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The arena was completely packed. Every single soul in Hastinapur had gathered, filling every seat, every nook, and every cranny. The air buzzed with anticipation, a symphony of murmurs and hurried whispers blending with the distant sounds of ceremonial drums.

The Kala Pradarshan - a grand showcase of skill and valor - was about to begin. Not just the people of Hastinapur but the royals and dignitaries from different kingdoms had come to witness the spectacle.

High above, in the top-left corner of the arena, sat Vritrasura, of course, in disguise. His expression was unreadable as his sharp gaze moved over the royals. He wasn't merely observing, he was calculating, scheming, and weighing each figure before him, like arranging pieces on a chessboard for his next move. Every royal present, from Hastinapur to the distant kingdoms, were oblivious to the storm of thoughts brewing in his mind, unaware of the threat so close by.

To his left sat Saanvi, her presence as calm as the stillness of the night. Yet, her eyes betrayed her purpose - they were constantly searching through the royals for someone.

Behind him stood Jarasandha and Dritarda, their postures stiff and formal.

Jarasandha's nervousness was clearly visible. He was regretting every decision he had made after meeting Vritrasura. He had hidden Karna's identity, believing it to be a strategic move, a trap for Vritrasura. But now, it was clear he had made a colossal mistake.

At this very moment, Jarasandha felt cornered and powerless - standing at a precipice, unsure of what would happen next. He knew that no matter how things unfolded, he was the one who would bear the burnt of the consequences.

On the opposite side of the arena, in the top-right corner, sat Karna, with Chirayu perched on his shoulder. This side of the arena held a different energy altogether.

Karna's presence was a stark contrast to Vritrasura's. His eyes scanned the royals, but unlike Vritrasura's cold, calculated stare, his were warm, brimming with love and longing. His heart ached to reunite with his family after so many years. He had missed them more than words could ever express.

Two forces-one of darkness, and the other of light-sat on opposite ends of the arena. Yet, the paths they walk would one day inevitably collide, reshaping destinies in ways no one could yet fathom.

Karna's gaze first landed on his mother... Gandhari, seated gracefully among the royal ladies. A smile formed on his lips, and he whispered to himself,

"Mata... After this Kala Pradarshan, I will heal Pitashree, and I will remove your blindfold."

His voice was filled with tender resolve. His hand instinctively brushed against the cloth covering his own face. "Mata... I covered my face so that only you can see me first..."

Next, his gaze shifted to Radha Ma, seated beside Gandhari. He recognized her instantly. Clearly, Gandhari must have insisted Radha to sit with her, undoubtedly relying on Radha's eyes to describe everything to her.

Looking at Radha, he whispered softly, "Radha Ma... I missed you so much..." Tears welled up in his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away. He didn't want anyone to see a grown man cry, even if it was out of love and longing for his mothers.

Then his eyes moved further, noticing three women seated on Gandhari's other side. One is Subala, Vidur's wife. And at the sight of Kunti and Madri, he was shocked.

Karna immediately looked around until his gaze rested on a familiar figure in the distance. Relief washed over him when he saw his Chote Pitashree Pandu-alive and well, laughing and talking with everyone. A smile spread across Karna's face, and despite his best efforts, he couldn't stop the tears. They fell freely as he realized he had successfully prevented the vision of Pandu's untimely death.

Wiping his tears, Karna's gaze returned to the three women seated beside Gandhari.

This time, his eyes first fell on Subala, he whispers to himself, a faint smile on his lips. "I wonder if Mata, Radha ma or you will recognize me now... or will I simply be another stranger after all these years?"

Next, his eyes moved to Madri, whom he recognized as Pandu's wife. Based on his vision of his Chote Pitashree Pandu, he had seen Madri committing sati. But here she sat, alive and well, a testament to the fact that he had altered her fate as well.

Finally, he looked at Kunti, and a strange feeling washed over him. There was something about Kunti's presence - an inexplicable feeling of familiarity and longing that tugged at his soul, though he couldn't understand why... yet.

A tear fell from his eyes before he could stop it, his voice almost breaking.

"Choti ma... Why does it hurt... to look at you? "Why do I... feel like... I know you?" he whispered, unaware of the irony in his words.

Just then, a cheerful voice broke through his thoughts.

"Dau!!! I found the best seats! Come fast!"

Karna's head snapped toward the sound, startled. Quickly he wiped away his tears before anyone could notice.

