(A/N):
Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.
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The palace stood calmer now.
The echoes of celebration had faded—Replaced by preparation.
Chariots readied. Guards aligned.
And at the gates—Bhishma and Devara prepared to depart.
The road ahead was already set and Bhishma's next plan:
🏰 Return to Hastinapur and drop Devara there at the royal palace.
⚔️ Then onward to Madra Kingdom to have a talk with their king
💍 A new alliance to be forged through the marriage of their princess Madri and prince Dhritarashtra.
Gandhari stepped forward. Calm.
But her eyes—Held something deeper now.
Gratitude.
She extended a small jar.
Filled with golden mountain honey.
"For you."
Devara blinked looking at the jar.
"…Oh."
He took it carefully. As if it was something rare.
"...."
Gandhari hesitated—Then asked softly.
"How can I reach you?"
A pause.
"If I need to."
Because she already knew—He did not belong to the surface world. Since he was living with his mother Goddess Ganga.
Devara tilted his head. Thinking.
"...."
Then—Something clicked.
"Mother said… If the water is clear—No ripples… And you focus while thinking about me or muttering my name… you can talk to me."
Gandhari nodded slowly.
-Nod
"Through clear water…"
A faint smile adored her face.
"That suits you."
-Clap… -clap…
A chuckle echoed.
-Chuckle!
Then—A figure dropped from the tree above.
Leaves scattered.
-Thud.
Landing right between them.
Shakuni
Smiling. Eyes sharp. Curious.
"So this is him…"
His gaze lingered on Devara.
Measuring.
Not just what he saw—But what didn't make sense.
Gandhari brushed leaves off her head—And glared.
"Can you not enter like a normal person?"
Shakuni grinned wider seeing his sister pout cutely.
-Grin!
"Where's the fun in that?"
Gandhari sighed hearing her brother's response.
-Sigh!
"This is my brother—Shakuni."
Then—
"He is Gangaputra[1] Devaratha."
Devara looked at him.
Internally—A storm of recognition.
"...."
'…This guy… One of the main anchor of Kurukshetra. …the one who twists fate with his cunning skill…'
But outwardly—He just smiled.
"Hi."
Shakuni stepped forward—And pulled him into a hug.
"Thank you."
A pause.
"For saving my sister."
Warm. Unexpected.
"Who needed protection all the time."
Then—THUD.
Gandhari punched him lightly.
"Don't suffocate him! Look he looks uncomfortable."
Shakuni straightened. The playful mask faded.
"...."
For a moment—He was serious.
"What you did…"
A pause.
"…I won't forget."
His gaze locked onto Devara.
Sharp. Sincere.
"From today—You have Gandhara friendship. No matter the cost."
Devara froze for a second.
"...."
Because this—Was not small. Not casual.
This was—A shift a major one from the canon. Then—He smiled.
"Okay."
Simple. Accepted.
[–DUM!–DUM!–]
🎯 [Major Destiny Altered...]
[Shakuni's trajectory changed...]
🎁 [Rewards: +500 Karma Points (Shakuni & Gandhara Fate Shift)
+50 Karma Points (Rakshasas Elimination and save Gandhari and self)]
[–DUM!–DUM!–]
[Chain Bonus is detected...]
🎁 [Rewards: +150 Karma Points (Hidden Threat Removal Chain Bonus) ]
⚖️ [Karma Balance Updated...]
[ Previous: 4025
Gained: +700
Total: 4725 Points]
Devara blinked looking at the sequences of the rewards being dispatched and finally the reward for the elimination of those Rakshasas.
"…Whoa."
Then grinned looking at the system panel.
'…Almost there…'[2]
Meanwhile...
Surasena Kingdom...
In the royal garden of Surasena—Fragrance lingered in the air.
A hibiscus swayed gently—A bee danced upon it—Unbothered by human storms.
Pandu had arrived. Welcomed. Escorted.
And now—Left alone.
With Kunti. Because this moment—Was hers.
They stood apart. Not far.
But not close enough.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Kunti's eyes rested on the flower. Watching the bee.
