Karna's response was resolute, his voice carrying a newfound depth and authority. "I do not seek to challenge a deity, Indra. I seek to stand for what is just and right, regardless of the odds. Your title does not grant you the right to dictate the fates of mortals."
With those words, Karna moved with a swiftness that defied the eye, his form a blur as he closed the distance between him and Indra. His movements were a symphony of grace and precision, a testament to his mastery over his transformed state.
Indra, caught off guard by Karna's speed, reacted instinctively, summoning the power of the Vajra and releasing a bolt of lightning towards Karna. But Karna's reflexes were equally quick, and he manoeuvred through the electrifying assault with a fluidity that seemed almost supernatural.
The clash of their energies sent shockwaves rippling through the clearing, causing the very ground to tremble. Shaurya was about to enter the fray, but Karna's commanding voice halted him. "This is my battle, Shaurya. Stand ready to intervene if necessary, but let me face this challenge alone."
Shaurya hesitated for a moment, his eyes reflecting his concern and determination. But he ultimately nodded, his loyalty to Karna unwavering. He stepped back, his powerful form poised and ready, a silent guardian watching over the unfolding battle.
Karna and Indra continued their intense exchange, their movements a dance of power and skill. Karna's Asura Mode granted him an enhanced connection to the forces of darkness, lightning and illusion.
His attacks were a mesmerizing combination of swift strikes, elemental manipulation, and illusory diversions. With each move, he seemed to weave a tapestry of magic and combat, keeping Indra on his toes and preventing him from gaining the upper hand.
Indra, for his part, was a formidable adversary. He wielded the Vajra with mastery, conjuring bolts of lightning that crackled through the air and sizzled with destructive potential. His strikes were precise and powerful, and he utilized his divine abilities to counter Karna's every move.
The clash between Karna and Indra was a spectacle of raw power and skill, each combatant pushing themselves to their limits. The forest around them bore witness to their battle, the very trees seemingly whispering encouragement to Karna, their leaves rustling in approval.
"Cruel Sun!!!"
A huge sun formed at the tip of Divine Axe-Rhitta with electric currents surrounding it, Karna howled it towards Indra.
Indra's eyes narrowed as he witnessed Karna's devastating attack. Recognizing the formidable power behind it, he knew he had to respond swiftly. He raised the Vajra high, channelling his divine energy into the thunderbolt.
With a thunderous roar, Indra launched his counterattack, releasing a massive bolt of lightning that collided with Karna's blazing sun. The collision was cataclysmic, the two forces meeting in an explosion of light and energy that illuminated the entire clearing.
The shockwave from the impact rippled through the forest, bending trees and shaking the ground beneath them. The clash of power echoed through the air, a testament to the intensity of the confrontation between mortal and deity.
As the smoke and light began to dissipate, the true extent of the aftermath became visible. The ground where the two forces had collided was scorched and cracked, the remnants of their power still lingering in the air.
Karna stood at the epicentre of the impact, his form cloaked in an aura of energy. His Asura Mode seemed to pulse with a renewed intensity, his resolve unshaken despite the formidable adversary he faced.
Indra, a few paces away, was equally unyielding. His armour was singed, and his hair was ruffled by the force of the explosion. But his eyes burned with an unwavering determination, his divine power undiminished.
The standoff continued, each combatant taking a moment to assess their opponent and plan their next move. The air was charged with tension, the very atmosphere quivering with the energy of their clash.
Then, a voice cut through the silence—a voice that held a note of authority and wisdom. "That is enough, both of you."
Karna and Indra turned their gazes towards the source of the voice. Floating on a lotus at the edge of the clearing was a figure dressed in flowing robes, his presence commanding respect and attention.
An old man with four heads and a long flowing beard—
"Lord Brahma," Karna spoke with a mixture of reverence and relief. His transformed state began to recede as he returned to his original form, the intricate patterns fading from his skin.
Indra, too, acknowledged the presence of the deity with a respectful nod, his expression revealing a complex blend of emotions—deference, frustration, and perhaps a hint of begrudging acceptance.
Brahma's gaze shifted between the two powerful beings, his expression grave. "This confrontation serves no purpose but to further escalate tensions. Karna, you have proven your strength and determination, and Indra, your concerns have been noted. It is time to find a more productive resolution."
