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As Sakuni cradled Aditya's limp form in his arms, the brilliant light of the kawach continued to emanate from the child. The radiance was both comforting and alarming to the onlookers, who had never seen such a manifestation in a child so young. The scene at the Shiv Mandir shifted from sacred devotion to urgent concern.

As they emerged from the temple, their presence did not go unnoticed. Bhishma, Satyavati, Ambika, Ambalika, who were waiting outside, immediately caught sight of them. The concern etched on their faces mirrored the gravity of the situation.

Bhishma, being the first to react, rushed towards them, his eyes scanning the scene with apprehension. Sensing the urgency in his movements, the rest of the royal family quickly followed suit, their expressions a mixture of concern and fear.

"What happened? Is Aditya alright?" Bhishma's voice carried a note of urgency as he reached them, his eyes darting between Gandhari and Sakuni.

Gandhari's voice trembled as she struggled to find the words to explain. "Tatshree... Aditya... he fainted in my arms," she managed to choke out, her distress palpable.

Satyavati, Ambika, and Ambalika gasped in unison, their hands flying to cover their mouths in shock. The sight of Aditya, unconscious and limp in Sakuni's arms, struck fear into their hearts.

Meanwhile, Pandu, Vidur, and Dritharastra, who were gathered together, turned their attention towards the commotion.

Pandu's face twisted with concern as he saw Aditya's limp form in Sakuni's arms."Aditya!" Pandu exclaimed, his voice thick with worry.

Dritharastra, sensing the urgency in Pandu's tone, reached out to his brother, his hand finding Pandu's arm for guidance. "Pandu? What happened? What happened to Aditya?" he asked anxiously, relying on Pandu's description to understand the situation.

Pandu's heart sank as he grasped Dritharastra's hand, leading him towards Sakuni, all the while explaining the dire situation. "Jyesth, Gandhar Raj has Aditya in his arms, and Bhabhi Shree is also in tears," he murmured urgently, his concern evident in every word.

Vidur, already taking action, rushed forward to assist Sakuni. "Let me help you," he offered, his voice steady despite the urgency of the situation.

Sakuni did not let go of Aditya, his focus solely on Aditya's well-being. He turned to Vidur with urgency, instructing him to bring his chariot.

Pandu's expression softened as he leaned in to examine Aditya. "It's the kawach," he observed, recognizing the divine armor that had appeared on the young Suryaputra. "It must be protecting him from something... or someone..."

Satyavati, realizing the potential threat, immediately ordered the nearby soldiers to check the surrounding area for anyone suspicious. "We need to ensure the safety of Aditya," she said, her voice steady despite the growing concern.

Pandu quickly gathered the guards and instructed them to secure the perimeter. "Keep watch over the surroundings. Do not let anyone suspicious near Aditya," he commanded. The guards dispersed, their eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger.

As Vidur prepared the chariot, Sakuni carefully adjusted Aditya in his arms, ensuring the child was as comfortable as possible. Gandhari stood by, her expression a mix of worry and determination. She would do whatever it took to protect her son.

Vidur, who had just returned with the chariot, approached Sakuni and Gandhari. "We need to get back to the palace quickly," he said, his tone urgent but calm. "It's safer there, and the Raj vaidya can attend to Aditya."

Sakuni nodded, his grip on Aditya remaining firm. "Yes, let's go," he replied, his focus entirely on his nephew's well-being. He gently adjusted Aditya in his arms, ensuring the child was as comfortable as possible despite the uncertainty surrounding them.

Pandu and Vidur led the way, guiding the royal family back to the palace. The guards maintained a tight formation around them, their eyes scanning the crowd for any signs of danger. The streets of Hastinapur, usually bustling with activity, now seemed unusually quiet as the royal family passed through.

Gandhari, despite her blindfold, sensed the concern in the air. She reached out to touch Sakuni's arm, her voice barely above a whisper. "Will Aditya be alright?" she asked, her tone filled with worry and uncertainty.

Sakuni's expression softened as he reassured her. "He will be fine, sister," he said, his voice gentle yet firm. "I will not let anything happen to Aditya."

As they reached the palace, the guards at the entrance quickly opened the gates, allowing the chariot to enter.

As the chariot carrying Aditya entered the palace gates, Bhishma immediately took charge. His voice was firm and clear, directing the family in their next steps.

"Vidur, fetch the Raj Vaidya immediately," he instructed, his tone urgent. "Pandu, ensure the palace is properly guarded. We can't afford any further risks." Vidur nodded and set off to find the Raj Vaidya, while Pandu rallied the guards, ensuring the palace perimeter was secure.

