The palace gardens slowly returned to silence after Krishna's departure.
The wind moved gently through the tall trees, rustling the leaves.
But the atmosphere had changed.
Vrinda stood still for several moments, staring at the empty path where Krishna had disappeared.
"Krishna…" she murmured softly.
Even though his presence had been calm and friendly, something about him felt… unfathomable.
Like a deep ocean whose bottom could never be seen.
Karna remained silent beside her.
His gaze was directed toward the rising sun in the distance.
Inside his mind, Krishna's words echoed.
Our paths will cross many times…
Vrinda finally broke the silence.
"Do you trust him?"
Karna answered without hesitation.
"Trust is not the correct word."
She looked at him curiously.
Karna continued.
"He is not an ordinary man. People like him do not move without reason."
Vrinda nodded slowly.
She had sensed it too.
Krishna had not come merely out of curiosity.
Men like him always had deeper intentions.
Meanwhile, inside the palace training grounds…
The sound of clashing weapons echoed loudly.
Asha stood before a group of twenty soldiers.
Each one carried a wooden training sword.
Sweat covered their bodies.
Their breathing was heavy.
Asha walked slowly between them.
Her sharp eyes observed every movement.
"Your stance is wrong."
She suddenly struck one soldier's leg with the flat of her blade.
"Balance first. Power second."
She turned to another.
"Your grip is weak."
She grabbed his sword and twisted it effortlessly from his hand.
The weapon fell to the ground.
"On a battlefield," she said coldly, "a weak grip means death."
The soldiers straightened immediately.
Fear and respect filled their expressions.
At that moment, Karna entered the training grounds.
The soldiers quickly bowed.
"Your Majesty!"
Karna gestured for them to continue.
He walked toward Asha.
She crossed her arms.
"They're improving."
Karna raised an eyebrow slightly.
"That sounds like praise."
Asha smirked.
"It is. Barely."
Then she added more seriously,
"But they still lack real battlefield experience."
Karna nodded.
"I expected that."
His gaze turned toward the horizon beyond the palace walls.
Far beyond Ang's borders.
"Experience will come soon enough."
Asha studied his expression.
Something in his voice told her he wasn't speaking hypothetically.
Before she could ask further—
A palace guard suddenly ran into the training grounds.
His armor clattered loudly as he hurried forward.
"Your Majesty!"
The entire field fell silent.
The guard knelt quickly.
"We have captured one of the assassins from last night."
Asha's eyes sharpened.
"So one survived."
Karna turned calmly.
"Where is he?"
"The dungeon, Your Majesty."
Karna nodded.
"Bring him to the interrogation chamber."
Moments later…
Deep inside the stone chambers beneath the palace…
A bound man was thrown onto the cold floor.
His clothes were torn.
Blood covered part of his face.
The man glared upward with hatred.
Across from him stood Karna.
Beside him were Vrinda and Asha.
Two royal guards remained near the door.
Karna studied the prisoner silently.
Then he spoke.
"Who sent you?"
The assassin spat blood onto the floor.
"I would rather die."
Asha stepped forward immediately.
Her sword moved so quickly that the blade stopped just an inch from the man's throat.
"Careful what you wish for."
The assassin didn't flinch.
His expression remained defiant.
Karna raised a hand slightly.
Asha stepped back.
Karna crouched down until he was eye level with the prisoner.
His golden eyes stared directly into the assassin's.
"Listen carefully," Karna said calmly.
"I do not enjoy unnecessary suffering."
His voice remained quiet.
But the pressure in the room grew heavier.
"Tell me who sent you."
The assassin laughed weakly.
"You think killing us will stop what's coming?"
Vrinda frowned.
"What do you mean?"
The man smiled darkly.
"You think this kingdom is the target?"
His eyes turned toward Karna.
"You are the target."
The room became silent.
The assassin continued.
"Many powerful people fear the rise of the Sun King."
His voice dropped lower.
"And they have already begun moving."
Karna's expression did not change.
But his eyes became colder.
"Who?"
The assassin's smile widened.
"Too many."
Then suddenly—
His body jerked violently.
Blood began flowing from his mouth.
Asha stepped forward quickly.
"What—"
But it was already too late.
The assassin collapsed onto the floor.
Dead.
Vrinda's eyes widened.
"Poison…"
Karna examined the body briefly.
Then he stood up.
"Hidden in his teeth."
Asha cursed quietly.
"A suicide poison capsule."
Vrinda looked troubled.
"That means whoever sent them planned this carefully."
Karna nodded.
"Yes."
He turned toward the stairs leading out of the dungeon.
"Which means this was only the beginning."
Far away…
In a distant palace hall illuminated by torchlight…
Several shadowy figures sat around a long table.
A messenger knelt before them.
"The assassins have failed."
One of the figures slowly tapped his fingers on the table.
"Expected."
Another voice spoke from the darkness.
Cold.
Calculated.
"Then begin the next phase."
The messenger lowered his head.
"And the target?"
The figure's voice became colder.
"King Karna."
Silence filled the hall.
Then the order was spoken.
"Prepare the armies."
Back in Ang…
Karna stood on the palace balcony that night.
The moonlight reflected off his golden armor.
Below him, the city of Ang slept peacefully.
Unaware of the storm approaching.
Karna looked toward the distant horizon.
His eyes calm.
Unshaken.
"The world is starting to move…"
he murmured quietly.
Behind him, Asha and Vrinda approached.
Neither spoke.
But both understood.
The coming days would decide the future of Ang.
Perhaps…
Even the future of all Aryavarta.