bit more!"

I nodded. As he left, I wondered how the suggestion of sending the children to gurukul would be received by others! Well, Gaurav, Jyoti, Bhavya, Devansh, and Harshada can't go, as they were babies or toddlers, in Gaurav's case, but the rest can. But these musings were for another day, as I got up and left the letter to dry, so that it could be sent off when I get back. Another letter to Kanha will have to be sent too, not that it was required. I know he would come when he is needed. But it won't hurt to send one, I guess!

As I walked towards the arena, I wondered about the future I knew can happen. I clenched my hand at the thought of such humiliation.

After all, with the invitation, the storm has come to our door after the calm of 12 years.



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Advika's POV - [After 2 days]

I walked the well-worn path that led towards Gurudev's ashram. Since the completion of the Rajsuya Yagna, Gurudev had stayed nearby, at my insistence. This morning, my family left for Hastinapur, but the children stayed back. Subhadra and Kanha had arrived after receiving my letter. I entrusted the safety of the children to them as I left to meet Gurudev Vashishth.

Usually, the children accompanied me on my monthly visits to Gurudev, but not this time. I would have visited yesterday, but Kanha's and Subhadra's arrival did not allow me to do so.

I am supposed to go to Hastinapur after meeting with Gurudev. I hope nothing happens until then. My heart beats were fast. I knew what could happen, and I had promised myself to prevent that humiliation. Draupadi was pregnant too, and I didn't want anything to happen to her, especially when she is in such a delicate condition. None of my sisters deserved it.

I prayed within my heart before taking a deep breath and entering one of the most sacred places - Gurudev's hermitage.

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Author's POV - [Hastinapur]

The Hastinapur palace had never felt like home to them. The six males stood in traditional dhotis and angavastras, adorned with crowns and jewels, their muscular stature radiating regality. The five females emerged from the palanquin, embodying gracefulness. All eleven of them stood together, gazing at the grandeur of Hastinapur.

A subtle tension hung in the air as they approached the gates, where Maharani Gandhari awaited to welcome them. Though the males carried a quiet tension, the females, too, felt the weight of the moment. Yet, none of the eleven displayed their unease on their faces or in their postures.

Vidur observed as they received the welcome, a hint of worry evident in his expression, despite his welcoming demeanor. Sneaking towards the males, he whispered discreetly to Sahadev, anxious about Advika's absence. If Bhishma noticed Vidur's discreet movements, he chose not to comment.

"Where is Putri Advika? She promised she would be here!" whispered Vidur to Sahadev.

"Bhabhishree will be here soon! She went to visit Maharishi Vashistha first! Do not worry, Kakashree!" Sahadev reassured in hushed tones.

Vidur nodded slightly, offering a relieved smile even as worry lingered in his eyes.

"Maharaja, this is Dyut Sabha! Only males can participate here. I suggest the Princess be in the company of the esteemed Queen Gandhari and Queen Mother Kunti!" proposed Shakuni, a glint of mischief in his eye.

Duryodhan and Dusshasan furrowed their brows but chose not to voice their concerns.

"Agreed, Shakuni! Gandhari, Kunti, please take the Princess to the Antarmahal (the inner palace)!" declared Dritharashtra.

"Yes, arya!" Gandhari led the five princesses away.

The six males exchanged glances, expressing their relief at having their wives away from these men.

"Do come in, Samrat! We are very happy to receive you!" said Shakuni, his tone slippery, an evil glint in his eyes.

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"What is this, Mamashree? You said the females would come within the sabha!" whispered a husky male voice.

"Calm down, bhanje, calm down! They will come... you have nothing to worry about!" whispered a slippery voice in response.

"What about the Samragyi?" whispered another dark voice.

"Don't worry; all of them will come!" assured the same slippery voice.

A truly evil smile spread across their faces as the males quickly walked towards the door of the sabha, where everyone was waiting for them. A plot had been hatched. A dice would be the medium. An evil plan was in motion. What would be the outcome?