To his left, Balarama sat down beside him, grinning widely. Krishna sat beside Balarama, his smile full of mischief as they locked onto Karna's, as if seeing right through his covered face.

To his right, Bhanumati took her seat, her gaze sharp and curious, as though trying to unravel the mystery of the man beside her. Aaradhya sat beside Bhanumati, her calm presence balancing the spirited entry of the others.

Bhanumati wasted no time. Her curiosity burned brighter than the midday sun, and her tongue was sharper than a sword. She tilted her head and asked Karna bluntly, "Are you a thief?"

Karna turned to her, his eyes widened in disbelief. "WHAT! NO!"

Bhanumati leaned closer, her tone teasing. "You're covering your face. Only thieves do that."

Karna, flustered, cleverly redirected the question. "What about you? Are you trying to catch a thief...." He paused, looking at her, and casually added. "Princess...."

Bhanumati's eyes widened. "How do you..."

Aaradhya stopped her by placing a hand on her arm and looked at Karna thinking, "How does he know that Bhanu is a princess... even when we are in simple clothes..."

Seeing Bhanumati's reaction, Karna thought. "Ooohhh... I just causally mentioned 'princess.' by the way she carried herself. But the way she reacted just confirmed it... So, you're a princess in disguise, hiding your true identity..."

The moment Aaradhya's eyes landed on Karna's covered face, she recognized him, the one she met in Kailash. She told him to bring a flower which never fades if he wants to know her name or see her locket. Her hands instinctively touch her locket and her heart raced as the memories of their encounter resurfaced.

Aaradhya quickly looked the other side and thought, "What is he doing here? Oh no, did he see me? Will he recognize me? But he did not see my face, only eyes... he won't recognize me, right?" But another voice in her mind said, "But you also only saw his eyes, not his face... and still you recognized him."

After the debate in her mind, quickly, she pulled her duppata over her face with her left hand, peeking through the fabric while ensuring her face remained concealed from Karna's eyes.

Bhanumati, meanwhile, continued with her questions, "It's doesn't matter who I am, but you tell me who are you? Are you hiding something?"

Karna turned to her, rasing an eyebrow. His tone was polite, yet his words carried a clever deflection. "Should I reveal myself simply because you asked, Princess?"

Bhanumati raised an eyebrow. "You're clever, aren't you? But why hide your face? Afraid someone might recognize you? Or perhaps you're not who you claim to be."

Karna's eyes narrowed slightly, his lips curling into a subtle smile. He didn't say anything about who he was, and Bhanumati's words were based on her own assumptions. He replied smoothly. "I never claimed to be anyone... You're quite imaginative, Princess."

Before Bhanumati could retort, Balarama interjected. "Bhanu, leave the man alone. He's not here for an interrogation."

But Bhanumati wasn't one to back down easily. "Dau, you're no fun. He's suspicious! Look at him-face covered, eyes scanning everyone like he's a spy. How can I not question him?"

Karna chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Suspicious, am I? Perhaps you see what you wish to see, Princess. I am who I am. But tell me, Princess, why does my covered face bother you so much? Are you always this curious?"

Krishna laughed, the sound melodious and full of mischief. "Let her ask, Dau. This is far more entertaining than the Kala Pradarshan itself."

Balarama sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Kanha, stop encouraging her. And you," he gestured to Karna, "should've just stayed quiet."

Karna smiled behind his cover. "Where's the fun in silence?"

As their banter continued, each word laced with wit and humor, Aaradhya remained silent. She couldn't shake the feeling that he might recognize her too. Her heart raced as stole another glance at Karna. This time, he noticed the movement and turned his head slightly. Aaradhya quickly adjusted her dupatta, covering her face.

Bhanumati caught the exchange and blocked Karna's view by tilting her head, and snapped. "What are you looking at? Haven't you seen beautiful girls before?"

Karna's expression softened, and his lips curved into an amused smile as he turned his gaze back to Bhanumati. "Of course, Princess, but I didn't realize you were one of them,"

With that Karna shifted his attention back to his family, leaving Bhanumati momentarily taken aback by his response.

Before she could retort, Aaradhya leaned in and pulled Bhanumati closer, whispering into her ear. "Bhanu, remember I told you about the one I met in Kailash? How he was asking my name and about my locket?"

Bhanumati nodded, her expression curious. Aaradhya continued, "I think it's him."

