---------------------------------------------------------

Outside Karna's Room, with the Kauravas, Pandavas, and Others...

As the heavy doors shut behind them, an uneasy silence settled over the hall. Though they had stepped outside, their thoughts remained with the one left behind.

For a long moment, no one spoke, no one moved.

Each person was lost in the storm of their own thoughts. Some stared at the closed doors, as if waiting for them to open again. Others exchanged glances, unspoken questions weighing heavily between them.

One by one, the Kauravas, too overwhelmed to process everything, had quietly stepped away into the room adjacent to Karna's. They were close enough to hear every word spoken in the corridor.

Suyodhana stood still, staring at the closed doors. Sushasana, Vikarna, Sushala, and ten Kauravas stood just beside him. Their minds were filled with endless questions, confusion, and disbelief. Their expressions reflected a turmoil that words could not yet shape.

A short distance away, the Pandavas and Yuyutsu watched in silence, their own thoughts a tangled mess of disbelief and uncertainty over everything that had happened in the room.

Ashwa, Shon, and Ekalavya, stood near the door, watching everything unfold.

The silence stretched, thick and suffocating.

Finally, Bhishma broke the silence. His gaze swept across the younger generation as he spoke. "You all must be in shock after what happened today."

A bitter, almost broken laugh escaped Sushasana. "Shock? That's an understatement, Pitamah!"

Vikarna's fists clenched. "We grew up believing that our eldest brother is Suyodhana. And now, out of nowhere, we find out -" He stopped himself, unable to continue.

Sushala looked at Suyo, then at her other brothers, and finally at her mother. Her voice wavered, the raw hurt in her voice was evident. "Mata... if we had an elder brother... why did none of you tell us?"

That single question was all it took.

Like a dam breaking, voices erupted in the corridor... anger, confusion, and betrayal... demanding answers.

"How could you hide something like this from your own children?"

"Did none of you think we had the right to know?"

"If that stranger is our elder brother, why did no one talk about him all these years?"

The accusations came faster, voices raising and overlapping.

"Did you fear we wouldn't accept him?"

"Did you not trust us to understand?"

"If he our Jyesth Bhrata, why was his very existence erased from our lives?"

"Why?! Why hide him from his own brothers?"

One after another, questions came like a relentless tide, not allowing the elders to answer.

Then...

"ENOUGH!" Dhritarashtra's voice thundered through the corridor, silencing them all. Though blind, his unseeing gaze bore down on them with the weight of a king's command. "We will answer all your questions. But first... you will listen."

Gandhari took a step forward, her voice softer yet no less firm. "Aditya... is not an outsider. He is your Jyesth. Our eldest son. A blessing from Suryadev himself. His birth brought light to our lives and joy to this kingdom."

Dhritarashtra continued, his expression heavy with memories. "But then... one day, Aditya was attacked by some people..."

Shakuni spoke next, "And soon after, we found out about a threat from... Vritrasura. An Asura who was looking for the child with divine Kavach and Kundals..."

A chill passed through the younger generation at the name. They exchanged uneasy glances. They had never heard of Vritrasura before, but instinctively, they understood... this was no ordinary threat.

Bhishma exhaled sharply. "At first, we made sure no one spoke of Aditya's Kavach. But then... it happened not long after Suyodhana was born. The Asuras attacked."

Gandhari remembered the day Jarasandha dragged her before all of Hastinapur. Her voice wavered slightly as she spoke. "Nothing happened to Aditya... but we realized that Vritrasura knew. He knew that the child he was searching for was in Hastinapur. And worse... he might soon discover that Aditiya is the one with divine Kavach Kundals."

Shakuni added, "In that moment, we had no choice. Aditya was still young, so we made a decision. To protect Aditya... his identity had to be hidden..."

Gandhari's voice was grim. "Then Suryadev came to take Aditya away for his training... It was decided that no one would speak of him. Those who knew were bound to silence. And those who did not... would never know he existed... until his return."

The words felt like a crushing weight upon the younger generation.

The Pandavas stood in quiet shock. Unlike the Kauravas... For them, Karna was not an unknown elder brother but a stranger... one they had no connection to. They were overwhelmed by the sudden revelation, but they did not feel the sting of betrayal.

Bhima exhaled sharply, muttering under his breath, "Just great..."

Arjun remained silent.

Nakul and Sahadev exchanged glances, unsure of how to react.

Yudhishthir, who had always believed he was the eldest, for a moment felt... relief.

Relief that the burden of being the eldest, that the responsibility of caring for 107 grown-up children... was no longer his alone.

But almost instantly, guilt followed. "Was it wrong to feel this way?"

His thoughts turned to Karna. "What kind of person is he? Would he bear this responsibility? Would he even want to?"

The Kauravas exchanged stunned glances, as if waiting for someone to deny it, to say this was all some cruel joke. But no one did. The truth settled, heavy and inescapable.

Unlike the Pandavas, the Kauravas one by one outright rejected Karna as their Jyesth.

It was not an act of hatred, nor even of resentment... It was the sheer impossibility of accepting someone who had never been part of their lives.

Voices erupted once more...

"So what if there was a threat? We still had a right to know!"

"He may be your son, but he is a stranger to us!"

"How do we accept someone who was never there for us?"

"How are we supposed to feel about this, Mata?"

Then...

Sushala's voice was barely above a whisper. "I don't know how to feel about this... but... If he's our eldest brother, shouldn't we at least -"

"NO!" Sushasana interrupted, his control shattering. His restraint was completely gone.

"Enough of this nonsense!!" he snapped, his anger burning with raw frustration as he turned on her. "We have only one Jyesth Bhrata, and that is Suyodhana!"

He jabbed a finger toward the door, his voice sharp as a blade. "Aditya... or whoever he is... he means nothing to us! You cannot expect us to accept him just because you say so!"

To the side, away from the storm, Ashwatthama, Shon, and Ekalavya exchanged glances.

Ashwa frowned... not at Sushasana's words but looking at Suyodhana.

Something was wrong. He had expected Suyo to lash out, to get angry, to even call him a traitor... but not once had Suyo even looked at him.

And now, Suyo was silent. Way too silent.

Ashwa leaned toward Shon. "Did something happen before you came? Why is Suyo silent?"

Shon hesitated but told him everything.

Ashwa's eyes widened. "WHAT!" He scolded Shon, his voice low so no one else would hear. "Idiot! Why did you confront Suyo alone? We were supposed to do it together... Or more precisely, I was supposed to tell him. I'm elder to you!"

Shon just shrugged. "Bhrata Ashwa, you were with Bhrata Vasu. So... I thought I could handle Suyo..."

Before Ashwa could say more...

A voice cut through the chaos.

"Does he know?"

Heads turned.

Suyodhana, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke. His voice held no anger, no accusations. It was eerily calm, but the pain in his eyes was undeniable.

Believing they understood Suyo's question, Dhritharastra spoke first. "No, Putra..." Gandhari's voice was barely above a whisper as she added, "Aditya does not know of the threat against him..."

But Suyodhana's next words shattered their assumption.

"Not that... Mata."

His jaw clenched. His hands curled into fists.

"Does he know that you all kept his identity hidden all this time?"

A pause.

"Does he know... that we... his own brothers and sister... never knew about him?"

A heavy silence fell.

Dhritarashtra and Gandhari searched for the right words. But in the end, there was only one truth.

Gandhari lowered her head, her lips parting, then closing again. A deep regret settled in her chest. Dhritharastra placed a hand on her shoulder, as if to reassure her.

Seeing his sister struggle, Shakuni spoke. "No, Putra. Aditya does not know." He let the words settle before continuing, his gaze steady on Suyodhana, his voice quieter now. "When he left, he believed he was simply going away to train... he did not know that his name would never be spoken in these halls. He did not know that his brothers and sister would grow up unaware of his existence."

