The next morning on Mount Mahendra was colder than usual.
Thick mist covered the forest.
The training ground looked quiet… almost sacred.
Karna arrived before sunrise as usual.
His bow rested calmly in his hand.
Inside his mind—
'Guru said today the real Astra training begins.'
A slight excitement filled his chest.
Heavy footsteps approached.
Parshuram stepped into the clearing.
His sharp eyes immediately fell on Karna.
For a moment he simply observed him.
Then he spoke.
"Good."
"You are early."
Karna bowed respectfully.
"A warrior must respect time."
Parshuram nodded with approval.
The sage walked to the center of the training ground.
He raised his hand toward the rising sun.
Golden sunlight spread across the mountains.
Parshuram then turned toward Karna.
"Yesterday you learned the basics."
"Today you will learn something far more dangerous."
Karna's eyes sharpened.
Parshuram placed a special arrow on the ground.
The arrow looked ordinary.
But strange carvings covered its shaft.
Ancient symbols.
Powerful mantras.
The air itself felt heavier near it.
Parshuram spoke slowly.
"Astras are not just attacks."
"They are manifestations of divine will."
He pointed toward the sun.
"Some warriors gain connection with certain gods."
Then he looked directly at Karna.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You…"
"Have a connection with Surya."
Karna stayed silent.
But inside his mind—
'Of course… because he is literally my father.'
Parshuram continued.
"Today you will attempt to create a Solar Astra."
Karna's heart skipped a beat.
A Solar Astra was extremely powerful.
Even most advanced warriors could not control it.
But Karna nodded without hesitation.
"I understand."
Parshuram stepped back.
"Focus."
"Do not force the energy."
"Let it flow through you."
Karna closed his eyes.
The world became quiet.
Wind stopped.
Birds stopped chirping.
Slowly he felt the warm presence again.
The same divine warmth he had always felt since childhood.
The power of the sun.
Golden energy slowly gathered in his body.
Then flowed toward the arrow.
The arrow began glowing.
At first it was faint.
Then brighter.
Then blazing like sunlight.
Suddenly—
DING
NEW SKILL UNLOCKED
SOLAR ASTRA – LEVEL 1
Effects:
• Solar energy arrows
• Increased destructive power
• Stronger connection with Surya
Karna opened his eyes.
Golden light reflected in them.
He pulled the bowstring back.
The glowing arrow looked like a miniature sun.
Parshuram's expression changed slightly.
Even he felt the power.
Karna released the arrow.
WHOOSH!
The arrow shot forward like a beam of sunlight.
BOOM!
A distant rock formation exploded violently.
Dust and debris scattered everywhere.
The entire mountain echoed with the impact.
Silence followed.
Parshuram stared at the destroyed area.
For several seconds he said nothing.
Then finally—
He spoke quietly.
"Remarkable."
He looked directly at Karna.
"Even experienced warriors struggle to awaken their first Astra."
"Yet you did it within two days."
Karna lowered his bow respectfully.
"Your teachings are excellent, Guru."
Parshuram laughed softly.
"Flattery will not make training easier."
But inside his mind—
Parshuram was thinking something else.
'This boy…'
'His potential might even surpass the greatest warriors.'
Later that day…
Karna went to the nearby river to wash his face.
The cold water refreshed him.
But suddenly—
He sensed someone nearby.
Footsteps.
Very light footsteps.
He turned quickly.
A young girl stood near the trees.
She looked around nervously.
She was clearly not from the ashram.
Her clothes suggested she came from a nearby village.
But her beauty was striking.
Long dark hair.
Bright intelligent eyes.
She looked surprised seeing Karna.
For a moment both of them stayed silent.
Then she spoke softly.
"S-Sorry…"
"I didn't mean to disturb you."
Karna looked at her calmly.
Inside his mind—
'A girl near Parshuram's ashram?'
'That's unusual.'
But his voice remained gentle.
"Who are you?"
The girl hesitated slightly.
Then she answered.
"My name is Vrinda."
At that exact moment—
Far away…
On another mountain cliff…
A blue-skinned figure watched silently.
Krishna.
A small mysterious smile appeared on his lips.
Inside his mind—
'Interesting…'
'The son of Surya grows stronger every day.'
'And fate is already moving around him.'
Back near the river…
Karna looked at the girl again.
Something about her felt… unusual.
But he couldn't tell what.
Inside his mind—
'Looks like my peaceful training days might get complicated.'