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Karna sat in the center of the expansive mattress, his back straight, and his eyes glinting with inner fire. Arjun was to his left, adopting a relatively relaxed posture but ready to react at a moment's notice. Bhima sat beside Arjun, his towering stature showcasing strength, and his face tensed. Nakul was on his right, his jaw showing signs of tension. Sahadev sat beside Nakul, displaying a quiet resignation in his eyes and a cautious belief. Yuddhisthir was positioned in front of them, facing a board with a chausar set up for a game to be played before an all-male audience.

Shakuni sat across from Yuddhisthir, a wicked gleam in his eyes. Duryodhan was seated behind Shakuni, with Dusshasan at his side, and Vikarna a bit further back beside Yuyustu. Dhritarashtra occupied his throne, while Bhishma, Vidur, Drona, and Ashwatthama were in their respective places. Various court members were also present, all male.

After the rules had been explained, stating that anything used as a bet would be kept by the winner, Duryodhana allowed Shakuni to play on his behalf. Shakuni, the sly and cunning mastermind, requested Yuddhisthir to play on behalf of his brothers. Despite Yuddhisthir's initial refusal, stating that he was not a skilled player, Shakuni persisted.

"Yuvraja Yuddhisthir, you, the most truthful and virtuous of men, surely won't refuse the King of Gandhar. I will be duly pleased alongside this happy gathering of men if you play against me on behalf of your brothers. There should be no worries, as it is just a trivial game!" declared the wicked mastermind, with Dhritarashtra's support adding pressure to Yuddhisthir's decision.

Unable to decline the request of his respected elders, Yuddhisthir reluctantly agreed, and Karna sighed, knowing this was no ordinary game.

The dice used in the game were made from the bones of Shakuni's father. Legend had it that the dice only responded to Shakuni's influence, turning in the direction he desired. Thus, the outcome of the game was predetermined before it even began.

Karna, unaware of the dice's peculiar nature, relied on his divine senses as the son of Surya and brother of Yamaraja, who dealt with human souls. He could sense a foul magic emanating from the dice. His jaw clenched, and his posture tensed, as his instincts warned that this seemingly harmless game would escalate into something far more sinister.

As time passed, the expressions in the room shifted from mild unease to outright horror. Yuddhisthir began losing everything—from a bag of gold coins to his wealth and kingdom. Shakuni maintained the same wicked glint in his eyes, accompanied by a crooked smile that exuded pure evil. Duryodhana and Dusshasan wore wicked smirks on their faces.

Meanwhile, Dhritarashtra, reveling in his son's success, failed to notice the mounting madness and unchecked greed. He allowed the game to continue without intervention, blinded by the satisfaction of his son's gains. The naive fool was oblivious to the fact that too much of anything, even victory, could prove harmful.

Bhishma, Drona, and Vidur observed the unfolding game with a growing sense of horror, accompanied by a nagging feeling of pure wrongness. All three appeared visibly tense.

Vikarna and Yuyutsu, witnessing the distressing events, seemed to have encountered the ultimate horror in their lives. Both were filled with unease, exchanging tense glances as they looked in the direction of their brothers.

Shakuni, speaking with a voice filled with malicious intent, continued to manipulate the situation. "Now, Yuvraja, you have lost all your material possessions! No matter, there is still a chance to win them back. You can stake one of your brothers. If you lose, they will become slaves to my nephews. Do not worry; my nephew will reciprocate. Won't you, bhanje Duryodhana?"

"Of course, Mamashree! I stake Yuyutsu!" declared the proud voice of Duryodhana. Yuyutsu paled rapidly, while Vikarna gritted his teeth.

"What madness is this? Jyesht Dhritarashtra, will you allow this madness to continue? Is this how you will treat your nephews, the sons of your own younger brother Pandu?" questioned Vidur, his voice filled with fury and his eyes blazing.

"I do not see why not, Mahamantri! Remember your place. You are a court worker with no authority over the King, who happens to be my son. Everything is proceeding according to the rules of the game of Dyut! What reason is there to stop and interfere?" responded Dhritarashtra snidely, the long-forgotten memory of Vidur stating that a blind king was unworthy of the throne resurfacing in Dhritarashtra's mind. His son's sudden victory and the subsequent impoverishment of his nephews had left him delusional.