As if delaying something inevitable.
Pandu watched her. Quietly.
"...."
Not just her beauty—But the weight she carried by the look on her face.
Finally—Kunti spoke in low voice.
"Can I tell you something?"
A pause.
"A secret."
Her voice trembled slightly—
"It will decide… whether we marry."
Pandu blinked. Surprised. By her words.
-Blink!
"...."
Then—He smiled. Light. Gentle.
"That serious, huh?"
He chuckled softly. Trying to ease the air.
-Chuckle!
"Alright."
A pause.
"Whatever you say… stays between us."
Kunti didn't look at him. She began—
"There was a princess…"
Her voice steadied—As if distance made truth easier.
She spoke of:
A sage Durvasa who visited that princess kingdom and the king asked her to look after him till he stays.
Sage Durvasa is known for his anger and his sharp words.
And he was even more famous for his curses and boons which is very difficult to get it from him.
A year of relentless tests as the princess devoted herself to look after the sage maintaining her composure even when Durvasa was angry and he used his sharp words.
And his unreasonable requests like changing food menu suddenly asking for food at midnight and many.
Sage Durvasa was very happy with her efforts and decided to reward her with a boon.
Which is he gave her a mantra.[3]
Using that she could summon any gods excepts three supreme gods to get child from their divine blessing without loosing her dignity.
And warns her to be careful not to use this mantra before marriage which might turn into a curse instead.
But the princess was just 13 years old her innocence and immaturity gave a way to curiosity.
Which was a biggest mistake she made.
So she decided to test the matra[4].
Kunti whispered in low voice as she thought about the past—
"She called upon…"
Lord Suryadev[5]
And he came and answered her call.
She was first happy about it but then reality got to her as her face turned pale.
Because divine promises—Do not break.
Kunti's voice faltered.
"She was not married… She begged… But the boon could not be undone…"
A child was born and named by Lord Suryadev[6] as Vasusena.
Not of sin. Not of shame.
But of divine will.
Kunti's hands trembled thinking about her past decision.
"She was young… Afraid… A princess…"
And so—She chose. Not as a mother.
But as someone overwhelmed by the sudden motherhood.
"She sent the child away… In a box… With gold… And tears…"
Now—Her voice broke she can't keep pretending as telling a story of a another princess.
"She still thinks about him… Every day… Every night…"
Tears fell. Freely.
"She wants to find him… Beg him… To forgive her…"
Silence.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Pandu stood still. Because he understood.
Not the story. But what it meant.
The princess from the story is standing before him.
Kunti lowered her gaze as if she was not meant to be alive—
"If you don't wish to marry …I understand."
But before the thought could settle—He moved.
Pandu stepped forward—And held her.
Firm. Steady.
"We'll find him."
A pause.
"Together."
Kunti froze hearing his words in shock.
"...."
She expected him to deny her berate her for what kind of Adharma[7] she did.
But was met with acceptance.
Her guilt for her son increased even more thinking how immature her decision was.
While Pandu spoke seriously.
"And when we do… he will be mine too."
He pulled back slightly—Looking at her.
Not with doubt. Not with judgment.
But—Clarity.
"He is a blessing. Not a mistake. And you…"
A pause.
"…are not alone anymore."
Kunti broke. But not in pain. In relief.
She cried—Not from guilt—
But because someone—Chose to stay.
While at Hastinapur Gates...
The sun dipped low—Painting the sky in gold and crimson.
And through the grand gates of Hastinapur—Bhishma's chariot entered.
Followed by his army[8].
The journey from Gandhara had ended.
But something else—Had just begun.
Kuru Royal Palace...
At the entrance stood—Rajmata Satyavati and Mahamandri Vidura
Calm. Observing. Waiting.
As they already received the news of the return of Bhishma from his trip.
Before the chariot even settled—
-THUD.
Devara jumped down.
"Careful—!"
Bhishma called—Too late.
Because the boy was already running.
-SCRRRAAAAPE—!!!
