Karna commanded but the next thing everyone in the hall saw sent a freezing shiver down their spines. Karna's shadow expanded itself then a clawed hand from the shadow emerged, but it was not the end quite the opposite. It was just the beginning.
Many more creatures of all types and sizes emerged from Karna's shadow, each more fearsome and otherworldly than the last. But one thing was common among them, they all looked like shadowy figures of warriors and creatures, as if they were beings from another realm, shaped by Karna's formidable power.
The courtiers and dignitaries in the throne room stared in awe and terror at the emerging entities. The atmosphere was thick with otherworldly energy as Karna's shadowy army took form, casting an eerie and foreboding presence in the grand hall.
Bhishma, his face a mixture of astonishment and concern, addressed Karna, "What sorcery is this, Karna? What beings have you summoned from the shadows?"
Karna, his gaze fixed on Guru Dronacharya, responded with a cold determination, "These are the consequences of your actions, Guru Dronacharya. You thought attacking my loved ones would weaken me, but it just fuels my anger and unleashes the power within."
Guru Dronacharya, now fully grasping the magnitude of his misguided actions, fell to his knees, remorse and guilt consuming him. Bhishma, still struggling to comprehend the surreal scene unfolding before him, spoke with urgency, "Karna, we must find a way to resolve this without further bloodshed. Your power is unprecedented, and the consequences of unleashing it upon Hastinapur would be catastrophic."
Karna's gaze remained fixed on Guru Dronacharya, his voice echoing through the hall, "I did not seek conflict, but you forced my hand. These beings are a reflection of the darkness within you, Guru Dronacharya, and they will serve as witnesses to the consequences of your choices."
As the shadowy entities formed a silent and ominous assembly, Karna turned his attention back to Bhishma, his expression unyielding. "Bhishma Pitamaha, I am not here to destroy Hastinapur. But I will not be manipulated or threatened. If you seek resolution, it must be on terms that respect my principles and the honor of those dear to me."
Bhishma, recognizing the delicate balance hanging in the air, nodded solemnly. "Karna, we are at a crossroads, and the path we choose will shape the fate of Bharatavarsha. Let us convene a council and find a way to resolve this conflict without further bloodshed. Your grievances will be addressed, and a path to peace shall be forged."
Gasp~
"no...No! NOOOO!!!" Karna's voice reverberated through the throne room, filled with anguish and frustration. His eyes blazed with an intensity that seemed to pierce through the very fabric of reality. The courtiers and dignitaries watched in stunned silence as Karna's emotions surged, manifesting in an overwhelming display of power.
"Mandodari...She died..."Karna's revelation hung in the air, sending shockwaves through the throne room. The courtiers and dignitaries exchanged glances, struggling to comprehend the gravity of Karna's words.
"Mandodari died," Karna repeated, his voice tinged with sorrow and rage. "Your actions, Guru Dronacharya, caused the death of an innocent. She was not involved in this conflict, yet she became a victim of your misguided attempt to manipulate me."
Guru Dronacharya, still on his knees, looked down in shame and regret. The weight of his choices bore heavily upon him as Karna's words cut through the air like a blade.
Bhishma, recognizing the severity of the situation, spoke with a sense of urgency. "Karna, I offer my sincerest condolences for the loss of Mandodari. This tragedy must be addressed, and we will ensure that those responsible face consequences. But let us not descend further into the abyss of vengeance. The council will convene, and justice shall be served."
Karna's eyes burned with a fierce intensity, his emotions a tumultuous storm within. "Justice? Do you think justice can bring back the dead? No, Bhishma Pitamaha, this is not about justice anymore. It's about consequences and the price paid for foolish actions."
"Ask that Brahmastra, Ashwatthama used in his death bed to kill Mandodari. Ask him where he got it."
The mention of the powerful Brahmastra and its connection to Ashwatthama's actions added another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama. The courtiers and dignitaries looked at each other, bewildered by the revelation.
"I demand answers, Guru Dronacharya," Karna's voice resonated with authority. "Tell them where Ashwatthama obtained the Brahmastra that caused Mandodari's death."
Guru Dronacharya, still burdened by guilt, finally spoke in a somber tone, "It was my mistake. I taught Ashwatthama the use of the Brahmastra, believing he would only use it in dire circumstances. But I never anticipated that he would wield it in such a manner."
The gravity of Dronacharya's admission hung heavily in the air. The courtiers and dignitaries absorbed the shocking truth that the devastating weapon, responsible for the death of Mandodari, had roots in Dronacharya's teachings.
BOOOOOMMM!!!
CRRRAAASSSHHH!!!
Karna punched the ground with an explosion of power, the shockwaves reverberating through the throne room. The force of his rage and grief manifested in the destruction of the surroundings, causing debris to scatter and the very foundation of the palace to tremble.
