The golden chariot, pulled by five radiant horses, blazed across the skies like a comet streaking toward history. Karna stood tall at its helm, his golden armor glinting in the sun, unaware that the very chariot he rode was a gift from a father he had never known.
Beside him, Aryan sat still, cloaked in silence. The dark sword of Ravan rested across his lap, humming with suppressed power. His expression was calm, but his eyes told another story — storm clouds gathered within.
Below them, Hastinapur shimmered in the afternoon light — proud towers, sweeping courtyards, and at the heart of it all, the Raj Mehel, surrounded by bustling guards and awed civilians.
> 🔱 SYSTEM UPDATE 🔱
Deva-Asura Blood Balance: 40% Rising
Ravan's Sword Sync: 21%
Emotional Surge Detected. Aura Manifestation Possible.
---
At the Gates of the Raj Mehel
A royal guard, wide-eyed, pointed toward the sky. "Look! Is that… a divine chariot?!"
Drums thundered as the city prepared to welcome its lost sons. And standing at the gates, emotions boiling over, were the ones who had been waiting all these years.
Vasumati, Aryan's real mother, stood with her arms wrapped around his sister, now thirteen. Her eyes were moist, her lips trembling.
Behind them were Radha Maa and Pitashree, Aryan's adoptive parents. Radha Maa pressed her palms together, whispering prayers, while Pitashree's eyes brimmed with proud tears.
Krishna, now a mischievous 7-year-old, stood with Radha by his side, both glowing with divine charm. Krishna's smile widened. "Aryan bhaiya is back."
The chariot descended, kicking up a whirl of golden dust as it landed with a soft thud. Aryan and Karna stepped down.
"Ma…" Aryan whispered.
Vasumati couldn't hold herself. She ran forward and embraced him tightly, sobbing against his shoulder.
"You came back… my son," she whispered. "You kept your promise."
Aryan held her close, then turned to his sister, whose eyes were already wet.
"Bhaiya…" she murmured.
He knelt and embraced her too. "You've grown taller than me," he chuckled, brushing her hair back. "Have you been protecting Maa in my place?"
"I tried," she sniffled. "But we missed you… every day."
---
An Unseen Storm
Karna stood at a short distance, quietly watching the reunion. But as a few nobles began whispering about his origins—about his golden armor and divine chariot—something in Aryan snapped.
One noble sneered softly, "A son of the sun? Surely not. He's a charioteer's child, nothing more."
That one sentence pierced the air like poison.
The sword at Aryan's side let out a low, unholy hum.
Karna turned. "Aryan, let it go. They're just—"
But Aryan's breath had deepened. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. His fingers clenched around Ravan's blade.
> 🔱 SYSTEM ALERT 🔱
Emotional Spike Detected.
Deva-Asura Aura: ACTIVATED
A ring of dark crimson and radiant gold exploded around Aryan. The sky above darkened. Flames and divine halos danced in a chaotic whirl around his body. The guards stepped back in fear.
Even Krishna blinked. "That power again…"
Radha gasped. "He's glowing…"
From behind, Radha Maa stepped forward, placing her hand on Aryan's shoulder.
"Bacche," she said gently, "you're home now. Let them talk. You're not here to prove yourself—you're here to reunite your family."
Aryan's aura faded slowly as he exhaled. The fire dimmed. The golden-crimson light folded back into his skin, leaving only the silence of shame in the crowd.
---
Karna's Loyalty and Doubt
Karna approached slowly, placing a hand on Aryan's shoulder. "Thank you… for standing up for me. But I'm fine."
Aryan looked at him. "You're more than they say, Karna. One day the world will know it."
Karna smiled faintly. "I'm not sure why I was given a chariot like this. Or how I can shoot arrows that split the sky. But… I know one thing—I owe Duryodhan everything. He saw a warrior in me when no one else did."
Aryan nodded, hiding the ache in his heart. If only he knew the truth…
---
Inside the Palace
They were led inside the palace with fanfare. Duryodhan wasn't present—out hunting perhaps—but word had already begun to spread.
In a distant chamber, Shakuni watched a pigeon land on his window with a scroll tied to its foot.
"The boys are back. And the blade has awakened."
Shakuni smiled darkly. "Then the game begins…"
---
That Night
Later that evening, Aryan sat on the balcony, overlooking the quiet city. His sister rested with her head on his lap, finally asleep after endless questions. His mother, Vasumati, slept nearby, her hand still touching the hem of his dhoti, as if afraid he'd vanish again.
Karna leaned on the railing beside him. "Do you ever feel like… something greater is pulling our strings?"
Aryan nodded. "Every day. But maybe… we can still choose the way we hold the sword."
Karna glanced at him. "Will we be okay?"
Aryan stared at the stars. "If we stay together… yes."
---
Final System Log
> Aryan
Ravan's Sword Sync: 22%
Deva-Asura Aura: Stable
Sister and Mother: Safe in Palace
Emotionally Grounded: ✅
> Karna
Divine Chariot Active
Duryodhan Loyalty: Firm
Parentage Status: Hidden