The Kauravas faltered hearing their mamashree's words. With just two questions, Suyo had shifted the entire truth, turning their anger into doubt, forcing his brothers to see it from Karna's perspective.

Suyodhana said nothing more. His mind swirled with thoughts.

His entire life, he had been the eldest. The one his siblings looked up to. The one who should have known everything about their family.

And yet, today, he found out that... there was another.

An elder brother who had lived his life in the shadows, erased from their lives before they even knew of him.

He exhaled sharply, pressing a hand to his forehead. He wanted to be angry. He wanted to reject Karna just like his brother Sushasana. But somewhere, deep inside, he just wanted to accept him.

But then... a piercing thought took hold of him. "Would Karna even accept me as his younger brother?"

Pandu, who had remained silent until now, finally looked at the younger ones and spoke, "Putra... I know, you all feel betrayed. But Aditya was a victim of this secrecy too. Just as you are hurt by not knowing him, he will be hurt knowing that you never knew him. I ask only this... when the time comes, try to understand."

The words sent a ripple of realization through them.

For the first time, the Kauravas hesitated. They were so firm in their anger moments ago, but now found themselves unsure.

And yet, none of them could predict how Aditya would take it when he comes to know the truth.

A heavy silence fell again.

And in that moment...

The doors of Karna's room opened.

YAMA stood before them.

"You may come inside..."

The elders and Ashwa immediately rushed inside.

The Pandavas and Yuyutsu followed behind them, their minds still processing everything. The truth was overwhelming, but they had already begun to accept it.

The Kauravas, however, hesitated, as if crossing the threshold would make everything real. Their feet felt rooted to the ground, as though stepping forward would force them to confront everything that they had just learned.

Suyo entered without hesitation, and the Kauravas followed their Jyesth, unable to ignore the reality any longer. But once inside, they remained at a distance, unsure how to approach the unconcious brother who had suddenly become the center of their storm.

Yama assured everyone, "Karna will wake on his own. I request you all to rest while my brothers and I remain here until he wakes up, if that is acceptable to you all..."

Dhritharastra hesitated before nodding. "Of course, Yama Dev. We are grateful for your presence."

Ashwa, standing beside Karna, murmured, "I will stay as well..."

Yama smiled and nodded.

Suyo turned to leave. He needed space, time to think, to understand how he should react when Karna finally woke. But before he could leave, Yama's voice stopped him.

"The children may stay..."

The Kauravas and Pandavas looked at him in disbelief for calling them children.

Ashwini Kumaras chuckled at their elder brother's choice of words. Nasatya started, "What Jyesth means is that..." Dasra finished, his voice full of amusement, "Karna's brothers may stay."

The Kauravas had no desire to stay, but after everything that had happened, they didn't argue. They only glanced at Suyo, silently asking him. Understanding their silent question, Suyo gave a small nod. So they stayed.

Shakuni stepped forward, "I shall stay as well."

Yama didn't even turn his head. "No, you will not."

Shakuni frowned, not expecting such an outright rejection. "And why not, Yama Dev?"

Yama finally looked at him. His gaze unreadable, his voice calm. "I do not believe you are the children."

The response from Yama was so blunt, so absolute that it left no room for question, no space for argument.

Shakuni could only stare. His lips parted, as if to argue. "I -"

But he stopped.

Because the way Yama was still looking at him.

Not just looking... watching.

His gaze was that of the ruler of the afterlife... the one who decided where souls belonged.

And in that moment, it wasn't a glare, nor was it anger, but rather it was...

The Stare.

The kind of stare that said, "Argue, and I will take you straight to Naraka."

The Ashwini twins immediately turned sideways, shoulders shaking as they barely hid their laughter.

Nasatya coughed lightly. "What our Jyesth means to say..." Dasra smirked, finishing for him, "...is that only Karna's brothers are allowed to stay."

Shakuni looked at Yama for a moment... he knew when to back off. He quickly masked his irritation letting out a soft chuckle, his lips curled into a smile. Adjusting his angavastra, he stepped back and said. "Well... I had a long day. I suppose I do need some rest after all."

The Pandavas, meanwhile, had another concern.

Yudhishthir turned to Pandu. "Pitashree, we heard that Mata Kunti has fainted..."

Pandu's eyes widened. In his worry for Karna, he had not even noticed that neither Kunti nor Madri was present. Guilt flashed across his face before he quickly composed himself. "I will go check on her... you all should stay here."

Before leaving, he turned to Yudhishthir, Nakul and Sahadev. He gestured to Yama and Ashwini twins, "They are your celestial fathers. Spend some time with them." A mix of curiosity and uncertainty flickered in their eyes. But without further protest, they stayed.

Meanwhile, Shon turned to Ashwa. "Bhrata Ashwa... I will go and tell Radha Maa that Bhrata Vasu is fine."

Ashwa nodded, and with that, Shon departed.

---------------------------------------------------------

Once the elders left, silence settled over the room.

As instructed by Pandu, Yudhishthir, Nakul, and Sahadev hesitated before stepping toward Yama and the Ashwini twins. Though they had always known of their celestial lineage, they had never truly interacted with their divine fathers before. And now, standing before them, they found themselves unsure where to begin.

Yama, always calm and composed, observed them with an unreadable gaze. He looked at Yudhishthir, taking in every detail, as if memorizing the face of a son he had not seen in a long time.

The Ashwini twins, Nasatya and Dasra, were a stark contrast - bright smiles, lively eyes full of mischief.

Nasatya finally broke the silence. "Well? Are you just going to stand there and stare at us all night?"

Sahadev, despite his usually quiet nature, spoke first. "We never expected to meet you in a moment like this..."

Yama finally spoke, his voice steady and deep. "Yet, here we are."

Yudhishthir hesitated for a moment, then folded his hands in namaskara and bowed. "Pitashree..." The title felt strange on his tongue, not because he had never used it before... but because he had never imagined using it for the god standing before him. "I... was not sure I would ever meet you. It is an honor..."

Yama gave a small nod. Simple.

But the Ashwini twins exchanged amused looks.

"Honor, huh?" Dasra repeated, stroking his chin. "Very formal..."

Nasatya tilted his head. "Should we act formal too? Maybe throw our arms out and yell, 'Our beloved sons!' in the most dramatic way possible?"

Dasra nodded seriously. "Maybe some tears too."

Yama sighed. "Only you two would consider that formal."

"Of course, Jyesth." Dasra turned to Nasatya. "What else would it be?"

Nasatya just shrugged.

Nakul raised an eyebrow, his skepticism clear. "You are really our fathers?"

Dasra smirked. "Do we not look the part?"

Nasatya turned to Yama. "What do you think, Jyesth?

Yama let out a rare chuckle.

Dasra sighed dramatically. "But Nasatya... they seem far too serious to be ours."

Nakul and Sahadev looked at each other before nudging Yudhishthir.

"Jyesth... Serious? Us?" Sahadev whispered.

Nakul leaned in slightly, whispering to Sahadev, "Are we sure they're really our fathers?"

Sahadev eyed the twins, watching as Dasra mimed wiping a fake tear. "I doubt it..." he whispered, keeping his voice low. "Look at them... they act like children."

The Ashwini twins heard them.

They gasped in mock offense.

Dasra placed a hand over his heart. "Children?! Us?"

Nasatya shook his head in mock disappointment. "The disrespect!"

Dasra nodded solemnly. "We are the most handsome, mature, wise, highly responsible, excellent healers-"

Nasatya continued, "-We have healed gods, brought warriors back from death's door..."

Dasra added, "...and we also make the best honey-wine in Swarga."

Nasatya grinned. "That too... And we are -"

"- annoying and excessively talkative..." Yama interrupted, shaking his head.

The Ashwini twins immediately turned to Yama, their expressions exaggeratedly wounded.

Dasra blinked. "Jyesth! How could you? That was rude."

