(A/N):
Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.
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The ārti flame faded. But its warmth lingered.
And with it—Devara stepped into the Kuru Palace.
Marble floors gleamed beneath his feet.
Tall pillars whispered of history.
Tapestries told stories he hadn't yet heard.
He turned left. Then right. Then up.
"...."
"…Why is the ceiling so high?"
Bhishma walked beside him.
"So the hall breathes the might of the kuru kingdom."
Devara blinked looking at Bhishma who was puffing his chest.
-Blink!
"…Halls breathe?"
Bhishma paused. Then chuckled softly.
-Chuckle!
"…In a way."
A faint pulse flickered in Devara's vision.
[–DUM!–DUM!–]
👑 [Event: Royal Entry:
Entered Hastinapur as a recognized prince,
Reward: +150 Karma Points]
[–DUM!–DUM!–]
🌸 [Event: Social Shift:
Challenged harmful superstition with genuine intent.
Base Reward: +40 Karma Points
Bonus (Genuine Concern): +10% → +50 Karma Points]
⚖️ [Total Karma Updated...]
[Previous: 3325
Gained: +200
New Balance: 3525 Points]
Devara looked at his system silently.
'…It keeps increasing once again…'
He looked around the palace again.
'I was right, …Just being here… does earns point.'
They walked deeper.
Past courtyards. Past fountains.
Past guards who bowed respectfully.
Devara waved back at one.
"...."
The guard froze. Then awkwardly waved back.
Bhishma hid a smile.
"…Why do they stand like statues?"
"Discipline."
"…Can they move... When they have the urgent business?"
"Yes."
"…Then why don't they look relaxed?"
Bhishma paused again.
"…Because they are trained not to easily."
Devara nodded slowly.
-Nod
"…That sounds hard."
Royal-Dining Hall...
Soon—They entered the dining hall.
Long tables. Golden plates.
Dishes arranged like offerings to royalty. Yeah they are royalty.
The aroma filled the air—Rich. Layered.
Devara's eyes widened looking at the long tables filled with dishes.
"...."
"…All this… for me?"
Satyavati smiled looking at his reaction.
"For a prince."
Devara sat looking at the foods before him while little bit of drool coming out of the corner of his mouth.
"…I like being a prince."
Pandu laughed seeing Devara's reaction.
-Hahaha!!!
"...."
Dhritarashtra tilted his head with a smile.
"…He sounds happy."
"…He is brother,"
Pandu replied with a grin.
-Grin!
As they ate—Curiosity turned toward him.
Satyavati leaned slightly forward.
"Tell us, Devara… What is your life like?"
Devara swallowed the food in his mouth.
-Gulp!
Then brightened with wide smile on his face.
"Oh!"
"I have a crocodile friend."
Silence.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Pandu blinked caught off guard by what Devara as said.
"…A what? Crocodile."
Devara nodded proudly.
-Nod
"He lets me sit on him."
A pause.
"Sometimes."
Another.
"If he was here…"
Devara leaned in slightly as if he was whispering.
"…he would complain."
"…About what?"
Ambalika asked, amused by the story.
"That I sit on him too much."
A serious nod.
-Nod
"And that it damages his… integrity as a crocodile."
Silence.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Then—Laughter.
-Pfft!
Soft at first. Then fuller.
-Hahahaha!!!
-Hahahaha!!!...
Even Bhishma turned away slightly—Shoulders shaking faintly not to loose his image before his family.
Devara continued—Completely unaware of the effect.
"And fish! They follow me. And play with me."
"And Mother gives me milk on the right time, If I try to reason with her he don't want milk that day she would forcefully open his mouth and pour the milk into it—"
He paused.
"…Oh, that sounds weird here."
Satyavati smiled gently.
"Not to us."
Devara perked up again.
"And I have a friend! Ashwatthama!"
Bhishma's eyes flickered slightly.
"…Drona's son."
Devara nodded then paused.
"You know uncle Drona? Yeah... We build sand houses. And drink milk. And talk."
A pause.
"He didn't know what milk tasted like before."
The table quieted.
Just for a moment.
Because behind the simplicity—Was truth. Raw. Unfiltered.
They all listened.