Bhanumati's eyes widened, and a mischievous smile spread across her face as she looked back at Karna and thought. "Ooohhh, so you're the one Aaru can't stop talking about?"

Bhanumati then whispered to Aaradhya, "Aaru... Give me your locket. Let's find out if he remembers or recognizes you."

Aaradhya nodded and handed her locket to Bhanumati, who then wore it with a sly grin.

Meanwhile, Karna looked at his mother once again. Gandhari was surrounded by four young girls. One of them hugged Gandhari tightly, while another clung to Kunti. The remaining two stood chatting and laughing.

Karna's face lit up when he recognized the girl hugging Gandhari. "Sushala?" he thought, guilt creeping into his heart as he realized how much he had missed of her childhood. "I wasn't even there when you were born... How will I make up for all the years I was away?"

His eyes softened as he looked at Sushala, and he became lost in his thoughts.

Bhanumati noticed Karna staring, his gaze distant and intense. She followed his line of sight, her eyes widening. She quickly leaned toward Aaradhya and whispered, "Aaru!! See, he's staring at your sisters!!"

Just as Bhanumati finished her sentence, Krishna appeared from behind them, his head popping between the two girls as he whispered, "And my sister..."

The sudden appearance of Krishna startled both girls. "Govind!!" they exclaimed in unison, eyes wide.

Krishna pointed his bansuri toward Subhadra with a grin. "She is my dear sister, Subhadra."

Aaradhya and Bhanumati's eyes widened. They looked at each other, then whispered quietly to each other.

Bhanumati smirked, her playful side surfacing. "Hmm, looks like he is keeping an eye on the girls. Is he... the type to look at every girl like that?"

Aaradhya frowned at Bhanumati's words, and looked at Karna, and spoke softly, almost to herself, "Bhanu... I don't think it's that way. His gaze seems distant, almost like he's caught in his own world. Maybe he's lost in thought, maybe even regretting something. He doesn't strike me as the type to be easily distracted. There's more to him than meets the eye."

As she said the words, the memory of their brief encounter in Kailash surfaced in her mind - the intensity in his questions about her locket, the way his voice carried a quiet urgency, and finally, when their eyes locked with each other. His eyes... For reasons she couldn't explain, she felt there was something about him that went beyond what anyone could see.

Krishna, who had been silently observing Aaradhya's expressions, grinned knowingly. "Ah, Sakhi," he teased, tilting his head with mock curiosity, "you seem to understand him so well, all by just looking at his eyes! Such a remarkable talent you have. Should I start calling you the 'reader of souls'?"

Bhanumati, catching on, joined in the teasing, nudging Aaradhya with a smirk. "Truly, Aaru! Just one glance and you know everything about him? Are you sure you only met him once..."

Aaradhya's cheeks flushed crimson as she turned to glare at Krishna, her voice adopting mock seriousness to makes her embarrassment. "Govind, if you have nothing better to do, then go back to your place and sit quietly!"

Krishna chuckled, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "As you wish, Sakhi. No need to get angry. But you can't hide from the truth. Fate often works in ways we can't yet see."

Bhanumati giggled, while Aaradhya rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath. She adjusted her dupatta, trying to hide her smile.

As Krishna passed Karna, he passed for a moment, placing a hand on his shoulder, bringing Karna out of his thoughts. Karna looked at Krishna, who simply smiled and continued to his seat without a word.

Karna's eyes returned to Sushala, who was now sitting with her friends. But something in her behavior caught his attention. She seemed distracted, her eyes repeatedly drifting to someone in the arena.

Curious, Karna followed her gaze and found - Ashwa.

His eyes widened in surprise. "When did this happen? How did this even happen? And Why didn't Ashwa tell me?" he thought, looking at Ashwa, who was busy talking with Suyodhana, completely unaware of Sushala's gaze. Looking back at Sushala, Karna observed her for a moment. "Ooohhh... so she likes Ashwa..."

A smile spread across his lips. It was a smile that held many meanings, too complex for anyone to decipher.

Just then, Karna felt someone grab his arm tightly. He turned his head startled, to see Bhanumati clutching his arm and exclaiming, "It's him!! It's really him! Look, look! That's him!"

Karna blinked at her sudden outburst and followed her gaze to see who had caught her attention. His brow furrowed as he spotted Suyodhana.

He raised an eyebrow and still looking at Suyodhana, he asked, "SUYODHANA?"

