[Karna's POV]
After eating the sumptuous meal prepared by the palace chefs, I retired to my private chambers, seeking solace from the tumultuous events of the day. Once inside I closed the doors and went to the balcony overlooking the sprawling gardens of the palace.
The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the tranquil scene below. I stood there, the cool night air brushing against my skin, offering a brief respite from the turmoil within.
'Should I go meet them,' I thought about my father and mother in past life.
[I think you should.]
"Artemis..." As my trusted AI voice sounded in my mind, I turned my attention inward, contemplating the AI's words as I gazed out into the serene night.
Artemis, my trusted companion and guide, had always offered counsel rooted in logic and wisdom, a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil that often clouded my thoughts.
The moonlight played on the leaves of the ancient trees, casting intricate patterns on the ground below. In the quiet of the night, I reflected on the events that had unfolded, Kunti's unexpected arrival, the tensions with the Kuru kingdom, and the ever-present struggle with the power of the Black Heart.
"Artemis, what do you suggest?" I asked silently, my voice a whisper amidst the gentle rustling of leaves.
[Exploring your past could provide clarity and perhaps closure, Lord Karna. Understanding your origins might shed light on your present challenges.]
"Okay... Here goes nothing." I took a deep breath as I remembered how to enter the realm of Kailash.
"Om Namah Shivay!!!"
With a deep breath, Karna uttered the sacred mantra that would allow him to enter the realm of Kailash, seeking guidance and answers from the divine realm. As he focused his mind and spirit, a faint shimmering began to surround him, a sign that the veil between worlds was thinning.
The night air grew colder around Karna as he stood on the balcony, his eyes closed in concentration. Images and memories flashed through his mind—of battles fought, alliances forged, and the weight of destiny he carried upon his shoulders. Amidst the chaos of his thoughts, he sought clarity and a deeper understanding of his purpose.
Moments passed, each one feeling like an eternity as Karna's connection to the divine realm strengthened. He felt a gentle pull, drawing him closer to the ethereal realm where cosmic forces and ancient wisdom resided.
"Putra (Son) welcome home~" A voice so deep and filled with emotion resounded from all over the space.
As I stood in the ethereal realm of Kailash, surrounded by snow and the presence of divine energy, I felt a sense of awe and reverence wash over me. The voice that had greeted me resonated with paternal warmth, echoing through the vastness of the celestial plane.
"Pitashri (Father) I-" But before I could utter anything, I was pulled into a bone-crushing hug by Pitashri, whose divine embrace enveloped me in a sense of profound acceptance and love. The celestial realm seemed to shimmer with intensified light as I, overwhelmed with emotions long buried, returned the embrace.
"You know how long me and your mother waited to hug you again... She still blames herself for your sacrifice that day. My son, she lost a part of herself that day with you, but it was not your fault. You died as a hero; you saved the cosmos."
"Hehe~ Looks like she too sensed your presence and racing here as we ta-"
BOOOOMMMM!!!
Pitashri immediately took ten steps back but before I could think further a soft body attached to me as if merging in my existence, another hug but from-
"Wahhhhh~ Wahhhh~ Sob* Sob* My son! You've returned!" The voice, filled with overwhelming joy and tears, pierced through the echoes of the celestial explosion. It was the voice of my mother, her embrace wrapping around me with a love that transcended time and space.
"Maa (Mother)..." I whispered, my voice choked with emotion as I held her close, feeling the warmth and familiarity of her presence. At that moment, surrounded by the ethereal beauty of Kailash and the loving embrace of my parents, I felt a profound sense of peace.
"I am home~" my voice choked with emotions as tears welled up in my eyes. In the embrace of my celestial parents, I felt a deep sense of belonging and acceptance that transcended the boundaries of mortal existence. The snowflakes around us seemed to dance with joy, reflecting the purity and love that filled the ethereal realm of Kailash.
Pitashri gently released me from his embrace, his eyes filled with pride and paternal affection. "You have endured much, my son," he said, his voice resonating with the wisdom of ages. "But you have also grown stronger with each trial. The cosmos has awaited your return, Karna."
My mother, her hands holding mine tightly, looked at me with eyes brimming with love and unspoken words. "Never leave me again, okay?" Her eyes filled with tears as she held me close. Her voice trembled with the weight of all the emotions she had kept buried for so long.
"Maa," I whispered, my own voice choked with tears. "I promise."
"Come your room is as it was in the past," Pitashri said pointing to the open doors of the chamber. His voice echoed through the ethereal realm, carrying a soothing resonance that reassured Karna of his place in this celestial sanctuary.
I followed Pitashri's guidance, stepping through the doors into a chamber adorned with timeless elegance. The air within was imbued with serene energy as if the very essence of the cosmos had been woven into the fabric of the room. Moonlight streamed through windows carved from the purest crystal, casting ethereal patterns on the walls.
"My son," Pitashri spoke again, his voice softer now, filled with paternal affection. "This room holds memories of your past life, a reflection of the path you have walked and the destiny that awaits you."
I approached a familiar painting hanging on the wall—a depiction of a battlefield where celestial beings clashed amidst swirling galaxies.
Memories surged within me, images of battles fought with valor and sacrifices made for the greater good. The painting seemed to shimmer with divine light, as if it whispered tales of heroism and cosmic balance.
"Maa, do you think..." I turned to my mother, who stood beside me, her eyes still shimmering with unshed tears. "Do you think I can still make things right? For all that has happened?"
Her gaze softened, filled with an unwavering belief in my potential. "My son," she said gently, her voice a melody of love and understanding, "every step you take in this life is a chance to weave new threads into the tapestry of destiny. The cosmos unfolds with every choice you make, and your courage has already shaped the universe in ways you may not yet comprehend."
I nodded, feeling a newfound resolve coursing through my veins. In the embrace of my celestial parents and the timeless sanctuary of Kailash, I found clarity amidst the lingering shadows of doubt.
"Pitashri, Maa," I began, my voice steady now, "thank you for guiding me, for believing in me even when I faltered. I will carry your love with me, always."
"We know son, we know," Pitashri said with a serene smile on his face.
"Baby, Let's go let me introduce you to your siblings." Maa like an excited kid who got a kid who got a new toy, dragged me out of the door as if I were air.
With a mixture of laughter and tears, she led me through corridors that seemed to glow softly with the same ethereal light that permeated Kailash. Each step felt like a revelation as if I were rediscovering a part of myself that had long been forgotten.
As we walked, my mother spoke fondly of each of my siblings—each one born from different circumstances yet bound by the same celestial lineage.
She described their strengths, their quirks, and the unique paths they had forged in their own lives. Her voice carried a blend of pride and maternal affection that resonated deep within me.
Finally, we reached a grand chamber adorned with intricate tapestries and soft, glowing orbs that floated serenely in the air. My siblings stood gathered there, their faces a mixture of curiosity and wonder as they gazed upon me with eyes that mirrored my own.
First, A young man wearing armor and a spear in his hand, carrying a regal aura of authority and determination, stepped forward. His eyes, intense and piercing like mine, held a depth of wisdom beyond his years.
He looked at the mother who was still holding me like a Kowala rubbing her face with my cheeks, expressing joy and love as if she'd been waiting for this moment for an eternity.
A frown made its way onto his face and he immediately pointed his spear at me, "Free my mother immediately, you...!" His voice rang out with authority, spear leveled at me, his eyes flashing with protectiveness and concern.