Not because the stories were grand.
But because—They were real.
And in a palace filled with strategy, duty, and restraint—That was rare.
The laughter faded. Plates settled.
Voices softened.
And from across the table—Dhritarashtra spoke.
Calm. Direct.
"You have lived in water… and on land."
A pause.
"Which is more beautiful… to your eyes?"
Silence.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Not sudden. But heavy.
Because everyone knew—He had never seen either.
Not the river. Not the sky.
Not even the faces before him.
And yet—He asked.
Not as a prince.
But as someone who had always wondered.
Bhishma's fingers stilled.
Pandu looked down briefly.
Satyavati's expression softened.
Because they all knew—What lay beneath that question.
A lifetime of:
Being compared, Being doubted, Being judged.
All because—He could not see.
Devara paused. Mid-bite. Then swallowed.
"...."
-Gulp!
Thinking. Not rushing. Not avoiding.
Then—
"Both are beautiful."
The answer came softly.
"But in different ways."
The hall listened.
"On land…"
He looked upward slightly.
"…you can feel the air. It moves around you. Free."
A pause.
"In water…"
His voice softened.
"…it feels like a hug."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Cold… but gentle."
He leaned forward slightly.
"People who live in one place …don't always see the beauty of the other. Unless they're lucky."
A pause.
Then—
"I've seen both. Mother Bhūdevi's domain… And mother Ganga's domain."
His eyes brightened.
"They're both beautiful. So I can't choose."
Devara continued—
"There are plants under the water too. They move… like they're dancing. And fish… Some shine. Some hide. Some look strange…"
A pause.
"…but nice."
Dhritarashtra listened. Completely still.
"...."
Absorbing every word.
Building a world—From sound alone.
After a moment—He spoke again. In low voice.
"…It would be good…"
A pause.
"…if I could see it."
The hall froze with heavy atmosphere.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Because that—Was not a complaint.
Not anger. Not frustration.
Just—A wish. Simple. And impossible.
Devara took another bite. As if nothing had changed.
Then—
"It's possible."
Silence.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Not heavy this time.
Absolute.
Time itself seemed to stop.
Bhishma's head snapped slightly.
Pandu froze mid-breath.
Satyavati's fingers tightened.
Ambika and Ambalika both were looking at Devara with wide eyes.
Vidura's gaze sharpened instantly.
Even the servants—Stopped moving.
Devara blinked. Looking around.
-Blink!
"…What?"
Because to him—He had just said something obvious.
Ambika leaned forward—Faster than anyone else.
"Is it true?"
Her voice trembled—Not with doubt—But with need.
"Can Dhritarashtra… truly gain sight?"
Ambalika placed a gentle hand on her shoulder—Steadying her.
Around the table—Everyone watched Devara.
Bhishma. Satyavati. Vidura. Pandu.
And Dhritarashtra—Who leaned slightly forward—For the first time—Not composed.
But urgent.
"Tell me."
His voice was tight.
"What is the way?"
Pandu placed a hand on his arm.
"Brother… slowly."
But even he—Was listening just as intently.
Devara raised his hand. Three fingers up.
"…There are three ways."
The hall held its breath.
"First…"
Devara spoke simply.
"Do tapasya."
A pause.
"To one of the three supreme gods."
His eyes moved between them.
"If they're pleased… They can give a boon."
Silence.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Because this path—Was known. But not easy.
Years. Decades.
Uncertainty.
Devara tilted his head slightly as he closed his second finger.
"If they say they can't fix the eyes…"
A pause.
"…then ask for new ones."
Confusion flickered across faces.
"…New… ones?"
Devara nodded calmly taking another bite of food.
"A second pair."
He pointed just below his eyes.
"Here."
The room went still.
"The old ones close… And become small. And the new ones work."
A pause.
"However he wants."
Pandu blinked stunned by the idea which no one has considered.
Bhishma's brows furrowed slightly in thought.
-Frown!
"...."
Vidura's gaze sharpened further.
Because this—Was not common way of thinking.
Devara continued to explain—
"Third… Find sages. Very good ones. Who know medicine."
A pause.
"They can change the eyes."
The words landed—Heavy.