Without a moment's hesitation, still looking at Suyo, Bhanumati replied, "YES!!"

The moment the word left her lips, realization dawned on both of them simultaneously. They turned to each other, their eyes wide, and shouted in unison, "WHAT?!"

Bhanumati pulled her hand away and pointed an accusing finger at Karna, her voice sharp with embarrassment. "Were you eavesdropping on my conversation just now?"

Karna's brows shot up in disbelief. He gestured to his arm and retorted, "You're the one grabbing my hand and yelling at me! And for the record, I didn't even know you were talking to me!"

Bhanumati thought she was holding Aaradhya's hand. Her eyes widened as she realized what had happened. She quickly released his arm. "Oh... I-I'm sorry," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Before either of them could say anything more, The booming sound of the sankh cut through their heated exchange. Both turned their heads toward the arena, suddenly remembering where they were.

Without another word, they straightened up and directed their attention forward, their earlier embarrassment momentarily forgotten.

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As the last of the royals took their seats, Dronacharya stood before the gathered assembly, his commanding presence silencing the crowd. With a raised hand, he began, "Welcome, everyone. Today's Kala Pradarshan is a display of strength and skill. At the center of the arena, you will see a wheel that holds the names of all the Rajkumar's participating in this contest. My son, Ashwathama, will fire an arrow into this wheel, and when the arrow strikes the names, those chosen will step forward to compete."

The crowd listened intently as Dronacharya continued, his voice steady and clear. "The rules are simple but crucial. No blood shall be drawn in this contest. Should any prince cause blood to be shed, he will be disqualified." He glanced pointedly at the Kauravas and Pandavas, making sure his message was understood. "As for weapons, you may choose whichever you prefer-your primary weapon or any secondary weapon you have at your disposal. It is not required for spears to fight spears, nor swords to face swords. The only condition is that the fight must be fair."

With that, Dronacharya went to Ashwa, whispering. "Arjun should fight at last."

Ashwa just rolled his eyes at his father's request, but said nothing as he took his place.

Dronachary stepped back, and signaled to Ashwa, who stood ready with his bow and arrow.

Ashwa aimed carefully and let the arrow fly, striking the wheel with a sharp sound that echoed through the arena. As the wheel spun, it came to a stop, and Dronacharya read the name aloud, signaling the start of the matches.

The fights began immediately, one after another. The Kauravas fought each other, each of them demonstrating their strength and precision.

The remaining participants were the Pandavas, Suyodhana, Sushasana, Vikarna, and Yuyutsu.

Ashwa looked at the remaining participants, a thought crossed his mind. "Hmm, why do I get a feeling that from now something will happen...?" he mused, but he swiftly pushed it aside as the contest continued.

First, Ashwa chose Sahadev and Yuyutsu. The fight between the two was calm, measured, and filled with mutual respect. Both used their weapons with precision, never allowing their tempers to get the better of them. Sahadev with his sword and Yuyutsu with his spear exchanged several calculated strikes, neither gaining an upper hand. In the end, the fight remained a draw, with both warriors stepping back, recognizing the other's skill, signaling the end of the match.

Next, Ashwathama chose Nakul and Vikarna. The two began their duel with vigor, each determined to prove their prowess. Nakul moved with agility, but Vikarna, met each attack with equal force. Vikarna managed to overpower Nakul with a decisive strike, using his sword to disarm him and force him to the ground. It was a clear win for Vikarna.

Vikarna helped Nakul to his feet as he offered a hand, showing respect if a true warrior.

With a smirk Vikarna added, "Next time, Nakul, practice with me instead of spending all your time looking at yourself in the mirror."

Nakul, brushing off the dirt, shot him a playful look. "Bhrata Vikarna, luck is on your side today. I forgot to look at myself in mirror before the fight."

"You're unbelievable!" Vikarna chuckled, shaking his head at Nakul's confidence.

The two shared a brief laugh, their rivalry set aside for the moment, as they both recognized the value of their contest.

Then, Ashwathama chose Yudhishthir and Sushasana. Both fighters were evenly matched, each demonstrating impeccable control and skill. Yudhishthir's steady and calculated approach against Sushasana's more aggressive style made for an exciting battle. For a while, it seemed as though neither would gain the upper hand. However, as the fight progressed, Yudhishthir found an opening and gained a slight advantage, pushing Sushasana back.