Vidur's face closed off completely, but his eyes held a blazing fire in them. A few seconds of silence followed before Vidur's hard voice rang through the hall, "Very well, Maharaja! I hope you are ready for the consequences of your actions. Not everything that glitters is gold, after all. It seems like my advice is not required. I shall not stop this game, but let this be my only warning. Maharaja Duryodhan, the son of Dhritarashtra, if you do not stop yourself from going down the path you are approaching, then your punishment is very near. I hope you will heed my counsel!"

"There is no need to poke your nose where it does not belong, Mahamantri! I do not heed the counsel of the son of a maid. I only heed my esteemed Mamashree's counsel!" replied Duryodhana, snidely and dismissively. Dhritarashtra's eyes widened, and he paled.

"Duryodhana!!" yelled Bhishma, his eyes furious at his audacity. Duryodhana simply sniffed, indifferent and too giddy with his apparent success. Shakuni smirked at the drama and strife.

Vidur's eyes glinted as he thought, "Advika, I leave everything to you now! Keep your promise!"

"Well, Yuvraja, you did not answer! Which brother will it be?" asked Shakuni, an evil smile on his face. Yuddhisthir, knowing his own limitations, was about to offer himself rather than his brothers when a soft but authoritative voice washed over them.

"I will be staked," said Karna, his voice soft but his eyes hard. Yuddhisthir turned around, shocked, while Shakuni smiled a pleased smile.

"Jyesht?" whispered Arjun, shocked, from beside him.

"We can't lose you, jyesht! Let me be staked instead," begged Nakul, his voice carrying a slight hysterical note.

Karna looked at them with a decisive stare, making them back down immediately. All the brothers knew it was not a request but an order.

"Don't, jyesht, please! I beg you! Let me stake myself! Then you can play and win everything back! Please, jyesht, I beg you!" thought Yuddhisthir as he looked at his eldest brother.

"No, anuj! I will go first! Have faith in God! Everything will be fine!" thought Karna, interpreting his brother's thoughts and emotions.

Yuddhisthir's shoulders slumped as if he was already defeated. A small tear fell from his right eye before he controlled himself and retreated into himself immediately, continuing the farce of a game he was being forced to play.

His heart thudded as he simply prayed within the private confines of his mind, "Please, let everything be alright, O Lord!"

Shakuni smirked, thinking, "Pray all you want, little lamb! The hunter is here now! Even the God himself cannot help you!" He smirked evilly while laughing inside.



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"Kya!!!" yelled a beautiful and enraged voice. Bhanumati paced up and down, frustrated and disgusted. Gandhari clasped a hand over her mouth in shock. Kunti stiffened while her jaw clenched as she looked at her daughters-in-law.

Devanshi straightened at the news, Vandita clenched her hands into fists, Draupadi had a steely look in her eyes, Kalyani and Vritika exchanged glances, their eyes holding a fierce look within them.

"Well, we had guessed there is foul play, Bhanumati," said Devanshi almost casually, as if she was not worried at all, while her hands were placed on her lap, fingers intertwined.

Gandhari gulped, disgusted, not able to defend her sons and husband. Bhanumati simply bowed her head, ashamed, as her husband and his uncle played their game.

"I will go and speak with them!" said Gandhari, unable to see any such things happening.

"Maa!" called Bhanumati as she walked out after Gandhari.

Kunti watched them go before she turned towards her daughters-in-law.

"Now?"

"We need to wait for bhabhishree; till then, we have to stall!" said Vandita, fingering the dagger hidden by her angavastra, kept on her waistline.

"Our priority is to defend and keep Draupadi protected at all times, no matter the circumstances," said Devanshi, her voice steely.

"But jiji, I am pregnant, not weak!" protested Draupadi.

"We know, jiji, that is the reason you need to protect yourself more. Don't think about yourself but rather of the small life growing within you," said Kalyani, her voice strict.

Draupadi deflated immediately before nodding with a steely look in her eyes.

Suddenly the door burst open, a maid who had come running.