"Take eyes from someone else."
Another pause.
"Either from a living person …or someone who died not long ago."
He held up his fingers again.
"Within five hours."
Silence.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Not shock—But weight. Because now—This was real.
Not a wish. Not a dream.
But options.
Each—With a cost.
Satyavati's gaze lowered slightly.
'Tapasya…'
Time-consuming. Uncertain.
Bhishma's thoughts moved faster.
'Divine intervention…'
Possible. But unpredictable.
Vidura—Analyzed everything.
'Medical method …requires sacrifice.'
His eyes flickered briefly—Toward Dhritarashtra.
"...."
Dhritarashtra sat still. Very still.
Because for the first time—The darkness before him—Had cracks.
Three paths. Three possibilities. Three chances.
His hands clenched slightly.
"…I…"
A pause.
"…can choose?"
Devara nodded his head looking back at him.
"…Yeah."
Simple. As if it had always been that way.
The silence had barely settled—When Ambika spoke.
Suddenly.
"Then take mine."
The words fell—Sharp. Immediate.
No hesitation.
"If eyes are needed…"
Her voice trembled—But not with doubt.
"Give him mine."
Everything broke at once.
"Mother—!"
Pandu rose halfway from his seat.
"Ambika—!"
Ambalika tightened her grip on her hand.
Bhishma's expression hardened.
Even Dhritarashtra—Shook his head hurriedly.
"No."
His voice was firm.
"I will not accept that."
Because this—Was not a solution.
It was loss.
Devara shook his head. Not dramatically. Just… certain.
"It won't work like that."
Silence returned—But now—Focused.
Devara spoke simply.
"Everyone's blood is different."
A pause.
"Even family."
He looked at Ambika.
"Yours might not match his."
Another.
"If it doesn't… The body won't accept it."
The words were calm—But they carried weight.
"Then both lose."
Silence deepened.
Because now—This wasn't sacrifice. It was risk.
Devara continued—
"You need the right eyes. The right match. And someone willing."
A pause.
"And someone who can do it properly."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Without hurting him."
The simplicity—Made it clearer.
Harder. Real.
Devara looked at Dhritarashtra.
"Tapasya is easier."
A pause.
"No matching. No risk. Just effort and devotion."
The table fell into thought.
Deep. Measured.
Satyavati closed her eyes briefly.
"...."
Bhishma looked at Dhritarashtra.
Then—Spoke.
"After the marriages are complete…"
A pause.
"If you still desire sight… You will undertake tapasya."
No force. Just a path.
Dhritarashtra straightened slightly.
"...."
His face—Calm again. But changed.
"I will."
A pause.
"I will do it."
Not out of desperation. But decision.
The tension eased.
Not vanished—But softened. Because now—There was direction.
Ambika exhaled slowly.
-Sigh!
Ambalika smiled faintly.
Pandu relaxed as his brother finally found a way to get his sight backs.
Bhishma nodded once.
-Nod
And Devara—Took another bite.
"…This food is really good."
A beat.
Then—Soft laughter.
Because once again—He had shifted the room.
From weight—To warmth.
After the feast—The palace slowly returned to its rhythm.
But not all remained inside.
Pandu and Dhritarashtra led Devara away—Through corridors—Past courtyards—To a quieter corner of the palace grounds.
An old training field.
Now silent.
"…We used to play here."
Pandu said lightly.
"Before responsibilities found us."
Devara looked around curiously.
"…It feels calm."
Dhritarashtra nodded slightly taking deep breath taking in the air.
-Nod
"It always has."
He tilted his head—Listening to the wind.
"Even now."
Devara walked ahead—Touching the ground as he could feel the positive energy radiating from it.
"…This place remembers you."
Pandu blinked caught off guard by the response.
"…What?"
Devara looked up.
"…Places remember takes the energy may it positive or negative radiant from the being which uses that places."
A pause.
"…Like people."
Dhritarashtra smiled faintly.
"Then it must remember laughter."
Devara nodded seriously.
-Nod
"…And falling."
Pandu laughed remembered how his brother once slipped and fell on the pond near by.
-Haha!
"…Mostly that."
Back within the palace—Bhishma stood with Satyavati and Vidura.