Sushasana's pride stung, and his desire not to lose flared within him. He looked toward Suyodhana, who was standing with arms crossed.

Suyo understood what his brother was thinking and just shook his head slightly. Understanding this unspoken command, Sushasana lowered his weapon, acknowledging his defeat with grace.

The crowd cheered as Yudhishthir raised his hand in acknowledgement, signaling that the fight was over. Sushasana returned to his place, his face set in stoic acceptance, while Yudhishthir, though victorious, knew the value of a fair and respectful match.

THE FIGHT BETWEEN BHIMA AND SUYODHANA STARTED...

The aggression in their eyes, the raw strength they exhibited-it was clear that this wasn't just a friendly match.

Both warriors fought with ferocity, each determined to prove their strength, but maintaining a sense of fairness. It was a battle that felt like it belonged on the battlefield, not a friendly gathering.

The crowd couldn't help but whisper to each other, aware that this fight was more than it appeared.

Gandhari leaned towards Radha, her voice full of concern but also pride. "How is Suyodhana fighting? Is he holding his ground?"

Radha, watching the fight closely, replied with a soft smile. "He is fighting with all his might, Gandhari. There is no doubt that he has the heart of a warrior."

Dhritarashtra turned to Pandu and asked, "Pandu, what do you think of this fight?"

Pandu's expression was unreadable. "Jyesth, both of them are pushing themselves beyond their limits. It doesn't look like a fight between brothers..."

Ashwathama, watching intently from the sidelines, sighed, shaking his head. "I knew this would happen... I just hope this doesn't escalate further and the fight ends soon, without any unnecessary drama."

From the crowd, Vritrasura watched the fight with keen interest. "Interesting... Even though I am seeing them for the first time, I can already sense the hatred between them. This is not just a match-it's a battle for something far deeper."

The gathered kingdoms murmured amongst themselves, exchanging looks of confusion and curiosity.

"This fight-there's something more to it than just a contest of strength,"

"Yes, there's a rivalry here. A fierce, burning one. I've never seen such intensity before."

Karna watched the fight unfold between his brothers, reflecting, "They are good-some of them even far too good. Others might not be as strong, but they still have their worth."

But as Karna observed the clash between Bhima and Suyodhana, a different thought crossed his mind. "What are they doing? This clash felt... personal. It was more than just victory. They're fighting like bulls in a field, charging at each other... neither willing to yield... But really, what's the point?"

Balarama, who had been silent until now, spoke. "Both are pushing each other, but neither is truly looking to defeat the other. It's more like they're testing each other's limits."

Karna turned his head, his sharp gaze meeting Balarama's. He was impressed and thought. "He sees it too... His observation is accurate. This is more than just a fight..."

Bhima and Suyodhana abandoned their maces and resorted to hand-to-hand combat.

It was midday sun suddenly glinted off something now. As Karna continued to watch the battle, his focus was broken by something. The sunlight fell on the locket Bhanumati was wearing and it shone brightly, its shine falling directly on his face. He closed his eyes instinctively and looked toward the source of the light. There, around Bhanumati's neck, he saw the locket.

His breath caught in his throat as he thought. "My locket! Why is she wearing it? Is she...?"

Without a word, Karna grabbed Bhanumati's arm, turning her toward him, he looked into her eyes.

(Note: Karna and Aaradhya had met before, their faces concealed, so they had only seen each other's eyes.)

One look was all it took. Karna immediately knew-it was not the girl who had asked him for the flower that never fades.

He held her hand firmly and demanded, "Where did you get this locket from?"

Startled, Bhanumati smirked. "So finally, you remember me?"

Confusion clouded Karna's mind. "Remember you? I never met you before today. Tell me who gave you this locket. Where is she? Who is she?"

Bhanumati's voice grew calm. "This is my locket... Rudra."

Karna's confusion deepened. His grip on her hand loosened slightly. "How do you know my name? I only told her..."

Bhanumati's voice was steady as she responded, "I am her. You helped me twice. You wanted to know my name and also see the locket. I said... if you bring me the flower that never fades, I'll show you the locket and tell you my name."

Karna's anger flared.

He knows he's not wrong. How could he forget her, those eyes...

Krishna, sensing Karna's rising fury, placed a hand on Karna's shoulder, trying to calm him. But Karna, still gripping Bhanumati's hand tightly, asked through clenched teeth,

"I KNOW YOU'RE NOT HER. STOP LYING TO ME. TELL ME WHERE DID YOU GET-"

But suddenly, Karna stopped mid-sentence.

