Instincts are always right. Your mind may wrong but never your instincts.

"Putra! (Son!) " A voice full of love spoke. Karna and Advika's eyes flew open.

Karna looked at the person standing in front of him in awe. Advika's eyes widened and she looked at the radiant god in front of them.

Surya dev was a huge man, around 6 feet tall. He wore red and white styled clothes with gold ornaments. He had fair skin and aristocratic features which shown with brilliance. His mere radiance makes it difficult to look at him, if he had not toned the radiance down. His gold mukut and the red stone embed in it shown brightly. His aura was that of a supreme warrior.

In his hands was a huge gold axe, embed with orange stone. The weapon as deadly as it was beautiful. Karna folded his hands and bowed his head. Advika also followed him a bit clumsily. She was still awed by him.

"Pranipat dev! " Both the children spoke together.

Suryadev smiled, amused at his son and his friend's behaviour. He blessed them wholeheartedly.

"Kalyan ho! (Be blessed!) "

He looked at the children properly. His son. Surya dev smiled.

How good it is to say that word again? To see the small baby grown into a whole of nine years. He was so angry when Kunti had flown the baby in a basket on the river Ganges. But he understood her reluctance and situation as well. Kunti was nothing but a child herself when she gave birth. Still, he had hoped she would give him to someone close to her where she could keep an eye on him or give him to an ashram or she would tell the truth and keep her son with her, fight the society if she must. But she had not done so. She had given him away. He had also seen her struggling to sleep and missing her son so much from that day onward. So yes, he understood her well. But that did not stop him from hoping, from praying to the tridev, to the Supreme Lord, that his mortal son get a good and stable home.

He was glad he got a stable home and was friends with the girl whom Niyati chose. Advika watched Surya dev look at both Karna and herself. He seemed to be observing both of them.

Karna was fidgeting and was clutching the kalash with both hands. Advika smirked before taking the kalash from his hands. He glared at her. She smiled sweetly at him, wanting to stuck her tongue out, but could not...A dev was standing in front of her after all. Surya dev watched the by-play between his son and the girl and chuckled at her antics. Karna blushed at behaving immaturely in front of a Dev. While Advika also did the same and kept the kalash at the side quietly.

Surya dev spoke " Prashna hai na tumhare putra? Maun kyu ho? (You have questions, right son? Why are you silent then?) Ask!" Karna looked at Advika once, who gave an encouraging nod. He asked hesitantly, " I have a Kavach and Kundals which have motifs of the Sun on them. Do you have anything to do with it?"

Surya Dev's eyes sparkled. He replied " Yes, I gave them as a blessing to you when you were born."

"Why would you do that? Why did you call me 'putra'? Do you know anything about them?" Karna asked.

"Shant putra! (Be calm son) If you ask so many questions all at once, how will I answer? " Karna nodded. He took a deep breath and looked at Surya dev.

Surya dev began " You were born with your Kavach and Kundala. I called you putra, because you are my son. I am your father. I cannot tell you about your mother though."

"Why not? " Karna immediately questioned. He will digest the fact he is a dev putra later. Surya dev smiled sadly before saying " Your mother is a virtuous lady. She served a sage and got a boon. The boon allowed her to have a child from the God she evoked. She was barely eighteen when she got that boon. In her curiosity, she evoked me by using the boon. You were born as a blessing to her. But you know your society, my child. What they would have said if an unmarried women had a child? They would have slandered her and her lineage, questioned her character and her purity! Afraid your mother gave you up. She did not have the courage to face the consequence of her actions. But I know she has been regretting the decision and wanting to meet you from the day onward. I cannot name your mother my son. She will tell you herself if she wants, and when you get to meet her. The only thing I can tell you she was a princess and is now a queen."

Karna looked shocked. A tear escaped from his eye. Advika's heart broke at hearing such a tale. She understood what Karna's mother must have gone through. But she also knew about Karna's troubles. Her heart broke for his mother but was angry on behalf of her friend.

Surya dev waited for his son to speak. Karna took a shuddering breath. He spoke " I am glad she is alive. I understand her situation. Dhanyavad hume yeh katha baata ne ke liye, Pitashree. (Thank you for telling us this tale father.)"

Surya dev smiled happily at his son's words. He looked towards Advika and said " Tumhara nam kya hai putri? " (What is your name, daughter?)

Advika jerked at being addressed directly, looking a bit wide eyed. "Umm...Advika."

Karna smirked at her uncomfortable situation, which earned him a glare from her. Surya dev asked " You don't want to ask something? I thought children are excited when they meet a God!" He teased the girl a bit, hoping to sooth her nervousness at his presence.

Advika smiled gratefully, as she came to stand beside Karna and in front of Surya dev. "Wo...I have nothing to ask, unless you know my parents?" She asked hesitantly, still unsure.

Surya dev smiled," Yes I know who your parents are! But let's go somewhere else, first! " Both the children looked at each other. Advika nodded slowly, wondering why they need to go somewhere to know her parentage.