"Princesses, please run and leave!! Go, please! The game is played by monsters, all of them. This is no game; it is madness. He is coming for you! Run, go, please, protect yourself," said the maid, her breath coming out in short intervals.

"Who is coming?" asked Kunti hurriedly. Devanshi immediately stood in front of Draupadi, Vandita and Kalyani beside her, while Vritika took the rear. All of them had a knife in each of their hands.

"Prince Dusshasan!" said the maid for the last time, as a knife struck right within the middle of her torso, blood spilling down the floor, as she died trying to warn the females. Dusshasan stood with various soldiers standing all around him.

"Tsk, tsk...this is the result of a tell-tale! A messy death! So sad!! Trying to run away, were you?" said Dusshasan, his greedy tone and lecherous voice making all six of the females tense. Kunti stood in front of Devanshi with a brave face and a tense posture.

"Leave them be, Dusshasan!" said Kunti, her voice strong. Dusshasan simply knocked her downwards, throwing her to the ground. Kunti fell on the ground, her eyes and face showcasing her shock at his brutish behavior. Her hands had bruises from being thrown to the hard floor.

Devanshi's eyes tightened and her eyes brightened with a fire within them.

"Don't worry! I won't touch you yet!" said Dusshasan, his gaze roaming over all six of them.

"You despicable scoundrel!" cursed Vandita, angered at his audacity.

"We would see about that, after you are dragged to the court, kicking and screaming! Bring them to the court," ordered Dusshasan with a cruel laugh, as he left.



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The soldiers were disgusted at the orders. All of them refused to move, but they had to follow their duty as well. So all of them attacked the princesses, being careful to never actually touch them. All of them defended, including Draupadi. Slashes, bruises, and various wounds formed on all of their bodies. The soldiers did not give their all, and neither did the females. No serious injury was dealt by the soldiers nor the females.

All five of them were escorted toward the sabha, with the senapati apologizing.

"Forgive us! But...but we have no choice!" "There is always a choice!" said Kalyani, a bit snidely, causing the senapati to wince and bow his head.

As they were brought in, their husbands' eyes widened. Yuddhisthir's head was bowed at his failure, Bhima gritted his teeth at their disheveled appearance, Arjun's anger reared its head at their wounds, Nakul and Sahadev looked on with simmering rage, ready to erupt. Karna simply looked at them with an unreadable expression on his face.

"Now, now...look at this! The pride of Indraprastha, their Princesses of Panchal, here in front of us! Tell me...do you know that your so-called husbands lost everything, including themselves as the slaves of the Kuru clan?? Do you know? Do you? Do you?" asked Shakuni, almost giggling with an insane look.

None of the females answered. Kunti, Bhanumati, and Gandhari ran and entered the side balcony to watch the proceedings. The three of them felt bile come up their throats at the voice of Shakuni.

"Nonetheless, the wives of slaves have no dignity! So why should you?" said Shakuni, an insane laugh spilling from his throat.

Duryodhana was enjoying it! Dusshasan had a lecherous smirk on his face. Dhritarashtra stayed quiet, not interfering at all. Vidur, Bhishma, and Drona simply looked disgusted. Yuyutsu looked at Shakuni with an angry expression. Vikarna, on the other hand, looked ready to burst.

"How about disrobing you? Yes, yes...that will do!! That will do!! After all, beautiful things need to be displayed properly!" said Shakuni again, with an insane look on his face.

"SHAKUNI!!!" roared the voices of all the five brothers as they got up from their kneeling position, fury in their eyes. Karna's eyes were stone cold as he looked at Shakuni. Their voices echoed through the hall like thunder.

"Now, now, slaves don't talk back to their masters!! Stay in your limit now! Dusshasan bhanje, come, come...do the honors! Disrobe them one by one! Start with the youngest!" said Shakuni, smiling insanely at the thought as he sat on his seat.

"Advika!" thought Karna softly as he closed his eyes. Sahadev looked ready to cut down Dusshasan with his axe into two.

A pair of eyes opened immediately as the vibration reached her. Blood-red lips smiled a vicious smile.