As the royal family made their way through the palace corridors, Bhishma noticed Kripacharya, the Kulguru, standing nearby with a young boy, about the same age as Aditya. The child looked at the unconscious Aditya in Sakuni's arms with wide eyes, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

Kripacharya, noticing the tension among the royal family, approached Bhishma. "Mahamahim Bhishma, what happened to Rajkumar Aditya?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

Bhishma shook his head, "I'll explain later," he replied. "For now, let's get Aditya to his chamber." He gestured for Kripacharya to follow them, indicating that they needed to act quickly.

As the royal family moved through the palace, the boy with Kripacharya watched them, his gaze fixed on Aditya.

Kripacharya leaned down and spoke to the child. "Go back to your mother. I need to attend to something important," he said gently.

The boy nodded, his eyes lingering on Aditya for a moment longer before turning and walking away. He seemed reluctant to leave, but he obeyed Kripacharya's instructions without question.

The royal family arrived at Aditya's chamber, where Sakuni gently laid the child on a soft bed. Gandhari and Dritharastra stood by, her hands trembling with worry as she waited for the Raj Vaidya to arrive. Bhishma, Satyavati, and the others gathered around, their expressions reflecting the gravity of the situation.

Kripacharya entered the chamber, his demeanor serious but calm. Bhishma nodded to him, acknowledging his presence.

The atmosphere in the chamber was tense as they awaited news from the Raj Vaidya. The appearance of the divine kawach on Aditya's limp form was both a source of concern and a sign of protection, but they couldn't be sure what it meant or what dangers might be lurking.

Bhishma, observing the glowing kawach surrounding Aditya which slowly disappeared, turning his gaze towards Gandhari and Sakuni with a furrowed brow. "Putri Gandhari, Gandhar Raj, What happened? Was Aditya in danger? Did someone try to harm him?" he inquired, his voice tinged with concern.

Gandhari, her blindfolded gaze unwavering, turned towards Bhishma and shook her head slowly. "No, Tatshree. He was crying... He kept calling out 'Mata,' and then i don't know what happened, but he suddenly fainted in my arms," she explained, her voice trembling with worry and confusion.

Sakuni, standing beside Gandhari, nodded in agreement with her assessment. "Yes, Mahamahim Bhishma. Aditya wasn't in danger," he confirmed, his tone steady despite the underlying worry.

As Bhishma absorbed their words, Sakuni's thoughts raced, wondering the sudden appearance of Aditya's kawach. "Why did Aditya's kawach appear? I clearly saw him hugging Gandhari, then he just fainted. Hmm... This is the second time his kawach appeared even though when he was not in danger Hmm..." he mused silently, his mind swirling with questions and uncertainty about what could have transpired to trigger such a reaction from Aditya's divine protection.

As Vidur swiftly returned with the Raj Vaidya, the healer wasted no time in examining Aditya. After a thorough check-up, the Raj Vaidya turned to the concerned family gathered around, his expression reassuring.

The Raj Vaidya's words brought a sense of relief to the worried family. "There's nothing serious to worry about," he began, his voice calm and steady. "Rajkumar Aditya merely fainted due to emotional distress, likely from the excitement of the day's events. There is no cause for alarm; he just needs some rest, and he'll wake up soon."

Relief washed over the gathered family members at the Raj Vaidya's words. With his assurance, they stepped back, allowing Aditya the space he needed to rest and recover.

Meanwhile, Satyavati, decided to offer a token of comfort and support to the Raj Vaidya. Taking a delicate ornament from her own attire, she approached the healer. With a gentle touch, she placed the ornament in his hands, a gesture of gratitude for his care and expertise.

Meanwhile, Kripacharya approached Bhishma, his voice low and respectful. "Mahamahim Bhishma, should we continue with Rajkumar Dhritarastra's coronation ceremony, or would it be best to wait until Rajkumar Aditya recovers?" he asked, his tone filled with concern.

Before Bhishma could respond, Pandu spoke up, his voice urgent. "Tatshree, we should postpone the coronation ceremony, Aditya still did not wake up, we need to be with him" he said, casting a glance at Vidur. In his mind, he knew that he still needed to discuss with Vidur the matter of Dhritarastra's fitness to be king.

Sakuni, noticing Pandu's quick glance at Vidur, felt a surge of doubt. "Why does Rajkumar Pandu want to delay the coronation?" he thought, his suspicion growing. "Are they planning something?" His eyes shifted between Pandu and Vidur, wondering if there was more to this decision than just Aditya's condition.

Out loud, Sakuni spoke, his tone thoughtful. "I think Rajkumar Pandu is right. Right now, Aditya's recovery is our primary concern." Despite agreeing with Pandu, Sakuni's mind was racing. He couldn't help but feel that there was something else at play. "I need to find out what Pandu and Vidur are planning and why they want to delay the coronation," he thought, a hint of skepticism creeping into his expression.

