The morning sun poured over Hastinapur's spires like molten gold, but Aryan's mind was heavy with the weight of midnight truths. Yudhishthir's words echoed in his thoughts:
> "Dharma won't be black or white."
Aryan now held the Pendant of the Flame, its soft warmth pulsing against his chest like a second heartbeat.
It was time to enter the Inner Library.
---
The Forbidden Archives
Hidden beneath the palace's temple wing, guarded by silent monks and two elite Kuru guards, the entrance to the Inner Library resembled a shrine more than a repository.
But as Aryan touched the pendant to the carved lotus at the doorway, the marble slid open.
What greeted him was not dust—but power.
Scrolls written in Sanskrit glowing with celestial ink, tablets sealed by ancient rishis, murals depicting past yugas and battles long erased from public memory.
And there, on a pedestal, floated a single scroll wrapped in serpent scales.
> System Alert:
Special Record Identified: "Vasuki's Curse – The True Origin of the Kaurava Bloodline"
Restricted Access – Divine Permission Required
Override Activated: Shiva's Mark Present
Access Granted
Aryan's breath caught as the scroll unraveled before him.
---
The Serpent's Truth
> "In the age before the Kauravas, a pact was made between a forgotten prince and the serpent Vasuki to ensure survival in battle.
The price: a sliver of divine wrath embedded into each firstborn heir of the line."
> "The Kaurava heirs, from birth, carry this echo. Not evil. But twisted—susceptible to pride, illusion, and fury."
> "Only one not of their blood, blessed by balance, can either heal… or destroy this legacy."
Aryan stepped back.
> System Revelation Unlocked:
Bloodline Insight – Curse of the Kauravas (Active)
New Main Quest Branch Available: "The Serpent's Bargain"
> Objective: Either cleanse the curse from the heirs… or be forced to confront it in battle.
Aryan's fists clenched. "So that's what Duryodhan carries… and what I might have to fight."
He barely noticed the soft rustle behind him.
---
The Serpent's Son
"You shouldn't be here," a voice said, smooth and sharp as a blade.
Aryan turned.
A youth stood in the archway—his features regal, his eyes intense.
Karna.
Not in royal robes, but warrior's cloth. A sun pendant on his chest. And behind his calm, a storm waiting.
> System Scan Activated
Name: Karna
Origin: Unknown to public. True heritage: Kshatriya (Son of Surya, raised by charioteers)
Karmic Weight: Heavy
Bond Status: Unstable Ally – High Respect Potential
Aryan bowed slightly. "You must be Karna. I've heard of your valor."
Karna stepped forward. "And I've heard of you, Aryan. The village boy who walks like a king and speaks like a sage."
They circled each other mentally.
"Why are you here?" Karna asked.
"To find the truth," Aryan answered. "Even the kind buried under politics and curses."
Karna's gaze sharpened. "Then be careful. In this palace, truth doesn't free you—it brands you."
> Bond Sparked: Karna – "Warriors of Different Paths"
A complex relationship begins.
---
Outside the Library
Devika waited, arms folded, temple sword on her back.
"Learn anything cursed?" she asked dryly.
"Plenty," Aryan said, walking past her. "And someone besides us knows I did."
As they walked back to their chambers, Aryan felt the System pulse again.
> Quest Updated: The Serpent's Bargain
You have unlocked the curse's origin. Next Step: Interact with Duryodhan during Royal Training.
Warning: Emotional manipulation and pride-trigger scenarios imminent.
---
From a Distance
In a tower overlooking the garden, Shakuni played with his dice.
"They've let the snake in the garden," he murmured. "And he walks with Shiva's shadow."
The dice clattered, glowing with a strange red hue.
"All the better. Let's see what kind of king Fate tries to forge from a boy touched by gods."
He smiled.
And tossed again.
---
To be continued in Chapter 12: "Trials of the Princes"