Karna's stance relaxed as he listened to Brahma's words. The weight of their battle seemed to lift, replaced by a sense of perspective and clarity. He nodded in agreement, his respect for the deity evident in his demeanour.
Indra, though visibly discontent, offered a curt nod as well. His reluctance to back down was palpable, but the presence of Brahma seemed to temper his defiance.
Brahma's gaze turned to Shaurya, who had been observing the exchange with a watchful eye. "And you, noble guardian, your loyalty is admirable. But it is time to lower your guard."
Shaurya's wings flexed once before he obeyed, his powerful form settling into a more relaxed posture. His eyes, however, remained fixed on the proceedings, his protectiveness unwavering.
"As the creator, I implore you both to seek a path of understanding and cooperation," Brahma continued. "The destinies of mortals and deities are intertwined, and harmony must prevail."
Karna inclined his head in acknowledgement, his voice sincere. "I hear your words, Lord Brahma. I am willing to engage in dialogue and seek a peaceful resolution."
Indra's response was less forthcoming, but he grudgingly nodded as well. "I will consider your counsel, Lord Brahma."
"Ah! One final thing Karna, If I were to give you a boon what would you ask?"
Karna's gaze held a thoughtful expression as he contemplated the offer of a boon from Lord Brahma. His mind sifted through the possibilities, considering the challenges and goals that lay ahead.
"I seek Ashta Siddhis (Eight Extraordinary Powers Of The Soul)"
Lord Brahma's eyes twinkled with a knowing understanding. "Ashta siddhis, the eight supernatural powers that grant mastery over various aspects of existence. A noble aspiration, Karna. Very well, I shall grant you this boon. May these siddhis aid you in your journey."
With a wave of Brahma's hand, a radiant light enveloped Karna, infusing him with the blessings of the Ashta Siddhis. The eight powers, each representing a different facet of existence, flowed into Karna's being, enhancing his abilities and expanding his potential.
[Ding...]
[Ding...]
After bestowing his boon upon Karna, Lord Brahma's departure was abrupt, almost as if he sensed a pressing urgency elsewhere. His form dissipated into a shimmering light, leaving behind a sense of mystique and wonder.
Karna and Shaurya exchanged a curious glance, the events that had unfolded leaving them both with a mixture of astonishment and intrigue. The forest seemed to have returned to a state of calm, the tension from the earlier confrontation gradually dissipating.
"Where did Indra go?"
Karna's gaze shifted to the spot where Indra had stood moments ago, but the silver-armoured deity was nowhere to be seen. It was as if he had vanished as mysteriously as Lord Brahma had departed.
"I suppose he decided that continuing the confrontation was not in his best interest," Karna remarked, his voice tinged with a touch of wry amusement. "Perhaps the presence of Lord Brahma reminded him of the greater cosmic order."
Shaurya let out a low rumble, his agreement with Karna's assessment evident in the way his eyes glinted with understanding. The tension that had gripped the clearing had indeed eased, replaced by a sense of introspection and contemplation.
Karna's attention returned to the departing light that had once been Lord Brahma. "It seems our encounter with both Indra and Lord Brahma has left us with much to consider."
"Indeed," Shaurya's response seemed to echo Karna's sentiments, his majestic presence a source of reassurance and camaraderie.
As the forest embraced them once more, Karna's thoughts turned to the upcoming coronation, the legacy of Meghnad, and the journey that lay ahead.
The Ashta Siddhis now coursing through his being held the promise of new possibilities and challenges, each power representing a step towards mastery over different aspects of existence.
Wings unfolded again and Karna and Shaurya took to the sky, their forms soaring through the air forest below them seeming to blur into a vibrant mosaic of colours, a testament to the vitality of the natural world.
"Shaurya," Karna's voice carried a note of anticipation as he addressed his companion. "Shall we continue our race to the kingdom of Anga?"
Shaurya responded with a powerful roar, his wings beating with renewed energy. With a synchronized leap, they propelled themselves forward, streaking through the sky with a speed and grace that defied the limits of mortal ability.
The wind whistled past them, carrying with it a sense of exhilaration and freedom. The world seemed to blur around them as they embraced the thrill of the race, their forms united in a shared pursuit of the horizon.
"Ah! Artemis show me the previous alerts."
[Right Away]
[Congratulation host for gaining...]