The world did not tremble when Karna became king.
It simply tilted.
Arya felt it one morning as he stood before Mahismati's war map. A subtle imbalance, like a scale shifting weight. No alarms rang. No omens screamed.
But something fundamental had changed.
[Fate Node Update]Entity: KarnaStatus: King of AngaAlignment: Kaurava – Strengthening
Arya stared at the eastern lands.
So Duryodhana has found his blade.
A loyal blade.
A blade forged by humiliation.
Mahismati's council was restless.
"Karna of Anga grows powerful," a general said. "His army drills day and night."
"He gives freely," another added. "Gold, protection, honor. The people love him."
The king frowned. "Love born of gratitude is dangerous."
Arya spoke calmly.
"Love born of recognition is worse."
The room fell silent.
They all looked at him.
Arya continued, "He gives what the world denied him. That kind of loyalty does not break easily."
[Court Influence Progress: 5/5]Court Influence – Unlocked
New Passive: Sovereign PresenceYour words carry weight equal to authority.
Arya felt it settle like a mantle.
Heavy.
Permanent.
That same week, a messenger arrived from Hastinapura.
A formal invitation.
A grand martial gathering.
A display of strength.
A test.
"The Kuru prince requests your presence," the messenger said carefully. "And that of Mahismati's crown prince."
Arya smiled faintly.
So they want to measure me.
The journey east was long.
As Mahismati's banners crossed borders, whispers followed.
"The prince who never smiles."
"The heir who judges kings."
Arya ignored them.
He was thinking of only one thing.
Karna.
Hastinapura burned with celebration.
Arenas packed with warriors. Kings in gold. Princes boasting loudly.
Arya entered without flourish.
No grand entrance.
No challenge.
And yet—
Eyes followed him.
Karna stood across the arena.
Tall. Broad. Radiant.
Sunlight clung to him unnaturally.
Their gazes met.
Just once.
Arya felt it.
A pull.
Not hatred.
Recognition.
[Fate Convergence – Direct Visual Contact]
Warning:Emotional Instability Possible
Arya's heartbeat remained steady.
Karna doesn't know me.
But some part of him feels me.
The matches began.
One warrior fell.
Then another.
Karna moved like fire.
Unstoppable.
Unyielding.
Arya watched intently.
He fights like someone who cannot afford to lose.
When Karna's final opponent fell, the crowd roared.
Duryodhana laughed loudly, arm around Karna's shoulder.
"A king among men!"
The words struck deep.
Arya saw it.
Karna straightened slightly.
Praise feeds the wound.
Then—
A voice called out.
"Mahismati's prince has yet to fight."
All eyes turned.
Arya stepped forward.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
The arena quieted.
Karna faced him now.
Up close.
No gods between them.
No systems.
Just two men shaped by fate.
"What is your name?" Karna asked.
"Arya."
Karna nodded. "I've heard of you."
"So have I," Arya replied.
No insult.
No praise.
Only truth.
They circled.
The crowd leaned forward.
This was not scheduled.
Which made it dangerous.
[Unplanned Duel Detected]System Observation Mode – High Priority
The signal was clear.
This fight would matter.
Steel clashed.
Not violently.
Precisely.
Karna's strength was monstrous.
Arya's control was absolute.
Blow after blow.
Neither yielded.
The crowd forgot how to breathe.
Karna pressed harder.
"Why do you look at me like that?" he demanded between strikes.
"Like what?" Arya asked calmly.
"Like you know me."
Arya blocked, twisted, countered.
"I know suffering," he said. "Yours is loud."
Karna snarled.
"And yours?"
Arya met his eyes.
"Quiet."
The clash sent sparks flying.
For a moment—
Just a moment—
Karna saw it.
Not memories.
Not visions.
But understanding.
And it enraged him.
They broke apart.
Silence ruled.
The duel ended without victor.
No announcement.
No cheer.
Just tension.
[Fate Evaluation]Outcome: Deferred Conflict
New Status:Bound Rivals
Arya lowered his weapon.
Karna did not smile.
But he did not forget.
That night, Karna stood alone.
Staring at the stars.
Why did that man unsettle him?
Why did his silence hurt more than mockery?
Arya stood on another balcony.
Looking at the same sky.
He whispered softly.
"I'm sorry."
The system did not respond.
[Hidden Condition Met]Brother Without Blood – Acknowledged
Effect:Future encounters with Karna carry amplified emotional weight.
Arya closed his eyes.
This is the path I chose.
The Mahabharata was no longer a distant story.
It breathed.
It watched.
And two men stood at its center—
Not as brothers.
Not yet as enemies.
But as mirrors of what the world had broken.