The axe dragged behind him—Sparking lightly against stone.
Echoing across the courtyard.
A sound that did not belong to a child.
Devara stopped before Rajmata Satyavati—Straightened. And greeted her.
"Mother!"
Not formal. Not restrained.
Just—Warm.
Satyavati smiled hearing him.
"...."
But her brow lifted slightly—Eyes dropping to—The axe.
"And why…"
A pause.
"…are you dragging a weapon across my palace floor?"
Vidura's lips twitched slightly. Trying not to smile.
-Twitch!
"...."
Devara puffed his chest. Proud.
-Puff!
Clearly prepared for this exact question.
"Because—"
A dramatic pause.
"I used it."
He launched into it. Hands moving.
Eyes shining.
"Two rakshasas came! They were very ugly—And very rude!"
He demonstrated.
Swinging imaginary claws.
Dodging. Rolling.
"Then I took sand—THROW! They couldn't see!"
Vidura looked down briefly. Shoulders shaking slightly.
"Then I—"
He mimicked the swing.
"CUT! And then again—CUT!"
When he finished—He stood there.
Proud. Waiting.
Satyavati didn't react immediately.
"...."
Because she wasn't looking at Devara anymore.
She was looking at Bhishma.
Bhishma gave a slow nod.
-Nod
No exaggeration. No embellishment.
Just—Truth.
Satyavati looked back at Devara.
"...."
The child—Still smiling. Still excited. Still unaware—Of what he had just done.
Vidura stepped forward slightly.
Eyes sharp. Calculating.
'…Five years old… Two rakshasas… And he explains it like a game…'
Satyavati reached out—Placing her hand gently on Devara's head.
"You did well."
A pause.
"But…"
Her tone softened.
"Weapons are not toys. So be careful with it."
Devara nodded hearing her.
-Nod!
"…Okay."
The courtyard settled into a quieter rhythm.
Bhishma stood before—Satyavati and Vidura
And began his report.
Calm. Measured.
"Vrishni marriage alliance—secured. Surasena—confirmed."
A pause.
"Gandhara…"
Silence followed.
"...."
"…declined."
Bhishma continued as his tone grew serious—
"I will proceed to Madra. To secure alliance for Dhritarashtra."
The air grew heavy.
Because behind those words—Were expectations.
Responsibilities.
And the unspoken pressure of lineage.
Then—A small voice slipped in.
Soft. But very deliberate.
Devara leaned slightly toward Satyavati—Whispering.
Just loud enough.
"I think…"
A pause.
"…my elder brother took a pledge not to marry. Because..."
Satyavati blinked hearing the deliberate whisper loud enough for Bhishma to hear.
"Oh?"
Her interest piqued instantly.
Vidura's eyes shifted sideways. Already sensing danger.
Devara's grin widened. Mischief sparkling in his eyes.
-Grin!
"Because…"
A pause.
"…he plans to go around—taking princesses left and right, …for the greatest good."
A beat of silence.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Then—Satyavati laughed. Openly. Freely.
-Hahaha!!!
Vidura followed—Trying to hold it—Failing completely.
Bhishma froze. Then turned slowly.
"...."
"You little—!"
He stepped forward. Too late.
Devara was already gone.
Running. Laughing.
-Hehehehe!!!
The sound echoing through the palace.
Satyavati wiped a tear of laughter.
"He has a sharp tongue."
Vidura nodded with a smile.
-Nod
"And sharper observation."
Bhishma exhaled. Shaking his head slightly.
-Sigh!
But—A faint smile betrayed him.
"...."
After Devara vanished into the palace corridors—Silence returned.
Not awkward. Heavy.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Bhishma turned. Facing Satyavati and Vidura
This time—Not as a warrior. But as a witness.
He began from the start.
The meeting. The refusal. The tension.
"I was ready…"
A pause.
"…to force the alliance."
No pride. No justification.
Just fact.
Satyavati's expression tightened slightly.
"...."
"...."
Vidura's gaze sharpened.
Bhishma continued to explain.
"He stopped me."
A pause.