"Your teachings... Your choices... have led to the death of an innocent woman! Mandodari paid the price for your misguided actions," Karna's voice thundered through the chaos. His eyes glowed with an intensity that mirrored the flames of his fury.
***
[Karna's Mindspace]
"They have unleashed the beast before its time," Alter said, his voice echoing through the mindscape. "The shadows within you have awakened prematurely, fueled by the injustice and pain inflicted upon you. The consequences of their actions will reverberate through the threads of destiny."
BOOOMMM!!!
A massive explosion resonated throughout the mind space of Karna originating from the center of it, where a tree so huge and ancient stood, its roots reaching deep into the core of Karna's consciousness. The explosion shattered the tranquility of the mindscape, causing the tree to tremble as if shaken by an unseen force.
"This event even awakened the evil world tree from its deep slumber, reacting to the surges of emotions and power within you," Alter continued.
A crimson-red aura enveloped the ancient tree, its branches twisting and contorting as if reacting to the turmoil within Karna's mind. The mindscape, once serene and ethereal, now echoed with the roars of an awakening force.
Evil World Tree.
The negative aspect of a world tree is that every world tree has. Every world has its own pair of world trees, One positive and another negative.
But it does not make them really pure or evil by the nature of something, it means that the world tree focuses on the dark, chaotic, and destructive aspects of existence, contrasting with the positive, life-affirming aspects represented by its counterpart.
The word 'World' in the world tree is not for show because a world tree keeps the said world in balance, maintaining the delicate equilibrium between creation and destruction.
A positive world tree stays on the surface or earth to be exact while the negative world tree stays in hell or Patala Loka and, it was meant to be for the world because only a world can sustain a world tree and vice versa.
But in this case, Karna had the world tree which should sustain on world in his soul all by himself, making it a unique and unprecedented situation.
A weight that the world should carry was now borne solely by Karna's soul.
"You should stop your acting by now," Alter said while looking at the world tree with a no-nonsense tone.
"Mooo~ I am awake after so much time, But you are right my husband needs me." A feminine voice resonated from the depths of the mindscape, accompanied by a gentle rustling of leaves. Emerging from the heart of the ancient tree, a figure materialized, ethereal and radiant.
The figure took on the form of a beautiful woman, with sharp ears, blood-red hair flowing down all the way to her ankles, and vivid green eyes that held a mysterious depth. She wore a flowing gown made of shimmering leaves, and her presence exuded a mix of elegance and innocence.
"My name is...oh~ I don't have one yet, Anyway, my darling will name me later. I should help him first in dealing with the situation outside."
The figure, seemingly an embodiment of the world tree's positive aspect, extended her hands toward the tumultuous energy within Karna's mindscape. As she did, the chaotic waves began to subside, and a sense of calm settled over the once-turbulent space.
***
Back in the physical realm, the throne room lay in disarray, debris scattered across the floor. The courtiers and dignitaries, still reeling from the revelation and the manifestation of Karna's formidable power, witnessed a surprising turn of events.
"My soldiers, KILL!!!"
The moment Karna uttered those words, the shadowy entities that had emerged from his shadow moved with unparalleled speed and ferocity. They advanced upon the courtiers and dignitaries in a relentless onslaught, their dark forms blending seamlessly into the shadows within the throne room.
Chaos erupted as the courtiers struggled to defend themselves against the relentless assault. The shadowy warriors, fueled by Karna's intense emotions, displayed a level of skill and power that surpassed mortal comprehension. Panic gripped the throne room as the once-stately assembly turned into a battlefield.
Bhishma, with his seasoned combat experience, rose to his feet and raised his sword, attempting to rally the defenders. "Hold your ground! We must not let fear cloud our judgment. Face them with courage and unity!"
Despite Bhishma's rallying cry, the courtiers found themselves overwhelmed by the sheer force of Karna's shadowy army. The creatures moved with uncanny coordination, anticipating every move made by their mortal adversaries.
Guru Dronacharya, burdened by guilt and remorse, struggled to find his footing amidst the chaos. Kunti, still standing nearby, watched the unfolding battle with a mix of concern and regret. The throne room, once a symbol of authority and grandeur, now echoed with the clash of steel and the cries of those caught in the crossfire.
"Brother, Can you stop all this, for me?"
Amidst the chaos, a voice echoed through the throne room, cutting through the tumult. It was the voice of Krishna who could seen walking through now now-destroyed gates of the palace. His presence brought a momentary pause to the conflict as both Karna and the shadowy entities turned their attention toward him.
"Krishna, stay out of this," Karna's voice carried a warning tone, his eyes still ablaze with a mixture of grief and anger.