In the arena, Bhima had just struck Suyodhana, knocking him to the ground. As Suyodhana struggled to get up, Bhima shouted,

"DURYODHANA!!! GIVE UP NOW BECAUSE I WILL NOT BACK DOWN NOW!"

The words echoed through the air, and the whole arena fell into stunned silence. Suyodhana, hearing Bhima call him Duryodhana in front of all of Hastinapur and the watching kings, lowered his head. His fists clenched, and with a fierce look, he rose and charged back at Bhima.

The moment Bhima said Duryodhana, Karna froze, and so did the entire crowd. A collective gasp filled the air. The people murmured among themselves. No one dared to call Suyodhana by this name, and Bhima's public declaration left everyone in shock.

Karna, still gripping Bhanumati's hand tightly, was now distracted. The intensity of Bhima's words, the name Duryodhana, filled him with fury. His anger intensified.

Hearing the murmurs, Bhanumati turned her head and asked, "What happened-aaahhh!"

Her shout rang out as Karna, still lost in his fury, unknowingly tightened his grip on her hand. The pressure caused her bangles to break, and glass shards from them embedded themselves in both her hand and Karna's.

Aaradhya gasped, immediately trying to free Karna's grip. But Karna was too consumed by his anger to notice her. He couldn't see anyone, couldn't hear anything, his focus solely on the name Duryodhana.

Krishna, sensing the situation escalating, placed a gentle hand on Karna's shoulder. "Radheya... calm down... You are hurting her..."

Karna's senses snapped back to reality. He looked down and realized what he had done-both he and Bhanumati were bleeding, the glass from her broken bangles cutting into them. His grip loosened, and in an instant, Karna released her hand, his eyes filled with regret.

Quickly, Karna took her hand in his, and with a gentle touch, healed the wounds. The bleeding stopped almost instantly, leaving both Bhanumati and Aaradhya staring in surprise.

Bhanumati, looking down at her now-healed hand, turned her gaze back to Karna. "How did you...?" Her words trailed off as she noticed the blood still visible on his hand.

Karna's hand was bleeding as well. Bhanumati, concerned, reached out and took his hand. "Oh no, Bhrata... you're hand is hurt..." she said, her voice soft with worry.

Aaradhya, noticing the blood on Karna's hand, immediately tore a piece of her dupatta. She wrapped it around his hand to stop the bleeding.

Karna looked at her and, in that instant, recognized her.

Once Aaradhya finished tying the cloth, Karna stood up and, without a word, walked away.

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Bhima landed a powerful blow to Suyodhana's face, drawing blood. The corner of Suyodhana's mouth started to bleed, and Bhima smirked. "This is for the other day when you hit me in front of the whole Hastinapur. Now we are even."

The crowd fell silent, tension thick in the air.

Before the fight could continue, Dronacharya stepped forward, his voice sharp. "Bhima, this is how you fight? Is this how you show your strength? This is a friendly contest to demonstrate your skills, not to settle personal scores!"

The crowd murmured as Dronacharya's words sank in. "You have broken the rule. You are disqualified from this contest."

Bhima looked at Dronacharya, his expression calm but firm. "I don't need this Kala Pradarshan to prove my strength, Gurudev," he said, his voice steady. Turning his gaze to Suyodhana, he added with a faint smirk, "I've made my point."

With that said, without a hint of regret or hesitation, Bhima walked away, leaving the arena as the murmurs from the crowd grew louder.

The next match was between Suyodhana and Arjun.

Arjun stepped into the arena, his bow in hand, a calm and composed expression on his face. Suyodhana, still angry with Bhima, grasped his mace tightly. The tension between the two was palpable as they prepared to fight.

Arjun fired a flurry of arrows, each aimed with precision, while Suyodhana swung his mace with tremendous force, deflecting the arrows with his sheer power.

The crowd watched in awe as the two princes clashed in a battle of might and skill. Suyodhana's mace whirled through the air, but Arjun's arrows were swift, slicing through the atmosphere with deadly accuracy.

Amidst the battle, Arjun, sensing an opportunity, invoked the Varuna Astra, capable of freezing his enemy in place with water and ice. He aimed it at Suyodhana's feet, and in an instant, Suyodhana froze from his neck down, his entire body form encased in a solid block of ice. His head remained free, but his movements were completely restrained.