Nasatya nodded. "So rude."

Yama chuckled. "Because it's true..." Then he looked at Nakul and Sahadev. "And yes, they are your fathers... unfortunately."

The twins pretended to be deeply hurt, making dramatic expressions, which only made Nakul and Sahadev laugh.

Yudhishthir, who had been listening silently, finally spoke. "I suppose it makes sense. Nakul and Sahadev have always been livelier than the rest of us..."

The playful exchange eased the tension. For the first time, the three brothers felt their celestial connection - not as something distant and divine, but as something real.

After a while, the conversation slowed, and the three returned to Bhima and Arjun, quietly sitting with them.

The Ashwini twins grins faded slightly as they glanced around the room. It was only then they seemed to notice the silence... the way no one else spoke.

For the first time, all the Pandavas and Kauravas were in one place.

Not a single word was spoken.

No arguments. No taunts. No rivalry.

Just silence.

Dasra leaned toward his twin, his gaze sweeping across the room. "Look at them - 107 in total. And Karna... is their eldest brother."

Nasatya glanced at Yama before adding, "Yet, to us... he is our youngest."

A strange irony.

As they spoke, their eyes landed on an old wooden table at the far end of the room. A cloth covered something beneath it.

Nasatya nudged his twin. "See that? What do you think is under there?"

Dasra's lips curved into a grin. "Only one way to find out."

Without hesitation, they went and pulled the cloth away.

Beneath it lay a small bow - beautifully crafted, delicate yet sturdy, clearly made for the hands of a child no older than six.

Dasra ran his fingers over the polished wood. "Incredible craftsmanship... Whoever made this put great care and love into it."

His words echoed through the chamber.

Arjun turned toward the table, his interest piqued. Bows always caught his attention, his fingers already itching to test its weight, to feel the balance, the curve of the wood, the craftsmanship.

At the same time, Ekalavya also stepped forward, just as intrigued.

Both reached out at the same time, their hands hovering over the bow... only to stop halfway, noticing each other.

Their eyes met.

Neither spoke.

Then Arjun's gaze dropped to Ekalavya's right hand. The missing thumb.

He had seen it before, knew the reason behind it. But now, looking at it up close... something unfamiliar settled over him. Guilt? Regret? Something else?

His fingers hesitated, then curled into his palms. He withdrew his hand and stepped back. Without a word, he turned and went back to sit with his brothers.

Ekalavya didn't react. He simply stood there, looking at the bow.

Yudhishthir noticed Arjun's shift in demeanor. "Arjun? What's wrong?"

Arjun hesitated. His throat felt dry. His eyes flickered to Ekalavya, who was still looking at the bow. He didn't want to admit the truth... didn't want to say that seeing Ekalavya's missing thumb made him feel guilty.

So instead, he looked at the bow, frowned slightly and muttered, "That bow... It looks exactly like the one Pitashree made for me when I wanted to learn archery..."

Ashwa chuckled, recalling the day Karna made him stand with an apple on his head. "That's because Maharaj Pandu made that bow for Mitra Karna."

Arjun's head snapped toward him. "What? Pitashree? But... when Pitashree made a bow for me, he said he only made bows for his sons..."

His words trailed off.

For a moment, Arjun was lost in thought, trying to make sense of what he had just said. His gaze drifted to the Kauravas as he reasoned with himself. "Pitashree always treated all of them as his own. Just like Tatshree Dhritharastra never made a distinction between us and Yuyutsu... right?" His eyes shifted to Karna. "Maybe Pitashree saw you as his son too...?"

But still...

"Only for his sons."

The words repeated in his mind.

Something about them bothered him.

Why?

A memory surfaced.

---------------------------------------------------------

Arjun, barely five, ran to Pandu, clutching the pieces of a broken bow. His lips were set in a pout.

Pandu, seated beneath the shade of a large tree, was sharpening an arrow. He looked up as Arjun marched toward him.

"What happened, Putra?" Pandu asked, raising an eyebrow.

Arjun plopped down beside him with a dramatic sigh and held up the broken bow, announcing. "It broke."

"Bhrata Bhima took it from me, and said, 'Bring me laddoos that Mata prepared if you want the bow back.' When I went back with the laddoos, I saw Nakul and Sahadev playing with it, and then Bhrata Bhima pulled too hard, and it snapped!"

Pandu smiled as he set his arrow aside. "Ahh, so Bhima broke it?"

Arjun hesitated, "Well... he started it, but Nakul and Sahadev also pulled at it! And Bhrata Bhima... he pulled too hard. So... it's all of them!" He huffed and crossed his arms, clearly expecting justice.

Pandu chuckled. "I see. And what do you want me to do about it?"

Before Arjun can reply, Yudhishthir seated nearby, watched with a smile. "So now justice must be served?" he teased Arjun and turned to Pandu. "Pitashree? Shall I call a sabha and pass a royal judgement on this matter?"

Arjun pouted, turning to him. "Jyesth!!!"

Pandu's lips curved slightly as he observed his son. Yudhishthir had always been thoughtful, always keen to learn about dharma. Even in their life in the forest, Pandu often spoke to him about governance, justice, and responsibility-lessons that the boy absorbed eagerly.

Pandu tapped his chin in amusement, playing along. "Ahh, a sabha? Very well, Maharaj, what judgment do you propose?"

Yudhishthir pretended to think, tapping his chin. "Hmm... Since Arjun lost his bow, it's only fair that Bhima carries him on his shoulders for a whole day as punishment."

Arjun's eyes sparkled. "YES!!"

Bhima, who just came there with Nakul and Sahadev, holding each with each hand, snorted. "Forget it, Jyesth. I'm not carrying this little monkey around all day."

Yudhishthir chuckled and turned to Arjun. "Well, you heard him. No justice today."

Arjun groaned in disappointment, but the moment Pandu reached for a fresh piece of wood, his eyes lit up with curiosity. "Pitashree? You will make another one for me?"

Pandu shook his head with a fond smile. "Of course, I will make you another one."

Arjun's eyes lit up. "Really? Pitashree?"

Pandu just smiled, without pausing his work.

Arjun scooted closer, watching in awe as his father carefully shaped the bow. Each stroke of the knife, each smooth curve... he worked with patience, with care, with love.

Arjun's wide eyes were fixed on Pandu's hands. He asked eagerly. "Will it really become a bow, Pitashree?"

Pandu smiled, nodding. "Yes, Putra. But patience is key."

Yudhishthir, who was watching from the side, chuckled. "Patience? That's asking too much from Arjun, Pitashree."

Arjun pouted. "Jyesth, I do have patience!"

Yudhishthir raised an eyebrow. "Really? Who was it that threw a tantrum this morning because the fish in the stream swam away before he could catch them?"

Arjun turned red. "That was different! I only wanted to see if I could catch them with my hands, like how Bhima does!"

Bhima smirked. "I catch fish bigger than you, little monkey..."

Arjun huffed. "I can too!"

Pandu laughed. "It seems your elder brothers know you well, Arjun." He then glanced at his son and added, "But... a warrior's hands must be as swift as his arrows. Perhaps one day, Arjun, you will catch something far greater than a fish."

Bhima, sitting with a piece of fruit in his hand, smirked. "If you finish that bow, Pitashree, Arjun will cling to it day and night. I bet he'll even sleep with it!"

Arjun shot him a glare. "And what if I do?"

Yudhishthir leaned forward slightly, his tone turning thoughtful. "Pitashree... you always say that a warrior must be skilled in all weapons, but you never carve bows for any of us. Why only Arjun?"

Pandu's hands stilled for a moment before he resumed his work, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Because a father understands the strengths of his sons... and knows which of them needs one the most."

Arjun's face lit up when Pandu finally handed him the bow. "It's beautiful, Pitashree!!" He ran his fingers over the polished wood, then looked up with wide, curious eyes. "Pitashree... do you make bows for everyone?"