Karna replied "Thik hai, (Alright) pitashree." Surya dev used his powers to transport the children to the outside of Hastinapura. They arrived in a beautiful valley filled with trees and flowers. There was also a pond beside a tree. Surya dev sat on a slab of rock within the shade of the tree. He gestured to the children to sit in front of him. Karna chose to sit in front of him on the ground in traditional Indian style, while Advika sat a bit behind him, directly in front of Surya dev, resting her back on the bark of the tree.

Surya dev began " Your mother wanted another human child after her first one. She began to pray earnestly to Mahadev and Mata Parvati. Satisfied with her prayers, the divine couple appeared in front of her. She was granted a daughter..."

Surya dev was interrupted by a melodious voice. "The daughter was you, putri."

The women that appeared had a divine look to her. Regal and dressed like a queen, in her red saree and mukut, her aura bespoke both of her motherly nature and her temperament, striking a delicate balance between Destruction and Creation.

The trees swayed, flowers bloomed even more filling the valley with their fragrance, the grace caressed her feet gently, as if welcoming her.

Surya dev looked at the women once and then said " Devi Prithvi...you are on time."

"Indeed I am." Devi Prithvi spoke looking at him. Karna went to get up but she gestured him to sit. Advika was wide eyed at the women who appeared. She had forgotten to breath for a moment.

" M-Maa? " she stuttered.

Devi Prithvi smile widened and she went towards her daughter and gave a kiss on her forehead, before sitting beside her on the ground.

Her soft smile was full of love and care. She turned towards Surya dev and said " I wish to continue the story. I hope you don't mind?"

"Nehi devi! (No, my lady) " He answered.

Devi Prithvi continued " I received a daughter from Mahadeva and Mata Parvati, which is you putri. They came together to create you. You, my child were a blessing from them. I believe they see you as their child as well. You are the ansh of both Mahadeva and Mata Gauri. I left you in the temple of Mahadeva, knowing he will watch over you. I cannot tell you the reason yet, but you were meant to live like a common human. When the time comes everything will be clear to you." Silence fell on the occupants. Karna looked at Advika who's eyes were down cast. She seemed to digest the news.

Surya dev and Devi Prithvi looked at each other. They needed to get to the main matter fast. Time was flying by fast.

"Putra Karna, Putri Advika, time has come for you to start on your destinies. You must make a decision." Surya dev said.

"Destinies?" Advika asked. Karna nodded in agreement at her question.

"Yes destiny, child. Both of you are meant for great things. Everyone takes birth in this earth for a reason, and when time comes you will walk your path." Devi Prithvi answered.

Both Karna and Advika looked at each other. Advika gave a slow nod to him. Karna asked " What do you want us to do?"

"I know you want to learn the dhanur-vidya. I can get you a very good teacher, but you will have to learn various other subjects and other weapons as well." Surya dev said.

"Nothing comes without a price, Pitashree. What must I pay for this?" asked Karna.

"You cannot stay on Bhulok for the next Fifteen years. You cannot meet anyone from here as well! You will have to come with me to Suryalok."

Karna's eyes widened. "What about me?" Advika asked.

"You will have to leave Hastinapura and come with me. You won't leave Bhulok, and will be taught by various sages. You cannot meet your family or friend either, putri." Devi Prithvi said.

"Oh!" Advika replied.

"Can we speak with each other for a while?" requested Karna. Devi Prithvi and Surya Dev nodded and disappeared for a while.

After a moment of silence, Karna spoke" What do you think?"

"Your dream can come true! And it is a good offer." Advika replied. Her hands intertwined with each other as she sat straight on the ground. Karna clenched his hands, his gaze penetrating. Advika matched his gaze.

" What about our friendship?" He questioned. "What about it?" she questioned back.

" You can stay without meeting me then? Stay away from your mother? What about our meetings?" He asked.

"Mitrata jaisi hai waisa hi rahegi, sakha. (Our friendship will remain as it is, friend) You worry too much. You and I will learn so many things! Our friendship won't deteriorate if we don't meet for next few years. Time will pass swiftly, aap dekhna. (you will see)" she countered.

He looked at her for a few seconds, noting the determination in her eyes. He nodded at her. Immediately a glow appeared and their parents came.

Devi Prithvi had bought Aaratrika along with her, while Surya dev bought Adiratha and Radha along with him.

Adiratha said as he and his wife hugged their son to their chest, " We are so proud of you son."

Aaratrika did the same to Advika and said " I knew you were meant for something great. Go fulfill your destiny, putri."

Both sets of parents looked at their child. Then cupped their face and gave a forehead kiss. Advika and Karna got blessings from their parents.

Devi Prithvi laid a hand on Advika's shoulder as she turned to face Aaratrika one last time. Surya dev did the same to Karna when he turned to do the same. Both sets of parents looked as their child left with their godly parent, leaving behind a glow and empty clearing.

In Kailash

"Swami? " Mata Parvati said.

"Haa Gauri? " Mahadeva answered.

" Will our daughter and Karna be alright?" She questioned.

" They need to get rid of their attachment, priye. These Fifteen years will teach them many things. Only when they learn will they be ready to walk the path they are meant to!"

Mata Parvati smiled; her worries led to rest at the Supreme Lord's words.

"I look forward to their future." she said.

"So do I, Parvati. So do I." Mahadeva replied.

They both turned to watch how the thread of destiny unfold and intertwines.