The spectators gasped in astonishment at the sight, the battle momentarily halted as Suyodhana struggled to break free from the ice's grip. His teeth clenched in frustration, his efforts growing more frantic with every passing moment.

As Suyodhana stood trapped, his humiliation visible to all as the crowd murmured, some amused while others pitied his plight. His eyes burned with anger, darting toward Dronacharya and Arjun, silently demanding acknowledgement. Yet, neither spared him a glance.

Dronacharya, his face brimming with pride, walked up to Arjun, placing a hand on his shoulder. His voice, loud and clear, resonated throughout the arena. "Arjun, among all the warriors, none can match your skill, precision, and discipline."

Karna was now standing at the top of a tower, silently watching everything. He was impressed by Arjun's skills, but after the match end neither Arjun nor Dronacharya made any attempt to release Suyodhana from ice.

Karna's hands tightened around his bow. Anger began to shimmer within him, his brows furrowed as he watched the callous disregard of his Anuj.

Dronacharya lifted Arjun's hand high in the air, his proclamation echoing louder. "Today, I, Dronacharya, declare that Arjun is the greatest archer in Aryavrat! There is no one better in the entire world. If there is anyone who dares challenge my words, step forth now. Let the world witness Arjun's unmatched might!"

The crowd erupted in awe and applause. "Rajkumar Arjun! Rajkumar Arjun!" the chants began, reverberating through the vast arena.

In the royal gallery, Dhritarashtra nodded in approval, Gandhari silently expressed her agreement, and Vidur watched pensively. Bhishma's eyes gleamed with pride, while Kunti could hardly contain her joy, tears of pride welling in her eyes.

Pandu was disappointed at Dronachraya's claim.

Ashwa's jaw clenched in anger as his gaze fell on Suyodhana, still frozen in ice and completely forgotten. He muttered under his breath, "How can Pitashree act like this? I really wish someone just shatter the pride of my father!"

Just then, a sharp WHOOSH cut through the noise. An arrow shot out from an unknown direction and struck the ice encasing Suyodhana. The ice shattered in an instant, freeing him.

The crowd gasped, stunned by the sudden act. All eyes turned toward the now-free Suyodhana as he stumbled, regaining his balance. He immediately looked around to locate his liberator. Silently, he clenched his fists, vowing to remember this act of kindness and repay it one day.

Arjun and Dronacharya whirled around, their faces reflecting shock and disbelief. Dronacharya's expression quickly turned to fury. His voice thundered, cutting through the silence like a blade.

"Who dares to interfere in this arena? Who has the audacity to challenge my authority and release Suyodhana without my permission? Show yourself at once, for this insolence will not go unpunished!"

His anger radiated through the arena, his stern gaze scanning the surroundings. "Speak, coward, or face the consequences!!"

The arena fell into a tense silence, broken only by the sound of footsteps on the tower. All eyes turned upward as a figure emerged into view.

Karna stood tall, his face covered, but his fiery eyes pierced through the distance. He held his bow with effortless confidence, his stance commanding and unyielding. The sunrays fall on him, adding an almost divine aura to his appearance.

The crowd murmured in astonishment.

"Who is he?"

"Is he challenging Guru Dronacharya?"

"Such boldness!"

The whispers rippled through the arena, a mixture of awe and disbelief filling the air.

Karna's voice rang out, strong and unwavering. "Parvaton ke beech jab dhwani hoti hai, Acharya, tab pratidhwani awasya uthti hai. Parvat kisi ki aagya ka pratiksha nahi karta."

(When one makes a sound between mountains, Acharya, the sound is bound to echo. A mountain does not wait for anyone's permission.)

The crowd fell silent, every head swiveling between Dronacharya and the fearless archer on the tower. Whispers began to ripple through the arena, the tension was palpable.

And so, the stage was set for an explosive confrontation.

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To be continued...

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How was the chapter?

I'm really sorry I didn't finish the chapter completely 🙏 I thought I could but I got busy with other things and couldn't write and I'm really sorry I really thought I will complete the chapter but I could write only this and since I promised to update I ended this chapter till here 😔

Compared to the other chapters this chapter length is short but I hope you enjoyed this...

Once again I'm sorry for disappointing you...

The Kala Pradarshan will continue in the next part as well...

Don't forget to vote if you haven't for the chapters written so far!!!