Pandu ruffled his hair gently. "I only made bows for my sons, Putra."

Arjun nodded happily, hugging the bow close, completely satisfied with the answer.

As Arjun hugged the bow close, Pandu smiled. "A bow is not just a weapon, Putra. It is an extension of the warrior who wields it. If you wish to master it, you must first respect it."

Arjun looked up, eyes shining with determination. "I will, Pitashree. I will never break it!"

Pandu chuckled. "Good. Then let this be the first of many you shall wield."

--------------------------------------------------------+

Arjun did not think much of it at that time. Of course, his father only made bows for his sons. That made sense, didn't it?

Back then, the words had felt simple. Obvious.

But... now... years later... that memory replayed in his mind, and this time, it felt different.

Arjun blinked, remembering his father's words.

"I only made bows for my sons..."

His heart skipped a beat as he looked at the bow again.

Slowly, his eyes moved toward Karna.

His mind tried to reason with him.

"IS HE..."

He didn't even complete that thought. It was ridiculous. Impossible.

He shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside.

"I'm just overthinking..." Arjun muttered under his breath. He wanted to believe that. He needed to believe that.

But for some reason... his heart refused to listen. The memory lingered at the edges of his thoughts, refusing to fade.

As he sat with his brothers, another thought took hold.

His fingers curled and uncurled over his knees. He kept glancing at Karna... half-expecting him to wake up any moment, lash out in anger, show disappointment, mock him... something, anything.

But Karna remained still.

And guilt clawed at Arjun's heart.

"I used Brahmastra against him... I had nearly -"

The realization crashed over him, heavy and suffocating.

His shoulders sagged.

Regret burned in his chest - not because of the curse, not because of fate, but because of his own actions.

And yet, beneath the regret, there was something else.

A strange relief.

A quiet acceptance.

"He is better than me."

Arjun didn't know why... didn't understand why he felt this way... but that thought brought him an odd sense of peace.

Nakul, noticing his silence, nudged Sahadev. "Bhrata Arjun is too quiet..."

Sahadev followed Arjun's gaze, looking at Karna occasionally. He just nodded. "Maybe... he's feeling guilty?"

Arjun heard them. Was he guilty? Of course, he was. But his mind was too tangled to untangle the reasons.

Bhima clapped Arjun on the back-hard. The kind of clap that nearly knocked the breath out of him. Of course, Bhima knew exactly what he was doing. He wasn't oblivious to his own strength... at least, not when it came to his brothers. But if a good jolt could snap Arjun out of whatever deep thoughts he was drowning in, then so be it. "Arjun! Why the long face? We're not used to seeing you this quiet!"

Arjun barely reacted. A hit like that from Bhima should've at least earned a glare, a grumble-something. But he just sat there, lost in his own thoughts, as if he hadn't even noticed.

Yudhishthir, watching him closely, asked, "Arjun, are you sad about Bhagwan Parashurama's curse?"

Arjun blinked, as if pulled from deep waters. He shook his head. "No..."

Bhima frowned. "Then what are you thinking?"

Absentmindedely, Arjun's gaze again drifted back to Karna. His lips parted, and before he even realized it, the words slipped out.

"I fired Brahmastra on my Jyesth..."

His mind screamed at him-NO! That wasn't right! But his heart... his heart had already spoken.

The moment the words left his mouth, two voices exploded at once.

"HE IS NOT YOUR JYESTH, ARJUN!"

"HE IS NOT OUR JYESTH, ARJUN!"

Suyodhana and Bhima's voices overlapped, both snapping toward him. They exchanged an odd look... perhaps the first and last time they'd ever agree on something.

"For once, I agree with you, Bhima." Suyo said. His eyes flickered toward Karna before he continued, "He is not your Jyesth..." Then, the words formed on their own and slipped out before he could stop it. "He is my -"

The words caught in his throat. His own voice startled him.

Jyesth.

The word felt foreign. Strange.

He shut his mouth and looked away.

Ashwa raised an eyebrow. "So... he is your Jyesth then?"

Suyo glared at him. "YOU! DON'T TALK TO ME! I'M STILL ANGRY WITH YOU! HOW COULD YOU HIDE THE TRUTH ABOUT MY OWN BROTHER FROM ME?"

Ashwa didn't react to his anger. Instead, he said calmly, "I will answer all your questions, Mitra... but not when you are angry."

Suyo scoffed. "Then you'll never answer them."

Ashwa shrugged. "You can be as angry as you want. But that doesn't change my question."

Suyo turned away, sitting down at the edge of the bed, refusing to answer. He questioned himself.

Had Karna ever stood beside him as an elder brother? Had he ever guided him, protected him?

No...

For him, being an elder brother meant guiding, protecting, standing by his siblings. Karna had done none of that for him. How could he call him Jyesth?

Where was he when Bhima called him Duryodhana in front of everyone? Where was he all these years when Bhima called him a bad omen?

Suyo remembered how, in the arena, Karna had punched Bhima, how his eyes had burned with fury.

For a fleeting moment, a thought crept in. "Was it for me?"

But he dismissed it just a quickly. No, that's wasn't why. Bhima had insulted Bhagwan Parashurama... that's why he had reacted.

Not for him. Never for him.

The silence returned.

Yama and the Ashwini twins watched the scene unfold like a grand drama.

Yama let out a sigh. "Mortals and their endless dilemmas..."

Nasatya glanced at Dasra with amusement. "They are quite fun to watch, aren't they?"

Dasra smirked. "Definitely... but still less dramatic than us."

Meanwhile, YUYUTSU, who had been staring at Karna for a while, frowned. His curiosity got the better of him. He asked no one in particular. "Why did he cover his face?"

The question made everyone turn toward Karna, their gazes drawn to the cloth concealing his face.

Yuyutsu continued, "If Jyesth Bhrata Aditya left after Bhrata Suyo was born. It's been years. No one would recognize him just like that..." he paused, thinking. "...and even today, everyone only realized who he was after the kavach appeared... "

Nakul, always the first to voice his thoughts, smirked and crossed his arms. "Bharata Yuyutsu... the answer is obvious, isn't it? He must be ugly."

Every head turned toward him now.

Unbothered, Nakul flipped his hair dramatically-twice-and struck a proud pose, chin lifted high. "Think about it! Why else would someone hide their face? Maybe he's ashamed of how he looks now. After all... " Then as if the whole discussion was beneath him, he gestured grandly to himself, his eyes gleaming with self-admiration. "...not everyone is blessed with THIS level of handsomeness."

Sahadev, sitting beside him, rolled his eyes.

Sushasana, sitting with his brothers, snorted. "For once, I agree with Nakul." He leaned back, arms crossed. "There's no way that man is my Jyesth. And if he's covering his face, he's probably just too embarrassed to show it. He must look terrible -" he never got to finish the sentence.

Because...

Yama grabbed Sushasana's ear and twisted it mercilessly.

At the same time, Nasatya had done the same to Nakul.

"AHH! LET GO! LET GO! THAT HURTS!" Sushasana struggled under Yama's grip, his face contorting in pain.

"Not as much as your foolish words about MY ANUJ hurt my ears," Yama said coldly.

"OW! OW! OW! OW! Pitashree! What -?!" Nakul yelped, trying to pry Nasatya's fingers off.

"You're supposed to be wise, not vain!" Nasatya scolded, twisting harder. "How dare you call MY ANUJ... ugly?"

Dasra, watching the scene unfold, suddenly grinned. Feeling left out, he casually reached over and twisted Sahadev's ear.

Sahadev yelped. "AH! PITASHREE!? I DIDN'T EVEN SAY ANYTHING!!!"

Dasra smirked. "You're his twin. You probably thought something dumb."

"I DID NOT!"

Dasra hummed, still holding his ear. "Hmm... should I believe you? You are his twin, after all."

