Chapter 2: Mahadev's Boon
"Why… is it so dark here?"
Karna's consciousness floated in a boundless void. No air, no light, no sky—only silence that pressed against his soul like eternity itself.
"Who turned off the light?" he murmured softly, half jest, half fear.
A calm, resonant voice echoed—deep as creation itself."No one turned it off, Karna. You stand where even light bows."
Karna turned, though there was no direction to face. The voice came from everywhere—around, within, beyond.
"Who are you?" he asked, his voice trembling.
The darkness rippled. Then a radiance, neither blinding nor soft, but infinite, arose before him. From it stepped a towering figure—half shadow, half flame. The crescent moon shone upon his matted hair; a serpent coiled across his neck. His eyes were galaxies, and his presence made time itself still.
Karna's soul bowed instinctively."Mahadev…"
Lord Shiva smiled faintly."Yes, child of the Sun. You stand before me, between life and afterlife, between karma and time."
Karna's voice wavered. "Then… am I dead?"
Mahadev's tone was serene."Your body lies fallen on Kurukshetra's soil, but your spirit burns too bright to fade. Tell me—why does your soul still resist dissolution?"
Karna clenched his fists. "Because my story was never mine to end. I was cursed for birth, punished for loyalty, betrayed for honor. My life belonged to others' will. I want… another chance—to live by my own choices."
The cosmos fell silent. Even the stars seemed to hold their breath.
"Another chance?" Shiva asked, his eyes glowing. "To defy the flow of fate itself?"
Karna met his gaze, unwavering. "Yes. Let me return—to the moment of my birth. Let me remember everything, and choose my own path."
For a long moment, Mahadev said nothing. Then, with a soft rumble like distant thunder, he smiled."To challenge destiny… few souls have dared so boldly. Very well, Karna. I shall grant your wish."
He lifted his trident. From its center emerged a spinning sigil of gold and silver light, pulsing with cosmic rhythm.
"This," Shiva said, "is the Luck System. It shall bind with your soul, unseen by gods or devas. Through it, fortune and karma will flow as one. No curse shall bind you—only the balance of your own luck."
Golden streams of energy wound around Karna's spirit. Symbols of light etched themselves across his essence, pulsing softly.
✦ Luck System Functions
Status Window – View your current Luck Value, Boons, and Karma Flow.Luck Roulette – Spin to test your fortune; blessings or calamities await the brave.
"Use these with wisdom," Mahadev said. "Fortune is a river—kind to the humble, merciless to the proud. Every deed, every mercy, every sin will shape your flow of luck."
Karna's spirit burned brighter. "Then let it flow as it must. This time, I will not live by fate—I will forge my own fortune."
Mahadev's third eye glowed with divine approval."Then so be it. You shall live again, hidden from heaven's sight. The Luck System will guard your rebirth. Walk your new path, O son of the Sun."
The void trembled. Stars folded into a vortex of golden light, pulling Karna's soul downward toward the mortal realm.
"Why me, Mahadev?" Karna whispered as he was drawn away. "Why grant me this chance?"
Shiva's smile was eternal."Because even I bless those who refuse to bow before destiny. Remember—luck favors the fearless."
Light consumed him.