"Devara."
He described it—The question.
Simple. Direct.
"Why are you disrespecting a woman?"
Vidura's eyes flickered.
-Flicker!
Because that question—Cut deeper than strategy.
"He said …ask her. Let her decide."
A pause.
"And respect it."
Satyavati leaned back slightly.
Thinking.
"...."
Because in all their calculations—That path had never been considered when it comes to political marriage most of the time.
Bhishma exhaled slowly.
-Sigh!
"If not for that moment… Gandhara would have burned."
Silence followed.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Because all three knew—That was not an exaggeration.
Then—His tone shifted.
Lower. Heavier.
"And then… the rakshasas."
He described it. Not with drama.
But with clarity of what he saw.
A child. A garden. Two rakshasas.
"He fought them."
A pause.
"Alone."
Vidura frowned slightly.
-Frown!
"How?"
Bhishma didn't answer immediately.
Because even he—Did not fully understand. Then—He spoke.
"He cut one down. Then…"
A pause.
"Stepped on the severed neck."
Satyavati's eyes widened slightly.
"...."
"Used it to leap. Under the moonlight… And beheaded the second."
Silence.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Deep. Unmoving.
Satyavati looked down. Processing.
"He is…"
A pause.
"…not ordinary. Even through he is the son of Ganga."
Vidura nodded slowly.
-Nod
"No."
Another pause.
"But what concerns me…"
He looked at Bhishma.
"…is not his strength. It is how he sees the world."
Bhishma's gaze hardened slightly.
"...."
Because he understood.
Vidura continued—
"Where we see duty… He sees choice. Where we see strategy… He sees fairness."
A pause.
"And where we hesitate to make difference choices …he acts in a uncommon way."
Satyavati closed her eyes briefly.
Because that—Was both a gift. And a danger for Devara.
Bhishma spoke quietly.
"He called my reasoning…"
A pause.
"…delusion."
Vidura didn't react. Because he didn't disagree.
"...."
Next day once again Bhishma left on his journey to Madra kingdom to secure the marriage alliance.
Two days passed...
Quietly. Until—A messenger arrived.
Dust-covered. Breath steady.
Carrying Bhishma's seal.
It was delivered to—Vidura
Who broke it open and read.
His eyes moved quickly—Then paused.
"...."
"Madra alliance—secured."
A single line. But its impact—Massive.
Vidura looked up. Calm.
But there was a subtle light in his eyes.
"Prepare the palace for the marriage of our Kuru prince."
And with that—Hastinapur transformed.
The news spread like a rising tide.
Three marriages.
One day. A royal convergence.
🛡️ Dhritarashtra- Marriage with Madri secured through Madra alliance,
🏹 Pandu- Marriage with Kunti confirmed,
🧠 Vidura- Marriage alliance already arranged (Vrishni line).
This time—No rushed decisions. No forced alliances.
Like in the canon where each marriage took unexpected turns.
No bitterness hidden beneath rituals.
Everything—Was deliberate.
Prepared. Respected.
The palace entered preparation mode.
Decorations began. Courtyards cleaned.
Priests summoned for performing marriage rituals.
Astrologers consulted about the marriage.
Servants rushed working non stop.
Artisans worked decorating the palace grandly.
Gold shimmered. Silk flowed.
Somewhere in the palace—Devara watched.
People moving around.
Voices rising with instructions to be followed.
Positive energy building.
"…So many weddings…"
A pause as he looked at the various food varieties.
"…That's a lot of food."
Devara's biggest concern—Remained simple.
Can he taste those food samples for inspection purpose.
Convincing himself it's strictly for professional reason not like he wanted to taste it.
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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] Ganga's Son
[2] (Store unlock nearing…)
[3] sacred prayer
[4] sacred prayer
[5] Sun God
[6] Sun God
[7] Injustice
[8] Some might wonder why Bhishma was taking army when they are not needed. It's because its his signature style of placing them at the borders of allied or soon to be allied nation to remind the world of the might of Hastinapur army and he was the one who still leads it.