Nasatya finally let go of Nakul, shaking his head in disappointment. "You're all fools if you think Karna hides his face because of his looks."

Nakul rubbed his sore ear. "What?"

Yama released Sushasana's ear. He exhaled slowly, his gaze sweeping over the gathered princes. Then, in a voice steady as time itself, he spoke.

"You speak of beauty so lightly, but do you even understand what true beauty is? My father, Suryadev, is not just radiant... his very essence is the force that sustains life itself. To even look at him directly is beyond mortal ability. And Mahadev... his presence alone can still the raging storm or set the universe ablaze with a single glance.

Now imagine a being who carries both... the fire of the sun and the stillness of the destroyer. Someone whose eyes alone hold the power to burn, yet whose gaze can bring peace...

That is Karna."

Sushasana muttered under his breath, still rubbing his ear. "Impossible..."

Dasra, finally released Sahadev. Now free, he muttered under his breath, still confused about why he had suffered alongside them.

Dasra chuckled. "Karna is the most handsome among his celestial siblings. In fact -" he turned to Nakul with a teasing smirk, "- he's more handsome than all of you."

Huffing, Nakul crossed his arms. "I won't believe unless I see him with my own eyes... I'm still the most handsome!"

Nasatya only laughed. "Whatever helps you sleep at night..."

A sudden sound broke through the conversation.

Laughter.

Everyone turned toward the source.

It was Ashwa.

He was laughing so hard that he had to clutch his stomach, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Oh, this-this is just -" he took a breath, still laughing. "You think he covered his face because he's ugly?"

Nakul frowned. "What's so funny?"

Yuyutsu, still staring at Karna, narrowed his eyes. "Then why did he cover his face?" His question, more thoughtful than before, made everyone turn toward Karna again.

"I don't know the exact reason, but..." Ashwa smirked and continued, "If Mitra Karna hadn't covered his face, his identity would have been exposed the moment he stepped into Hastinapur. The Praja would have recognised him instantly... not just because of his kundals but because his face itself is so radiant."

Ekalavya, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. There was no hesitation, no doubt, no exaggeration... only truth. "Bhrata Karna is really handsome." And somehow, that single statement made everyone's attention turn to him.

Ekalavya's gaze became distant, as if recalling a memory. The day Karna saved him from fire. The day Karna had proposed an alliance to his father. He continued, "There is no one like Bhrata Karna. His presence alone is enough to command attention."

His words lingered in the air.

Nakul asked, "Wait, you've seen him?"

Sahadev exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose as if questioning the intelligence of the his twin. "Of course, he would, Nakul. He's also Bhagwan Parashurama's student."

Nakul looked at his twin but said nothing, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, smiling sheepishly.

Arjun finally asked, "How did you become a student of Bhagwan Parashurama?"

Ekalavya met his eyes. "Bhrata Karna took me to Gurudev. He told me to ask Gurudev to teach me... and when Gurudev told me to shoot the bird with my left hand, he was there with me the whole time... until I succeeded."

Then, Yuyutsu frowned. "Wait... but how did he even know where you were?"

Ekalavya didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned toward Ashwa.

Suyo caught the glance, and realization dawned. "Ashwa..."

Ashwa sighed, already knowing what was coming.

Ekalavya nodded. "Bhrata Ashwa sent him a message arrow."

One of the Kauravas muttered, "So... he knew we were learning under Guru Dronacharya?"

Another spoke up, bitterly, "He came to us... but never bothered to talk to us?"

Suyo turned to Ashwa, his voice filled with hurt. "So you met him... that day. And yet, when I asked you where Ekalavya was, you only said - 'somewhere he won't be rejected'? But you never mentioned - " His jaw tightened. He pointed at Karna's still form. "You didn't bother telling me that he came there?"

Ashwa opened his mouth to defend himself and Karna, but Ekalavya spoke first.

"If it helps..." he said calmly, "that day, Bhrata Ashwa tried to stop Bhrata Karna and told him to meet you all."

Suyo stared at Karna, his mind racing. "He came to us... and left without seeing us?" The realization stung. No, it burned. His fingers clenched. "Didn't he want to see us? Didn't we matter enough? Or... was he afraid?"

Suyo wanted to be angry. He wanted to be furious. But more than that...

More than that...

He just wanted to understand.

Suyo's eyes flickered. "And?"

Ekalavya continued, "And Bhrata Karna said... 'I will not meet my brothers now because I will be meeting them for the first time. If I meet them now, I won't be able to leave.'"

The weight of that truth crashed over them.

Silence.

Long, heavy silence.

And then-

The quiet flutter of wings.

CHIRAYU, unnoticed until now, suddenly flew into the room, landing on Suyo's shoulder. His fingers absentmindedly stroked the bird's feathers... until something clicked.

Slowly, Suyo's eyes found Ashwa again. The dots connected, one after the other...

"So... he is the friend you talked about?"

Ashwa said nothing.

Suyo continued, his face unreadable.

"He is the one you sent an arrow-message to... when we became friends?"

Ashwa just nodded.

"He is the one who sent a letter through Chirayu?"

A letter he had read. A letter that had made him defend Shon.

Ashwa gave another nod. "Yes..."

One by one, the pieces fell into place.

Sahadev's brows furrowed, his mind reaching back into memory. "I just remembered something..." He turned to Yudhishthir. "Jyesth, do you remember the day Pitashree decided to do penance?"

Yudhishthir nodded slowly. "Yes."

Sahadev continued. "That day... we saw an arrow turn into a letter when Pitashree touched it. And after reading it..."

Arjun spoke next. "Pitashree whispered a name... Aditya."

The Pandavas remembered.

Yudhishthira's voice was slow, careful. "And after reading that letter... Pitashree decided to send us to Hastinapur."

And then...

SUSHASANA'S voice cut through the air like a blade. "One more reason to hate him!"

All eyes turned to him.

Sushasana pointed at Karna. "He sent the letter to Chote Pitashree."

Then, he pointed at the Pandavas. "Then Chote Pitashree sent you all to Hastinapur. And you call our Jyesth Suyodhana a bad omen."

Finally, he pointed back to Karna again. "So he is the reason for everything that happened! That's why I hate hi -"

SMACK!

Suyo's hand connected with the back of Sushasana's head.

"Did he know they would call me a bad omen?" Suyo snapped.

Sushasana, rubbing his head, grumbled, "How would I know, Jyesth? I don't know..."

"Then don't hate someone without knowing the full truth, Sushasana."

And then...

BHIMA let out a chuckle. "Well, whatever it is... no matter what you say... Duryodhana. The truth remains the same. You are a bad omen..."

Yudhishthir immediately scolded his younger brother. "Bhima!! That is enough!"

Silence.

Then, the Kauravas stood up at once, furious. Some had already begun moving toward Bhima.

Bhima, unfazed, stood up, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Stop this at once!" Yudhishthir ordered, stepping forward, trying to calm the situation. "This is not the time or place for such words!"

BUT...

No one listened.

He had said these words before.

He had tried before.

As the eldest, it was his duty to stop such fights.

But he couldn't.

The air shifted from tension to pure hostility.

The fight was seconds away from breaking out...

"ENOUGH!!!"

THE SINGLE WORD reverberated through the chamber.

A voice laced with divine authority.

A voice that froze them all.

The Ashwini twins exchanged glances.

"Well... we can't do anything now." "Nope. Not even going to try." "Jyesth is angry." "Very angry." "Should we leave?" "No, this is getting interesting."

YAMA rose to his feet. His presence alone demanded silence.

And no one dared to speak.

Yama's eyes landed on Yudhishthir first.

"YUDHISHTHIR!"

The eldest Pandava stiffened. "Yes... Pitashree?"

Yama's voice was calm. Too calm.

"As the eldest, it is your duty to guide your brothers. To be their voice of reason. The stop them when they step out of line. But here you stand, before my very eyes, you have failed. Not just today. Not just this once. Again. And again. And again."