As he looked down at Aditya, still unconscious on the bed, Sakuni's thoughts turned inward. "Mere bache, why did the kawach appear? You were not in any danger... I saw you smiling and hugging Gandhari, but then you started crying and fainted. I need to find out what happened," he mused, his concern for Aditya growing by the moment.

Dhritarastra, standing nearby, nodded in agreement with Pandu's suggestion. "Yes, Tatshree, Aditya's health is more important. We can do my coronation later," he said, his voice calm but concerned.With these words, it was decided that the coronation would be postponed until Aditya was well and recovered. The sense of relief was palpable among the family, yet the underlying tension lingered. The incident with Aditya's kawach had not only caused concern but also raised questions that would need answers.

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As news of Rajkumar Aditya's fainting at the Shiv Mandir spread across Hastinapur, the city's vibrant streets buzzed with whispers. People spoke in hushed tones, their words filled with curiosity and awe.

"Did you see the kawach?" a market vendor asked his neighbor as they arranged their goods for sale. "It was glowing! Rajkumar Aditya is a Suryaputra. Maybe that's why he has a divine kawach."

Another merchant, polishing a bronze vase, nodded in agreement. "Yes, I heard that too. Suryadev's blessings must be upon him. It's no wonder he has such a divine kawach."

As the whispers spread, the story of a child with a divine kawach began to take shape. The details became less focused on Rajkumar Aditya and more on the mysterious phenomenon of a child with celestial armor.

"I heard there's a child with a divine kawach," a washerwoman remarked to her colleague by the riverbank. "They say he fainted, and the armor appeared around him. What does it mean?"

"Who knows?" her colleague replied, wringing out a cloth. "But it's not every day you hear about a child with such a powerful armor. People are bound to talk."

The whispers traveled quickly, spreading from Hastinapur to neighboring regions and kingdoms across Aryavart. As the story evolved, the focus shifted from Rajkumar Aditya to a nameless child with a divine kawach. The mystery surrounding the child's identity added to the intrigue, sparking rumors in distant lands.

As the rumors grew, they attracted the attention of those with darker intentions. In a dimly lit alleyway, a man with a shadowy demeanor listened intently to the gossip, his expression devoid of emotion. It was as if he was controlled by an unseen force.

Without a word, the man scribbled a message on a piece of parchment, his movements mechanical and unnatural. He then tied the message to the leg of a large black eagle, its eyes as dark as the night around them. The eagle, seemingly accustomed to such tasks, took off into the sky, its wings spreading wide as it flew swiftly into the night.

The message traveled across the lands and sea, carried by the black eagle. It soon reached its intended destination-a palace deep within the forest. The palace, hidden from prying eyes, was shrouded in darkness.

The cloaked figure who received the message sat in a shadowy chamber, the walls adorned with dark symbols. The air was thick with an ominous energy. As the cloaked figure read the message that had arrived via the black eagle, his eyes narrowed with interest. The message spoke of a child with a divine kawach, a detail that caught his attention.

Three years had passed since he'd felt the weight of his chains fall away, since the prison that had held him for eons had loosened its grip. Now that he was free, he understood that his downfall had already started.

But he had waited, watching and lurking in the shadows, knowing that one day he would hear of something that could jeopardize his newfound freedom.

"Three years," he thought, his fingers tightening around the parchment. "Three years, and finally, I hear about one of you." His voice was a low growl, barely audible amid the oppressive silence of the chamber.

"How could a mere child become a danger to me?" he mused, his tone tinged with disbelief. It seemed impossible that something so insignificant could pose a threat, yet here he was, contemplating the consequences of allowing this child to live - things he had once considered irrelevant but now recognized as potential threats to his own existence.

If this child grew stronger, there was a chance that the prophecy would unfold and lead to his end. The divine kawach, with its radiant light, symbolized everything that could repel him and his darkness. It was a threat he could not ignore. He needed to find this child and eliminate him before he could grow into a force capable of challenging his strength.

He knew what had to be done. "I will find you," he vowed, his voice dripping with malice. "I will find you and ensure you never fulfill your destiny." His intent was clear-to hunt down this potential threat and eliminate it before it could challenge his newfound freedom.

With a swift motion, he summoned one of his subordinates, a nervous young man who entered the chamber with a fearful expression, his steps hesitant as he approached the cloaked figure. The subordinate kept his eyes to the ground, avoiding direct eye contact.

"BRING THEM IN," the cloaked figure ordered, his voice devoid of warmth.

