Dawn broke over the Kingdom of Ang in a blaze of gold.
The rising sun cast long shadows across the palace courtyard.
Warriors stood in formation.
Silent.
Disciplined.
Watching.
At the center of it all stood Karna.
His armor reflected the sunlight like fire itself.
Behind him, a small but powerful group had gathered.
Duryodhana.
Vrinda.
A select unit of elite guards.
This was not a war march.
But it was far from a simple journey.
Asha stood facing him, arms crossed.
"You're leaving the kingdom in my hands."
Karna nodded once.
"Yes."
Asha smirked faintly.
"Good."
Her eyes sharpened.
"I was getting bored."
Vrinda stepped forward.
"Don't underestimate the silence."
Asha glanced at her.
"I never do."
Their eyes met.
Mutual respect.
Forged in battle.
Karna spoke calmly.
"The Solar Guard answers to you."
Asha nodded.
"They won't fall."
For a brief moment—
Everything was still.
Then Karna turned.
"Move."
The gates of Ang opened slowly.
And the group rode out.
The road to Hastinapur stretched long across forests, rivers, and open plains.
Days passed.
But the journey was not quiet.
On the third night—
The campfire burned low.
The group rested in a forest clearing.
Duryodhana sat across from Karna, watching the flames.
"You feel it too."
It wasn't a question.
Karna stared into the fire.
"Yes."
Duryodhana leaned forward slightly.
"The moment we step into Hastinapur…"
His voice lowered.
"Everything changes."
Karna didn't deny it.
"Good."
Duryodhana smirked faintly.
"That confidence…"
"It's either brilliance…"
"Or madness."
Karna finally looked at him.
"Both win wars."
Duryodhana laughed quietly.
"Fair enough."
Nearby, Vrinda stood at the edge of the clearing.
Her eyes scanned the darkness.
Listening.
Feeling.
Something wasn't right.
A soft sound.
A shift in the wind.
Her hand moved to her sword.
"Karna."
Instantly—
Karna was on his feet.
Duryodhana rose as well.
The guards tensed.
Then—
From the shadows—
Figures emerged.
One.
Two.
Five.
Ten.
Masked warriors.
Silent.
Deadly.
Vrinda's voice turned cold.
"They followed us."
Karna stepped forward slowly.
His golden aura flickered faintly.
"Or they were waiting."
One of the masked figures stepped ahead.
Unlike the others—
He didn't hide his face completely.
Only his eyes were visible.
Sharp.
Calculating.
"The King of Ang."
His voice was calm.
"You travel far from your throne."
Duryodhana moved slightly forward.
"You chose the wrong target."
The man ignored him.
His gaze remained locked on Karna.
"You've disrupted things you don't understand."
Karna's expression didn't change.
"Then explain."
A faint chuckle escaped the masked leader.
"You will understand soon enough."
He raised his hand.
And instantly—
The assassins attacked.
Steel clashed in the darkness.
The guards met them head-on.
Vrinda moved like lightning.
Her blade cut through one attacker cleanly.
No hesitation.
No wasted movement.
Duryodhana fought with raw power.
Every strike heavy.
Brutal.
But the assassins were skilled.
Too skilled.
They weren't ordinary killers.
They were trained.
Coordinated.
Karna stepped into the center of the battlefield.
The world around him slowed.
Solar Battle Instinct.
Every movement became clear.
Every attack predictable.
One assassin lunged.
Karna sidestepped.
His spear struck—
Clean.
Precise.
Another came from behind.
He didn't even turn.
His weapon moved instinctively.
Blocked.
Countered.
Finished.
The masked leader watched carefully.
"Impressive."
Then—
He moved.
Faster than the others.
Stronger.
More controlled.
His blade clashed directly with Karna's spear.
CLANG.
The impact echoed through the clearing.
For a brief moment—
The two stood locked.
Power against power.
Karna's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You're not just an assassin."
The man smirked beneath his mask.
"And you're not just a king."
They separated.
Then attacked again.
Faster.
Sharper.
More dangerous.
Each clash sent sparks flying.
But slowly—
The balance shifted.
Karna adapted.
Faster than expected.
The man's attacks began to fail.
His movements—
Predictable.
Karna stepped in.
One decisive strike—
The spear stopped at the man's throat.
Silence fell.
The remaining assassins froze.
Karna's voice was calm.
"Who sent you?"
The man stared at him.
Then—
He laughed.
"You really don't understand…"
Before anyone could react—
He bit down on something hidden.
Vrinda's eyes widened.
"Wait—!"
Too late.
The man collapsed.
Poison.
The remaining assassins retreated instantly into the darkness.
Vanishing.
Silence returned.
Broken only by the crackling fire.
Duryodhana exhaled sharply.
"They'd rather die than speak."
Vrinda knelt beside the body.
Her expression darkened.
"The same as before."
Karna looked toward the trees.
His gaze distant.
"The Council of Ashes."
This wasn't random.
This wasn't chance.
They were being watched.
Tracked.
Tested.
Duryodhana stepped beside him.
"This confirms it."
Karna nodded.
"Yes."
He turned toward the north.
Toward Hastinapur.
"They know we're going."
Vrinda stood slowly.
"Then they'll be waiting."
Karna's golden eyes burned faintly in the darkness.
"Good."
His voice carried quiet power.
"Let them."
The fire flickered.
The wind shifted.
And far ahead—
The gates of Hastinapur awaited.
But the path to it…
Was no longer just a journey.
It was a challenge.