Yudhishthir lowered his head.

"You spoke, but your words held no weight. You tried, yet your younger brothers ignored you. And you let them." Yama's gaze bore into Yudhishthir. His voice grew louder and firm. "What kind of elder brother allows his own kin fight over petty quarrels yet lacks the authority to stop them?"

Yudhishthir flinched.

Silence.

Neither the Kauravas nor the Pandavas dared to speak.

Except the Ashwini twins, who whispered among themselves.

"We should have brought fruit. This is a long scolding." "Jyesth's lectures are always dramatic." "Do you think he rehearsed this beforehand?" "Well... He must have got enough practice after dealing with us."

Yama's expression remained unreadable. "Do you understand your mistake? Do you understand what you have failed to do time and time again?"

Yudhishthir hesitated, then answered honestly. "I... I did not stop Bhima when I should have."

Yama's voice was like thunder before a storm. "Tell me, Yudhishthir. Do words have power?"

Yudhishthir swallowed. "Yes..."

Yama nodded. "THEN, WHY DID YOURS FAIL?"

Yudhishthir had no answer.

The Ashwini twins exchanged looks.

"Oh, he's struggling." "Jyesth is making him think." "He's definitely going to remember this." "For sure."

Yama's gaze remained locked on Yudhishthir. "Tell me, what is worse... a brother who speaks wrongly, or a brother who allows it?"

Yudhishthir looked at Yama. "The one who allows it..."

"WHY?"

"Because..." Yudhishthir's voice was quiet. "...because silence is approval."

Yama's gaze hardened. "EXACTLY!"

The Ashwini twins nodded approvingly.

THEN YAMA TURNED TO BHIMA.

Bhima immediately stiffened.

The Ashwini twins leaned in eagerly.

"Oh no..." "Oh yes..." "It's Bhima's turn now." "This is going to be fun."

Yama's tone was cold. "Bhimasen..."

Bhima lifted his chin. "I said nothing wrong... Yama Dev."

Yama raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

Bhima nodded stubbornly. "He is a bad omen. Everyone says it. Why should I pretend otherwise?"

Yama let the words hang in the air before speaking again, his voice quiet but dangerous. "Do you know what an omen is, Bhima?"

Bhima frowned. "It's... a sign of something bad."

Yama nodded. "And tell me... do you see the future? Do you know Suyodhana's fate? Do you know his destiny?"

Bhima opened his mouth, then closed it.

"NO?" Yama stepped forward. "THEN WHO ARE YOU TO DECIDE IF SOMEONE IS A BAD OMEN?"

For a fraction of a second, a flicker of doubt crossed Bhima's mind. But then... he crushed it. He knew he was right. He hesitated. "I -"

"SILENCE!" Yama's tone was final.

Bhima flinched and did not argue.

The Ashwini twins were loving this.

"See? This is why Jyesth is terrifying." "No one argues with him... except us." "His voice alone is a weapon." "I'd say it's deadlier than any divine astra."

SUYO SAT STILL. Not a single word left his lips, but his hands clenched into fists, his nails pressing into his palms.

A bad omen. How many times had he heard those words from Bhima before? Countless...

And yet... today was different.

He had expected silence. Expected no one to care.

But Yama... Yama Dev himself-had spoken for him.

For the first time, someone had asked Bhima, WHO ARE YOU TO DECIDE?

Something unfamiliar stirred in Suyodhana's chest.

Was it shock? He wasn't sure.

But he knew one thing... he would remember this moment.

Just then, a slow, amused chuckle echoed through the chamber.

The sound sent a strange chill down everyone's spine.

All eyes turned to the source.

There, standing with his arms crossed, was SHANI.

"Bhrata Shani!" Nasatya called excitedly.

"Where did you go?" Dasra grinned.

Shani simply shrugged. "I was looking around."

Then, without another word, he walked straight to Bhima.

Bhima froze.

Shani's presence was different from Yama's.

Colder.

He tilted his head. "You like calling Suyodhana a bad omen, don't you?"

Bhima was confused. "I -"

Shani did not let him finish, his expression was unreadable. He raised a hand and pointed at Karna. "DO NOT MAKE MY YOUNGEST BROTHER ANGRY."

Bhima stiffened.

Shani's gaze locked onto Bhima, his voice smooth, quiet, yet deadly.

"Your anger, Bhima, is like a storm- loud, untamed, and quick to strike. It surges, it roars, it demands to be seen."

He tilted his head slightly, his smirk unreadable. "But his anger?"

"It is not like yours."

"It is not a wildfire that burns recklessly. It is not a mere flame that flickers with the wind."

Shani's eyes darkened, his voice dropping lower. "It is the sun that watches in silence. Unforgiving. Inescapable. And when it decides to burn..."

His smirk faded, his tone turning sharper. "It will burn everything in its path. And you will regret it."

He took a step closer, his words a quiet warning. "So let me give you one piece of advice, Bhima."

Shani turned slightly, looking at Karna, and smirked. "Pray you never stand in the path of that fire."

The Ashwini twins whispered excitedly,

"Ooooh, that sounded dangerous" "Very dangerous." "Bhrata Shani knows how to leave an impact." "I love it. I could watch this forever."

Yama turned back to Yudhishthir.

"This is what happens when an eldest brother fails to correct his younger brothers. Weakness spreads... not in strength, but in character."

Yudhishthir swallowing hard. "I have failed. I accept my mistake, Pitashree."

The Ashwini twins leaned toward each other other.

"Yudhishthir learned his lesson." "Jyesth is very good at making people learn their lessons." "Do you think he's done?" "I don't know. Maybe?"

Yama observed Yudhishthir for a long moment, his expression softening slightly before speaking again. "Putra Yudhishthir. True righteousness does not lie in remaining silent. Nor does it lie in mere words of wisdom spoken too late. It lies in action. In correction. In ensuring that wisdom is not just possessed, but upheld."

Yudhishthir nodded. "I will not fail again."

Yama nodded, his gaze shifting back to Bhima.

"As for you, Bhima..." Yama eyes burned like molten fire, "strength is not just in showing it physically. It is knowing when to use your words and when to hold them back. If you cannot master that, then you will never be as strong as you believe yourself to be."

BHIMA SAID NOTHING. But that did not mean he had accepted Yama's words.

Instead he clenched his fists.

"Why am I the one being lectured? Did no one else see the truth? Duryodhana was born under an ill omen. And now Yama Dev himself was scolding me for saying what was already known? But that doesn't change the truth. Suyodhana was a bad omen... And I am not afraid to say it."

Ashwa noticed Bhima clenching his fists, he just smirked. "Just wait till Mitra Karna wakes up. You will regret ever calling Suyodhana as Duryodhana or a bad omen."

Yama saw through Bhima, he knows Bhima did not understand his words. So he looked away and whispered to himself. "You will only learn the lesson when my brother teaches you... NOT THROUGH WORDS."

Meanwhile, the Ashwini twins grinned.

"I'm so glad we came today." "Yes!!! Best day ever."

Shani smirked and walked toward Yama.

Yama watched him carefully. "Is it done?"

Shani's lips curled into a faint smile. He murmured. "Of course... How could I let our youngest suffer alone?"

And with that, the room fell silent once more. The tension in the air is palpable.

But the Ashwini twins exchanged glances, their eyes gleaming with mischief.

Conversation in mind... start

"This is getting a little too serious, don't you think?" Dasra thought, tilting his head slightly.

Nasatya, catching his brother's silent message, smirked. "Oh yes, very serious. And serious things make me very uncomfortable."

Dasra's lips curved upward. "We should do something fun."

Nasatya's grin widened. "Agreed. But what?"

Dasra's gaze flickered toward Yudhishthir, Nakul and Sahadev. "How about making them call Karna 'Kakashree'?"