The young man quickly exited the chamber, his footsteps echoing through the empty corridors of the palace. He returned with several individuals who were clearly imprisoned. Their faces were pale, and their bodies trembled with fear. They had a look of resignation, knowing they had no choice but to follow the cloaked figure's commands.

The cloaked figure eyed them with cold satisfaction, knowing that their loyalty was forced by his dark powers. With a subtle gesture, he demonstrated his control over them, causing their eyes to take on a glazed, vacant look, and a faint glow emerged on their skin-chain-like symbols forming around their necks, wrists, and ankles.The glowing symbols solidified into dark tattoos, resembling interlocking chains.

The cloaked figure's gaze lingered on the chain-like symbols, a faint smirk playing on his lips. These tattoos were his mark of dominance, - they were a clear indication that each person was bound to his will, ensuring they could never act against him. Breaking free from these chains was impossible as long as his power remained unchallenged.

"YOU ARE TO FIND THE CHILD WITH THE DIVINE KAWACH," he commanded, his voice dripping with malice.

"EITHER KILL HIM OR CAPTURE HIM AND BRING HIM TO ME." The orders were clear, and the consequences of failure were dire.

The imprisoned individuals nodded, their bodies moving almost mechanically. They had become pawns in the cloaked figure's sinister plans, bound to his will by a force they couldn't resist.

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The chamber was quiet, the soft glow of an oil lamp casting gentle shadows across the walls. Sakuni sat beside Aditya's bed, keeping a silent vigil. Everyone else had left, allowing Sakuni to watch over the young prince. Before leaving, Sakuni reassured the others that he would take care of Aditya and inform them if he woke up. He encouraged the rest of the family to get some rest, knowing they'd had a trying day.

Aditya lay still, his breathing steady but his eyelids occasionally flickering. Suddenly, he jolted awake, shouting, "Mata!" His eyes darted around, his expression filled with fear and confusion. "Mata! Mata!" he cried, his voice breaking.

Sakuni immediately reached out, pulling Aditya into a comforting embrace. "Shh, mere bache, everything is alright. Calm down," he murmured, his tone soothing. He stroked Aditya's hair gently, calming the boy with his steady presence.

Aditya slowly relaxed, his breathing evening out as he recognized Sakuni. He blinked away tears and looked up at his uncle. "Mahashree, where is Mata? I want to see her," he said, his voice quivering with emotion and his tears began to flow again.

Sakuni held him firmly but gently. "Mere bache, if you cry in front of your mother, she will cry too. You don't want that, do you?" he said, his voice gentle but with a touch of humor to lighten the mood.

Aditya nodded, understanding Sakuni's words. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, trying to compose himself. Sakuni took a cloth and gently dried Aditya's cheeks, removing the tears. "Now, mere bache, tell me-why did you cry? I saw you hugging Gandhari, then you started crying. Why?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Aditya hesitated for a moment, his small hands clutching Sakuni's robe. "Mahashree, I saw... I... I saw..." He paused, struggling to find the words. It was as if something was blocking him from saying what he wanted to say. He looked at Sakuni with a mix of frustration and sadness.

Sakuni, sensing Aditya's struggle, reassured him. "It's alright, mere bache. Take your time. What did you see?" he asked, his voice gentle yet filled with urgency.

Aditya shook his head, his eyes showing confusion. "I... I saw something that scared me," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sakuni leaned in, his brow furrowing with concern. "What did you see? Did someone try to harm you?" he asked, his grip on Aditya tightening slightly.

Aditya shook his head, indicating that wasn't the case. He took a deep breath, trying to collect himself. "Mahashree, I saw... I... I saw..." But he couldn't finish the sentence.

"MAMASHEEE, I SAW MATA CRYING AND IS IN PAIN......" he thinks - The words wouldn't come, no matter how hard he tried. Aditya's face fell as he felt his own frustration, and he hugged Sakuni tightly.

Sakuni watched Aditya struggle to express what he'd seen. The boy's tears and his inability to articulate his vision were signs that something was deeply troubling him. Sakuni could see the distress in Aditya's eyes, and he realized that pressing him for answers might only cause more upset. He decided to ask about it later, when the child was calmer.

Instead, Sakuni tried to change the topic to something comforting. He hugged Aditya back, holding him close. "Mere bache, do you want to go to your mother?" he asked, hoping to offer a soothing distraction by suggesting they go to Gandhari's chamber.

Aditya nodded immediately, his tears falling again. Sakuni gently lifted him into his arms, holding him close. "Alright, let's go see her," he said, standing and heading toward Gandhari's chamber. Aditya clung to Sakuni, his sobs quieting as they moved through the palace corridors, the comforting presence of his uncle helping to ease his distress.



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To be continued...

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