"...."
"...."
The warmth of the feast had faded.
Now—Only decisions remained.
"The responses have arrived."
His voice was steady.
"We proceed as planned. King Devaka of Vrishni Kingdom has accepted."
A pause.
"His younger daughter will wed Vidura."
Vidura inclined his head slightly. No surprise. As he spoke in calm voice
"Our shared lineage removes future complications."
Satyavati nodded her head thoughtfully.
-Nod
"...."
She don't want another drama to unfold as happened to her sons.
This—Was smooth. Or should proceed smooth.
"King Surasena[1] of Surasena kingdom has agreed."
"Princess Kunti will wed Pandu."
A brief softness crossed Satyavati's face.
"A strong alliance."
Bhishma nodded his head.
-Nod
"One that strengthens both sides."
Then—The air shifted.
As he become serious.
"Gandhara…"
A pause.
"…hesitates."
Vidura's eyes sharpened hearing it.
"...."
"...."
Satyavati's expression tightened.
Bhishma continued—
"They were pleased—initially. Until they learned…"
A pause.
"…the proposal is for Dhritarashtra."
Silence.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Because the reason—Was obvious.
"Princess Gandhari has refused."
Another pause.
"And her father and brothers stand with her."
The weight of that settled.
Not insult. But reality.
Bhishma stepped forward slightly.
"I will go."
Firm. Unquestionable.
"First—to Vrishni. Then Surasena. And finally—Gandhara."
His gaze hardened just a fraction.
"...."
"This must be resolved."
Vidura spoke calmly—
"With care."
He emphasis as if he could guess what is on Bhishma's mind.
Bhishma nodded seriously.
-Nod
"With reason."
But beneath it—There was steel as if he would do what ever to ensure the good ending.
Meanwhile...
Gandhara Kingdom...
In the rugged lands of Gandhara—Stone walls stood firm.
But inside them—Unease spread quietly.
The court had made its decision.
They had refused Bhishma's proposal.
And everyone knew—Refusing Bhishma was not just refusal.
It was risk.
Within the palace halls—Ninety-nine princes stood together.
Voices firm.
"We will not send her."
"Let them come if they wish."
"We are not weak."
Their pride burned bright.
Because to them—This was simple.
'…Our sister deserves better …Not a blind prince.'
They did not whisper it. They did not hide it.
And that—Made it dangerous.
Only one was absent. The youngest.
Shakuni
Deep in the forest—Searching for mountain honey.
His sister's favorite.
Which he promised to deliver before her birthday.
Unaware—That while he wandered peacefully—Fate was sharpening its edge.
Gandhari's Chamber...
Far from the noise—In a quiet chamber lit by soft lamps—
Sat Gandhari. Still. Listening worriedly.
"...."
An old maid spoke gently—Spinning a tale not meant to comfort.
But to warn.
"Princess… There was once a time…when three princesses were taken."
Gandhari's fingers tightened slightly.
"Ambika… Ambalika… And their elder sister Amba…"
The maid's voice lowered.
"Taken by Bhishma himself."
Silence.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Because this was not just a story.
It was history.
And history—Had a habit of repeating itself.
Gandhari lowered her gaze. Her thoughts tangled.
'…I have refused …will he come?'
A pause.
'…Will my father… my brothers…'
Her breath tightened.
"...."
'…be hurt?'
She did not fear for herself. That was not her nature.
She feared—For them.
She stood.
Walking slowly toward the window.
Looking out at her kingdom.
'…If I accept… I lose myself. If I refuse …I may lose them.'
A cruel balance.
One she did not choose—But was forced to stand upon by a single man who posses immense strength.
Her hands came together.
Eyes closing gently.
"O Mahadev[2]…"
A soft whisper.
"You who granted me the boon…"
A pause.
"Of a hundred sons…"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"Grant me this as well… Protect my family. Protect my kingdom."
Another pause.
"And show me the path… That does not destroy both."
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(Author note:)
I hope you guys give me your opinion and idea's.
Thanks for reading the chapter!
Please give a review!!! And power stone too!!!
Guys it will motivate me more?
[1] he was named after his kingdom
[2] Lord Shiva