Nasatya nearly choked on his amusement. "Oh! That's evil. I love it. But Jyesth Yama won't agree..."

Dasra tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm... But what if Bhrata Shani convinces him?"

Nasatya and Dasra turned to Shani, their thoughts slipping into his mind effortlessly.

"Bhrata Shani, we have a brilliant idea!!"

Shani raised an eyebrow. "Do I even want to know?"

Dasra grinned. "Of course, you do. It's about Karna."

Shani's interest piqued. "Go on..."

Nasatya clasped his hand behind his back, trying his best to look innocent. "We want Jyesth Yama to tell Yudhishthir, Nakul, and Sahadev to call Karna 'Kakashree.'"

Shani blinked once. Then, very slowly, a smirk stretched across his face. "Interesting..."

Dasra nudged Nasatya. "See? I told you he'd like it."

Nasatya chuckled. "Right? But Jyesth Yama might refuse. You have to convince him."

Shani exhaled, crossing his arms. "You two are insufferable."

Dasra and Nasatya flashed their dazzling smiles. "Thank you."

Shani shook his head, but amusement flickered in his gaze. "Fine. I will do it."

The Ashwini twins exchanged victorious grins as Shani turned to Yama. His voice slipping into his elder brother's mind, his tone deceptively casual.

"Jyesth... Karna is our youngest brother."

Yama smiled. "That is true."

Shani's smirk widened. "Then, should he not receive the respect he deserves?"

Yama narrowed his eyes slightly. "What are you implying?"

Shani tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Well, my nephews should address my youngest brother properly. They are related to him through you and Ashwini Kumaras, after all."

Yama considered this for a moment. Then, with a slight sigh, he turned toward Yudhishthir, Nakul, and Sahadev.

Conversation in mind... end

Yudhishthir, Nakul and Sahadev immediately straightened as Yama's sharp gaze fell upon them.

Yama cleared his throat. "Yudhishthir. Nakul. Sahadev. Come here."

They exchanged glances, hesitated for only a second before stepping forward, uncertain yet obedient.

Yama's eyes bore into them, assessing them as if measuring their worthiness for the words he was about to speak.

Yama's voice was stern. "Karna is my youngest brother. And I expect you to treat him with the respect he deserves... you know what you should call him, right?"

Yudhishthir blinked. Nakul and Sahadev exchanged confused glances.

Before they could answer, Nasatya and Dasra quickly stepped forward, lowering their voices just enough for only the three to hear.

Dasra leaned in first, his tone light and matter-of-fact. "You know... Jyesth Yama never goes back on his word."

Nasatya's voice followed, almost a whisper. "And those who disobeys him? Well... let's just say, they get taken to his abode." He let the words hang in the air before continuing, "Thrown in boiling oil. And other things..."

Dasra sighed dramatically. "Darkness. Endless suffering... you know... the not-so-nice things."

Nasatya gave a thoughtful nod. "Oh, and let's not forget the other unspeakable punishments."

Dasra's voice took on a mockingly helpful tone. "So really, it's best if you just do what Jyesth says. No questions. No hesitation. This is just a very good friendly-life-saving piece of advice from us."

Nasatya placed a hand over his heart, his expression solemn. "And whatever you do, don't tell him we warned you. He might not be pleased."

Then, as if nothing had happened, they both stepped back, their faces the picture of innocence.

Yudhishthir, Nakul, and Sahadev stood frozen, their faces pale.

Yudhishthir swallowed hard before hastily nodding. "Yes, Pitashree... we will do as you say."

Yama's sharp eyes flickered to the twins, suspicion flickering across his face. "What did you two say to them?"

The Ashwini twins smiled innocently, putting on their best WHO, US? EXPRESSIONS.

Dasra clasped his hands behind his back, tilting his head with an innocent smile. "Jyesth, we told them that you never back down from your word."

Nasatya nodded. "Yes, yes."

Yama's gaze lingered on them for a moment, he knew it, the twins did their work, and he played along. He finally sighed. "That is true. As Dharma Raj, I cannot and will not back down from my word."

The Ashwini twins turned to Yudhishthir, Nakul, and Sahadev, their expressions clearly saying, SEE? WE TOLD YOU.

Yudhishthir, Nakul, and Sahadev swallowed again.

There was no escape.

"We understand, Pitashree," Yudhishthir finally said, his voice steady but resigned.

Nakul and Sahadev hesitated, but at their father's expectant looks, they quickly nodded.

"Yes, Tatshree. We understand."

Yama gave a satisfied nod. "Good."

Behind him, the Ashwini twins, barely suppressed their grins.

The moment Yama turned away, they exchanged victorious glances.

Nasatya nudged his brother. "That went well."

Dasra smirked. "Oh, absolutely. I can't wait to see Karna's reaction later."

Nasatya chuckled. "It will be priceless."

Meanwhile, Yudhishthir, Nakul, and Sahadev sighed in unison. It seemed they had no choice but to accept their fate.

As Yama instructed the trio, Shani cast him a sidelong glance, his mind voice slipping effortlessly into Yama's thoughts. "Jyesth... you know the twins are not so innocent, don't you?"

Yama's lips barely twitched, but his reply came smoothly. "Of course. Those two are incapable of sincerity when they look that innocent."

Shani arched an eyebrow. "And yet, you're going along with it?"

Yama's gaze softened, just a fraction. "They are my brothers. And Karna is my youngest. If this strengthens their bond, then I see no harm in it."

Shani hummed in amusement. "You have a weakness for them."

Yama exhaled, but there was no denial in his response. "They are my family. And despite their mischief, their hearts are in the right place."

Shani shook his head slightly, but the hint of a smirk touched his lips. "Dharma Raja, the god of Dharma and ruler of Naraka... and yet he melts for his brothers."

Yama finally allowed himself the rarest of smiles. "Only for them."

JUST THEN...

Ashwa's voice cut through the air.

"MITRA KARNA?"

All heads snapped toward Ashwa.

Karna's hand had tightened around Ashwa's, his grip turning almost crushing and painful. His breathing had become heavy and uneven. Though his face was covered, only his eyes visible, a single tear slipped from his closed eyes.

Then... a whisper escaped Karna's lips, barely audible.

"Mitra Ashwa..."

Ashwa leaned closer, gripping his friend's hand tighter. "Mitra? Wake up!"

BEFORE ANYONE COULD SAY ANYTHING... SOMETHING STRANGE HAPPENED.

Ashwa, still holding onto Karna's hand, suddenly swayed. His eyes fluttered shut, and before anyone could reach him... he collapsed.

A stunned silence filled the room.

Two figures were now unconscious... KARNA AND ASHWA.

For a moment, no one moved.

The Kauravas and Pandavas stared, and then in a moment... their concern turned into full-blown panic.

Suyo was the first to react. "Yuyutsu! Go and bring Pitamah and Pitashree! Now!"

Yuyutsu nodded and rushed out.

The remaining brothers, not knowing what to do, turned to the only people who might understand what happened... THE ASHWINI TWINS.

Dasra and Nasatya knew what had happened. They had sensed it the moment Ashwa fell... ASHWA DID NOT FAINT. HE WAS PULLED INTO KARNA'S VISION. And Ashwa would see what Karna was experiencing through the visions.

The twins could not say it aloud.

But that didn't mean they wouldn't have their fun.

And the moment everyone's eyes landed on them for answers... they exchanged glances, their expressions turned grave.

Dasra's eyes widened. "OH NO..."

Nasatya brows furrowed. "HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?"

Dasra exhaled as if in disbelief, looking deeply concerned. "IT SHOULDN'T HAVE."

The Kauravas and Pandavas felt their stomachs drop.

Yama and Shani, however, were not fooled. They exchanged knowing glances.

Shani muttered in Yama's mind, "They are doing it again..."

Yama sighed. "Of course, they are..."

