The news of the battle spread faster than the wind.
Merchants carried the story along trade roads.
Travelers whispered it in roadside inns.
Messengers rushed between kingdoms with sealed scrolls.
Within days, the tale had reached every major court in Aryavarta.
The message was simple.
The King of Ang had defeated an ambush and unleashed a weapon that burned an entire battlefield with the power of the sun.
Many rulers dismissed the reports as exaggeration.
Others did not.
Far to the west, inside the royal court of Hastinapur, the atmosphere was tense.
The great hall of the Kuru dynasty was filled with nobles and generals.
At the center of the hall sat King Dhritarashtra upon his throne.
Beside him stood Bhishma, the legendary grandsire of the Kuru lineage.
Across the chamber stood several princes of the kingdom.
Among them—
Duryodhana.
A royal messenger had just finished delivering his report.
"The King of Ang personally led his warriors into battle," the messenger said.
"He destroyed the enemy ambush using a weapon described as… solar fire."
The court erupted into murmurs.
Bhishma folded his arms thoughtfully.
"A divine weapon?"
A court priest nodded.
"Possibly an astra connected to Surya."
Another noble frowned.
"A king possessing such power could destabilize the region."
Duryodhana stepped forward immediately.
His voice carried confidence.
"Karna is no threat to Hastinapur."
Several nobles glanced toward him.
Duryodhana continued firmly.
"He is a warrior of honor."
Bhishma's sharp eyes studied the young prince.
"You speak with certainty."
Duryodhana met his gaze without hesitation.
"I know his character."
Silence filled the chamber.
Then Dhritarashtra finally spoke.
"If the King of Ang continues growing stronger…"
His blind eyes remained calm.
"…then the balance of power in the east will shift."
The nobles nodded.
Political tension was unavoidable.
But before the discussion could continue—
A quiet voice spoke from the back of the hall.
Smooth.
Calculating.
"Balance of power is a delicate thing."
The court turned.
Walking slowly forward was a man wearing fine robes of dark silk.
His thin smile carried the confidence of someone who understood the game of politics better than most.
Shakuni of Gandhara.
He rolled a pair of dice slowly between his fingers as he approached.
Shakuni bowed lightly.
"My king."
Dhritarashtra acknowledged him.
"What is your view, Shakuni?"
Shakuni's eyes gleamed faintly.
"A rising king is neither friend nor enemy."
He rolled the dice across his palm.
"He is an opportunity."
The court grew quiet.
Duryodhana watched his uncle carefully.
Shakuni continued.
"If Karna rises alone, many kingdoms will fear him."
He smiled slightly.
"But if he rises beside Hastinapur…"
He allowed the sentence to trail off.
Bhishma's expression remained unreadable.
"You propose alliance."
Shakuni nodded slowly.
"An alliance benefits everyone."
Duryodhana smiled faintly.
It was exactly what he wanted.
Meanwhile, far to the south…
Inside the fortified capital of Kalinga.
A royal court had also gathered.
Warriors lined the chamber walls.
At the center stood the king of Kalinga himself.
Before him knelt a messenger.
"The warrior Asha has joined the King of Ang."
The king's expression darkened.
"Asha… serving another ruler?"
The court murmured in disbelief.
She had been one of Kalinga's most talented fighters.
The king spoke again.
"And this King Karna defeated an ambush with a single weapon?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The king leaned back in his throne.
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"A warrior strong enough to attract Asha's loyalty…"
He tapped the arm of his throne.
"…is not someone to ignore."
Another general stepped forward.
"Should we consider him an enemy?"
The king shook his head slowly.
"No."
His gaze sharpened.
"Not yet."
Back in the Kingdom of Ang.
The palace courtyard had become lively again.
The Solar Guard returned from their mission victorious.
Soldiers gathered around them, listening eagerly to the story of the battle.
Some stared in awe at Karna as he walked past.
Whispers spread through the ranks.
"The Sun King defeated an entire ambush."
"He controls divine weapons."
"He fought without fear."
Inside the palace war chamber, however, the mood was more serious.
Karna stood before the large map again.
Asha and Vrinda stood beside him.
Several commanders waited for his decision.
Asha crossed her arms.
"So Rudrasen escaped."
Karna nodded.
"For now."
Vrinda looked at the map carefully.
"He will return to whoever sent him."
Her finger pointed toward several marked territories.
"Which means the real enemy lies somewhere here."
One commander spoke nervously.
"If powerful kingdoms are involved…"
He hesitated.
"…Ang could face a coalition."
Karna's voice remained calm.
"Then we prepare."
Asha smirked slightly.
"I like that answer."
Vrinda looked toward Karna.
"The world is starting to notice you."
Karna turned toward the palace balcony.
Beyond it, the city of Ang stretched beneath the afternoon sun.
Markets bustled with life.
Children ran through the streets.
The people were peaceful.
Unaware of the political storms forming across the continent.
Karna spoke quietly.
"Kings may gather."
His golden armor reflected the sunlight.
"But Ang will not bow."
Vrinda watched him carefully.
The confidence in his voice was not arrogance.
It was certainty.
The certainty of a warrior who had already chosen his path.
Somewhere far away…
Across the kingdoms of Aryavarta…
Rulers began discussing the same name.
Karna.
The Sun King of Ang.
And whether his rise would change the fate of the world.