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Before the rough hand could touch the angavastra of Vritika, a dagger cut through the wrist of the hand, blood spilling on the man's face. A scream of pain followed. Dusshasan clutched his hand, or rather the stump where his wrist was. The entire hand had been cut off, with blood flowing freely as Dusshasan screamed.

Gandhari clutched her hands to her mouth, muffling her scream, while Bhanumati encircled her arms around Gandhari to stop herself from screaming as well, at the amount of blood that adorned the floor. Kunti smiled a vicious smile, a twinkle in her eyes. She felt absolutely no regret. He deserved it and more!

All the courtiers got up hurriedly at the sudden attack. Bhishma smiled a small smile, Drona simply looked inattentive, not caring. Vidur smiled a satisfied smile. Vikarna looked indifferent as well. Yuyutsu looked shocked but pleased.

Duryodhana and Shakuni looked shocked, while the former was turning a shade of red, when he was angry. Dhritarashtra looked pale after his son's scream, his face had a panicked look on his face.

All six brothers had a vicious smirk on their lips, resembling Kunti the most at that moment.

"Who dares to harm my brother?" roared Duryodhana as he reached his brother and helped him stand, who was still whimpering in pain.

"My, my devarji! Forgot me so soon?" said a cold voice, making them turn around to face the door.

Duryodhana and Shakuni paled rapidly at the person standing there.



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Advika smiled; her eyes were red and furious. Her skin shone with a divine light. She wore clothes similar to that of a vaanvasi, as she had come directly from the ashram of her Gurudev. Even in those simple clothes, anyone could feel the divinity of the girl.

All six brothers and the five sisters sighed in relief. She was here. Bhishma also felt something in his chest unravel. Vidur had a soft smile on his face.

"Bhabhishree, thank goodness you arrived! Otherwise, a travesty would have happened!" exclaimed Vikarna, with a sigh of relief, while Yuyustu nodded along.

Advika said not a word. She simply walked forwards towards Duryodhan and Dusshasan. Her arm stretched, and the dagger that had fallen simply appeared in her hands again. She inspected the blood running through the dagger as she spoke to Duryodhana.

"So, you were about to allow your brother to touch a female, who is not only younger to him but is the wife of your cousin, who should be like your sister?" said Advika, her voice sharp and cold.

"That is none of your business! You are also the wife of a slave!" spoke Duryodhana, spitting out fire.

"STOP! STOP! Duryodhana, why are you doing this? Arya, you won't utter a word? As it is because of this foolish game, my son lost his...his..hand," yelled Gandhari, tears streaming down her closed eyelids. Kunti offered no condolences; she simply smiled at Advika. Dhritarashtra gulped. Before anyone could speak, though, Advika's voice cut through the silent hall.

"That was the consequence of his action. Do you know that he used this very hand to throw Mata Kunti down on the hard floor? This very hand was going to touch my sister! Do you think that I will allow him to even touch my sister?"

Karna, Yuddhisthir, Bhima, Arjun, Nakul, and Sahadev all glared furiously.

"Then, that was a fitting punishment, love! No one touches either our mother or the females of our family and thinks they will go unpunished!" said Karna; his voice, though soft, was very cold and hard.

"I know arya! Duryodhana, you were saying something about slaves? You do know right, that as the emperor of the entirety of Aryavart, he could have suspended the game, yet Arya did not! Do you ever wonder why?" said Advika, her eyes sharp and her tone cold.

"Slaves don't get to be the emperor, Prithvi Kumari! He could have, yet he did not! And Yuvraja, oh! sorry, there is no kingdom with their name only...they lost it. Anyway, Yuddhisthir lost everything, including himself and the empire, to my dearest nephew. How can he have any authority?" said Shakuni snidely; his happiness was in the ninth cloud, though he grimaced at his second nephew's hand...no stump.

Advika turned to him and let out a mocking laugh at the question.

Shakuni's eyes widened. A chill spread down his spine, cutting through the haze of happiness.

What did she know that makes her so confident? Shakuni wondered.

Advika smiled a slow smile, the glint in her pure predatory, as if her prey had come right in front of her, without even the thrill of the chase.