Meanwhile, SUYO looked at them, clearly concerned. "What do you mean it shouldn't have? What's happening to them?"

The twins continued their act, nodding solemnly at each other.

Nasatya placed a hand under his chin, stroking an imaginary beard, as if deep in thought. "I think Ashwatthama fainted."

Dasra gasped, placing a hand over his heart in mock offense. "No, no, no! Sleeping. Definitely sleeping."

Nasatya narrowed his eyes at his twin. "Fainted."

Dasra mimicked the look. "Sleeping."

Nasatya crossed his arms. "Fainted!"

Dasra mirrored him. "Sleeping!"

The argument escalated, their voices overlapping.

Dasra dramatically pointed a finger at Nasatya, wagging it like an old guru scolding a foolish student. Nasatya rolled his eyes and threw his hands up in exasperation.

Sahadev, already tense, groaned loudly. "DOES IT MATTER?!"

The worried princes around them looked like they were about to scream.

Suyo's patience shattered. "WILL YOU TWO STOP ARGUING AND DO SOMETHING ALREADY?!"

The twins blinked at him innocently.

Nasatya looked at Dasra, his voice full of curiosity. "Oh? Were we arguing?"

Dasra sighed dramatically, as if Suyo had just accused them of a grave crime. "Looks like we are the problem... aren't we?"

Nasatya nodded. "Yes. Definitely not the two people lying unconscious."

Yama pinched the bridge of his nose. Shani smirked, clearly enjoying this.

"ENOUGH." Before the twins could respond, Suyo, frustrated, grabbed a glass of water from the bedside table, stormed over to Ashwa...

And poured it over Ashwa's face.

The reaction was immediate.

Ashwa jolted awake with a gasp, eyes wide. His breath came in fast, panicked bursts. He blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of his surroundings. Just a second ago, he had been somewhere else... with Karna... but now... he looked around the room, confused, trying to make sense of where he was.

Then, his eyes fell on Karna.

Karna was still unconscious.

"KARNA!" Ashwa scrambled closer, grabbing Karna's shoulders, shaking him gently but firmly. His voice was urgent. "MITRA KARNA, WAKE UP!"

A sharp inhale.

Karna's entire body tensed before his eyes snapped open.

He was sitting up now.

His breath came in ragged gasps.

Instinct took over... HIS FINGERS WENT TO HIS NECK, TREMBLING SLIGHTLY AS THEY PRESSED AGAINST HIS SKIN, AS IF SEARCHING... CHECKING... FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE.

BUT WASN'T.

His heart pounded in his chest.

For the first time... he hadn't just seen the vision. He had experienced it. He could still feel it... the sensation of the Anjalika astra slicing through his flesh. The warmth of his own blood spilling.

He had died. And yet, he was here. Alive.

The phantom pain still clung to him, his chest still burned with that final moment. And then, he felt arms wrap around him.

Ashwa.

Karna didn't hesitate. He just hugged Ashwa tightly, desperately, as if grounding himself in the warmth of his friend's presence.

Ashwa hugged back and held him tighter.

Everyone was watching them in silence.

Then, footsteps...

SHAKUNI was the first to arrive. His sharp eyes took in the situation at once.

Still hugging, Ashwa spoke, his voice a low whisper. "Mitra... everyone is watching. We will talk about your vision later, okay?"

Karna nodded against him. His grip gradually loosening.

Slowly, they pulled apart, sharing a look... an unspoken understanding passing between them.

Karna looked around, and met the eyes of concerned faces of everyone... watching him closely.

Silence filled the room.

Waiting.

Shakuni stepped closer to Suyodhana, and murmured in a low voice, "Mere bache... go to your brother. Greet him first."

Suyodhana hesitated. He didn't move. He just muttered, his voice barely audible. "Leave it, Mamashree..."

Shakuni placed a firm hand on his nephew's shoulder and insisted, his voice softer now. "Go... he is your Jyesth Bhrata."

Karna's golden eyes landed on Suyodhana, immediately recognizing him, but then... his gaze landed on Arjun.

And in that instant, the vision hit him again. The memory of what he had just experienced.

The battlefield. The Anjalika Astra. The moment before death.

Karna didn't think, he got down from the bed. Before he even realized it, he simply acted. HE WALKED PASSED SUYO. HIS GAZE REMAINED LOCKED ON ARJUN.

SUYODHANA REACHED OUT... BUT KARNA NEVER SAW.

Arjun, who had been watching in silence, stiffened as Karna approached. His brows furrowed and instinctively took a small step back.

But without warning...

Karna reached out and pulled Arjun into a hug.

Arjun froze. His hands hovered in the air, unsure, caught completely off guard. He didn't hug back. His heartbeat pounded against his ribs.

Karna's voice was barely a whisper, "Anuj..." His eyes shut tightly, his grip on Arjun tightened. "Forgive me if you felt hurt for anything I did today. Please... don't hate me."

Silence.

Arjun stood there motionless, the tension between them is palpable. His breathing quickened, his fingers curled into fists at his sides. For a moment, it seemed as though he would say something. His lips parted...

BUT THEN... HE PRESSED HIS HANDS AGAINST KARNA'S CHEST, AND PUSHED HIM BACK.

NOT ROUGHLY, BUT FIRM ENOUGH TO CREATE DISTANCE.

Arjun's face was unreadable. His voice quiet yet firm. "I am not your... Anuj."

Karna didn't move for a moment. The words hit harder than any weapon ever could. He felt the sting, a sharp ache in his heart.

For a second, just a second, pain flashed in his golden eyes.

But he didn't argue. He simply stepped back, as if accepting the rejection. The space between them felt like an ocean.

And then... he turned away.

That's when his eyes met Suyo's.

The warmth returned to his golden eyes, the pain dimming just slightly.

He stepped toward Suyo. But the moment he did... Suyo took a step back.

Karna hesitated. Just for a moment, a slight tremor in his stance. His heart fluttered uncertainly before he spoke. "Suyo... Mitr -" He almost said the word 'Mitra.' But he stopped himself, the word seemed wrong, distant now. It didn't feel right anymore. Instead, his fingers curled slightly before he corrected himself. " - Anuj."

As he stepped toward Suyo...

AGAIN... Suyo took another step back.

Karna's steps halted. He did not expect this reaction. He had always loved Suyo... his Anuj. But in this moment, he felt like there was a gap between them, one he couldn't understand.

He tried to read the unspoken emotions in Suyodhana's eyes.

And the look in Suyo's face told him everything. There was no anger, no hate. But there was hesitation... and maybe something else... Hurt?

Suyo took one more step back. His hands clenched at his sides.

Karna had his reasons. But that didn't change what Suyo saw. The logic behind it didn't matter. The emotions did.

A stranger... his elder brother... who had been hidden from them all this time, had chosen to walk straight past him-past his 100 brothers-to go to Arjun.

And now, Suyo wasn't sure what he felt.

Karna watched him, waiting.

But Suyodhana said nothing.

Neither moved.

Neither spoke.

It felt like time itself had stopped.

Silence between them stretched... thick, heavy, and suffocating.

And no one dared to break that silence.

Everyone just watched, they could only wait...

And no one could fathom what was happening between the two brothers.

Shani shook his head slightly, and whispered. "Fate has twisted in strange ways..."

Yama's gaze remained unreadable as he whispered back. "And hearts... hearts are more fragile than fate. They break far easier than fate bends..."

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To be continued...

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How was the chapter?

As I mentioned, I had to divide the last chapter, so this is the continuation.

To be honest, I was not satisfied with the chapter so I took my time to write again showing different emotions, connecting different events together and all... And don't forget to give your feedback...

And I have a question for you all...

HOW SHOULD KARNA REACT WHEN BHIMA CALLS SUYO AS DURYODHANA AND A BAD OMEN? I wrote this part already but I was not satisfied by it... So comment how you want and maybe I will write something with my own twist...

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